Utah public schools have removed the novel Push by Sapphire from their shelves. This marks the 37th title banned statewide following reviews by multiple districts, including Davis, Granite, and Washington County.
Published in 1996, the book chronicles the life of Precious Jones, a teenager facing severe abuse and trauma in Harlem. The story explores themes of literacy and survival, eventually serving as the inspiration for the 2009 film Precious, which received two Academy Awards.
State law mandates that a book be pulled from all public schools if at least three school districts determine the material is sensitive or indecent. In this case, the Davis School District committee concluded that the work has no serious value for minors.
Author Sapphire responded to the decision by stating that banning such narratives risks ignoring the reality of children who face violence. She argued that removing these books removes opportunities for empathy and understanding regarding difficult life experiences. This remains the latest move in a broader trend of challenged books appearing in Utah classrooms.