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This Book Won't Burn
From the New York Times bestselling author of Internment comes a timely and gripping social-suspense novel about book banning, activism, and standing up for what you believe.
After her dad abruptly abandons her family and her mom moves them a million miles from their Chicago home, Noor Khan is forced to start the last quarter of her senior year at a new school, away from everything and everyone she knows and loves. Reeling from being uprooted and deserted, Noor is certain the key to survival is to keep her head down and make it to graduation. But things aren’t so simple. At school, Noor discovers hundreds of books have been labeled “obscene” or “pornographic” and are being removed from the library in accordance with a new school board policy. Even worse, virtually all the banned books are by queer and BIPOC authors. Noor can’t sit back and do nothing, because that goes against everything she believes in, but challenging the status quo just might put a target on her back. Can she effect change by speaking up? Or will small-town politics—and small-town love—be her downfall?
After her dad abruptly abandons her family and her mom moves them a million miles from their Chicago home, Noor Khan is forced to start the last quarter of her senior year at a new school, away from everything and everyone she knows and loves. Reeling from being uprooted and deserted, Noor is certain the key to survival is to keep her head down and make it to graduation. But things aren’t so simple. At school, Noor discovers hundreds of books have been labeled “obscene” or “pornographic” and are being removed from the library in accordance with a new school board policy. Even worse, virtually all the banned books are by queer and BIPOC authors. Noor can’t sit back and do nothing, because that goes against everything she believes in, but challenging the status quo just might put a target on her back. Can she effect change by speaking up? Or will small-town politics—and small-town love—be her downfall?
384 pages, Hardcover
First published May 7, 2024
102 people are currently reading
9409 people want to read
About the author
Samira Ahmed
28 books1,537 followersSAMIRA AHMED was born in Bombay, India, and grew up in Batavia, Illinois, in a house that smelled like fried onions, spices, and potpourri. She currently resides in the Midwest. She’s lived in Vermont, New York City, and Kauai, where she spent a year searching for the perfect mango.
A graduate of the University of Chicago, she taught high school English for seven years, worked to create over 70 small high schools in New York City, and fought to secure billions of additional dollars to fairly fund public schools throughout New York State. She’s appeared in the New York Times, New York Daily News, Fox News, NBC, NY1, NPR, and on BBC Radio. Her creative non-fiction and poetry has appeared in Jaggery Lit, Entropy, the Fem, and Claudius Speaks.
Her writing is represented by Joanna Volpe at New Leaf Literary, Inc.
A graduate of the University of Chicago, she taught high school English for seven years, worked to create over 70 small high schools in New York City, and fought to secure billions of additional dollars to fairly fund public schools throughout New York State. She’s appeared in the New York Times, New York Daily News, Fox News, NBC, NY1, NPR, and on BBC Radio. Her creative non-fiction and poetry has appeared in Jaggery Lit, Entropy, the Fem, and Claudius Speaks.
Her writing is represented by Joanna Volpe at New Leaf Literary, Inc.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 452 reviews
January 15, 2024
So, I'm warning you now – if you're the MAGA hat-wearing, Moms for Liberty-supporting type, you're definitely not going to like this book. The politics in this one are very heavy-handed and decidedly not right-of-center.
Personally, though, I loved it. I mean, it's definitely a young adult novel so I didn't love it in the same way I might love a really good book geared more toward my age group, but This Book Won't Burn is an excellent (and important!) YA read. It's about censorship and fascism and book-banning and bigotry in small town America. And it's rather ironic that it will likely be challenged in libraries across the country because it addresses these issues.
This book is filled with likeable characters, but it also has more than its fair share of closed-minded jerks. It's difficult to read at times and some of the characters' actions had me seething on Noor's behalf. For all of their ramblings about “parental rights,” book banners (both in this novel and in real life) sure do seem set on having the final decision what other people's children are allowed to read.
In addition to the pro-censorship rhetoric, there's also lots of not-so-casual racism in this book. (And, based on my years attending high school in Small Town, USA, it's pretty realistic.) Noor and her friends handle it with a maturity that's beyond their years, however … and far better than I'd likely be able to handle it as an adult, if I'm being completely honest.
But even though it's difficult to read at times, this book is still ultimately hopeful and inspiring. I can see it encouraging teenagers to speak up against censorship in their own school districts, which is so incredibly important. And it's also about so much more than just censorship and racism. The budding relationship between Noor and Faiz is an adorable-yet-complicated subplot, and Noor also spends the entire novel coming to terms with her father's abandonment of their family. Adult readers might find the story a wee bit juvenile at times, but its intended audience will likely find it relatable and entertaining.
Overall rating: 4.4 stars (on my slightly-adjusted YA scale), rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
Personally, though, I loved it. I mean, it's definitely a young adult novel so I didn't love it in the same way I might love a really good book geared more toward my age group, but This Book Won't Burn is an excellent (and important!) YA read. It's about censorship and fascism and book-banning and bigotry in small town America. And it's rather ironic that it will likely be challenged in libraries across the country because it addresses these issues.
This book is filled with likeable characters, but it also has more than its fair share of closed-minded jerks. It's difficult to read at times and some of the characters' actions had me seething on Noor's behalf. For all of their ramblings about “parental rights,” book banners (both in this novel and in real life) sure do seem set on having the final decision what other people's children are allowed to read.
In addition to the pro-censorship rhetoric, there's also lots of not-so-casual racism in this book. (And, based on my years attending high school in Small Town, USA, it's pretty realistic.) Noor and her friends handle it with a maturity that's beyond their years, however … and far better than I'd likely be able to handle it as an adult, if I'm being completely honest.
But even though it's difficult to read at times, this book is still ultimately hopeful and inspiring. I can see it encouraging teenagers to speak up against censorship in their own school districts, which is so incredibly important. And it's also about so much more than just censorship and racism. The budding relationship between Noor and Faiz is an adorable-yet-complicated subplot, and Noor also spends the entire novel coming to terms with her father's abandonment of their family. Adult readers might find the story a wee bit juvenile at times, but its intended audience will likely find it relatable and entertaining.
Overall rating: 4.4 stars (on my slightly-adjusted YA scale), rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
on-my-radar
December 24, 2023Adding a review solely to point out the absolute irony of the current top review saying, on a YA book about people restricting books because of queer and BIPOC content, that the book is not for classroom use because of lesbians.
Ma'am.
Ma'am.
March 18, 2024
This is a spoiler free review! ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ
“Hope is an act, not just a feeling. Hope is a choice. So are hate and cynicism and silence. Every day I have to think about what I’m going to choose.”
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･･:*.ೃ࿔⋆❀°
☆ Synopsis
After her dad abandons her family and her mom relocates them to a small, predominantly white town miles away from home, Noor is forced to rebuild her broken life away from everything she has ever known. At her new school, Noor discovers hundred of books, mainly written by authors of colour and queer authors, have been banned due to “obscene content”. Feeling she can’t ignore the issue, Noor and her new friends, Faiz and Juniper, rebel against the school board and begin reading the books aloud while off-campus. As Noor gains notoriety, she finds herself going head-to-head against some very powerful people.
☆ My thoughts
✻ This book is not for everyone
As much as I’d say this is a book I’d recommend to everyone, I’d be lying, this book is not something Conservatives would enjoy or even tolerate. This is not for right-wing, MAGA hat-wearing people who believe that “snowflakes” are destroying freedom of speech, this is young teenagers who see the injustices occurring in the world and feel powerless. Especially the young people of colour that feel their words mean nothing and carry no weight in this world. The politics of this book are not subtle, they’re heavy-handed and unavoidable, so if this doesn’t sound like your kinda thing – it probably isn’t.
✻ My rating
More of a tentative 3.5 stars than 4, as I really struggled to get into it at the beginning, I almost thought I would mark it as DNF but I’m so glad I stuck it out because I was pleasantly surprised. Once I got into the book and started enjoying the characters more, I did fly through it. It was also a little cringey at parts, words like “adorkable” and “lowkey” made me roll my eyes a little bit but I acknowledge that this is probably because I am not the book’s target audience. I would argue it’s probably veering towards the older end of middle grade/younger end of young adults in terms of who I think will enjoy this book the most.
I’m rounding it up to 4 stars just because the ending was lovely and for the most part wrapped up the story nicely. Whether it was entirely believable is another thing, but it’s important to have hope so I do understand the author’s choice to wrap up the book in the way that she did.
Ultimately, books like This Book Won’t Burn are important, they leave you feeling enraged at times about the events occurring in the world, specifically America, but also feeling empowered by the strength of Noor and her friends. I know if I’d read this book as a young teen, I would’ve felt empowered to enact change and that’s why books like this are essential.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･･:*.ೃ࿔⋆❀°
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
“Hope is an act, not just a feeling. Hope is a choice. So are hate and cynicism and silence. Every day I have to think about what I’m going to choose.”
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･･:*.ೃ࿔⋆❀°
☆ Synopsis
After her dad abandons her family and her mom relocates them to a small, predominantly white town miles away from home, Noor is forced to rebuild her broken life away from everything she has ever known. At her new school, Noor discovers hundred of books, mainly written by authors of colour and queer authors, have been banned due to “obscene content”. Feeling she can’t ignore the issue, Noor and her new friends, Faiz and Juniper, rebel against the school board and begin reading the books aloud while off-campus. As Noor gains notoriety, she finds herself going head-to-head against some very powerful people.
☆ My thoughts
✻ This book is not for everyone
As much as I’d say this is a book I’d recommend to everyone, I’d be lying, this book is not something Conservatives would enjoy or even tolerate. This is not for right-wing, MAGA hat-wearing people who believe that “snowflakes” are destroying freedom of speech, this is young teenagers who see the injustices occurring in the world and feel powerless. Especially the young people of colour that feel their words mean nothing and carry no weight in this world. The politics of this book are not subtle, they’re heavy-handed and unavoidable, so if this doesn’t sound like your kinda thing – it probably isn’t.
✻ My rating
More of a tentative 3.5 stars than 4, as I really struggled to get into it at the beginning, I almost thought I would mark it as DNF but I’m so glad I stuck it out because I was pleasantly surprised. Once I got into the book and started enjoying the characters more, I did fly through it. It was also a little cringey at parts, words like “adorkable” and “lowkey” made me roll my eyes a little bit but I acknowledge that this is probably because I am not the book’s target audience. I would argue it’s probably veering towards the older end of middle grade/younger end of young adults in terms of who I think will enjoy this book the most.
I’m rounding it up to 4 stars just because the ending was lovely and for the most part wrapped up the story nicely. Whether it was entirely believable is another thing, but it’s important to have hope so I do understand the author’s choice to wrap up the book in the way that she did.
Ultimately, books like This Book Won’t Burn are important, they leave you feeling enraged at times about the events occurring in the world, specifically America, but also feeling empowered by the strength of Noor and her friends. I know if I’d read this book as a young teen, I would’ve felt empowered to enact change and that’s why books like this are essential.
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･･:*.ೃ࿔⋆❀°
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 26, 2024
“no one who’s banned books has ever, ever turned out to be one of the good guys.”
September 4, 2024
Story was 4 stars. But the audiobook narrator kicked it up to 5 stars.
I absolutely need Kausar Mohammed to narrate more YA audiobooks!
I absolutely need Kausar Mohammed to narrate more YA audiobooks!
December 11, 2025
5️⃣🌟, it's literally fahrenheit 451 fanfiction
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
#️⃣6️⃣7️⃣9️⃣ Read & Reviewed in 2025 🧊🏔️
Date Read: Tuesday, December 9, 2025 ☃️🌨️
19th read in "Its TIMEEEE!!!!! (to read more books)" December ❄️⛄
I feel like this reads more like a middle grade book other than a yung adobe because of just how i realized and stylized everything is. This book is also as realistic as it gets. It's pretty much a simple story about diversifying reading and defending queer books and books made by BIPOC authors. It has a really great message for it and a book that has impressive themes. Politics are very much the core and the central aspect of this book. So much commentary on many different societal issues and a book that just tackles so much inside it I ma shocked that this is even a YA book in the first place 😭😭😭😭.
It is definitely a pretty difficult read — if you're not open minded the different political ideas that is 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂.
I mean it is a book that explores one specific political ideology. If you have different views on it — your responsibility, not mine.
But when it comes to the actual story, it is a straightforward one. So straightforward it's honestly predictable. The hero/the main character wins at the end, can't be anymore predictable that that. It is not particularly focused on the actual narrative that is being talked about but rather is one that is leaning into the political commentary and the message it's trying to come across.
And ye this is kinda Fahrenheit 451 fanfiction 😭😭😭😭😭
Spice Level 🌶️: 1️⃣, it's fahrenheit 451 fanfiction 😭😭😭
Vibe ☘️: Smells like book burning
Who'd Like This ❓👥: Anyone who wants to read a fanfiction of fahrenheit 451
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
#️⃣6️⃣7️⃣9️⃣ Read & Reviewed in 2025 🧊🏔️
Date Read: Tuesday, December 9, 2025 ☃️🌨️
19th read in "Its TIMEEEE!!!!! (to read more books)" December ❄️⛄
I feel like this reads more like a middle grade book other than a yung adobe because of just how i realized and stylized everything is. This book is also as realistic as it gets. It's pretty much a simple story about diversifying reading and defending queer books and books made by BIPOC authors. It has a really great message for it and a book that has impressive themes. Politics are very much the core and the central aspect of this book. So much commentary on many different societal issues and a book that just tackles so much inside it I ma shocked that this is even a YA book in the first place 😭😭😭😭.
It is definitely a pretty difficult read — if you're not open minded the different political ideas that is 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂.
I mean it is a book that explores one specific political ideology. If you have different views on it — your responsibility, not mine.
But when it comes to the actual story, it is a straightforward one. So straightforward it's honestly predictable. The hero/the main character wins at the end, can't be anymore predictable that that. It is not particularly focused on the actual narrative that is being talked about but rather is one that is leaning into the political commentary and the message it's trying to come across.
And ye this is kinda Fahrenheit 451 fanfiction 😭😭😭😭😭
Spice Level 🌶️: 1️⃣, it's fahrenheit 451 fanfiction 😭😭😭
Vibe ☘️: Smells like book burning
Who'd Like This ❓👥: Anyone who wants to read a fanfiction of fahrenheit 451
October 5, 2024
Initial reaction: 5 stars, no question. This book was an emotional ride that I enjoyed and it even had me crying for how hard it hits. Noor is an Indian-American Muslim girl whose family life is upended during her senior year. Having to attend a school she doesn't want in a small conservative town, she finds a cause to advocate for when her school is embroiled in a push to ban books by BIPOC and LGBTQ+ authors. She navigates her relationships and efforts in the mix of the pushback she gets for her advocacy. This is a wonderful book that illustrates the power of standing up for what you believe in, with a strongly asserted protagonist that I loved following and cared for through all her experiences.
Full review:
Oh, this was such a good book, and very, very timely. Definitely would rank this as one of my favorite reads of 2024 (and not just for the fact that it had me teary eyed in several places. More on that later). I usually say the best books out there are ones that make you feel a range of emotions and you find yourself fully invested in the journey it takes you on - I felt that way about "This Book Won't Burn" by Samira Ahmed. I was so invested in this book that I did not want to put it down when I listened to the audiobook. I kept asking, "Is Noor going to be okay? Is her family going to be okay? Can her mama give her a break, just a little bit? I want to hug her and tell her that she's good and also awesome for what she's doing." Like if you have me giving running commentary in the process of reading your story, you have me invested, fully seated. That was the short of the experience I had with reading it, and I felt so satisfied by the time I reached the end for the journey this read took me on.
When we first meet Noor Khan, she's in a very tough place. Her father walks out on their family without a second glance, leaving Noor, her mother, and her younger sister scrambling and reeling in more ways than one. Leaving Chicago for a small town, Noor couldn't be more unhappy moving to a place she doesn't know and having to keep her head down until she's able to graduate for her senior year. She does find friends to spend time with, and affections between two boys who catch her eye and heart. But she also finds herself on the end of more attention than she bargains for when she takes up a cause to fight against her school - and district's - ban on books. Noor sets up a series of reading sessions of books that have been labeled "pornographic" or "obscene" from various LGBTQ+ and BIPOC authors. I very much liked the fact that the author used real YA books that have been banned to parallel what that experience has been like during one of the worst book challenge and banning periods we've seen for children and young adult readers. And actively has the character talking about what the issues are and pushing back against the reasons for their banning.
Noor's efforts get her a lot of attention by the student body, but they also catch the attention of the administrators, staff, and community at large. When the people responsible for the banning set their sights on Noor, directly and indirectly punishing her, Noor finds that it isn't just affecting her, but her mother and sister as well. She goes through so many ups and downs that I couldn't help but feel for her through the roughest parts. It's clear that this puts her at odds with the student body as well when her efforts get targeted in other ways that affect them. She's subjected to racial abuse, harassment, even threats. She tries to navigate her relationships as best she can, but its a whirlwind of emotions and experiences that threaten to sweep her away. Thankfully Noor is able to hold on, and discovers moments of joy and strength through the hardest parts, especially when it comes to getting support from places she doesn't expect. I was teary-eyed feeling both the joy and pain Noor feels on page through the highs and lows of it all, and the strong sense of identity she has with her family and friends. "This Book Won't Burn" is definitely a YA read that I think will resonate with teen readers, not just for how it shows how you can make a difference for standing up for what you believe in, but also for its compelling narration, and wonderfully crafted protagonist in Noor and the surrounding characters. Loved it.
Overall score: 5/5 stars.
Full review:
Oh, this was such a good book, and very, very timely. Definitely would rank this as one of my favorite reads of 2024 (and not just for the fact that it had me teary eyed in several places. More on that later). I usually say the best books out there are ones that make you feel a range of emotions and you find yourself fully invested in the journey it takes you on - I felt that way about "This Book Won't Burn" by Samira Ahmed. I was so invested in this book that I did not want to put it down when I listened to the audiobook. I kept asking, "Is Noor going to be okay? Is her family going to be okay? Can her mama give her a break, just a little bit? I want to hug her and tell her that she's good and also awesome for what she's doing." Like if you have me giving running commentary in the process of reading your story, you have me invested, fully seated. That was the short of the experience I had with reading it, and I felt so satisfied by the time I reached the end for the journey this read took me on.
When we first meet Noor Khan, she's in a very tough place. Her father walks out on their family without a second glance, leaving Noor, her mother, and her younger sister scrambling and reeling in more ways than one. Leaving Chicago for a small town, Noor couldn't be more unhappy moving to a place she doesn't know and having to keep her head down until she's able to graduate for her senior year. She does find friends to spend time with, and affections between two boys who catch her eye and heart. But she also finds herself on the end of more attention than she bargains for when she takes up a cause to fight against her school - and district's - ban on books. Noor sets up a series of reading sessions of books that have been labeled "pornographic" or "obscene" from various LGBTQ+ and BIPOC authors. I very much liked the fact that the author used real YA books that have been banned to parallel what that experience has been like during one of the worst book challenge and banning periods we've seen for children and young adult readers. And actively has the character talking about what the issues are and pushing back against the reasons for their banning.
Noor's efforts get her a lot of attention by the student body, but they also catch the attention of the administrators, staff, and community at large. When the people responsible for the banning set their sights on Noor, directly and indirectly punishing her, Noor finds that it isn't just affecting her, but her mother and sister as well. She goes through so many ups and downs that I couldn't help but feel for her through the roughest parts. It's clear that this puts her at odds with the student body as well when her efforts get targeted in other ways that affect them. She's subjected to racial abuse, harassment, even threats. She tries to navigate her relationships as best she can, but its a whirlwind of emotions and experiences that threaten to sweep her away. Thankfully Noor is able to hold on, and discovers moments of joy and strength through the hardest parts, especially when it comes to getting support from places she doesn't expect. I was teary-eyed feeling both the joy and pain Noor feels on page through the highs and lows of it all, and the strong sense of identity she has with her family and friends. "This Book Won't Burn" is definitely a YA read that I think will resonate with teen readers, not just for how it shows how you can make a difference for standing up for what you believe in, but also for its compelling narration, and wonderfully crafted protagonist in Noor and the surrounding characters. Loved it.
Overall score: 5/5 stars.
April 14, 2024
I am a librarian, that colors my view of this book. Book banning is bad. Readers and librarians and free thinkers all know this.
Does this town not have a public library? The lack of support from public librarians was baffling and confusing to me. The supposedly helpful school librarian should have been directing her students there. She should have been receiving support there. I live is a small, rural town, we have a public library. The smaller neighboring towns have library branches in them. Where was the public library?!
Also, I am super annoyed that the main characters bad treatment of both the boys (in stringing both of them along) was never addressed or she never had to recognize her own bad behavior because the white boy turned out to be a "terrible" human being so her bad treatment of him was suddenly null and void. Honey, you don't know his life, you don't know what kind of abuse and trauma he could have already gone through/could have been put through behind closed doors living with his stepfather. You can't get on your high horse and get upset with him when he doesn't defend you in front of his stepfather. Besides, if he did, you'd probably get annoyed with him because he "saved" you when you didn't need saving.
I didn't realize I had so many feelings before I sat down to write this review. There are more but I am done now.
Does this town not have a public library? The lack of support from public librarians was baffling and confusing to me. The supposedly helpful school librarian should have been directing her students there. She should have been receiving support there. I live is a small, rural town, we have a public library. The smaller neighboring towns have library branches in them. Where was the public library?!
Also, I am super annoyed that the main characters bad treatment of both the boys (in stringing both of them along) was never addressed or she never had to recognize her own bad behavior because the white boy turned out to be a "terrible" human being so her bad treatment of him was suddenly null and void. Honey, you don't know his life, you don't know what kind of abuse and trauma he could have already gone through/could have been put through behind closed doors living with his stepfather. You can't get on your high horse and get upset with him when he doesn't defend you in front of his stepfather. Besides, if he did, you'd probably get annoyed with him because he "saved" you when you didn't need saving.
I didn't realize I had so many feelings before I sat down to write this review. There are more but I am done now.
June 19, 2024
An extremely timely and well written book about a teen fighting for the right to read in their small town. I loved loved loved this book. The author was spot on with her depictions of book banners-everything they said was verbatim. My pulse would race whenever she had an encounter with the extremists, because as a library employee, I have had hurtful epithets hurled my way and heard lies told about my co workers and libraries in general. I was rooting the entire time for Noor and her friends. Everyone who believes in the freedom to read needs to read this book
May 25, 2024
This was another FANTASTIC, heartfelt and important YA book about Noor, a young Desi Muslim teen girl who moves to a new small town with her mother and brother after her father divorces her mom and basically abandons the family.
The book deals with the challenges of having a parent going through depression and mental health struggles and also focuses on the importance of standing up for what's right in the face of ignorance, bigotry and racism.
When books in Noor's new school starting getting challenged and removed, she can't stand for it and takes up the cause to fight for all the books by LGBTQ and BIPOC authors, establishing little free libraries around her town that feature the banned books.
Moving and heartfelt and so, so relevant to what's going on all around the country with the increasing numbers of censorship and book banning. This was great on audio and a new favorite for me. Highly recommended for fans of books like Ban this book by Alan Gratz or the upcoming Lula Deans' little library of banned books.
The book deals with the challenges of having a parent going through depression and mental health struggles and also focuses on the importance of standing up for what's right in the face of ignorance, bigotry and racism.
When books in Noor's new school starting getting challenged and removed, she can't stand for it and takes up the cause to fight for all the books by LGBTQ and BIPOC authors, establishing little free libraries around her town that feature the banned books.
Moving and heartfelt and so, so relevant to what's going on all around the country with the increasing numbers of censorship and book banning. This was great on audio and a new favorite for me. Highly recommended for fans of books like Ban this book by Alan Gratz or the upcoming Lula Deans' little library of banned books.
July 28, 2025
loved this!! the fire motif and symbolism was written into the plot beautifully. I loved the ways the characters fought against book bans, and how the library and English class were a safe space for kids who didn't feel like they belonged. I loved Noor's friends Faiz & Juniper. Even Andrew was well written and interesting - I liked seeing him fight with his conflicted emotions, and even though he could be the worst sometimes, I got the impression he genuinely wanted to become better, and I like the way he and Noor resolved things at the end. I'm still wondering why Noor's father left, and whether Steve was abusing Andrew at home (my guess is YES), but I think the lack of closure regarding selfish men says a lot in and of itself. overall a fantastic read!
April 23, 2024
I would have enjoyed this story, minus some cliche and unbelievable, eye-rolling moments, if it wasn't for Noor. Noor was brash, entitled, selfish, and constantly enraged as she regularly completed actions without thinking about the repercussions. I also skimmed a lot of the story since the book banning stuff was the same text being repeated over and over again but in a different environment. Lastly, I wasn't even sure why the plot of her father leaving was included since the only thing covered was the book banning. Thank you Edelweiss for an ARC.
January 10, 2024
This is a solid teen book, written for teens, with an incredibly clear agenda: book bans are bad and you must fight them. Unfortunately that means it falls into the trap of any art created to make a moral point, rather than art that happens to make a moral point, which is that it's so busy hammering home said point it isn't a terribly enjoyable read. The book is deeply earnest and very black and white, with the author keen to name drop as many other teen/YA books as possible - including, in the least subtle way possible, one of her other books (at least it's an anthology) - and is clearly heavily influenced by the same Book Riot articles I've been reading in the reproductions of small town news reporting sprinkled throughout. I just found it so difficult to read.
The book is typical teen first person narrative, veering into something lifted from a comments section for much of the dialogue (and, indeed, there are sections portraying fictional comments sections) - everything about it feels forced and dramatic and scripted and unnatural, but this does seem deliberate and I think will go down much better with the 12-14 age range I think this book is suited for than me. In fact, I think a lot of my criticisms will be far less of an issue for the kids this book is actually for - it's clearly a young teen book in every way, predominantly for kids who like books and the idea of reading but probably aren't very politically aware or well read themselves, and who might feel put off by 400 pages of complex prose and layered sentences of unusual language in a way they wouldn't by this chatty, fragmented writing style; it may be "bad" literature but the more it reads like a young teens first go at a Wattpad novel the more approachable it will probably seem, so what to me makes it a 1-2 star read I really struggled with would probably make it a solid 3-4 stars for its intended audience. I get hints of Twilight from it - I could never stand it as an older teen who was forced into reading Good Literature, but Meyer is a bajillionaire because that trash spoke to so many teenagers in a way Jeanette Winterson and Angela Carter didn't. Likewise, the hackneyed plot, the obligatory forced love triangle (but - gasp! - no kissing; this book is very aware of wrong touching and even the obligatory gay best friend is only allowed a handful of scandalous public cheek kisses), the cartoonish villains (sadly one of the more realistic parts...), the endless repetition of every point, the little "impromptu" speeches straight out of a Facebook or Instagram post... To me it rang as fake, patronising, and missing the point. To the right kid this might be their gateway into activism. It may even be their gateway into reading, which is clearly the point the author is making about books and seeing yourself etc etc etc. It isn't subtle, but it doesn't have to be for a 12 year old to be captured by the polemic.
One thing I really did take issue with is the portrayal of libraries and librarians (not that I'm professionally biased or anything...) It stank of those people who firmly believe in the good of libraries because they Like Books in the abstract but have not actually stepped foot in or engaged with library issues since they were in school - if that (huge "libraries are for kids" vibes.) The recurring librarian character is so heavily venerated that she completely lacks a character; we know all about her various outfits as she swoops in like some benevolent Deus Ex to distribute the perfect books in times of need, but other than the odd encouraging word her main contribution is to move the plot along and disappear off in a fug of tea. In fact, arguably the biggest role of hers is suggesting that book sharing boxes are a great way to get around book bans, specifically because they are run by private citizens and thus escape oversight. The book does go on to note this is a temporary measure but to have a school librarian suggest private citizens with an agenda providing books is in any way analogous to a properly funded library with trained professional staff and proper oversight is not only galling, it's actively insulting when in my country we are currently watching what may well be the end of school libraries and the endless defunding of public libraries under the assumption that any volunteer with a room can run a library. It also devalues what libraries are for. The school library in this book is closed and then re-opened under volunteers, and while we're told that's bad we never see this because our protagonist doesn't actually use the library when it's open in the beginning of the book. The only thing that's suggested it does is provide a space for students to go, which while fine is never really necessary since they have plenty of other places to hang out (parks, woods, cafeteria, random empty buildings downtown?) in the book. Instead the organising - one thing librarians are good at - is left to the teenagers, almost entirely without any real help or insight other than... a qr code. This is a book about the freedom to read being challenged in school libraries; show me the school library! Show me a public library! If I didn't already care this certainly wouldn't make me, as long as books were still available for purchase. It's a very liberal, capitalist solutionism that says what we need is more people buying books we agree with, and while yes, great, that really misses the point not only of the book bans but of having school and public libraries. Show me a school library actively providing space for clubs and activities, producing displays and reading recommendations, running events and crafts and helping the kids with political awareness, heck, even tell me the space is especially cosy or nice to sit in like the coffee shop or book shop. Give us libguides on referencing, academic resources, public engagement resources, media literacy, author resources, a selection of newspapers provided for students. Show me a display of homework guides! Show me anything that makes this school library and librarian valuable other than as a substandard councillor who distributes reading recommendations in a way that we see being actively more effective and useful when she's transplanted into a scene in a bookshop.
This book is very noble and yes, anything talking about the book bans in the USA right now is good, but it's so keen I feel it misses a chance to either provide some real insight and discussion around these issues or to use them as a backdrop to a great story. I hope it finds its readers and I'm sure it will; it's as milquetoast as such a book can be and deftly manages to be as sexless as a car manual, which should help with the kind of censorship it discusses. Sadly I'm not one of those readers, although I would certainly stock it in any school library.
The book is typical teen first person narrative, veering into something lifted from a comments section for much of the dialogue (and, indeed, there are sections portraying fictional comments sections) - everything about it feels forced and dramatic and scripted and unnatural, but this does seem deliberate and I think will go down much better with the 12-14 age range I think this book is suited for than me. In fact, I think a lot of my criticisms will be far less of an issue for the kids this book is actually for - it's clearly a young teen book in every way, predominantly for kids who like books and the idea of reading but probably aren't very politically aware or well read themselves, and who might feel put off by 400 pages of complex prose and layered sentences of unusual language in a way they wouldn't by this chatty, fragmented writing style; it may be "bad" literature but the more it reads like a young teens first go at a Wattpad novel the more approachable it will probably seem, so what to me makes it a 1-2 star read I really struggled with would probably make it a solid 3-4 stars for its intended audience. I get hints of Twilight from it - I could never stand it as an older teen who was forced into reading Good Literature, but Meyer is a bajillionaire because that trash spoke to so many teenagers in a way Jeanette Winterson and Angela Carter didn't. Likewise, the hackneyed plot, the obligatory forced love triangle (but - gasp! - no kissing; this book is very aware of wrong touching and even the obligatory gay best friend is only allowed a handful of scandalous public cheek kisses), the cartoonish villains (sadly one of the more realistic parts...), the endless repetition of every point, the little "impromptu" speeches straight out of a Facebook or Instagram post... To me it rang as fake, patronising, and missing the point. To the right kid this might be their gateway into activism. It may even be their gateway into reading, which is clearly the point the author is making about books and seeing yourself etc etc etc. It isn't subtle, but it doesn't have to be for a 12 year old to be captured by the polemic.
One thing I really did take issue with is the portrayal of libraries and librarians (not that I'm professionally biased or anything...) It stank of those people who firmly believe in the good of libraries because they Like Books in the abstract but have not actually stepped foot in or engaged with library issues since they were in school - if that (huge "libraries are for kids" vibes.) The recurring librarian character is so heavily venerated that she completely lacks a character; we know all about her various outfits as she swoops in like some benevolent Deus Ex to distribute the perfect books in times of need, but other than the odd encouraging word her main contribution is to move the plot along and disappear off in a fug of tea. In fact, arguably the biggest role of hers is suggesting that book sharing boxes are a great way to get around book bans, specifically because they are run by private citizens and thus escape oversight. The book does go on to note this is a temporary measure but to have a school librarian suggest private citizens with an agenda providing books is in any way analogous to a properly funded library with trained professional staff and proper oversight is not only galling, it's actively insulting when in my country we are currently watching what may well be the end of school libraries and the endless defunding of public libraries under the assumption that any volunteer with a room can run a library. It also devalues what libraries are for. The school library in this book is closed and then re-opened under volunteers, and while we're told that's bad we never see this because our protagonist doesn't actually use the library when it's open in the beginning of the book. The only thing that's suggested it does is provide a space for students to go, which while fine is never really necessary since they have plenty of other places to hang out (parks, woods, cafeteria, random empty buildings downtown?) in the book. Instead the organising - one thing librarians are good at - is left to the teenagers, almost entirely without any real help or insight other than... a qr code. This is a book about the freedom to read being challenged in school libraries; show me the school library! Show me a public library! If I didn't already care this certainly wouldn't make me, as long as books were still available for purchase. It's a very liberal, capitalist solutionism that says what we need is more people buying books we agree with, and while yes, great, that really misses the point not only of the book bans but of having school and public libraries. Show me a school library actively providing space for clubs and activities, producing displays and reading recommendations, running events and crafts and helping the kids with political awareness, heck, even tell me the space is especially cosy or nice to sit in like the coffee shop or book shop. Give us libguides on referencing, academic resources, public engagement resources, media literacy, author resources, a selection of newspapers provided for students. Show me a display of homework guides! Show me anything that makes this school library and librarian valuable other than as a substandard councillor who distributes reading recommendations in a way that we see being actively more effective and useful when she's transplanted into a scene in a bookshop.
This book is very noble and yes, anything talking about the book bans in the USA right now is good, but it's so keen I feel it misses a chance to either provide some real insight and discussion around these issues or to use them as a backdrop to a great story. I hope it finds its readers and I'm sure it will; it's as milquetoast as such a book can be and deftly manages to be as sexless as a car manual, which should help with the kind of censorship it discusses. Sadly I'm not one of those readers, although I would certainly stock it in any school library.
December 30, 2024
I’m torn. This book addresses a topic that is so prevalent in our society. Not only book banning but also racism and homophobia.
As much as I love the topic and how it was addressed, the book felt repetitive in parts. Noors speeches at events felt like the same speech. I found myself spacing out on those.
I do agree if you’re one of “those parents” who wants books banned and don’t believe in basic human rights then this book is not for you.
But if you believe every book has a place and our children need to read and learn so we don’t repeat historical mistakes then you’ll enjoy this title.
I received an ARC of this title. All opinions are my own.
As much as I love the topic and how it was addressed, the book felt repetitive in parts. Noors speeches at events felt like the same speech. I found myself spacing out on those.
I do agree if you’re one of “those parents” who wants books banned and don’t believe in basic human rights then this book is not for you.
But if you believe every book has a place and our children need to read and learn so we don’t repeat historical mistakes then you’ll enjoy this title.
I received an ARC of this title. All opinions are my own.
April 11, 2024
“That’s what a library should be—a welcoming place, a place where every kid can feel at home.”
📕
Noor’s life has been turned upside down when her father walks out of his marriage and their family altogether as he moves to London. Now Noor, her sister, Amal, and their mother have to leave everything they’ve ever known behind in Chicago and move to a tiny town in Illinois. With only one quarter left in her senior year, Noor vows to keep her head down at this new school, graduate and move back to Chicago immediately. However, when Noor learns there are books being banned at her new school, she, along with some new friends, decide to stand up for those voices being silenced. But not everyone is okay with Noor using her voice. Can she effect change when there’s so much stacked against her?
🔥
CHILLS. This YA book was so spot on I don’t have the words. As a librarian who has been living this life for a few years now, @sam_aye_ahm absolutely nailed this entire story from beginning to end. Having been at a city council meeting and experienced hate and vitriol shouted at me, I only got a small peek into what it must have been like for Noor, as well as the hundreds of others who have spoken out about book banning across the nation. This novel made me tear up, made me highlight the heck out of my ARC and definitely continued to stir the fire inside me to keep fighting this fight. This title releases May 7. Everyone should read it, but librarians especially. Two words: NAILED IT.
CW: fire, hospitalization, depression, blood, bullying, cyberbullying, hate speech, racial slurs, racism, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia, parental abandonment, violence, vandalism, hate crimes, bombing
📕
Noor’s life has been turned upside down when her father walks out of his marriage and their family altogether as he moves to London. Now Noor, her sister, Amal, and their mother have to leave everything they’ve ever known behind in Chicago and move to a tiny town in Illinois. With only one quarter left in her senior year, Noor vows to keep her head down at this new school, graduate and move back to Chicago immediately. However, when Noor learns there are books being banned at her new school, she, along with some new friends, decide to stand up for those voices being silenced. But not everyone is okay with Noor using her voice. Can she effect change when there’s so much stacked against her?
🔥
CHILLS. This YA book was so spot on I don’t have the words. As a librarian who has been living this life for a few years now, @sam_aye_ahm absolutely nailed this entire story from beginning to end. Having been at a city council meeting and experienced hate and vitriol shouted at me, I only got a small peek into what it must have been like for Noor, as well as the hundreds of others who have spoken out about book banning across the nation. This novel made me tear up, made me highlight the heck out of my ARC and definitely continued to stir the fire inside me to keep fighting this fight. This title releases May 7. Everyone should read it, but librarians especially. Two words: NAILED IT.
CW: fire, hospitalization, depression, blood, bullying, cyberbullying, hate speech, racial slurs, racism, homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia, parental abandonment, violence, vandalism, hate crimes, bombing
May 10, 2024
This book feels like an important book to read with everything going on in our country lately. The number of books that have been banned in the recent years has risen an unbelievable amount. Per the ALA (American Library Association) website, “ALA reports record number of demands to censor library books and materials in 2023, finding that challenges of unique titles surged 65% in 2023 compared to 2022 numbers.” You can find even more astonishing facts there (ALA.org) and the Freedom to Read Foundation’s site too (ftrf.org).
Back to the book, I loved the main character, Noor. She starts out very angry and bitter after her father up and abandons their family. So moving to a new town, a very small, right-winged, mostly white and Christian town, seems like the worst possible place for her to be right then. Finding out her new school is banning so many books (mostly from LGBTQ+ and BIPOC authors) really sets her off. But she channels her anger into something positive, and through this and her new friends, finds healing and comfort.
The author keeps such a serious subject still fairly lighthearted, with cute humor and a budding romance. (Noor is a teenage girl at heart!) I really enjoyed this one even when I was so frustrated with everything Noor faces, and knowing that book bans aren’t a fictional issue. But books like this will hopefully get more people thinking and acting!
Back to the book, I loved the main character, Noor. She starts out very angry and bitter after her father up and abandons their family. So moving to a new town, a very small, right-winged, mostly white and Christian town, seems like the worst possible place for her to be right then. Finding out her new school is banning so many books (mostly from LGBTQ+ and BIPOC authors) really sets her off. But she channels her anger into something positive, and through this and her new friends, finds healing and comfort.
The author keeps such a serious subject still fairly lighthearted, with cute humor and a budding romance. (Noor is a teenage girl at heart!) I really enjoyed this one even when I was so frustrated with everything Noor faces, and knowing that book bans aren’t a fictional issue. But books like this will hopefully get more people thinking and acting!
February 24, 2025
This book was really good. Samira Ahmed keeps pleasantly surprising me. It was simultaneously cute and powerful. There was obviously the part where I'm yelling at the main character who sort of falls for the cute white guy and misses all of the red flags (this happened in every single one of her books...). But the ending was probably the most satisfying of all of her books that I've read so far. It wasn't quite a 5 star read, but it was up there.
Also, this book is probably highly controversial but I'm with the main character. Don't hate me for that. <3
Also, this book is probably highly controversial but I'm with the main character. Don't hate me for that. <3
March 25, 2025
« ֪ ׅ ֹ =͟͞ ♡ 2.45 🌟
“Reading is dangerous because it shows us the truth. Words give us power; that’s why some adults want to silence us.”
* • PRE-READ: my friend and i were just debating about how weird the book banning are and the next day I saw this in the library so honestly I just think this is fate
i’ve read many many many YA books (since i’m the target audience for them) and i can’t even remember the last time one of main character didn’t have immense family issues. and i understand how much her dad leaving her affected her, obviously it was really difficult. but i feel like every single page mentioned her runaway dad. again! totally understand but i could not catch a break. mid way through the book every time she mentioned her dad i had to take a lap because i could not take it anymore
i also feel like it lacked much plot? it was pretty lackluster and i didn’t really connect with any of the characters that much. it was difficult for me to want to sit down and continue reading
however, i did enjoy the message. the topic
of banning books means a lot to me and i loved the message the author was conveying in this story. which makes me even more sad that i didn’t enjoy this book as much as i wanted to. but truly more people should speak on how unjust this book banning thing is! this book reminds us to advocate and stand up for what we believe in, even if there are people in higher power that are against us
overall, pretty basic plot and kind of hard to get through. but the main theme is important. stop hiding books away about/written by minorities!! every voice should be heard no matter what. lowkey inspired me to just start reading books just because they’re banned lol! i’d be funny if they banned this too
(also conan gray was mentioned so it gets .25 more on my rating!! <3)
“Reading is dangerous because it shows us the truth. Words give us power; that’s why some adults want to silence us.”
* • PRE-READ: my friend and i were just debating about how weird the book banning are and the next day I saw this in the library so honestly I just think this is fate
i’ve read many many many YA books (since i’m the target audience for them) and i can’t even remember the last time one of main character didn’t have immense family issues. and i understand how much her dad leaving her affected her, obviously it was really difficult. but i feel like every single page mentioned her runaway dad. again! totally understand but i could not catch a break. mid way through the book every time she mentioned her dad i had to take a lap because i could not take it anymore
i also feel like it lacked much plot? it was pretty lackluster and i didn’t really connect with any of the characters that much. it was difficult for me to want to sit down and continue reading
however, i did enjoy the message. the topic
of banning books means a lot to me and i loved the message the author was conveying in this story. which makes me even more sad that i didn’t enjoy this book as much as i wanted to. but truly more people should speak on how unjust this book banning thing is! this book reminds us to advocate and stand up for what we believe in, even if there are people in higher power that are against us
overall, pretty basic plot and kind of hard to get through. but the main theme is important. stop hiding books away about/written by minorities!! every voice should be heard no matter what. lowkey inspired me to just start reading books just because they’re banned lol! i’d be funny if they banned this too
(also conan gray was mentioned so it gets .25 more on my rating!! <3)
December 11, 2024
4.75 only because the writing was tailored to a YA audience and I'm old now and because of some cliché tropes but I absolutely LOVED how angry and empowering this story was and wished I had read it when I was a kid. I'm with the banned ! 📚📚😻😻
December 22, 2024
Good book about the important issue of book banning and censorship. Loved hearing this author speak the keynote address at October's state English Teacher conference. She's a powerhouse. Highly recommend!
June 18, 2024
Lots of feelings in this one. Based on Samira Ahmed's other YA novels, I was suspicious of most of the white people in the story. Well-written look at censorship through banned books and the kind of society it creates.
CW: racism, homophobia, hate crime, fires
CW: racism, homophobia, hate crime, fires
December 26, 2024
I was finally able to read and finish this book on this free, happy day, of love, cheer, and peace.
I will be quick, and not dwell too much on negativity and the state of the world right now. Not today. In the spirit of the holiday season, this will be a purely feelings type of review.
'This Book Won't Burn' is essential, vital, relevant reading. I love books, I love libraries and bookshops, I love equality, and I love free love, and 'This Book Won't Burn' delivers wonderfully, delicately, and deliciously, with plenty of 100% justifiable rage to spare. It is thrilling, engaging, and as addictive as a Terry's Chocolate Orange.
Book banning is wrong. Censorship on universal, human truths and experiences is wrong. It is never spearheaded by good people. Book banning is a step towards fascism; it is rooted in it; it is fascism. Let's not ignore, sidestep or deny the issue; it is time to call out things for what they are.
Book banning is a human rights issue. It is banning stories, and that means banning telling stories, telling truths, telling all sorts of different experiences, which human beings have always needed in their lives, in order to live freely and be their happiest, most fulfilled, and best selves. Always learning, always happy. It is a literal necessity for survival. Book banning, book burning, is inhumane; it is antihuman. It is anti-education. It is anti-freedom. Always has been, always will be.
It is anti-American. And America is not and should never be a fascist country. We need to do better.
This all should go without saying.
Book banning and book burning are literal Nazi ideologies.
I love the characters in 'This Book Won't Burn', as well. The good people in it are so sweet and real. Noor Khan is a great, young human protagonist and activist - of her own story, and for her country of the US of A.
But this 2024 YA novel just had to include a damn love triangle, didn't it? A hetero love triangle, at that.
Although, it isn't too annoying. It doesn't distract from, nor detract from, the reason for this book to exist, and both its internal and external drama do serve well as a breather away from the harsh, corrupt reality of US politics. Deary me, by the complicated fires of hell, the love triangle BS actually manages to be kind of sweet and endearing.
It certainly gives Noor, a caring, anti-silence, pro-free speech and pro-education activist, and thus a right-wing political target and scapegoat, a break, and a way for her to process issues from her personal life; to move on from her family trauma and its devastating consequences. Noor's beloved activist and lawyer father abandoning her and her mother and younger sister has resulted in her thinking she can't trust her own feelings, especially towards other people. She doesn't believe in, nor thinks she deserves, positive emotions, memories, friends, loved ones, any of it. It's too painful and she wants nothing to do with it, for fear of getting hurt again. In the wall she's built around herself, there lies young Noor's inner challenge in life, her dilemma of whether she can really trust anyone anymore.
But still, why a typical, messy, daytime TV soap teenage love triangle in such a serious book like this?
It hasn't escaped my notice that in 'This Book Won't Burn', and in Samira Ahmed's previous two YA novels I've read, 'Internment' and 'Hollow Fires', none of the female protagonists are queer. None are subversive or unconventional when it comes to the romantic side of things. For all Ahmed's books' talk of the importance of freedom and inclusion and diversity, their heroines are almost stupidly hormonal over boys - their priorities get messed up over something as shallow as physical good looks when it comes to boys - even for teenagers. They usually come to their senses until it is far too late, in literal life and death situations. Though in the case of 'Internment', the protag relies heavily and exclusively on male support and rescuing, no lessons learned there.
But, on a positive note, in 'This Book Won't Burn', the heroine doesn't end up relying on boys to help her out when her life is in danger. In fact, it is the women and girls in her family and friends group who have her back and support her along the way, with a male love interest or two relegated to the background.
It also hasn't escaped me that, as far as I can tell, none of Samira Ahmed's truthful and diverse, hard and painful books about modern social justice and activism, actually include a trans character in them.
'This Book Won't Burn' has a couple of fleshed out LBGTQ side characters, at least. (A sapphic couple, to be exact.)
But I love it regardless, on this perfect day where I got to finish it. In my opinion, it is Ahmed's best, most polished and careful novel. It isn't perfect, and there are a few flaws in its writing, and its ending is somewhat rushed. But nothing is perfect, and I wholeheartedly endorse the sentiment and intention - the messages, and lessons needing to be taught to people, over and over and over again - behind it.
It is my favourite of Ahmed's books to date, but I absolutely recommend all of her work, for their humanity, their passion born from and burning with wakeup calls to action in an unfair and unjust society, and for the dark, scary, harrowing truths they expose. They definitely would get banned by conservatives and evil, hateful, opportunistic liars with too much power, money and influence, in an unearned position and platform, and that is a good thing; a reason enough for why they need to be read by everyone.
Don't ban books. Don't burn books. Do better.
Don't let hate win.
Stand and fight against fascism and oppression and erasure. Against violence and destruction. Always.
Teach people to read. Get more people to read. To read whatever they want, and need. It's how societies learn, improve, and progress. It's about love, passion, and creating, too.
'This Book Won't Burn' - what an appropriate book to complete reading, to feel hope on a blissful Yuletide day. And what an appropriate novel to end 2024 on.
Happy holidays, everyone.
I do mean everyone.
Love you all.
Final Score: 4/5
I will be quick, and not dwell too much on negativity and the state of the world right now. Not today. In the spirit of the holiday season, this will be a purely feelings type of review.
'This Book Won't Burn' is essential, vital, relevant reading. I love books, I love libraries and bookshops, I love equality, and I love free love, and 'This Book Won't Burn' delivers wonderfully, delicately, and deliciously, with plenty of 100% justifiable rage to spare. It is thrilling, engaging, and as addictive as a Terry's Chocolate Orange.
Book banning is wrong. Censorship on universal, human truths and experiences is wrong. It is never spearheaded by good people. Book banning is a step towards fascism; it is rooted in it; it is fascism. Let's not ignore, sidestep or deny the issue; it is time to call out things for what they are.
Book banning is a human rights issue. It is banning stories, and that means banning telling stories, telling truths, telling all sorts of different experiences, which human beings have always needed in their lives, in order to live freely and be their happiest, most fulfilled, and best selves. Always learning, always happy. It is a literal necessity for survival. Book banning, book burning, is inhumane; it is antihuman. It is anti-education. It is anti-freedom. Always has been, always will be.
It is anti-American. And America is not and should never be a fascist country. We need to do better.
This all should go without saying.
Book banning and book burning are literal Nazi ideologies.
I love the characters in 'This Book Won't Burn', as well. The good people in it are so sweet and real. Noor Khan is a great, young human protagonist and activist - of her own story, and for her country of the US of A.
But this 2024 YA novel just had to include a damn love triangle, didn't it? A hetero love triangle, at that.
Although, it isn't too annoying. It doesn't distract from, nor detract from, the reason for this book to exist, and both its internal and external drama do serve well as a breather away from the harsh, corrupt reality of US politics. Deary me, by the complicated fires of hell, the love triangle BS actually manages to be kind of sweet and endearing.
It certainly gives Noor, a caring, anti-silence, pro-free speech and pro-education activist, and thus a right-wing political target and scapegoat, a break, and a way for her to process issues from her personal life; to move on from her family trauma and its devastating consequences. Noor's beloved activist and lawyer father abandoning her and her mother and younger sister has resulted in her thinking she can't trust her own feelings, especially towards other people. She doesn't believe in, nor thinks she deserves, positive emotions, memories, friends, loved ones, any of it. It's too painful and she wants nothing to do with it, for fear of getting hurt again. In the wall she's built around herself, there lies young Noor's inner challenge in life, her dilemma of whether she can really trust anyone anymore.
But still, why a typical, messy, daytime TV soap teenage love triangle in such a serious book like this?
It hasn't escaped my notice that in 'This Book Won't Burn', and in Samira Ahmed's previous two YA novels I've read, 'Internment' and 'Hollow Fires', none of the female protagonists are queer. None are subversive or unconventional when it comes to the romantic side of things. For all Ahmed's books' talk of the importance of freedom and inclusion and diversity, their heroines are almost stupidly hormonal over boys - their priorities get messed up over something as shallow as physical good looks when it comes to boys - even for teenagers. They usually come to their senses until it is far too late, in literal life and death situations. Though in the case of 'Internment', the protag relies heavily and exclusively on male support and rescuing, no lessons learned there.
But, on a positive note, in 'This Book Won't Burn', the heroine doesn't end up relying on boys to help her out when her life is in danger. In fact, it is the women and girls in her family and friends group who have her back and support her along the way, with a male love interest or two relegated to the background.
It also hasn't escaped me that, as far as I can tell, none of Samira Ahmed's truthful and diverse, hard and painful books about modern social justice and activism, actually include a trans character in them.
'This Book Won't Burn' has a couple of fleshed out LBGTQ side characters, at least. (A sapphic couple, to be exact.)
But I love it regardless, on this perfect day where I got to finish it. In my opinion, it is Ahmed's best, most polished and careful novel. It isn't perfect, and there are a few flaws in its writing, and its ending is somewhat rushed. But nothing is perfect, and I wholeheartedly endorse the sentiment and intention - the messages, and lessons needing to be taught to people, over and over and over again - behind it.
It is my favourite of Ahmed's books to date, but I absolutely recommend all of her work, for their humanity, their passion born from and burning with wakeup calls to action in an unfair and unjust society, and for the dark, scary, harrowing truths they expose. They definitely would get banned by conservatives and evil, hateful, opportunistic liars with too much power, money and influence, in an unearned position and platform, and that is a good thing; a reason enough for why they need to be read by everyone.
Don't ban books. Don't burn books. Do better.
Don't let hate win.
Stand and fight against fascism and oppression and erasure. Against violence and destruction. Always.
Teach people to read. Get more people to read. To read whatever they want, and need. It's how societies learn, improve, and progress. It's about love, passion, and creating, too.
'This Book Won't Burn' - what an appropriate book to complete reading, to feel hope on a blissful Yuletide day. And what an appropriate novel to end 2024 on.
Happy holidays, everyone.
I do mean everyone.
Love you all.
Final Score: 4/5
January 14, 2024
One of the most important books of our time. The cultural movement of removing books from school libraries for the “safety of the children” has been told beautifully. Samira Ahmed has perfectly captured the tenor, semantics, and attitudes of those removing books from public school libraries.
In this YA novel, senior Noor Khan is uprooted to a socially conservative Illinois town. She wants to keep her head down, graduate, and return to Chicago for college, but her cool vibe, race, and belief systems have her standing out in ways she could have never imagined.
For teen readers, this book addresses complex themes of divorce, depression, abandonment, fitting in, and first crushes.
Important for readers of all ages (and written for young adults), this novel addresses courage, activism, politics, and having your voice be heard. One of the biggest themes – always ask questions – stands out throughout the book.
Thank you to #NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the ARC!
In this YA novel, senior Noor Khan is uprooted to a socially conservative Illinois town. She wants to keep her head down, graduate, and return to Chicago for college, but her cool vibe, race, and belief systems have her standing out in ways she could have never imagined.
For teen readers, this book addresses complex themes of divorce, depression, abandonment, fitting in, and first crushes.
Important for readers of all ages (and written for young adults), this novel addresses courage, activism, politics, and having your voice be heard. One of the biggest themes – always ask questions – stands out throughout the book.
Thank you to #NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the ARC!
June 11, 2024
Those who ban books are never on the right side of history. I always love books about kids fighting back against book bans. No adult should be able to tell other peoples children what they can and cannot read. Book bans are part of fascist history. No society that is free bans book and certainly no free society stops kids from reading. There is an added layer to this book with racism and homophobia (both in the book bans abut also in the small town). The book also gives many different ways kids can protest and get around book bans. The best part, for me always, is the various comebacks that the book and the main character has when talking about book banning (especially when talking to the books versions of Moms for Liberty).
July 8, 2024
TW: a lot of racism and hate crimes.
Indian-American and Muslim, Noor takes a stand against book banning in her new school and becomes the target of a (mostly white) racist community, including school administrators and local officials. Very topical.
Unfortunately, also repetitive. This needed an edit. Noor blames her father for everything 100 times (that’s barely hyperbole) and has the SAME argument with her mother about 8 times. Also, the fact that “most banned books are written by queer and BIPOC authors” is mentioned over and over and over again. Skip the arguments with mom (seriously! You won’t miss plot points!) and you’re probably going to enjoy this one.
Indian-American and Muslim, Noor takes a stand against book banning in her new school and becomes the target of a (mostly white) racist community, including school administrators and local officials. Very topical.
Unfortunately, also repetitive. This needed an edit. Noor blames her father for everything 100 times (that’s barely hyperbole) and has the SAME argument with her mother about 8 times. Also, the fact that “most banned books are written by queer and BIPOC authors” is mentioned over and over and over again. Skip the arguments with mom (seriously! You won’t miss plot points!) and you’re probably going to enjoy this one.
December 30, 2024
"Censorship and book bans are the dying gasps of democracy, but we still have to fight them with everything."
This Book Won't Burn is a powerful, gripping and timely story about grief, anger and hope. Young people fighting for true freedom, liberty, books written by Black and Brown authors, and human rights. This book is my favorite book of 2024.
This Book Won't Burn is a powerful, gripping and timely story about grief, anger and hope. Young people fighting for true freedom, liberty, books written by Black and Brown authors, and human rights. This book is my favorite book of 2024.
September 8, 2024
This book is so valuable as a resource for teens wanting to learn what they can do to fight against book banning - and adults, too. Sure, this wasn’t the perfect book, but it’s an important one that should be read more for sure.
October 29, 2024
Noor, the main character of this book, is very annoying lol (an actual actress narrated the audiobook and put the MOST feeling I've ever heard into this narration which definitely influences my feelings) but, like, if that's not authentic to being a teenager, idk what is
Noor's dad blows their happy life up in the course of a singular day, and not long after, she, her mom, and her sister move to a hick ass town in the middle of nowhere. On basically her first day, she finds out that the school system is in the middle of a campaign to ban books... oh wait, they're just "reconsidering" books, but once they're pulled literally no one is taking that second step and actually allowing any back into the collection.
Noor is not taking that lying down, and quickly grows her rebellion into a small movement. That unfortunately means she attracts the negative attention of people like the principal, the head of the school board, and the head of Moms for Liberty or whatever they call it in this book. Basically, all the evil racist conservatives hone in on Noor and her fight for freedom to read.
This is just the kind of story that kids affected by book bans NEED to read - there's ups and downs in the fight, and things even get dangerous a time or two, but Noor never falters in knowing what's right and doing her best to defend that.
She has an added level of confusion since she kinda has a crush on a boy that ends up being the stepson of the school board president guy. She grapples with wondering if him not arguing with his stepdad means he agrees with his views, especially when she gets to know that his friends are racist disgusting fucks. Oh, don't worry, he has the classic boy excuse of "I was going through something" for the reason he was racist to someone... in fourth grade...
THIS is nitpicking but I wish I had the ebook so I could ctrl+F for "scar" - holy shit, Noor has a scar on her thumb from burning herself as a kid and her nervous tick is to rub her scar and let's just say a lot of things make her nervous
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to a teen, because I think Noor is a good role model for activism and I think the things that happen to her because of the policy changes are realistic. I also like (spoiler) that there's no real closure with her dad - that's life, baby
Noor's dad blows their happy life up in the course of a singular day, and not long after, she, her mom, and her sister move to a hick ass town in the middle of nowhere. On basically her first day, she finds out that the school system is in the middle of a campaign to ban books... oh wait, they're just "reconsidering" books, but once they're pulled literally no one is taking that second step and actually allowing any back into the collection.
Noor is not taking that lying down, and quickly grows her rebellion into a small movement. That unfortunately means she attracts the negative attention of people like the principal, the head of the school board, and the head of Moms for Liberty or whatever they call it in this book. Basically, all the evil racist conservatives hone in on Noor and her fight for freedom to read.
This is just the kind of story that kids affected by book bans NEED to read - there's ups and downs in the fight, and things even get dangerous a time or two, but Noor never falters in knowing what's right and doing her best to defend that.
She has an added level of confusion since she kinda has a crush on a boy that ends up being the stepson of the school board president guy. She grapples with wondering if him not arguing with his stepdad means he agrees with his views, especially when she gets to know that his friends are racist disgusting fucks. Oh, don't worry, he has the classic boy excuse of "I was going through something" for the reason he was racist to someone... in fourth grade...
THIS is nitpicking but I wish I had the ebook so I could ctrl+F for "scar" - holy shit, Noor has a scar on her thumb from burning herself as a kid and her nervous tick is to rub her scar and let's just say a lot of things make her nervous
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to a teen, because I think Noor is a good role model for activism and I think the things that happen to her because of the policy changes are realistic. I also like (spoiler) that there's no real closure with her dad - that's life, baby
December 16, 2024
As a high school teacher, I can 100% say this story is not far fetched at all. The verbiage, the rhetoric, the fear mongering. I DEVOURED this book. It’s important and I’m so glad it was written. Please keep in mind that there are many schools in America that operate like this. I could see how if you lean to the right, some of the characterizations may upset you; but in my experience, I’ve interacted with every child and adult that is in this book.
Books should not be politicized. Everyone should have the right to read whatever they want. Boo censorship.
Books should not be politicized. Everyone should have the right to read whatever they want. Boo censorship.
July 30, 2025
After Noor Khan's father leaves, she and her family leave Chicago and move to Bayberry, a small town in Central Illinois, where she is to finish the last quarter of high school. After discovering that hundreds of books have been removed from the school library, Noor decides to challenge the status quo and soon discover small town politics are the driving force behind this egregious issue.
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