Utah has added Lucky by Alice Sebold to its list of books banned from all public schools statewide. The move on June 5 marks the 35th title removed under state rules.
The state added the book after it met criteria for removal across multiple districts. Utah has now banned 16 titles in 2026 alone, exceeding the 14 removed in 2024. House Bill 29, which took effect in July 2024, requires schools to dispose of any book deemed sensitive material if it faces challenges in at least three districts or a combination of districts and charters. The law applies retroactively and forces all schools to follow decisions from a small number of districts. A lawsuit challenging the bans, filed in February, had its first hearing in mid-May. Officials continue to add books despite the legal action. The full list now includes 35 titles with an average publication year of 2008. Nine districts have driven the removals, led by Davis and Washington.
