Now, more than ever, this kind of story is important to share with kids of all ages. This particular story, with sixth grader Bess navigating changing friendships, new friends, book bans, and differing opinions that can harm and hurt, will be good for younger middle-grade readers. I did find the writing style to be disjointed, with some details that seemed to be randomly included for flavor. The writing style makes the story seem like it's aimed for a late elementary-school audience, while the content is more focused on a younger middle-grade audience. A good book that would be great for young middle-grade readers and their adults to go through together.

I'm glad to see all of the books about book banning and censorship, especially for middle grade readers. It's such an important issue. The author did a good job of bringing the issue to the forefront of this book. The overall theme, speaking up for yourself and others, is also so important. Bess felt very strongly about book banning and actively spoke out against it. It's great that she spoke out against a wrong she saw in the world. However, sometimes I think Bess's approach, and the book itself, was a bit heavy-handed with the message. Bess didn't take the time to understand that June may have had a reason for not loudly speaking out against book banning. It may not have been safe for her, or there may have been other reasons. Bess automatically expected June to react in the same way as she did, and when June didn't have the same reaction, she got angry. There's a lot of nuance in these types of situations, and many intricacies to important issues. Likewise, Bess seemed to automatically default anyone that disagreed with her view into the "horrible person" category. While I understand there are some issues that may create irreconcilable differences of opinion, Bess's reaction seemed more instantaneous and without reflection (or any way for the reader to understand that this was an irreconcilable issue for Bess).
Additionally, I wish there was more of an exploration of preparing for a meeting/speech. In a debate class that I took years ago, I was told that I had to be prepared to argue for either side of an issue, despite my personal views. I think this is a good skill to have for more effective conversations around difficult topics. It doesn't mean that one must agree with the other side, but it helps to understand a bit better the arguments that the other side might make. People can be very passionate about their opinions, and that passion sometimes leads to a shouting match. It felt like the meeting in the book very quickly devolved into a shouting match. And sometimes even well researched meetings can end this way. I just wish the author had explored the preparation stage better, with the characters making clear arguments against banning and censorship, rather than just repeating that the books aren't scary and that kids feel they are ready for the topics within the books.
Again, I'm so glad that the author wrote this book that adds to the catalog of middle grade fiction that examines issues that impact kids today. I just wish this book had gone a little bit more in depth and explored the issue more.

Same Page is a great look at book banning and censorship for middle grade readers! I really enjoyed this one and thought it had some great dialogue about book banning that was handled well for a younger crowd. I loved that the main character talked about meditating and often stopped and said positive things about whoever she was arguing with. Sure, some of it was a little easy, but this is a middle grade book so that is completely understandable. Bonus points for a great sibling relationship and a fantastic dog!

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Children's, and Elly Swartz for the chance to read and review. My opinions are my own.

This was a well written children’s fiction book, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed getting to know the characters in this universe. I enjoyed the way Elly Swartz wrote this and am excited for more, I enjoyed previous books written and had that charm that I wanted from Elly Swartz.

Same Page by Elly Swartz felt like it was written just for me: a book lover, someone who struggles with stress and anxiety, someone with a family backstory and someone who wants to leave a positive mark on the world. But this book is not just for me. It’s for EVERYONE. It follows Bess Stein, her friends and a group of rockstar librarians called The Book Warriors as they fight against book-banning. In it, we learn what book-banning might feel like from a child’s point of view and learn how we might appropriately fight for our rights from a group of caring advocates. We also learn what it’s like to feel anxious in different ways and how we can use meditation, mindfulness and my favorite…kindness meditations to help. It’s also about friendships, how they change and how we can hold onto the friends we already have while also learning, growing and expanding our friendship circles, too. Plus, it’s about families in all of their complexity and how those families impact who we are, what we believe about ourselves and how we show up in the world. It’s everything and there is a place for every reader to find a home in this book.

This is probably the most well written piece on book banning I’ve read. The main character and her family are rooted in good intentions and are easy to love for lots of reasons.
That being said, I thought the antagonist was a caricature of all of the people with whom we disagree. Perceived to be wrong on one point, therefore inherently evil, almost entirely. Didn’t love that.
Good read. Theme is easily identifiable.

I liked the look at book banning and how it can affect a friendship.
June and Bess go through a lot as books are fought over and lines are drawn.
This is a great look at what is going on in the world and how it can have a ripple effect.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

Another fantastic book about a timely topic by an amazing author. Beth is thrilled that the PTO funded their book vending machine. When she goes in one day she notices some books are missing. She’s told that someone complained about the books, and Bess finds out her good friend June’s mom made the complaint. She gets mad at June for not telling her, but June says I can’t go against my mom. Bess has a plan to start a book club for all books being challenged, but is told no by the principal. Bess meets with a book group who want to fight for kids’ rights to read books they want. Bess wants to leave some challenged books around town but not everyone lets her do that. She decides to get a group to go to a school board meeting to speak the truth about books and show people why these challenged books are important for people to read. What happens?
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Same Page by Elly Swartz tells the story of Bess Stein who fights a book ban happening in her school. After being elected to class president, Bess decides to add a book vending machine to her school. She wants to make sure all students have a book that they see themselves in in the book vending machine her school has. She is doing this with her friend, June, by her side. Soon after the book vending machine debuts, certain books start being questioned. It seems like Bess and June might be on different sides of the issue. With the help of friends and the Book Warriors, she uses her voice to stand up for what she believes in. This is a wonderful story about advocacy and being true to yourself.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Same Page is a great book. The reflection of what's happening in the world right now makes for strong discussions with students. They need to read books like this to help them understand the world. I can't wait to share this one with students!

Same Page by Elly Swartz, set to release in January 2025, is a middle-grade novel that explores the timely topic of book bans through the eyes of sixth grader Bess Stein. Bess is an ambitious student running for class president, with exciting plans like a book vending machine to foster a love of reading among her peers. However, her friendship with her vice-president, June, is put to the test when some of the books Bess champions come under scrutiny. Complicating matters, June’s mother leads the opposition against those very books.

This story addresses relevant issues such as censorship, freedom of expression, and the complexities of friendship during challenging times. Bess finds herself at a crossroads—standing up for what she believes in or preserving her friendship with June. Readers will relate to Bess’s internal struggle, making this a thoughtful and engaging novel for ages 10 and up.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this eARC.

E ARC provided by Netgalley

Bess Stein is very excited to find out that she has been elected class president, and new student, June, is her vice president. In addition to a panini maker in the cafeteria, Bess is excited that Mr. Jasper has been able to work with the PTA and get a book vending machine in the library. Students will get a coin on their birthday for a book, and June's brother Knox is one of the first to pick a title. Bess' mother is an equine therapist, and her her father owns the Blackbird Cafe in their small town. Her younger brother, Avi, is in kindergarten and has an invisible friend named Penelope. When Bess notices that many of the titles that she and her friends helped pick out for the vending machine aren't being included, she finds that someone has challenged them. She goes to a Book Warriors meeting with librarians and others concerned about book bans, and decides to leave books around towns with sticky notes describing what the book is really about so that people can learn about them instead of just banning books. She is distraught to find that one shop owner she really likes won't have a book in her shop. When Bess finds out that June's mother is the one who got the books removed, she's angry, and doesn't understand when June won't stand up to her mother even though she doesn't believe in the book banning. The issue goes to the school board, and while the books are reinstated, Mr. Jasper is put on administrative leave and there is a substitute. He eventually leaves to take a job at a nonprofit promoting literacy. Eventually, June speaks her mind and stands up with her own opinions, and the Book Warriors seem to be successful.

This can be added to the list of recent books that address the current issue of book bannings, like Gratz' Ban This Book, Varnes' Property of the Rebel Librarian, Yang's Finally Seen, Levy's Not Another Banned Book, and King's Attack of the Black Rectangles. I do wish that Bess had been more understanding of June's situation; the mother could have been abusive, and June could have been in danger had she stood up to her. Also, not all librarians are in a position to get a new job, as Mr. Jasper was.

6th grader Bess, loves books and has a great idea to have a book vending machine in the school library. On their birthday, students get to pick a book to keep. The plan is to have books that reflect the lives of all the students in the school. That brings out the book-banning adults and many books disappear. Bess joins with other students and adults to take on the issue of book-banning. Along the way there are friend conflicts, a hint of romance, and lessons learned about how to navigate differences of opinion. Highly recommend.

A phenomenal book by a phenomenal author! Same Page is a book that ALL humans need to read. On the surface, it's a beautiful story about a young girl, Bess, navigating friendships in 6th grade. But really, it's so much more than that. Bess is a book lover. She believes that kids can handle more than they're given credit for and that families can decide what books are right for them, but families should not be making that decision for other families. Bess joins a local group of librarians called the Book Warriors and works to stop book banning in her school. She has to muster up the courage to speak out for what she believes in and learns so many important lessons along the way.

In addition to standing up for libraries, librarians, and books, Bess also helps her friend (and readers) learn how to center themselves with positive thoughts and mindful breathing and also how to speak up, even when staying silent is easier. Bess deals with bullying, antisemitism, and supporting a friend through tough times. This book is such an important one for the world. Thank you, Elly, for another powerful book that will support MG readers as they navigate the world around them.

Thank you to Netgalley for the free Arc!

I really enjoyed this book. The main character, Bess Stein, is very relatable as she goes through several transformative experiences including book bans, standing up for the rights of students to read the books they want to, and losing her dog. The author does a good job of portraying the different perspectives of the people at the school board meeting in regards to the book bans. The reason why I gave this book a 4 instead of a 5 is because it felt like everything got resolved very quickly within the last 5 pages of the book, tying everything up with a neat bow. It would be great if life really worked like that, but it. came across as a bit unrealistic.

I love the trend of exploring book bans. I think it is a great way for kids to learn their voice and see political action relevant to them in action. Cute story. Well written.