Utah Schools Ban ‘Wicked’ Novel Behind Musical and Films
Utah’s educational environment has recently seen controversial shifts. The state’s public schools have added the novel “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West” to their list of banned books. This 1995 work by Gregory Maguire has been removed alongside two other titles, bringing the total number of banned books in the state’s K-12 schools to 22.
Details of the Ban
The ban stems from a statewide decision, initiated by the Utah State Board of Education. Under state law, if three school districts or a combination of two districts and five charter schools find a book indecent or pornographic, it must be removed from all public school libraries in Utah. As of 2024, this removal protocol is actively enforced.
About “Wicked”
Maguire’s “Wicked” was explicitly written for adults and contains mature themes, including violence and sexual content. The author has stated that the book is not intended for younger readers. However, he has not specified an appropriate age for readers who may wish to engage with the material.
Impact on Other Titles
The recent addition of “Wicked” to the ban list includes two other well-known titles: “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky and “Nineteen Minutes” by Jodi Picoult. These novels address critical and sometimes sensitive topics.
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower (1999): This coming-of-age story captures the life of a high school teenager named Charlie, exploring issues such as sexual abuse and suicide. The book is frequently cited among the most banned books in America.
- Nineteen Minutes (2007): This novel tackles the aftermath of a school shooting. It has also faced significant scrutiny, particularly for a single page addressing sensitive subject matter.
Complete List of Banned Books
In addition to the three newly banned titles, other books facing removal in Utah schools include:
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
- 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 Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
- Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
- What Girls are Made of by Elana K. Arnold
- Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur
- Forever by Judy Blume
- Tilt by Ellen Hopkins
- Fallout (Crank, Book 3) by Ellen Hopkins
- Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
- Blankets by Craig Thompson
- Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott
- Damsel by Elana K. Arnold
- Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian
- Tricks by Ellen Hopkins
- Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
- Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
The public list of banned books maintained by the Utah State Board of Education does not provide reasons for the removal of each title. This recent wave of censorship reflects ongoing debates about literary access and educational freedom in the state.
