Not Another Banned Book

by Dana Alison Levy

A ripped from the headlines middle grade novel about a group of students who must fight book banning at their school to save their club...and their world as they know it. No matter what was going on in Molly's life at home, she always had book club at school. Whether she's dealing with a death in the family or her parent's breaking the news they want to move she is able to read a new book and escape life...even if it is just for a little bit. But when someone anonymously notifies school boards about a controversial book in the classroom, her favorite teacher Ms. Lewsiton is suspended...and book club is a banned for the immediate future. With weeks until graduation, Molly has never felt more lost. She knows she needs to do something--anything--to prove to everyone that the books they read with Ms. Lewsiton are more important than the adults may realize. With her group of friends, Molly will fight to save her book club from writing their favorite author to protests on the football field. Molly will discover that standing up for what you believe in is only half the battle...but will she find she is fully ready to make a change for readers just like her?

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Contemporary, Books About Books, LGBT

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 10, 2024

About the author

Dana Alison Levy was raised by pirates but escaped at a young age and went on to earn a degree in aeronautics and puppetry. Actually, that’s not true—she just likes to make things up. That’s why she always wanted to write books. She was born and raised in New England and studied English literature before going to graduate school for business. While there is value in all learning, had she known she would end up writing for a living, she might not have struggled through all those statistics and finance classes. The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher is her first published novel, but she has a trunk full of other attempts, which vary in degrees of awfulness.
Her first book for young adults, Above All Else, comes out in October 2020. In addition to The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher, she has also written The Family Fletcher Takes Rock Island, This Would Make a Good Story, and It Wasn't me. All her books have garnered starred reviews, multiple Best Of lists and state reading lists, and are Junior Library Guild selections. Also her kids like them.

Reviews

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent!
Molly has had a lot of upheaval in her life for a 13-year-old. When her old brother died two years ago, her parents mourned so deeply that they almost stopped functioning. Her best friend Amelia seems to have suddenly become a different and unlikable person. The best, and sometimes only, constant in Molly’s life is the book club at school, where she and her book-loving buddies have open discussions. Until some outsider raises a complaint about a book, a beloved teacher is suspended, and all the “controversial” books are hauled away. Molly and her friends refuse to take this lying down, and they might have to resort to some drastic measures to make their feelings known…
Many important and timely lessons are artfully scattered throughout this book. The suspended teacher’s response to Molly when she’s feeling discouraged shows respect for the students’ feelings. It also points out the responsibility that a teacher has in following school guidelines for choosing teaching material.
I think this novel would be very inspiring for middle-grade and Y.A. students., especially with all the information about beginning “Little Free Libraries.” The author’s notes at the end are interesting, and obviously written from her book-loving heart!

Memorable Quotes:
“If children’s books were that powerful, wouldn’t we all be Very Hungry Caterpillars by now?” (Poster in Ms. Lewiston’s classroom)
**Now I really want a poster like that one!**
* I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

[Adelaide BeBeau · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, but I couldn't. It seemed like it was written for a fourth-grade level reader but also had really heavy topics, which was confusing.

My biggest issue with this book is how they handled Molly's threats to out Amelia. Sure, Amelia isn't the best person and didn't do the best things, but she shouldn't be outed. Molly threatened her out of anger but this was never addressed as a fault on Molly's part. For a book that has otherwise relatively positive LGBT representation, I thought that Molly should realize not to out someone, and why what SHE did was also wrong. That part felt really problematic.

I feel like the author tried to put too many issues (grief, book banning, divorce, rascism, fame, lots more) into one book, and the result was instead of having a meaningful book about one or two things, a confusing book that didn't have depth on any of the issues. Molly's grief of Seth was heavy in the first half-ish of the book and resolved kind of halfheartedly in my opinion.

My final complaint: the "middle school slang". I'm not sure if the author was homeschooled or was doing this ironically or if they thought it was accurate, but "What the Hello Kitty?" is something no one has ever said, ever. To my knowledge. There are better replacements for profanities that kids can actually relate to!

That being said, I didn't hate this book. It seems like a good introduction to a lot of issues. I might not be the target audience. Althought I am a middleschooler who cares about issues like these, so who is the target audience?

[Willa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was soooo excited to read another book abt kids fighting censorship and banned books. This was nothing like Ban This Book or Property of the Rebel Librarian. There was practically no plot. The blurb says, "Together with her friends, Molly fights back. But through school walkouts..." Molly and her friends do not fight back. They post 25 posters one time, and after that fails, they stop out of fear of getting in trouble. And their "walkout" didn't even happen. And the people "banning" the books, they didn't even exist. It was js one girl who felt somewhat excluded.
Did I mention the blurb is filled with lies? I was fed so many false promises that technically happened, not to the extent the blurb said.
The only thing that got this 2 stars and not 1 was the REPRESENTATION! I loved that, but I also felt like that was the whole point of the story.

After a day of reflection, I found more bad things. Well, one more thing. I get that the author wanted this to be an MS novel and not have swearing, but there were some times when I felt like it was needed. For example, when Molly was threatening Amelia, I feel like swearing would have made more sense than trying to find a filler.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great middle grade book about censorship, book banning and activism. Important reading for youth to get engaged about learning how to fight for their right to read diverse books and the need to stand up for the freedom to read what you want. I also loved the friend group and the way the found a way to use social media and little free libraries to share the books that were getting banned in both their school and around the country. This was great on audio and I really loved the author's note at the end too! Highly recommended for fans of books like Ban this book by Alan Gratz or Answers in the pages by David Levithan. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some backstory before my review-- some of my students participate in a club called Book Wars. Throughout the year, they read books from a set list, and at the end of the year, they have a trivia competition where they answer questions about the books. When I posted that I was reading this book, one of them came to me before first period and said, "Mrs. Walls, don't read that book. It's so bad!" Throughout the day, several of them warned me that I wouldn't enjoy it.

Well, I read it anyway. The one thing this had going for it was the topic, which clearly is timely and soemthing that I and other teachers around the country are dealing with on a daily basis. (I've already had one major blow up about a book this year at my school.) Unfortunately, I really didn't like the way this one was written. The characters all felt like the author made a list of stereotypical middle school students. I never really felt connected to any of them. The main character's parents seemed completely out of touch. The dialogue was unrealistic. I finished the book, but it won't be one that I add to my shelves.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m here for more middle grade & YA books tackling censorship, but sadly this one was just an “ok” read for me. I’ve read plenty of books about book banning and I felt like those tackled the issue better, like “Property of the Rebel Librarian” and “Attack of the black rectangles”. There are definitely some good ideas in here for kids to use if they want to fight censorship, but the execution as a whole felt lacking. No action really takes place until the last quarter of the book, and I was under the impression it was going to be right from the beginning. I also had a hard time keeping everyone in Molly’s friend group straight, and sometimes the speeches that these kids said about book banning didn’t feel like something middle schoolers would say.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating - 4.5

I've read several middle-grade books about book banning, and I wasn't expecting anything from this one. But I was pleasantly surprised. I think what I appreciated was that the author added a layer of depth to the story. This could have just focused on the outrage over book banning, but she gave us characters who so clearly needed those books. They were all dealing with quite a lot in their personal lives, which showcased just why such books are necessary.

I also appreciated that the author gave kids constructive ways to deal with their outrage. This story is about activism and finding ways to channel one's rage into something positive.

Molly was a great protagonist, and I liked the friend group—they felt authentic. Overall, I thought this was great, and I hope the kids who need to read it can!

Thank you to Netgalley for the free arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Jen Bojkov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling and relatable story about censorship and book banning. It’s been happening all too frequently in our country and this book does a good job of defending kids right to read. I’m glad to see this one on the Lone Star list this year.

[Theresa Sandifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw this book on NetGalley my immediate thought was "Not another book. about banned books!" It isn't that I don't have strong. feelings on the subject - I think it is unconscionable and reprehensible - but the number of books on the topic seems to be growing exponentially. See bandwagon, jump on bandwagon. I am not sure you can put a new spin on the topic, just change the characters, the setting and the list of books. And oh yes, the villain.

And so when I sat down to read this book I was already convinced that I knew how it would go. And to be fair, part of it was indeed another book about banned books. However, this book was about so much more. It was about the characters and their relationships to their now dissolved book club and also to each other, their families and to themselves. It used the banned books as a catalyst for the actual story about grief, about being different, and about how the kids saw themselves in the banned books. The main character, Molly, was buried in grief about her brother dying and about changes in her life that she felt were obliterating his memory. The book club was the only place she had to discuss her feelings and it got ripped out of her life. Suddenly the banned books became the reason she was so miserable. The rest of the group cared but they had other things in their lives to fall back on and so they didn't feel as committed as Molly; causing a rift to develop in the group and threatening their purpose.

I think it was a masterful use of the topic of book bans to tell a story of how kids need to see themselves in the books they read to know that they are not alone and how being told those books were wrong made them feel like they were somehow wrong too.

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. Another ripped from the headlines MG novel that is excellent. Random thoughts:

Lewiston book club, last year of middle school
Ghost Boys
Molly Dealing with older brother’s death from illness 2 years ago, her parents out of it for quite awhile, she has to hold family together for her & little sister
One kiss between boys in Under My Skin
Love all the books mentioned
Keep trying to get attention to the book banning but others steal their thunder, her parents going to move from only home Seth had known and she’s mad
“If children’s books were that powerful we’d all have turned into hungry caterpillars by now”
Letter from one of the book club’s favorite author that explains the windows, mirrors, sliding glass door by book empathy. Also calls BIPOC authors as global majority
“I read and read and try to disappear into the books because I can’t think of a single reason to stay in the real world.”
Everything is harder than it seems learned over past 2 years since brother died
Everyone is fighting unseen battles
“But not being able to do everything is never a good reason to do nothing.”
Do something every time.
Excellent graduation speech and author note
All middle schoolers should have a Ms Lewiston in their lives

[Suzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great book looking at book banning that is happening all over the United States right now.
I liked that Molly and her friends were dealing with real things in their everyday lives. I liked watching how they deal with their books being taken away and how they fight back.
I enjoyed all of these characters. I think many teens will enjoy this one and find the characters relatable.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

[Brandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is such relevance between this book and what is going on in our society today. Not another banned book is about book banning, activism and censorship. Easy read - middle grade.

There are quite a few heavy topics in this book.

It was great to read a book about the students fighting back against the book banning.

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Elizabeth Dickerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a year of truly dealing with book ban issues across the country, I enjoyed a book where the students fight back. It’s a hard time to truly show how amazing finding the right book is for kids- especially during their 4-8 grade years when they are learning who they are through physical changes as well as social and emotional ones.

[BooksAsDreams (Tiffany) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Accurate and appropriate. A very important book for this time in society. A middle grade novel that will open doors to conversations.

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC!

[Marsha · Rating 2 out of 5]

In Property of the Rebel Librarian, Ban This Book, Banned Book Club and Answers in the Pages, we have children banding together to stop book banning.

This is not that book.

Surely, the members of Ms. Lewiston’s book club are outraged and upset when she’s abruptly dismissed from school, their favorite books are pulled from the book club shelves and people intent on book censorship come into the town in order to promote their anti-LGBTQIA+ agenda. But the problem isn’t really solved for much of the book.

In a lot of YA books, you get youngsters taking matters into their own hands. (I call it the Scooby Doo effect.) Instead of consulting adults who might help, they think they’re qualified to solve mysteries, dig up dirt, investigate suspicious deaths or rally in some activistic cause. Molly certainly acts as if that’s what they can do in order to find out who is the guilty party who got a censorious group to cancel Ms. Lewiston’s club.

But Molly and her friends prove woefully inept. They make one bone-headed, foolish move after another to get people interested in their cause. They can’t rally support, they get injured trying idiotic stunts, they go digging into someone’s private papers but find nothing incriminating.

In short, their attempts to unearth clues and get people involved against banning books is an utter failure for most of the book. In fact, as time goes by, Molly’s friends get less and less interested. They’ve got their own problems to deal with and the school year is coming to an end, anyway. Many of them are going away to other schools so it makes sense that their interest in the book club starts waning.

I wanted to shout at them to get adult help. There are a few adults who are upset about the book banning and they likely have more resources and power at their command than a bunch of meddling kids. Yet, time and again, Molly and her coterie resort to falling on their own ridiculous ideas, limited resources and dwindling time to crack the problem.

Therefore, the book slowly becomes about other matters. These children are growing up and they struggle to solve their individual dilemmas in a world that doesn’t always seem welcoming. Some are moving. One is struggling with adult pressure. Another is appearing on national television and suffers horribly from stage fright.

Molly feels that she’s alone with her problems. But her friends show her they’ve been there for her all along. The novel then ceases to be just about the book banning; it becomes a quiet promotion about leaning on others when you’re in distress. Molly needed to open up about her inner rage and distress to her parents, her therapist, her friends and even herself. That, ultimately, is the main theme of this novel.

As it turns out, the children do manage to solve the book banning dilemma. But it’s in an unexpected way that had me grinning. As in Property of the Rebel Librarian, Little Free Libraries come into play. A mention on television has people turning to them to get books that might be taken away elsewhere and book donations mean they’ll always be stocked. Hurray!

Sometimes fighting involves emails. Sometimes it involves human pyramids. Sometimes it involves water balloons. What matters is that you try and you turn to others when the burden is too much. This book definitely wasn’t what I expected from the title and the cover. But it turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

As Banned Book Week begins once again, this middle-grade novel [3.5 for me1!] set in Shipton, Massachusetts couldn't be more appropriate as a read aloud or part of that celebration of the Right to Read. Eighth grade Molly Claremont and some of her friends have found a safe space in an extracurricular book club at school that is run by Ms. Lewiston. But a complaint causes the book club to be put on hiatus and Ms. Lewiston to face possible reprisals. Molly wants to push back, but she becomes obsessed about learning who complained about the books the club has been reading. She also reaches out to the author of the gay-themed book that was questioned, but the response is disappointing. Eventually, the group starts an online Read Or Die Stupid account that garners attention, and Molly faces and ethical dilemma after stumbling on some evidence that reveals who complained about the club. I enjoyed this one a lot, even though at times Molly was a bit misguided as was Ms. Lewiston, which makes the story all the more realistic. Because it is the students themselves that take things in their own hands rather than adults solving their problems, it was refreshing to see such empowered, enlightened, and aware middle graders.

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful inspiring read in which a group of friends share a goal of saving something (and someone) they love. Ms. Lewiston runs a middle school book club that is more than just reading. It provides a safe space for students to share with a trusted teacher. Unfortunately, someone anonymously takes issue with what he/she believes is a controversial book, the book club is disbanded, and Ms. Lewiston is suspended. The group of thirteen year old friends takes it upon themselves to right this wrong. Molly and all of the other characters in Not Another Banned Book are well crafted and have enough depth to make readers really care.  Current young adult literature that young readers will recognize are mentioned throughout the book, such as Ghost Boys, Drama, and Ghosts. More impactful than just a funny and heartwarming story, this shows young readers that their voices matter. The group of male and female students do not have a diverse cultural make-up but there is a gay student and one who has two dads. There are laugh out loud moments, which along with a little drama, leave everyone knowing that they can make a difference if they care enough. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[AmyNsReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally finished it! It took a little longer than expected because my kids and I were trying to reach it at the same time, but our schedules just didn’t align to sit down and read together. It got a little bit slow in the middle, but I’m so glad I finished it because it has such a strong message for kids that it doesn’t matter how small you are or that you’re just one person, you can still make a difference. It also opens kids and remind adults that every story has multiple sides and it behooves us to try try to put ourselves in other people’s shoes.

For the people that think fiction is lame, I will 100% shot from the rooftop that stories no matter fiction or non-fiction are never lame. It meets people in different places and help people feel seen and heard in ways that we may never ever comprehend. Book bans are really really sad so thank you for this book and the gift that it is for helping children understand this heavy concept as well. If each book could have even just one friend like these kids did it would be a great world!

Book club for life!! I also have a little free library that my kids help me with so shout out to that being brought up!

[Hope Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly's group of friends depend on the lunchtime book club with Ms. Lewiston. It is in that classroom, in that space, and at that time the group can all be their true, authentic selves. They can have hard, vulnerable conversations and figure out the world and their roles in it after sharing stories from treasured books. One day, though, book club is suddenly cancelled and the teacher is placed on administrative leave while she is being investigated for subverting children.

As book challenges and bans have seized this country, many are joining outcries to get rid of books without really knowing what is in them and how they truly impact our youth. I loved this book's approach to this charged topic. From my work as a librarian, this is how a lot of challenges are happening and how they are impacting our youth. I also love the friendship circle in this book. The kids have genuine care for each other, yet they are comfortable with everyone having their own outside group or circle. Extremely well written, and highly recommended for middle school libraries.

[Chaos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been of the opinion if someone is trying to ban a book, then that book needs to be read. At least for the most part. I love how this story is about an 8th grader whose trying to survive her home life and the bullying. She finds reprieve in the book club at school that ultimately gets banned by some nosy self righteous nellys. Molly's voice is very unsure but still strong. Her opinions and arguments are solid and love the fierceness that she not only defends the books but her teacher and the other students. Very few kids have this type of conviction or motivation. While the style of writing is simple and easy to understand, the subject matter is very serious. It covers a variety of issues that arent just related to banning books. Love this story and the lessons taught. Read the banned books, fight for what you belive in. There are lessons to be found in books you pick up.

[Katelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book, there was things in this story that I deeply agreed with such as, parents should get some say in what their kids or teenagers read, but don't go full force or shelter them on every little thing. Think of their maturity level and what they can handle before judging. And secondly that if they won't learn something from a book, they'll learn it elsewhere maybe in a worse/bad way. Everyone needs books to read, learn, grow and to see ones story match their own situation, like the line said, "Everyone is fighting a battle unknown." Even parents fight battles that kids don't know about and vice versa.

[Holly Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a middle school than elementary book, but would sit comfortably in an elementary school library. I thought much of it was really authentic to middle school social justice—lots of random ideas with fits and starts. But Molly got them there for sure. The settling seemed appropriate. I loved the friend group and their parents. Molly’s family sitch seemed believable and real.

It was a bit long especially on the topic, but I loved Molly. She made me laugh and cry all at the same time.

[Corrie Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish this book wasn't as relevant as it is. I see and hear the same conversations and pearl-clutching "protect the children from anything queer" in my community, especially in the last week as we draw nearer to our banned book club.
If only those who seek to ban books would actually read them.

[Mark Meiss · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am entirely in sympathy with the intent and viewpoint of this book, but… these kids don’t feel even vaguely real to me, and I knew who the complainant was within the first twenty pages. I wanted to like this more.

[LS Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

too bad this book could be NF. The story is fiction but points out a lot of important facts about the banned book situation.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a middle school librarian who believes in the power of books, I loved this book about middle schoolers fighting book banning at their school!

[Milly Quiroz]

I loved this book, except it felt... unfinished. I feel like the plot could go so much deeper. What happens to Kevin and Amelia? Who is Sofia?

[Sissi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Bad

[Sails and Scales · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read a few middle-grade books about banned books before this one. I wasn’t really sure why I read this one since I didn’t enjoy the others. I’m generally fascinated (and infuriated) by censorship and book banning, but I haven’t read many books about it for this audience that do a great job (in my opinion) of exploring those concepts. I did consider this one of the good ones.

One of the things that would annoy me about other middle-grade books about banned books is that it was almost too focused on book banning or a particular book and not enough on the character’s journey. So often the books on censorship have so much rage or frustration that it overshadows good storytelling or character development. In this case, the story shows why book banning affected these characters so strongly. I think that is the value of a book on the topic. Moving from rage to movement is reflected in how this book is written and Molly’s journey.

In this book, it’s clear why the main character, Molly, cares so much (even when she doesn't always understand herself). She needs the support of the book club in a time in her life when her world is changing and scary for her. Books and the club where she read books and engaged in discussions about the sometimes difficult topics in the books were a lifeline when her world was hard.

Molly’s reason for being so upset makes sense for the character. It’s not too broad or too overwhelming. I liked that Molly, in many ways, is a pretty ordinary, unassuming person to take objection to book bans. We also, fortunately, get perspectives on the banning from kids of different minorities as they share their opinions as part of their book club and friendship group.

Molly is an intriguing character. At some points, she’s a little clueless. She’s focused on figuring out who did it and why rather than trying to figure out how to move forward. The efforts to handle the book banning mirrors her efforts to handle the other difficult things in her life, and she grows and changes with her discussions with other people. She learns to be more empathetic and tackle challenges even when encountering roadblocks.

Not Another Banned Book is about more than a banned book. It’s about grief and change, friendship and relationships, and about how important feelings and personal experiences are to have and be able to reflect. By going into more detail about how book banning affects the kids who need these books, it presents how censorship is so much more complicated than whether a book is allowed to be on shelves. It’s about not being alone or feeling like there’s something wrong with you because books about people like you are banned.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me an advanced copy to review in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Elizabeth Silva · Rating 1 out of 5]

Literally Inappropriate. NOT for kids!