From the Mary E. Carter Library: “Ban This Book,” by Alan Gratz

“It all started the day Amy Anne Ollinger tried to check out her favorite book in the whole world From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankenweiler from the school Library. That’s when Mrs. Jones, the librarian, told her the bad news: her favorite book had been banned!”

All because one classmate’s mother thought the book wasn’t “appropriate” for children to read.

Amy Anne decides to fight back by starting a secret banned books library out of her locker. As word spreads, Amy Anne’s locker stash quickly grows into a school-wide sensation. Soon, she and her friends find themselves on the front line of an unexpected battle with parents and the School Board over book banning, censorship, and who has the right to decide what kids can read. This is an older book but still VERY relevant.

Also in the First Universalist Library, magazines from the Unitarian Universalist Association (in the reference section) and magazines and newsletters from the Southern Poverty Law Center, Church and State (separation of …), Compassion and Choices (right to die), books for kids, and books on topics such as spirituality, poetry, self care, other religions, biographies, philosophy, anti-racism, LGBTQ issues, among others. There are no novels or fictional books except for kids and youth. Books can be checked out for a month.

The First U Library is located in the back of the Social Hall. Stop by next time you’re at church!