I really wanted to like this book… I really did, but it is boring. The most common critique seems to be that it is unnecessary long and I agree. It honestly can be cut in half and get the same message across. I was skimming by the end of it. 

Amanda Jones is clearly a good person. She bravely sticks up for what she believes is right and has helped fight book bans tremendously. But, I can’t help but feel annoyed by her. It’s a good example of why leftists get annoyed with white women democrats. The book is just filled with complaining (esp about how people didn’t stick up for her.) I understand why she struggled and I truly do not think I could be as motivated and tough as she is, but it was hard to like her as a narrator. I feel guilty even saying that but it’s the truth. 

I think it’s important for people to be educated on book banning and censorship but I don’t think this is the right book for that. As a fault of my own, I wrongly assumed that this book would be more information but it’s instead a memoir. I did learn things I did not know about book banning but the focus was more on Amanda herself. 

If you chose to read this book, I would only read the speech at the end and the middle for the court cases and other teacher testimonies. It’s the only part where I actually wanted to keep reading this book. It also does a good job explaining the situation, once again proving the book ran on too long. This book could’ve just  different editors.

Overall, I feel for Amanda but I would never read this book again.