Yes, Traffick Is Banned!
ISBN: 9781442482876
Ellen Hopkins’s Traffick continues the stories of five teenagers from Tricks who are trapped in various forms of sex trafficking and exploitation. The novel follows each character’s struggle to escape: some succeed, some don’t, and the outcomes are neither tidy nor guaranteed. Hopkins researched the book extensively, including interviews with trafficking survivors and law enforcement, and the verse format gives each character a distinct voice while maintaining the relentless pacing that characterizes her work. Traffick is a difficult book by design. It’s not meant to be comfortable.
Traffick was challenged 10 times in the 2024-2025 PEN America data, with bans across Florida and Tennessee school districts. Alongside its predecessor Tricks (already in the database), it represents Hopkins’s most directly advocacy-driven work. The challenges cite sexual content, violence, and language, all of which are inherent to a novel about sex trafficking. Hopkins has argued that banning books about trafficking while trafficking continues to victimize American teenagers is a choice to prioritize adult comfort over child safety. The book includes resources for trafficking victims and is used by anti-trafficking organizations in their outreach work.
Why Was It Banned?
Where Was It Banned?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Traffick banned?
Yes, Traffick by Ellen Hopkins has been banned or challenged in 16 documented instances across 2 states in the United States, including Florida, Tennessee. It remains one of the most frequently challenged books in America.
Why was Traffick banned?
Traffick has been challenged and banned for the following reasons: Sexual Content, Violence, Drug/Alcohol Use, Language. These challenges have come from school boards, libraries, and parent groups seeking to restrict access to the book.
Where is Traffick banned?
As of 2025, Traffick has been banned or challenged in Florida, Tennessee. Notable bans include Citrus County School District (2025), Hillsborough County Public Schools (2025), Nassau County School District (2025).