Ban This Book

Gratz, Alan. Ban This Book. Starscape Books, 2017. 

Amy Anne Ollinger is shocked when she rushes to the library to check out her favorite book, From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, only to find it not on the shelf. Mrs. Jones, the school librarian, gives Amy Anne the bad news: the book has been banned from the school library! All because a fellow student's mom thinks the book is inappropriate for elementary students.

You cannot help but fall in love with Amy Anne. Gratz does an incredible job of establishing the character in order for middle grade readers to relate. Amy Anne is very shy and soft spoken, but throughout the book gains confidence to speak up for what she believes in. Amy Anne does not back down from the banning of her favorite book, and in turn establishes a secret Banned Book Locker Library.

Amy Anne begins to realize that many more students are backing her up on her war against the banned books. Their antics to fight the school board and principal on their decision will make you cheer along through the whole book!

Book lovers and librarians will adore this book that defends the right to read. I applaud the approach that Gratz has for this subject. He successfully disputes this issue on a students level, and is able to add humor to the situation.

I cannot wait to get this book into my students' hands! I have a feeling that the challenged/banned books mentioned in Ban This Book will be flying off my shelf soon as well.