Yes, Perfect Is Banned!
ISBN: 9781416983248
Ellen Hopkins’s Perfect is a companion novel to Impulse, following four teenagers trapped by the expectations of perfection. Cara is a straight-A student whose relationship with her girlfriend must stay hidden. Kendra is a model battling an eating disorder. Sean is an athlete using steroids to maintain his edge. Andre is a performer torn between his family’s academic expectations and his passion for dance. Hopkins writes each voice in distinct verse, layering their stories as the pressure to be perfect drives each character toward a breaking point.
Perfect was challenged 13 times in the 2024-2025 PEN America data, with bans across Florida, Iowa, and Tennessee school districts. The objections cite sexual content, LGBTQ+ themes, and depictions of drug use and eating disorders. Hopkins has noted the irony: her books are challenged for depicting the exact crises that school counselors deal with daily. Perfect specifically addresses the pressure that drives teenagers toward self-destructive behavior, making it precisely the kind of book that could help a struggling teen feel less alone. Removing it from shelves doesn’t eliminate eating disorders or steroid abuse; it just ensures that kids dealing with those issues have one fewer resource.
Why Was It Banned?
Where Was It Banned?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Perfect banned?
Yes, Perfect by Ellen Hopkins has been banned or challenged in 20 documented instances across 3 states in the United States, including Florida, Iowa, Tennessee. It remains one of the most frequently challenged books in America.
Why was Perfect banned?
Perfect has been challenged and banned for the following reasons: Sexual Content, Drug/Alcohol Use, LGBTQ+ Themes, Language. These challenges have come from school boards, libraries, and parent groups seeking to restrict access to the book.
Where is Perfect banned?
As of 2025, Perfect has been banned or challenged in Florida, Iowa, Tennessee. Notable bans include Hillsborough County Public Schools (2025), Union County School District (2025), Ankeny Community School District (2024).