Common Sense Media Review
By Lucinda Dyer
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Inspiring must-read anthology is empowering call to action.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
BANNED TOGETHER begins with a graphic narrative from nonbinary/queer/trans author Maia Kobabe about the support she's gotten from readers and librarians for Gender Queer, the most challenged book in the United States in 2020 and 2021. Nikki Grimes offers a poem (and "Two Qs") about the importance of life stories and how to find hope in the face of censorship. Bill Konigsberg and Elana K. Arnold share harrowing personal stories of being survivors of sexual abuse and assault. From Traci Sorell, a member of the Cherokee Nation, there's a poem and an essay about the importance of reading books that tell the truth about the Native Nations. The anthology's editor, Ashley Hope Pérez, and illustrator Debbie Fong offer graphic narratives about Christopher Lau, a high school junior with a Youtube channel about diverse books, and a banned book club in Texas. Isabel Quintero writes about the racism she encountered growing up and how she's embracing her hocicona-ness—her big mouth. The daughter of Indian immigrants who speaks out in support of a teacher fired for letting her students read books with restricted content suffers a life-changing tragedy in a short story by Padma Venkatraman.
Is It Any Good?
A diverse and distinguished group of authors explore the dangers of book censorship through a series of timely, thought-provoking, and empowering stories. Teen readers will almost certainly find a favorite book or author featured in Banned Together. Readers who know an author only through their books will be given a window into the authors' lives as they share deeply personal stories of coming of age, racism, and past trauma. Other readers may get a call to action when they discover a much-loved book has been challenged or banned. A must-read.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the courage it takes for the writers and illustrators in Banned Together to keep writing and telling their stories. What did you learn about how brave and outspoken librarians and authors have been in the fight against banning books?
How would you respond to someone saying "What's the big deal? Only a couple of books have been banned; there are still plenty of good books in the library for kids to read"?
What books would you choose for your Free Banned Books Library?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Debbie Fong
- Genre : Contemporary Fiction
- Topics : Activism
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Holiday House
- Publication date : March 4, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 13 - 18
- Number of pages : 304
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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