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, LGBT, Contemporary, Books About Books, Fiction, Banned Books

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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

“How dare they take our books away. How dare they say that these books, which show us our own secrets in more beautiful ways, are wrong, dangerous, ugly, dirty, or whatever they think. How DARE THEY?” (ARC 185)

For the last two years since her brother’s death, eighth-grader Molly has had a complicated life. Overcome with grief, her parents had stopped “parenting” and it was up to Molly to make sure that the family had food and that her little sister got to school. But even though her best friend turned into “Miss Popularity” and dumped Molly as a “downer,” Molly has gathered a very supportive and interesting group of friends: the “touchy-feely” Kait and her 7th-grader super-athletic brother, Alex; Mic who is one of the few Black kids in school and gets confused with the other Black males by teachers and is becoming a rock star with his band; and Alice whose outrageous and innovative costumes challenge the school dress code—and the Assistant Principal.

Besides her friends, Molly finds refuge in Ms. Lewiston’s Book Club (LBC) attended once a week by Molly, her close friends, a few other nerdy friends, and on and off by random students, including Molly’s former friend, Amelia. Book Club is also a place for sharing ideas and personal feelings. When books that they have been reading are challenged and taken off the shelves and Ms. Lewiston is put on leave, Molly and her friends make it their goal to find out who complained and ended their Book Club. Molly wants revenge. “It’s not that we want revenge, exactly—a lie, since that’s exactly what I want—but we need to understand who did this and why so we can figure out how to counter it.” (ARC 123)

During this time, Molly’s parents finally have become present and, sadly for Molly, have decided to sell the house where her brother Seth lived. She becomes overwhelmed by the fact that their campaign to save the books and LBC is failing and their favorite author answers their letter (and video) but can’t/won’t help them, and she can’t talk to her friends about losing her house. ”All of these problems, and I can’t do anything. I can’t stop the drumbeat that thumps ‘do something do something’ against my chest.” (ARC 122)

But working together, the LBC friends find a solution to at least combat book banning—if not saving the LBC—before graduation and an important lesson that Molly learns is, as Ms. L said, "Everyone is fighting their own battles. You can't know what someone's got going on in their own life." (ARC 283)

[Donna Metler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recieved a free eARC of this book so I could read it and share my honest opinions. Thank you for the opportunity.

About 2 years ago, I started reviewing books in large part to make it easier for other teachers to comply with state laws that required that parents be notified of content in books accessible in schools. The hope I had was that maybe, just maybe, parents would be able to get information that a book wasn't scary just because it had a gay character, talked about racism, or might make someone feel bad.

This book takes the current rush to ban and restrict books...and even more, ideas, head on.

Molly's had a difficult last few years. Her older brother, who was chronically ill, died recently. Molly had taken on a lot of responsibilty, a lot of guilt, a lot of pain.

Her high point was the LBC, a book club at school that read and discussed hard to handle books-a way to connect to other kids and in many ways, to feel less alone because the book characters had to deal with hard stuff, too. Facilitated by an amazing teacher.

That is, until parents complain, and Ms Lewiston is placed on administrative leave. The complaints are familiar to anyone who listens to the news or has to select materials for kids now. Books with a single kiss deemed "too sexual" because the two characters were both boys. Books that talk about racially motivated violence deemed anti-american.

As the kids attempt to figure out what happened and try to save their beloved books and teacher, the book gets more and more reflective of the current situation in schools and communities and libraries. It does an excellent job of showing the true cost of these bans.

I want every school board member, every parent to read this book. To realize that, far from protecting kids just how much this has hurt kids like Molly. Kids who NEED these books, need these discussions, need the safety of exploring these topics through literature. And I want kids to read this book to see that they're not alone.

The books mentioned also make a really great reading list, for your own banned book club.

Unfortunately, I have no confidence that this book will be shelved in school libraries. But I'll be adding it to my "to buy" list for my little free library, which I put in two years ago for the same reason the RODS kids started stocking the ones in their community. I encourage others to do the same...because it's a story that needs to be heard and understood.

[Marnie Diem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dana Alison Levy's Not Another Banned Book is a timely and relevant exploration of censorship, grief, and the chaos of adolescence. Centered around a group of middle schoolers whose beloved book club is abruptly shut down, the novel delves into the power of literature to foster empathy, understanding, and social change.

The story’s protagonist, Molly, is a compelling character whose grief over her brother’s death provides a poignant counterpoint to the book club’s fight against censorship. Levy skillfully intertwines Molly’s personal journey with the larger issue of book banning, creating a narrative that is both emotionally resonant and thought-provoking.

While the novel effectively captures the ups and downs of adolescent friendship, and the challenges of navigating middle school, the pacing feels uneven. In the initial chapters we meet Mik, Kait, Alice, and Alex, a diverse cast of characters, but struggle to develop them beyond surface-level traits. However, the narrative gains momentum as the plot unfolds, and the characters begin to reveal their depth and complexities. Levy’s decision to focus primarily on Molly’s perspective limits the reader’s ability to fully connect with the other characters. While this gives readers an incredible view of Molly’s internal world, it also prevents the reader from experiencing the story from multiple viewpoints.

Despite its pacing issues, Not Another Banned Book is a valuable addition to the young adult canon. The novel’s exploration of censorship, grief, and the power of friendship is timely and relevant, and the characters are relatable and engaging. By highlighting the importance of diverse voices and perspectives, Levy encourages readers to question the status quo and to advocate for intellectual freedom.

Ultimately, Not Another Banned Book is a powerful story about the resilience of young people and the transformative potential of literature. While it may not be a perfect novel, it is undoubtedly a book that deserves a place on the shelves of middle school libraries and classrooms. A solid 3.75 stars.

[Lizz Axnick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute story in terms of the friend group, but the book was FAR TOO LONG. It felt like the end of middle school was going on for months and months and months. I was thinking they were getting close to wrapping things up and saw I was only 60% through the book.

Banned books are a touchy subject and I fully agree is something we need to be talking about, even if I don't have kids. This author makes excellent points about contemporary fiction and the need for kids to see others like them grappling with the same situations and coming out ahead. I also thought the subject matter of the books the LBC was reading and sparking discussions was tremendous. Too bad someone had to ruin it for those kids.

I have to quibble a bit with some of the replacement books that show up when the banned ones are removed from Mrs. Lewiston's classroom. Two of them that stick out significantly to me were The Catcher in the Rye, which is a notoriously banned book and usually banned in high schools, so I thought it odd showing up in a middle school classroom, as an "approved" book no less. The other is the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, also another continuously banned book, especially given the repeated use of the "n" word?! That one is OK? Also, I read that one in high school too but... It just struck me as significantly odd choices for replacements.

I enjoyed the friendship aspect of this story but I could not get past that the book outstayed it's welcome and became monotonous after a while.

Thank you to Delacorte and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.

[Dina · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, rounded up to a 3.

This book highlights such an important topic for young readers regarding book bans. I liked how the author realistically maps out for readers the journey that activism and advocacy can take when it comes to fighting censorship. This book provides readers with a lot of ideas on how to combat censorship, from writing letters to creating Little Free Libraries, to talking to school administrators. The characters were also very entertaining, ESPECIALLY Molly's friend group (I love their group chat sections so much).

However, I did feel that the book suffered from its length and the amount of subject matter that it contained. There were too many plot points that ended up falling to the wayside, and that dragged the book's pace down overall. I also felt that there were too many side-bar conversations/lectures in the book on different social issues that felt overly didactic for readers. They are important issues, such as white privilege, BLM, systemic oppression, etc. but they were all so crammed into the story that I wasn't sure what to focus on. Finally, I wish that there had been a better resolution between Amelia and Molly at the end. Molly debates on forgiving Amelia, but then never actually forgives her or apologizes for her own role in ostracizing Amelia from their book club, so there was never any chance for redemption for either character.

Overall, this is an important book that discusses important issues, but I'm not sure how many young readers will stick this one out.

[Shan · Rating 5 out of 5]

#NotAnotherBannedBook #NetGalley

There are so many things I love about this book. I don't know how this author does her magic but her dialog is spot-on for the ages of the characters! (I have a 16 yr old so I'm in the thick of it).
The gist of the story is the school book club gets suspended due to someone reporting "inappropriate" books being read by said group. The teacher in charge of the book group is also dragged down via probation through the district. The bulk of the book is how this group of kids tries to maneuver without the book group. Many of the group members are going through struggles at home (i.e. home move, divorce, sibling death, navigating queerness) which usually was addressed via the group meetings and book discussions. Now they are without. They get into some funny scrapes along the way that keeps the story entertaining for this middle grade audience without preaching. They Cagney & Lacey (I'm an 80's kiddo) their way into finding out who reported the book club. Through the bulk of the book, this person seems to be the ultimate goal. I get it... I was a vengeful teenager as well. HOWEVER, they come to realize that the ultimate goal of taking on the mountain called the "Banned Book" movement is not the wisest choice and will only end up in a degree of failure. Instead, they make small changes with the hopes of making a difference (whatever the magnitude) in keeping "challenged" books alive.

[Jamie Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

In her last year of middle school, Molly finds solace in LBC - her book club - where the students in the club read different books, discuss the hefty topics from gun violence, prejudice, and LGBTQIA+. Until someone reports the books as "offensive" and Mrs. Lewiston, the best treacher ever, is suspended and the books are removed from the classroom. Now, Molly and her group of friends go on the hunt on how to bring the book club back and find out the mystery of who reported the issue. They go to great antics - writing the author of one of their favorite books, sleuthing throug the school to see what information they can find, including breaking into the principal's office. They finally learn that book banning is a nation wide issue and they are set to find a way to stop it in their small, home town and bring the book club back for the next year even though most of them will be in high school. Molly is bright, determined, and riddled with the emotions of the death of her older brother and the pending move to a new home she feels is leaving him behind. She hides a lot of that information and emotions from her frineds, throwing herself into the book banning issue, and keeps everything hidden from her parents. Some of the plot threads, such as dealing with ex-friend, now mean girl Amelia, doesn't get wrapped up, but the look at book banning, why it's happening, and how kids can fight it with their parents help s well thought out and engaging.

[Sally Kruger]

Molly is still recovering from death of her brother two years ago. Even though he had been sick since birth, it hit hard when he finally lost the battle. Molly has become used to picking up the slack for her parents. She took on caring for herself and her little sister and trying not to bother their parents.

When Molly learns that her favorite teacher Ms Lewiston has been suspended, and the book club that made going to school worthwhile has been shut down, Molly is furious. Gathering with friends to discuss books Ms Lewiston had in her classroom was something that Molly really looked forward to. When everything else seemed out of control, at least she had this, and now it was gone.

Molly and the members of the club try to find out what happened. Evidently some person complained about the books they were reading and the discussions they were having in the club. Now Molly is determined to organize her friends into a group to protest these changes.

Can they figure out just who complained? Can they convince the administration that they have the right to read and discuss what they want? Molly and friends learn about all the book banning going on across the country as they try to solve the problem at their own school.

Author Dana Alison Levy presents the book banning issue through the eyes of students who find it effecting their lives. Readers will learn along with Molly and maybe even come up with solutions of their own.

[Susan Lefman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Mrs. Lewiston's cozy haven, avid readers like Mik, Kait, and our protagonist Molly find solace not only in books but also in candid discussions about their emotions, cleverly disguised as weather updates.

However, their sanctuary is disrupted when Principal Ms. Davis abruptly interrupts one meeting, leading to Mrs. Lewiston's sudden departure with her belongings. The reason? Allegations of providing inappropriate reading material to students.

For Molly, already grappling with the loss of her older brother and its lingering impact on her family, this upheaval strikes a deep chord. Just as her family begins to heal and considers a move, Molly becomes consumed by a new mission: combating book censorship in their community.

As Molly, Mik, and Kait rally together to raise awareness about the dangers of book banning, tensions mount. Will Molly's fervor for the cause unite them or ultimately drive them apart?

This middle-grade novel delves into themes of loss, resilience, and the power of friendship, with a candid portrayal of the challenges faced by today's youth. While some parents may take issue with certain language and themes—such as the use of words like "masturbate" and discussions of sexuality—the narrative argues (as will middle school educators) that these are realities of modern adolescence, ones with which young readers are intimately familiar.

[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...

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent portrayal of how banned books affect real kids -- and what determined middle schoolers will do about it. Loved the Levy's intertwining stories of the spunky and smart kids who make up the Lewiston Reading Club, especially the protagonist Molly, who is also dealing with grief over the death of her brother. Realistic dialogue among this group and their dealings with the adults in their lives. At times, they seem almost too on the ball and mature for their age, but they are the smart kids in this school! And by the time I finished this novel, I felt inspired to do more to fight banned books.

The author notes at the end that more than 3,300 books were banned in the 2022-23 school year, up from around 2,500 the year beofre. The more startling statistic she mentions, originally reported in the Washington Post, is that over 60% of the thousand-plus books they studied were filed by eleven people. Think about that. The characters in Levy's book point out that the books the feature LGBTQ+ content, deal with racism, mental illness, death, and other difficult topics that often draw bans, are the very ones that provide a lifeline to kids whose lives mirror them.

[Martha Bode · Rating 5 out of 5]

Middle school book club tackles book banning in an excellent YA novel that is timely and sadly very reflective of today’s book banning crisis. Yes, it is a crisis when a handful of parents can restrict what other kids can read. Even fictionalized, It’s especially telling when a large number of the challenged books are written by or about marginalized groups. As one of the characters in this YA novel points out not all classics have to be by dead white guys. Thumbs up for tackling a very touchy subject set in middle school without being condescending. I felt the anxiety for this group of kids trying to right a wrong in their school. Enjoyable and recommended. If you are concerned about book banning, this is a good book for both the young and adult reader.



I had a few minor quibbles in the tone — sometimes a YA novel sounds as if it would benefit from a teen review in addition to a professional editor to ensure the voice and vocabulary from the age was realistic. I mean, how many 8th graders quote Oprah or use the term ‘photograph’ ? Just a suggestion :)

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for an Advanced Review Copy of this book

I wanted to enjoy this book more than I ultimately did. Sure, as a Youth Services Librarian who lives in a state with major book banning attempts, I see myself in both the students wanting justice and in the librarian herself. It's ultimately a book that teaches kids what can happen when they take a stand. Sometimes the ultimate outcome doesn't occur but change still happens.

However, I found that there were two many characters in this book. Problem with having a bookclub that is vibrant and has many students. LOL As a result, I was getting some people mixed up. I cared about some and not others. And ultimately it wasn't too shocking who was the first complainer of the books. Because it is always someone who has a "reason" for hating the material (usually indicative of who they are and they are in denial

I know my library will purchase this book and it will be read. I hope educators use it in their libraries!

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly is still mourning the loss of her older brother, but knows she has a place to talk about things in Ms. Lewiston's book club. It is more than a book club; it is a safe place for her and her friends to not only broaden their horizons with books, but be able to have open discussion. When someone complains about the books being read in book club, Ms. Lewiston is suspended and Molly and her friends learn about the book banning movement. With everything else in her life falling apart around her, Molly is determined to bring back Ms. Lewiston and book club. Will Molly and her friends have what it takes to counter the people wanting books banned? Will Molly be able to find her safe place again? A great middle grades read that helps readers to look at the importance of books, activism, and learning for oneself. Highly recommend this book for class and home libraries.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Bethea Scovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the middle school characters in the book are going through their own life issues, they find solace in their school book club. When the club is disbanded, the friends work together to find out who is behind it and why. Throughout the book, there is mention of popular middle school age books that have been banned and the reasons why. This is an important book to bring to light the realities behind book banning. It’s also a good book about middle school issues and friendships, and the realities of growing up.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. Molly and her group of friends were fun characters and the side stories were good. There were some parts of the book I feel could have been more succinct and others that should have been expanded. All in all, 4 stars.

Thank you to #NetGalley for an eARC of #NotAnotherBannedBook by #DanaAlisonLevy in exchange for honest feedback.