Ghost Boys
by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Censorship Status
Banned in Various US schools
Reason: Police brutality themes, racial violence
A novel about a 12-year-old Black boy killed by police and his ghost's perspective.
Why Ghost Boys Was Banned
Censorship Concerns
This book was banned for challenging established norms and authority.
Specifically, Ghost Boys was targeted for: Police brutality themes, racial violence. The book's themes and content were deemed threatening to the social, political, or religious order in Various US schools.
Why Read Ghost Boys Today?
- ✓ Historical Significance: Understand why this book was considered dangerous enough to ban.
- ✓ Intellectual Freedom: Support the right to read diverse perspectives and challenging ideas.
- ✓ Critical Thinking: Engage with ideas that authorities didn't want people to consider.
- ✓ Cultural Understanding: Gain insight into the fears and concerns of different societies and eras.
Other Banned Books You Might Like
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This powerful memoir about growing up Black and queer in America has been targeted by Republican lawmakers in at least 14 states. Johnson's honest discussion of sexuality, identity, and intersectionality has made it a lightning rod in current culture wars. The book's frank exploration of what it means to be both Black and queer challenges readers to understand multiple forms of marginalization simultaneously.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
by Stephen Chbosky
Reported banned 85 times in 2024 alone, this coming-of-age novel about a sensitive teenager has become a major target for Republican parents and school boards. Its honest portrayal of teen sexuality, homosexuality, drug use, and mental health issues challenges conservative views of what teenagers should read about their own experiences.
Thirteen Reasons Why
by Jay Asher
Tied for 5th most-banned book in 2024 with 76 bans. This young adult novel about teen suicide has been targeted by Republican parents and school boards who argue it glamorizes suicide and could harm vulnerable teenagers. Mental health advocates counter that it opens crucial conversations about depression and bullying.
Don't Let This Story Be Silenced
Support intellectual freedom by reading the books that challenged the powerful. Get your copy of Ghost Boys today and discover why it's still being banned.
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