Book Bugs, The Lost Library, Ban This Book 📚
MBH no. 28
Hello and Happy Friday!
I can’t believe I’ve published this newsletter for over a year and haven’t acknowledged one of my very favorite categories: books about books.
As a lifelong bookworm, I have always felt a strong connection to stories about books and libraries and to characters who love reading as much as I do. Countless children's books fall into this category, but I've picked three family favorites—one early chapter book and two middle grade novels—that I hope your little bibliophile will love.
ALSO! Since I know many of you share my passion for literature, please let me know: what are your favorite books about books?
Annie and Snowball and the Book Bugs Club, by Cynthia Rylant (2011)
“What’s a Book Bug?” Annie asked Henry.
“I think it's a book club,” said Henry.
“A book club?” said Annie.
She was so excited.
Annie had always wanted to be in a book club.
“Let’s join!” said Annie.
“Hmm” said Henry.
He needed to think about it.
Usually, Henry likes to do outdoor things with his big dog Mudge. But his cousin and next-door neighbor Annie really wants to join a summer book club and Henry decides that since Annie usually goes along with his plans, he should do an “Annie-thing.” But he’s still not so sure a book club is for him.
However, after Annie and Henry spend the summer reading in all sorts of outdoor places, including up in a maple tree, Henry realizes that reading can be an adventure, too.
The Annie and Snowball series is a spin-off of Rylant’s Henry and Mudge series, an award-winning “Ready-to-Read” series. Book Bugs has short, simple chapters, perfect for newly independent readers, and is accompanied by Suçie Stevenson’s happy illustrations.
Recommended for ages 4-7
The Lost Library, by Wendy Maas and Rebecca Stead (2023)
These young readers felt things about books, which is why I call them Great Readers. Being a Great Reader has nothing to do with reading great sophisticated books, or reading great long books, or even with reading a great many books. Being a Great Reader means feeling something about books.
When a makeshift little free library appears in Martinville, almost 20 years after the mysterious fire that burned down the town library, 11-year-old Evan chooses two books from the shelves.
Evan and his best friend Rafe quickly discover a link between the books and the fire, which adults in their town never want to discuss. Soon, both boys become determined to uncover the real story behind the fire.
Stead and Mass (two award-winning children’s writers) tell the story through the alternating perspectives of Evan, a cat named Mortimer, and a former librarian–all of whom are desperately trying to find their place in the world.
We loved this unique middle-grade mystery that celebrates books and libraries. Parents might want to know that some of the main characters are ghosts, but not the creepy or spooky kind. Short, with a sweet, satisfying ending.
Recommended for ages 8-11
Ban This Book, by Alan Gratz (2017)
A library without books in it. Just the thought gave me the shivers, but that was exactly the point. We were going to show them that once you banned one book, you could ban them all, and then there wouldn’t be any books left to read.
All of the book challenges…were because one person saw a book in a very different way than somebody else. Which was fine. Everybody had the right to interpret any book any way they wanted to. What they couldn’t do then was tell everybody else their interpretation was the only interpretation.
Look, the point is, once you ban one book, somebody, somewhere, can find a reason to ban every book”
Quiet fourth-grader Amy Ann Ollinger wishes she could speak up. But Amy Ann has always been a “good girl.” She is respectful of adults and always does what she’s told—even if that means she has no place of her own among her noisy family.
As a result, Amy Ann spends a lot of time in the school library, reading From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, her favorite book. But one day, Amy Ann discovers that a school board parent removed the book from the library, along with several other books deemed “inappropriate” for children. When Amy Ann learns that the parent is arbitrarily removing the books without following the established protocol, she knows she has to do something.
But she’s too scared to speak up at the school board meeting, so she decides that she can at least find and read all of the banned books on the growing list. Before long, Amy Ann and her friends create the B.B.L.L. – The Banned Books Locker Library– where kids can secretly check out all the books that the school board removed
Soon, Amy Ann is in the midst of a fierce battle–but can she come out of her shell long enough to make a difference?
Ban this Book is a fantastic read aloud for upper elementary school kids and will inspire tons of discussion in your home or classroom. The characters, especially Amy Ann, are well-developed and realistic, and their portrayals will help young readers understand that kids can make a real difference in their schools and communities.
Although Amy Ann firmly believes that "nobody has the right to tell you what books you can and can't read–except your parents”, she’s able to acknowledge the viewpoint of the opposing side and see the good intentions behind the parent responsible for spearheading the book bans.
This is the story of a little girl who finds her voice and stands up for what she knows is right. It is a celebration of literature, a courageous display of free speech, and an inspiring defense of readers’ rights.
Recommended for ages 8-12
I’ve featured other books about books, including:
Book Buddies, by Cynthia Lord (MBH no. 14)
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library (series), by Chris Grabenstein (MBH Gift Guide 2022)
Wishing you hours and hours of reading magic,
Katie
P.S. As you all know by now, I am a Bookshop.org affiliate. This impactful organization donates all profits to local bookstores (more on that here). If you purchase through one of my links or by visiting my storefront, I earn a teeny tiny commission, which one day might be able to buy me a latte;).