Attack of the Black Rectangles, by Amy Sarig King. Scholastic, 2022. $25.99 ages 10 and up

"The three of us get up and leave her office as 
Dr. McKenny looks at us with a mix of confusion
and optimism on her face. Meaning: She's hoping
she just stopped us but really has no idea if she 
did or not. 
Fact: She not only didn't stop us, but she just made
us more determined than ever."

Many middle grade students have a strong awareness for the difference between right and wrong. They don't mind sharing their opinions concerning what is going on where they are. Such is the case with Mac Delaney. His sense of what is right has him asking thoughtful questions in the classroom. How many of those who signed the Declaration of Independence were slave owners? How did Indigenous people lose the land they had lived on for centuries? More importantly, for the trajectory of this story,  why are some of the words in classroom copies of The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen covered in black rectangles? 

No one in power seems to have a truthful answer for Mac and his friends. Their teacher defends the position taken. Mac, Denis and Marci will not be influenced by the reasons given or for the many other rules regarding curfews, junk food, dress codes or gay pride. 

Their opinions and complaints fall on deaf ears with the administration of the school. It would be better to be swept under the rug with no need for change. The sixth graders will not stop; eventually taking it to the school board. They are well-versed in the issues and their concerns for their learning. How can seeing the word breasts in the text be worse than a story of the Holocaust? There is room for both sides to be heard. Wouldn't that be a move forward in these days fraught with disagreement and a refusal to listen to the other side. 

This would be a wonderful read aloud in any middle grade classroom, offering a clear look at what happens when censorship raises its ugly head. The author is respectful of her characters and their ability to take a stand and have their voices heard. I love that Jane Yolen plays a pivotal role for those students.  

Winning characters, thoughtful dialogue and a current topic of interest are sure to attract readers. It is an honest look at the topic of censorship, and an invitation to offer those young people a place at the table in discussions of decisions that concern their reading and learning.