Banned Together Our Fight for Readers' Rights — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Books are disappearing from shelves across the country.
What does this mean for authors, illustrators, and—most crucially—for young readers?
This bold collection of fiction, memoir, poetry, graphic narratives, essays, and other genres explores book bans through various lenses, and empowers teens to fight back. From moving personal accounts to clever comebacks aimed at censorship, fifteen legendary YA authors and illustrators confront the high-stakes question of what is lost when books are kept from teens.
Contributors include Elana K. Arnold, Nikki Grimes, Ellen Hopkins, Kelly Jensen, Brendan Kiely, Maia Kobabe, Bill Konigsberg, Kyle Lukoff, MariNaomi, Trung Lê Nguyễn, Ashley Hope Pérez, Isabel Quintero, Traci Sorell, Robin Stevenson, and Padma Venkatraman; the collection is a star-studded must-read that packs strength and power into every last word.
Striking illustrations from Ignatz-nominated artist Debbie Fong pair perfectly with the searing, impactful narrative. Resources include tips from the Vandegrift Banned Book Club and other teen activists, as well as extensive recommended book lists, a How to Start Your Own Little Free Library flier, and more.
Frequently asked questions
Is Banned Together Our Fight for Readers' Rights appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The anthology includes personal stories that touch on themes of violence, such as experiences of being groomed and sexually assaulted, although these accounts are described as not overly graphic. The anthology features disturbing personal stories about grooming and sexual abuse, which may be unsettling for some readers, but they are not described as overly graphic.
Does Banned Together Our Fight for Readers' Rights have violence?
The anthology includes personal stories that touch on themes of violence, such as experiences of being groomed and sexually assaulted, although these accounts are described as not overly graphic.
Does Banned Together Our Fight for Readers' Rights have scary content?
The anthology features disturbing personal stories about grooming and sexual abuse, which may be unsettling for some readers, but they are not described as overly graphic.
Does Banned Together Our Fight for Readers' Rights have religious themes?
No religious practices, beliefs, or ceremonies are mentioned in the book's narrative.
Does Banned Together Our Fight for Readers' Rights have racial/cultural content?
The anthology addresses themes of racism and includes narratives from diverse authors who discuss their experiences with racial identity and activism against book bans. It emphasizes the importance of representation in literature.
Does Banned Together Our Fight for Readers' Rights have profanity?
The book includes occasional mild profanity, such as 'crap,' 'badass,' and 'hell,' as well as references to more explicit language in the context of censorship discussions.
Does Banned Together Our Fight for Readers' Rights have climate change?
No themes related to climate activism or environmental issues are present in the book's narrative.
Does Banned Together Our Fight for Readers' Rights have sexual identity?
The book contains discussions around sexual abuse and personal experiences with sexuality, including a short story featuring a kiss and romance. It also addresses the complexities of discussing sex in literature for young audiences.
Does Banned Together Our Fight for Readers' Rights have gender roles?
No specific themes related to traditional gender roles or modern feminism are identified in the book's narrative.
Does Banned Together Our Fight for Readers' Rights have lgbtq+ themes?
The anthology includes contributions from LGBTQ+ authors and discusses themes related to LGBTQ+ experiences, such as the challenges faced by queer individuals and the impact of book bans on these communities. It highlights the importance of diverse representation in literature.
