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Banned Books Week, being held at Northbridge International School Cambodia from 30 September to 4 October, is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Typically held during the last week of September, it spotlights current and historical attempts to censor books in libraries and schools.
It brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.
The books featured during Banned Books Week have all been targeted for removal or restriction in libraries and schools.
While books have been and continue to be banned, part of the Banned Books Week celebration is the fact that, in a majority of cases, the books have remained available. This happens only thanks to the efforts of librarians, teachers, students, and community members who stand up and speak out for the freedom to read.
And Tango Makes Three, a beautiful picture book about a family of penguins, was banned in many countries because it features same sex parents.
The Hate U Give was banned in some schools because it deals with issues of police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Captain Underpants series, challenged because it was perceived as encouraging disruptive behavior.
Authorities have tried to stop people from reading these books, but at Northbridge we are proud to promote diversity and critical thinking, and we encourage you to pick up one of these books and many more and decide for yourself.