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From Gilead to Alberta: Book Bans Target ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ and Other Iconic Works
200 books to be pulled at Alberta SchoolsA sweeping removal of over 200 book titles from school libraries across Alberta has ignited widespread concern from educators, authors, and free speech advocates. The review, initiated by the province’s school authorities, has resulted in the exclusion of a diverse array of literary works, many of them widely regarded as classics, award-winners, or culturally significant texts.
Among the notable removals are Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower—each of which has previously faced controversy in various school districts worldwide, but remains widely taught in literature curricula.
The move is part of a broader review of school library materials, which officials say is aimed at ensuring age-appropriate content for students. The original ministerial order, issued in July, asked school employees to remove library materials that depicted sexual acts, including a "written passage."
However, critics argue that the removals reflect a troubling trend toward censorship and the suppression of diverse perspectives in literature.
The widespread removal of these literary staples triggered a backlash. Premier Danielle Smith denounced the list as “vicious compliance,” accusing school boards of misapplying the policy and stripping students of access to enduring works.
Margaret Atwood herself responded with biting satire, posting on social media that people should “Get one now before they have public book burnings,” and releasing a satirical short story mocking the blanket censorship
Here's a piece of literature by me, suitable for seventeen-year-olds in Alberta schools, unlike -- we are told -- The Handmaid's Tale. (Sorry, kids; your Minister of Education thinks you are stupid babies.)
— Margaret E Atwood (@MargaretAtwood) August 31, 2025
John and Mary were both very, very good children. They never picked…
Government Justifies the Review
In response to mounting criticism, Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides clarified that the revised order will only require the removal of books containing graphic sexual images, such as explicit illustrations of sexual acts, penetration, masturbation, or sex toy use, not written descriptions or thematic content
A Diverse List of Banned Books
Other titles reportedly affected by the purge include:
- The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
- The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
- Looking for Alaska by John Green
- Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
- Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
- Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
- Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
- Go Ask Alice (Anonymous)
- This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson
- All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
- 1984 by George Orwell
Many of these books tackle sensitive topics such as sexuality, race, mental health, gender identity, substance use, and systemic oppression. While supporters of the ban argue that the content may be inappropriate for young readers, critics view the removals as a form of censorship that deprives students of the opportunity to engage with complex, real-world issues through literature.