Freedom to Read

2008—In Toronto, 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.

Update—In 2009, a review panel of the Toronto District School Board recommended that schools keep the novel in the curriculum in Grades 11 and 12.

1990—One of several books challenged by a parent group in Essex County (ON).

Update—None of the books were withdrawn from the high school reading list as a result of the protest.

2006—After receiving an anonymous letter of complaint, the Dufferin-Peel (ON) Catholic District School Board removed this novel about a murder trial from its high school library shelves and the syllabus of a Grade 11 English course. In 1995, this bestselling book won the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction.

Update—In 2007, the school board created a committee to review the book. The committee consisted of school trustees, parents, teachers representing elementary and secondary library associations, a religious education consultant, a supervisor of library services and the superintendent of the program. The committee decided to return the novel to school libraries and keep the novel in the Grade 11 English course. The committee also decided to send letters that explain the novel’s value and note the novel’s “sensitive content” to parents of students enrolled in the course. In addition, the committee recommended a comprehensive review of the process for selecting novels for use in schools.

Temporarily banned in several countries, including France, Britain and South Africa, for its depiction of unlikely narrator Humbert Humbert's passion for "nymphet" Lolita, a thirteen-year-old girl, and their ensuing sexual relationship.

In 1989, Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran declared a death sentence on novelist Salman Rushdie after the publication of The Satanic Verses.