All We Say by Ben Rhodes

ALL WE SAY by Ben Rhodes, a New York Times best-selling author, highlights “The Battle for American Identity: A History in 15 Speeches.” He divides the book into three chronological parts: from the Revolution to Civil War; from Reconstruction to the 1940s and beginning of the Superpower era; and from Civil Rights to MAGA. The speakers and their topics are sometimes well-known (e.g., Benjamin Franklin, Frederick Douglass, Louis Brandeis, or FDR’s “Four Freedoms”), but Rhodes has included a variety of speakers who were well-known in their own time like Red Jacket’s “We Have Always Lived Here,” delivered in 1805, or Mary Lease speaking about how “Wall Street Owns This Country” in 1891. Speeches from several other female activists (Maria Stewart, Anna Dickinson, and Dolores Huerta) are presented.  Plus, Rhodes deftly contrasts the oratorial might of Confederate Alexander Stephens and Abraham Lincoln and later Martin Luther King, Jr. and John F. Kennedy. More modern-day speeches by Ronald Reagan, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump are also provided. In each chapter, Rhodes supplies some background and historical context as well as the experiences that shaped the speakers; gives the text of the speech itself; and then additional analysis. He is not a neutral observer by any means and chose these speeches to illustrate a 250-year argument about what it means to be American, contrasting “a story that views the nation as inherently right from the beginning” with one that “views the nation as engaged in a struggle to live up to that founding promise in the Declaration of Independence: a multiracial democracy founded upon the idea of human equality.” It is interesting, too, to reflect upon the ways that technological change has impacted both the audiences (size, attention span, common access) and delivery. Be forewarned that the text is rather dense although avid readers will appreciate the Selected Bibliography and Notes (roughly fifteen percent of the text). Much to ponder here.

Duty, Honor, Country & Life by William H. McRaven

DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY & LIFE by William H. McRaven (Sea Stories, Make Your Bed, and others) takes its title in part from a speech by General MacArthur. In fact, this new book is filled with speeches that McRaven himself has delivered over the last decade or two. In that sense, it harkens to a more hopeful time and lives up to its subtitle: “A Tribute to the American Spirit.” Examples of the texts that appear include a National Football Foundation Speech (2016), a New York Historical Society speech (2023), and commencement speeches from MIT (2020), UT Southwestern Medical School (2015), and University of Texas at Austin (2014) to name just a few. McRaven had an amazing 37-year career as a Navy SEAL followed by time as the Chancellor of the University of Texas. A patriotic and thoughtful person, he prefaces each speech with a brief commentary and has also included several pieces of his own poetry, plus some from his grandmother. Readers will readily see the values, including family, which are so important to him and those he feels define the country (“liberty, equality, self-government, individualism, the rule of law, and religious freedom”). 

Like McRaven’s other writings, this is an inspirational text – in fact, I was at a local Barnes & Noble yesterday where a customer was requesting it. PBS NewsHour also filmed a recent interview:

If your spirits need a lift, look for DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY & LIFE and other titles by McRaven.

The Story of My Anger by Jasminne Mendez

The aptly titled THE STORY OF MY ANGER by Jasminne Mendez has been published just in time for Banned Book Week (Oct. 5 to 11, 2025). Mendez writes about Yuli, a Texas high school junior and young woman of color, who is struggling to be seen, to find her voice, and to use her anger in a constructive manner. She and her friends (Aleeyah, Ty, and Madison) have bonded over their love of theater and music despite not being cast for leading roles in the local school plays, like Our Town. (At one point, Yuli muses: … but if Black girls like me/are never given the chance/ to play the part of Emily/how are we ever expected to feel/like we're a part of this great/American story?) In addition to using poetry and verse, including haiku (It's not my skin that's/a problem, it's their lack of/imagination.), Mendez also employs stage directions and play structure to help set the scenes. In this way, readers learn that the friends value Mr. G and the way his Ethnic Studies class introduces them to a variety of authors (like Maya Angelou, Octavia Butler, or Yuli’s favorite, Ntozake Shange) and viewpoints. The classmates are understandably upset and frustrated when the classroom library is removed by the administration, and they stage a protest and petition to get the books re-instated. Tensions escalate and emotions flare for Yuli, her activist brother, and supportive Mami. Based in part on events from 2012, THE STORY OF MY ANGER received starred reviews from Booklist and Kirkus (“A compelling drama with a firecracker protagonist that stuns with its strikingly beautiful writing”). Jasminne Mendez is Pura Belpré Honor Award recipient and a Dominican-American poet, playwright and author of several books for children and adults. The Spanish language edition of THE STORY OF MY ANGER will be available in mid-November. I read this very engaging story in a day. Highly recommended.

Banned Together compiled by Ashley Hope Pérez

It’s not often that one sees a title with starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal, but a new book intended for high school students achieved just that. Dedicated to “brave readers everywhere who persist when cowards try to erase stories and communities from libraries,” BANNED TOGETHER is edited by Ashley Hope Pérez and illustrated by Debbie Fong. In order to chronicle “Our Fight for Readers' Rights,” Pérez has compiled contributions (essays, poetry, drawings) from sixteen authors like Ellen Hopkins, Kyle Lukoff, and Nikki Grimes whose work has been challenged or banned. Also included is a short graphic novel type story about The Vandegrift Banned Book Club in Leander, Texas. Booklist says, “this collection movingly reminds readers of the power they have against censorship.” Check out a copy today. 

Another tool for restricting information is to limit library funding as evidenced in a recent executive order intent on dismantling "the only federal agency dedicated to sustaining the entire museum and library ecosystem in the United States." Please see the American Libraries Association page of FAQs about the recent executive order impacting IMLS, The Institute of Museum and Library Services. The ALA suggests several actions to take now. More information is available through news stories such as those found at The Conversation, the Associated Press, and NPR or from other advocacy groups like EveryLibrary.

A Dangerous Idea by Debbie Levy

A DANGEROUS IDEA by Debbie Levy is subtitled “The Scopes Trial, The Original Fight over Science in Schools” and has been mentioned on this blog previously. It covers a very relevant topic, not only due to the centenary nature of the events it describes, but also because of the contemporary debates related to science (e.g., vaccine efficacy) and book banning. Levy, a best-selling writer of books for young people, vividly transports readers to the 1920s through her words and visuals like images of the high school textbook, Civic Biology, that helped spark the lawsuit from ACLU. She begins by describing how local leaders in Dayton, Ohio encouraged the trial so as to promote visits and spur the local economy. Of course, she also focuses on the backgrounds of the two prominent lawyers, William Jennings Bryan (multiple times Presidential candidate) and Clarence Darrow, and on the trial, its media coverage, and the religious fervor – once again, so many parallels to today. Levy spoke about the book with School Library Journal, saying “What made this book fun to write—and I hope will make it fun to read and maybe to teach, or at least to talk about—is it’s full of surprises.” One I spotted: the court case began with a prayer at the invitation of the presiding judge. A DANGEROUS IDEA received multiple starred reviews, including ones from Booklist, Horn Book, School Library Journal and Shelf Awareness. The text is extensively researched - Levy includes a helpful timeline, source notes, and selected bibliography; together they comprise roughly twenty percent of the text. Interested readers (especially middle and high school students) may also want to read a fictionalized account related to the Scopes Trial featured in Monkey Town (2006) from Ronald Kidd. Some adult titles include the play (later a movie) Inherit the Wind by Jerome Lawrence and recent non-fiction Keeping the Faith by Brenda Wineapple.  

Banned Books Week 2024

Do not forget that it is Banned Books Week ... click on the banner below for links to all kinds of activities and downloads from the American Library Association and Unite Against Banned Books:

That Librarian by Amanda Jones

THAT LIBRARIAN by Amanda Jones is a LibraryReads selection for August. Look at the cover – do you see a metaphorical caped crusader? In this text, Jones, an award-winning librarian and former President of the Louisiana Association of School Librarians, describes “The Fight Against Book Banning in America” and the harassment she endured after speaking out at a local public library meeting in support of keeping LGBTQ books in the collection. I had the privilege recently of seeing Jones on a School Library Journal TeenLive! panel with Debbie Levy, author of A Dangerous Idea about the Scopes Trial roughly 100 years ago. Sadly, those long ago attempts to restrict student access to ideas offer many parallels to today’s efforts to ban books. For example, much of this discussion is happening in small communities, but has a national impact. Both authors were stressing how together we can overcome these prejudices and how concerned citizens, especially librarians, authors, and book publishers, are working hard to protect young people and their right to read. Jones has been extremely brave in publicizing her story and her efforts to hold her detractors accountable in court. She says, “everyone in the United States should stand up for intellectual freedom and stand against censorship…” and offers suggestions (see especially chapter 15) for local action in your own community. Follett’s Titlewave offers a free, downloadable Reading Group Guide for THAT LIBRARIAN; one suggested eye-opening exercise is to list books that have had an impact on your life and then research whether they have been banned or challenged. Jones references many supportive groups, some of which are PEN America (exhibit coming soon to Austin’s Henry Ransom Center); EveryLibrary, and the American Library Association which offers resources at Unite Against Book Bans. Library Journal gave a starred review to THAT LIBRARIAN, calling it a “essential reading” and Booklist- in another starred review - said, “Jones is an inspiration to everyone combating book bans, and her memoir/guidebook should be available to all.” I concur.

This Book Won't Burn by Samira Ahmed

It is World Press Freedom Day and I'm posting a review of a novel which deals with censorship:

THIS BOOK WON'T BURN by Samira Ahmed (Hollow Fires and Internment) is filled with anger. The main character, Noor Khan, is a high school senior whose family circumstances force a change in schools in the last quarter of her senior year (yes, hard to believe that other options would not exist in real life). And Noor is understandably upset when she, her Mom, and her freshman sister move from suburban Chicago to a small town in downstate Illinois where they are one of the very few families who are not white or Christian. It is an adjustment for everyone, but Noor channels some of her anger into publicly reading banned books – and faces detention, multiple threats, and physical violence as a result. Fortunately, she is supported by new friends, Juniper with her girlfriend Hanna, plus Fasi, another student with desi heritage. One of the best aspects of Ahmed’s novel is the way she casually introduces many books that have been challenged such as Anger is a Gift, Monday’s Not Coming, All Boys Aren’t Blue, When the Moon was Ours, Fahrenheit 451, and many more.

Too bad that the preview for THIS BOOK WON'T BURN did not include a list of all of those titles. It also seemed rather unrealistic that 500 books would be simultaneously removed from a single school library. Even in Texas (the state with the dubious honor of hosting the most book challenges recently) where a school district near San Antoino pulled 400 books at one time, it was noted that “Most of those [titles] are appropriate and will stay on our library shelves as is.” Ahmed’s novel is set in Illinois with an activist librarian who would also likely have had a more robust review process in place. Ahmed raises a very important issue, but she tends to employ caricatures (a school board President who would try to run down a student with a car?). For example, she explicitly calls out MAGA supporters and Liberty Moms, but even though the book’s publication coincides with this week’s celebration of the second annual Little Free Library Week, Ahmed does not give her readers any information about groups like Little Free Library or mention recycling a used newspaper kiosk; even AARP offers suggestions to create these yard libraries. THIS BOOK WON'T BURN would benefit from an appendix of related resources -- like the ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom or PEN America (and PEN teaching guides) or the Texas FReadom Fighters or even the lawsuits brought by other publishers who devote web pages to the topic and provide links to an action toolkit.

THIS BOOK WON'T BURN received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus summarized it as follows: “A timely story about silence as complicity, defending freedom, and the courage to fight against hate.” Readers may also wish to investigate The Asian American Foundation and their annual STAATUS Index Report.  

Book Challenges

 

I love this quote from Ron Charles of The Washington Post: “On Monday [4/8/24], the American Library Association released its annual list of the 10 most challenged books. In a show of sympathy, the moon briefly covered the sun.”  

Use the link above to find information on each title as well as other data and patterns of censorship. 

Book Banning in the News

I just saw this video and discussion prompt (What's More Dangerous: Banned Books or the Act of Banning Them?) from KQED:

Interested? The American Library Association has started an initiative named Unite Against Banned Books. Also, the University of South Carolina, with support from Penguin Random House and EBSCO, is curating resources for the Get Ready, Stay Ready: Community Action Toolkit. And, here are a few other sources which have been in the news (links require sign in to our databases):

Campo-Flores, Arian. "Lawmakers, Fired Up Over what Schools Teach, Target Library Materials; Librarians Cite Safeguards as Tennessee Bill Seeks Verification that Access to Obscene Content is Blocked on Student Research Databases." Wall Street Journal (Online), May 08, 2022. ProQuest.

Natanson, Hannah. "The Next Book Ban: States Aim to Limit Titles Students can Search for." Washington Post, May 10, 2022, ProQuest.

Natanson, Hannah. "Teens Fight for the Right to Read with ‘banned-Book Clubs’ and Lawsuits." Washington Post, May 03, 2022, ProQuest.

Taylor, Kelley R. "Taking Book Banners to Court: Two Students in Missouri, Along with the ACLU, are Suing A District for Removing Books." School Library Journal, vol. 68, no. 4, Apr 2022, pp. 12. ProQuest.

Dare to Speak by Suzanne Nossel

DARE TO SPEAK is written by Suzanne Nossel, CEO of PEN America which is a writers’ human rights organization devoted to the celebration and defense of free expression worldwide. Subtitled “Defending Free Speech for All,” this text is divided into several parts which deal with key principles for speaking, listening, debating, and setting policy related to speech. There is, for example, a chapter titled “Apologize when you’ve said something wrong” which itself has boxed sections with text for good apologies, pseudo apologies, and even steps on how to apologize. We have certainly become a less civil society when we need this detailed direction. The section dealing with listening encourages readers to consider context and “call out with caution” as well as fighting hateful speech and hate crimes. I know our students are quite interested in this topic overall and I was surprised by reference to a Smith College study (154-55) which found a shift amongst students in the last 20 years towards “wider support for censorship.” Nossel notes that PEW has documented similar findings amongst millennials versus older generations.  Today, The New York Times published “Groupthink has Left the Left Blind,” an opinion piece on the danger of exiling dissent voices. Nossel, too, says “Progressives in positions of influence bear a special responsibility to defend the neutral principle of open expression.” DARE TO SPEAK seems a timely text for many reasons, including the hearing Congress has been holding with the CEOs of Facebook and Twitter about their companies’ policies and actions. Perhaps we all need to reflect on President Obama’s advice: “If you disagree with somebody, bring them in and ask them tough questions. … Engage it. Debate it. Stand up for what you believe in.”  So proud of our students who practiced this by speaking at the Board of Education meeting as our community debates the pros and cons of remote vs. hybrid learning.  DARE TO SPEAK is definitely thought-provoking, has a helpful index and close to 30 pages of notes and references. Library Journal describes it as “An informative work for readers interested in human rights, free speech, censorship, and how they interact;” we will have a copy on our shelves soon.