Banned Books, Crop Tops, and Other Bad Influences

August 1, 2024
Anxious and retiring middle schooler Rose Stern is grateful for her parents and BFF, Charlotte--they're her entire world. But lately she's been wondering if that's enough. Rose's perspective shifts after meeting new student Talia, who's moved from New York City to their small Michigan town. Talia, who's Jewish like Rose, vocally challenges the status quo, even openly questioning their teachers. Rose is in awe. Talia encourages Rose to read a fictionalized account of a Jewish refugee's tragic experience after being denied entry to the U.S. during World War II. Rose, whose father's family lost many people during the Holocaust, is deeply moved but later learns that this book, among others, has been pulled from the school library. She's confused, especially after discovering that Charlotte's mother is playing a role in the book challenges. Rose feels empowered when she, Talia, and a few other marginalized students form the Banned Books Brigade to read and discuss challenged titles. The topic is timely and sensitively handled, and the discussions the kids have allow for a range of responses, including outrage and understanding. As Rose comes into her own, tensions with Charlotte rise. When Charlotte betrays her, Rose's parents' response makes things even worse. The palpable tensions and intensely dramatic emotions feel believable for the age group, setting the scene for a life-changing, life-expanding episode--one in which Rose must find her voice and take charge. A relevant and riveting story of friendship, books, and personal growth. (discussion questions)(Fiction. 8-12)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

March 1, 2025
There's a new student in Rose's eighth-grade class in small-town Michigan -- and she's from New York City. Rose can't believe how mature Talia is, or how brazenly she disrupts the status quo, challenging teachers and wearing dress code-defying clothes. When Talia invites Rose to join a secret "Banned Books Brigade" to protest the recent removal of books from their school library, Rose is hesitant. She knows that neither her parents nor her best friend would approve, and she doesn't want to get into trouble. But her desire to be included and her strong emotional response to one of the challenged books, about a Jewish refugee ship during WWII (Rose and Talia's families are Jewish), convinces her to join the group. Reading the books, and befriending Talia and the other members, encourages Rose to question what her parents and teachers tell her and inspires her to develop her own perspective on what's right -- one that is tested when the club is found out. This nuanced story personalizes the issue of censorship (one of the would -- be banners is Rose's best friend's mom, whom she adores) while also addressing antisemitism and racism (Brigade member Bree is Black). The middle-school friendship dynamics are relatable, as is Rose's desire not to "rock the boat" with authority figures -- making her ultimate decision to speak up feel especially meaningful. Rachel L. Kerns

(Copyright 2025 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)