Yes, The House in the Cerulean Sea Is Banned!
ISBN: 9781250217318
📖 Why You Should Read This Book
Klune's cozy fantasy about a caseworker who falls in love with the caretaker of magical orphans is a story about choosing love over fear.
The House in the Cerulean Sea follows Linus Baker, a by-the-book caseworker at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, who is sent to evaluate an orphanage on a remote island. There he meets Arthur Parnassus, the orphanage’s caretaker, and six extraordinary children, including the literal Antichrist. As Linus grows to care for them, he questions everything he’s been taught about what’s “normal” and what’s dangerous.
This warm, Hugo-nominated fantasy has been challenged primarily for its LGBTQ+ content, specifically the romantic relationship between the two male leads. The book’s themes of acceptance, found family, and resisting prejudice have made it both a beloved bestseller and a target for removal from school and public library shelves.
Why Was It Banned?
Where Was It Banned?
Read It Anyway
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is The House in the Cerulean Sea banned?
Yes, The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune has been banned or challenged in 8 documented instances across 3 states in the United States, including Texas, Florida, Utah. It remains one of the most frequently challenged books in America.
Why was The House in the Cerulean Sea banned?
The House in the Cerulean Sea has been challenged and banned for the following reasons: LGBTQ+ Content. These challenges have come from school boards, libraries, and parent groups seeking to restrict access to the book.
Where is The House in the Cerulean Sea banned?
As of 2025, The House in the Cerulean Sea has been banned or challenged in Texas, Florida, Utah. Notable bans include Keller ISD (2022), Clay County School District (2023), Davis School District (2022).