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ericaroseeberhart's review against another edition
4.0
This book is a quick, easy read that's wonderful for book lovers and readers who support the freedom to read. There's a lot lacking in this book, as it's so focused on the tale of censorship and discovering what drives you in causes, but overall it was a pleasant read. I would say this is a great vacation read--it's nothing to stress over or that you need your full attention to enjoy, but it's still engaging.
mistymichelle2200's review against another edition
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
deedralapray's review against another edition
4.0
OK, perhaps not a true 4, but there were so many bits and chunks in this book that were worth devouring.
What I didn't like about this book: It was a little cheesy. Think Glee. What a cool show! Isn't that every choir/performance team director's dream? All of those amazingly talented kids from every caste, clique, and subgroup all coming together to bring about change and tolerance and acceptance. That's kinda what Suggested Reading was like, except these kids were fighting for books. So there is this secret force in the private school Clara attends who is trying to ban a list of about 50 books. Clara, always book thirsty, creates this secret underground library. Suddenly EVERYONE -the sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, waistoids, dweebies, dickheads - all want to check out a book. Clara barely has enough time in the day to dole out her secret stash of books. Not only that, Clara has these kids writing quotes on the books that were meaningful to them. Every librarian's dream. Call me cynical, but I don't think a group like this actually exists.
What I did like about the book: The same thing that drove me a little nutty, the unrealistic level of reading and making deeply personal connections to these books, was actually a little charming. I'm not trying to say that there aren't any kids around like this, because these are the kids I gravitate to, they are out there. I have just personally never experienced this huge groundswell taking over a high school student population. The conversations that these students had amongst themselves about the books and their meanings made this librarian's heart soar. And every chapter began with amazingly perfect quotes from tons of banned books - many of my favs.
After reading this book, I have realized that I have to read The Catcher in the Rye. I can't believe I missed this one.
In the tradition of this book, I don't think it would be appropriate to leave a review without some kind of meaningful quote from this book. There are many, but one of my favorites comes during a discussion between Clara and her parents. Her mom is giving her some counsel about fighting for and standing up for things correctly. I felt like this was very relevant for our times.
"I don't want Clara to turn in to someone who is seeing demons behind every door, waiting for something to protest. Living offended all of the time. Looking for things to be mad at."
Aaahh...my wish for the world.
What I didn't like about this book: It was a little cheesy. Think Glee. What a cool show! Isn't that every choir/performance team director's dream? All of those amazingly talented kids from every caste, clique, and subgroup all coming together to bring about change and tolerance and acceptance. That's kinda what Suggested Reading was like, except these kids were fighting for books. So there is this secret force in the private school Clara attends who is trying to ban a list of about 50 books. Clara, always book thirsty, creates this secret underground library. Suddenly EVERYONE -the sportos, the motorheads, geeks, sluts, bloods, waistoids, dweebies, dickheads - all want to check out a book. Clara barely has enough time in the day to dole out her secret stash of books. Not only that, Clara has these kids writing quotes on the books that were meaningful to them. Every librarian's dream. Call me cynical, but I don't think a group like this actually exists.
What I did like about the book: The same thing that drove me a little nutty, the unrealistic level of reading and making deeply personal connections to these books, was actually a little charming. I'm not trying to say that there aren't any kids around like this, because these are the kids I gravitate to, they are out there. I have just personally never experienced this huge groundswell taking over a high school student population. The conversations that these students had amongst themselves about the books and their meanings made this librarian's heart soar. And every chapter began with amazingly perfect quotes from tons of banned books - many of my favs.
After reading this book, I have realized that I have to read The Catcher in the Rye. I can't believe I missed this one.
In the tradition of this book, I don't think it would be appropriate to leave a review without some kind of meaningful quote from this book. There are many, but one of my favorites comes during a discussion between Clara and her parents. Her mom is giving her some counsel about fighting for and standing up for things correctly. I felt like this was very relevant for our times.
"I don't want Clara to turn in to someone who is seeing demons behind every door, waiting for something to protest. Living offended all of the time. Looking for things to be mad at."
Aaahh...my wish for the world.
hermit_rah's review against another edition
5.0
This. Book. Is. Amazing.
I love how it goes about showing the importance of open and free access to all books. How books shape lives. How every book can mean something different to each individual because of the filters we see our world through. That we cannot fear the power of ideas if we truly want to be free.
I love how it goes about showing the importance of open and free access to all books. How books shape lives. How every book can mean something different to each individual because of the filters we see our world through. That we cannot fear the power of ideas if we truly want to be free.
aveelamba's review against another edition
2.75
an important, emotional story. unfortunately the plot is scattered, the characters lean towards one-dimensional, and the conflict resolution is virtually nonexistent. the dialogue oscillates between well-written and awkward/stiff, unrealistic, and inaccurate. most of the book fails to capture a teenager’s voice. but, the story is extremely relevant in today’s political climate.
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
5.0
Yes- this book is Required Reading!! My favorite book so far this year. Funny, heartfelt, thoughtful, great characters and plot. Good in every way! I’ve already recommended it to all my high school English teachers❤️
wanderingtraveller3002's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
alongreader's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
Clara believes passionately that books change lives. When her school quietly bans more than fifty novels, she decides she's not going to take it lying down and starts a secret library.
As a bookseller, I loved the idea behind this novel, that stories can connect people. I also love the dominoes theory; that something one person does can cause so many other things to happen, usually without the first person even knowing.
The characters were great in this novels, too. I loved how supportive they were of Clara, including the teachers and even a few people I wasn't expecting. All around, a great novel and one I'll love to recommend. (And laugh when it inevitably gets banned...)
The only slightly unbelievable thing was how much use her UnLib got, even with a few people talking her up. But then, maybe I'm just jaded by my own school library, which checked out five books in a busy week...
Clara believes passionately that books change lives. When her school quietly bans more than fifty novels, she decides she's not going to take it lying down and starts a secret library.
As a bookseller, I loved the idea behind this novel, that stories can connect people. I also love the dominoes theory; that something one person does can cause so many other things to happen, usually without the first person even knowing.
The characters were great in this novels, too. I loved how supportive they were of Clara, including the teachers and even a few people I wasn't expecting. All around, a great novel and one I'll love to recommend. (And laugh when it inevitably gets banned...)
The only slightly unbelievable thing was how much use her UnLib got, even with a few people talking her up. But then, maybe I'm just jaded by my own school library, which checked out five books in a busy week...
adalieslittlelibrary's review against another edition
3.5
I’m kind of waffling on the rating of this book. It was good but not great. It deals with some important topics, and I resonated with some of the commentary it presented. That being said, some of the inner conflict the main character dealt with didn’t really make a lot of sense to me. It just seemed like it was only there as a way to create tension in the story and not because it made sense with the character. It just didn’t seem to be a genuine reaction.