Reviews

Ban This Book by Alan Gratz

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felinity's review against another edition

funny informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

A wonderfully written glimpse into a school where books from the library are being arbitrarily removed... and some of the kids won't stand for it.

aagbunn's review against another edition

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5.0

This book is one of my favorites. I wish I could’ve read it when I was middle school age!

I enjoyed how the main character struggled with using her voice, and the author show her overcoming it by the end of her book.

wafflegirl564's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

chrliesangel28's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

It was a good middle grade book with a great message.

katykelly's review against another edition

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5.0

Excellent tale about a shy student who comes into her own when her favourite book is banned from the school library

A school in America. A student who never speaks her mind. Amy Anne lives in a world of books, with a chaotic home life of sisters and no space, she pretends to stay at school for clubs so she can have a little time to herself with a book. The school library is her refuge, books her escape.

Then a parent complains about her favourite book and a few others, and they are taken from the shelves. Can Amy Anne speak up? The cull continues... and she and her friends decide to take action.

As much a story about a shy girl's blossoming into a confident adolescent as it is about book banning, this was a well-written story of young people standing up for what they believe in. Amy Anne is a convincing book lover, with a family that feel real.

I loved the plot, it made me angry, I felt uplifted that children today might just care for books in the same way that I do. Some of the titles may not be familiar to UK readers, they are American titles and authors but the main story will still resonate.

Would make a cracking little film. A great choice for readers aged 8-12, it's not a long read, and would make for some good book club discussions.

With thanks to Netgalley for the advance e-copy.

sal_the_cat's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Content Warnings

book_concierge's review against another edition

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4.0

Fourth-grader Amy Anne Ollinger is stunned when she tries to check out her favorite book from the library, only to find it missing. Someone else must have checked it out after she returned it yesterday. So, she askes Mrs Jones, the school librarian, if she can put a hold on that title. That’s when she learns that the book has been removed because another student’s parent complained it was “inappropriate.” And this is just the beginning. The mother has a list of books she wants removed from the school library’s shelves. Amy Anne, together with her friends Rebecca and Danny, decide to form the BBLL – Banned Books Locker Library. They get a copy of every book on the list and put in in Amy Anne’s locker, loaning them out to all the kids at school.

I loved Amy Anne. I loved how she starts out a quiet, shy girl who virtually never voices her concerns out loud, but who takes action to right a wrong. I like how she ultimately gathers her courage and marshals all her friends in the school – even those she didn’t previously know she had – to help bring the issue to a head and formulate a satisfying conclusion. After all, “for all the amazing things that books can do, they can’t make you into a bad person.” Brava, Amy Anne!

Perfect read to celebrate Banned Books Week!