Learning to Breathe

Name: Learning to Breathe
Author: Janice Lynn Mather

Janice Lynn Mather · 2025

Literary fiction

Banned in 1 country

About this book

A 2019 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults Selection Amelia Bloomer List’s 2019 Top Ten Recommended Feminist Books for Young Readers A Governor General’s Literary Award Finalist A Junior Library Guild Selection A Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize Semifinalist A BC Book Prize Finalist “A love letter to girls—bittersweet and full of hope.” —Ibi Zoboi, author of National Book Award Finalist American Street “This is a stellar debut.” —Brandy Colbert, award-winning author of Little & Lion and Pointe “A vibrant, essential story of healing, resilience, and finding one’s family.” —Stephanie Kuehn, author of William C. Morris Award winning Charm & Strange “A raw, beautiful, unforgettable must-read.” —Tiffany D. Jackson, author of Allegedly “Poetic.” —Angela Johnson, award-winning author of Heaven “A powerful, poignant story about refusing to let the past dictate who you are or who you will become.” —Kirkus Reviews “This is a well-written, thought-provoking book that tackles difficult topics…a stirring debut.” —School Library Journal (starred review) Sixteen-year-old Indy struggles to conceal her pregnancy while searching for a place to belong in this stunning debut novel that’s perfect for fans of Amber Smith and Sara Zarr. Indira Ferguson has done her best to live by her Grammy’s rules—study hard in school, be respectful, and never let a boy take advantage of her. But it hasn’t always been easy, especially living in her mother’s shadow.

Censorship history

In 2025, "Learning to Breathe" by Janice Lynn Mather faced bans at the school level in several states across the United States, primarily due to its LGBTQ+ and sexual content. Notably, in a school district in Texas, a formal complaint was filed by a local parent group, leading to a school board vote that resulted in the book's removal from the curriculum. This decision was part of a broader trend of challenges against young adult literature perceived to address controversial topics, reflecting ongoing debates about educational content in public schools.