Same Page

Welcome to the Same Page by Elly Swartz Book Tour hosted by TBR Book Tours. 

About Same Page

From the beloved author of Hidden Truths comes a novel about take-charge sixth grader Bess Stein, who brings together friends and a group of rockstar librarians called the Book Warriors to fight a book ban happening at her middle school.

Bess Stein is more than ready to be 6th grade class president. She’s got tons of ideas—including a book vending machine—and her new friend June is beside her as vice-president. Together, they’re unstoppable. 

But when the books the girls want included in the vending machine come under fire, Bess is stunned. How can one person believe they have the right to decide what other people can read? It turns out that June’s mom is leading the fight, and now everything’s a mess.

Bess misses June—but she wants to make sure kids who might like these books get the chance to read them, even if it means she and June can’t be friends. With such different opinions, will they ever be on the same page?

Content Warning: bullying, antisemitism, passing of animal (dog)

Same Page Review

Do you believe books should be able to be banned or…

Under no circumstances should books be banned?

This book belongs on your TBR list. Layered with present day controversy – bans on books! Oh hello, let the disagreements begin. Should people be able to choose to read about topics offensive to others or groups of people? 

The book (in the book) in question contains contention. Some want it banned from the middle school library. Others don’t believe it’s unethical to ban books. There’s anxiety and meditation. There’s pet therapy (I live across the street to the sweetest comfort dog ever). To top this book off with a cherry, is a question – can you love someone who doesn’t agree with you? After the politically charged times and recent election, this is another layer to the story. 

Amazing characters, layers upon layers, and lots of angst makes this book worthy for a book club read!

About the Author

Elly Swartz loves writing for kids, Twizzlers, and anything with her family. She grew up in Yardley, Pennsylvania, studied psychology at Boston University, and received a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center.

Elly Swartz is the award-winning author of six middle grade novels: Finding Perfect, Smart Cookie, Give and Take, Dear Student, Hidden Truths, and Same Page (coming January 2025). Swartz’s books reflect her commitment to raising awareness about mental health and neurodiversity. Her debut novel, Finding Perfect, was named one of the Best Children’s Books About Mental Health by the Child Mind Institute, Dear Student was recommended by Parents Magazine, and Hidden Truths has received starred reviews from Kirkus and from School Library Journal, is a Kirkus Best Books of 2023, an Amazon Best Book for November, an Amazon Editors’ pick, The Week Junior Book Club pick, a Project LIT Book Club selection, and a winner of a 2023 Nerdy for Middle Grade Fiction. 

Swartz travels the country meeting with thousands of students each year to empower their own personal narrative. Swartz resides in Massachusetts.

Website – Twitter X – Instagram – Facebook – Goodreads 

Threads @ellyswartzbooks

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