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Ban This Book
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, Alan Gratz' Ban This Book is a love letter to the written word and its power to give kids a voice.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2017
About the author
Alan Gratz
32 books4,122 followersAlan Gratz is the bestselling author of a number of novels for young readers. His 2017 novel Refugee has spent more than two years on the New York Times bestseller list, and is the winner of 14 state awards. Its other accolades include the Sydney Taylor Book Award, the National Jewish Book Award, the Cybils Middle Grade Fiction Award, a Charlotte Huck Award Honor, and a Malka Penn Award for Human Rights Honor. Refugee was also a Global Read Aloud Book for 2018.
Alan’s novel Grenade debuted at number three on the New York Times bestseller list, and his most recent book, Allies, debuted at number two on the list and received four starred reviews. His other books include Prisoner B-3087, which was a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Readers pick and winner of eight state awards; Projekt 1065, a Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of 2016 and winner of five state awards; Code of Honor, a YALSA Quick Pick for Young Readers; and Ban This Book, which was featured by Whoopi Goldberg on The View.
Alan has traveled extensively to talk about his books, appearing at schools and book festivals in 39 states and a half-dozen countries, including Brazil, Canada, China, Indonesia, Japan, and Switzerland, and has been a Writer in Residence at Tokyo’s American School in Japan, the James Thurber House in Columbus, Ohio, and the Jakarta Intercultural School in Indonesia.
Alan was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, home of the 1982 World’s Fair. After a carefree but humid childhood, Alan attended the University of Tennessee, where he earned a College Scholars degree with a specialization in creative writing, and, later, a Master’s degree in English education. He now lives with his family in Asheville, North Carolina, where he enjoys playing games, eating pizza, and, perhaps not too surprisingly, reading books.
Alan’s novel Grenade debuted at number three on the New York Times bestseller list, and his most recent book, Allies, debuted at number two on the list and received four starred reviews. His other books include Prisoner B-3087, which was a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Readers pick and winner of eight state awards; Projekt 1065, a Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of 2016 and winner of five state awards; Code of Honor, a YALSA Quick Pick for Young Readers; and Ban This Book, which was featured by Whoopi Goldberg on The View.
Alan has traveled extensively to talk about his books, appearing at schools and book festivals in 39 states and a half-dozen countries, including Brazil, Canada, China, Indonesia, Japan, and Switzerland, and has been a Writer in Residence at Tokyo’s American School in Japan, the James Thurber House in Columbus, Ohio, and the Jakarta Intercultural School in Indonesia.
Alan was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, home of the 1982 World’s Fair. After a carefree but humid childhood, Alan attended the University of Tennessee, where he earned a College Scholars degree with a specialization in creative writing, and, later, a Master’s degree in English education. He now lives with his family in Asheville, North Carolina, where he enjoys playing games, eating pizza, and, perhaps not too surprisingly, reading books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,421 reviews
October 3, 2021
Can you recall a book that you've read that was interesting, presented a cute and determined protagonist, had a serious message about constitutional rights, AND was written for the youth market? I have and Ban This Book by Alan Gratz is that book! Amy Ann Olinger is a 4th grader who has a favorite book that she repeatedly checks out from her school library, reads, and returns. Then she has to wait a few days before she can return to the library to check it out again. That is until the day she went there and found...it wasn't there! She approached the librarian to see if someone else had checked it out but was told it had been removed from the shelf because someone had complained to the school board and they voted to ban her favorite book. This prompts Amy Ann to come out of her shell and begin an uphill fight against arbitrary banning of her favorite book along with a dozen others because one person thought they were objectionable. What follows is a brilliant presentation of the first amendment and related issues as Amy learns a bigger list of books to ban has been presented to the school board and things look to be getting out of hand. But this determined girl has a couple of brilliant ideas of her own to battle the forces of censorship and defend her right to free speech. This one will have you thinking about our bill of rights and how to defend them. One of the best surprises I've read recently!
April 4, 2018
Обичам тази книга и се гордея с начина, по който се получи българското издание. За това са виновни чудесните хора, работили по нея.
Българското издание излиза с уникално приложение, създадено от Елена Павлова - списък със всички книги, които са споменати в романа и забранени по една или друга причина. Елена извади заглавията, написа им кратки анотации и провери дали и кои книги са излизали на български. Вики пък помогна на текста да заговори онзи чудесен български, които не можем да научим от другаде, освен от книгите.
Обожавам закачката в оформлението, която направи Станимира - ще забележите, ако се вгледате внимателно или прелистите бързо.
Няма да говоря за сюжет и герои, това все пак е детска книга. Но е от онези хубавите, които имат какво да кажат и на нас, порасналите.
Българското издание излиза с уникално приложение, създадено от Елена Павлова - списък със всички книги, които са споменати в романа и забранени по една или друга причина. Елена извади заглавията, написа им кратки анотации и провери дали и кои книги са излизали на български. Вики пък помогна на текста да заговори онзи чудесен български, които не можем да научим от другаде, освен от книгите.
Обожавам закачката в оформлението, която направи Станимира - ще забележите, ако се вгледате внимателно или прелистите бързо.
Няма да говоря за сюжет и герои, това все пак е детска книга. Но е от онези хубавите, които имат какво да кажат и на нас, порасналите.
August 22, 2017
A wonderful message about the the power of speaking up in this middle grade novel for book lovers and librarians!
Thanks to the author for providing me with an advance copy of this novel for review purposes - all opinions are my own.
As a school librarian, I am surely more than a little prejudiced in loving this story so much - a story of a parent getting a huge number of books removed from the school library without following proper procedure because the school board is bending to her will. AND a story of a student fighting back by creating a library of banned books in her locker to share with her classmates. I love the storyline of Amy Anne struggling to find her voice and actually speak up about things that bothered her, and finding her place in her chaotic family.
I do wish that the story would have been based on 6th or 7th graders, however, rather than 4th graders, given the higher level of the text and the locker premise. I feel like the lockers would resonate more with the middle school crowd rather than elementary and increasing the age of the students would allow the story to be appreciated more fully by a much wider age range of students. This story would definitely be appreciated by middle schoolers, but due to the 4th grade setting, most will probably stay away. In addition, some of the racial references, while I understand their intention, felt a little clunky.
There is also a great Common Core-aligned discussion and activity guide included at the end of the book.
Highly recommended for school libraries and classrooms, and a definite read aloud for 4th and 5th grades.
Thanks to the author for providing me with an advance copy of this novel for review purposes - all opinions are my own.
As a school librarian, I am surely more than a little prejudiced in loving this story so much - a story of a parent getting a huge number of books removed from the school library without following proper procedure because the school board is bending to her will. AND a story of a student fighting back by creating a library of banned books in her locker to share with her classmates. I love the storyline of Amy Anne struggling to find her voice and actually speak up about things that bothered her, and finding her place in her chaotic family.
I do wish that the story would have been based on 6th or 7th graders, however, rather than 4th graders, given the higher level of the text and the locker premise. I feel like the lockers would resonate more with the middle school crowd rather than elementary and increasing the age of the students would allow the story to be appreciated more fully by a much wider age range of students. This story would definitely be appreciated by middle schoolers, but due to the 4th grade setting, most will probably stay away. In addition, some of the racial references, while I understand their intention, felt a little clunky.
There is also a great Common Core-aligned discussion and activity guide included at the end of the book.
Highly recommended for school libraries and classrooms, and a definite read aloud for 4th and 5th grades.
September 20, 2024
A story that was cleverly written with a plot that was maturely developed till the end.
What i liked most about that book, that by the last half of it, the reader has to think and get to walk in someone else's shoes. That was way better than the good character/bad character cliche that most children's books are usually filled with.
The kids will learn that every person/fact/thought has its other face that should be explored before giving a judgment.
Mary Ann's feelings about her home life reminded me a lot of mine. Parents, please make enough rooms in your house before stupidly having more babies. Thank you
I would definitely consider having that story in our library.
What i liked most about that book, that by the last half of it, the reader has to think and get to walk in someone else's shoes. That was way better than the good character/bad character cliche that most children's books are usually filled with.
The kids will learn that every person/fact/thought has its other face that should be explored before giving a judgment.
Mary Ann's feelings about her home life reminded me a lot of mine. Parents, please make enough rooms in your house before stupidly having more babies. Thank you
I would definitely consider having that story in our library.
August 6, 2018
Много сладка и умна книга. Идва ти да я прегърнеш като я приключиш. 😊❤📚
July 4, 2017
I absolutely love this novel! Ban This Book has a simple premise, a well meaning mother wants books removed from an elementary school library for various reasons that are important to her. However, when avid reader Amy Anne learns her favorite novel is on the list, the quiet little book worm takes action. Amy Anne enlists help from her friends Danny and Rebecca to save the books from being banned. This novel made me sad, angry, and helpless as I read, because I know many books are banned daily in schools across the US. However, I also felt hopeful, because there are Amy Anne's who can help fight the good fight to protect our right to read ALL books. Amy Anne said it best. "Nobody has the right to tell you what books you can and can't read. Except your parents." I'm so thankful to NetGalley for allowing me to be an early reader of this novel in exchange for a fair and honest review. I'm also thankful to Alan Gratz for continuing to tackle important issues in his novels.
July 21, 2021
کتاب مورد علاقه ایمیآن ممنوع شده.
و این اتفاقیه که نمیتونه تحملش کنه. آخه چرا؟ چرا همچین اتفاقی باید بیوفته؟ آیا این دلیل که مادر یکی از همکلاسیهاش از اون کتاب خوشش نمیآید دلیل خوبی برای ممنوع شدن یک کتابه؟
ایمیآن آدم خیلی خجالتیایه. کمحرفه. اما این بار پای حرفش میایسته و کاری میکنه که بقیه هم به صحبتهاش گوش بدن. جنجال بزرگی پیش میاد و تصمیمگیری درمورد حق خوندن کتابها سختتر و مبارزه برای پس گرفتن حق شروع میشه.
---
تجربه ایستادگی بر سر چیزی که اون رو درست میدونیم، حتی وقتی افراد زیاد و قدرتمندی با ما همنظر نیستند؛ واقعا من رو هیجانزده میکرد.
و این اتفاقیه که نمیتونه تحملش کنه. آخه چرا؟ چرا همچین اتفاقی باید بیوفته؟ آیا این دلیل که مادر یکی از همکلاسیهاش از اون کتاب خوشش نمیآید دلیل خوبی برای ممنوع شدن یک کتابه؟
ایمیآن آدم خیلی خجالتیایه. کمحرفه. اما این بار پای حرفش میایسته و کاری میکنه که بقیه هم به صحبتهاش گوش بدن. جنجال بزرگی پیش میاد و تصمیمگیری درمورد حق خوندن کتابها سختتر و مبارزه برای پس گرفتن حق شروع میشه.
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تجربه ایستادگی بر سر چیزی که اون رو درست میدونیم، حتی وقتی افراد زیاد و قدرتمندی با ما همنظر نیستند؛ واقعا من رو هیجانزده میکرد.
October 7, 2023
A definite must read, especially with book banning being on the rise... makes me want to put these people in a room with all the books they are banning and see if they actually have read these books (if not, they get double dingleberry points for one).
The freedom to read is important. Taking that away because you think it's something that everyone shouldn't read is unfair and shortsighted.
Books can teach you to be a critical thinker, to have empathy,learn new things, inspire you to help others/decide what career you want, be a safe harbor.. the list goes on.
There are so many more diverse and different books than when I was a kid/teen and it makes me so happy to see that.
I read some of these books that are banned and I turned out fine *shrugs *
My parents never really told me what I could and couldn't read. They trusted me to make my own decisions about what I picked out from the bookstore or the library.
The people who need to read this probably won't though:( Can keep trying.
----
I love how over the course of book, Amy finds her voice and learns how to use it for herself and others ❤️.
One kid especially surprised me, in a good wa 👍🏼
The idea of the Banned Book Library Locker 📖 I thought was creative and bold. (I was on the side of thinking it was a good idea,even though one thing they did did go too far. Best Intentions and all but understand why).
The friendships in here were wonderful too :).
I hope everyone learns from this book and is inspired to stand up for this and anything else they believe in.
The freedom to read is important. Taking that away because you think it's something that everyone shouldn't read is unfair and shortsighted.
Books can teach you to be a critical thinker, to have empathy,learn new things, inspire you to help others/decide what career you want, be a safe harbor.. the list goes on.
There are so many more diverse and different books than when I was a kid/teen and it makes me so happy to see that.
I read some of these books that are banned and I turned out fine *shrugs *
My parents never really told me what I could and couldn't read. They trusted me to make my own decisions about what I picked out from the bookstore or the library.
The people who need to read this probably won't though:( Can keep trying.
----
I love how over the course of book, Amy finds her voice and learns how to use it for herself and others ❤️.
One kid especially surprised me, in a good wa 👍🏼
The idea of the Banned Book Library Locker 📖 I thought was creative and bold. (I was on the side of thinking it was a good idea,even though one thing they did did go too far. Best Intentions and all but understand why).
The friendships in here were wonderful too :).
I hope everyone learns from this book and is inspired to stand up for this and anything else they believe in.
April 8, 2018
Тихичко си пищя за тази книга още откакто прочетох 10-те причини на Мила Ташева да я препоръчва горещо. Изгълтах я за няколко часа и съм напълно запленена. Малко си поплаках дори, признавам. Четох я през очите на родител, на човек, който обожава книгите, и на детето, което съм била. Разпознах се в нерешителността на Ейми и колко й беше трудно да отстоява мнението си. Като родител се замислих дали не съм натоварвала с повече отговорности някое от трите си деца само защото е по-изпълнително и създава по-малко проблеми. Като четящ човек скърцах със зъби от яд при мисълта, че книги могат така лесно да изчезват от лавиците на библиотеките и съпреживявах битката на Ейми и съучениците й.
Книгата е забавна, вълнуваща, динамична, поучителна ( в хубавия смисъл!). Много деца ще се разпознаят в семейните и училищни ситуации. Написана е искрено, има много яки герои - различни като умения и поведение, но всеки от тях със свое място в историята. Посланието е страхотно - свободата на словото е ценност, която трябва да се отстоява; всеки глас има значение, а ако имаш подкрепа от приятелите си, заедно можете да постигнете много!
По моя преценка е подходяща за деца над 10 години. Горна граница няма :-) И още нещо. В края на книгата преводачката Елена Павлова си е направила труда да ни подари БЕЗЦЕНЕН справочник с кратка анотация на всички заглавия, които се споменават в текста. Препоръчвам да го разгледате - със сигурност ще ви се прииска да прочетете доста от тях.
Още мнения за книгата:
Габриела Кожухарова (Аз чета) - http://azcheta.com/zabranete-tazi-kni...
Лора Филипова (Детски книги) - http://detskiknigi.com/zabranete-tazi...
Книгата е забавна, вълнуваща, динамична, поучителна ( в хубавия смисъл!). Много деца ще се разпознаят в семейните и училищни ситуации. Написана е искрено, има много яки герои - различни като умения и поведение, но всеки от тях със свое място в историята. Посланието е страхотно - свободата на словото е ценност, която трябва да се отстоява; всеки глас има значение, а ако имаш подкрепа от приятелите си, заедно можете да постигнете много!
По моя преценка е подходяща за деца над 10 години. Горна граница няма :-) И още нещо. В края на книгата преводачката Елена Павлова си е направила труда да ни подари БЕЗЦЕНЕН справочник с кратка анотация на всички заглавия, които се споменават в текста. Препоръчвам да го разгледате - със сигурност ще ви се прииска да прочетете доста от тях.
Още мнения за книгата:
Габриела Кожухарова (Аз чета) - http://azcheta.com/zabranete-tazi-kni...
Лора Филипова (Детски книги) - http://detskiknigi.com/zabranete-tazi...
March 23, 2019
When school boards start banning books because they don't like their content or ideas, it's time for them to go. In our local district, I believe Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible was removed from the high school curriculum for a period for its purported anti-Christian bias.
This middle grade book follows young Amy Anne Ollinger's battle to reverse a decision to remove her favorite book (and my sister's, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler) among others from the school library. She starts the B.B.L.L. (Banned Books Lending Library) out of her school locker, and eventually takes on the school board, assisted by some friends -- some expected, some not. The book is also about Amy Anne's family life and maturation over this seminal issue.
I did not care for the "she wants to say X," but instead "says Y" or says nothing style used repeatedly by Gratz although it is probably very real for most people.
This middle grade book follows young Amy Anne Ollinger's battle to reverse a decision to remove her favorite book (and my sister's, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler) among others from the school library. She starts the B.B.L.L. (Banned Books Lending Library) out of her school locker, and eventually takes on the school board, assisted by some friends -- some expected, some not. The book is also about Amy Anne's family life and maturation over this seminal issue.
I did not care for the "she wants to say X," but instead "says Y" or says nothing style used repeatedly by Gratz although it is probably very real for most people.
October 6, 2017
My Video Review:
https://youtu.be/K8XAeO5zNro
https://youtu.be/K8XAeO5zNro
November 3, 2018
به عنوان کتاب نوجوان عالی بود
هیجانانگیز
آموزنده
و پر از کتاب! خیلی دوست دارم بیشتر درباره اش بنویسم
اگر فرصت کنم
!
:)
هیجانانگیز
آموزنده
و پر از کتاب! خیلی دوست دارم بیشتر درباره اش بنویسم
اگر فرصت کنم
!
:)
April 24, 2018
УАУ!
Толкова малка книга с толкова голямо послание! Обожавам я! Накара ме да изпитам куп противоречиви емоции наведнъж, обърна ми внимание на заглавия, които дълбоко ме заинтригуваха, освен това ме върна в детството ми с книги, които бях забравила, че съм прочела.
Ще запомня няколко много важни урока от историята - книгите не могат да те превърнат в лош човек; никой (аз спокойно бих могла да добавя "дори собствените ти родители") не бива да ти забранява да четеш дадена книга; и че "всеки има правото да тълкува дадена книга както си пожелае. Онова, което не би трябвало да прави обаче, е да казва на останалите, че неговото тълкуване е единственото възможно"...
Малко са историите, които освен че трогват читателската душа, се оказват и чист балсам за нея. "Забранете тази книга" е именно такава за мен - стопроцентова душевна наслада!
Толкова малка книга с толкова голямо послание! Обожавам я! Накара ме да изпитам куп противоречиви емоции наведнъж, обърна ми внимание на заглавия, които дълбоко ме заинтригуваха, освен това ме върна в детството ми с книги, които бях забравила, че съм прочела.
Ще запомня няколко много важни урока от историята - книгите не могат да те превърнат в лош човек; никой (аз спокойно бих могла да добавя "дори собствените ти родители") не бива да ти забранява да четеш дадена книга; и че "всеки има правото да тълкува дадена книга както си пожелае. Онова, което не би трябвало да прави обаче, е да казва на останалите, че неговото тълкуване е единственото възможно"...
Малко са историите, които освен че трогват читателската душа, се оказват и чист балсам за нея. "Забранете тази книга" е именно такава за мен - стопроцентова душевна наслада!
April 10, 2018
Щом забраниш една, спокойно можеш да забраниш всяка една книга…: http://knigolandia.info/book-review/z...
Ейми Ан е от тия опърничави момичета, от които стават най-добрите героини в книги. Запалена читателка, тя не се стеснява да лъже, че участва в извънкласни занимания, за да има възможност да се усамотява с книга. У дома ѝ няма място за нея: двете ѝ сестри имат свои хобита, които узурпират цялото свободно пространство, а родителите им просто искат да има мир – което автоматично означава Ейми винаги да отстъпва. И тя се е научила да го прави. Само че идва момент, когато ѝ се налага да поведе война, за да защити най-важното – любимата си книга.
Софтпрес
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/z...
Ейми Ан е от тия опърничави момичета, от които стават най-добрите героини в книги. Запалена читателка, тя не се стеснява да лъже, че участва в извънкласни занимания, за да има възможност да се усамотява с книга. У дома ѝ няма място за нея: двете ѝ сестри имат свои хобита, които узурпират цялото свободно пространство, а родителите им просто искат да има мир – което автоматично означава Ейми винаги да отстъпва. И тя се е научила да го прави. Само че идва момент, когато ѝ се налага да поведе война, за да защити най-важното – любимата си книга.
Софтпрес
http://knigolandia.info/book-review/z...
June 11, 2021
Alan Gratz was definitely better known for historical fiction when Ban This Book came out in 2017, but this novel was spectacular proof of his versatility: a contemporary school drama charged with all the electricity a reader could ask for. Amy Anne Ollinger, age nine, isn't happy with her home life. She's continually asked to defer to her little sisters, Alexis and Angelina, who don't allow Amy Anne a moment's peace to curl up in a comfortable spot and enjoy her favorite book, E.L. Konigsburg's From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Amy Anne's parents are oblivious to her frustration, and would be angry if they knew the real reason she stays after school every day: not because she actually participates in any clubs, but so she can read quietly for a few hours in the school library. Amy Anne has a quiet personality and rarely complains, but she's about to encounter a problem worth speaking up about.
Where did Shelbourne Elementary's copy of From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler go? It's missing from its familiar spot on the shelf. Mrs. Jones, the school librarian, breaks the news to Amy Anne that the novel, along with eleven other popular books and series, has been pulled from the shelves because of a parent's complaint. Pending review, the material in question may be permanently removed. Amy Anne isn't known for defying authority figures, but she won't let the school take her favorite book without expressing opposition. Her parents are willing to buy her the book, but what about kids who don't have that luxury? What about ones who have yet to discover E.L. Konigsburg's award-winning novel? Amy Anne attends a school board meeting to discuss the issue, but can't muster the courage to walk up to the lectern and defend her opinion in front of so many people. Mrs. Jones articulates the case for established procedure to be followed regarding challenged books, but Mrs. Sarah Spencer—the mom who contested From the Mixed-up Files of Basil E. Frankweiler and the rest—convinces the board to give in and just remove the books. With hardly a word of warning, the materials are banned.
Amy Anne and her friend Rebecca Zimmerman, who acts the part of the high-powered lawyer she wants to be someday, are disheartened. Rebecca never showed much interest in reading, but she's curious about Amy Anne's favorite book that is now banned, so Amy Anne loans her the copy her parents bought her. Danny Purcell, usually preoccupied with his hair, also takes interest in the eleven confiscated books. He has some of them at home, and brings them to school for Amy Anne and Rebecca to read. Without intending to, Amy Anne becomes the conduit for her fourth-grade peers to read material banned by the school board, via secret exchange of letters slipped into Amy Anne's locker requesting to borrow specific books. Her stash grows as students contribute their own books to the B.B.L.L. (Banned Books Locker Library). Nervous by nature, Amy Anne hopes the principal, Mrs. Banazewski, doesn't hear that she's the conductor for this underground railroad of literature.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Spencer continues to cause problems for the school librarian, Mrs. Jones, threatening to challenge additional books. Mrs. Spencer's son, Marvin (Trey) McBride, is a constant presence in the hall near Amy Anne's locker. What if he learns that Amy Anne's locker is stuffed with books his mother ordered removed from the library? It would be goodbye to freedom of thought for Shelbourne Elementary students. Amy Anne does her best to keep track of Trey, but she can't control his whereabouts. If she weren't already anxious, having Trey hang around would do the trick.
The school board wields most of the power, but Mrs. Jones strikes a blow for free expression by using a financial endowment to bring Dav Pilkey in for a school visit. Author of series such as Dog Man and Super Diaper Baby, Dav Pilkey also wrote the Captain Underpants books, which were on Mrs. Spencer's original list of challenged works. Amy Anne isn't a fan, but sitting in the same room with a successful author is exhilarating; even for us, the reader, the excitement is nearly as high as if we were seeing Mr. Pilkey live. The teachers don't all approve of his writing, and he chooses his words carefully when answering Amy Anne's question about his books being banned at Shelbourne, but Dav Pilkey has a surprise to help Amy Anne make his books accessible to all. His visit doesn't change the school's policy, but Mr. Pilkey provides encouragement to Amy Anne and her subversive friends.
None of the kids want to mess up the B.B.L.L. by spilling the beans to Mrs. Banazewski, but there are too many kids reading books from Amy Anne's locker to keep it secret forever. Who actually tells the principal that banned literature is changing hands on school grounds? That isn't as important as figuring out what to do next. Mrs. Jones and Amy Anne are both severely punished, and the free flow of books is staunched for the foreseeable future. Amy Anne was too scared to make her voice heard at the school board meeting, but how about now that more books have been removed, and her reputation is in tatters? Will other kids hate her because they were disciplined for their involvement in the B.B.L.L.? It's time for Amy Anne and her core allies—including a few she can hardly believe are supporting her—to craft a well-researched defense based on freedom of speech that even Mrs. Spencer may be unable to penetrate. If the kids of Shelbourne Elementary want to read what they like without fear of someone else's parents telling them no, they need to turn in a virtuoso performance at the next school board meeting...but does Amy Anne have the gumption to stand up to adults when they're in the wrong?
Book banning and censorship is covered comprehensively in these pages, so there isn't a lot I need to add. Most readers agree that strangers don't have the right to restrict what we read, but Mrs. Spencer has a point when she says not all books should be allowed in a children's library. Would a responsible library interfile lewd adult books with juvenile novels? No; adult books should be marked as such and shelved in their own area of the library. But what if inappropriate adult content creeps into children's books, a failure of publishers to delineate between material that is and is not kid appropriate? Wouldn't it fall to parents and librarians to filter what kids read? It's a legitimate question, but Mrs. Jones's response holds firm: that's why a procedure is in place to reexamine books that may cross the line of propriety. If a challenge is made and the librarian agrees the book is patently inappropriate, it will be removed. Bypassing this process puts too much power in the hands of authorities, inevitably eroding the right to free speech. If kids don't learn to value natural human rights in school, when will they?
I'm sold on Alan Gratz as a great storyteller. He possesses "the juice" for sure, an electricity of narrative that makes this book worth reading. Ban This Book introduces us to big philosophical concepts through well-honed scenes that drive the story while amping up the stakes, and authentic characters we go from loving to loathing and back again, emotional swings that had me breathless as I read. Amy Anne? Trey? Jeffrey Gonzalez? Alexis and Angelina? They are a few of the unforgettable people in these pages. And what could be better than a book that features Dav Pilkey as a character, as well as offering homage to several of my favorite books, including Katherine Paterson's Bridge to Terabithia and Alvin Schwartz and Stephen Gammell's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark? Certain plot points may be a bit too convenient, and Amy Anne's capacity for logic and eloquence (that of her friends, too) stretches believability, but Ban This Book is superb, and I'd probably rate it three and a half stars. Alan Gratz is a talent to behold.
Where did Shelbourne Elementary's copy of From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler go? It's missing from its familiar spot on the shelf. Mrs. Jones, the school librarian, breaks the news to Amy Anne that the novel, along with eleven other popular books and series, has been pulled from the shelves because of a parent's complaint. Pending review, the material in question may be permanently removed. Amy Anne isn't known for defying authority figures, but she won't let the school take her favorite book without expressing opposition. Her parents are willing to buy her the book, but what about kids who don't have that luxury? What about ones who have yet to discover E.L. Konigsburg's award-winning novel? Amy Anne attends a school board meeting to discuss the issue, but can't muster the courage to walk up to the lectern and defend her opinion in front of so many people. Mrs. Jones articulates the case for established procedure to be followed regarding challenged books, but Mrs. Sarah Spencer—the mom who contested From the Mixed-up Files of Basil E. Frankweiler and the rest—convinces the board to give in and just remove the books. With hardly a word of warning, the materials are banned.
Amy Anne and her friend Rebecca Zimmerman, who acts the part of the high-powered lawyer she wants to be someday, are disheartened. Rebecca never showed much interest in reading, but she's curious about Amy Anne's favorite book that is now banned, so Amy Anne loans her the copy her parents bought her. Danny Purcell, usually preoccupied with his hair, also takes interest in the eleven confiscated books. He has some of them at home, and brings them to school for Amy Anne and Rebecca to read. Without intending to, Amy Anne becomes the conduit for her fourth-grade peers to read material banned by the school board, via secret exchange of letters slipped into Amy Anne's locker requesting to borrow specific books. Her stash grows as students contribute their own books to the B.B.L.L. (Banned Books Locker Library). Nervous by nature, Amy Anne hopes the principal, Mrs. Banazewski, doesn't hear that she's the conductor for this underground railroad of literature.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Spencer continues to cause problems for the school librarian, Mrs. Jones, threatening to challenge additional books. Mrs. Spencer's son, Marvin (Trey) McBride, is a constant presence in the hall near Amy Anne's locker. What if he learns that Amy Anne's locker is stuffed with books his mother ordered removed from the library? It would be goodbye to freedom of thought for Shelbourne Elementary students. Amy Anne does her best to keep track of Trey, but she can't control his whereabouts. If she weren't already anxious, having Trey hang around would do the trick.
The school board wields most of the power, but Mrs. Jones strikes a blow for free expression by using a financial endowment to bring Dav Pilkey in for a school visit. Author of series such as Dog Man and Super Diaper Baby, Dav Pilkey also wrote the Captain Underpants books, which were on Mrs. Spencer's original list of challenged works. Amy Anne isn't a fan, but sitting in the same room with a successful author is exhilarating; even for us, the reader, the excitement is nearly as high as if we were seeing Mr. Pilkey live. The teachers don't all approve of his writing, and he chooses his words carefully when answering Amy Anne's question about his books being banned at Shelbourne, but Dav Pilkey has a surprise to help Amy Anne make his books accessible to all. His visit doesn't change the school's policy, but Mr. Pilkey provides encouragement to Amy Anne and her subversive friends.
None of the kids want to mess up the B.B.L.L. by spilling the beans to Mrs. Banazewski, but there are too many kids reading books from Amy Anne's locker to keep it secret forever. Who actually tells the principal that banned literature is changing hands on school grounds? That isn't as important as figuring out what to do next. Mrs. Jones and Amy Anne are both severely punished, and the free flow of books is staunched for the foreseeable future. Amy Anne was too scared to make her voice heard at the school board meeting, but how about now that more books have been removed, and her reputation is in tatters? Will other kids hate her because they were disciplined for their involvement in the B.B.L.L.? It's time for Amy Anne and her core allies—including a few she can hardly believe are supporting her—to craft a well-researched defense based on freedom of speech that even Mrs. Spencer may be unable to penetrate. If the kids of Shelbourne Elementary want to read what they like without fear of someone else's parents telling them no, they need to turn in a virtuoso performance at the next school board meeting...but does Amy Anne have the gumption to stand up to adults when they're in the wrong?
Book banning and censorship is covered comprehensively in these pages, so there isn't a lot I need to add. Most readers agree that strangers don't have the right to restrict what we read, but Mrs. Spencer has a point when she says not all books should be allowed in a children's library. Would a responsible library interfile lewd adult books with juvenile novels? No; adult books should be marked as such and shelved in their own area of the library. But what if inappropriate adult content creeps into children's books, a failure of publishers to delineate between material that is and is not kid appropriate? Wouldn't it fall to parents and librarians to filter what kids read? It's a legitimate question, but Mrs. Jones's response holds firm: that's why a procedure is in place to reexamine books that may cross the line of propriety. If a challenge is made and the librarian agrees the book is patently inappropriate, it will be removed. Bypassing this process puts too much power in the hands of authorities, inevitably eroding the right to free speech. If kids don't learn to value natural human rights in school, when will they?
I'm sold on Alan Gratz as a great storyteller. He possesses "the juice" for sure, an electricity of narrative that makes this book worth reading. Ban This Book introduces us to big philosophical concepts through well-honed scenes that drive the story while amping up the stakes, and authentic characters we go from loving to loathing and back again, emotional swings that had me breathless as I read. Amy Anne? Trey? Jeffrey Gonzalez? Alexis and Angelina? They are a few of the unforgettable people in these pages. And what could be better than a book that features Dav Pilkey as a character, as well as offering homage to several of my favorite books, including Katherine Paterson's Bridge to Terabithia and Alvin Schwartz and Stephen Gammell's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark? Certain plot points may be a bit too convenient, and Amy Anne's capacity for logic and eloquence (that of her friends, too) stretches believability, but Ban This Book is superb, and I'd probably rate it three and a half stars. Alan Gratz is a talent to behold.
May 1, 2024
çok fazla çocuk-genç kitabı okumuyorum. bunun bir sebebi oğlumu büyütmüş ve artık o mecralardan uzaklaşmış olmam, bir sebebi de zamansızlık. son yıllarda okuduklarım hep sevgili tuğçe özdeniz’in önerdikleri oldu. geçenlerde karşılaştığımızda verdiği son çevirisini ise dün geç merakla okumaya başladım.
bir ortaokulda geçen “bu kitabı yasaklayın” bizim için olduğu kadar amerikalılar için de güncel bir konu. her ay amerika’nın bir eyaletinden haber geliyor yasaklanan kitaplar hakkında, harry potterlar mı dersiniz, bülbülü öldürmek’ler mi…
romanda bana çocukluğumu çokça hatırlatan amy anne adlı kitap kurdu bir ana karakter var. en sevdiği kitap okul yönetim kurulunca yasaklanınca bireysel olarak başlattığı eylem sınıfça ve okulca katılınan, muhteşem bir şeye dönüşüyor.
tabii bunun dışında üç kardeşin en büyüğü olan amy’nin değişimi, dönüşümü, ailesiyle konuşamadıklarınj konuşabilir hale gelmesi de romanın arka planda verdiklerinden ki çok sevdim. en büyük çocuğun neler çektiğini ben en küçük çocuk olarak bile çok iyi biliyorum.
ve elbette okul aile birliği başkanı, kraldan çok kralcı, hırslı bir ana, tüm bu yasakların ardındaki… alan gratz romanın sevilmeyen karakterini bile empatiyle aktararak cidden güzel bir iş başarmış.
kitapta sayılan yasak kitapların hepsi gerçek ve inanılmaz yani. insan delirir. bu arada ben neden çocuk kitabı yazamam onu anladım. alan gratz gayet pedagojik yaklaşmaya çalışarak “ebeveyniniz dışında kimse ne okuduğunuza karışamaz” diyor romanın temel iletisinde. ben “lütfen ebeveyniniz de karışmasın bi zahmet” derdim 🤪
bu kitap hakkında daha uzun yazacağım 🥰
bir ortaokulda geçen “bu kitabı yasaklayın” bizim için olduğu kadar amerikalılar için de güncel bir konu. her ay amerika’nın bir eyaletinden haber geliyor yasaklanan kitaplar hakkında, harry potterlar mı dersiniz, bülbülü öldürmek’ler mi…
romanda bana çocukluğumu çokça hatırlatan amy anne adlı kitap kurdu bir ana karakter var. en sevdiği kitap okul yönetim kurulunca yasaklanınca bireysel olarak başlattığı eylem sınıfça ve okulca katılınan, muhteşem bir şeye dönüşüyor.
tabii bunun dışında üç kardeşin en büyüğü olan amy’nin değişimi, dönüşümü, ailesiyle konuşamadıklarınj konuşabilir hale gelmesi de romanın arka planda verdiklerinden ki çok sevdim. en büyük çocuğun neler çektiğini ben en küçük çocuk olarak bile çok iyi biliyorum.
ve elbette okul aile birliği başkanı, kraldan çok kralcı, hırslı bir ana, tüm bu yasakların ardındaki… alan gratz romanın sevilmeyen karakterini bile empatiyle aktararak cidden güzel bir iş başarmış.
kitapta sayılan yasak kitapların hepsi gerçek ve inanılmaz yani. insan delirir. bu arada ben neden çocuk kitabı yazamam onu anladım. alan gratz gayet pedagojik yaklaşmaya çalışarak “ebeveyniniz dışında kimse ne okuduğunuza karışamaz” diyor romanın temel iletisinde. ben “lütfen ebeveyniniz de karışmasın bi zahmet” derdim 🤪
bu kitap hakkında daha uzun yazacağım 🥰
October 2, 2019
I know of a few parents who should read this book.
June 13, 2024
June 11, 2024: This book has now been banned.
https://www.tallahassee.com/story/new...
***********
Loved it! I am a sucker for stories about book banning or libraries and this fit the bill perfectly. Aside from the subject matter match, it's a terrific book for young readers. The main character, Amy Anne, is an elementary school student and book lover and put-upon older sister who has become conditioned to keeping her thoughts to herself. When her favorite book is one of many titles summarily banned from the school library, she had better learn to speak her mind! In this story, the book ban originates with a single complainant who sways the school board to bypass the established book challenge evaluation process, which is exactly how these things usually happen in real life. The books in this book are all real and have all been the subject of book bans or challenges recently.
Amy Anne (our protagonist) struggles with her family life also, as the older sister of "Thing 1 and Thing 2" and the one always expected to put her own needs aside to accommodate the other family members. I appreciated the subtlety of her parents' reactions to her struggles and outbursts. Her family experience integrates perfectly with the book ban events to create a seamless story with a powerful and satisfying conclusion. I think a lot of young readers will be able to connect personally with Amy Anne's story.
There are a lot of superficial similarities to Property of the Rebel Librarian by Allison Varney which was published the following year and is equally excellent. Read them both!. Please don't go thinking that Varney cribbed at all, the lag time in any publishing schedule means that Varney would have to have written her book long before Ban This Book was released. Ban This Book skews slightly younger, ideal for ages 8-12 according to the publisher's reading guide at the end, whereas Property of the Rebel Librarian is more suited to ages 10-14. The book banning process is more realistic in Ban This Book. The chapters are very short, sometimes only covering a 2-page spread, making it accessible to early or reluctant readers.
https://www.tallahassee.com/story/new...
***********
Loved it! I am a sucker for stories about book banning or libraries and this fit the bill perfectly. Aside from the subject matter match, it's a terrific book for young readers. The main character, Amy Anne, is an elementary school student and book lover and put-upon older sister who has become conditioned to keeping her thoughts to herself. When her favorite book is one of many titles summarily banned from the school library, she had better learn to speak her mind! In this story, the book ban originates with a single complainant who sways the school board to bypass the established book challenge evaluation process, which is exactly how these things usually happen in real life. The books in this book are all real and have all been the subject of book bans or challenges recently.
Amy Anne (our protagonist) struggles with her family life also, as the older sister of "Thing 1 and Thing 2" and the one always expected to put her own needs aside to accommodate the other family members. I appreciated the subtlety of her parents' reactions to her struggles and outbursts. Her family experience integrates perfectly with the book ban events to create a seamless story with a powerful and satisfying conclusion. I think a lot of young readers will be able to connect personally with Amy Anne's story.
There are a lot of superficial similarities to Property of the Rebel Librarian by Allison Varney which was published the following year and is equally excellent. Read them both!. Please don't go thinking that Varney cribbed at all, the lag time in any publishing schedule means that Varney would have to have written her book long before Ban This Book was released. Ban This Book skews slightly younger, ideal for ages 8-12 according to the publisher's reading guide at the end, whereas Property of the Rebel Librarian is more suited to ages 10-14. The book banning process is more realistic in Ban This Book. The chapters are very short, sometimes only covering a 2-page spread, making it accessible to early or reluctant readers.
July 20, 2017
Banning books! What does that mean exactly? All it takes is one unhappy parent for a book to be banned in a whole school. And in Amy Anne’s school dozens of books are getting banned, including her favorite, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. That’s when she decides to put together the B.B.L.L. (Banned Books Locker Library) for other students to access the books, for what’s more exciting to read than a book you’re told not to? Amy Anne and her friends learn the importance of speaking up for what you believe in, and the power of the first amendment, free speech. All of the books mentioned in here are real, and have been challenged and banned in real life for a variety of reasons mentioned in the book. I recommend this empowering story to readers of any age!
September 24, 2017
If fourth-grader Amy Anne Ollinger were to be asked by Goodreads to name her absolute favorite book, it would definitely be From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Not that she doesn’t love other books, but this is the one she checks out of the school library over and over and over. So, imagine her shock when she goes to get it off the shelf yet again, and…it’s gone.
And it’s not just From the Mixed-up Files that is no longer there. The librarian, Mrs. Jones, tells her that it was decided by the school board that it is inappropriate for the kids in her school to read. From the Mixed-up Files had been BANNED, along with 10 other books, all because one influential (read rich) parent, Mrs. Spencer, decided they should be.
After her parents buy Amy Anne her own copy of From the Mixed-up Files, she lends it to her best friend Rebecca, who has never read it. Then, someone else asks to borrow it, and Amy Anne discovers that Danny, a boy in her class, has a copy of When Helen Comes, which was on the list and he’s willing to lend it to her to read.
As copies of the banned books begin to be swapped back and forth among the fourth-graders, it soon becomes apparent that something needs to be done to keep track of them. And so the Banned Books Locker Library, a/k/a the BBLL, is created in Amy Anne’s locker. And as more and more books are removed from the library’s shelves, thanks to Mrs. Spencer, the acquisitions for the BBLL expands accordingly, often with the help of other students.
Now, you know that the BBLL couldn’t continue for too long without the principal finding out, and she does, but not the way you would expect it to happen. And there are consequences, but one of the most important results of being discovered as President and Chief Librarian of the BBLL is that Amy Anne finds her voice and finally learns to speak up for herself about the things that bother her. And all the fourth graders learn that they can make a difference when they believe in their cause. Here, it’s censorship, because as Amy Anne explains: “Nobody has the right to tell you what books you can or can’t read. Except your parents.”
Ban This Book is a fun book with a serious subject and very serious message, but I believe it is one that kids will certainly think about as they realize that some of their favorite books have been challenged for all sorts of reasons. And, while this is an issue novel about censorship, it also addresses the idea that a school board can make rules for removing books from the library and then circumvent them willy-nilly to appease an influential parent and that isn't right.
Amy Anne is a wonderful character. She’s a strong, intelligent champion for books and readers, and she is loyal to her friends. After being caught running the BBLL, she didn't rat out her friends that helped her in an effort to make things easier for herself - now, in my book, that is a good friend.
I should mention that every book mentioned in Ban This Book (and there are a lot) has been or is still being challenged. Is your favorite book in the sights of the censors?
This book is recommended for readers age 8+
This book was provided by the Tom Doherty Associates
And it’s not just From the Mixed-up Files that is no longer there. The librarian, Mrs. Jones, tells her that it was decided by the school board that it is inappropriate for the kids in her school to read. From the Mixed-up Files had been BANNED, along with 10 other books, all because one influential (read rich) parent, Mrs. Spencer, decided they should be.
After her parents buy Amy Anne her own copy of From the Mixed-up Files, she lends it to her best friend Rebecca, who has never read it. Then, someone else asks to borrow it, and Amy Anne discovers that Danny, a boy in her class, has a copy of When Helen Comes, which was on the list and he’s willing to lend it to her to read.
As copies of the banned books begin to be swapped back and forth among the fourth-graders, it soon becomes apparent that something needs to be done to keep track of them. And so the Banned Books Locker Library, a/k/a the BBLL, is created in Amy Anne’s locker. And as more and more books are removed from the library’s shelves, thanks to Mrs. Spencer, the acquisitions for the BBLL expands accordingly, often with the help of other students.
Now, you know that the BBLL couldn’t continue for too long without the principal finding out, and she does, but not the way you would expect it to happen. And there are consequences, but one of the most important results of being discovered as President and Chief Librarian of the BBLL is that Amy Anne finds her voice and finally learns to speak up for herself about the things that bother her. And all the fourth graders learn that they can make a difference when they believe in their cause. Here, it’s censorship, because as Amy Anne explains: “Nobody has the right to tell you what books you can or can’t read. Except your parents.”
Ban This Book is a fun book with a serious subject and very serious message, but I believe it is one that kids will certainly think about as they realize that some of their favorite books have been challenged for all sorts of reasons. And, while this is an issue novel about censorship, it also addresses the idea that a school board can make rules for removing books from the library and then circumvent them willy-nilly to appease an influential parent and that isn't right.
Amy Anne is a wonderful character. She’s a strong, intelligent champion for books and readers, and she is loyal to her friends. After being caught running the BBLL, she didn't rat out her friends that helped her in an effort to make things easier for herself - now, in my book, that is a good friend.
I should mention that every book mentioned in Ban This Book (and there are a lot) has been or is still being challenged. Is your favorite book in the sights of the censors?
This book is recommended for readers age 8+
This book was provided by the Tom Doherty Associates
June 9, 2018
Великият Рей Бредбъри има една крилата мисъл: „Има по-лоши престъпления от това да гориш книги. Едно от тях е да не ги четеш.” Но за всички читатели, които все още не са станали достатъчно високи, та да стигнат до горното рафтче в библиотеката и да посегнат към „451 градуса по Фаренхайт”, ето една прекрасна младежка книга, съчетала увлекателен сюжет, лек хумор и куп важни послания. „Забранете тази книга” на Алън Грац (изд. „СофтПрес”) е история, която наистина си струва да бъде прочетена, а най-хубавото е, че като нищо може да ви послужи за отправна точка и към много други чудесни книги! Прочетете ревюто на "Книжни Криле":
https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...
https://knijnikrile.wordpress.com/201...
August 4, 2020
To be quite honest, I thought this was a young adult book going in, or at least upper middle grade. It isn't. It centers on a fourth grade reader named Amy Anne who starts a locker library for banned books after a wave of bans hits her school library, taking out several books (including her favorite one). While I'm familiar with Gratz' other middle grade works, this was a case of "it's not you, it's me". The writing in this was very juvenile, and definitely overused the "*actual communication of feelings* is what I wish I said. Instead I said *something else*", which was cute at first and quickly grew annoying. The climax was good though, and the scenes where the kids figured out reasons to was easily my favorite part.
A good introduction to banned books for kids I guess.
A good introduction to banned books for kids I guess.
July 25, 2024
Fourth grader Amy Anne starts this book quiet as a mouse, but becomes a kick-butt super agent librarian by the time this inspirational tale is told. This is a fun, fast-paced addictive story.
Kids should read this to understand that there is a legitimate process for qualified professionals with library degrees that know best how to evaluate age-appropriate material.
The bottom line:
Nobody has the right to tell you what books you can and can't read except your parents.
I could not put this down. I read it during every break I took today, and then finished it after work. It is great to hear kids who like reading, elevate books to an even higher level of respect:
How had I not seen books as treasure before? I loved books. I couldn't imagine living without them. But I had never seen each book as such a valuable thing before. Even the books I wasn't interested in reading were like gold.
A well meaning parent started this fiasco by going straight to school board members to get the following list of books removed immediately:
1. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
2. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz
3. Matilda by Roald Dahl
4. Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
5. Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn
6. It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health by Robie H. Harris
7. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
8. All the June B. Jones books by Barbara Park
. . . Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus
. . . There are 28 June B. Jones books
9. All the Captain Underpants books by Dav Pilkey
. . . The Adventures of Captain Underpants
. . . There are 14 Captain Underpants books
10. The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
11. All the Goosebumps books by R.L. Stine
. . . Welcome to Dead House
. . . In total, 235 books in the Goosebumps series have been published since 1992.
Easy 5* book here - appropriate for all ages - only requirement is ability/desire to read.
Kids should read this to understand that there is a legitimate process for qualified professionals with library degrees that know best how to evaluate age-appropriate material.
The bottom line:
Nobody has the right to tell you what books you can and can't read except your parents.
I could not put this down. I read it during every break I took today, and then finished it after work. It is great to hear kids who like reading, elevate books to an even higher level of respect:
How had I not seen books as treasure before? I loved books. I couldn't imagine living without them. But I had never seen each book as such a valuable thing before. Even the books I wasn't interested in reading were like gold.
A well meaning parent started this fiasco by going straight to school board members to get the following list of books removed immediately:
1. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
2. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz
3. Matilda by Roald Dahl
4. Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
5. Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn
6. It's Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health by Robie H. Harris
7. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
8. All the June B. Jones books by Barbara Park
. . . Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus
. . . There are 28 June B. Jones books
9. All the Captain Underpants books by Dav Pilkey
. . . The Adventures of Captain Underpants
. . . There are 14 Captain Underpants books
10. The Egypt Game by Zilpha Keatley Snyder
11. All the Goosebumps books by R.L. Stine
. . . Welcome to Dead House
. . . In total, 235 books in the Goosebumps series have been published since 1992.
Easy 5* book here - appropriate for all ages - only requirement is ability/desire to read.
November 26, 2021
As a public library worker, I'd really like to recommend Ban this Book, but I can't. It's got a couple of flaws that I just can not overlook.
It's about intellectual freedom -- what's not to like? It's got an admirable POC protagonist, a quiet "good girl" who is pushed into standing up for her rights and the rights of her peers. Thumbs up, ennit? It's got a propulsive plot, well-paced, with a cast of mostly well-drawn characters. It's got Dav Pilkey in there. Looks like a starry review!
"But." Intellectual freedom -- freedom from having your favorite books banned -- exists along with other rights, including the right to privacy, and freedom from intrusive search and seizure. Not a big topic for a grade-school audience, maybe, but I could see a YA novel built on that concept.
"But, part two." Racism -- championing of racist books, and skating over the real harm that bad books can perpetuate. With freedom comes responsibility, especially when it comes to public education.
So, first: what about privacy? At the climax of the story,
"Banning" is not what libraries are for. Sometimes we tolerate, sometimes we weed. In the real world, maintaining a viable, appropriate collection is a constant challenge. New books are constantly added, something has to go: items are weeded for various reasons, to make room for better, more relevant items. There are gray areas. Kids are not dumb; they can see gray, too.
It's so close; it could have been a great story. Let your kids read Ban this Book, but do the world a favor, and help them see the gray.
It's about intellectual freedom -- what's not to like? It's got an admirable POC protagonist, a quiet "good girl" who is pushed into standing up for her rights and the rights of her peers. Thumbs up, ennit? It's got a propulsive plot, well-paced, with a cast of mostly well-drawn characters. It's got Dav Pilkey in there. Looks like a starry review!
"But." Intellectual freedom -- freedom from having your favorite books banned -- exists along with other rights, including the right to privacy, and freedom from intrusive search and seizure. Not a big topic for a grade-school audience, maybe, but I could see a YA novel built on that concept.
"But, part two." Racism -- championing of racist books, and skating over the real harm that bad books can perpetuate. With freedom comes responsibility, especially when it comes to public education.
So, first: what about privacy? At the climax of the story,
"Banning" is not what libraries are for. Sometimes we tolerate, sometimes we weed. In the real world, maintaining a viable, appropriate collection is a constant challenge. New books are constantly added, something has to go: items are weeded for various reasons, to make room for better, more relevant items. There are gray areas. Kids are not dumb; they can see gray, too.
It's so close; it could have been a great story. Let your kids read Ban this Book, but do the world a favor, and help them see the gray.
May 26, 2023
اول از داستانش بگم بعد حس و حال خودم
شخصیت اصلی داستان، دختریه به اسم ایمی آن که یک کرم کتاب و کتابخوار واقعیه. از این بچهها که از کتابخونه مدرسشون پشت هم کتاب میگیره و سریع میخونه و میره سراغ بعدی. اما یک کتاب خیلی خیلی محبوب داره که چندبار خوندتش. وقتی میخواد یکبار دیگه اونو امانت بگیره، میبینه نیست. از مسئول کتابخونه میپرسه کجاست و میشنوه که شورای مدرسه اون کتاب و چند عنوان دیگه رو ممنوع کرده! و رفته رفته این عناوین ممنوعی بیشتر و بیشتر هم میشن.
حالا ایمی آن و دوستانش تصمیم میگیرن علیه این اتفاق یک حرکت جدی و مخفیانه انجام بدن!
بطور عجیبی با شخصیتهای کتابخون داستان ارتباط گرفتن. نویسنده که قشنگ مشخصه خودشم یک کتابخوار واقعیه، خیلی خوب تونسته حس عاشقان کتاب حین مطالعه رو بگه مخصوصا در دوران نوجوانی با همه خیالپردازی های حین مطالعه و تلاش برای آوردن اتفاقات درون داستان به زندگی.
خوندن چندباره کتاب مورد علاقه، حرص خوردن از اینکه چرا بقیه نمیفهمن ما چی میگیم از کتابها و...، همه عالی تو این کتاب اومده
شاید اونایی که اهل کتاب نیستن خوششون نیاد اما واسه کرم کتابها خیلییی داستان جذابیه
شخصیت اصلی داستان، دختریه به اسم ایمی آن که یک کرم کتاب و کتابخوار واقعیه. از این بچهها که از کتابخونه مدرسشون پشت هم کتاب میگیره و سریع میخونه و میره سراغ بعدی. اما یک کتاب خیلی خیلی محبوب داره که چندبار خوندتش. وقتی میخواد یکبار دیگه اونو امانت بگیره، میبینه نیست. از مسئول کتابخونه میپرسه کجاست و میشنوه که شورای مدرسه اون کتاب و چند عنوان دیگه رو ممنوع کرده! و رفته رفته این عناوین ممنوعی بیشتر و بیشتر هم میشن.
حالا ایمی آن و دوستانش تصمیم میگیرن علیه این اتفاق یک حرکت جدی و مخفیانه انجام بدن!
بطور عجیبی با شخصیتهای کتابخون داستان ارتباط گرفتن. نویسنده که قشنگ مشخصه خودشم یک کتابخوار واقعیه، خیلی خوب تونسته حس عاشقان کتاب حین مطالعه رو بگه مخصوصا در دوران نوجوانی با همه خیالپردازی های حین مطالعه و تلاش برای آوردن اتفاقات درون داستان به زندگی.
خوندن چندباره کتاب مورد علاقه، حرص خوردن از اینکه چرا بقیه نمیفهمن ما چی میگیم از کتابها و...، همه عالی تو این کتاب اومده
شاید اونایی که اهل کتاب نیستن خوششون نیاد اما واسه کرم کتابها خیلییی داستان جذابیه
August 18, 2019
کاش واقعا وقتی احساس میکنیم تو یه موقعیتی هستیم که باید از خودمون دفاع کنیم، حتما این کارو انجام بدیم و ساکت نمونیم.
February 8, 2021
اول از همه بگویم من از آنهایی نیستم که میگویند همهی کتابها ارزشمندند و خواندن هر کتابی باعث میشود آدم بهتری شویم. نمی شود. و همهی افراد کتابخوان هم لزوما آدمهای خوبی نیستند. و قطعا موافقم که هر کتابی نباید در دسترس بچهها باشد. حالا سر این که این انتخاب باید چطور باشد و کی ماهی گیری یاد دهیم، حرف زیاد است.
ولی بیشترین چیزی که راجع به این کتاب دوست داشتم، ممنوع و آزاد شدن کتابها نبود. البته که همیشه برایم دوست داشتنی است که چطور در داستانها غریبهترین افراد با کتاب، بالاخره یک کتابی پیدا میکنند که مناسبشان است و دیگر بعد از آن کتابخوان میشوند.
کلی هم هوس کردم که یک روزی کتابدار یک مدرسه شوم.
بیشترین چیزی که در این کتاب را ممنوع کنید دوست داشتم این بود که یک سری بچههای دبستانی اهمیت دادند و ایستادند. وقتی یک چیزی غلطی میبینیم خیلی هم سخت نیست که بیخیالش شویم و کنار بیاییم و بعد از مدتی هم فراموش کنیم ولی این که بچهها از همان سن کم یاد بگیرند باید سر چیزی که فکر میکنیم درست است بایستیم، فوق العاده است.
بعضی وقتها باید از چیزی که میخوای دفاع کنی.
یا چیزی که درسته.
پی نوشت: برایم جالب بود که نویسندهی این چنین کتابی مرد است. مخصوصا این که راوی داستان دختری ۹ ساله بود. البته شاید برای همین این قدر گریه میکرد:) و یک قسمتهای داستان، مثلا سیر رشد کردن ایمی آن، میتوانست هنرمندانهتر باشد به نظرم.
ولی بیشترین چیزی که راجع به این کتاب دوست داشتم، ممنوع و آزاد شدن کتابها نبود. البته که همیشه برایم دوست داشتنی است که چطور در داستانها غریبهترین افراد با کتاب، بالاخره یک کتابی پیدا میکنند که مناسبشان است و دیگر بعد از آن کتابخوان میشوند.
کلی هم هوس کردم که یک روزی کتابدار یک مدرسه شوم.
بیشترین چیزی که در این کتاب را ممنوع کنید دوست داشتم این بود که یک سری بچههای دبستانی اهمیت دادند و ایستادند. وقتی یک چیزی غلطی میبینیم خیلی هم سخت نیست که بیخیالش شویم و کنار بیاییم و بعد از مدتی هم فراموش کنیم ولی این که بچهها از همان سن کم یاد بگیرند باید سر چیزی که فکر میکنیم درست است بایستیم، فوق العاده است.
بعضی وقتها باید از چیزی که میخوای دفاع کنی.
یا چیزی که درسته.
پی نوشت: برایم جالب بود که نویسندهی این چنین کتابی مرد است. مخصوصا این که راوی داستان دختری ۹ ساله بود. البته شاید برای همین این قدر گریه میکرد:) و یک قسمتهای داستان، مثلا سیر رشد کردن ایمی آن، میتوانست هنرمندانهتر باشد به نظرم.
October 16, 2022
Too good to be true!!! One of my all time favourite now, not just a favourite of books about books.
Review coming up 👍🏻
Review coming up 👍🏻
March 6, 2021
“Забранете тази книга” е вълшебна история!
Изключително щастлива съм, че я прочетох, че ще е част от библиотеката ни и нямам търпение дъщеря ми Мая, която е изключително запален читател да я прочете. През цялото време си представях нея, докато главната ни героиня Ейми Ан разказваше историята.
За всички, обичащи книгите, за библиотекарите по света, за магията на четенето, за смисъла в ходенето в библиотека...
Това е книга за родители, учители и деца! За това колко важно е да имаш глас и да отстояваш позиция!
Обмислям идея да подаря книгата на библиотеката на класа. Училищната библиотека работи и даже вчера библиотекарката е посетила 1А клас и се надявам скоро Мая да има карта, а идните дни ще посетим и Столична библиотека.
Щастлива съм, че книгата ми припомни вълшебството на това да заемаш книги, вместо само да купуваш.
Оформлението и малките детайли са разкошни - поздравления на издателство Софтпрес! В края има списък с всички забранени книги и насоки за учители/родители за дискусия с децата.
Изключително щастлива съм, че я прочетох, че ще е част от библиотеката ни и нямам търпение дъщеря ми Мая, която е изключително запален читател да я прочете. През цялото време си представях нея, докато главната ни героиня Ейми Ан разказваше историята.
За всички, обичащи книгите, за библиотекарите по света, за магията на четенето, за смисъла в ходенето в библиотека...
Това е книга за родители, учители и деца! За това колко важно е да имаш глас и да отстояваш позиция!
Обмислям идея да подаря книгата на библиотеката на класа. Училищната библиотека работи и даже вчера библиотекарката е посетила 1А клас и се надявам скоро Мая да има карта, а идните дни ще посетим и Столична библиотека.
Щастлива съм, че книгата ми припомни вълшебството на това да заемаш книги, вместо само да купуваш.
Оформлението и малките детайли са разкошни - поздравления на издателство Софтпрес! В края има списък с всички забранени книги и насоки за учители/родители за дискусия с децата.
June 20, 2022
My library patrons flock to Alan Gratz's historical fiction, so when the author was signing copies of this non-war themed work at the Texas Library Association conference, I was excited to give them something a little different by him . I am thankful that I can report being just as pleased with this great realistic fiction novel, filled with the expertly crafted writing that I have come to expect from him.
The efforts of the usually docile Amy Anne to countermand a powerful parent's campaign to remove any book with the least bit of controversy attached to it from her school's library is innovative, informative, and entertaining and even those on the younger end of the target range will appreciate her story of a banned books library hidden in a school locker. Prolific readers of all ages will feel little heart tugs as titles of well-loved books, all with a history of being protested for some reason or another, appear constantly as Mrs. Spencer keeps forcing the school librarian to remove more books from her son's school library. 4th and 5th graders may not grasp all the subtleties of the freedom to read mantra of reading teachers and librarians everywhere, but most will see the change in Amy Anne as she learns that when you feel passionately about something, you should speak up and if there is a wrong being done, you should try to fix it. There may be a few who will object to some of the ways that Amy Anne and her friends protest the book removal. After all, stealing, even if it is from a free lending library, is definitely wrong. And going against the decision of an authority figure is not generally the right move either, but she does have to face the consequences of her actions, and in the end, students and parents are given the responsibility of making their own informed choices and even powerful Mrs. Spencer will have to follow the established challenge procedures for book protests instead of just swinging her rich fist around to get her way. The friends and fellow students that surround the book's heroine are representative of kids at every school and readers will likely see someone in the cast of characters that resembles them. Gratz's vocabulary is vivid and challenging words are surrounded with rich context to allow many levels of readers to grasp the meaning. Highly recommended for grades 5-8, with the likely after effect of students asking about many of the books deemed "inappropriate" by the over-zealous, book-banning mom.
Added note: There are some who might object to Gratz's inclusion of references to a non-fiction book on maturation called "It's Perfectly Normal" and a few comments by characters that include the spelled out word S-E-X, but there is nothing graphic or overly descriptive in these brief incidents. Additionally, Gratz does make it clear that this particular book was intended for older readers at Amy Anne's school and also distinguishes between book banning/censorship and making age-appropriate selections for readers.
The efforts of the usually docile Amy Anne to countermand a powerful parent's campaign to remove any book with the least bit of controversy attached to it from her school's library is innovative, informative, and entertaining and even those on the younger end of the target range will appreciate her story of a banned books library hidden in a school locker. Prolific readers of all ages will feel little heart tugs as titles of well-loved books, all with a history of being protested for some reason or another, appear constantly as Mrs. Spencer keeps forcing the school librarian to remove more books from her son's school library. 4th and 5th graders may not grasp all the subtleties of the freedom to read mantra of reading teachers and librarians everywhere, but most will see the change in Amy Anne as she learns that when you feel passionately about something, you should speak up and if there is a wrong being done, you should try to fix it. There may be a few who will object to some of the ways that Amy Anne and her friends protest the book removal. After all, stealing, even if it is from a free lending library, is definitely wrong. And going against the decision of an authority figure is not generally the right move either, but she does have to face the consequences of her actions, and in the end, students and parents are given the responsibility of making their own informed choices and even powerful Mrs. Spencer will have to follow the established challenge procedures for book protests instead of just swinging her rich fist around to get her way. The friends and fellow students that surround the book's heroine are representative of kids at every school and readers will likely see someone in the cast of characters that resembles them. Gratz's vocabulary is vivid and challenging words are surrounded with rich context to allow many levels of readers to grasp the meaning. Highly recommended for grades 5-8, with the likely after effect of students asking about many of the books deemed "inappropriate" by the over-zealous, book-banning mom.
Added note: There are some who might object to Gratz's inclusion of references to a non-fiction book on maturation called "It's Perfectly Normal" and a few comments by characters that include the spelled out word S-E-X, but there is nothing graphic or overly descriptive in these brief incidents. Additionally, Gratz does make it clear that this particular book was intended for older readers at Amy Anne's school and also distinguishes between book banning/censorship and making age-appropriate selections for readers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,421 reviews