BANNED

Yes, Firekeeper's Daughter Is Banned!

by Angeline Boulley · Henry Holt and Co. · 2021

ISBN: 9781250766564

12 documented challenges

📖 Why You Should Read This Book

Boulley's thriller about an Ojibwe teenager working undercover in a drug investigation is the Indigenous YA novel that's been missing from shelves for decades.

Firekeeper’s Daughter follows Daunis Fontaine, a biracial eighteen-year-old who is not quite accepted by her Ojibwe community or the white town where she lives. When she witnesses a shocking murder, she agrees to go undercover for the FBI to investigate a meth crisis ravaging the reservation. The deeper she goes, the more she discovers that the investigation’s real targets might not be who the FBI claims.

Angeline Boulley’s debut was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller and a Printz Honor Book, and was adapted into a Hulu series. It has been banned in multiple states for its depictions of drug use, violence, and sexual content, despite being praised for its authentic representation of Indigenous life and the very real crises facing tribal communities.

Why Was It Banned?

Where Was It Banned?

Texas Keller ISD 2022
Florida Escambia County School District 2023
Iowa Marion Independent School District 2023
Missouri Wentzville School District 2022

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Firekeeper's Daughter banned?

Yes, Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley has been banned or challenged in 12 documented instances across 4 states in the United States, including Texas, Florida, Iowa, Missouri. It remains one of the most frequently challenged books in America.

Why was Firekeeper's Daughter banned?

Firekeeper's Daughter has been challenged and banned for the following reasons: Drug Use, Violence, Sexual Content. These challenges have come from school boards, libraries, and parent groups seeking to restrict access to the book.

Where is Firekeeper's Daughter banned?

As of 2025, Firekeeper's Daughter has been banned or challenged in Texas, Florida, Iowa, Missouri. Notable bans include Keller ISD (2022), Escambia County School District (2023), Marion Independent School District (2023).