This was not my favorite book. I just didn't really like the writing style, and the story was hard to get into. It just doesn't really "hook" the reader. I think for earlier/younger readers, this book might be okay, but it just wasn't something I would read.

I enjoyed this read, and I could see students enjoying it as well. The topics and themes are relatable. I could see my fifth graders enjoying this book and relating to the characters. I appreciated that the characters learned how to stand up for what they believe in, but how doing this can also lead to some unexpected consequences.

Banned books is a highly relative and controversial issue currently in the US. I loved that the author highlighted these kids coming to an age where they start to have their own thoughts and opinions, particularly if they diverge from those of their parents.

When Talia comes to town, Rose notices her right away. How could she not with her style that makes her stand out from the moment she arrives. To her surprise, she runs into Talia outside of school in an unlikely place- temple. Reading the book Talia recommends is the first step down a path that she's never been on before- one where she isn't sure about people she has always trusted and where she isn't just a "good" girl any longer. What kind of book can do all that?

This book hit a little close to home for me- banned and challenged books are part of every school librarian's vernacular right now. In a world gone sideways, I believe books like this are incredibly important. Looking at the reasons books are challenged and how kids can stand up for their right to read is more important than ever!

I received this book to review on NetGalley. I wanted to participate in Middle Grade March, and so this one seemed like a really good option. From the very first chapter I knew it would be one I enjoyed. The characters are diverse, fully developed characters which you don't always see in middle grade stories. I feel like this is such an accessible way to talk to kids about difficult topics and how civil disobedience could be a good thing. The way Rose learns to think for herself and challenge the ideals she was raised with was really inspiring. I wish there had been more reading like this when I was a middle grader. Easy 5 stars from me and I'll definitely be recommending this one.

3.5 stars
This book had a lot of different things going on in it.
It’s a coming-of-age book, with pre-teen kids beginning to think and speak for themselves. This does not set well with some of the overprotective parents. When a list of banned books is posted and the books are pulled from the school library by some well-meaning adults, the students decide to take action, even if it means trouble.
Friendships are also explored. There are those that seem to be changing and drifting apart, like the one Charlotte and Rose are experiencing. There is also the enticement of new friendships, such as the one that develops between Rose and Talia. Talia is bold, outspoken, and stands up for what she believes in, the polar opposite to the introverted Rose, but someone she longs to emulate.
The issue of the book banning had a surprising twist. It begins when a novel about WW2 belonging to Talia is confiscated by a teacher, after this same teacher shut her down during a class discussion. This was a treasured book passed down to Talia from her dad; the idea made my blood boil! I could picture my reaction if a teacher had yanked one of my books away that I had brought to school (like “Little House On the Prairie”). The thought of administrators not allowing personal copies from students to be allowed on campus…wow…
Good middle-grade fiction! Thanks to Netgalley for a digital copy in return for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

Rose is the only child of an overly-protective Jewish family. Rose is quiet, and always does the right thing. New girl Talia struts through the school with more self-confidence than Rose could ever have and when she later shows up at Rose's synagogue, Rose takes notice. She takes even more notice when Talia starts questioning the English teacher over banned books. When Rose starts secretly reading the banned books Talia is recommending to her, she too starts questioning why the adults are not sharing the full stories of what has happened to cultures and minorities in the past.

I really loved this book; it was a great testimony as to why we have to stop shielding our kids as much as we have a tendency to do. As a parent and teacher, though, I would have felt that Rose was "going off the rails" so to speak because of such drastic change in behavior. I could empathize with many different perspectives while reading this book. It is certainly thought-provoking and holds the hopes of encouraging many conversations. I would love to see this on some state middle grade readers award lists.

I am not sure what to say about this book. The story was good, it was well-written and the characters were at least 2-, if not 3-dimensional. The book tells the story of a schools' reaction to a book banning in their Middle School Library. Rose, a somewhat sheltered Jewish girl learns about book banning from Talia, a new student who comes with a lot of her own baggage, but who is sincere and most definitely entrenched in the real, nitty gritty, world. They, along with a few other students start a Banned. Book club, determined to read the books on the list and try. to figure out why they were banned. The ban is started by parents, one of them the mother of Rose's best friend for life, Charlotte.
You can pretty much figure out the story from there - the only things unknown are the specific events that occur.
It is a good read, not bogged down by its characters or plot-holes, and ends predictably. I was more curious about the books on the list and why they were banned but my curiosity was not really satisfied.
Of the two main characters, Rose was the most fully realized. By the middle of the book, the reader could pretty well predict what she would do in any situation. The other main characters, Talia, and Charlotte, remained more opaque, although their actions were true to what you knew about them. Rose's mother and father are actually integral to Rose's character and her actions and are described much more completely than, parents are in many books in this genre; that introduce parental figures but only as peripheral figures.
It was a quick, enjoyable book, but not earth-shattering or eye-opening.

Rose focuses a lot on what she and the other kids are wearing at the start of the book. I wasn't sold. But once Talia hits the scene and the focus moves primarily to banned books, I was hooked. I read the second half in a single sitting, crying on and off, because I couldn't put it down.

Lots of perspectives are examined, not just the kids reading forbidden books from the library. The pro-ban parents, the don't-rock-the-boat parents, the only black family in town, the boy who wears skirts, school staff, the local librarian. It gives a full picture of the circumstances surrounding book banning while heavily supporting fighting those bans.

I loved this book! The extreme differences between the two main characters, but the deep connection they have that ties them together, the current issues that they face, and the lessons they learn along the way are just some of the reasons I enjoyed this book. I feel that it approached issues like book banning and anti-semitism in a way that the reader will be able to understand and empathize with those in the situation.

Young's portrayal of censorship and its ability to divide friends, families and communities is beautiful done! Rose and Talia form an unlikely friendship when Talia introduces Rose to Banned Books. Talia is from New York and her dyed hair and progressive views get her a bad reputation among teachers, parents and Charlotte Rose's best friend. Rose still wants to be friends with her no matter how much her mom and Charlotte don't approve. Together Rose and Charlotte discover things about themselves and each other. A must read for anyone who has struggled with self discovery and choosing between what is right and what is easy.

When new girl Talia arrives at school, Rose is intrigued about this opinionated girl. They become friends, and Talia wants to start a banned books brigade. Rose knows she’s a good daughter, a good friend but what more can she be? The girls meet with other friends for the book brigade, and Rose begins lying to her mom because she’s tired of making her mom happy all the time. Things escalate when the book brigade gets in trouble and Talia wants to run away with Rose to New York City. What ends up happening?

This is a great young adult read. Thirteen -year-old Rose is torn between her old life and a new friend who moves to town. She learns a lot about what is important to her and how to navigate changing relationships.