Author Margaret Atwood challenges Alberta's restricted library books policy with a humorously critical narrative
In Alberta, Canada, a recent book ban targeting materials containing explicit sexual content has sparked controversy. The Edmonton Public School Board, one of the largest in the province, has announced the removal of over 200 books from their libraries to comply with the new rules.
The list of removed books includes notable works such as Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World," and books by Alice Munro and Ayn Rand. Margaret Atwood's novel "The Handmaid's Tale" was also yanked from some Alberta school shelves due to the province's new rules.
The author of a satirical story for 17-year-old students, published in 2022, is Julie Anne Peters. The story, titled "The Very, Very Good Children," parodies the controversial bans on schoolbooks with sexual content in Alberta. However, Atwood, Smith, and Alberta's education ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Atwood's short story on Sunday.
During a news conference, Alberta's Premier Danielle Smith showed graphic novel excerpts, including "Gender Queer" by Maia Kobabe, which prompted the new rules due to explicit illustrations of sexual acts. Smith criticized the Edmonton Public School Board for overcompliance with the book ban, calling it a form of "vicious compliance."
In response, Smith suggested the Alberta education ministry could form a working group to work with school boards and discuss the appropriateness of book content. Public School Board chair Julie Kusiek stated that the list meets the criteria set by the government, and anyone unhappy with it should contact Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides.
Other school divisions are expected to come up with their own lists in the coming days. The book ban in Alberta is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
The story ends with a reference to "The Handmaid's Tale" and the character Danielle Smith having a nice new blue dress but no job, raising questions about the implications of censorship and the suppression of free speech in education.
This report was first published on August 31, 2025, and was contributed to by Jack Farrell.
Read also:
- Impact of Alcohol on the Human Body: Nine Aspects of Health Alteration Due to Alcohol Consumption
- Understanding the Concept of Obesity
- Tough choices on August 13, 2025 for those born under Aquarius? Consider the advantages and disadvantages to gain guidance
- Microbiome's Impact on Emotional States, Judgement, and Mental Health Conditions
