Book Review: Banned Together: Our Fight for Readers’ Rights edited by Ashley Hope Pérez and illustrated by Debbie Fong

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 304 pages

Published: March 4, 2025

Publisher: Holiday House

Genre: Teens & YA, Nonfiction,Books & Resources

Today is my stop on the Hear Our Voices Blog Tour, and I am looking forward to talk about this month’s tour book, Banned Together: Our Fight For Readers’ Rights edited by Ashley Hope Pérez and illustrated by Debbie Fong.

Book banning is unfortunately on the rise in the US. When you hear another book being censored or banned, you may feel despondent and discouraged in the direction society is heading towards. But after reading this insightful and necessary anthology, teens and all readers will feel empowered to stand up for their right to read. This book consists of personal essays, poetry and artwork from some of the bestselling YA authors that beautifully discuss the powerful emotion that the power of reading invokes and how that is something we should be proud of and not take for granted. As you read this, you will feel strengthened to act and find ways to ensure everyone has access to reading materials. If you want to take action, this book does not lack the resources. This anthology is rich with ideas, book recommendations and resources on how readers can stay informed and combat book banning. This is one inspirational collection of personal stories that needs to be in the hands of everyone, including the ones who are trying to ban and censor books. It beautifully highlights the power of reading.