Ban this book is a brand new release (September 5th) that hasn't been challenged or banned. I am featuring it this week instead because it tells us the story of a school where books were removed from shelves without following proper procedure and the danger that puts all other books in as a result of a single person's opinion.
Read for: Requested Reviews/ Netgalley
Synopsis: "An inspiring tale of a fourth-grader who fights back when her favorite book is banned from the school library--by starting her own illegal locker library!
It all started the day Amy Anne Ollinger tried to check out her favorite book in the whole world, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, from the school library. That's when Mrs. Jones, the librarian, told her the bad news: her favorite book was banned! All because a classmate's mom thought the book wasn't appropriate for kids to read.
Amy Anne decides to fight back by starting a secret banned books library out of her locker. Soon, she finds herself on the front line of an unexpected battle over book banning, censorship, and who has the right to decide what she and her fellow students can read.
Reminiscent of the classic novel Frindle by Andrew Clements for its inspiring message, Ban This Book is a love letter to the written word and its power to give kids a voice."
My Review: I received this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. When I saw this book I knew I wanted to read it. I like how it uses books that have actually been banned from various libraries over the years and it shows how quickly banning of books can escalate. Even though I am an adult I really connected with Amy Anne, she reminds me a lot of myself when I was her age. This book shows us the young reader's point of view when favorite books are removed from library shelves and how passionate those young readers can be about those books. It is a pretty powerful book on this sometimes controversial subject and it is done so well, it presents both arguments in a way that you can see where each side comes from when approaching the subject. All in all the sentiment that 'only parents should be able to tell you what you can and can't read' comes across very clearly. Definitely a book to read and to spark conversations.
It all started the day Amy Anne Ollinger tried to check out her favorite book in the whole world, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, from the school library. That's when Mrs. Jones, the librarian, told her the bad news: her favorite book was banned! All because a classmate's mom thought the book wasn't appropriate for kids to read.
Amy Anne decides to fight back by starting a secret banned books library out of her locker. Soon, she finds herself on the front line of an unexpected battle over book banning, censorship, and who has the right to decide what she and her fellow students can read.
Reminiscent of the classic novel Frindle by Andrew Clements for its inspiring message, Ban This Book is a love letter to the written word and its power to give kids a voice."
My Review: I received this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. When I saw this book I knew I wanted to read it. I like how it uses books that have actually been banned from various libraries over the years and it shows how quickly banning of books can escalate. Even though I am an adult I really connected with Amy Anne, she reminds me a lot of myself when I was her age. This book shows us the young reader's point of view when favorite books are removed from library shelves and how passionate those young readers can be about those books. It is a pretty powerful book on this sometimes controversial subject and it is done so well, it presents both arguments in a way that you can see where each side comes from when approaching the subject. All in all the sentiment that 'only parents should be able to tell you what you can and can't read' comes across very clearly. Definitely a book to read and to spark conversations.
My Rating: This is such a great book that really brings both sides of the battle over books to light, if you don't think banning books from libraries effects you or that there is a perfectly good reason books should be removed, take a read of this one and it will show you the snowball effect. I really enjoyed this book and it made me so glad to have grown up in a school where books remained on the shelves where they should. I give it a rating of Four Paws!!
I received this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
To find out more about Alan Gratz and his work check out his Goodreads Page or Website.
Ban this Book was just released at the beginning of this month, you can obtain your own copy in print or digital format from Amazon or Barnes & Noble or check with your favorite book provider.
I agree that readers and parents need to take more responsibility, and they shouldn't push their views on other readers. Public libraries are PUBLIC, not just for you. This book sounds great!
ReplyDeleteParents especially need to take responsibility. It isn't the school's or the library's job to take care of your child.
DeleteThis book sounds perfect. I want to read it! What on earth is "bad" in From The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler???
ReplyDeleteDefinitely pick this one up, I thought the same thing! I only recently read The Mixed Up Files and found nothing wrong with it.
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