So I discovered this book while participating in a banned book week when I was checking the list through the year 2001 till the year 2019.

I keep seeing this book making the list over and over again. At that time, I didn't read any middle-grade, children's fiction, etc. I was just not interested cuz I'm not the targeted audience, and I don't have kids.

But recently, we all know how book challenge/banning gathered a lot of attention with the rise in challenging/banning books from school libraries and public libraries alike.

So when I joined my local library discussion for banned book week last year, this book came up about how some kids and parents alike disagree with the reasons for it being challenged/banned, and the justification for it doesn't make sense as a lot of the kids there were showing love for this book.

So you know I will read it and judge it myself because why not? I was curious 😅

So here I gathered the list through the years with the reasons: ( source ala.org)

1- 2014, the book was challenged and ranked #10 on the list. Reason: sexually explicit. (None of that was in the book)

2-2016, the book was challenged and ranked #2 on the list. Reasons: challenged because it includes LGBT characters, was deemed sexually explicit, and was considered to have an offensive political viewpoint. (There are gay characters and 1 kiss scene shared between 2 males)

3-2017 ranked #3 on the list. The book was challenged and banned in schools libraries. Reason: because it includes LGBT characters and was considered "confusing." (I wish there were more elaboration behind "confusing" in what sense?)

4-2018 banned and challenged
ranked #5 on the list. Reasons: for including LGBTQIA+ characters and themes.

5-2019 the book was challenged and ranked #8 on the list. Reasons: challenged for LGBTQIA+ content and concerns that it goes against "family values/morals" ( say it doesn't Align with your faith/ideology. Just parent your kids. Why parent other children from accessing this book?)

So after going through boring info, here is my review: this book is told from the pov of a girl named Callie Marin, a seventh-grade girl who is helping to put on her middle school's production of Moon Over Mississippi and it features twin brothers who become her friends, one (Justin) who is openly gay and another (Jesse) who is still trying to figure things out which Callie develops a crush on.

It's a sweet story with vibrant characters. I'll give it to the author; she accurately captures the characters' expressions and movements and brings them to life with the illustration. She shows what kind of "drama" the middle school kids go through or have, which had me smiling and laughing 😂 such a nostalgic feeling.

The book is great for context and material for young readers growing up, discovering themselves, being brave, and showing acceptance in the most needed time. I enjoyed it thoroughly and highly recommend it to anyone, even if you don't have kids.

Brand	N/A
Rating	4.6 (19516 ratings)
Price	$7.98
Category	Arts, Music & Photography

Drama: A Graphic Novel