Forever is Now

About this book

SCHNEIDER FAMILY BOOK AWARD WINNER ● A poignant and lyrical young adult novel-in-verse about a Black teen coming of age in an anxiety-inducing world, from the author of For Black Girls Like Me and In the Key of Us. I'm safe here. That's how Sadie feels, on a perfect summer day, wrapped in her girlfriend's arms. School is out, and even though she’s been struggling to manage her chronic anxiety, Sadie is hopeful better times are ahead. Or at least, she thought she was safe. When her girlfriend reveals some unexpected news and the two witness a violent incident of police brutality unfold before them, Sadie’s whole world is upended in an instant. I'm not safe anywhere. That's how Sadie feels every day after—vulnerable, uprooted. She retreats inside as the weeks slip by and relies on her phone to stay connected to the outside world. When Sadie’s therapist gives her a diagnosis for her debilitating panic—agoraphobia—she starts on a path of acceptance and healing. Meanwhile, Sadie's best friend, Evan, updates her on the protests taking place in their city. Sadie wants to be a part of it, to use her voice and affect change. But how do you show up for your community when you can’t even leave your house? I can build a safe place inside myself. That’s what Sadie learns over the course of one life-changing summer, with some help from her family, her best friend, an online platform for activists, and a magnetic crush she develops for the new boy next door.

Censorship history

In 2024, "Forever is Now" by Mariama J. Lockington was banned at the school level in several districts across the United States due to its LGBTQ+ content and themes related to race and colonialism. This ban was part of a broader trend of challenges against books addressing LGBTQ+ issues and racial topics, often initiated by local parent-teacher associations and conservative advocacy groups. Specific instances included formal complaints lodged in various school districts, leading to votes by school boards to remove the book from library shelves. As of now, the ban remains upheld in these districts, with ongoing debates about its appropriateness in educational settings.

Bans

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