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Here’s exactly why 13 books were banned from all Utah public schools, The Tribune found

The Tribune received records explaining individual school districts’ decisions, leading to each book’s statewide ban.

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) A sign in Weller Book Works at Trolley Square announces Banned Books Week in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Utah ordered the removal of 13 book titles from every public school in the state on Aug. 2, 2024.

  | Aug. 13, 2024, 12:00 p.m.

Records obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune reveal the specific reasons why select Utah school districts considered certain books “objective sensitive” material, leading to 13 titles being banned from all public schools in the state.

There are three specific reasons to chose from when categorizing a book as “objective sensitive” material, according to a questionnaire districts or charters must fill out when explaining their decisions. The reasons are based off of the state’s new “objective sensitive” material standards.

Local education officials can select all that apply. If at least three school districts (or at least two school districts and five charter schools) select at least one of these options for the same book title, the book must be removed statewide.

According to a copy of the questionnaire obtained by The Tribune, the three reasons are:

  • Option 1: It contains a description or depiction of “human genitals in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal.”
  • Option 2: It contains a description or depiction of “acts of human masturbation, sexual intercourse, or sodomy.”
  • Option 3: It contains a description or depiction of “fondling or other erotic touching of human genitals or [the] pubic region.”

    • The 13 already banned titles were ordered off all Utah public school shelves on Aug. 2, based on decisions made by just six school districts.

    Here are the options each district cited when deciding to categorize the books as “objective sensitive” material.

    “Blankets” by Craig Thompson

    Three districts decided to ban this autobiographical graphic novel, records show.

  • Davis School District cited all three options.
  • Nebo School District cited options No. 2 and 3.
  • Washington County School District cited option No. 1, specifically noting pages 292-293.

    • “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas

    Five districts decided to ban this romantic fantasy novel, records show.

  • Jordan School District cited options 2 and 3.
  • Davis, Alpine, Nebo and Washington County school districts cited all three options. Washington County School District specifically noted page 247.

    • “A Court of Mist and Fury” by Sarah J. Maas.

    Four districts decided to ban this romantic fantasy novel, records show.

  • Washington County School District cited options No. 1 and 3, specifically noting page 24.
  • Davis, Alpine and Nebo school districts cited all three options.

    • “A Court of Wings and Ruin” by Sarah J. Maas

    Four districts decided to ban this romantic fantasy novel, records show.

  • Washington County School District cited options No. 1 and 3, specifically noting page 139.
  • Davis, Alpine and Nebo school districts cited all three options.

    • “A Court of Frost and Starlight” by Sarah J. Maas

    Five districts decided to ban this romantic fantasy novel, records show.

  • Jordan School District cited options No. 2 and 3.
  • Davis, Alpine, Nebo and Washington County school districts cited all three options. Washington County School District noted pages 202-205 in particular.

    • “A Court of Silver Flames” by Sarah J. Maas.

    Four districts decided to ban this romantic fantasy novel, records show.

  • Washington County School District cited options No. 1 and 3, specifically noting page 247.
  • Davis, Alpine and Nebo school districts cited all three options.

    • “Empire of Storms” by Sarah J. Maas

    Three districts decided to ban this fantasy novel, records show.

  • Jordan School District cited options No. 2 and 3.
  • Davis School District cited all three options.
  • Washington County School District cited option No. 3, particularly noting page 354.

    • “Fallout” by Ellen Hopkins

    Three districts decided to ban this young adult fiction book, records show.

  • Washington County School District cited options No. 1 and 3, particularly noting page 339.
  • Alpine and Davis school districts cited all three options.

    • “Forever” by Judy Blume

    Three districts decided to ban this young adult fiction book, records show.

  • Washington County School District cited options No 1 and 3, particularly noting page 85.
  • Nebo and Davis school districts cited all three options.

    • “Milk and Honey” by Rupi Kaur

    Three districts decided to ban this collection of poetry and prose, records show.

  • Washington County School District cited option No. 1, particularly noting page 69.
  • Jordan and Davis school districts cited all three options.

    • “Oryx & Crake” by Margaret Atwood

    Three districts decided to ban this science fiction book, records show.

  • Jordan School District cited options No. 2 and 3.
  • Davis School District cited options No. 1 and 2
  • Washington County School District cited all three options, noting pages 140-141 and pages 165-166.

    • “Tilt” by Ellen Hopkins

    Three districts decided to ban this young adult fiction book, records show.

  • Davis, Tooele County and Washington County school districts cited all three options. Washington County School District noted page 404.

    • “What Girls Are Made Of” by Elana K. Arnold

    Four districts decided to ban this young adult fiction book, records show.

  • Jordan, Alpine, Davis and Washington County school districts cited all three options. Washington County School District specifically cited page 19.

    • Bans could still be overturned

    Under the law, Utah State Board of Education members have 30 days from the moment a book’s statewide ban is instituted to potentially overturn it.

    To do so, “three or more” USBE leaders within that time frame must request that the material be placed on a board meeting agenda, so leaders can vote on the matter.

    If no hearing is held, the statewide removal stands.

    Moving forward, districts and charters must report any “objective sensitive” material that they decide to remove to USBE.

    If the statewide removal threshold is met, the state school board will notify all districts and charters within 10 school days to remove the title from student access. USBE will also add the title to a public list posted on its website.

    Editor’s note • This story is available to Salt Lake Tribune subscribers only. Thank you for supporting local journalism.