An exploration of the power of books, censorship, and activism, The Property of the Rebel Librarian is the story of June who loves to read, but is banned from reading many of her favorites when her parents don't agree with her choices. Her only hope is to create her own library filled with books that her classmates want to read.

Allison Varnes does an amazing job of showing how easily censorship can get out of hand and can show kids that even one person can make a change in this world.

I like this book a lot. I see a lot of other reviews comparing it to Alan Gratz's "Ban This Book" and stating that Gratz's is more well done, more believable, and negates the need to add this book to a collection. I disagree. I actually find this story to be a bit more plausible. It is less heavy handed and doesn't try as hard to impart every single piece of book censorship known to mankind. I find Property of the Rebel Librarian to be a little more mature as well--that is to say that Gratz's probably fits better with upper elementary readers and Varnes's is more suited to the middle school set. Maybe the parents and the school staff (and Graham) seem over the top, and to an extent they are. However, I have seen reactionary parents like this many times, not over a book, but over other school issues. Combine that with the possibility that a school or district may not have a reconsideration policy in place and I could see something like this occurring. Long review and comparison short, there is room in any collection for both this and Gratz's title. The main idea is the same yet the execution, the background story, the way the students tackle the issue, etc. are different enough to be enjoyable. Children need to see civil disobedience and learn the various way they can stand up to authority when the need arises. The more books that offer that, the better.

Love, love, love this book. Great way to show the importance/impact of reading. I enjoyed how the author included so many of the books my students read and love. They will be appalled, along with the characters, when these books are banned, I love how it shows that no matter your age, you can have an impact....adults are not always right. Life is unfair, what can YOU do about it?

I cant believe this still happens. A library throwing out so many books and parents trying to regulate what their children read.
I read this book in two days! I had to know what was going to happen. I was so appalled by the parents and other students actions. Throwing out the books, not letting them read what they wanted. I would have been like June & started my own secret library to be able to read what I wanted. A book that every library needs to have. The freedom of speech & the freedom to read needs to be allowed everywhere.

When June's parents catch her reading a book of which they disapprove, The Makings of a Witch, they not only take it away from her, but her mother returns it to the school library herself. It's great that her parents are very involved in the school, but not so great that in the wake of her mother's visit, the school librarian, Ms. Bradshaw, is escorted out of the building by the police and the library is closed for a bit. It's even worse when she finds out that her parents are performing (with the principal's okay) a "book extraction" and removing any books that have any kind of material that could be considered at all objectionable by anybody. This doesn't leave many books left, and the library is reopened with a temporary librarian who spends her lunches talking with her mother on the phone. In order to keep herself in books, June starts borrowing them from a Little Free Library she passes on her way to school, many of which have very personal inscriptions "To Brendan" in them. When other students need books, they also come to June, and soon she has a small collection in an unassigned locker with a log cleverly labeled Property of the Rebel Librarian with all loans being kept in code. There is an interesting romance as well, with June being interested in Graham until she finds out more about his politics, and then she is more interested in another boy who is more helpful to her cause. June doesn't feel great about all of this subterfuge, but she also really misses Ms. Bradshaw, and is gratified that reading has become a bit more cool since it is banned. Eventually, there is some media attention that brings everything to a head.

Strengths: June is an interesting character who has to put up with really unfortunate parents. The trajectory of the romances is interesting. The variety of books discussed, and the growing culture of reading in the school will make librarians cheer. I liked all of the supporting characters, such as the older sister and the classmates, and of course hated the parents, principal, and board members!

Weaknesses: I had trouble believing that the principal and school board would be able to remove the librarian, close the library, and eventually let the teacher go. The author seems to hale from the Tennessee area, so perhaps the teacher contracts are much, much different. It also seems odd to me that parents would be able to remove books; schools usually have a policy and procedure to address the issue of banning books. Again, this may be different in other areas, but since I could not imagine such events occurring, it made it really hard for me to get into the book.

What I really think: Even though I like Alan Gratz's Ban This Book, it has not circulated very well at all, perhaps because my students can pretty much get any book they want. This book is so similar that I don't need to buy it.

Varnes does an excellent job describing the extreme measures some people go to in an effort to keep kids from reading books they consider offensive or inappropriate. I love the courage June displays in fighting for her own and her classmates' right to read. She's not afraid to put herself in an uncomfortable position to do what she thinks is right. This story can act as the beginning of a dialogue about freedom of speech and censorship.

This book was a fun, albeit (intentionally) frustrating, read. I loved seeing June grow and learn that it’s okay to be herself and not who she thinks she’s supposed to be. The insanely strict parents were a little over the top, but honestly not that far-fetched. This would be a great book to get kids discussing censorship, protest, and advocacy.

This was so good. I was afraid it would be like Ban This Book by Alan Gratz, but it really was not. When June’s parents find a book librarian gave her to read, they take it and all her personal books away and begin a crusade to censor books at her middle school. I loved all the titles included and the many great quotes contained within. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader in exchange for my review.

What if someone told you what you could and couldn't read? Would that be fair?What if you got in major trouble for even having a book that was not endorsed by the school? Would that be fair either? The answer to both of those questions is NO! Well, this is exactly what is happening to June Harper. When she checks out a book from her school library that her parents deem inappropriate, it starts a snowball effect of bad things. First, an amazing librarian is put on administrative leave; second, a majority of library books were hauled out of the school library; and third, kids are getting suspended for even having an unapproved book in their possession. When June's parents take away ALL of her person books, she is left with only one book that she is forced to hide. Then June comes across a a small house on top of a wooden post that says it is a Little Free Library. June is ecstatic when she finds a book in there. Little does she know that when she takes that book (and many more) that she will break all the rules to defend the rite to read. Not only is she dealing with all of this, she is also dealing with middle school problems like best friends and boys. Will Ms. Bradshaw, the school librarian, get her job back? Will June get her first boyfriend, even at the expense of her best friend? Most importantly, will June be able to make a difference with her parents, the school system, and the PTSA? Will books still be banned or will June and all of the other students be able to read what they want? This is a must read!!

I have mentioned several times in my blogs that I am a fairly slow reader. Normally it would take me several days to read a 275 page book. Not this book!! I read this book in just a few hours. Once I started I could not put it down. I don't know if it's because it's such a fantastic book or if it's because this subject is a subject that I am passionate about. Kids should have the right to read what they want and just because you and I may not like a book does not give us the right to judge it. I was so proud of June and how she took a stand for the right to read even when it went against her "good girl" persona. If you are a book lover this book is a must read!!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I enjoyed it, and think that my students will too. I think we could have some amazing discussions about censorship after reading this book.

I loved reading a book where the protagonist has very strict parents. While reading it, I realized that I rarely see that scenario in the middle grade books I have read. I loved seeing that in print, since I know many kids share that experience. However, the parents do waver over the line between believable and cartoonish. Their decisions don’t seem to come from any real place, so that their role came off as satiric. With that said, I enjoyed this book!

This book has a strong message about providing access to books and using books as a chance to explore the world. I thought it was a little over the top at times and unrealistic. But, kids will engage with this story and be outraged at the actions of the adults. Unfortunately, I don’t think the adults who need to read this will ever pick it up.

I was such a lucky kid.

As I was growing up I LOVED books. I remember my mom taking me to our local library and letting me go completely crazy with checking out whatever I wanted. She would take me to bookstores where we could spend hours together rifling through shelves flipping through whatever struck our fancy.
Books were a huge part of my childhood and being able to read whatever I wanted not only helped me foster a love of reading but helped me grow as an individual. I can’t imagine what would have happened to have that taken away.

But that’s the reality June Harper faces in Allison Vernes' Property of the Rebel Librarian when her parents find her reading an unapproved novel with *gasp* witches!

Suddenly June’s library is on lockdown, both at school and at home as the school board has meetings on what is deemed appropriate reading. Large chucks of the school’s library are taken away while her parents “edit” the endings of well-loved books to feature less devastating or more G rated materials. For instance, did you know Old Yeller never died? And Anne never got Diana drunk off of Marilla’s current wine! That would be inappropriate.

Now, while these might seem like extreme measures to take, June lives in a small town and I know firsthand how quickly these matters can escalate. I lived in a city where you can opt out of biology when discussing the theory of evolution and any mention of Charles Darwin. You could opt out of reading Huck Finn or To Kill a Mockingbird due to the “sensitive materials” discussed. While a bit exaggerated, the events of Varnes’ novel are completely believable to me.

June finds a way to fight back when she discovers a Free Little Library near her neighborhood and begins working under the alias of the “rebel librarian” distributing books to kids in need. She finds out just what the power of books can do as well as the power of speaking out for what you believe in. That sometimes being a rebel is the right thing to do.

I loved June and her friends and I was SO INVESTED in their cause. The conflict was set up so well and even the conflict within her friendship groups felt so authentic to me. There’s a moment in this book… no spoilers... but I just felt so full of pride for June and her choices. She’s incredible.
Overall, I think this book is important. It’s something I will definitely be purchasing for my library and I honestly cannot praise this enough.

This was a cute middle grade story about a girl, June, who loves books. Her parents and school go on a seemingly out of nowhere book-banning spree, suspend the school librarian, and threaten to punish any students caught with banned books. The premise is a bit far fetched, yes, but the story is cute (including parent, friend, and boy drama), and the ending is so sweet.

The children of Dogwood Middle School struggle to regain their right to read. 12 year old June Harper leads the charge by becoming the rebel librarian. And who are her biggest opponents? Her parents! Her parents and other like minded parents and educators believe the best course of action to protect their children from "inappropriate literature" is to ban books and to make all Dogwood Middle School sign a pledge to not read or be caught with banned books. The entire time I read this book I was simultaneously cheering on the kids who found a way to read what they wanted to read in very creative ways and cursing the adults who didn't stand up to this archaic practice of banning books. There's a lot to learn about relationships, forgiveness, and being true to yourself in this book, along with the strength to stand up for what you believe in, even if that goes against the majority of the "adults" who think they know best. Would strongly recommend to middle grade readers and encourage educators to read as well.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I found myself as an adult thinking that does adults actually think like this, unfortunately, they do. I recommend this book for children and adults who truly enjoy libraries and books.

I received the ebook from NetGalley for my honest review.

While the concept of this book is timely and relevant it has also been done in a similar manner by Alan Gratz in the book, "Ban This Book." Unfortunately this version is not as well written and the characters, especially the mom and dad, are unrealistic. Had I not read, "Ban This Book" previously I may have enjoyed it more but since I did I feel this is a cheap imitation. If you want to read about students standing up for what they believe is right and fighting for social justice read, "Ban This Book" and give "Property of the Rebel Librarian" a pass.

This is the scariest book I have ever read. What made it so scary is that is so believable. "The Hunger Games" is scary, but it's not close enough to reality to see it actually happening. This could happen and not in the distant future. I found the ending a little too coincidental, but I appreciate that it doesn't have a pat happy ending. I already have a list of people who are going to get it for Christmas.

I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Oh, this warmed my librarian heart. When June's overprotective (as an adult, I'd say controlling) parents find a "scary" book in her room, they're appalled that she got it from her school library. Instead of discussing it with her like normal, rational adults, they go full Fahrenheit 451 and go after the library, suspending the librarian, canceling an author visit, and getting the school to ban all "unapproved" books. When June finds a Little Free Library with a book in it, the Rebel Librarian is born. Her catalog is a notebook where students are identified by superhero names, her shelves are the vacant locker next to hers. When the Rebel Library is found, June just decide whether to please her parents or please herself.

As an adult, I have a LOT of questions about the adults in this situation, and all of them start with "what is wrong with you?" As a kid reader, I would have gobbled this up and then tracked down all the books mentioned in it. This part is great, because Varnes names actual controversial books (Diary of a Wimpy Kid, George, Harry Potter, Brown Girl Dreaming) that kids can then go read themselves. I'd love to do a display of this title with all the books in the Rebel Library.

As soon as I saw "Rebel Librarian" in the title, I knew I had to read this and it did not disappoint! This book made me angry, happy, sad, and hopeful. I felt like I was back in history with the book banning on a massive level, but sadly these are the mindset of many people today. I was glad that the ending didn't wrap everything up in a nice bow, but left the readers hopeful that some changes will be made. This book will open up a great discussion with children who read it. I kind of want there to be a sequel, so I can see what June is up to next, but at the same time, I felt that the whole story was told and there isn't a need for a sequel. Great job to the author and I look forward to reading more by her!