Judy Blume is an Outlaw in Utah
The legendary young-adult author behind "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" is caught up in the book ban culture wars
This week, Utah became the first state to ban a set of books statewide and some classic authors were caught in the crosshairs.
Among the titles banned are Forever by Judy Blume, Milk and Honey by Rupi K, and Oryx & Crake by Margaret Atwood.
The 13 books were banned after the state passed a bill that allowed them to cancel books that were considered to contain “pornographic or indecent” material.
The way the bill was written allows just a few districts to dictate a state-wide approach to reading.
From to the Salt Lake Tribune:
The law, which went into effect July 1, requires that a book be removed from all public schools in the state if at least three school districts (or at least two school districts and five charter schools) determine it amounts to “objective sensitive material” — pornographic or otherwise indecent content, as defined by Utah code.
PEN America, a group that protects the freedom of expression in America, said the guidelines were vague and “dystopian” and that the law stopped just short of a “book burning.”
“While the final guidance stops short of calling for book burning, the effect is the same: a signal that some books are too dangerous, and that the state has the authority to prohibit them. We disagree,” said Kasey Meehan, Freedom to Read program director at PEN America. “We stand with individuals and organizations across Utah in our opposition to the government-mandated No-Read List and call on leaders to stop playing political football with the freedom to read.”
Book censorship in schools is a growing trend and librarians have been increasingly caught in the crosshairs of America culture wars.
According to the American Library Association, 2023 saw the highest number of attempts to censor books ever.
More than 4,200 titles were targeted last year, a 65% increase from the previous year (which was a record high for that time).
Nearly half of all books targeted had LGBTQ+ or BIPOC characters as protagonists.
The full list of books now banned in Utah
“Blankets” by Craig Thompson.
“A Court of Frost and Starlight” by Sarah J. Maas.
“A Court of Mist and Fury” by Sarah J. Maas.
“A Court of Silver Flames” by Sarah J. Maas.
“A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas.
“A Court of Wings and Ruin” by Sarah J. Maas.
“Empire of Storms” by Sarah J. Maas.
“Fallout” by Ellen Hopkins.
“Forever” by Judy Blume.
“Milk and Honey” by Rupi Kaur.
“Oryx & Crake” by Margaret Atwood.
“Tilt” by Ellen Hopkins.
“What Girls Are Made Of” by Elana K. Arnold.