‘Bans are disheartening’: US author criticises Dorset school’s removal of her book about race

Angie Thomas says she will continue writing books for young people ‘who see themselves in the stories’. Photograph: Imani Khayyam/The Observer

A bestselling black American author has condemned a Dorset school’s decision to drop her critically acclaimed novel from a reading list.

Angie Thomas’s The Hate U Give was removed from Budmouth Academy’s year 10 reading list after a complaint from a parent.