Banned Book Club
Great graphic novel about teen girl's political awakening.
Kids say
Based on 1 review
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Banned Book Club is a graphic novel about a college student in 1980s South Korea, which was then under a repressive and brutal dictatorship. Violence includes rough interrogations with victims bleeding from the nose and mouth, a punch in the nose that shows blood spraying, and news-photo-type images of a real massacre that took place several years before this story is set. A professor invites a student to a hotel. Past rape during interrogation is implied. Romance is very light, with some holding hands and a kiss on the cheek. A couple of mentions of wine. Villains smoke cigarettes.
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What's the Story?
BANNED BOOK CLUB tells the story of Hyun Sook as she's just starting her first year at the local college. She's studying English language and literature, so joining a book club sounds like the perfect extra-curricular. But the cute guy who invited her to join never mentioned that the club actually reads books that are banned by the totalitarian government. The college is also a bit of a hotbed, with frequent student protests, making it difficult for someone like Hyun Sook, who just wants to keep her head down and finish her studies. As she learns more about the banned reading, and about what happens to people who are caught, she realizes that she can't just keep her head down anymore. Not if she wants the right learn the truth about herself and the world around her.
Is It Any Good?
This compelling graphic novel offers a lot of food for thought on much more than just banning books, packed into a slim volume. Banned Book Club is based on real events, and relatable protagonist Hyun Sook gets readers thinking about government, family, literature, resilience, protest, democracy, access to information, and lots more. The black-and-white illustrations are dynamic and dramatic.
Some transitions from one thing to another, especially when lightening things with a bit of humor, are abrupt and jarring. Also, sometimes they're paired with character drawings that don't have distinguishing features, or are from a far-off point of view, so it can take a minute to figure out who's talking. But readers will find a lot to think and talk about issues important to teens, especially if they're interested in politics and activism.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Banned Book Club. Why is knowing the truth about the past important? Does this book go too far, or does it help you understand what was happening?
Does your school or community ban books? Do you think some books should be banned, or do you think people should be able to whatever they want? Why?
Check out our list of frequently challenged books. Do some of the books on the list surprise you? Have you read any? If you have, what did you think of it, and does seeing it on this list change your reaction to it?
Book Details
- Authors: Kim Hyun Sook, Ryan Estrada
- Illustrator: Ko Hyung-Ju
- Genre: Graphic Novel
- Topics: Activism, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models, History
- Character Strengths: Courage, Perseverance, Teamwork
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Iron Circus Comics
- Publication date: May 19, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 13 - 17
- Number of pages: 192
- Available on: Paperback, Kindle
- Last updated: October 7, 2022
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For kids who love activism and graphic novels that portray historical events
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