Ban This!: How One School Fought Two Book Bans and Won

by Christina Ellis, Renee Ellis, Edha Gupta

“Each demand to ban a book is a demand to deny each person’s constitutionally protected right to choose and read books that raise important issues and lift up the voices of those who are often silenced.”


—Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom


In September 2021, the school board in York, Pennsylvania, voted to remove a record-breaking number of books from school libraries in its community. The Panther Anti-Racist Union (PARU) at Central York High School, comprised of four students and two advisors, successfully fought the ban by organizing protests, speaking at school board meetings, and participating in media interviews to raise awareness.


In Ban This!: How One School Fought Two Book Bans and Won (and How You Can Too), the members of PARU—Christina Ellis, Renee Ellis, Edha Gupta, Ben Hodge, Patricia A. Jackson, Olivia Pituch—give actionable advice on how to respond to book challenges that happen in your school and community. Learn how to push back against book bans with arguments against the common reasons given to ban books in schools and public libraries, speak out against censorship, and win the right to intellectual freedom.

Genres: Nonfiction

168 pages, Paperback

Published September 16, 2025

Reviews

[Janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired by the true life story of an activist group fighting two over the top book bans, Ban This is part non-fiction narrative, part educational how-to guide in how blanket book bans hurts everyone (except the fundamentalists and/or extremists that want it) and how to fight it if/when it comes in your community. After a basic introduction and timeline, each of the book's 14 chapters details one way in how the group fought the ban, detailed reasons why the ban was harmful, especially for marginalized people, and action steps to fight back in case blanket bans come to your community. It covers subjects like racism, sexuality, patriotism, emotions and trauma, and maturity. The information was delivered in a good and informative way, and generally approaches with grace instead of antagonizing people, and gave me a bit of confidence in fighting against potential bans of books near and dear to me. Highly recommend for everyone.

*I received a review copy from Netgalley and Zest Books. All opinions are my own.*

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The readers of York, Pennsylvania were surprised and angered when a pervasive book ban invaded their lives. This book defines the problem and shows how they employed civil combat and rational measures to eliminate that threat. Then it goes on to provide a template for others to follow if they are threatened with similar idiocy. Excellent!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital PDF galley from Lerner Publishing Group | Zest Books ™ via NetGalley.
#BanThis by #ChristinaEllis #ReneeEllis #EdhaGupta #BenHodge #PatriciaJackson #OliviaPituch
@zestbooks @lernerbooks #censorship #bookbanning #civildisobedience #localactivism
#HowOneSchoolFoughtTwoBookBansandWon

[Rachel Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So proud of my CYSD family!

My favorite quote:

“Banning these books told students… that their life experience was “too divisive”… Isn’t it more divisive to have an unrepresentative library filled with just one type of story or perspective?” Page 130, Gupta

I also loved Chapter 6, which explores the question “Do Diversity Resources Glorify Traumatic Experiences?” A question I had never considered given that suffering is inherent to being human, which Ellis perfectly articulates.

Thank you to the brave and beautiful individuals who fought against censorship and for reaffirming my belief in free speech, the pursuit of truth, and human dignity.

[Yuuto · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s sad to realize how relevant all of this book still is, but it also offers good info and rebuttals to people trying to enforce book bans. This honestly should be a must-read at this point, if you care at all about people (especially younger folks in school whose library and classroom reading materials are being targeted) being able to freely choose what they wish to read.

[Brooklyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Ban This!" is an interesting and impeccably crafted nonfiction book that submerges the readers into the heart of York, Pennsylvania’s battle over book banning. This book delivers not just a thorough timeline of the events, but also provides an honest examination of why diverse voices, stories, and the freedom to read are so fiercely contested—and so important.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its ability to address uncomfortable and often controversial issues with clarity and empathy. The authors do not shy away from tough subjects, like race, censorship, and the complexities of community response, but skillfully cover each topic with both sensitivity and honesty. The narrative is frank yet never sensationalized, allowing readers space to reflect as well as think for themselves and decide where they stand on the topic.

"Ban This!" is deeply inspiring, shining a light on how ordinary individuals—students, parents, teachers, and community activists—can make real change by speaking up. The stories of those who stood against book banning in York are a testament to the strength found in numbers, regardless of age. Every voice counts, especially when it comes to defending access to knowledge and stories that challenge us to grow, and this book highlights this lesson perfectly.

Uplifting Messages:

- Shows the power and necessity of raising your voice, even when it’s difficult.

- Highlights the ripple effects of local activism, making it clear that change is possible.

- Provides real-life strategies for advocacy, making it a practical resource, too.

The book’s writing is clear, confident, and accessible, making complex legal and social issues easy to understand. Personal stories are interwoven with thorough research, creating a narrative that is both informative and emotionally moving without appearing significantly biased. It’s paced perfectly, keeping readers engaged from the first page to the last.


"Ban This!" is pretty much required reading for anyone passionate about intellectual freedom, the importance of representation in literature, and the continuing struggle for equity in education. Also, the book is perfect for any aspiring activists, showing that raising your voice can and will make a difference. It will move you, challenge you, and above all, inspire you to recognize and use your own voice against injustice.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

As is the case for most librarians and English teachers, intellectual freedom, censorship and book banning and challenges are topics dear to my heart. While I was inspired and excited at the student activism described in this account of how a small group of students and faculty pushed against the removal of books, part of a diversity curriculum, in York, Pennsylvania, I wish it had been better written and not as repetitive. The book's essays, written by two faculty members and four students, address questions frequently raised by individuals who challenge books covering certain topics, encapsulating the points made in each chapter at the end of the chapter with a "What to Say" section for how to respond to these critics of the material. The Panther Anti-Racist Union (PARU) provides a blueprint for other teens about how to mount a campaign against wholesale book challenges. Although the design isn't as appealing as might be desired, there are references, and index, and the earnest voices of the authors filling the pages. I also liked how the rebuttals to concerns about books are broken down into FIRST, SECOND, THIRD. This one might offer inspiration and hope to librarians and frustrated teen readers.

[Patty Collamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ban This! not only a chronicles of a group of students and mentors who challenge and ultimately succeed in removing a book ban imposed by their School Board, but offers the reader practical information about how we can partner with others to pursue and achieve a goal.

Every chapter includes tips on how to begin and sustain difficult conversations with those whose opinions are very different from our own. The writing is succinct and speaks to the reality of the need for involvement, a willingness to listen and learn, and cooperation to effect change. I appreciate that many of the authors were students whose voices are often ignored or silenced in any discussion of school policy.

I recommend reading this book and then sharing it with administrators, teachers, parents, students, and others who value the inclusion of many voices in making decisions that impact the future of education in our schools.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is part historical documentation, part resource and action guide for fighting book bans in your own community. It provides a complete picture of the timeline of events at Central York School District and highlights the elected school board’s egregious decision to remove books and materials from school libraries. Students, staff, and community fought back and share lessons learned, as well as researched arguments against book banning.

I felt encouraged by the students’ activism and appreciate this documentation of their experience to win the right to intellectual freedom.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciate that this includes real-world experiences the author has had in teaching respect and understanding regarding minority perspectives. I hope this can show to those who may be unsure of their stance or who do believe books should be banned - people are telling you that extremism is happening to your children, it isn’t. They know it isn’t. But they capitalize on your love for your children and your fear of harm for them. Please look into it yourself! Read this!

[Mrs K · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read for any activist, showing one community's curated arguments supporting representation in literature and resisting dismissive or stifling counterarguments. The chapters can stand alone to help activists meet a specific challenge or read as a whole to gain greater insight into supporting diversity and empathy in education.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

The school that I teach at is the only one in our state that successfully banned a book. It disgusted me, along with the production that was made about around it. This book was a breath of fresh air and should be a must read.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a helpful resource about strategies school staff can use when faced with book challenges, but I didn't feel like it added any new information to what I already knew. Still, validating to hear how other schools have handled the influx of challenges that many schools are currently facing.