  | Same page Author: Swartz, Elly | |
| Price: $22.58 | ||
Summary:
Sixth-grader Bess Stein brings together friends and a group of librarians called the Book Warriors to fight a book ban happening at her middle school.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (-) (12/01/24)
Booklist (01/01/25)
Full Text Reviews:
Other - 09/30/2024 As newly elected president of the sixth grade in her rural Pennsylvania town, idealistic Bess Stein is excited to start the school year. She’s developed new methods to calm her anxious thoughts, and even though it feels like her BFF Emmy is pulling away, new friend and vice president June is by her side. Bess is excited to make good on her campaign promise of installing a book vending machine in the library, but after realizing that the appliance is missing some titles, she’s horrified to learn that a parent complained about "inappropriate" selections. Together with a group of local librarians, Bess brainstorms ways to persuade the community of the value of the challenged books. Upon discovering that June’s mother is the one stirring up controversy, Bess assumes that June will speak up on her behalf and is devastated when she refuses. Though conversations surrounding the important issue of book banning are hampered by a didactic tone, Swartz (Hidden Truths) skillfully incorporates sensitive depictions of Bess’s anxiety and the comfort she finds in her Jewish faith and her dog, Barnaby, to tackle tween friendship drama and growing pains with nuance. Main characters read as white. Ages 10-up. Agent: Andrea Cascardi, Trans- atlantic Literary. (Jan.) - Copyright 2024
Booklist - 01/01/2025 Sixth-grader Bess Stein and her new close friend, June, successfully ran their student council campaign on the pledges of no-homework Wednesdays, a new panini press, and a book-vending machine. At the same time, Bess is developing a crush on June’s older brother and navigating changing friendship dynamics with her longtime best friend, Emmy. When Bess learns the books chosen for the vending machine have been challenged by June’s mom, this creates a rift between the girls. June is hesitant to speak out, while Bess is ready to fight for the right to read, armed with the Jewish-star necklace worn by her great-grandmother who survived the Holocaust, mindfulness techniques, and the support of fellow Book Warriors group members. The narrative beats of the story are delivered at a pace to keep even the younger skew of readers engaged. Exploring experiences related to antisemitism, Swartz has written a timely and powerfully emotive story that is a perfect read for a budding reformer or activist. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.
