Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to be able to read and review this book!

5/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Roaring Book Press for allowing me to read a digital ARC of Banned Books, Crop Tops, and Other Bad Influences by Brigit Young in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own. This middle grade novel was published in September 2024.

When I first saw the title and synopsis, I thought “I have to read this.” The idea of banning books to protect kids is just so absurd to me and I liked that this book was bringing that to light and also giving a kids perspective on it. I also just thought the title in general was hilarious and made me want to pick up the book.

The story itself fell short for me. I found the voiced stilted and the narrative difficult to get into. There was just a lot going on. In addition to the book banning, there was a friendship angle, a new kid, and a culture/religion piece. I know that they were all supposed to be related and tied together, but it just felt like too much and it never came together in a cohesive way. I often found myself skimming to get to the end of a chapter, so I could move on to something else. Due to this, I likely wouldn’t recommend it to my students.

Middle grade writing at its finest-- Banned Books, Crop Tops, and Other Bad Influences explores friendship, family, and social issues. I love the idea of getting younger readers interested in the politics of banning books, and this book does just that, but it a way that felt accessible to its readers. It's a coming-of-age story that explores so many of the issues that make being a teen and preteen so challenging, and it does it with heart.
Thanks to NetGalley for this advanced copy!

I knew as soon as I read the synopsis for this book that I absolutely had to read it. Many of the topics covered in this book are close to my heart, and they’re a big part of my life as well. And while I liked this book, I didn’t 100% fall in love with it like I wanted to.

For the first half of the book or so, I felt like the characters felt very one dimensional, but I ended up changing my mind as the novel progressed. The characters definitely became more nuanced, and I appreciated the author’s intentionality in making sure no one was portrayed as 100% “good” or “bad” - even a parent who promotes book banning, which is quite the feat.

This book felt very real, to the point where it was actually ratcheting up my anxiety. During the climactic scene I was so incredibly stressed for these kids - it definitely activated some strong emotions for this mom/librarian. There’s a lot of angst, and some of the references (for instance, suicide), make me feel like this book is suited to a more mature audience - I’d say middle or high school.

hank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of Banned Books, Crop Tops, and Other Bad Influences in exchange for my honest review, which is below.

I wanted to love this book, as the topic is so timely and important and told from the POV of a religious minority, so I was interested to read what she had to say.

Unfortunately, the book gave me whiplash. We would start to get a hint of something deeper in the plot and characterization- family history, friend dynamics, and boom, something else would happen, and then we’d never go back to resolve that issue, and we would return to some of these later without resolution.

The author chose an interesting viewpoint of a child of complacent parents, and her best friend’s mom is pro-book banning so Rose had to struggle a bit to figure out where she stood. The resolution with the friend’s mom left me a bit irritated as it seemed to justify her position— it’s nice to see that the parent is represented as a human with concerns, not just a lunatic waving a sign that certain books are terrible, but Rose has no internal argument or response, not even a question, like “You want to keep me safe, but how is hiding from the world safe? How is sheltering me from other people’s viewpoints going to make me a better adult in any way?”

The lack of interiority took away from the story. I didn’t know how she really felt about certain things: stealing books, for example. (Did you know that many banned books are actually stolen from libraries to keep them out of circulation?) And not knowing Rose’s thoughts or motivations made the peak action at the end feel like it came out of nowhere.

What went well: I felt the dialogue was true to content of what middle schoolers talk and care about. I appreciated that we got to spend time in the synagogue with Rose and her friend Talia, getting to see the love and culture. I also liked that the kids talked about the books they’d read. If the novel had focused more on this and narrowed down some of the subplots I would have liked it more.

I decided to dip my toe into this middle grade because the premise sounded interesting. A new girl comes to town from New York and starts a banned book club.

I can't say I would recommend this one, even for a middle grader. I think it tried to do too much. It sounded preachy, and at the same time I couldn't always tell which side I was supposed to be on.

Rose faces typical middle school angst with overprotective parents, deciding what to wear, figuring out the ever-evolving social hierarchy, and making new decisions after a new girl comes to town and ignites Rose with new ideas. She tries to balance being a "good girl" like always, or breaking the rules to obtain and read banned books. Rose considers whether some rules are meant to be broken.

I cringe to think this book may end up being banned in some schools (the irony!) not only because of the banned book topic but also for the inclusion of a boy character who dresses like a girl and for the mention of racism against another character. Rose is Jewish, and the Holocaust is mentioned in a manner that some sweep atrocities and responsibility for the death camps under the rug.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

A solid middle grade read that dealt with a few different issues but handled them well. I liked that the characters were well developed and complex and everything wasn't always black and white, just like in real life.

Thank you to Roaring Brook Press and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Thirteen-year-old Rose is an only child living with her parents in a small town in Michigan. She is a “good Jewish girl” who always follows the rules. When new student Talia arrives, dressed in black with blue stripes in her dark hair, she challenges the status quo. Rose is initially turned off by Talia’s forwardness and rebellious nature until she sees her at synagogue for High Holiday services. Talia suggests that Rose should read a book based on an event during WWII that has been banned at their middle school. The girls bond over the book and form a secret “banned books club.” Rose explores a new rebellious side of herself even if it means accepting the growing distance with lifelong best friend, Charlotte. Soon Talia’s behavior starts to get more extreme and clings to Rose even more until an ill-conceived adventure has Rose questioning Talia’s decisions.
This was more of a 3.5 for me. The first half started strong. I could identify with Rose because, like her, I was a sheltered “good Jewish girl,” who always obeyed her parents. The second half, particularly when they sneak off on their adventure, I found less believable. Still, I enjoyed the book and would recommend to readers fifth grade and up.
#BannedBooksCropTopsAndOtherBadInfluences #NetGalley

Rose is the perfect kid, quiet, attentive and follows all the rules set by her family, synagogue, and school. One day a new girl from New York City arrives at school. Her name is Talia and she’s different. She is bold, and a girl who knows her mind and isn’t afraid to speak up or challenge the status quo. Rose and Talia are both Jewish and this connection brings the girls together. Talia, a reader, shares a book with Rose. It’s about a Jewish refugee’s experience during World War II that, unknown to Rose, has been banned from their school library. Through Talia’s influences she convinces Rose and sone other marginalized students to form the Banned Books Brigade. Rose unlikely friendship with Talia causes friction with Rose's lifelong best friend, Charlotte.
Things really escalate when the book brigade gets in trouble and Talia wants to run away with Rose to New York City. What ends up happening? Read read read!

There’s a lot to think about in this unique book. You have the kids reading forbidden books from the library, pro-ban parents, the don't rock the boat parents, the only black family in town, the boy who wears skirts, school staff, and the local librarian. All these prospectives give a full picture of the what can happen when book becomes a practice. The story heavily supports fighting bans.

The first half of the book really kept me engaged, but began to drag until the end. I’m not sure this title will interest a large population of middle grade readers, but I lined the unique prospective on this controversial subject,

The idea of banned books is near and dear to my heart. I am a firm believer in no one has the right to tell someone else what they can and cannot read unless they are the parent. While the banned book club is at the forefront of this novel, there are several other important topics woven throughout. It felt as though none of these topics were explored in depth, which would make for a good introduction for younger students. My guess is that this book would be appropriate for grade 5 and up.

Rose is a quiet, obedient student who has always adhered to the rules set by her family, synagogue, and school—a “good” girl, some might say. Then she meets Talia, a bold new student from New York City who knows her mind isn’t afraid to speak up or challenge the status quo. After Talia introduces Rose to a book about a Jewish refugee’s experience during World War II that has been banned from their school library, the two band together with other marginalized students to form the Banned Books Brigade. This shift in choices, friendships, self-identity, and self-discovery brings Talia and Rose together—but causes friction with Rose's lifelong best friend, Charlotte.

Young signposts familiar sights in the landscape of middle-grade writing: diverging friendships, changing alliances, and increasing pushes for autonomy as Rose navigates new complexities and questions about loyalty and independent thinking. The initial eyeballing of crop tops and other clothing as the titular “bad influences” quickly recedes to display the heart of the book, censorship, the importance of thinking critically about access to diverse perspectives, and the dangers of book banning. Discussions about the Holocaust and Jewish identity enrich the narrative and provide a deeper historical context for what happens when voices are silenced.

However, while the writing is accessible and relatable, the characters and plot often feel predictable: Talia’s New York City bad girl vibes and visage, Charlotte’s stuffy stuck-in-the-mud stubbornness about the rules, and Rose’s development from traditional (“good girl”) obedience to new (“bad influence”) ideas and actions. While the story concludes without surprises and with some lack of conflict resolution, overall, it’s an accessible work with relatable middle-grade emotions that highlights the impact of new friendships and offers a timely story for teachers or librarians looking to explore book banning and the courage required to stand up for one’s beliefs.

I live for modern books that discuss modern issues. I didn't care much for the dress code debate but I LOVE a good conversation against a book ban. It would be nice if the book had little discussion questions for small groups and for educators as well since this issue is such a big topic nowadays.

4.5 stars rounded up!

My daughter (going into 5th grade) really enjoyed this book about a group of girls who form a book club to read banned books. The main character's best friend, however, disagrees with her about reading controversial books initially, but she later learns the value of forming your own opinion and not allowing yourself to be influenced by others. This is such as hot topic in this country right now and an important message for young readers!

I absolutely LOVED this book! It brought back memories of middle school and all the tough things to navigate amongst friends while also tackling book censorship! love, loved, LOVED!!!

Rose is a regular middle schooler. She works hard to get good grades, volunteers at the local animal shelter and does everything with her best friend Charlotte. Enter the new girl. Talia is everything Rose thinks she isn't, cultured, loud, brash and ready to argue, Talia moves right into the top social circle at school. However, there is one thing that Talia and Rose have in common. They are both Jewish. After meeting each other at temple, Talia loans Rose a historical fiction book about World War II. What Rose doesn't know until after she reads the book is that this book is banned. Learning about how several schoolbooks have been banned ignites a spark in Rose that she doesn't know how to hide and isn't sure she should. Old and new friendships get tested in Banned Books, Crop Tops and Other Bad Influences.

Where do adults go too far in the name of "protecting" the children? If recent events have given you any answers, you're likely thinking "banning books they disagree with." Brigit Young's novel takes on that (misguided, in my opinion) action by pointing out the absurdity of what some parents want schools to do. Protagonist Rose is Jewish, and one of the only Jewish kids in her school, a position I remember all too well. Her eighth grade history class is about to cover the Holocaust, and a new transfer student from NYC, Talia, immediately points out that their curriculum is biased, leaving out the fact that the USA knew <i>far</i> before they entered the war what was happening to Jews in Europe. Rose has been raised to keep her head down and not rock the boat, but she knows from her family history that Talia is right - and when Talia lends her a book about the ship full of Jewish refugees that the US turned away, she's shocked to learn that the book has been challenged at her school by parents upset that it shows America doing something objectively wrong. Talia (who is also Jewish) and Rose team up with two other marginalized kids to form a banned books club, hoping to show the adults that they're hurting kids by removing these books from libraries, not helping them.

The first half of this novel is incredibly strong. Rose's feelings as a granddaughter of the Holocaust is beautifully realized in a way that will be recognizable to Jewish kids everywhere, because many, if not most, of us are still raised with half an eye looking for signs that we need to flee. The way that gentile children don't understand is used as a stepping stone to show how <i>many</i> people, regardless of cultural affiliation, have a hard time understand what any marginalized person goes through on a daily basis, helping Rose to grow as well. The second half of the book isn't quite as good, as Young spends more time on Talia's difficult family life and how it causes her to make poor choices at times, allowing Rose to be the one to teach <i>her</i>. It's fine, just not as unique or engaging as the banned books storyline. The end doesn't resolve any, or even most, of the conflicts, which makes sense, since these are difficult topics, but it may cause some middle grade readers to feel shortchanged.

Still, this is a very good book. The lessons are clear but not preachy and it's a subject kids ought to be aware of. Banning books risks criminalizing world views in kids' minds, and that makes society all the weaker in the long run.

This was not my favorite book. I just didn't really like the writing style, and the story was hard to get into. It just doesn't really "hook" the reader. I think for earlier/younger readers, this book might be okay, but it just wasn't something I would read.

I enjoyed this read, and I could see students enjoying it as well. The topics and themes are relatable. I could see my fifth graders enjoying this book and relating to the characters. I appreciated that the characters learned how to stand up for what they believe in, but how doing this can also lead to some unexpected consequences.

Banned books is a highly relative and controversial issue currently in the US. I loved that the author highlighted these kids coming to an age where they start to have their own thoughts and opinions, particularly if they diverge from those of their parents.