You’re Never Too Young to Fight Censorship! In Ban This Book by Alan Gratz, a fourth grader fights back when From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg is challenged by a well-meaning parent and taken off the shelves of her school library. Amy Anne is shy and soft-spoken, but don’t mess with her when it comes to her favorite book in the whole world. Amy Anne and her lieutenants wage a battle for the books that will make you laugh and pump your fists as they start a secret banned books locker library, make up ridiculous reasons to ban every single book in the library to make a point, and take a stand against censorship. Ban This Book is a stirring defense against censorship that’s perfect for middle grade readers. Let kids know that they can make a difference in their schools, communities, and lives! “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 “ 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, the most challenged books of 2009 and 2011 “Quick paced and with clear, easy-to-read prose, this is a book poised for wide readership and classroom use.”― Booklist "A stout defense of the right to read." ― Kirkus Reviews “Gratz delivers a book lover’s book that speaks volumes about kids’ power to effect change at a grassroots level." ―Publishers Weekly Gr 4–6—Fourth grader Amy Anne is a "good girl" who does what she's told. She's used to being overlooked in her noisy family, keeping quiet at school, and not saying what she's really thinking. But when Amy Anne's favorite book, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, is one of the titles banned from the school library by the overzealous PTA president, she can't swallow the injustice. When she is too scared to speak up at the school board meeting, she decides she can at least find and read all of the banned books. Soon other students are requesting to borrow them, and before long, Amy Anne; her friend Rebecca, an aspiring lawyer; and Rebecca's crush, Danny, are running the Banned Books Locker Library out of Amy Anne's locker. When the underground library is discovered, Amy Anne is suspended, and Dr. Jones, the librarian, is fired. Help comes from an unexpected source: Trey, the PTA president's son, who suggests a way to show the board what happens when one person's opinion affects access for everyone. The story of Amy Anne's personal triumph is also a celebration of literature, free speech, and finding one's voice. A reading and activity guide is included. VERDICT An excellent addition to all middle grade collections. Hand this to book lovers, aspiring librarians, or any kid who wants to make a difference.—Laurie Slagenwhite Walters, Brighton District Library, Brighton, MI “Readers, librarians, and all those books that have drawn a challenge have a brand new hero in Amy Anne Ollinger. She's a true champion and testament to how doing a good thing is the first step in finding your own courage."―Kathi Appelt, Newbery Honor winning author of The Underneath " Ban This Book is absolutely brilliant and belongs on the shelves of every library in the multiverse."―Lauren Myracle, author of the best-selling Internet Girls series, the most challenged books of 2009 and 2011 “Quick paced and with clear, easy-to-read prose, this is a book poised for wide readership and classroom use.”― Booklist "A stout defense of the right to read." ― Kirkus Reviews “Gratz delivers a book lover’s book that speaks volumes about kids’ power to effect change at a grassroots level." ―Publishers Weekly ALAN GRATZ was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. After graduating from the University of Tennessee, he began a succession of jobs―newsletter writer, high school teacher, university lecturer, bookseller, radio commercial writer, advertising copy writer, middle school teacher, library shelver―all the while working on various writing projects. In 2006, he published his first novel, Samurai Shortstop , an ALA 2007 Top Ten Book for Young Adults. Alan’s award-winning books include The Brooklyn Nine , Fantasy Baseball , Starfleet Academy: The Assassination Game , Prisoner B-3087 , and The League of Seven , the first in a series of alternate history middle grade fantasy novels. When he’s not writing, he’s usually reading other people’s books or creating an awesome new costume for science fiction/fantasy conventions. He lives with his family in North Carolina. Ban This Book By Alan Gratz Tom Doherty Associates Copyright © 2017 Alan Grantz All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-7653-8556-7 Contents Title Page, Copyright Notice, Dedication, The Mystery of the Missing Book, Did I Just Say That?, My Favorite Book (And Why), Ponies and Pink Tutus, It