Facing a mental health crisis, an NJ school pulled a beloved novel from English class

February 20, 2026 - 22:22

A New Jersey public high school has removed Junot Díaz's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, from its English curriculum. The decision was reportedly made following concerns from the school community regarding the book's depictions of mental health struggles and trauma.

Administrators cited a desire to be sensitive to students' well-being, particularly in light of what they describe as a current mental health crisis among youth. The novel, celebrated for its exploration of identity, immigration, and the American experience, contains mature themes and graphic content that some felt could be distressing.

Free expression advocates at PEN America have identified this action as part of a broader national trend. They argue that literature dealing with challenging or uncomfortable subjects is increasingly being scrubbed from classrooms, often under the guise of protecting students. This, they contend, limits educational exposure to complex narratives that reflect real-world issues.

The removal has sparked debate within the community, highlighting the tension between safeguarding student mental health and preserving access to acclaimed, though difficult, literary works. The school district has not announced if a replacement text will be selected for the syllabus.