Book Bans in South Carolina Public Schools

Since the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, the SC Board of Education has voted to ban the following titles from all South Carolina public schools following the recommendations of the Instructional Materials Review Committee (IMRC):

• The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
• A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
• A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
• A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
• A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
• All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
• Damsel by Elena K. Arnold
• Flamer by Mike Curato
• Normal People by Sally Rooney
• Push by Sapphire
• Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
• Crank by Ellen Hopkins was retained but requires parental permission for check out

How Can I Advocate Against Unlawful Book Banning?

1. Reach out to the members of the IMRC to make your voice heard! 

• Dr. Christian Hanley, chairperson [email protected]
• Dr. David Mathis [email protected]
• Dr. Cheryl Collier [email protected]
• Joyce Crimminger [email protected]
• Tammie Shore [email protected] 

     2. Become an SC Library Advocate! Join the SCASL and SCLA (South Carolina Library Association) one-click campaign to stay informed and to                 contact legislators about pending legislation

• https://app.oneclickpolitics.com/campaign-page?cid=17919&lang=en

     3. Attend IMRC or full State Board of Education meetings when possible!

• visit this link for instructions on speaking at IMRC meetings
• You can also email comments to your representatives if unable to attend in person 
• Bookmark this link to follow the IMRC
• Bookmark this link to follow the State Board of Education

     4. Become a SCASL member!

• SCASL members receive emails containing suggested talking points and summaries of meetings to keep members informed

     5. Be sure you have read regulation 43.170

     6. Visit the SC Department of Education website to view the complaint reports submitted for challenged titles.

     7. Stay informed by reading the following helpful articles.

• Article by SCASL Immediate Past President Tamara Cox, Book bans, funding cuts, harassment. Why school libraries are at risk -- and more essential than ever
• ‘Feels like you’re betraying your student.’ Librarians react to book bans in SC schools
• South Carolina Could Lead The Nation In Number of State-Mandated School Book Bans, PEN America and ACLU of South 

page updated 3.31.2025