Edmonton Public Schools to pull over 200 books, including classics and LGBTQ+ titles, under Alberta’s new rules on explicit content.
Edmonton schools set to remove 200+ books this fall
Classic and contemporary titles targeted
Edmonton Public Schools (EPSB) will remove more than 200 books from library shelves this fall, including classics such as The Handmaid’s Tale and Brave New World. The decision follows a provincial directive from Alberta’s education ministry, which sets new rules for reviewing sexually explicit material in kindergarten to Grade 12 school libraries.
Internal list made public
An internally distributed list obtained by media revealed the scope of removals. Beyond Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, other widely studied works—including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and several novels by John Green and Emily Henry—are slated for removal. Books addressing 2SLGBTQ+ themes, such as Gender Queer and Two Boys Kissing, were also marked as sexually explicit. The list circulated among educators before spreading on social media.
School board responds cautiously
While the list has not been officially released, EPSB chair Julie Kusiek confirmed in a statement that “several excellent books” will be removed because of the ministerial order. She added that staff worked through the summer to ensure only books meeting the new criteria were flagged. The board expressed concerns about the provincial policy, noting it opposed the order but was required to comply.
Alberta government weighs in
Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides acknowledged the list and said the government will review EPSB’s decisions. He emphasized that the province did not provide the list and has asked the school division to explain its selections. Nicolaides added that the policy was designed to establish clear standards, not to ban books, but confirmed the rules apply broadly across all grade levels.
Rules vary by grade
According to the EPSB memo, a separate section of the list applies specifically to K-9 students. Titles such as 1984 and The Great Gatsby will not be available in those libraries, though they may remain accessible for students in grades 10–12 if deemed developmentally appropriate. This tiered restriction has raised questions among educators and parents about consistency and interpretation.
Concerns over ‘culture of fear’
Critics argue the policy risks stifling learning and discussion in classrooms. Former Library Association of Alberta president Laura Winton said the order narrows student access to diverse perspectives. “Just because a book has sexually explicit material doesn’t mean it isn’t appropriate for teenagers,” she said, warning the approach could “limit topics that can be discussed and create a culture of fear.”
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