Utah Bans Stephen King's 'Different Seasons' from Public Schools
The novella collection Different Seasons, which includes stories that inspired notable films such as Stand by Me and The Shawshank Redemption, has been banned from public school libraries in Utah. Stephen King is recognized as the most banned author in US schools, according to recent reports.
Originally published in 1982, Different Seasons comprises four novellas: "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption: Hope Springs Eternal," "Apt Pupil: Summer of Corruption," "The Body: Fall from Innocence," and "The Breathing Method: A Winter’s Tale."
Despite its previous availability to students in grades seven through twelve, the collection was removed from libraries in the Davis, Jordan, Tooele, and Washington school districts. This action led to a statewide ban by the Utah State Board of Education on July 6. The decision followed the state's criteria for removing books from public schools.
Criteria for Book Removal
According to Utah law, a book is 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 that it contains "objective sensitive material." This designation is defined under Utah code and enforced by the Utah State Board of Education.
Utah code defines "objective sensitive material" as:
"Instructional material that constitutes pornographic or indecent content."
The statute further clarifies that "sensitive material" includes content that is "harmful to minors," pornographic, or that "includes certain fondling or other erotic touching."
Current Banned Books and Legal Challenges
The Utah State Board of Education maintains a list of books currently banned under this code. As of July 15, the list includes 35 titles, among them The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
The removal of Stephen King's Different Seasons occurs amid ongoing legal challenges to book bans in Utah. In January, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Utah filed a lawsuit against state officials on behalf of the estate of Kurt Vonnegut and several bestselling authors. The lawsuit argues that the book bans violate constitutional rights, stating they are:
"Unconstitutional under the First and Fourteenth Amendments."
In announcing the lawsuit, the ACLU accused Utah of:
"Trampling on the protections guaranteed by the First Amendment."
