Don't Check Out This Book!

by Kate Klise, M. Sarah Klise (Illustrations)

Is the sweet town of Appleton ripe for scandal?

Consider the facts:
       Appleton Elementary School has a new librarian named Rita B. Danjerous. (Say it fast.)
       Principal Noah Memree barely remembers hiring her.
      Ten-year-old Reid Durr is staying up way too late reading a book from Ms. Danjerous's controversial "green dot" collection.
       The new school board president has mandated a student dress code that includes white gloves and bow ties available only at her shop.
 
Sound strange? Fret not. Appleton's fifth-grade sleuths are following the money, embracing the punny, and determined to the get to the funniest, most rotten core of their town's juiciest scandal. Don't miss this seedy saga from the creators of the award-winning Three-Ring Rascals and 43 Old Cemetery Road series!

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Humor, Juvenile, Fiction, Books About Books, Childrens

160 pages, Hardcover

First published March 10, 2020

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Catherine "Kate" Klise is an American author of children's literature. Many of her books are illustrated by her sister, M. Sarah Klise. Their popular Regarding series is presented in a scrapbook style format, with letters, journal entries, and related ephemera telling the story. She is also known for her picture books as well as the bestselling 43 Old Cemetery Road series. Kate Klise's first adult novel, In the Bag, was released in 2012.

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tell Ms. Danjerous she can put her books in the first-floor broom closet. That should be big enough for a library.

Appleton Elementary School just hired a new librarian - Rita B. Danjerous - and she's immediately ruffling feathers.

From her no-nonsense attitude towards sneaky adults, her secret green dot collection and her willingness to do whatever is necessary for her little library - things are getting shaken up. And not everyone is happy about it.

You asked about the green dot collection in the school library. Believe me when I tell you it is far more serious than you or anyone possibly knew.

The Green Dot Collection is disastrously dangerous according to the new head of the school board (Ivana Beprawpa) - kids are allowed to check out books WITHOUT a library card.

Books that are about embarrass topics or things that they don't want others knowing they read can just be picked up willy-nilly and returned whenever.

Ivana Beprawpa is ready to fight against this new librarian in every way possible.

Meanwhile, Rita's daughter - May B Danjerous - is fighting back. She's joined the newspaper club and is making waves with her reporting and her resistance to the school dress code - much to Ivana Beprawpa's despair.

Call me old-fashioned, but I happen to think fishnet gloves are vulgar. No surprise this is the girl whose mother is pushing indecent books.

But like mother, like daughter. And no one is prepared for when Rita and May B team up against the bullies of Appleton.

...this isn't about the money. It's the principle....the uniform policy doesn't stipulate what kind of white gloves the girls must wear.

OH. MY. GOSH.

I LOVED THIS BOOK.

I literally cannot even begin how much I love this book.

It was brilliant. Original. And absolutely fabulous in every single way.

I loved the nontraditional format of this book! The reader pieces together the story through a series of quirky emails, snarky memos and newspaper articles.

It was so fun to find the clues for the plot and I'm already itching for a reread considering how much happened in just a few short pages.

I adored Rita B. Danjerous as a librarian - she was such a fun, quirky and bold character!

And her friendship with the secretary (Gladys Friday) was so adorable. I really enjoyed reading their emails and watch them grow closer and team up against the bullies.

Ivanna Beprawpa was horrible in all the right ways and made for a very satisfying character to hate.

I also loved the love for reading. Rita was so truthful and steadfast with her defense of books that it was truly heartwarming to read her story.

All in all, I adored this book and could not recommend it enough!

I can say without a doubt that when I lost the will to live, books saved me.

A HUGE thank you to Kate Klise, M. Sarah Klise and Algonquin Young Readers for sending a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

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[Jasmine from How Useful It Is · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Very interesting layout and definitely funny. A unique book with original storyline where I have not read or seen one like it. The bow ties are cute. Sarah & May are cool characters and they are sassy with good ideas. Love the illustrations and the broom closet library! I love the details to the newspaper and business letters.


This book started with an email between the school's secretary Gladys and the school's principal Noah about space for the new librarian and her 9 year old daughter in 5th grade. Then the actual newspaper lookalike informing the town of Appleton that they now have a new school board president and the news about the school finally reopen its library after 14 years. As soon as school started, concerns regarding students were among the parents and the school such as books with the green dot collection. Communication are via letters, memos, notes, etc so the book doesn't have the normal chapter layout.


Don't Check Out this Book is highly addictive and a fast paced read! I like that this book encouraged 5th graders to write to the town's newspaper and become reporters so that they can write articles about the happenings in their school/town. I love the humor. One downside is the small font of the newspaper. I like that the librarian and her daughter make their own decisions instead of doing something just because someone wants them to. The villains' troubles are ridiculously entertaining. I'm definitely giving this book to my son to read and I highly recommend everyone to read this book too!

xoxo, Jasmine at www.howusefulitis.wordpress.com for more details

***Many thanks to Algonquin Young Readers for the opportunity to read and review. Please be assured that my opinions are honest.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course, who can’t be tempted to check out a book that tells you otherwise?

I read this in a single sitting, and absolutely enjoyed every moment!

It is told through letters, emails, “news” stories, notes, and other forms of communication and pictures that make this such a delightful 140 page book!

This is probably a “kids” book, but we can all enjoy the messages, the “learning lessons” and the opportunities to celebrate reading that the new librarian gives to us in this little gem of a story!

[Vidya Tiru · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts

Set in the town of Appleton, pop. 83, this is the delightful tale of the Danjerous gals, and is told through emails, memos, newspaper articles, notes, texts, and more. Rita B. Danjerous and her daughter May B Danjerous (note that May’s middle name is simply B) are the newest residents of Appleton.

And the book has it all:

The Wordplay

Every character’s name (as well as the names of places and even the taglines each place uses) is wordplay perfection! Like Cy Durr, who owns an apple orchard, or his son Reid Durr, who soon becomes the library’s biggest borrower, or Reid’s friend, Ben Thinkin. And then we have Ivana Beprawpa – who coats all she does (the mean and the nasty) with a covering of ‘properness.’ One of my favorite characters was Gladys Friday, the school secretary.

Before I continue with the review, I want to include one tagline – this is the one of the First Bank of Appleton – Because Money Doesn’t Go On Trees. I can keep going with the puns and the wordplay sprinkled generously and cleverly all over the book, but I will stop here since it is not just about puns.

And Everything Else

Rita is the new school librarian at Appleton; and they have not had a library for 14 years now. Rita is excited about introducing the kids and adults at Appleton to books (all books, even the ones that we are often told ‘not to read’). And she does so with gusto – using her own collection of books(since the school has none), a broom closet for the library itself, and an old apple barrow to use as a bookmobile!

Her “green dot collection,” includes books that the kids can borrow without using their library card. This is for all those books they always wanted to read, but had not (told not to, shyness, embarrassment, etc). Of course, the kids love this, but the parents – they don’t. While we don’t know the exact books in the green dot collection, everything strongly hints to any number of banned books as well as books with answers to questions kids are too embarrassed to ask others.

I could easily picture all those readers in this book; reading late into the night, using torch lights after bedtime, locking their office doors with Do Not Disturb signs, or well – being me!

All of this late night reading and ‘green dot’ books soon leads to a campaign to fire Rita. The campaign is led by Ivana who is determined to have her say (no matter how foolish or outrageous) and her way (so she can use her power as school president to well, profit).

Will Ivana get her wish, or the powers that be (Dewey A. Proove of the Illinois Board of Education being one of them along with Noah Memree, the forgetful school principal) will choose a different route? Read the book to find out!

Some Last Thoughts

I loved how the book manages to touch upon topics of censorship, standing up against bullies, about banned books, money laundering, investigative journalism, entrepreneurship, newspaper reporting, politics and corruption, finance management, helping friends in need, and about the love of reading what you want! It does so in ways totally not-preachy(love when that happens), perfect for the audience and keeps the reader engaged and LOL throughout! And of course, I loved, loved, loved the wordplay!!!

Last but not least, Sarah Klise’s illustrations add to and complement the storytelling delightfully making this book a must-have and a must-read.

In Summary

From the very first pun(oops, word) to that last one, or actually, from the title itself and the beautiful dedication to the heartfelt acknowledgements, this book is totally wor(d)th it. Read every word and this book is so much fun that you will be done before you realize it! Everyone will love the good wins eventually message, the hilarious puns and wordplay, and be encouraged to read more.

Simply put – Check Out This Delightful Book, Now!!! (or Don’t – for those who will because I say don’t!)

Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for the eARC of the book; and thanks again to Algonquin Young Readers for inviting me on this blog tour for ‘Don’t Check Out This Book.’

[Cameron Chaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this! Such a cute, middle grade epistolary novel about elementary school scandals and banned books, plus lots of adorable puns. I needed a book like this!

[Lindsi (Do You Dog-ear?) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

Don't Check Out This Book! was something I read in a single sitting while putting the girls down for a nap (it usually takes about 45 minutes before they're completely conked out). I hadn't anticipated finishing this one so quickly, but the story was short and interesting, which made for a speedy read. The formatting helped too, since it's mostly told with letters, notes, and emails.

When books include emails, I skim the headers and whatnot and jump to the juicy bits. It starts to feel repetitive after awhile, and this one was no different. When people respond to emails, the subject line gets longer and longer, and then you're dragging your feet through barely-altered information. I liked how it looked, but it was unimportant to my reading experience. I sort of wish I'd read this one with my son, and plan to do so at some point in the future. I think he'd really like it!

I thought the concept of the Green Dot Collection was amazing, and liked that it encouraged children to read books that were about important (if somewhat embarrassing) topics. They could borrow the books without officially checking them out (honor system), which is brilliant. You're showing them that they can be trusted, and it teaches responsibility and accountability. Additionally, this method allows students to educate themselves without the hassle of discussing something they're not comfortable with, and I think all schools should employ similar strategies. Kids still need access to the information they're too embarrassed to ask about.

Large portions of the story felt too simple, even knowing this book was meant for a younger audience. There are a lot of really great points made throughout the book, but the delivery was often unremarkable. I wish we'd seen more from the children's perspectives, and less from a very irritating female character (she's the worst). I think having more younger voices would make this book more relatable for children, even though they'll likely have no trouble following along.

Don't Check Out This Book! encourages kids to ask questions, and to occasionally challenge the rules when they don't make sense (investigate, make smart choices). It shows children how to educate themselves and pursue topics they're passionate about. They shouldn't feel limited by what they're comfortable sharing with an adult. I think a lot of kids will resonate with these characters and what they're going through, but nothing about this book made it stand out. If I saw this book a few months from now, I probably wouldn't be able to recall anything specific about its contents. (★★★⋆☆)

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[Fizah(Books tales by me) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for giving me a chance to participate in this blog tour.

Don’t we all know that feeling when we get fed up of adult books and want to read Middle grade? Well, it is me. Sometimes I just want to read simple and basic stories, want to live my childhood again, want to revisit all those simple, innocent but important morals we are forgetting day by day.

This book is one of the cutest books, I’ve ever read, from unique format to cute handwritings, from little kids to mean adults, from showing dark reality in a humorous way to just pure humour. I read it in one sitting, it was quick and easy to read, made me laugh, well also sad a couple of time.

I love the efforts put in illustrations, detailings were perfect and witty one-liners were so fun to read. Moral of the story was also so beautiful.

If you have kids or you love to read children/middle-grade book. Just give it a try, you are gonna enjoy it.

[L. | That_Bookdragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️

Thank you so much to Algonquin Young Reader for providing me with a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest opinion!

I was very lucky to be chosen by the publisher for their blog tour and let me tell you, this book is fantastic. Told through newspaper clips, emails and other business letters (Illuminae format, y’all are going to love it!), this story is one of scandals and banned books. Funny and gripping, I loved the message behind it. It is a tale of standing up against bullies who try to impose senseless rules and the power of reading the books we want to read and love them for what they are! It’s a really fast-paced read that is sure to really entertain you and make you think. The humour is ON POINT, the illustrations adorable and omg the sarcasm in it is 👌🏼 So definitely go Check It Out (see what I did there hehe) and grab yourself a copy!

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[Leah (Jane Speare) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is pure fun, I loved every page! Written through letters, emails, and newspaper articles, this middle grade book tackles censorship, dress codes, and promotes activism in young children. Heck, it got me pumped to call some people out! Adult readers will get the tongue in cheek humor, kids will just laugh out loud: everyone will enjoy the puns on every page. If you're looking for something to bring a smile to your face, Don't Check Out This Book is the perfect one!

I received a comp copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun that I ate it up the moment I downloaded it, and couldn't stop.

Told in memos, letters, and newspaper articles, this is about Rita B. Dangerous, the new school marm, I mean new school librarian at a small down in the American heartland, where apples seems to be what it is known for.

She has modern views, such as kids should read what interests them, and this rubs the school board, made up of one woman, the wrong way.

I love how the fifth graders figure out what is going on, and how Rita worms her way into everyones hearts with her book choices for them.

Fun. Quick. I think kids will love this book, and even though it is a bit of a simple plot, I love how the boys are interested in sewing, and illustration, and the girls want to be writers and reporters.

Highly recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Christi M · Rating 4 out of 5]

To say the town of Appleton, Illinois is a bit unique would be an understatement. It’s not because their elementary school has no librarian, although that is a bit different. Instead, it’s that their school has no books. They used to have books, but they were all thrown out due to mold. Now, the “When All Else Fails Grant” has given them the money to hire a new librarian and luckily for them she brings her own books. However, she puts a green dot on some of the books, which causes quite a stir in the town.

Like the town of Appleton, Don’t Check Out This Book is also unique. Told in the form of memos, texts, emails, local newspaper articles, and letters we read the story of the new world Ms. Danjerous, the librarian, brings to the town contrasted against the old-fashioned ideas of the School Board President – Ivana Beprawpa. The story is also full of fun word-plays, such as the character’s names, which correlates to who they are in the story. One example, Cy Durr, is the owner of the apple orchard.

Young readers will probably be very intrigued by the format and layout of the story. I know I would have at that age. Overall, the story a very quick read and I suspect young readers will really feel a sense of accomplishment as they read through each email and letter quickly. The green dot book collection was also an interesting idea – books that are too scary or weird that kids can read without having to check it out of the library.

Thanks to Algonquin Young Readers for the advanced reader copy and opportunity to provide an honest review.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
I requested this book but was able to check out a physical copy from my library before the request was approved. So I am reviewing the hard back book.
I loved this book! The pun-named characters were hilarious. The layout of the book was fun in that the story was told through emails, newspaper articles, texts, and letters. Everything about this book was creative and very clever.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't Check Out This Book by Kate Klise, illustrated by M. Sarah Klise 160 pages. Algonquin Young Readers (Workman Publishuing) 2020 $17.00 Content: G.

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

A new librarian has started work at Appleton Elementary School! It's been a while since they've had a librarian - in fact the library is currently full of old desks and chairs so the librarian must set up the library in a closet. The favorite books are those with Green Dots - you don't have to check them out, just borrow them and return them when you are ready - a bit unusual, but the librarian feels these might be books the students want but are shy about checking out. The President of the School board doesn't like it! In fact, she would like to have the librarian fired. Good thing there are a few 5th graders who are investigative reporters - they'll get to the bottom of what is really happening.

In typical Kate and Sarah Klise style, "Don't Check Out This Book" is told in letters and notes and memos. I loved the people's names referred to either their personality or job - the librarian is Rita B. Danjerous, and the guy who owns the apple orchard is Cy Durr. Nevertheless, an entertaining read with a lot of humor and a lovely nod to librarians.

Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...

[Kathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this story, and the unique way in which it's written. It's told in emails, letters, memos, and newspaper articles. It's also extremely funny. A new librarian, Rita B. Danjerous, is hired at Appleton Elementary School. The inept principal, Noah Memree, doesn't even remember hiring her. She brings her own books with her, including the green dot collection that students can borrow without checking them out and deal with topics that kids might be embarrassed to ask about. When the one and only school board member, Ivana Beprawpa, finds out that students are staying up late reading, she starts a campaign to deal with this unconventional librarian and her dress code-breaking daughter. But Ivana has other problems to deal with, like an outstanding loan that needs to be repaid, and soon her desperation leads her to take extreme measures (like buying thousands of dollars of pickles to resell to students) and force change that backfires on her.

This is a short, quick, light, funny read that I think young readers would love.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I completely lack impartiality when it comes to books by this duo. I grew up reading their books and when I found out there was a new one out, I was so excited to read it. These stories may be simple but I just love the way Kate and M. Sarah tell a story. This was everything I wanted from this new book and I will continue to read anything they put out.

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, I love librarians. And books! Especially banned books! This brought me back to my childhood, and I was HERE for it.

[Danielle Hammelef · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with puns and word play, this fast read is told in series of letters, emails, and notes which I found refreshing and fun. Lots of illustrations throughout to break up the text and add to the humor.

[Penny Peck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another funny and clever tween novel from the Klise sisters, filled with letters, memos, drawings, and other unusual elements to appeal to reluctant readers. In a small town, the new librarian alienates the school board president who wants to ban books (and make money selling school uniforms). The child characters are great, as are the adults to are often the focus of the plot. Even though I am a school board member I wasn't the least offended by the character, who is a great villain (reminded me of a former trustee). Kids in grades 4-7 will find this humorous.

[Nostalgia Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appleton Elementary is a tiny school, barely meeting its quota of 20 students, and has a new librarian, Rita B. Danjerous, who has created a “Green Dot” collection, which students can simply take from, without worrying about checking out. These books are about topics that students want to know about, but might be too embarrassed to ask for, or uncertain about. The new school board president, Ivanna Beproper, has no cred to be in that position, but is there nonetheless and is taking issue with the dangerous idea of books being used to help students (and staff!) learn things.

What follows is a great showing of the students and staff working together to overthrow Beproper’s hypocritical reign over the school, and stand up for the library and, by proxy, free information and learning itself.

When I was in grade school, I fondly remember reading Kate and Sarah Klise’s “Regarding the…” series, and loved the unique presentation and puns and all around blend of absurdity and call to action of the books.

Don’t Check Out This Book! has the same unique presentation and style I loved then and still love now–the story is told through letters, emails, memos, notes, and a variety of other correspondences–and the wonderful puns, which I “get” even more now. The call to action in this book is one that I can fully approve of–challenge those in power when they’re obviously manipulating the system, and stay informed through reading! It’s always a relevant message, but even more so these days.

I do wish there had been a list of the author’s own “Green Dot” collection or recommended readings, to give us a true idea of what kinds of topics were supposedly covered by the collection. But apart from that, the book was everything I expected it to be, a perfect mixture of wit, mystery, and inspiration!

Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for providing me with a free copy to review!

(Cross posted on my blog.)

[Wendi Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mixed media middle grade book was a delightful collection of emails, notes, and newspaper articles about a tiny school and a rebel librarian who comes in, introducing the kids (and some adults) to the joy of reading. Of course, reading can also be seen as dangerous, and the adults in charge are immediately leery of the new "green dot" book collection.

I really enjoyed this book. I'm all for dangerous reading and not following the status quo, and found the exchanges between characters delightfully funny!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

[Zaira's Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers for the chance to be on the blog tour for Don't Check This Book Out!

Quick Thoughts
-So many puns! I especially loved figuring out the 'punny' names of all the characters. It took an embarrassingly long time to figure out what the villain's name meant...
-The structure the book is written is so fun! It's told through letters, memos, text messages, email, and newspaper clippings. It made for a fast and hilarious read.

Lasting Impressions

I loved the mixture of humor with the serious theme of censorship in this book. The way it's addressed is fun and positive, and I believe kids will catch onto it quickly. It's also so purely pro-librarian, which I adored. I really wish there'd been a green-dot collection when I was young!

I also loved seeing the fifth graders lean into their hobbies and strengths! The boys who love making bow ties and the girls who are journalist/sleuths will inspire anyone to work hard at things they love to do.

Overall Feelings

This fun and hilarious book had me cracking up at every page. Recommended for pun-lovers and those who want to delve into the themes of censorship with a little humor.

[Nicole M. Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction

Don’t Check Out This Book! is a fun, tongue-in-cheek exploration of the serious issue of censorship. The story is told in an epistolary format, completely through emails, newspaper articles, notes, etc. It follows the travails of the new school librarian at a tiny school (in my home state of Illinois). Rita B. Danjerous (yep, all the names in this book are puns—it’s quite fun) has some wild ideas about books, mainly that kids should have free and easy access to them, even to those books that might be about more embarrassing topics kids are curious about but may not necessarily want to openly talk about. But she comes up against a whole lot of opposition, especially in the form of the new school board president (Ivana Beprawpa—read it fast. Hint, she’s very concerned with raising up kids who are “proper”).

But Ms. Danjerous starts to win people over in her town with the power of her books! The format of this book works incredibly well. We get to know the various characters through their notes and through interviews in the newspaper (which are sometimes written by kids at the school). The humorous names and circumstances will keep kids entertained while they learn about standing up for themselves and winning people over with kindness (and firmness), not with negativity. And while things get tied up perhaps a little too neatly, I love that the kids take things into their own hands and really get involved. In the end, the kids solve most of the problems themselves with a little boost from their favorite librarian.

Don’t Check Out This Book! is thoroughly entertaining!

***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars! Thank you to the publisher for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This story had me grinning from page one! It was full of fun, puns and fighting for what’s right. It’s all about a caring librarian who wants what’s best for her kids, even if it means going against the school board and the principal. She’s all about finding the most enticing book for her students; one that will lead them to staying up way way past their bedtime or one which enables them to research topics questioned by the school board president. (my kind of librarian!!) It’s also about some determined fifth grade sleuths, a caring and supportive school secretary (who actually runs the school, OF COURSE!) and the wacky school board president who is just a wee bit shady.

I flew through this mystery, which is written in a series of letters, notes, texts and newspaper articles. It’s the perfect book for those kids who come into the library asking for a funny book or for the reluctant readers who aren’t really sure they’ll ever find a book they like. I’m certain almost anyone in grades 3+ will have a great time curling up with this story and being transported to the craziness of Appleton, Illinois, population of 83! Librarians you’ll want to pre-order now! It’s available 3.10.20.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

The talented Klise sisters are at it again! This witty and creative love letter to librarians is written in the epistolary format that Kate and M. Sarah Klise are known for: memos, emails, letters, news articles, sticky notes, texts, and illustrations all come together to tell a brilliant, relevant story. I always have loved their knack for punny names, such as May B Dangerous, Gladys Friday, and Reid Durr. The book follows events in the very small town of Appleton, Illinois, whose population has diminished so much that they are one student away from closing the school. The arrival of that student, and her mother, the new librarian, as well as the rein of a new school board president, set off a hilarious chain of events that touch on topics such as political corruption, investigative journalism, gender stereotypes, financial responsibility, and banned books - all in 162 pages, and with plenty of laughs! I look forward to sharing this book with my students!

Thanks to #NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this wonderfully subversive book!

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this out loud with the boys (8 and 11) who enjoyed it immensely. We passed the book around and took turns reading. I loved the format of this book. The story is told entirely through communications - e-mail, instant message, letters, and newspaper. It's very cute and full of clever puns.

I didn't give it a higher rating because in the end it was very black and white with heroes who could do no wrong and villains with no redeeming qualities. I require more subtlety to give a higher rating - imperfect heroes and villains I can sympathize with. Too bad this fell short, because I really did love the creative delivery. It could have been amazing with better character development (they were all very 2D and cliché) and more subtlety.

[Shakera · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the small town of Appleton, the elementary school is coming under pressure due to low enrollment. The principal to the rescue! He’s hired a new school librarian who has daughter starting the fifth grade, hey! You only need 20 students to keep the doors open, and young May makes 20! Yay! There’s a minor detail that’s slightly offputting. The principal doesn’t remember any of this! Thankfully he has a very competent and funny executive assistant extraordinaire in Gladys. Now the bad news, the newly elected school board president has mandated some policies that make everything in the town quite tricky.

The new librarian is Rita B. Danjerous, and she has chosen to supply the non-existent library with her personal library and has a special section called the “Green-Dot Collection.” Ms. Danjerous has done what the school has failed to do, and that is getting kids interested in reading. But, every story has a villain! The school board president is against everything Ms. Danjerous stands for and naturally they bump heads. Who will win?

Told through a series of memos and newspaper articles, this is a funny and adorable story of letting kids know it’s okay to question things and be curious. The characters are well written and interesting. Even the villain is funny. I had some formatting issues towards the end of the book, which made some parts hard to follow. As this was an ARC, I don’t imagine others will have this problem. I enjoyed this book and I think it should be in every library.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's going to be an interesting school year at Appleton Elementary. New School Board President Ivana Beprawpa made uniforms mandatory with the only place to buy them being her shop. They've also got a new School Librarian Rita B. Danjerous who brings with her a mysterious "green dot collection" of books that kids can check out without their library card. Ivana doesn't like that Rita's daughter isn't wearing glove from her shop or that she has the "illicit" book collection and sets up a scheme to get Rita fired. Meanwhile, Ivana is also running short on money and creates a pickle fundraiser that she tries to force on the school.

The punny names in the book absolutely make it. It's written as a series of letters, emails, and memos making for a quick read. The only regret I have about the book is that it never actually tells you the titles of any of the "green dot" collection. I can make guesses, but I'm really curious which books the author thinks would be ones embarrassing to check out or dealing with tougher topics.

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book's story was told in letters, emails, memos, texts, and newspaper articles. It was fun visually. That being said, this was hard for us as a family to get through (read out loud to the kids). The "mystery" was kinda hidden. I understood some of the messages, but the kids not as much. My oldest, 12 years old, asked me "what is this even supposed to be about"? We did have some conversations about conflict of interest and ethics, so that was good. BUT, I had to actually tell them that this was a theme in the book. The kids of course loved all the punny names. So it was fun, just kinda a weird plot/theme.

[Stefani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked up because of the cover, chuckles the entire way through. As a librarian, I fell in love with the punny names and silly storyline. Anyone looking for a light, quick-read for all ages this should be your go to!

[Kai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute one! I felt like the beginning was a little slow, but once it got going, I read 2/3 of it in one sitting. Thoroughly enjoyable. I feel like the lessons woven into the storyline would make this a perfect book to read with your kids. There's also a few things that'll go over the kiddos heads, but will be hilarious to adults.