Recently, in Martin Country School District (Florida), 92 books were pulled from the school library shelves. Twenty of them were authored by Jodi Picoult.

While Jodi Picoult’s books often contain romantic elements, I would not classify any of her books as adult romance. Her novels tend to focus more on social issues and family dynamics rather than romantic relationships. That being said, some of her books do contain romantic storylines, such as “Leaving Time” and “Second Glance,” but these are not the primary focus of the novels.

When I read through the list of the 20 novels of mine that were pulled from the Martin County School District bookshelves, one surprised me the most. The Storyteller is a novel about the Holocaust. It chronicles the growth of anti-Semitism and fascism in Nazi Germany. There was a strange irony that a parent wanted this particular book removed, because it felt a bit like history repeating itself.

Jodi Picoult – Author

In fact, more than 90 books were removed at the same time. The books were categorized as being either written by BIPOC Authors, LGBTQ Authors, or in the case of Picoult’s books “Adult Romance” which they are not.

As for the use of sex in her books, Picoult does not typically include explicit or excessive sex scenes in her writing. While there may be some sexual content in her books, it is usually presented in a tasteful and non-graphic manner and is not the main focus of the story. Instead, Picoult’s writing tends to focus on exploring complex social and ethical issues through the lives and relationships of her characters.

Jodi Picoult is an American author who has written numerous novels that explore a range of topics, that have recently been labeled as ‘controversial’ or ‘radical’ by conservative extremists. Her books often challenge readers’ assumptions with a goal to expand their understanding of complex issues.

Some of the topics that Picoult addresses in her books include:

  1. Racism: In her book “Small Great Things,” Picoult explores the experiences of a black nurse who is accused of causing the death of a white baby. The novel highlights the racial biases that exist in society and the legal system.
  2. Abortion: Picoult’s book “A Spark of Light” deals with the controversial issue of abortion, telling the story of a hostage situation at an abortion clinic. The novel examines the perspectives of both pro-life and pro-choice advocates.
  3. Death penalty: In “The Tenth Circle,” Picoult explores the death penalty through the story of a man who is accused of killing his daughter’s rapist. The book raises questions about the ethics of capital punishment.
  4. Autism: Picoult’s book “House Rules” focuses on a teenager with Asperger’s syndrome who is accused of murder. The novel sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals with autism and their families.
  5. Euthanasia: “Mercy” is a novel that explores the topic of euthanasia through the story of a woman who is accused of killing her terminally ill husband. The book raises questions about the right to die and the ethics of assisted suicide.

In addition to these topics, Picoult’s books often address issues related to family dynamics, mental illness, and social justice. Through her writing, she challenges readers to consider multiple perspectives and to question their own assumptions about the world around them.