Common Sense Media Review
By Joly Herman
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Activism plays major role in lively book with bold tweens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In TEAR THIS DOWN, seventh grader Freya Stillman has run for student council president and lost to the popular kid in her class. But that doesn't stop Freya from having opinions about how the school is run. Why, she wonders, are the books they're reading in school populated with male heroes? And why is her small town named after a man who did good things, but who didn't believe that women should have the right to vote? Freya won't stop asking questions until she gets answers. Will her friends and family stand beside her?
Is It Any Good?
An unlikely heroine tackles tough questions about effective activism in this spirited book. Readers will get caught up in the momentum of Freya's restless quest to get to the bottom of her East Coast town's history. In Tear This Down by veteran author Barbara Dee (Maybe He Just Likes You), the DNA of a community pulses through generations of its inhabitants, further motivating its members to right past wrongs. Tweens and families looking for an engaging read about activism will enjoy this focused book, which doggedly chases its topic.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about self-control in Tear This Down. Freya is constantly being told to keep her voice down. How does she gain control over her emotions and her voice? When is it appropriate to speak loudly and proudly?
Activism can be seen as a form of communication that promotes social change. What do you want to change? How do you communicate your wish for change?
Freya and her community use teamwork to raises awareness about invisible heroines in their community. How does her team evolve? What does patience have to do with teamwork?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : Activism , Arts , History , School ( Middle School )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Self-control , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Aladdin
- Publication date : February 25, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 9 - 13
- Number of pages : 302
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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