Yes, Burned Is Banned!
ISBN: 9781416903550
Ellen Hopkins’s Burned follows Pattyn Von Stratten, the eldest daughter in a large, devout Mormon family ruled by an abusive, alcoholic father. When Pattyn begins questioning her faith and develops feelings for a boy outside the church, she’s sent to live with an aunt in rural Nevada. There, Pattyn experiences freedom for the first time, falls in love, and faces impossible choices about the life she was born into versus the life she wants. Hopkins writes in her signature verse format, using white space and line breaks to create emotional rhythm that hits like a gut punch.
Burned was challenged 11 times in the 2024-2025 PEN America data, with bans in Colorado, Florida, and Tennessee school districts. The challenges cite religious content (specifically its portrayal of Mormonism), sexual content, and language. The book draws objections from both sides: some challenge it for depicting religion negatively, while others object to the sexual content. Hopkins has said Burned is based on real experiences shared with her by readers, making it one of her most personal novels despite being fiction. The title itself has taken on an unintended second meaning, given how frequently the book ends up on burn lists.
Why Was It Banned?
Where Was It Banned?
Read It Anyway
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burned banned?
Yes, Burned by Ellen Hopkins has been banned or challenged in 25 documented instances across 3 states in the United States, including Colorado, Florida, Tennessee. It remains one of the most frequently challenged books in America.
Why was Burned banned?
Burned has been challenged and banned for the following reasons: Sexual Content, Religious Objections, Drug/Alcohol Use, Language. These challenges have come from school boards, libraries, and parent groups seeking to restrict access to the book.
Where is Burned banned?
As of 2025, Burned has been banned or challenged in Colorado, Florida, Tennessee. Notable bans include Elizabeth School District (2024), Broward County Public Schools (2025), Hillsborough County Public Schools (2025).