All chapters
Each chapter follows one question through the records. It explains what happened, links to the evidence and identifies what remains unclear.
New here? Follow the guided story → Start with a signed request, then follow ratings, local reviews and statewide removal.For the review steps: How Utah Reviews School Books
How are book decisions made?
- How Utah Reviews School BooksStart here2022–2026Who gets to decide whether a book stays in school?
Utah law sets the tests for removing school books. Districts and charter schools carry out local reviews, while State Board rules guide the process. Follow the steps below, then see the records behind them.
- How multiple district decisions trigger statewide removal2024–2026When do several local rulings lead to a state ban?
A few local book rulings can affect schools across Utah. The law counts final findings of “objective sensitive material” from at least three districts, or two districts and five charter schools. Follow which books met that count and how the State Board can review the statewide ban.
- When Is a Book Decision Final?2023–2026When is a book ruling final? What can still change it?
A book review can end with removal, limits by grade or continued access. An appeal can change that result, and a board may delay its vote or seek another review. This chapter follows those steps to find out when a decision is final.
- The Bible Test2022–2023Why did Davis limit the Bible, then bring it back?
Davis School District first limited the Bible to high schools. On appeal, its board brought it back for all grades. Both review groups said it passed the test for certain sexual content. They disagreed about its value for younger readers.
- Who Chooses the Books?2024–2026Who picks school books? What did the State Board vote to review?
Who picks the books schools buy? Emily Green asked that question as a state school board member. Staff said local librarians and educators usually choose them. Follow how those questions led to a plan to review school book purchases.
Where do lists and ratings fit?
- The List Before the Ratings2021–2022Where did the book list come from? Who shared it?
Before RatedBooks had a rating site, a spreadsheet listed books people wanted checked and schools that held them. It drew titles from outside groups. This chapter traces the list and the links that later appeared in RatedBooks’ files.
- From Ratings to Book Challenges2022–2026How do ratings lead to requests to remove books?
RatedBooks offers private ratings, excerpts and tools to find books in school libraries. Its guides show parents how to ask for a school review. Follow those steps to see how a rating can lead to a complaint, while the school makes its own decision.
- The 186 Books2025Who supplied the list? What did the auditors read?
An unnamed lawmaker gave state auditors a list of 186 RatedBooks titles. They chose 22 books to read in full. Follow how they made that choice, what they found and what is still unknown about the list.
- From Book Lists to Paid Services2022–2026Who makes the tools? What do they cost? Who uses them?
Book lists grew into tools to find titles in schools, file complaints and check catalogs. Some cost money. Follow who offers the tools, what they charge and how people say they use them. Many customers and contracts remain unverified.
What else is involved?
- The Fight Over EBSCO2016–2022What did the groups claim? What did Utah’s tests find?
Groups said EBSCO’s school research tools let children see porn. Utah staff tested those claims through the state’s filtered school service and could not reproduce the results. This chapter follows the complaints, tests and response from lawmakers.
- Approved for What?2019–2026What was approved? What did the state reject?
StoryLabs sold HEART, an online sex education course. A May 2022 sales page called it “USBE approved.” State reviewers rejected it that August, but later saved pages kept the claim. Follow why a seal for student data privacy did not approve the course for class use.
- Beyond Books2021–2026What else do these groups want schools to change?
These disputes also reached school apps, devices and online research tools. Groups sought new rules for software and student data privacy. Follow what they claimed, what they asked schools to change and which bills became law.
- Book Ratings Reach Public Libraries2026Why do library boards use rating sites?
An Idaho public library board used rating sites to question which books to buy and who could borrow them. Staff and the public took part in the debate. Follow that case and related South Carolina disputes to see what was decided and what is still unclear.