Ban This Book, Alan Gratz
Ban This Book, Alan Gratz
2 Rating(s)
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Ban This Book

Author: Alan Gratz

Narrator: Bahni Turpin

Unabridged: 5 hr 17 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 08/29/2017

Synopsis

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 libraryIt 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’s Ban This Book is a love letter to the written word and its power to give kids a voice.

About Alan Gratz

Alan Gratz writes, “I have long been interested in Japan, but wasn’t inspired to write until I stumbled across a curious photograph in a travel guide. In the picture, a Japanese man wearing a kimono and sandals throws out the ceremonial first pitch for the 1915 National High School Baseball Summer Championship Tournament. 1915! I knew of Japan’s love affair with baseball, but I had always assumed the sport was imported by American GIs during the Allied occupation at the end of World War II.” From there came the spark of an idea that grew into this remarkable first novel. Alan lives with his wife and daughter in Georgia.

About Bahni Turpin

Bahni Turpin is an experienced audiobook narrator and actress who has appeared in numerous television productions as well as films. An ensemble member of the Cornerstone Theater Company, she also works as a yoga instructor. She currently resides in Los Angeles, where she founded the SoLA Food Co-op.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Katy O. on 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......more

Goodreads review by Fatma Al Zahraa on 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'......more

Goodreads review by Maureen on July 04, 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 a......more

Goodreads review by Skip on 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......more

Quotes

“Gratz delivers a book lover’s book that speaks volumes about kids’ power to effect change at a grassroots level.” Publishers Weekly

“A stout defense of the right to read.” Kirkus Reviews

“Ban This Book is absolutely brilliant and belongs on the shelves of every library in the multiverse.” Lauren Myracle, author of the bestselling Internet Girls series

“Readers, librarians, and all those books that have drawn a challenge have a brand new hero…Stand up and cheer, book lovers. This one’s for you.” Kathi Appelt, author of the Newbery Honor–winning The Underneath

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