Don't Check Out This Book! is a new middle grade book written and illustrated by sister duo Kate Klise and M. Sarah Klise. This book follows a class of fifth graders at Appleton Elementary as they try to get to the bottom of a scandal involving the school's principal, school board president, and the new school librarian. Along the way, the students read lots of great books from the librarian's green dot collection, write for the school newspaper, and fight against bad decisions being made in their community.

This book was a huge throwback for me. I have distinct memories of reading another book by the Klise sisters (Regarding the Fountain) while in elementary or middle school and absolutely loving it. I was so excited when I realized that this was the same author and illustrator and was coving a topic I'm hugely passionate about--libraries and the freedom to read!

This book is not told in the traditional chapter format, instead it is made up of notes from students, memos from the adults in the town, and articles in the newspaper. This format was engaging as a child and just as readable as an adult. The format will be great for readers who are transitioning from picture books to chapter books or for readers who tend to pick up graphic novels over chapter books.

As a librarian, I loved the idea of the green dot collection--a collection of books students can check out without using a library card. These books are about topics that a reader may be embarrassed to be seen reading by the librarian, so the barrier to access has been taken away. The book advocates for reading as both a way to learn new information and for fun. I also appreciate how this book advocates for kids standing up to bullies and using their voices to speak out when they see something unjust happening.

Don't Check Out This Book! was such a delightful read. I love the unique format and the callback to my own childhood reading experience. The plot was a bit simplistic, but since I'm not the target audience, I understand why the plot wasn't made more complex. I would recommend this book for elementary aged readers, especially those starting out reading chapter books. I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Thank you NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Although this was archived before I finished it, I did purchase a copy for my classroom library. I am SO glad I did. This was such an entertaining quick read, and has been passed around several times through my classroom already. It was such an engaging story that made it really hard to put down, and I loved the multimodal chapters.

Definitely a must for upper-elementary classroom libraries!

This was a cute book about reading banned books, but the punny names were a little much for me. Everyone has a name that's a pun and it really annoyed me about halfway through.

This book was hysterical! I can't wait to add it to our library collection and recommend it to young tween readers. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review!

This was a cute book. It was written in letters, emails, newspaper articles, etc. I would recommend getting a physical copy of the book rather than a eBook because of formatting.

If you are a book lover, you will love this book!! Appleton is an extremely small school that has a new librarian that throws every aspect of the school into a. whirlwind. Told through emails, letters, memos and the school newspaper - this book is such a delight!

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is so cute. The names are clever. A fun read for chapter book readers. A light fun read.

Consider the facts:
Appleton Elementary School has a new librarian named Rita B. Danjerous. (Say it fast.)
Principal Noah Memree barely remembers hiring her.
Ten-year-old Reid Durr is staying up way too late reading a book from Ms. Danjerous's controversial "green dot" collection.
The new school board president has mandated a student dress code that includes white gloves and bow ties available only at her shop.

Classic Kate Klise plot told through email, texts, memos, notes, newspaper articles, and puns galore.
Starting with Rita B. Danjerous and her daughter May B. Dangerous, wordplay is used for the names of the characters, resulting in each name having a distinct similarity to the character's personality. The plot centers around fostering a love of reading, missing funds, and the Green Dot Books, which are books you are not allegedly not supposed to read. Don't miss this-- it won't disappoint.

Consider the facts:
Appleton Elementary School has a new librarian named Rita B. Danjerous. (Say it fast.)
Principal Noah Memree barely remembers hiring her.
Ten-year-old Reid Durr is staying up way too late reading a book from Ms. Danjerous's controversial "green dot" collection.
The new school board president has mandated a student dress code that includes white gloves and bow ties available only at her shop.

Sound strange? Fret not. Appleton's fifth-grade sleuths are following the money, embracing the punny, and determined to the get to the funniest, most rotten core of their town's juiciest scandal.- Goodreads

This book was not what I was expecting but it was adorable in every which way. It is told through a series of letters and interviews (conducted by the students). Although the book is read in a lighthearted way, it shares the importance of books and how it can lead to connections with people you never would have thought. It also shows how reading can help change your outlook on things, give your skills and give you enjoyment.

Its a quick read but an enjoyable one any child would like. It has a villain (and it isn't because of the dress code), it has romance and a hero. I'm going to say it again, this is a good read especially if you want to get your child into reading.

3 Pickles

This was a fun, quick read about a small town & their quest to restore their school’s reputation. As well as working to get rid of a school board member that is causing more harm than good.

This book was so fun. Many tongue and cheek jokes that got some laughs from my students. Students solving a mystery about new rules in their school district and reading books from a "green dot" section of the library. Also, the text and illustrations through out this book will attract lovers of graphic novels and reluctant readers.

As a young reader, one of my very favorite books was Trial By Journal written by Kate Klise and illustrated by Sarah Klise. Though this book is long out of print, I still have a very battered copy. So I was pretty happy when I came across a review for a new book from these sisters.

New librarian Rita B. Danjerous has just moved to the small town of Appleton where she faces an inept and distracted principal, and a pushy new school board president who has pretty shady motivations. When she comes under attack for her "green dot" books - books that deal with hard subjects that students can borrow without checking out so they don't need to feel embarrassed - she decides to fight back and inspires the townspeople (and her own fifth grade daughter) to do the same.

An epistolary like novel filled with puns, fiery children, and plenty of humor this book was just what I expected. Not as good as Trial By Journal or the more famous Regarding the Fountain, but still enjoyable - especially for a new generation of readers.

there were too many things i liked about this book so i made a list:
• i loved the epistolary storytelling, which reminded me of my internship where i was in charge of sorting documents and reading emails :D
• it took me so long to realize the hidden meaning behind the characters' names, and when i did, the clever puns completely blew my mind!
• the idea of having a "green dot collection" is simply amazing - i wish my school had something similar
• the story was just so funny, and promotes reading in a fun and relaxing way

A story told through letters, notes, and newspapers articles is the best way to explain the power of books to those who might need a reminder. A newly appointed money hungry school board president decides to take on an elementary school librarian and two young ambitious readers. Reading about how quickly the librarian not only reaches but impacts every member of this small community called Appleton should inspire librarian's to dream. Pun's are woven so intricately into this scandalous story it couldn't have been possible without them. Teachers and administrators alike will be drawn to your classroom during this class read when you student's laughter fill the hallways.

I'm thinking that Klise listened to Car Talk! All the names, May B Danjerous, Ivana Beprawpa, Noah Memree, Ben Thinken, Reid Durr, the list goes on and on. I read the galley so missed the layout and illustrations, but it didn't hinder my enjoyment. Geared towards readers ready for their first chapter books, this is sure to please. And, what librarian wouldn't love the herione - Rita B Danjerous and her library of green dot books!

So what do you do if your mom takes a job in a small town School Library and a very greedy lady in the town is running the school board. She has made some new rules for the school that only benefit her, such as the students must wear bow ties for the boys and gloves for the girls, which can only be purchased at her store. Now your mom also has some unconventional ideas about running a school library, such as the green list books do not need to be checked out, students are just asked to bring them back when they are done with them. Read this book to find out how the students figure out ways to solve their problems with the school board.
#DontCheckOutThisBook #NetGalley #ARC

Another great read by Kate Klise! Fun names that add to the story that middle grade readers will appreciate.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute one! I felt like the beginning was a little slow, but once it got going, I read 2/3 of it in one sitting. Thoroughly enjoyable. I feel like the lessons woven into the storyline would make this a perfect book to read with your kids. There's also a few things that'll go over the kiddos heads, but will be hilarious to adults.

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a cute book, overall. I can see middle grade students enjoying the punny names and the antics of the characters.
I would caution against the digital format-mine was a bit jumbled in places, which made it difficult to read. I also didn't get to see the illustrations clearly on my Kindle.