Utah Bans "Wicked" and Other Titles from Public Schools

The Utah State Board of Education has recently added "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" by Gregory Maguire to its list of banned books in public schools. This decision, announced on January 5, 2026, follows the removal of the book by three school districts: Davis, Tooele, and Washington County. The ban is part of a broader trend in the U.S. where book censorship has been increasing, with PEN America reporting 6,870 instances of book bans across 23 states from July 2024 to June 2025.

Newsweek‘Wicked,’ the novel behind the musical and movies, is now banned in Utah schoolsSalt Lake Tribune

In addition to "Wicked," the Utah State Board of Education has also banned "Nineteen Minutes" by Jodi Picoult and "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky. This brings the total number of banned titles in Utah to 22. The law governing these bans stipulates that if three school districts or two districts and five charter schools remove a book for being classified as "objective sensitive material," it must be banned statewide.

‘Wicked,’ the novel behind the musical and movies, is now banned in Utah schools

"Wicked," published in 1995, presents a darker narrative than its popular Broadway adaptation. Maguire has stated that the book contains themes of sex, violence, and moral ambiguity, which he intended for an adult audience. He has not specified an appropriate age for readers but has emphasized that the book is not suitable for children. The novel explores complex themes, including the nature of evil and societal oppression, through the lens of the Wicked Witch, Elphaba.

Salt Lake Tribune

Critics of the bans, including authors Jodi Picoult and Stephen Chbosky, have voiced concerns about the implications of censorship. Picoult has argued that her book "Nineteen Minutes" is banned not for its content about school shootings but for a single page that includes anatomically correct language. She emphasized that the book has provided support to many students facing isolation and trauma. Chbosky has similarly expressed sadness over the bans, noting that his book has helped countless young readers feel less alone.

Salt Lake Tribune

Kasey Meehan, director of PEN America’s Freedom to Read program, remarked on the escalating censorship pressures, stating, "Censorship pressures have expanded and escalated... A disturbing ‘everyday banning’ and normalization of censorship has worsened and spread over the last four years." The Utah State Board of Education has not provided specific reasons for the bans, only labeling the books as containing "objective sensitive materials."

Newsweek

As the trend of book banning continues, it is anticipated that more states may follow Utah's lead in restricting access to similar titles. The ongoing debate around censorship in education raises questions about the balance between protecting students and preserving freedom of expression in literature.

Newsweek