Gratz, Alan Ban This Book, 243 pages. Tom Doherty, 2017. $16.
Content: G.
Because a parent complained, Amy Anne’s favorite book is
being pulled from the shelves of her elementary school! Not only that book, but a whole list of
others, too. As Amy and others get to
talking and trading the books from this banned list among themselves, the
Banned Book Locker Library is born. All
of the kids keep the secret , even as more books are getting banned. The kids take things one step too far,
however, and the whole thing comes tumbling down around their ears – and
getting the librarian fired. Amy Anne,
so shy in public speaking, must get the
courage to stand up and speak for herself, for the students, and for her
library.
Gratz has really done his homework here. I’m guessing that he has first hand knowledge
of book challenges, perhaps? He weaves together a compelling story with
true-life circumstances in an authentic heart-filled look at knee-jerk book
bannings.. Didn’t every library see that
happen when Thirteen Reasons Why came out on Netflix (a must read book and a
must see series for teens and their parents)?
Hand this to every PTSA, parent, teacher, and administrator you know as
a MUST READ. For a similar story for
older teens, read Sledding Hill by Chris Crutcher.
EL, MS, ADULTS - ESSENTIAL.
Cindy, Library Teacher
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment