With each new episode of Abbott Elementary season 4, of course it makes me happy to see fresh content! But we are inching closer and closer to the end of the season as well, which makes me sad. But, don't worry. We still have some time before school is out for the 22-episode season, and we await season 5 in the fall. Right now, let's focus on what we've got this week.
There is a new episode of the sitcom this evening! Abbott Elementary season 4 episode 16, "Books," premieres tonight, March 5, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Don't forget that there's also a streaming option if you miss it live. New episodes are added to Hulu the next day on Thursdays. Check out the linear release times below:
- East coast: 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 5
- West coast: 5:30 p.m. PT on Wednesday, March 5
- Midwest: 7:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday, March 5
- Mountain: 6:30 p.m. MT on Wednesday, March 5
Abbott Elementary tackles book bans in new episode
Though the series is a comedy, that doesn't mean it can't be educational and discuss important issues. That's actually one of the elements that makes it stand out and why I think the show resonates with so many people. There's a few workplace comedies out there that follow the underfunded storyline. But Abbott seems to just do it so well.
In season 4 episode 16, titled "Books," Ava and the teachers will have to work through whether a certain book that the principal removes should be brought back. And as seen in the featured image above, of course Tariq will probably be spearheading this as the hilarious PTA president. Check out the official synopsis below:
"A debate over a controversial book leads Ava to remove it from the library, but some parents push for its return."
Now if you're trying to be an eagle-eyed fan like me, you can see the book that is potentially in question in Ava's hand in the featured image. You can't see the full title, but I could make out "The Sassy [something] Kid" by Louis Torchon. Though if you try to search for this, it doesn't seem like the book or author are real. They were just created for the series.
The topic is an important one with some states in the U.S. pushing, and succeeding in, banning certain books not just from school libraries, but public libraries as well. So while the story in Abbott Elementary parents are debating over may not be real, the issue is and it will be interesting to see how the show handles it. I'm really looking forward to finding out. While we wait the next few hours, check out more promotional images below!
Abbott Elementary season 4 episode 16, "Books," premieres tonight, March 5, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.