Books Banned In Utah
18
Books Banned By Author
Books Banned By School District
Utah has implemented a sweeping, statewide ban on specific book titles in public schools. This action, which took effect on July 1, 2024, initially banned 13 titles, effective August 2, 2024. The ban stems from HB 29, which builds on frameworks established with the passing of HB 374 in 2022. The laws are part of legislative measures taken by Utah to address the perceived threat of pornography to school children.
HB 29 requires all of the state's public school districts to remove books if they are deemed to contain "objective sensitive material" by three districts or by two districts and five charter schools. Thus, the decisions of a small number of districts are dictating the literary landscape for students across the entire state.
The banned works span a wide range of literature and authors, including acclaimed figures like Judy Blume, Rupi Kaur, and Margaret Atwood. Titles such as Blume's Forever and Atwood's Oryx & Crake represent diverse perspectives and forms of artistic expression, with some having been staples in schools for decades. Notably, sixteen of the books banned so far were written by women.
Sara Gruen
Ellen Hopkins
Abdi Nazemian
Elana K. Arnold
Elizabeth Scott
Sarah J. Maas
Sarah J. Maas
Sarah J. Maas
Sarah J. Maas
Sarah J. Maas
Craig Thompson
Sarah J. Maas
Ellen Hopkins
Judy Blume
Rupi Kaur
Margaret Atwood
Ellen Hopkins
Elana K. Arnold