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Same Page
From the beloved author of Hidden Truths comes a novel about take-charge sixth grader Bess Stein, who brings together friends and a group of rockstar librarians called the Book Warriors to fight a book ban happening at her middle school.
Bess Stein is more than ready to be 6th grade class president. She's got tons of ideas—including a book vending machine—and her new friend June is beside her as vice-president. Together, they're unstoppable.
But when the books the girls want included in the vending machine come under fire, Bess is stunned. How can one person believe they have the right to decide what other people can read? It turns out that June's mom is leading the fight, and now everything's a mess.
Bess misses June—but she wants to make sure kids who might like these books get the chance to read them, even if it means she and June can't be friends. With such different opinions, will they ever be on the same page?
Bess Stein is more than ready to be 6th grade class president. She's got tons of ideas—including a book vending machine—and her new friend June is beside her as vice-president. Together, they're unstoppable.
But when the books the girls want included in the vending machine come under fire, Bess is stunned. How can one person believe they have the right to decide what other people can read? It turns out that June's mom is leading the fight, and now everything's a mess.
Bess misses June—but she wants to make sure kids who might like these books get the chance to read them, even if it means she and June can't be friends. With such different opinions, will they ever be on the same page?
272 pages, Library Binding
First published January 14, 2025
13 people are currently reading
602 people want to read
About the author
Elly Swartz
6 books222 followersElly Swartz is the award-winning author of seven middle grade novels: Finding Perfect, Smart Cookie, Give and Take, Dear Student, Hidden Truths, Same Page and Almost True (2027).
Swartz’s books reflect her commitment to raising awareness about mental health and neurodiversity. Her most recent novel, Same Page, was recommended by The New York Times. Finding Perfect, her debut, was named one of the Best Children’s Books About Mental Health by the Child Mind Institute. Dear Student was recommended by Parents Magazine and won the PA State Award for Middle Grade, and Hidden Truths received starred reviews from Kirkus and School Library Journal, was a Kirkus Best Books of 2023, an Amazon Best Book for November, an Amazon Editors’ pick, and has been nominated for state awards in MA, MO, and NJ.
Swartz travels the country meeting with thousands of students each year to empower their own personal narrative.
Swartz lives in Massachusetts and is happily married with two grown sons, a grandson, and two pups. Connect with her at ellyswartz.com, on Twitter @ellyswartz, and on Instagram, Bluesky, or Threads @ellyswartzbooks.
Swartz’s books reflect her commitment to raising awareness about mental health and neurodiversity. Her most recent novel, Same Page, was recommended by The New York Times. Finding Perfect, her debut, was named one of the Best Children’s Books About Mental Health by the Child Mind Institute. Dear Student was recommended by Parents Magazine and won the PA State Award for Middle Grade, and Hidden Truths received starred reviews from Kirkus and School Library Journal, was a Kirkus Best Books of 2023, an Amazon Best Book for November, an Amazon Editors’ pick, and has been nominated for state awards in MA, MO, and NJ.
Swartz travels the country meeting with thousands of students each year to empower their own personal narrative.
Swartz lives in Massachusetts and is happily married with two grown sons, a grandson, and two pups. Connect with her at ellyswartz.com, on Twitter @ellyswartz, and on Instagram, Bluesky, or Threads @ellyswartzbooks.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
March 19, 2025
3.5 stars.
December 16, 2024
• 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐒𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐆𝐄
1. If you have ever ran for school president and won, this book will resonate with you!
2. Have you ever faced book banning in school or otherwise? Read how Bess handles it in her hometown.
3. Riding horses is one of Bess’s favorite pastimes. Do you also love everything horses?
4. Has a friend ever betrayed you in a way you weren’t sure you could recover from before? Bess understands. Let’s see how she handles it!
5. Do you enjoy middle grade books with a fantastic message? This one is just right for you!
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Bess Stein is more than ready to be 6th grade class president. She's got tons of ideas—including a book vending machine—and her new friend June is beside her as vice-president. Together, they're unstoppable.
But when the books the girls want included in the vending machine come under fire, Bess is stunned. How can one person believe they have the right to decide what other people can read? It turns out that June's mom is leading the fight, and now everything's a mess.
Bess misses June—but she wants to make sure kids who might like these books get the chance to read them, even if it means she and June can't be friends. With such different opinions, will they ever be on the same page?
1. If you have ever ran for school president and won, this book will resonate with you!
2. Have you ever faced book banning in school or otherwise? Read how Bess handles it in her hometown.
3. Riding horses is one of Bess’s favorite pastimes. Do you also love everything horses?
4. Has a friend ever betrayed you in a way you weren’t sure you could recover from before? Bess understands. Let’s see how she handles it!
5. Do you enjoy middle grade books with a fantastic message? This one is just right for you!
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Bess Stein is more than ready to be 6th grade class president. She's got tons of ideas—including a book vending machine—and her new friend June is beside her as vice-president. Together, they're unstoppable.
But when the books the girls want included in the vending machine come under fire, Bess is stunned. How can one person believe they have the right to decide what other people can read? It turns out that June's mom is leading the fight, and now everything's a mess.
Bess misses June—but she wants to make sure kids who might like these books get the chance to read them, even if it means she and June can't be friends. With such different opinions, will they ever be on the same page?
November 21, 2024
I really enjoyed this book, which turned out to have many interesting layers!
The main one was, of course, was about book banning in a school library.The author did a great job of showing the obvious cons of banning, as well as stressing the importance of respecting other people’s opinions when making points.
Another subject was bullying, which in this book also manifested itself as anti-semitism. The main character, Bess, is Jewish, and proud of her heritage. She is understandably upset when a friend keeps silent while such remarks are made. This same child doesn’t stand up for herself, either, not to mean girls or her own overbearing mother, which Bess cannot understand.
This book should be in all classrooms. Book banning and censorship are very timely subjects, making novels such as this one all the more important.
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
The main one was, of course, was about book banning in a school library.The author did a great job of showing the obvious cons of banning, as well as stressing the importance of respecting other people’s opinions when making points.
Another subject was bullying, which in this book also manifested itself as anti-semitism. The main character, Bess, is Jewish, and proud of her heritage. She is understandably upset when a friend keeps silent while such remarks are made. This same child doesn’t stand up for herself, either, not to mean girls or her own overbearing mother, which Bess cannot understand.
This book should be in all classrooms. Book banning and censorship are very timely subjects, making novels such as this one all the more important.
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
February 22, 2025
Bess Stein can’t wait to be the sixth grade class president. She’s got her new friend June (that she met at summer camp) with her as vice president, and they’re excited about the book vending machine that is coming to their school. But when one parent sparks a movement about what books should and should not be in the vending machine, Bess and June’s friendship (and presidencies) are no longer smooth-sailing, especially because that parent is June’s mom!
A most important book for middle grade readers that I’m excited to add to my classroom library. Possible discussion topics include:
•Finding the courage to speak up and share your voice with others.
•Doing the right thing, even when others don’t agree.
•The importance of self-care, including meditation to help cope with anxiety.
•The power that animals have to support our mental health.
A most important book for middle grade readers that I’m excited to add to my classroom library. Possible discussion topics include:
•Finding the courage to speak up and share your voice with others.
•Doing the right thing, even when others don’t agree.
•The importance of self-care, including meditation to help cope with anxiety.
•The power that animals have to support our mental health.
September 30, 2024
Bess met June at summer camp and is sure that their new friendship is off to a solid start. So much so that the girls run for class president and vice president once school gets started and win. Time to set the world on fire, the two of them! But right off the bat, the book vending machine that was part of their election platform stirs up controversy when a parent decides that some of the books in it are not appropriate for kids. What parent? June’s mom!
The stage is set for friendship drama, family disagreements, and learning to stand up for what you believe in a proactive, non-violent and effective way and, as with books like DEAR STUDENT, SMART COOKIE and HIDDEN TRUTHS, Elly Swartz does so in a way that rings true to the middle grade life seen in schools everywhere. Readers will connect with Bess as some of her best friends begin to find other interests and relationships change and certainly will understand her anxiety when her dog disappears. The book censorship issue is certainly in the news and regardless of whether students are seeing it play out on their campuses, SAME PAGE should get them thinking about the “what ifs” and help them form their own opinions about this important topic.
Text is free of profanity, violence (except that which is done to a stack of “controversial” books) and no sexual content. Representation: Both sides of the book banning subject with those supporting book removal being portrayed primarily with a somewhat irrational voice but also with a few townspeople who are friendly with Bess’ family and generally viewed as thoughtful. Bess’ friends/classmates include Black, Hispanic and other under-represented groups.
Thanks for the eARC, Edelweiss.
The stage is set for friendship drama, family disagreements, and learning to stand up for what you believe in a proactive, non-violent and effective way and, as with books like DEAR STUDENT, SMART COOKIE and HIDDEN TRUTHS, Elly Swartz does so in a way that rings true to the middle grade life seen in schools everywhere. Readers will connect with Bess as some of her best friends begin to find other interests and relationships change and certainly will understand her anxiety when her dog disappears. The book censorship issue is certainly in the news and regardless of whether students are seeing it play out on their campuses, SAME PAGE should get them thinking about the “what ifs” and help them form their own opinions about this important topic.
Text is free of profanity, violence (except that which is done to a stack of “controversial” books) and no sexual content. Representation: Both sides of the book banning subject with those supporting book removal being portrayed primarily with a somewhat irrational voice but also with a few townspeople who are friendly with Bess’ family and generally viewed as thoughtful. Bess’ friends/classmates include Black, Hispanic and other under-represented groups.
Thanks for the eARC, Edelweiss.
Read
October 24, 2024Same Page by Elly Swartz felt like it was written just for me: a book lover, someone who struggles with stress and anxiety, someone with a family backstory and someone who wants to leave a positive mark on the world. But this book is not just for me. It’s for EVERYONE. It follows Bess Stein, her friends and a group of rockstar librarians called The Book Warriors as they fight against book-banning. In it, we learn what book-banning might feel like from a child’s point of view and learn how we might appropriately fight for our rights from a group of caring advocates. We also learn what it’s like to feel anxious in different ways and how we can use meditation, mindfulness and my favorite…kindness meditations to help. It’s also about friendships, how they change and how we can hold onto the friends we already have while also learning, growing and expanding our friendship circles, too. Plus, it’s about families in all of their complexity and how those families impact who we are, what we believe about ourselves and how we show up in the world. It’s everything and there is a place for every reader to find a home in this book.
December 31, 2024
With a rapidly approaching mid-January release date, Same Page by Elly Swartz is a middle grade novel that should definitely be on your radar or perhaps even pre-ordered already from your favorite local indie bookstore!
I found myself highlighting passages, and marking down topics. This book will make a fantastic book club or read aloud title because it inspires so many possibilities of layers of rich discussion. This includes, but is not limited to: the Book Warriors messages, the meditations to deal with anxiety, the power of pets in regards to our mental well-being, the ponderings of whether you can be friends with or love somebody who disagrees with you in massive ways, the concepts of how change occurs, and how to stand up for things whether or not you see results right away, and the importance of controlling what you actually CAN control.
Additionally, there’s friendship situations and a friend’s crush worthy older brother added into the mix that conveys realistic day-to-day middle school life in a way that readers will relate to and appreciate.
I always find myself engaged in the stories and lives of Elly’s characters, as well as beyond grateful both to have read the words myself and to have her books in the world for our students to read.
October 21, 2024
Another fantastic book about a timely topic by an amazing author. Beth is thrilled that the PTO funded their book vending machine. When she goes in one day she notices some books are missing. She’s told that someone complained about the books, and Bess finds out her good friend June’s mom made the complaint. She gets mad at June for not telling her, but June says I can’t go against my mom. Bess has a plan to start a book club for all books being challenged, but is told no by the principal. Bess meets with a book group who want to fight for kids’ rights to read books they want. Bess wants to leave some challenged books around town but not everyone lets her do that. She decides to get a group to go to a school board meeting to speak the truth about books and show people why these challenged books are important for people to read. What happens?
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
January 21, 2025
Book Warriors Unite!
📚
Bess Stein wins the 6th grade election for class president and immediately gets her book vending machine installed alongside her new friend and vice president, June. But when some of the books get removed for being inappropriate, Bess can’t believe it and quickly joins in the fight to get them put back. The biggest voice against the books ends up being Bess’s new friend, June’s mom. The girls end up on opposite sides of the issue and Bess wonders if they’ll ever be on the same page.
📚
We’ve had a couple of YA books about book banning, but having middle grade representation is equally as important, which is why I’m so happen ES wrote this title. I want to use this with students for a #bookclub and plan on adding it to our 25-26 Battle of the Books. Elly nails it every time, but as a librarian I’m partial to this one 😉
CW: antisemitism, gaslighting, religious bigotry, child abuse
📚
Bess Stein wins the 6th grade election for class president and immediately gets her book vending machine installed alongside her new friend and vice president, June. But when some of the books get removed for being inappropriate, Bess can’t believe it and quickly joins in the fight to get them put back. The biggest voice against the books ends up being Bess’s new friend, June’s mom. The girls end up on opposite sides of the issue and Bess wonders if they’ll ever be on the same page.
📚
We’ve had a couple of YA books about book banning, but having middle grade representation is equally as important, which is why I’m so happen ES wrote this title. I want to use this with students for a #bookclub and plan on adding it to our 25-26 Battle of the Books. Elly nails it every time, but as a librarian I’m partial to this one 😉
CW: antisemitism, gaslighting, religious bigotry, child abuse
May 7, 2025
Bess's sixth grade year is going to be great: she's elected to class president, with her new friend June serving as her second-in-command, and she's got plans to put a panini press in the lunchroom and a book vending machine in the hallway. But after she selects the books, she learns that there is a parent who has challenged some of her selection -- and even worse, it's June's mom. Bess feels betrayed by June, who won't stand up to her mom, and fired up that anyone would want to ban books that teach important history.
This book models some great skills: learning to speak up for what's right (and speaking up for yourself), practicing lovingkindness through meditation, understanding nuance and moderation, joining with others even when they are different. I loved that the characters celebrated reading broadly and diversely. I loved Bess's supportive family. I really felt for June and thought the author could have fleshed out her story even more, but we do come to see a lot of her growth by the end of the book.
If I had one complaint, it was that I kind of wish her mom hadn't been painted so clearly as a villain, all the way down to her "just desserts" ending.
This book models some great skills: learning to speak up for what's right (and speaking up for yourself), practicing lovingkindness through meditation, understanding nuance and moderation, joining with others even when they are different. I loved that the characters celebrated reading broadly and diversely. I loved Bess's supportive family. I really felt for June and thought the author could have fleshed out her story even more, but we do come to see a lot of her growth by the end of the book.
If I had one complaint, it was that I kind of wish her mom hadn't been painted so clearly as a villain, all the way down to her "just desserts" ending.
October 29, 2024
Bess is passionate about reading. So when she and one of her best friends win President and Vice President of the sixth grade, they get the PTA to fund a book vending machine for the students. It's a hit with most people, but one person complains and gets many of the books removed for review. When Bess finds out that it's June's mom who complained, she feels betrayed. With a group of locals, she does everything in her power to get the books reinstated. But will it be enough?
I wouldn't really have picked this up on my own, mostly because it's a middle grade book, but the publisher sent me a copy, so here we are. This book was an easy, entertaining, and quick read. The "bad guy" was one note, but mostly it was great!
I wouldn't really have picked this up on my own, mostly because it's a middle grade book, but the publisher sent me a copy, so here we are. This book was an easy, entertaining, and quick read. The "bad guy" was one note, but mostly it was great!
December 29, 2024
This is a sweet little middle grade book that tackles the threat of book banning for a younger audience.
When 6th grade class president Bess starts a book vending machine in her school library, she is excited to share books that represent all of her very different fellow classmates. She never expected that the books would be challenged, and that the main challenger would be her new best friend’s mom.
There are great themes in here for finding your voice, being brave, and speaking out for what is important to you, but also finding acceptance for things (and people) you can’t change, and wondering if/how you can love people whose views are very different from yours.
**I received a free review copy from the publisher.
When 6th grade class president Bess starts a book vending machine in her school library, she is excited to share books that represent all of her very different fellow classmates. She never expected that the books would be challenged, and that the main challenger would be her new best friend’s mom.
There are great themes in here for finding your voice, being brave, and speaking out for what is important to you, but also finding acceptance for things (and people) you can’t change, and wondering if/how you can love people whose views are very different from yours.
**I received a free review copy from the publisher.
April 8, 2025
Same Page
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 5.71/10 overall
Characters - 6
Atmosphere - 6
Writing - 5
Plot - 6
Intrigue - 6
Logic - 6
Enjoyment - 5
Overall Thoughts:
I hate to say it, but this book disappointed me. I had high hopes coming into this and it just didn't hit. I found the writing style to be very repetitive with lots of rather unnecessary details. The story itself also fell flat for me. The ending also felt rushed and seemed to resolve everything with very little fanfare or payoff. I was hoping this could be one of my next big favorites, but it was just meh. :/
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 5.71/10 overall
Characters - 6
Atmosphere - 6
Writing - 5
Plot - 6
Intrigue - 6
Logic - 6
Enjoyment - 5
Overall Thoughts:
I hate to say it, but this book disappointed me. I had high hopes coming into this and it just didn't hit. I found the writing style to be very repetitive with lots of rather unnecessary details. The story itself also fell flat for me. The ending also felt rushed and seemed to resolve everything with very little fanfare or payoff. I was hoping this could be one of my next big favorites, but it was just meh. :/
Currently reading
July 5, 2025This book raises a lot of valuable points about the importance of offering diverse books that can serve a diverse readership. One example is when Bess's friend June dismissed the removal of books from the vending machine.
June proposed a list of replacement books, and Bess pointed out the books June was proposing weren't the same kinds of books as the books that were removed from the vending machine. June asked Bess, "Why do you even care so much? I mean, most of the books that were pulled aren't even about kids like us."
Bess in reply told June she was missing the point. "The point isn't about having only books that are like us. It's about having books that are like everyone!"
One area that concerned me was when Bess's mother resorted to tone policing, telling Bess that "No matter how angry or frustrated you get, raising your voice and yelling accomplishes nothing and only serves to move the conversation away from the point you're making toward the way you're making it."
Dictionary.com defines Tone policing as "a conversational tactic that dismisses the ideas being communicated when they are perceived to be delivered in an angry, frustrated, sad, fearful, or otherwise emotionally charged manner."
And Wikipedia identifies tone policing as a type of ad hominem. "Ignoring the truth or falsity of a statement, a tone argument instead focuses on the emotion with which it is expressed. This is a logical fallacy because a person can be angry while still being rational."
Tone policing surfaced again later in the story when a shop owner told Bess that she didn't like Bess's tone and it concerned me that throughout this book, the tone policing went unchallenged.
June proposed a list of replacement books, and Bess pointed out the books June was proposing weren't the same kinds of books as the books that were removed from the vending machine. June asked Bess, "Why do you even care so much? I mean, most of the books that were pulled aren't even about kids like us."
Bess in reply told June she was missing the point. "The point isn't about having only books that are like us. It's about having books that are like everyone!"
One area that concerned me was when Bess's mother resorted to tone policing, telling Bess that "No matter how angry or frustrated you get, raising your voice and yelling accomplishes nothing and only serves to move the conversation away from the point you're making toward the way you're making it."
Dictionary.com defines Tone policing as "a conversational tactic that dismisses the ideas being communicated when they are perceived to be delivered in an angry, frustrated, sad, fearful, or otherwise emotionally charged manner."
And Wikipedia identifies tone policing as a type of ad hominem. "Ignoring the truth or falsity of a statement, a tone argument instead focuses on the emotion with which it is expressed. This is a logical fallacy because a person can be angry while still being rational."
Tone policing surfaced again later in the story when a shop owner told Bess that she didn't like Bess's tone and it concerned me that throughout this book, the tone policing went unchallenged.
December 14, 2024
Another fantastic and big-hearted middle grade novel about fighting against book banning, friendship and learning how to overcome fears and anxieties to speak up for what's right.
I loved this story about 6th grade class president, Bess Stein, a young Jewish girl and her best friend and vice president, June who promised to get a book locker for their school and are shocked when some of the books they selected get pulled for 'controversial subject matter.'
Appalled and hurt, Bess fights to get the books reinstated and is hurt when she learns it was June's mother who issued the challenge. With the support of her school librarian and some of her other friends, Bess fights against the censorship to get the diverse books back in the hands of people who need them most.
Tackling some tough topics like anti-Semitism, bullying, anxiety and overall metal health, this was a really timely read and perfect for fans of books like Not another banned book, Banned books, crop tops and other bad influences, Answers in the pages or Jett Jamison and the secret storm.
Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review. This was my first book by author Elly Swartz and I couldn't have enjoyed it more. Books like these are so important in this increasing time of book banning and censorship.
I loved this story about 6th grade class president, Bess Stein, a young Jewish girl and her best friend and vice president, June who promised to get a book locker for their school and are shocked when some of the books they selected get pulled for 'controversial subject matter.'
Appalled and hurt, Bess fights to get the books reinstated and is hurt when she learns it was June's mother who issued the challenge. With the support of her school librarian and some of her other friends, Bess fights against the censorship to get the diverse books back in the hands of people who need them most.
Tackling some tough topics like anti-Semitism, bullying, anxiety and overall metal health, this was a really timely read and perfect for fans of books like Not another banned book, Banned books, crop tops and other bad influences, Answers in the pages or Jett Jamison and the secret storm.
Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review. This was my first book by author Elly Swartz and I couldn't have enjoyed it more. Books like these are so important in this increasing time of book banning and censorship.
September 21, 2024
A phenomenal book by a phenomenal author! Same Page is a book that ALL humans need to read. On the surface, it’s a beautiful story about a young girl, Bess, navigating friendships in 6th grade. But really, it’s so much more than that. Bess is a book lover. She believes that kids can handle more than they’re given credit for and that families can decide what books are right for them, but families should not be making that decision for other families. Bess joins a local group of librarians called the Book Warriors and works to stop book banning in her school. She has to muster up the courage to speak out for what she believes in and learns so many important lessons along the way.
In addition to standing up for libraries, librarians, and books, Bess also helps her friend (and readers) learn how to center themselves with positive thoughts and mindful breathing and also how to speak up, even when staying silent is easier. Bess deals with bullying, antisemitism, and supporting a friend through tough times. This book is such an important one for the world. Thank you, Elly, for another powerful book that will support MG readers as they navigate the world around them.
In addition to standing up for libraries, librarians, and books, Bess also helps her friend (and readers) learn how to center themselves with positive thoughts and mindful breathing and also how to speak up, even when staying silent is easier. Bess deals with bullying, antisemitism, and supporting a friend through tough times. This book is such an important one for the world. Thank you, Elly, for another powerful book that will support MG readers as they navigate the world around them.
November 26, 2024
Bess has just been elected 6th grade President, and one of her election promises was to establish a book vending machine in the school library. On their birthday every student would get a token to choose a free book. She and her friend June, the Vice-President, choose books they think will represent, and appeal, to all the students. Bess is horrified when a parent objects to some of the books and they are removed. She and a group of her friends, plus a group of school librarians, fight to overturn the book ban.
The topic of school book bans is very relevant today, and Bess is a very articulate opponent of book bans and believes that children should be allowed to read what they want, even if the subject matter is difficult or uncomfortable. History happened, and forms the roots that underpin today.
Same Page is more than just a book about banning books, important as that is. It is about friendship, and family. About strength, and the courage to stand up for what you believe in. About jealousy and anxiety, and fear.
The topic of school book bans is very relevant today, and Bess is a very articulate opponent of book bans and believes that children should be allowed to read what they want, even if the subject matter is difficult or uncomfortable. History happened, and forms the roots that underpin today.
Same Page is more than just a book about banning books, important as that is. It is about friendship, and family. About strength, and the courage to stand up for what you believe in. About jealousy and anxiety, and fear.
January 5, 2025
Sixth grader Bess is ready for the best school year ever, but things complicated when books are banned from her school library. She, along with some incredible librarian and book warriors, launch a campaign to stand up for what she believes is right: Students’ access to information and knowledge.
This book offers so much more than the book campaign. It’s about navigating friendships and sibling relationships. It’s about understanding other people’s views and feelings and listening with respect and compassion. It’s about being brave and using your voice for what matters most to you.
It’s evident that Swartz has only respect for her middle grade readers. Her book, Same Page, addresses the hard realities they encounter in middle school and speaks to these issues with a gentle truthfulness by offering a positive light on the roles of supportive parents and teachers, the power of young voices, and the importance of forgiveness. Teachers, there are so many excerpt gems that you’ll want to unpack with your students (and maybe even post in your classrooms!). Get this one in the hands of your middle grade readers!
This book offers so much more than the book campaign. It’s about navigating friendships and sibling relationships. It’s about understanding other people’s views and feelings and listening with respect and compassion. It’s about being brave and using your voice for what matters most to you.
It’s evident that Swartz has only respect for her middle grade readers. Her book, Same Page, addresses the hard realities they encounter in middle school and speaks to these issues with a gentle truthfulness by offering a positive light on the roles of supportive parents and teachers, the power of young voices, and the importance of forgiveness. Teachers, there are so many excerpt gems that you’ll want to unpack with your students (and maybe even post in your classrooms!). Get this one in the hands of your middle grade readers!
March 16, 2025
Elly Swartz has done it again with her latest middle grade book, Same Page. Lines like, “Hate is quiet and wears a cardigan” are many reasons why Swartz stands out as an author. Overall, the book highlights a very important and relevant issue facing our society: the destructive effects of book banning and censorship. And Same Page epitomizes these effects at all levels—from children like the main character Bess, who feels like she has to swallow her own feelings in order to be accepted, to the children of book-banning parents like June, who is afraid to stand up for her friends and what she truly believes in. Then there are the censors themselves, like June’s mom, unknowingly hurting others and denying necessary parts of our history to not have to actually deal with life on a real level. The current challenges our society is facing are rife with these issues, and Same Page is an absolutely needed book, for both children and parents alike. Highly recommended.
December 26, 2024
This book follows two girls who are new friends who are trying to make a difference in their community! They have big ideas for their school and one of them is a book vending machine. The problem…not everyone thinks specific books should be available at the school. The conflict arises when these two girls don’t see eye to eye and in the end one must do some internal soul searching and grow into who she really wants to be.
This was such a sweet book that I feel like was written for me! I chuckled the whole way through because what are the chances the characters name was Bess (my family calls me this), there was a lot of glitter, the girls wanted to be glitter rainbow unicorns for Halloween and Bess meditated all the time. All of these are my favorite things in real life and I tell people all the time I want to be a glitter rainbow unicorn. 😂 Too funny! This book tackles some serious issues too which ranged from bullying, book banning, anxiety, therapy, parents fighting and conflict resolution. Overall, this book is a great book with some wonderful learning lessons!
This was such a sweet book that I feel like was written for me! I chuckled the whole way through because what are the chances the characters name was Bess (my family calls me this), there was a lot of glitter, the girls wanted to be glitter rainbow unicorns for Halloween and Bess meditated all the time. All of these are my favorite things in real life and I tell people all the time I want to be a glitter rainbow unicorn. 😂 Too funny! This book tackles some serious issues too which ranged from bullying, book banning, anxiety, therapy, parents fighting and conflict resolution. Overall, this book is a great book with some wonderful learning lessons!
February 17, 2025
As an adult reading this, the book addresses issues like censorship, freedom of expression, and the impact of book bans. It is relevant and thought provoking.
It takes on the challenges of diversity and friendship, especially when differing opinions arise.
The book also encourages middle-grade readers to weigh in on their own values and the importance of standing up for what’s right and consider how strong the power of their voice can be.
It takes on the challenges of diversity and friendship, especially when differing opinions arise.
The book also encourages middle-grade readers to weigh in on their own values and the importance of standing up for what’s right and consider how strong the power of their voice can be.
June 28, 2025
Well written book that explores book banning and all the nuances that come with it, such as people who you thought were “nice” not agreeing with you , learning to speak your mind without anger, school boards and their power/procedures, and librarians caught in the middle of the book banning battle. But woven into this story are also topics such as strength of families , friendships, bullying, and last but not least, the strong love of a dog.
November 11, 2024
Full of heart and great characters, this one is sure to be a hit with our middle school readers. Bess is a wonderfully complicated character, which makes her completely believable! With the timely topic of book banning combined with middle school friendship drama, this authentic book will capture your heart.
December 31, 2024
Bess Stein is a determined middle-schooler who discovers friendships can be challenging and reading freely isn’t something everyone is in favor of. Same Page by Elly Swartz is a timely, and relevant story readers will enjoy and learn from.
December 27, 2024
There have been a lot of middle grade fiction books about censorship published in 2024, and I feel like this is one of the only ones that kids will actually enjoy and connect with instead of the book being written for an adult audience. Will definitely be recommending.
January 20, 2025
A great book for all to read! Same Page would be a great classroom read aloud. Lots to discuss as a class.
January 16, 2025
I can't accept banning books so when I see a book about fighting for the right to be educated I jump right in. This is a fantastic easy-to-read way of doing what's right and standing for yourself and the community with respect. I love Bess, her kindness, and how she honors her grandmother's memory.
February 2, 2025
In this awesome middle grade novel, friends Bess & June have a new friendship & great ideas for their year as 6th grade class President & Vice President. But their friendship is tested by bullies, families, and book challenges. Elly Swartz fills this must read with authentic characters, issues & themes. This book is important as it shows the love of books that is under fire in our world today. I rooted for Bess, June, their friends & families as their choices are challenged. An incredible book!
May 25, 2025
Loved everything about this book! Interesting, authentic characters, compelling story, great pacing, and a nuanced exploration of book banning.
December 5, 2024
ARC provided by NetGalley
Bess meets new 6th grader June during a camping trip meant to help students get to know each other. During the trip, June is bullied by two classmates. Later, as the newly elected 6th-grade president and vice president, Bess and June are thrilled when one of their campaign ideas—a book vending machine—comes to life. But their friendship faces a tough challenge when Bess learns that some books were removed from the vending machine because they might make people uncomfortable. Bess decides to stand up for the books, while June stays quiet, hoping to avoid conflict.
With relatable characters and themes like bullying, changing friendships, family struggles, and getting involved in school and community, this story will resonate with middle-grade readers. It’s a great addition to any upper elementary or middle-grade library.
Bess meets new 6th grader June during a camping trip meant to help students get to know each other. During the trip, June is bullied by two classmates. Later, as the newly elected 6th-grade president and vice president, Bess and June are thrilled when one of their campaign ideas—a book vending machine—comes to life. But their friendship faces a tough challenge when Bess learns that some books were removed from the vending machine because they might make people uncomfortable. Bess decides to stand up for the books, while June stays quiet, hoping to avoid conflict.
With relatable characters and themes like bullying, changing friendships, family struggles, and getting involved in school and community, this story will resonate with middle-grade readers. It’s a great addition to any upper elementary or middle-grade library.
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