About this book
How do you define yourself? By your friends? Your family? Your boyfriend? Your grades? Your trophies? Your choices? By a single choice? From the author of the acclaimed Poisoned Apples comes a novel in verse about a young woman and the aftermath of a life-altering decision. Fans of Laurie Halse Anderson and Ellen Hopkins will find the powerful questions, the difficult truths, and the inner strength that speak to them in Ask Me How I Got Here. Addie has always known what she was running toward, whether in cross country, in her all-girls Catholic school, or in love. Until she and her boyfriend—her sensitive, good-guy boyfriend—are careless one night, and she gets pregnant. Addie makes the difficult choice to have an abortion. And after that—even though she knows it was the right decision for her—nothing is the same. She doesn’t want anyone besides her parents and her boyfriend to know what happened; she doesn’t want to run cross country anymore; she can’t bring herself to be excited about anything. Until she reconnects with Juliana, a former teammate who’s going through her own dark places. Once again, Christine Heppermann writes with an unflinching honesty and a deep sensitivity about the complexities of being a teenager, being a woman. Her free verse poems are moving, provocative, and often full of wry humor and a sharp wit.
Why it was banned
In 2024, "Ask Me How I Got Here" by Christine Heppermann was banned at the school level in the United States due to its LGBTQ+ and sexual content. The official reason given by the banning authorities was the book's exploration of themes related to sexual identity and relationships. There are no documented lawsuits or public statements from the author or publisher regarding this ban.
Censorship history
In 2024, "Ask Me How I Got Here" by Christine Heppermann faced bans at the school level across various districts in the United States due to its LGBTQ+ and sexual content. Notably, several school boards held votes to remove the book from libraries and curricula, responding to formal complaints from parents and advocacy groups concerned about its themes. The bans were upheld in multiple instances, reflecting ongoing debates about educational content and age-appropriateness in literature.
Bans
| Country | Year | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 2024 | LGBTQ+Sexual |
