Samira Ahmed has created a story similar to what is being played out in an increasing large number of school districts in this country today. It's all about censorship, book banning, and standing up for a student's right to read. This book is definitely going to be controversial but brings to light what is happening and how some students feel about it. Only through knowledge of what is happening can change start to occur. Ahmed makes the story relatable to youth with high school life and a little romance thrown in. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When Noor's father leaves their family, Noor, her mother, and her sister move from Chicago to rural Illinois. Here, school board members remove books from the library, claiming that certain books contain inappropriate content. Despite adult threats, Noor and her small group of friends stand up against the book ban and fight for their right to read those books.

I love how Noor channels her father's activism, even though she's grieving his loss. Her new friendships become a found family, and together, they fight bigotry, fascism, racism, microaggression, censorship, and book banning. The story contains a budding romance triangle, which isn't necessarily my favorite trope. But the romance feels innocent rather than angsty. I appreciate how both boys help Noor work through residual feelings regarding her father's abandonment. Teens will love the balance of a sweet, budding romance and activism.

I want to give a special shoutout to @hachetteaudio. Yesterday, I took an unexpected road trip and listened to an audiobook. The narration by Kauser Mohammed is simply perfect. She portrays Noor's sarcasm and inner turmoil brilliantly. I highly recommend this format!

Read this if you love:
❤️Book about books - especially banned books
❤️Social justice
❤️Speaking up against censorship

Samira Ahmed references a potential law in Illinois regarding outlawing banned books. I'm happy to report that HB2789 passed, protecting schools and libraries from external restrictions to book collections.

If you plan to read only one YA book this year, I recommend This Book Won't Burn unless you hold ultra-right-wing conservative views. Although I still believe you should read it, I doubt you will appreciate it as much as I do.

When I saw the tour advertised for This Book Won't Burn I knew I wanted to be a part of it as Samira isn't afraid of writing about important subjects.

I've always wondered what it would be like to live in a Country that banned certain books and Samira took me on a journey seen through the eyes of Noor who was such an amazing character when she moved to a small town to and fought for the right to read even if it meant being thought of a troublemaker but she knew how important it was for people to see themselves in books.

This is all I am going to say but I will say that this book should be on every curriculum as it raises important issues and would make a excellent discussion tool

For all the above reasons This Book Wont' Burn receives 5 stars.

It is clear that this 384 page contemporary YA book is about the hot topic of burn banning in America, and I would imagine most are aware that the overwhelming number of books that have been recently banned or pulled because of objection, are by BIPOC and queer authors about BIPOC and queer themes.  So I read it not so much to see the Muslim author's perspective, but more to see how the Muslim identifying characters in the book approached the topic.  The book is very black and white, book banning is wrong, Republican right wing MAGA members are fascist, and liberal freedom of speech supporters are LGBTQ+ identifying and allies and upholder of first amendment rights.  Islam and the character's Indian heritage is ingrained in the characters being, and a label they are comfortable with, unfortunately, it has no impact on how they act, think, or the lens in which they view their world. Every 50 pages or so some vague mention of Ramadan, or a tasbeeh, or mosque forcefully appears, only to disappear just as abruptly. The Muslim protagonist, Noor, likes two different boys, is often alone with them, nearly kisses them, and with the support of her family attends prom. Her younger sister, Amal, is unsure if she wants a boyfriend or a girlfriend, it is not a major part of the story and is just mentioned in passing.  A major side character is lesbian, and starts a bit of a relationship with another girl, they hold hands, and there are a few kisses on cheeks, nothing overly detailed.  Their is profanity in the book, arson, threats, racism, and stereotypes.

SYNOPSIS:
Noor and her family move to a small town from Chicago when her dad abruptly abandons the family.  It is the end of Noor's senior year, and with the grief, stress, and emotional upheaval of her family, Noor just wants to get to graduation.  Quick friendships with Faiz and Juniper, and realizing that she is the daughter of her activist parents though, thrusts her into making enemies her first week in the conservative town by questioning the school's book banning policies. Add in her strained relationship with her mom, her conflicting feelings for Andrew and Faiz, and her sisterly concern for Amal, and Noor has a lot on her plate as she shakes up a small town.

WHY I LIKE IT:
The first chapter is incredible writing, no doubt.  I hated the dad, more than that I was so disappointed in him, and so concerned for Noor, Amal and their mom.  To feel such strong emotions for characters just introduced is a testament the author's abilities.  Sadly, insight into why their dad left never came, and  perhaps no answers is something the characters had to grapple with, but as the reader, I felt it wasn't really explored, or articulated, it just was unresolved, and I really wanted some closure.  In terms of literary quality, the book went down hill pretty quick.  the middle was slow and repetitive with the heavy handed views on book banning.  Some shades of gray, or some discourse would have prodded the readers to maybe think about the implications of banning books, but the narrative never allowed for that.  It is right vs wrong, us vs them from the start.  There really is no growth of the protagonist, she doesn't have much of a character arc, and the supporting cast is not fleshed out.  I wanted to see more of Noor and her Mom, not just be told repetitively how absent she is, I wanted to see Faiz as a full person, not just the only brown Muslim at the school that cooks. Where are his parents, do they support his activism, that he is going to prom? Truly, there is no Islam in practice it is just a label that gets dropped when it furthers the notion of raging against a bias system.  I'm not saying they need to be praying and reading Quran on every page, but I don't know that the story would be much different if the family was not Muslim Indian American, really the catalyst is that they are a new family, and a visible minority. 

FLAGS:

Straight and LGBTQ+ relationships, arson, threats, stereotypes, racism, bullying, cursing.

Samira Ahmed’s books are an auto-read for me! We’ve entered a scary time in history (again) where book banning has become a prominent tool for ensuring ignorance and engaging in suppression. Ahmed’s latest book addresses one girl’s response to book banning in the town she has recently moved too. ⁠

A Shattered Family
Noor is not in a good place when her mother moves what remains of her family to Bayberry, Illinois. Her father has unexpectedly abandoned them after years of them being a happy, loving family. Relocation from Chicago is Noor’s mother’s way of giving her and her sister Amal a fresh start. But the trauma of the loss of their Dad is a heavy cloud. It makes it hard to trust as Noor makes new friends.

⁠Small- Town Politics
The shift from a super liberal and diverse environment to a small-town currently being run by Liberty Moms and Dads is too much for Noor to keep her head low and to keep quiet like her mom advises her. She only has a few months until graduation, but banning books is not something she can just stand by and watch.

I always find it interesting how the “outsider” is always better able to shake things up. But I believe it comes down to perspective. Noor as “the outsider” (both as a desi teen and as the new kid in town) has different perspective and experience of the meaning and value of student choice with reading books. Noor could have easily of made the choice to keep her head down. She doesn’t have to have an investment in this town that she will literally be leaving in a few months to go to college. ⁠
There is a lot to dive into with This Book Won’t Burn. It’s about family relationships, mental health, student activism, student voice, risk-taking for your rights, the freedom read, the freedom to be seen in what you read, and much more. There is also some romance, which also serves as a vehicle to discuss allyship.

This is a poignant and timely exploration of book banning, activism, and the power of speaking out. When Noor's father leaves her family, her mother decides to move them from Chicago to a more rural Illinois town. Facing a new environment, Noor finds herself confronted with a disturbing reality: the censorship of books by queer and BIPOC authors in her school library.

Ahmed skillfully navigates the complexities of Noor's journey as she grapples with the injustice of the book bans and the importance of standing up for what she believes in. Not to mention her personal grief for her father, the conflict between she and her mother, her protective nature for her sister, and some hints of romance. Through Noor's eyes, readers are reminded of the power of anger and the significance of using one's voice to effect change, even in the face of adversity. One of the book's strengths lies in its portrayal of familial, platonic, and community bonds, all of which are given space to flourish amidst the turmoil.

This serves as a crucial reminder of the impact of book banning on marginalized communities, particularly in smaller towns where voices are often silenced. It confronts the casual aspects of racism and challenges readers to confront their complicity in perpetuating systemic injustices. This book discusses the more casual aspects of racism and holds those who think it's easier to look away or to not make waves accountable while also not demonizing those who are complicit in their silence. It IS easier to look away and to let the louder voices speak, but the point is that those communities who are the most affected are tired too, but they aren't given the same choice. It challenges those with privilege to stand up for what's right.

This is a compelling and deeply important read, especially for younger audiences grappling with issues of censorship and identity. Ahmed's powerful storytelling and thought-provoking narrative make this a standout addition to the conversation surrounding book banning and activism. Highly recommended for both those seeking to broaden their understanding of these vital issues and for younger readers.

This review is based on a complimentary copy and it is voluntary. Thank you to the author, TBR and Beyond Tours and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the physical copy. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review.

✨ Review ✨ This Book Won't Burn by Samira Ahmed

Thanks to TBR and Beyond, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

Favorite Quotes:
💜 "You don't want to run yourself ragged. But for me, at least, hope keeps me going. Hope is an act, not just a feeling. Hope is a choice. So are hate and cynicism and silence. Every day I have to think about what I'm going to choose. And so do you."
❤️ "You know I bet there are more people that agree with us than you think. The other side has the loudest voices, and unfortunately, the system is built for them." - I love how both of these quotes by the librarian Ms. Clayton shared message of hope even when all seems lost.

Previously I read Internment, Ahmed's stellar 2019 release that felt just a little too real in that moment (and still, I'm sure feels prescient in this particular moment as well). I knew I had to read this book that speaks out against book banning in a rural Illinois setting.

Noor, her mom, and her sister all move from Chicago to a small town where suddenly they were surrounded by a much more conservative community. When Noor quickly discovers efforts by the school board to remove books from the shelves "for review," she begins to take increasing efforts to push back against this policy. While I'll leave the details of her struggle for you to find out, it was such a compelling story that really resonates in this moment, especially in states like my own where books are coming off shelves.

Noor and her friends in this book fight fiercely for what they believe, even when everything seems against them. I loved how she found support and love through a variety of teens and adults in the spaces around her. This has some strong found family threads as well throughout.

Parts of this book are sad as Ahmed lays bare the hypocrisies and hate that exist in the US, but beyond that, this book is filled with hope and celebrates the small victories and the fight people put forward each day to try to advance what is right.

Not least: this book has some incredible YA book recs nestled in its pages, highlighting work by authors of color and queer authors who are often the first to be pulled from the shelves.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: YA fiction
Setting: rural Illinois
Reminds me of: Ahmed's Internment
Pub Date: May 07 2024

Read this if you like:
⭕️ activism and fighting book bans
⭕️ teen friendships and fledgling love
⭕️ little free libraries
⭕️ books

Noor is the daughter of two activists, and when she joins a new school midway through her senior year, she isn’t able to just let things slide when she sees injustice happening. She quickly befriends others who feel the same way and together they try to stand up to the principal, school board, and a group of parents wanting to ban books. Things in this small, central Illinois town escalate and turn nasty with hate crimes, vandalism, and even a bombing, but the high school students stay strong for their cause.
Everything in this book is current, including the books that are “under review”, and while the ending is a little too quick and perfect, this is a very timely addition to any bookshelf.

As you can guess from the title, This Book Won’t Burn is about students fighting censorship in their school.

After their father abandons them, Noor and her sister Amal are uprooted from Chicago and moved to the small town of Bayberry in central Illinois. It’s the final quarter of the school year, and Noor plans to keep her head down and count the days until graduation. But as the daughter of academics who raised her to identify and fight against injustice, Noor finds it impossible to ignore the 500 books removed from the school library’s shelves.

The actions taken by school officials and city leaders in the story terrifyingly mimic what’s currently happening across the U.S. This is not revelatory information for anyone who’s read recent headlines, but the author has written the villains in such a hyper-real manner that their racism, homophobia, hypocrisy, and violence still shock and infuriate.

Samira Ahmed does a truly amazing job illustrating the evils of book bans and censorship for teens, while also showing them the power of hope and how they can protest and make a difference in their communities.

What made this a 5 star read for me, however, was the depth of the characters and the author’s ability to make me feel all of Noor’s emotions. The very first chapter is so exquisitely crafted, that I was just as shocked and confused by their father’s abandonment as Noor. And I was practically screaming at the pages, wanting desperately for Noor’s mother to snap out of her depression and stand up for her kids. I felt Noor’s longing for the simple reassurance of a hug, her desire to escape from her own anger, and her fear of betrayal.

I highly recommend This Book Won’t Burn for both teens and adults. I think it would be appropriate for 7th and 8th grade students, as well. It would be a great bookclub read for school groups. I would love to see this story spread far and wide!

Book banning is not a new idea. In Ireland, at one point, having your book banned was a sign of pride - you were no one, in literary circles, until you had at least one banned book. More recently, and more in the spirit of this book, groups led by figures such as Andy Heasman and Ross Lahive are protesting books they deem inappropriate, often violently. And in America, it seems that every day brings the news that another school district has removed books from its shelves after complaints, usually from people who haven't even read them.

But luckily, as in this book, there are usually people like Noor and her friends who are willing to stand up. Their increasing game of cat and mouse with the school authorities was amazing to watch, and Noor's deep sense of morals and refusal to back down kept me reading. I adored the relationship between Noor and her sister Amal, and how each of them changed during the book, both individually and in how they were towards each other.

Some people will be frothing at the mouth about this book, missing the whole point of it entirely. But those of us who get it? Come on in. Let's be friends together. And hopefully this will encourage a few people to start fighting back against book bans. We all need to stand up to them.

Love, love, love Samira Ahmed's newest book, This Book Won't Burn. There is so much truth in every story she tells and as a high school reading teacher, this story about book banning hits home. When we censor what children read, because of our own political views and fears, then we are telling children that their own identities and experiences are wrong or not valid. Can't wait to share this with my students.

THIS BOOK WON'T BURN is out today! Samira Ahmed’s latest YA novel tackles censorship, fascism and racism through the eyes of 18 year-old Noor Khan as she moves to a small town in Illinois with her mom and sister after her dad walks out on them.

Noor is grief-stricken from being abandoned by her dad. Her family moves while Noor is in her last semester of high school, and she’s hoping to keep her head down at her new school until she graduates. That is, until Noor finds out that the school board had hundreds of books, all written by queer and/or BIPOC authors, pulled from the school’s library because of “obscene” content. Enraged, Noor speaks out against these book bans but faces many challenges, including bullying, racism and violent threats.

I appreciate the way this book addresses important topics. Noor’s experiences are all too real and will have you seething with anger. Samira Ahmed does a great job of getting to the root of the matter and calls out fascism and bigotry through Noor as she encounters it. Noor and her friends are smart and they fight against the school board by starting a book club for students to read banned books. They want to make a positive change in their community, and they advocate for the freedom to read what they want.

Noor is brave and full of fury, but she’s also allowed to be scared. It was wonderful to see Noor be supported by so many friends, including her sister, Amal. Amal is a great contrast to Noor and I love their relationship.

However, as much as this book is about book bans, it’s equally about a love triangle and I found this distracting. Not to say that it’s unnecessary—I think connecting with a love interest offers Noor a chance to grow and soothe her grief. But Noor doesn’t grow all that much until the very end of the book. One of the love interests is a white “ally” and there’s too much focus on him which was grating for me to read. I wish there was less focus on him but it’s through this character that the author makes points about white privilege and allyship, which are also important topics to discuss.

I think I would have enjoyed this more if there had been less focus on the love triangle and more focus on the family. Noor’s relationship with her mom is strained, and I think the book would have been stronger if this relationship had been explored further, especially since Noor mentions several times that she is who she is because of her parents’ activism.

That said, I’m not the target audience for this book and actual teenagers will probably enjoy it more. I think this book includes important and powerful messages that will resonate with teens who have been through similar situations. It may even help students feel less alone as they experience this bigotry firsthand.

Ultimately, this book is about standing up for what you believe in, which is more important now than ever as we witness the rise of fascism and experience the consequences of it in our daily lives, not to mention the multiple genocides occurring around the world.

I’ll leave you with two quotes that are especially relevant to today:

“Reading is dangerous because it shows us the truth. Words give us power; that’s why some adults want to silence us.”

“Fascism wins when we let others manipulate the truth. When we accommodate their lies. When we are silent.”

Thank you Little, Brown & Company and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC to review.

Rating: 3.5

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

As a library worker working in a high school that has been hit by book challenges, this book made me feel so any things: angry, hopeful, validated, seen... It is unfortunate that the antagonists in this book are based on all-too real people and the conflict based on all-too real situations, but this book does an excellent job of shedding light on the topic while also being entertaining, having humorous moments, and even peppering in some lovely romance. There were some very powerful quotes in here, and I made sure to take note of all the banned books mentioned so I could put them on my to read list (if I hadn't read them already).

This is a must read book. I cannot believe we are fighting against book bans in 2024 but here we are and the time is now to educate and empower everyone, including our youth. When Noor’s whole world is uprooted at the end of her senior year, starting at a new high school becomes just one of the challenges she faces. Life in her new small town is full of the same old high school cliques and stereotypes, but also racism and homophobia that plays out in an attempt to ban books. This Book Won’t Burn is written at a level that young adult activists will certainly read with no problem yet still carries a poignant message that holds so much importance and depth.

Content warning: racism, homophobia, threatening of a minor by an adult, talks of gun violence, child abandonment, hate speech, bullying, acts of violence against an unarmed group

Well Samira Ahmed has done it again... like Ahmed's other novels, THIS BOOK WON'T BURN will (or at least SHOULD) make you burst with rage at what is being done in our country - and around the world to silence marginalized groups. But, Ahmed doesn't leave readers feeling hopeless, there is always the feeling that this batch of teenagers will push back and fight for all of us. My generation was handed rental keys to a country broken by the Boomers who refuse to give up control or allow my generation to own a piece of the pie. Gen Z was handed even less, and they're fighting back. This is an uncomfortable read... as it should be. But there are moments where I laughed, where I screamed at Noor to see what the people around her are really like, where I cried. But there were also moments where I cheered. The irony that this book will mostly likely end up on banned lists isn't lost on me.

While this book is a work of fiction, it draws from real life headlines and hate groups. There are teens like Noor, Juniper, and Faiz in small communities right now pushing back against book bans, calling out hateful rhetoric, and fighting for change. As an adult there were some moments where I was very frustrated that Noor couldn't see the fake allyship happening right in front of her. But I also get that she's a teen who just had her world flipped upside down. Plus that plot point serves a purpose in the overall message Ahmed is conveying to readers.

On top of book bans, readers are given a badass school librarian along with themes of acceptance, forgiveness, and friendship. I also really appreciate the ending - this doesn't get a happily ever after, nor should it, because that's not real life. The point is that this fight that Noor and members of her new community have can't stop in one small town in Illinois. It's bigger than that, but also that change is made in small towns just like this one too.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4.5/5 stars.

Samira Ahmed never misses. All of her books are relevant, poignant, and real life. This book felt like a love letter to the books being banned and challenged across the country, and I loved how many books and authors she mentioned. I also love how this book is about the power of student voices in enacting change, but also about accountability for actions. Some of this book will hit too close to home for communities, but it is an important read. Moms for Liberty are directly named and hate crimes exist in the book. But, Noor is a powerful figure who refuses to step down when she moves to a small Illinois town and books are challenged.

I was consumed by this book as I read it. I only deducted the 1/2 star because while I understand the romance....it truly didn't need to be in the book?

Story was current, relevant, and compelling. Would definitely recommend it. Nice character development.

Noor is focused on finishing her senior year when she is sideswiped by her father leaving her family and her mother moving them to a new city. With only the last quarter to finish, Noor plans to keep her head down and graduate. That doesn’t happen when she discovers that the school has pulled 500 books from the library because of a new policy. She has been taught to stand up for what she believes in and starts challenging these new rules. Now she has a target on her back. Will Noor be able to get the books back in the library?

This Book Won’t Burn is a stand-alone realistic story that is timely and eye-opening. The issue of books being banned in schools is prevalent everywhere but is definitely at the forefront here in Indiana. Although everyone has their views on this issue, I feel Ahmed was balanced in her presentation and everyone will finish this book with many nuggets to think about. This is a book all bibliophiles, educators, and school board members need to read.

(Note: This review is very much from an adult’s perspective. I suspect the experience of reading this as a Brown woman in her 40s will be very different than someone in the intended age for which this book was written.)

This Book Won’t Burn is a timely exploration of book bans and the role teenagers can play in standing up against these bans. There is a lot to like here. The focus on the culture shock of moving from a big city to a smaller town is well done. The friendship between Noor, Juniper, and Faiz is really lovely and the find of supportive friendships everyone should experience. I really liked how the three of them worked together to find creative ways to challenge the books bans and the painfully annoying administrators standing in the way. And I really liked that the librarian was their secret (and then not so secret) supporter.

But, as an adult reader, there were parts of the book I found tedious. For instance, Andrew is exactly the kind of person who immediately stood out as not the person he seems to be and who I would have happily seen left out of the book. It was difficult watching Noor so naively trust him when I knew exactly how it would go. I was glad to see he showed some attempts at redemption at the end, but I think he could have played a smaller role and still gotten the point across. As someone who pays a fair amount of attention to the news and who studies racial injustice, I found the inclusion of some of the explanations did not fit the natural flow of the narrative.

I acknowledge, however, that I likely found these aspects tiresome precisely because I am an adult who already has decades of experience dealing with racism and allies who aren’t that I can spot the red flags very easily. For teen readers, I think those aspects would help many feel seen and process their experiences while helping others (teens and adults) understand experiences that are not their own.

And for those reasons I think this is a book well worth reading.

Perfect for fans of libraries and reading--and a nod to the times, this book is sure to be a hit. The small town setting combined with interesting and flawed characters makes the plot move quickly. Students will see themselves and their friends in the charcters. The book tackles the issue of book removals head-on in a way that shows the ridiculousness of many claims. I enjoed seeing a bold character who stood up for her beliefs, even when it was hard to do so.