Deephaven: A Gothic Middle Grade Novel of Secrets, Shadows, and Unraveling Darkness at Deephaven Academy

About this book

From Ethan M. Aldridge, bestselling creator of Estranged, comes a gothic middle grade prose novel that follows a nonbinary student who is drawn to their boarding school’s forbidden east wing, where something stalks the shadowy corridors. Perfect for fans of J. A. White and Mary Downing Hahn! When Guinevere "Nev" Tallow receives an acceptance letter to the exclusive Deephaven Academy, they know it’s the fresh start that they’ve been looking for. But things are strange from the moment they arrive—the house itself seems to breathe, students whisper secrets in dark corridors, and the entire east wing of the academy is locked away for reasons no one wants to explain. And Nev knows something ragged stalks the shadowy corridors, something that sobs quietly and scratches at the walls, waiting to be released. With the help of another first-year student, Nev takes it upon themself to unravel the mysteries hidden in Deephaven's halls. But will they risk their fresh start to bring the academy’s secret to light?

Censorship history

In 2024, "Deephaven: A Gothic Middle Grade Novel of Secrets, Shadows, and Unraveling Darkness at Deephaven Academy" by Ethan M. Aldridge was banned at the school level in several districts across the United States due to its LGBTQ+ content. This ban reflects a growing trend of challenges against books featuring diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, often led by parent-teacher associations and conservative advocacy groups. Specific instances of these challenges have resulted in formal complaints and school board votes that upheld the bans, limiting access to the book in educational settings.

Bans

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