Bess Stein is more than ready to be 6th grade class president. She’s got tons of ideas—including a book vending machine—and her new friend June is beside her as vice-president. Together, they’re unstoppable.
But when the books the girls want included in the vending machine come under fire, Bess is stunned. How can one person believe they have the right to decide what other people can read? It turns out that June’s mom is leading the fight, and now everything’s a mess.
Bess misses June—but she wants to make sure kids who might like these books get the chance to read them, even if it means she and June can’t be friends. With such different opinions, will they ever be on the same page?
What a beautiful, topical, complicated book! The topic of book banning is, sadly, only becoming more important and more divisive. This book shows us the two most often given positions: "Everyone should be free to read what they like" against "Children shouldn't be exposed to certain topics". Bess, our main character, loves reading and wants to help spread it around, while some of the adults in town think the library needs to be pruned of many titles, including several she's specially fond of. It's the first time Bess has come up against someone who refuses to be argued around to her point of view, and it leaves her baffled, confused and upset.
No one is exactly a villain here - the adults ranged against Bess are rude and dismissive but their concerns are portrayed as valid, if misdirected. The ending felt quite abrupt and fast, but that isn't necessarily bad, it's just the way it is. The writing felt realistic to me - although I don't know what it's like to have my books banned! - and the characters were great as well. Bess's worries about her friends were appropriate for her age.
This is a topic we need to keep talking about, and this book will definitely help with that. Get it into schools and libraries and give it to any children you know.
Book Links:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/213197122
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0593705602/
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/same-page-elly-swartz/1145579941
IndieBound: https://bookshop.org/p/books/same-page-elly-swartz/21477907
About the Author:
Elly Swartz loves writing for kids, Twizzlers, and anything with her family. She grew up in Yardley, Pennsylvania, studied psychology at Boston University, and received a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.
Elly Swartz is the award-winning author of six middle grade novels: Finding Perfect, Smart Cookie, Give and Take, Dear Student, Hidden Truths, and Same Page (coming January 2025). Swartz’s books reflect her commitment to raising awareness about mental health and neurodiversity. Her debut novel, Finding Perfect, was named one of the Best Children’s Books About Mental Health by the Child Mind Institute, Dear Student was recommended by Parents Magazine, and Hidden Truths has received starred reviews from Kirkus and from School Library Journal, is a Kirkus Best Books of 2023, an Amazon Best Book for November, an Amazon Editors’ pick, The Week Junior Book Club pick, a Project LIT Book Club selection, and a winner of a 2023 Nerdy for Middle Grade Fiction.
Swartz travels the country meeting with thousands of students each year to empower their own personal narrative. Swartz resides in Massachusetts. Connect with her at ellyswartz.com, on Twitter @ellyswartz, and on Instagram or Threads @ellyswartzbooks.
Author Links:
Website: https://ellyswartz.com/
Twitter: https://x.com/ellyswartz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellyswartzbooks/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elly.pitaskyswartz
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14590266
Tour Schedule:
Book Recommendation:
Ban This Book by Alan Gratz – This middle-grade novel also tackles the topic of book banning, following a determined girl who starts a secret library of challenged books in her locker. It’s an engaging and empowering read that pairs beautifully with Same Page.
Movie Recommendation:
The Book Thief – While aimed at a slightly older audience, this film (based on Markus Zusak’s novel) highlights the transformative power of books in a challenging and oppressive environment. Its themes of censorship, resistance, and the importance of stories resonate with Same Page.
Book Links:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/213197122
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0593705602/
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/same-page-elly-swartz/1145579941
IndieBound: https://bookshop.org/p/books/same-page-elly-swartz/21477907
About the Author:
Elly Swartz loves writing for kids, Twizzlers, and anything with her family. She grew up in Yardley, Pennsylvania, studied psychology at Boston University, and received a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.
Elly Swartz is the award-winning author of six middle grade novels: Finding Perfect, Smart Cookie, Give and Take, Dear Student, Hidden Truths, and Same Page (coming January 2025). Swartz’s books reflect her commitment to raising awareness about mental health and neurodiversity. Her debut novel, Finding Perfect, was named one of the Best Children’s Books About Mental Health by the Child Mind Institute, Dear Student was recommended by Parents Magazine, and Hidden Truths has received starred reviews from Kirkus and from School Library Journal, is a Kirkus Best Books of 2023, an Amazon Best Book for November, an Amazon Editors’ pick, The Week Junior Book Club pick, a Project LIT Book Club selection, and a winner of a 2023 Nerdy for Middle Grade Fiction.
Swartz travels the country meeting with thousands of students each year to empower their own personal narrative. Swartz resides in Massachusetts. Connect with her at ellyswartz.com, on Twitter @ellyswartz, and on Instagram or Threads @ellyswartzbooks.
Author Links:
Website: https://ellyswartz.com/
Twitter: https://x.com/ellyswartz
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellyswartzbooks/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elly.pitaskyswartz
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14590266
Tour Schedule:
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