This book is a banned book.
For those of you unsure as to what a banned book is, let me explain.
A banned book is a book that has been challenged by someone who has read the book and feels it is inappropriate for the intended age group, or that it contains over-explicit content, etc. For example, Captain Underpants books were "banned" because adults felt as if the content was not beneficial for their kids' behavior. Maybe they didn't like their kids calling them snot-faced anymore. Whatever the case, a book can be challenged in any type of library. This library reports the challenge to the ALA

look it up

and they keep statistics on how often a book is asked to be removed from a library. The book, however, does not have to be removed from the library. It is my understanding that this is often left up to the Library Director's discretion.

Now to my thoughts about the book.

This book really surprised me. I had no idea what it was about and the only reason I read it was because it was one of the top banned books of 2000-2009. I thought it was going to be a nice, heartfelt similar to pay it forward.

NEVER, EVER judge a book by its title. I can be sooo thick sometimes. No more than 7 pages into the book however, did I find myself saying "this book is fantastic". It is completely on par with the YA dystopian novels being published today. The only thing that would detract some readers is the lack of a solid romantic relationship.

I gave this book 4 stars, not knowing it was in a series of book. Apparently, there are 3 others, the 3rd continuing on from the ending of this book. The last 15 pages are the only reasons that I gave this book for stars instead of 5. However, when I read the 3rd book, and you can bet it will be soon, I wonder if my rating will change.


I believe this book was banned because, seeing as it is J fiction, there was a slightly graphic scene

when a baby was killed

that wasn't expected by the main character, and possible the reader. There is also a dream a child has that, while quite innocent, might have been looked down upon by a parent or teacher. I don't know. People can be weird about kids and knowledge.