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Coming January 2025

Same Page

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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?

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Book Club Discussion Guide Curriculum Guide

Praise for Same Page

“As I read Same Page, I said to myself multiple times: “I wish I were Bess’s librarian. I’m proud of her for standing up for the rights of readers. I’m grateful she cares so deeply and passionately about story and advocates for libraries, librarians, and readers. Thank you for being a Book Warrior, Bess!”

–John Schu, teacher-librarian and New York Times best-selling author of Louder Than Hunger

“Same Page is a powerful, heartfelt story of a brave girl’s campaign against book-banning and other forms of intolerance. Once again, Elly Swartz has written a beautifully crafted novel that readers will find both relatable and inspiring.”

–Barbara Dee, author of Tear This Down and Unstuck

“A timely, and relevant story readers will enjoy and learn from.”

–Becky Calzada, Co-Founder TX FReadom Fighters

“This is the book the world needs now. Fast-paced, relatable and unputdownable, SAME PAGE tells the story of two tween friends who find themselves on opposite sides when one of their parents supports banning books. When do you speak up for what’s right? What if you disagree with a parent’s views? Deeply impressed with how Swartz addresses antisemitic incidents and bullying in the novel. Highly recommend.”

—Liza Wiemer, Best-selling Author of The Assignment

“,…Swartz skillfully incorporates sensitive depictions of Bess’s anxiety and the comfort she finds in her Jewish faith and her dog, Barnaby, to tackle tween friendship drama and growing pains with nuance.”

—Publishers Weekly