Banned Books Week 2026 | Wellington College Bangkok

Celebrating the Freedom to Read – Banned Books Week

16 October 2026

Earlier this month, our Skylight Library marked Banned Books Week with a special display inspired by this year’s theme, “Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read.” The display featured books that have been challenged or banned in different parts of the world. We also extended the theme to our Wellington Reads enrichment activities, giving students opportunities to explore the topic and reflect on why the freedom to read matters.

Students took the opportunity to browse many books they were already familiar with while also discovering lots of new stories.  A key question was regularly raised during the week (and beyond): “Why have these books been banned?” These conversations encouraged Wellington students to think critically not just about the book, but why it may have appeared on a banned list.  We also asked them to consider different perspectives and to explore ideas beyond their own experiences.  The event has reminded everyone that reading does not mean agreeing with everything in a book; it gives us opportunities to question, reflect, and form our own opinions.

Through these experiences, we hope to encourage students to read beyond their usual choices and discover how stories can broaden their understanding of themselves and others.

Although our display has come to an end, the reading journey continues! Explore our Banned Books Week Reading List to discover the titles featured in our display. You can also find available titles in our Skylight Library or through Sora app, giving you the freedom to read anytime, anywhere.

Let books be. Keep reading, keep questioning, and keep protecting the freedom to read.