South Orange & Maplewood School District Actions

The South Orange & Maplewood School District in New Jersey recently removed Junot Díaz's novel "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" from an Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition class at Columbia High School (CHS). This significant action followed a series of mental health crises at the school, including multiple student suicide attempts and two student deaths in December.

Superintendent Jason Bing stated that administrators initiated the book's removal, characterizing it as a curriculum decision made in response to the students' mental health needs. Initially, the novel was recalled after distribution to students. Following community objections, the district modified its stance. The district now requires parental permission for students to study the novel in class.

This requirement of parental permission is categorized as a "book ban" by PEN America, an organization dedicated to free expression.

Additional district responses include plans for an opt-in mental health screening for CHS students and an enhancement of existing mental health services.

Context and Community Reaction

The Novel and Its Themes

"The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao," a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, has been a part of the CHS curriculum since 2011.

Teacher Lori Martling described the novel's value in exploring themes such as Hispanic diaspora experiences, cultural conflicts, misogyny, and mental health struggles.

The district specifically cited a scene depicting suicide as a reason for its removal.

A Broader Trend

PEN America's November 2024 report indicates a concerning trend: nearly 60% of banned books are young adult titles addressing grief, death, suicide, substance abuse, depression, and sexual violence.

Kasey Meehan of PEN America noted a "creep" in book restrictions, expanding beyond race and racism to include anything that causes discomfort.

Author's Perspective

Junot Díaz, the author, expressed his view that art serves a vital purpose.

Díaz believes art fosters connection, reduces isolation, and deepens understanding, rather than acting as a dangerous influence.

Student and Teacher Concerns

Students and teacher Lori Martling voiced strong concerns about the novel's removal. They argued that literature provides a valuable avenue for processing difficult emotions and that classroom discussions offer a structured, supportive environment for engaging with sensitive topics.

Students organized a petition, which garnered signatures from 47 AP Lit students and over 200 other students and alumni. They also suggested the presence of social workers or mental health professionals during class discussions, a suggestion Superintendent Bing rejected.

Questions of Curriculum Consistency

CHS students questioned why other works in the curriculum, such as Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and "Romeo and Juliet" and Dostoevsky's "Crime and Punishment," which also depict suicide, remain while "Oscar Wao" was restricted. This raised concerns about consistency in curriculum decisions.

Current Status

The South Orange & Maplewood district plans to make "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" available to students whose parents provide consent by early March.