Appleton Elementary is a tiny school, barely meeting its quota of 20 students, and has a new librarian, Rita B. Danjerous, who has created a “Green Dot” collection, which students can simply take from, without worrying about checking out. These books are about topics that students want to know about, but might be too embarrassed to ask for, or uncertain about. The new school board president, Ivanna Beproper, has no cred to be in that position, but is there nonetheless and is taking issue with the dangerous idea of books being used to help students (and staff!) learn things.

What follows is a great showing of the students and staff working together to overthrow Beproper’s hypocritical reign over the school, and stand up for the library and, by proxy, free information and learning itself.

When I was in grade school, I fondly remember reading Kate and Sarah Klise’s “Regarding the…” series, and loved the unique presentation and puns and all around blend of absurdity and call to action of the books.

Don’t Check Out This Book! has the same unique presentation and style I loved then and still love now–the story is told through letters, emails, memos, notes, and a variety of other correspondences–and the wonderful puns, which I “get” even more now. The call to action in this book is one that I can fully approve of–challenge those in power when they’re obviously manipulating the system, and stay informed through reading! It’s always a relevant message, but even more so these days.

I do wish there had been a list of the author’s own “Green Dot” collection or recommended readings, to give us a true idea of what kinds of topics were supposedly covered by the collection. But apart from that, the book was everything I expected it to be, a perfect mixture of wit, mystery, and inspiration!

Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for providing me with a free copy to review!

(Cross posted on my blog.)

The word play is hysterical. Nice message about questioning rules also.

Klise and Klise are as delightfully punny and absurd and lively as I remember them from when I was reading Regarding the Fountain and Trial By Journal growing up.

Perfect for upper elementary. Cute hybrid layout that tell the story of a “Danjerous” new school librarian and her 5th grade daughter May. Fun and easy.

Grades 3 and up.

I just love all of the Klise sister's books. I love the way they tell stories through mixed media and the punny character names.

I'm a few years late to reading this book from when it was published, but I was so happy to see another book by the Klise sisters since it had been a while. Imagine my delight when I see the name of a local author and Librarian in their acknowledgements for telling them they weren't retired and still had stories left in them. I'm glad he said this because a book about books was exactly what this duo was missing from their collection of humorous mixed media stories.

Such a fun throwback to my childhood when I loved this author's Regarding the Fountain!

I have to admit, I giggle as I read this book. A love letter to librarians for always sticking up for everyone. Providing guidance when kids are looking for information, research, and investigation. How people in power tend to dislike children and reading and do everything in their power to shut down independent thought. A GREAT read aloud to introduce kids to question authority when it appears that the authority is wrong.

It's going to be an interesting school year at Appleton Elementary. New School Board President Ivana Beprawpa made uniforms mandatory with the only place to buy them being her shop. They've also got a new School Librarian Rita B. Danjerous who brings with her a mysterious "green dot collection" of books that kids can check out without their library card. Ivana doesn't like that Rita's daughter isn't wearing glove from her shop or that she has the "illicit" book collection and sets up a scheme to get Rita fired. Meanwhile, Ivana is also running short on money and creates a pickle fundraiser that she tries to force on the school.

The punny names in the book absolutely make it. It's written as a series of letters, emails, and memos making for a quick read. The only regret I have about the book is that it never actually tells you the titles of any of the "green dot" collection. I can make guesses, but I'm really curious which books the author thinks would be ones embarrassing to check out or dealing with tougher topics.

A very innovative way to tell a serious story!
I am getting multiple copies and put them in the little free libraries around town!