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General Recommendations

Books to Read for Freedom to Read Week

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Barrie_Adult_Lists

Barrie Public Library

Staff-created list

Freedom to Read Week is an annual event that encourages Canadians to think about and reaffirm their commitment to intellectual freedom, which is guaranteed them under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The books on this list have been challenged or banned in Canada or the United States.

By:

Barrie_Adult_Lists

Barrie Public Library

15 items

15 items

Gender Queer

Gender Queer

by Kobabe, Maia

Graphic Novel - 2022

Gender Queer was the most challenged book of 2021 in the United States due to it's LGBTQ+ content; some considered it to have sexually explicit images. Ge...Show more Gender Queer was the most challenged book of 2021 in the United States due to it's LGBTQ+ content; some considered it to have sexually explicit images. Gender Queer is about the author's journey of self-identity, which includes the mortification and confusion of adolescent crushes, grappling with how to come out to family and society, bonding with friends over erotic gay fan fiction, and facing the trauma and fundamental violation of pap smears. Show less

Gender Queer was the most challenged book of 2021 in the United States due to it's LGBTQ+ content; some considered it to have sexually explicit images. Ge...Show more Gender Queer was the most challenged book of 2021 in the United States due to it's LGBTQ+ content; some considered it to have sexually explicit images. Gender Queer is about the author's journey of self-identity, which includes the mortification and confusion of adolescent crushes, grappling with how to come out to family and society, bonding with friends over erotic gay fan fiction, and facing the trauma and fundamental violation of pap smears. Show less

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The Complete Maus

The Complete Maus

by Spiegelman, Art

Graphic Novel - 1996

In 2022, a school board in Tennessee unanimously voted to remove Maus from its grade 8 curriculum due to concerns about profanity and an image of female n...Show more In 2022, a school board in Tennessee unanimously voted to remove Maus from its grade 8 curriculum due to concerns about profanity and an image of female nudity in its depiction of Polish Jews who survived the Holocaust. Maus recounts the chilling experiences of the author's father during the Holocaust, with Jews drawn as wide-eyed mice and Nazis as menacing cats. Show less

In 2022, a school board in Tennessee unanimously voted to remove Maus from its grade 8 curriculum due to concerns about profanity and an image of female n...Show more In 2022, a school board in Tennessee unanimously voted to remove Maus from its grade 8 curriculum due to concerns about profanity and an image of female nudity in its depiction of Polish Jews who survived the Holocaust. Maus recounts the chilling experiences of the author's father during the Holocaust, with Jews drawn as wide-eyed mice and Nazis as menacing cats. Show less

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Neon in Daylight

Neon in Daylight

A Novel

by Hoby, Hermione

Book - 2018

In 2019, a Canadian library patron submitted a complaint about Neon in Daylight, requesting it to be censored due to the "raunchy" nature of the...Show more In 2019, a Canadian library patron submitted a complaint about Neon in Daylight, requesting it to be censored due to the "raunchy" nature of the book. Neon in Daylight is about Kate, a young woman newly arrived from England, who is staying in a Manhattan apartment while she tries to figure out her future. Show less

In 2019, a Canadian library patron submitted a complaint about Neon in Daylight, requesting it to be censored due to the "raunchy" nature of the...Show more In 2019, a Canadian library patron submitted a complaint about Neon in Daylight, requesting it to be censored due to the "raunchy" nature of the book. Neon in Daylight is about Kate, a young woman newly arrived from England, who is staying in a Manhattan apartment while she tries to figure out her future. Show less

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Barometer Rising

Barometer Rising

A Novel

by MacLennan, Hugh

Book - 2017

In 1960, school trustees voted to ask Manitoba’s department of education to remove this novel from the high school curriculum, citing inappropriate langua...Show more In 1960, school trustees voted to ask Manitoba’s department of education to remove this novel from the high school curriculum, citing inappropriate language and vulgarity. Most trustees had not read the novel. Set in Halifax during the First World War, Barometer Rising juxtaposes a drama of family loyalties and tensions against the actual historical event of the devastating Halifax explosion. Show less

In 1960, school trustees voted to ask Manitoba’s department of education to remove this novel from the high school curriculum, citing inappropriate langua...Show more In 1960, school trustees voted to ask Manitoba’s department of education to remove this novel from the high school curriculum, citing inappropriate language and vulgarity. Most trustees had not read the novel. Set in Halifax during the First World War, Barometer Rising juxtaposes a drama of family loyalties and tensions against the actual historical event of the devastating Halifax explosion. Show less

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The Family Gathering

The Family Gathering

by Carr, Robyn

Book - 2018

In 2022, a Canadian library patron submitted a complaint about The Family Gathering, due to its many sexual scenes. The Family Gathering is about Dakota J...Show more In 2022, a Canadian library patron submitted a complaint about The Family Gathering, due to its many sexual scenes. The Family Gathering is about Dakota Jones, who -- after having left the military -- is looking to sort out his head before moving on to his next adventure. Show less

In 2022, a Canadian library patron submitted a complaint about The Family Gathering, due to its many sexual scenes. The Family Gathering is about Dakota J...Show more In 2022, a Canadian library patron submitted a complaint about The Family Gathering, due to its many sexual scenes. The Family Gathering is about Dakota Jones, who -- after having left the military -- is looking to sort out his head before moving on to his next adventure. Show less

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Essex County

Essex County

by Lemire, Jeff

Graphic Novel - 2009

This graphic novel was challenged by a library patron in Ontario in 2011 for the "shocking" offensive language contained in the book. After movi...Show more This graphic novel was challenged by a library patron in Ontario in 2011 for the "shocking" offensive language contained in the book. After moving to his uncle's farm, 10-year-old orphan Lester befriends the town's gas station owner, damaged former hockey star Jimmy Lebeuf, and the two escape to a fantasy world of super-heroes, alien invaders, and old-fashioned pond hockey. Show less

This graphic novel was challenged by a library patron in Ontario in 2011 for the "shocking" offensive language contained in the book. After movi...Show more This graphic novel was challenged by a library patron in Ontario in 2011 for the "shocking" offensive language contained in the book. After moving to his uncle's farm, 10-year-old orphan Lester befriends the town's gas station owner, damaged former hockey star Jimmy Lebeuf, and the two escape to a fantasy world of super-heroes, alien invaders, and old-fashioned pond hockey. Show less

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Lawn Boy

Lawn Boy

A Novel

by Evison, Jonathan

Book - 2018

Lawn Boy was the second most challenged book of 2021 in the United States, due to its LGBTQ+ content; some considered it to be sexually explicit. Lawn Boy...Show more Lawn Boy was the second most challenged book of 2021 in the United States, due to its LGBTQ+ content; some considered it to be sexually explicit. Lawn Boy is about Mike Muñoz, a young Mexican American not too many years out of high school, and just fired from his latest gig as a lawn boy on a landscaping crew. Though he tries time and again to get his foot on the first rung of that ladder to success, he can't seem to get a break. But then things start to change for Mike, and after a raucous, jarring, and challenging trip, he finds he can finally see the future and his place in it. Show less

Lawn Boy was the second most challenged book of 2021 in the United States, due to its LGBTQ+ content; some considered it to be sexually explicit. Lawn Boy...Show more Lawn Boy was the second most challenged book of 2021 in the United States, due to its LGBTQ+ content; some considered it to be sexually explicit. Lawn Boy is about Mike Muñoz, a young Mexican American not too many years out of high school, and just fired from his latest gig as a lawn boy on a landscaping crew. Though he tries time and again to get his foot on the first rung of that ladder to success, he can't seem to get a break. But then things start to change for Mike, and after a raucous, jarring, and challenging trip, he finds he can finally see the future and his place in it. Show less

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Lives of Girls and Women

Lives of Girls and Women

A Novel

by Munro, Alice

Book - 2005

This book was removed from a Grade 13 reading list in 1976 by a Peterborough high school principal. The principal “questioned its suitability because of t...Show more This book was removed from a Grade 13 reading list in 1976 by a Peterborough high school principal. The principal “questioned its suitability because of the explicit language and descriptions of sex scenes". Published in 1971 by award-winning Canadian author Alice Munro, Lives of Girls and Women tells the story of a young woman who journeys from the carelessness of childhood through an uneasy adolescence in search of love and sexual experience. Show less

This book was removed from a Grade 13 reading list in 1976 by a Peterborough high school principal. The principal “questioned its suitability because of t...Show more This book was removed from a Grade 13 reading list in 1976 by a Peterborough high school principal. The principal “questioned its suitability because of the explicit language and descriptions of sex scenes". Published in 1971 by award-winning Canadian author Alice Munro, Lives of Girls and Women tells the story of a young woman who journeys from the carelessness of childhood through an uneasy adolescence in search of love and sexual experience. Show less

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Persepolis

Persepolis

by Satrapi, Marjane

Graphic Novel - 2003

Persepolis landed the #2 spot on the American Library Association's list of most frequently challenged books for 2014. Objections to this book stem from &...Show more Persepolis landed the #2 spot on the American Library Association's list of most frequently challenged books for 2014. Objections to this book stem from "scenes of torture and Islamic content". In this award-winning autobiographical graphic novel, the author tells the story of living in Iran as an adolescent during a time of political upheaval in the 1970s-1980s. Show less

Persepolis landed the #2 spot on the American Library Association's list of most frequently challenged books for 2014. Objections to this book stem from &...Show more Persepolis landed the #2 spot on the American Library Association's list of most frequently challenged books for 2014. Objections to this book stem from "scenes of torture and Islamic content". In this award-winning autobiographical graphic novel, the author tells the story of living in Iran as an adolescent during a time of political upheaval in the 1970s-1980s. Show less

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Boy Erased

Boy Erased

A Memoir of Identity, Faith, and Family

by Conley, Garrard

Book - 2018

Challenged in 2019 at a Canadian library, a patron requested the book be removed because it was hateful towards Baptist ministers due to the portrayal of ...Show more Challenged in 2019 at a Canadian library, a patron requested the book be removed because it was hateful towards Baptist ministers due to the portrayal of the father character. In this lyrical memoir, the author (a survivor of a church-supported sexual orientation conversion therapy) describes the experience and the daily threats of his abandonment by family, friends, and God. Now a major motion picture starring Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe. Show less

Challenged in 2019 at a Canadian library, a patron requested the book be removed because it was hateful towards Baptist ministers due to the portrayal of ...Show more Challenged in 2019 at a Canadian library, a patron requested the book be removed because it was hateful towards Baptist ministers due to the portrayal of the father character. In this lyrical memoir, the author (a survivor of a church-supported sexual orientation conversion therapy) describes the experience and the daily threats of his abandonment by family, friends, and God. Now a major motion picture starring Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe. Show less

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The Handmaid's Tale

The Handmaid's Tale

by Atwood, Margaret

Book - 2014

In Toronto in 2008, a parent formally complained about the use of this dystopian novel in a Grade 12 English class. The parent said that the novel’s “prof...Show more In Toronto in 2008, a parent formally complained about the use of this dystopian novel in a Grade 12 English class. The parent said that the novel’s “profane language, anti-Christian overtones, violence and sexual degradation” probably violated the district school policies that require students to show respect and tolerance to one another. The school board continued to use this novel in its curriculum. By Canadian author Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale is set in a not-so-distant future dystopia where women are strictly controlled in the Republic of Gilead, the former United States. Show less

In Toronto in 2008, a parent formally complained about the use of this dystopian novel in a Grade 12 English class. The parent said that the novel’s “prof...Show more In Toronto in 2008, a parent formally complained about the use of this dystopian novel in a Grade 12 English class. The parent said that the novel’s “profane language, anti-Christian overtones, violence and sexual degradation” probably violated the district school policies that require students to show respect and tolerance to one another. The school board continued to use this novel in its curriculum. By Canadian author Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale is set in a not-so-distant future dystopia where women are strictly controlled in the Republic of Gilead, the former United States. Show less

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The Arab of the Future

The Arab of the Future

4, A Childhood in the Middle East (1987-1992) : A Graphic Memoir

by Sattouf, Riad

Graphic Novel - 2019

In 2019, a Canadian library patron requested this book be removed from the library due to stereotypes depicted "against Jewish, Arabs, homosexuals, F...Show more In 2019, a Canadian library patron requested this book be removed from the library due to stereotypes depicted "against Jewish, Arabs, homosexuals, French people and women." In this autobiographical graphic memoir, the author recounts his nomadic childhood growing up in rural France, Gaddafi's Libya, and Assad's Syria, under the roof of his father, a Syrian Pan-Arabist, who drags his family along in his pursuit of grandiose dreams for the Arab nation. Show less

In 2019, a Canadian library patron requested this book be removed from the library due to stereotypes depicted "against Jewish, Arabs, homosexuals, F...Show more In 2019, a Canadian library patron requested this book be removed from the library due to stereotypes depicted "against Jewish, Arabs, homosexuals, French people and women." In this autobiographical graphic memoir, the author recounts his nomadic childhood growing up in rural France, Gaddafi's Libya, and Assad's Syria, under the roof of his father, a Syrian Pan-Arabist, who drags his family along in his pursuit of grandiose dreams for the Arab nation. Show less

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The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz

The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz

by Richler, Mordecai

Book - 1989

In 1990, parents demanded the removal of this novel by famed Canadian author Mordecai Richler from high school reading lists in Essex County, Ontario. The...Show more In 1990, parents demanded the removal of this novel by famed Canadian author Mordecai Richler from high school reading lists in Essex County, Ontario. They objected to “vulgarity, sexual expressions and sexual innuendoes” in the text. The novel, which is set chiefly in Montreal in the 1940s, tells the story of a young Jewish man who strives for material success. Noted Canadian authors -- including June Callwood and Al Purdy -- defended the book. But the Essex County Board of Education advised teachers and principals to avoid using novels in class that “might provoke undue controversy.” Show less

In 1990, parents demanded the removal of this novel by famed Canadian author Mordecai Richler from high school reading lists in Essex County, Ontario. The...Show more In 1990, parents demanded the removal of this novel by famed Canadian author Mordecai Richler from high school reading lists in Essex County, Ontario. They objected to “vulgarity, sexual expressions and sexual innuendoes” in the text. The novel, which is set chiefly in Montreal in the 1940s, tells the story of a young Jewish man who strives for material success. Noted Canadian authors -- including June Callwood and Al Purdy -- defended the book. But the Essex County Board of Education advised teachers and principals to avoid using novels in class that “might provoke undue controversy.” Show less

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Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

by Twain, Mark

Book - 1994

This book was challenged in 1991 in New Brunswick for racist language and characterization. In this classic from 1883, Huckleberry Finn sets off with Jim,...Show more This book was challenged in 1991 in New Brunswick for racist language and characterization. In this classic from 1883, Huckleberry Finn sets off with Jim, an escaped slave, to find freedom on the Mississippi river. With the law on their tail, they navigate a world of robbers, slave hunters and con men, and Huck must choose between what society says is right and his own burgeoning understanding of Jim's friendship and humanity. Show less

This book was challenged in 1991 in New Brunswick for racist language and characterization. In this classic from 1883, Huckleberry Finn sets off with Jim,...Show more This book was challenged in 1991 in New Brunswick for racist language and characterization. In this classic from 1883, Huckleberry Finn sets off with Jim, an escaped slave, to find freedom on the Mississippi river. With the law on their tail, they navigate a world of robbers, slave hunters and con men, and Huck must choose between what society says is right and his own burgeoning understanding of Jim's friendship and humanity. Show less

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Delta of Venus

Delta of Venus

Erotica

by Nin, Anaïs

Book - 2004

This book was challenged in 2019 by a Canadian library user who was concerned that the book contravened the Criminal code for underage sex. This ground-br...Show more This book was challenged in 2019 by a Canadian library user who was concerned that the book contravened the Criminal code for underage sex. This ground-breaking collection of stories explores aspects of female sexuality long unexposed until Anais opened what she herself was to call "that Pandora's box." It is fearless and compelling. Show less

This book was challenged in 2019 by a Canadian library user who was concerned that the book contravened the Criminal code for underage sex. This ground-br...Show more This book was challenged in 2019 by a Canadian library user who was concerned that the book contravened the Criminal code for underage sex. This ground-breaking collection of stories explores aspects of female sexuality long unexposed until Anais opened what she herself was to call "that Pandora's box." It is fearless and compelling. Show less

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