When Words and Songs Get Silenced: A Look at Censorship in Schools

Jodi Picoult, a well-known author, is no stranger to controversy. Her books have been banned before, but now, her musical has also faced cancellation. The musical, based on her novel \"Between the Lines, \" was supposed to be performed at Mississinewa High School in Indiana. However, the school's superintendent, Jeremy Fewell, called it off due to concerns about sexual innuendo and alcohol references. Picoult was disappointed, especially for the students who had worked hard on the production. She pointed out that the musical's message is positive and important for teenagers. It's about a girl named Delilah who finds her voice and learns to write her own story. The original novel includes a nonbinary character, but the musical was edited to remove references to gender orientation to make it more acceptable for a conservative audience.This isn't the first time Picoult's work has been challenged. Her book \"Nineteen Minutes, \" which discusses the events leading up to a school shooting, was banned 16 times in the 2024-2025 school year. She mentioned that in one Florida school district, 20 of her books were banned based on a single parent's objection, even though the parent admitted to not reading any of them. The issue of censorship in schools isn't limited to Picoult's work. Other plays and musicals have also faced challenges. For example, \"The Addams Family\" was canceled in Pennsylvania due to concerns about violence, smoking, and queer themes. In Florida, the play \"Indecent, \" which explores Jewish and queer history, was canceled for inappropriate sexual dialogue. A survey by the Educational Theatre Association found that over 75% of theatre educators reported pressure to reconsider their play and musical choices during the 2023-24 school year. Picoult believes that this trend is not protecting kids but rather robbing them of valuable materials that help them navigate a complex world.