Ban This Book

• Genre: Fiction; middle-grade realistic
• Originally Published: 2017
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 690L; grades 3-7
• Structure/Length: 49 chapters; approximately 256 pages; approximately 5 hours, 15 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: Fourth-grader Amy Anne Ollinger finds that her favorite book, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, has been banned from her school library. The central conflict revolves around Amy’s efforts to fight against the ban, leading to a secret banned-books library in her locker and a broader exploration of freedom of speech and the importance of challenging authority.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Themes of censorship; mild bullying; confrontation with authority; references to running away

Alan Gratz, Author

• Bio: Born in 1972; American author of young adult fiction; received his college degree in creative writing and later a master’s degree in English education; worked as an English teacher; has written multiple critically acclaimed novels; his work often addresses social and historical issues
• Other Works: Samurai Shortstop (2006); The Brooklyn Nine (2009); Prisoner B-3087 (2013); Refugee (2017)
• Awards: North Carolina Battle of the Books (2018-2019); White Nile Award (2019-2020); Connecticut Nutmeg Book Award Winner (2020)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Control and Power Over Others
• Innocence to Systems and Society
• Betrayals of Trust in Claiming Moral Authority