Marshall University does not ban books! The information is provided to let people know what has been banned/challenged elsewhere.
2025
Banned or challenged for being sexually explicit.
During the August 12 board meeting of the Lehighton Area School District (PA), treasurer Sean Gleaves, a member of Moms for Liberty, called for the removal of 33 titles from school libraries. Gleaves said he believed the books were inappropriate because they contained “LGBTQ issues” and “critical race theory.” Tricks, Crank, and Identical were included on his list.
Thirteen Reasons Why was one of 10 titles challenged at the St. Joseph School District (MO) by individuals associated with the Christian nationalist Herzog Foundation. 8 Other titles targeted include And Tango Makes Three and This Book Is Anti-Racist. The individuals alleged the books contain illegal obscenity and requested Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey to issue warrants for the arrest of all school librarians working for the district. The books went through the district’s reconsideration process. The review committee recommended retaining eight titles without restriction. After a split vote by the committee, Tricks and All Boys Aren’t Blue now require parental permission for checkout.
2024
Banned or challenged for being sexually explicit, depiction of rape and drugs, and having LGBTQIA+ content.
In March, officials of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (AK) required removal of all “sexually explicit” titles listed on a book rating site often used by Moms for Liberty. Numerous books were removed from school libraries without following policy, including Tricks. In September, the school board formed a “Library Citizens Advisory Committee” to review dozens of additional titles. To date, they have censored every title reviewed. They banned 16 titles from all school libraries, including Identical. Crank was among 14 titles removed from middle school collections. On November 17, ACLU of Alaska filed a lawsuit against the district on behalf of six students claiming violation of their constitutional rights through the district’s removal of 56 library books.
2023
Both Tricks and Crank were removed from libraries in the Rockwall Independent School District (TX) along with 19 other titles. No formal request for reconsideration was submitted for any of the books and no review process was followed. Prior to their removal, Hopkins’ books were included on a list of titles state senator Bob Hall characterized as “obscene,” which was shared with district administrators by a local parents group.
Crank and Tricks were among seven titles removed from a High School Library in Michigan after a parent supported claims the books included “pornographic content” with arguments from booklooks.org. Following the removal of the initial seven, she submitted a list of 55 additional titles.
On These Pages
A Banned book has been removed from a library, classroom, etc.
A Challenged book has been requested to be removed from a library, classroom, etc.
For additional information contact
Ron Titus, titus@marshall.edu
304-696-6575
Last updated
August 4, 2025