Property of the Rebel Librarian
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Property of the Rebel Librarian
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Narrated by:
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Monika Felice Smith
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By:
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Allison Varnes
About this listen
Celebrate the freedom to read with this timely, empowering middle-grade debut about a girl who fights back against banned books in the spirit of The View from Saturday or Frindle.
When twelve-year-old June Harper's parents discover what they deem an inappropriate library book, they take strict parenting to a whole new level. And everything June loves about Dogwood Middle School unravels: librarian Ms. Bradshaw is suspended, an author appearance is canceled, the library is gutted, and all books on the premises must have administrative approval.
But June can't give up books . . . and she realizes she doesn't have to when she spies a Little Free Library on her walk to school. As the rules become stricter at school and at home, June keeps turning the pages of the banned books that continue to appear in the little library. It's a delicious secret . . . and one she can't keep to herself. June starts a banned book library of her own in an abandoned locker at school. The risks grow alongside her library's popularity, and a movement begins at Dogwood Middle--a movement that, if exposed, could destroy her. But if it's powerful enough, maybe it can save Ms. Bradshaw and all that she represents: the freedom to read.
Equal parts fun and empowering, this novel explores censorship, freedom of speech, and activism. For any kid who doesn't believe one person can effect change...and for all the kids who already know they can!
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Critic reviews
“In our censorious times, that battle and the extremes through which [the story] is depicted are enough to keep the pages turning. [But] it is the choices that June makes about her own life that give this novel its solidity and meaning.” (The New York Times Book Review)
“This debut novel tackles the issue of censorship in a humorous and engaging way. June is a worthy and winsome heroine who is sure to charm.... This funny and fast read could be used to fuel discussions about book banning, censorship in general, and activism.” (School Library Journal)
“An accessible introduction to the importance of the freedom to read.” (Kirkus Reviews)
What listeners say about Property of the Rebel Librarian
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- K. J. Kelly
- 27-10-18
A lot of heart, you can't fault the love of books!
This reminded me a lot of 'Ban this Book', which I read last year, and I did actually think I might have read this before, it seemed so familiar. But no, it's a new book.
A great concept, though hard to believe in. The most controlling parents in the world, who have pretty much run off June's elder sister with their academic demands and personal restrictions now focus on 12-year-old bookworm June. After admitting to finding a school library book a little frightening, they take extreme steps, and June's school library soon becomes the battleground for an undercover freedom campaign.
June finds her own books censored (this scene in particular had me scraping wallpaper with my nails - WHAT PARENT does this?!?!?) and her library depleted. Just wanting to read books she chooses, and finding a hidden free library, with friends at school also craving their own reading material, how can she NOT share her finds out?
I loved the talk of books, and the way students in the school start to see reading as a right and a privilege. But I could NOT buy into the parents' and school's attitudes towards 'inappropriate' literature, not in this day and age. There are even students who act in this way, it felt a little creepy. This was set in contemporary America, not the 1970s. I couldn't buy into it.
Readers of the right age will, I'm sure, lap up the rebellion, the subversion as children seek books and adults try to repress them. The librarian gets to make a pretty good speech, and June gets to see how 'friends' really should act if they are friends.
This was a good choice for an Audible read, a young-sounding narrator and straightforward story made it easy to follow and June was brought to life with passion and conviction by the reader.
A great read for book-loving kids ages 10-13.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- AWK
- 16-08-20
Blast against censorship
wonderful book on those who would ban books just like this one. I wonder how the teachers and staff could sanction the schools action. first amendment does not count for juniors? I have an interest in the subject of censorship and free speech having been censored in high school 55 years ago.
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