Elena K. Arnold’s dark, feminist fairytale “Damsel” has become the author’s second novel to land on Utah’s growing list of books banned from all of the state’s public schools.
The addition brings the total number of books banned from all Utah public schools to 15. Women wrote all but one of them.
“Damsel” follows Ama, a young woman who awakens with no memory and is told Prince Emory rescued her to become his bride. As she navigates her new life, Ama begins to uncover the disturbing truths about the prince, the kingdom and her role in a twisted tradition.
The state released its initial list of banned titles on Aug. 2, in accordance with a new law passed by the Utah Legislature last year. The law went into effect July 1.
The law requires a book be removed from all public schools in the state if at least three school districts (or at least two school districts and five charter schools) determine it amounts to “objective sensitive material” — pornographic or otherwise indecent content, as defined by Utah code.
Since the law applied retroactively, school districts and charters were asked to reevaluate the books that they had already decided to ban before July 1 using the state’s new “objective sensitive material” criteria, a standard that did not exist before.
The Utah State Board of Education recently issued guidance recommending that schools prohibit students from bringing “objective sensitive material” onto campus.
“These titles should not be brought to school or used for classroom activities, assignments, or personal reading while on school property,” the USBE’s guidance reads.
A USBE spokesperson told The Salt Lake Tribune that the recommendation is not legally binding or an official administrative rule, allowing schools to implement it at their discretion.
“Damsel” was officially banned Tuesday after the Park City, Washington County and Davis school districts removed the title.
The other 14 banned titles are:
“Blankets” by Craig Thompson.
“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 Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas.
“A Court of Wings and Ruin” by Sarah J. Maas.
“Empire of Storms” by Sarah J. Maas.
“Fallout” by Ellen Hopkins.
“Forever” by Judy Blume.
“Living Dead Girl” by Elizabeth Scott.
“Milk and Honey” by Rupi Kaur.
“Oryx & Crake” by Margaret Atwood.
“Tilt” by Ellen Hopkins.
“What Girls Are Made Of” by Elana K. Arnold.
