Show Notes
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!
More from Rogue Librarians
When you’re fighting censorship, the goal isn’t just to say “this is bad.” It’s to make sure kids can still find the books, the stories, and themselves. In our conversation with authors Ashley Hope Pérez and Elana K. Arnold, we talk about how the anthology Banned Together helps librarians, teachers, readers, and writers stand up for the freedom to read—and build community along the way. What are you protecting right now: a book, a voice, or a space? The following things came up during our discussion. Rogue Librarians Episode 10. Out of Darkness: Interview with Ashley Hope Pérez
Week, schmeek, we’re celebrating Banned Books Month and our freedom to read throughout October. This week we talk with author and poet Amber McBride about her novel in verse, The Leaving Room, which turns big questions about death, story, and spirit into something tender and human. Our conversation ranges from books and storytelling to censorship and the comfort literature can offer young readers. Amber reminds us that reading can be joy, resistance, and freedom all at once. And yes — the freedom to choose what we read matters more than ever. We are not saying read everything. We are saying people should have access, choice, and context. That distinction changes everything. You can find Amber McBride at amber-mcbride.com and on Instagram, Tiktok, and Threads @ambsmcbride Books and media we discussed during our conversation include: Tar Beach, by Faith Ringgold
Join us as we kick off our celebration of banned books week and our freedom to read. We welcomed back our friend Sam Helmick, the immediate past president of the American Library Association, to discuss Susan Orlean’s marvelous book, The Library Book. During our discussion, we brought up a few prior episodes of Rogue Librarians, including: Episode 17. The Librarian of Basra (Part 1: Why It's Banned) Episode 18. The Librarian of Basra (Part 2: Close Reading) Episode 54. Fahrenheit 451 (Part 1: Why It’s Banned Episode 53. Fahrenheit 451 (Part 2 : Close Reading)
In this episode we welcome back our friend, Rogue name Undine, for a close reading of The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. We decided to give this book the Sacred Reading treatment introduced to us by the incredible podcast Harry Potter and the Sacred Text. We used the practice of Lectio Divinia and modeled our discussion after the “sacred reading” format used by Casper ter Kuile, Vanessa Zoltan and Matthew Potts in their podcast. Here is the link to their webpage, which explains the process in more detail. Harry Potter and the Sacred Text
Welcome to season 5 of The Rogue Librarians! We are opening with a discussion of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale. Published in 1986, this dystopian tale of a religious revolution in the U.S. only seems to get more relevant with time. In Part 1 we learn a little about the history of the book and of course, why it’s been banned. We are joined by a special guest, Rogue name Undine, who brings insight and art history to the conversation. Materials discussed during the podcast include: In Banned Bits: Article Why This School District Used A.I. to Help Determine Which Books to Ban, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Aug 2023.