Yes, Lawn Boy Is Banned!
ISBN: 9781616207205
Lawn Boy follows Mike Muñoz, a broke young landscaper in Washington state who is trying to build a life while grappling with class, race, and his emerging bisexuality. Evison’s novel blends humor with sharp social commentary as Mike navigates dead-end jobs, family obligations, and a growing realization that the American Dream wasn’t designed for people like him. The book won the Alex Award from the American Library Association for its appeal to adult and young adult readers alike.
Lawn Boy became a lightning rod in the book-banning movement in late 2021, when a Virginia parent read a passage describing a childhood sexual encounter at a school board meeting, and the clip went viral. The book was quickly pulled from libraries alongside Gender Queer and All Boys Aren’t Blue as part of a coordinated wave of challenges targeting LGBTQ+ content. With over 150 total challenges, it has been removed from school libraries across Texas, Florida, Virginia, Utah, South Carolina, and Iowa. Evison has spoken about the surreal experience of watching his literary novel become a political symbol, noting that the book’s frank treatment of class and sexuality is precisely what makes it valuable.
Why Was It Banned?
Where Was It Banned?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lawn Boy banned?
Yes, Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison has been banned or challenged in 156 documented instances across 6 states in the United States, including Texas, Florida, Virginia, Utah, South Carolina. It remains one of the most frequently challenged books in America.
Why was Lawn Boy banned?
Lawn Boy has been challenged and banned for the following reasons: Sexual Content, LGBTQ+ Themes. These challenges have come from school boards, libraries, and parent groups seeking to restrict access to the book.
Where is Lawn Boy banned?
As of 2025, Lawn Boy has been banned or challenged in Texas, Florida, Virginia, Utah, South Carolina, Iowa. Notable bans include Keller ISD (2021), Duval County Public Schools (2022), Fairfax County Public Schools (2021).