Review: Ban This Book by Alan Gratz

*I received a copy of Ban This Book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

Happy Publishing Day, Alan Gratz! 

The exciting book I am talking about today is also being published today, which means you can read this review, then go out and pick up a copy! I will start by saying I really enjoyed this book, it was quirky and charming, and discussed some very important issues that are near and dear to my heart. This is also a book I have wanted to be published for a long time, I just didn't know it. 

While this book is written for children and would easily be appropriate for children who are reading chapter books and above, I think parents and teachers can learn from this book as well. Before I get into the review, I want to summarize that this book is about banning books and the consequences of taking books off the shelf. My opinion is that it is never justified to ban a book. Parents, teachers, or other adults can suggest a child does not read a certain book, or a person can make the decision independently. This book does such a good job in describing reasons books do get banned, but showing the repercussions that come from those decisions. 

My preservice teachers and I have discussions about banning books every semester. I cannot wait to share this book with them because I believe it will open their eyes to the various discussions surrounding this topic. 

Ban This Book by Alan Gratz

We meet Amy Anne, an elementary bibliophile. Amy Anne is one of three kids living in a tiny house with her parents and dogs. She loves to read but struggles to find quiet time at home to enjoy her books. One of the ways she squeezes in more quality time for reading is by staying late at school and hanging out in the school library (but, she lies to her parents and tells them she is over-active in extracurricular activities). While in the library so often, Amy Anne befriends the school librarian, who shares many wonderful books with her. Amy Anne's favorite book is From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler. Amy Anne loves this book so much, she has checked it out 5 times from the library. In order to allow other children to read popular books, the librarian has decided that students must wait a week to recheck a book. 

One day, Amy Anne goes to the library after school specifically to check out her favorite book - it's been a week, and if it is on the shelf, she gets it again. She cannot wait to read the book again. But today, the book is gone! She runs to Mrs. Jones' surprised the book has been checked out. Mrs. Jones, the librarian, tells her that the book has been "banned" and removed from the school library. Apparently, one parent has decided many books are inappropriate for elementary students and went to the school board to have them banned. Amy Anne cannot believe her ears! Mrs. Jones asks Amy Anne if she will come to the school board meeting and support her right to read. She agrees.

Amy Anne tells her father the story and he purchases her favorite book for her. The next day at school, while Amy Anne is recounting these stories to her friends, they decide to create a library out of their locker - The Banned Books Locker Library (BBLL). Amy Anne feels this is wrong, but also feels she must stand up for students' rights to read. The BBLL is a big hit and soon, students are trading books, donating books, and talking non-stop about books. The only problem, they are only interested in the banned books. This secret is sure to get out. Eventually, the kids do get caught. They also take their argument to the school board. Who will win this battle over books? 

What I love most about this book is Amy Anne's spirit. She is willing to break the rules for a good cause. I also loved seeing the kids get so involved with reading, even though they were breaking the "rules". This is often the consequence of banned books. Particularly, in this case. A parent was upset and went over the rules of the school, resulting in severe consequences. 

In this book, both kids and adults discuss the dangers of banning books, as well as reasons this happens. Both also brainstorm ways to help children make good reading choices, that are appropriate to them. One example in Ban This Book includes a book about puberty. This is one of the banned books and many of the girls want to read it and discuss it. Amy Anne checks this book out from the BBLL, but decides after skimming a few pages, that this book isn't for her right now. This is a powerful message about choice - kids can decide what is too mature for them and what they are prepared to read. 

This is a book I would recommend to elementary readers, that would bring up some great topics, and middle level readers. The writing is engaging and fun. I also recommend this book to adults who work with or read to children. 

Finally, this book is filled with reading recommendations. Alan Gratz used the list of books compiled by the American Library Association to endorse books that have been challenged in the past few decades. Banned Books Week starts on September 24th and is a great time to reacquaint with books that are challenged. 

Happy Reading!