Banned Books, Crop Tops, and Other Bad Influences

Can good girls read banned books?

Rose is a good girl. She listens to her parents and follows every rule. After all, rules are there for a reason … right? And adults always know best.

Talia, the new girl from New York City, doesn’t think so. After only a week at school, Talia—who does what she wants, when she wants—is already making enemies. First on the list: Charlotte, Rose’s lifelong best friend.

So why can’t Rose stop wondering what it would be like to be Talia’s friend? And why does Rose read a banned book that Talia recommends? Rose doesn’t know. But the forbidden book makes her ask questions she’s never thought of. When Talia suggests they start a banned books club, how can Rose say no?

Pushing against her parents, her school, and even Charlotte opens a new world for Rose.

But when Talia’s escapades become more scary than exciting, Rose must decide when it’s right to keep quiet and when it’s time to speak out.

“Book banning is the catalyst for this powerful story about friendship, identity, and self-discovery. Through her engaging and complex middle school characters, Young deftly tackles how to bridge the divisions that can tear us apart while still standing up for what we believe.”—KATHERINE MARSH, National Book
Award finalist for The Lost Year