Ban This Book

Ban This Book

By Alan Gratz

I received a copy of BAN THIS BOOK from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Think of your favorite book of all time.  Picture where it is ...at the library, your bookshelf, or at a bookstore. You find comfort knowing that your favorite book is accessible to you at anytime. How would you feel if all of a sudden, without warning, your book was banned? You no longer can simply go get it if you want to reread it. All of this because one person thought your favorite book was inappropriate for you and everyone else to read.

Amy Anne Ollinger  knows exactly how this feels because her favorite book, FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER, has been removed from her school library. One parent has decided that this book is not appropriate for third-sixth graders to read.  How can this be possible?  What is she going to do now? Amy decides that she must take matters into her own hands when the school board bans more books. Read BAN THIS BOOK to see what Amy Anne Ollinger and her friends do when censorship runs rampant through their school.

Banning books is not new.  In fact, it has been around since the first written words. All sorts of books, from classics to graphic novels are banned yearly all over the United States.  Someone gets his/her panties in a wad and thinks he/she knows what everyone should and shouldn’t read. I personally am totally against censorship in books. I believe the only person allowed to tell me what to read is me. I also think the parents should have the only say in what their child reads.

I really liked BAN THIS BOOK because the world needs young heroes to stand up for what is right. Even though she is shy, Amy Anne takes on the system in very inventive ways. She also enlists the help of her friends to fight their mutual enemy. None of the children are afraid of the consequences and do some very brave things. They realize what is happening to their school and will not allow it.

This book would be a great classroom read for Banned Book Week September 24-30, 2017. It would lead to some very interesting conversations about freedom of speech and censorship. The older the students, the more deep the conversation. With younger students, it would be a prime opportunity to instill a strong belief in freedom of speech. Some possible activities with the book might include:

• “Ban” some of the students’ favorite books for ridiculous reasons and brainstorm possible ways the students can fight the ban.
• Students write letters to the school board explaining why a book should not be taken from the school’s library.
• Students research past banned books and the reasons they were banned.
• Set up a banned book display with the reasons the booms were taken from shelves.
• Students can make Banned Book Week awareness posters.

I really believe this book is an excellent choice for middle school students  They will love the action, the fact that students stand up against the system, and it doesn’t matter how small or quiet you are, you can make a difference at your school.