In this era of increased book bans and attempts at censorship, Banned Together is a shining beacon of hope and resistance.

Young people have forever been a scapegoat, a convenient excuse for the book banner's bevy of complaints. Accurate and well-sourced American history, discussions of racism/prejudice, LGBTQ+ content, sexual content, etc. — we simply *can't* have our innocent children exposed to these things, right?! Except that all of us (including our children) are living in a world where these things exist, impacting our daily lives. Books are the mirrors to reflect them, and some people simply don't like that.

Banned Together takes young people seriously, respectfully and with dignity, starting with the crucial assumption that they are intelligent and curious people with minds of their own. From essays to comics and poems, this anthology presents the concept and consequences of book bans in an engaging, accessible format for teens/young adults. The stories are real and raw, never shying away from the impact a book can have on both its author and its reader. With every entry, I thought I'd found a favorite only to love the next one just as much.

Although it is aimed at younger readers, Banned Together provides useful information and resources throughout that are helpful to everyone involved in the fight against book bans. If you're a parent, this should be required reading for your kid; request it at your local library, or buy an extra copy and put it on your local tiny free library. It is a necessary glimpse into censorship, the everyday heroes standing up for what's right, and the young folks fighting the good fight.

(Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.)