Objectionable Books in South Dakota School districts 23-1, 23-2, 23-2 (Hot Springs, Edgemont, Oelrichs)
This page exists to make it easier for parents to find books in our school linraries and the material that makes them objectionable.
To see the rating system used to rate most of these books, go to www.ratedbooks.org
Here is a brief overview of the rating system:
2/5: Teen Guidance: Moderate violence/hate/profanity, non sexual nudity, inexplicit sexual activities, drug or alcohol use, gender ideologies
3/5: Minor Restricted: Explicit violence, extreme hate, frequent profanity, sexual activities, drug or alcohol abuse
4/5: Not for minors-adult content: Explicit sexual nudity, obscene and detailed references to sexual activities,
5/5: Aberrant, adult only content: Explicit descriptions of aberrant sexual activities such as bestiality and rape.
Some books do not have information readily available online, but the author/title/topic makes the book suspicious. It is included here until we have time to review it.
Are we book banners? Many social media accounts, organizations, and individuals would label us that way. Books contain ideas, and a society that bans ideas is well on its way to the type of totalitarianism that Moms for Liberty is working to avoid. However, we believe that selecting content that is appropriate for age and situation is not the same as book banning. It is, in fact, our duty as parents, teachers, librarians and administrators.
In addition, we believe that the lines between parenting and teaching have become blurred, to the detriment of our children and families. There are issues, such as transgender ideology, racism, and homosexual marriage that are best dealt with in the home. Each parent knows best their family values and what their child can handle.
Scroll down to find your child's school and the books we've found so far. Then click the link to read a review or watch a youtube video of the book being read, and decide for yourself! If you find an error on this page, wish to suggest a book to add, or have any questions, feel free to reach out to me: [email protected]
Edgemont District 23-1:
Edgemont School Library
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes- rated 2/5, contains inflammatory racial commentary https://tinyurl.com/2vr2tzxn
Just Mercy: A True Story of the Fight for Justice by Bryan Stevenson-this book makes controversial claims about our justice system, including the claim that capital punishment is derived from racial mob lynching
Drama by Raina Telgemeier- rated 2/5 https://tinyurl.com/2xf98t7c
Flamer by Mike Curato- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/mr2792zv
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman- rated 2/5 https://tinyurl.com/5bt2yf4z
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/y6cnapvk
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/bdfvcnt3
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/3z38yy3b
Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson- rated https://tinyurl.com/3b8cmmzs
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/3ex2yrae
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison- rated 4/5 https://tinyurl.com/2p8k6rp9
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/5c7wea7z
Identical by Ellen Hopkins- rated 4/5 https://tinyurl.com/5n6mswxj
Collateral by Ellen Hopkins- rated 4/5 https://tinyurl.com/3ptwmrfw
Smoke by Ellen Hopkins- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/sadvf8hb
Burned by Ellen Hopkins- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/2sh7p63n
Perfect by Ellen Hopkins- rated 4/5 https://tinyurl.com/tkxdr969
Fallout by Ellen Hopkins- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/a5zvarhz
Tilt by Ellen Hopkins- rated 4/5 https://tinyurl.com/4f8npk95
Glass by Ellen Hopkins- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/yt9u9vwp
Impulse by Ellen Hopkins- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/3x8jt28m
Tricks by Ellen Hopkins- rated 5/5 https://tinyurl.com/mtxwemxu
Crank by Ellen Hopkins- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/5fdeyacc
Shine by Lauren Myracle- rated 4/5 https://tinyurl.com/4j7syfhw
Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/369bpu3r
Chosen by P.C. and Kristin Cast- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/ycku69dz
Native Son by Richard Wright- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/3ymf38um
Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/43v6ab9b
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Juliet Takes A Breath by Gabby Rivera- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/nsexcp6m
Go Ask Alice, Anonymous- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/mwpyccef
I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/2p87v7mb
Fade by Lisa McMann- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/2p9yzkkw
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini- rated 4/5 https://tinyurl.com/mrycfpsx
Looking for Alaska by John Green- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/59hx6k8k
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/56we6bwc
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/mtvd7mp7
Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Smith- a fairly poorly written book that encourages continued racial divisions between Natives and white people
The Breakaways by Cathy G Johnson- rated 2/5 with gender ideology- https://tinyurl.com/mshmnwsd
Go With the Flow by Lily Williams and Karen Schneemann- this is a story about a group of girls who protest and petition their school into providing supplies for them when they are on their periods, with fairly detailed descriptions. While the points made are somewhat valuable, it's probably not appropriate for a younder audience, especially boys https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44280849-go-with-the-flow
Hot Springs District 23-2:
Hot Springs Elementary
Drama by Raina Telgemeier -rated 2/5 https://tinyurl.com/2xf98t7c
And Tango Makes Three by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
Define "Normal" by Julie Ann Peters- this author wrote many books about LGBTQ characters, intended for kids. This book is about two girls, one of whom is lesbian, as they deal with teen issues. https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/222525.Define_Normal_
Forever by Judy Blume- this book is about seniors and sexual tension in their relationships. There is a scene where a boy teaches his girlfriend how to rub his penis correctly. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forever..._(novel)
Then Again, Maybe I Won't by Judy Blume- this is about a boy entering puberty, who engages in voyeuristic behavior https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Then_Again,_Maybe_I_Won%27t
Better Nate Than Never by Tim Federle- this is a story about a 13 year old who sneaks off to New York to audition for a broadway play. It deals with teen sexuality. This is a link to the author's wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Federle
Five, Six, Seven, Nate by Tim Federle- the sequel to Better Nate Than Ever. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Federle
Hot Springs Middle/High
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes -rated 2/5 with inflammatory racial commentary- https://tinyurl.com/2vr2tzxn
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/3z38yy3b
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson - rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/3ex2yrae
Beloved by Toni Morrison rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/86aur34v
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
The Bluest Eye Toni Morrison - rated 4/5 https://tinyurl.com/2p8k6rp9
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/5c7wea7z
Crank by Ellen Hopkins - rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/5fdeyacc
Tower of Dawn by Sarah J Maas - rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/ybdw5y7y
The Gift by Danielle Steel - rated 4/5 https://tinyurl.com/y5fht3rz
Stained by Jennifer Richard Jacobson- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/2ve22rns
Water for Elepants by Sarah Gruen - rated 4/5 https://tinyurl.com/rnx2k4w
Slaughterhouse Five byKurt Vonnegut - rated 4/5 https://tinyurl.com/mrxjxj6d
Go Ask Alice, Anonymous - rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/mwpyccef
Fade by Lisa McMann -rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/2p9yzkkw
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini -rated 4/5 https://tinyurl.com/mrycfpsx
The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein -rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/3u9hwp3d
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Foer- rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/bdhmhvj4
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell -rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/56we6bwc
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher -rated 3/5 https://tinyurl.com/mtvd7mp7
Stained by Cheryl Rainfield - a story of a girl who experiences torture and abuse- a young adult level book
Real Abortion Stories: The Hurting and the Healing by Barbara Horak- a pro-abortion book
Staying Fat for Sarah Barnes by Chris Crutcher-regular discussions about abortion and suicide
Oelrichs District 23-3:
Oelrichs School Library