Utah Bans 14th Book Statewide
The Utah State Board of Education has announced that a 14th book has been banned statewide The book, Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott (2008), has been banned by three school districts (Davis, Washington, Toole) under the new “Objective Sensitive Material” standard that was signed into law by Governor Cox in 2024. Under that law, when a book is banned by three school districts (or two districts and five charters), it becomes automatically banned statewide — unless the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) votes to overturn the ban and return decision-making to local school districts.
Additionally, the requires school districts to ignore long-standing constitutional requirements that schools consider books “taken as a whole” and assess whether they have significant literary, artistic, political, or scientific value, and whether materials as a whole (not excerpts taken out of context) appeal to the prurient interest.
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The law requires school districts to violate federal law by applying the “objective sensitive material” standard without any consideration of the overall value of the book, or whether the book as a whole — not just spicy bits taken out of context — are meant to incite lasciviousness or lust.
Interesting to note that, yet again, the state is banning another book written by a female author. And yet again, it's another book that deals with themes of sexual abuse being categorized as obscene. There's no doubt about it - this book deals with some very painful and difficult topics. But as one reader quoted on the "Parents Defending Schools and Libraries" website notes, "[The book is] horrifying. That being said, it's a book that should absolutely be read. It reminds us to keep our eyes open to those around us. To really look and to give ourselves permission to help if we think something is wrong."
So, is this book written for teenagers? Carmen Nesbitt reported in her article in the Salt Lake Tribune:
In a YouTube interview with the book’s publisher posted after its 2008 release, Scott acknowledged “some debate” about whether the book is for teens. She countered that it’s “absolutely 100% for teens,” adding that, “when I wrote it, I never once thought about anyone but teenagers reading it.”
“Teenagers I think are very much aware of the world, and for anyone to assume that they don’t have any idea that things like this happen,” she said, “I really think it underestimates teenagers, and how much they see and know about the world.”
Indeed, books that deal with challenging or upsetting topics are often written by authors who say, “I’m writing the book I wish I had when I was a teen.” They are writing books that help teens understand a world they are already living in. They are writing books that help teens keep themselves, their friends, and their siblings safe. They are writing books that help teens feel less alone. [See: Legislative overreach in Utah bans books that help protect kids from abuse.]
The complete list of banned books in Utah is available on the USBE website and is also listed below.
Blankets by Craig Thompson (2003)
A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas (2018)
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas (2016)
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas (2021)
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (2015)
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas (2017)
Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas (2016)
Fallout by Ellen Hopkins (2010)
Forever by Judy Blume (1975)
Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott (2008)
Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur (2014)
Oryx & Crake by Margaret Atwood (2003)
Tilt by Ellen Hopkins (2012)
What Girls Are Made Of by Elana K. Arnold (2017)
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