Utah just banned the book that inspired the hit film ‘Precious’ from all public schools

“Push” by Sapphire is the 37th title banned from all public schools statewide.

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) A pamphlet of banned books in Utah sits on a shelf at Central Book Exchange in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. "Push" by Sapphire was the latest book to be banned across Utah.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/sltrib/3ab0da87-a93f-43be-9630-295049d554b0.png

Carmen Nesbitt and

https://author-service-images-prod-us-east-1.publishing.aws.arc.pub/sltrib/812ed2c8-76c2-42e1-b690-3a87ab025bce.png

Sean P. Means

| Aug. 20, 2026, 6:00 a.m.

MOST VIEWED

1

Latest from Sunday’s LDS General Conference: Don’t let secular learning stunt your spirituality, says President Oaks

2

ICE enforcement in a small Utah town sent a community into fear. Local police played a key role.

3

Gordon Monson: Even with a win, did BYU betray itself against TCU — or was this who the Cougars actually are?

4

Full summary of Saturday’s LDS General Conference: Never give up on those who have left the faith, says apostle

5

Gordon Monson: A distinguished coach’s story: Eric Kjar defeated death, depression and disease on his way to winning at life

Sponsored Story

Salt Lake Acting Company’s 2026/2027 season: 55 years of keeping Salt Lake interesting

Sponsored: Engaging and enriching community through brave, contemporary theatre through World and Utah Premiere productions

Carmen NesbittEducation Reporter

Sean P. MeansDeputy Enterprise Editor

Sean P. Means has been reporting and editing for The Salt Lake Tribune since 1991 — including 25 years as movie critic. Since 2018, he has reported on arts and culture reporter, and breaking news — and was part of The Tribune’s COVID-19 reporting team. He reviews movies for MovieCricket.net and X96’s “Radio From Hell” program.

Utah just banned the book that inspired the hit film ‘Precious’ from all public schools

“Push” by Sapphire is the 37th title banned from all public schools statewide.

RELATED STORIES

Utah just banned another Stephen King book from all public schools. Here’s what it’s about.

Frustrated with book bans, these Utah bookstores now hand out free copies of titles pulled from public schools

A Utah book-ban advocate was given access to a school library system with private student data. The district says there was ‘no breach.’

In Utah, nearly all statewide book bans originate from just 2 school districts, sending novels to the shredder, Tribune finds