Unexpectedly, at a library in an unidentified Greater Manchester School, there has been a censorship purge of books and graphic novels, as well as appalling treatment of a school librarian.
It’s unclear what the actual justification or reasoning is, censoring books, attempting to control what people read is a serious matter, but what is clear is that books and graphic novels have been removed utilising the excuse of “safeguarding”.
To some, it’s unimaginable that it’s important that that teenagers are “safeguarded” from thinking obviously, but one realises just how dangerous it is when one sees the Graphic Novel version of Nineteen Eighty Four, a very beautiful and accessable version of the dystopian classic removed from the shelves, as somehow unsuitable.
Something readers will find beyind ironic.
Index on Censorship has reported how, in November 2025, a school library in Greater Manchester underwent a purge. Inspired by the headteacher’s dislike of one particular title, books were pulled off the shelves, in a case unlike any previously seen in the UK.
“Within weeks, more than 130 books had been targeted – nearly 200 if each issue of the numerous graphic novels is counted,” Katie Dancey-Down notes. “The books included a graphic novel of George Orwell’s Nineteen-Eighty-Four, young adult books like Dean Atta’s Black Flamingo and Alice Oseman’s chart-topping Heartstopper graphic novel series.”
The librarian is not identified in the extensive Index on Censorship article, and is named as “Emily” to protect her.
The catalyst for this intervention seems to be the dislike the headteacher had for Laura Bates’ book Men who Hate Women. This escalated into some very draconian behaviour deploying school resources to target the librarian:
“The school launched an investigation. Emily says she was at her desk when she was asked to step outside by the designated safeguarding lead (DSL). The head of HR was also waiting. Emily says she was taken into a meeting.”
The situation deteriorated, and it was no longer an issue with a single book.
“Emily says she was asked to conduct an audit of the books in the library. There were three criteria for removal: books that were not written for children, books with themes that could be upsetting to children and books that could be inappropriate or constitute a safeguarding risk. No definition of ‘inappropriate’ was provided, Emily said.
“I ended up removing biographies of World War Two airmen, literally less than a week after Remembrance Day, because they weren’t children’s books,” she said. Many classics fell under one or more of these criteria.
“God helped me, I cooperated because I thought ‘I’m already in a lot of trouble here,’” she said, explaining how she thought there would be the opportunity for discussion about the books.”
The full article is chilling and concerning. Removal of books and dozens of graphic novels, including the likes of Twiglight or the Games of Thrones saga as well as the actions of the school had an appalling impact.
“Emily decided to resign, which also halted the disciplinary action.”
The opportunity to discuss or engage with actual pupils, or their parents is not spoken to. How are young readers going to develop their thinking or understanding if books that are not only suitable but address their needs are arbitrarily removed?
The article deserves a full reading, it’s astonishing and chilling.
“Index believes this story is of huge public interest. It is an unprecedented attack on the freedom to read and intellectual freedom, where important safeguarding measures have been misused to threaten and target a school librarian. This librarian is no longer able to do her job. Without this story being surfaced and changes being made, the risk is that it will happen again.”
It’s time to put pen to paper and challenge the politicians, the MPs, the Mayor, the Minister and ask, what the hell…
The list of books banned is on the Index website but it includes (synopses via publishers):
1984 Graphic Novel by Matyáš Namai & George Orwell | Available here from independent bookshops | Available here from AmazonUK
Rarely has one book ever been so rich in political and social criticism as 1984. Originally published in 1949, this new graphic novel edition of the dystopian classic, powerfully illustrated by Matyáš Namai, reveals Winston’s fight against the Party in all its horror and futility.
“Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.”
Heartstopper Volume 4 & 5 by Alice Oseman | Available here from independent bookshops | Available here from AmazonUK
Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. The bestselling LGBTQ+ graphic novel series about life, love, and everything that happens in between. Includes exclusive Teachers mini-comic
Charlie didn’t think Nick could ever like him back, but now they’re officially boyfriends. Charlie’s beginning to feel ready to say those three little words: I love you.
Nick’s been feeling the same, but he’s got a lot on his mind – not least coming out to his dad, and the fact that Charlie might have an eating disorder.
As summer turns to autumn and a new school year begins, Charlie and Nick are about to learn a lot about what love means.
Contains discussions about mental health, eating disorders, and references to self-harm.
Death Note (various volumes) by Tsugumi Ohba & Takeshi Obata| Available here from independent bookshops | Available here as an all-in-one edition from AmazonUK
Light Yagami is an ace student with great prospects – and he’s bored out of his mind. But all that changes when he finds the Death Note, a notebook dropped by a rogue Shinigami death god. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies, and now Light has vowed to use the power of the Death Note to rid the world of evil. But when criminals begin dropping dead, the authorities send the legendary detective L to track down the killer. With L hot on his heels, will Light lose sight of his noble goal… or his life?
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger| Available here from independent bookshops | Available here from AmazonUK
Henry and Clare meet, fall in love, and build a life together. Just not in that order.
Henry is a librarian who suffers from a rare condition where his genetic clock periodically resets, suddenly finding himself pulled through time into his past or future.
Meanwhile, Clare is an artist waiting all her life for her great love Henry to appear. In the face of this force neither can prevent nor control, Henry and Clare’s struggle to lead normal lives is both intensely moving and entirely unforgettable.
Batman: Year One by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli | Available here from independent bookshops | Available here from AmazonUK
Revealed: The entire dramatic story of Batman’s first year fighting crime…
A Storm of Swords, A Clash of Kings, A Dance with Dragons, A Game of Thrones all by George R. R. Martin | Box Set Available here from independent bookshops | Box Set Available here from AmazonUK
George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series has set the benchmark for contemporary epic fantasy. Labelled by Time magazine as one of the top 100 most influential people in the world, Martin has conjured a world as complex and vibrant as that of J.R.R. Tolkien, populated by a huge cast of fascinating, complex characters, and boasting a history that stretches back twelve thousand years.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer| Available here from independent bookshops | Available here from AmazonUK
When 17 year old Isabella Swan moves to Forks, Washington to live with her father she expects that her new life will be as dull as the town.
But in spite of her awkward manner and low expectations, she finds that her new classmates are drawn to this pale, dark-haired new girl in town. But not, it seems, the Cullen family. These five adopted brothers and sisters obviously prefer their own company and will make no exception for Bella.
Bella is convinced that Edward Cullen in particular hates her, but she feels a strange attraction to him, although his hostility makes her feel almost physically ill. He seems determined to push her away – until, that is, he saves her life from an out of control car.
Bella will soon discover that there is a very good reason for Edward’s coldness. He, and his family, are vampires – and he knows how dangerous it is for others to get too close.
Dune: The Graphic Novel by Frank Herbert & Brian Herbert, Kevin Anderson| Box Set Available here from independent bookshops | Box Set Available here from AmazonUK
A stunning blend of adventure and mysticism, environmentalism, and politics, Dune is a groundbreaking look into our universe and is transformed by the graphic novel format into a powerful, fantastical tale for a new generation of readers
James Bacon
Index on Censorship publishes an award-winning quarterly magazine featuring some of the most influential voices in literature and journalism.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
James Bacon (he/him) is an Irish fan, a train driver living in London. A Hugo Award-winning editor of the fanzine “Journey Planet”, he is a comic fan and enjoys comic art, war Comics, Star Wars, Irish aspects to comics and railways in comics or otherwise. He has been writing about comics for over thirty years.
Categories: Books, Comics, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Other Worlds, Science Fiction, US Comics
New book, The Art of George Wilson, out now from Hermes Press 
In Memoriam: Comics Writer Peter David 
Master Replicas teases new model ship from “The Expanse”, part of Collector Die Cast Vehicles and Prop Replicas range 
Supernova success for “The Expanse” new comic crowdfunder from BOOM! Studios
Leave a Reply