In this Part 1 episode we discuss the book Cemetery Boys, by Aiden Thomas. In Part 1 we discuss why the book is banned, share some context to help understand the book, and give our assessment of why it’s worth reading. Cemetery Boys is a young adult urban fantasy novel written by Latinx American author Aiden Thomas. Published in 2020, this is Thomas’s debut novel. It became the first book by a transgender author featuring a trans character to be on the New York Times Bestseller List. It received starred reviews from Booklist and Publisher’s Weekly, who also named it the best book of the year. As did NPR and Barnes and Noble.
Today’s banned bit was about the ALA’s Webinar “How Faith Communities and Librarians Can Advocate for the Freedom to Read.” which took place on November 5, 2025.
We found information on why the book was challenged at the Port City Daily’s article “41 books will come off Pender County Schools shelves while they undergo review”, and on the book resume provided by publisher Swoon Reads.
We found this gem on The U.S. House of Representative’s web site in connection with a meeting, most likely in reference to “House Resolution 733. Expressing concern about the spreading problem of book banning and the proliferation of threats to freedom of expression in the United States.”
If you’d like to read more about Aidan Thomas and the book, we referenced the following interviews:
'I’m more interested in what comes next': Aiden Thomas talks 'Cemetery Boys' and writing the trans Latinx identity, by Nivea Serrao on syfy.com
“Interview: Aiden Thomas, Author of Cemetery Boys,” by Alexx @ Enthralled Bookworm
Finally, we referenced Episode 67 of Rogue Librarians, Interview with Shannon Watters and Branden Boyer White. It’s a great episode, go listen to it!
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