The Great Banned Books Bake Sale

The Arabic Quilt

by Aya Khalil, Anait Semirdzhyan (Illustrator)

Upon learning that the books with kids who look like her have been banned by her school district, Kanzi descends into fear and helplessness. But her classmates support her, and together—with their teacher’s help—they hatch a plan to hold a bake sale and use the proceeds to buy diverse books to donate to libraries. The event is a big success; the entire school participates, and the local TV station covers it in the evening news. Prodded by her classmates to read the poem she has written, Kanzi starts softly but finds her voice. “You have banned important books, but you can’t ban my words,” she reads. “Books are for everyone.” The crowd chants, “No banned books! No banned books!” and the next week, the ban is reversed.

Aya Khalil appends a note about how The Arabic Quilt was briefly banned from the York, Pennsylvania school system, and the backmatter also includes a recipe for baklawa, the Egyptian pastry that Kanzi prepares for the bake sale.

Genres: Picture Books, Activism, Childrens, School, Books About Books, Social Justice, Banned Books

35 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2023

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having her first book, The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story, briefly banned by a school district in Pennsylvania -- doubtlessly for including the words "Arabic" and "Immigrant" in the title -- inspired the author to write this sequel.

Kanzi, an Egyptian-American, third-grade girl, is stunned and saddened when her school library removes books that feature people that look or live like her. So she and her classmates come up with a plan to fight back against this injustice.

Here's to keeping the hands of the thought police off our libraries!

[Jodie Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stars. Get this for yourself, your kids, your neighbor's kids, the Little Free Libraries, everyone. Keep on fightin.

[Juniper Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Some books are so powerful, they intimidate people.”
“Books are for everyone. Am I not important? Am I invisible?”
What a powerful book. I’ve been reading about the diversity book bans in the news and they make me so incredibly angry… but this book really puts it into perspective through the eyes of young Kanzi and Kareem, who are attending school and find that all the books with characters who look like them are banned. How awful and isolating that must feel, to see beloved books banned in front of your eyes!
I loved seeing the community rally around these kids to protest book bans.

[Jillian Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Great Banned Book Bake Sale is a celebration of the written word and a call to action against censorship. It is a must-read for book lovers, educators, and anyone interested in the ongoing dialogue about freedom in literature. This book not only entertains but also informs and inspires, making it a valuable addition to any reading list.

[Shifa Safadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important book on book bans and how they make kids feel!

Genre: Adv picturebook
Ages: 6-9
Author: Aya Khalil
Illustrator: Anait Semirdzhyan
Publisher: Tilbury Publishing

Kanzi is back in another book.

Kanzi is heading into her library when she sees all the diverse books gone from a shelf, including the Arabic books she wanted to show her grandma.

Kanzi is so sad. Her class comes together and thinks of ideas, and after a huge bake sale, the ban is overturned and the books are back!

After the authors book was banned, she felt devastated. This book is an answer to what happened, and the way that community activism can help prevent and overturn bans.

I really liked how this book showed the grandmother of the little girl in Egypt, and showed how stories of the protests there inspired Kanzi to stand up herself.

An educational book and one definitely useful and important! Especially in a time when Muslim, Arab, and diverse books are banned- seeing Kanzi win provides hope to other kids who want to see themselves on the shelf.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course it's a little 'on the nose' - that's because it's meant to be an educational book. Even more great stuff in the back matter. I'm off to explore the 4 specific books the author mentioned that were banned in PA; the titles are not all familiar to me.

[Hummingbirgio D’Saltalamacchia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, but "diverse" books are not just about race and religion, we need diversity of ALL kinds in our books. Queer people are also important and need to be able to see themselves represented, appreciated, and protected.

[Brianna Kinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storyline is important in our ever changing society, I just wasn’t a huge fan of the imagery.

[Bunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ohhh, this is so sweet.

This is a sequel to a book I'd never heard of, The Arabic Quilt, which also sounds sweet and important. This book is a direct response to the banning of that book around the country.

Our stupid, stupid, backwards thinking country.

The children in this wonderful story are absolutely horrified to discover that the Diversity section of their school library has been absolutely wiped clean. These children no longer see themselves, and Kenzi, our sweet and brave lead character, is devastated, and heartbroken.

But these children have gumption, and they arrange a bake sale to raise money to replace those books. Because representation matters.

Oh, this makes my heart soar.

The books in my local library are being attacked for a different kind of representation that is not seen in this book. And at first I was a bit miffed, but knowing that this is a follow-up that came due to the original being banned, I think it makes sense that this is the focus.

And I hope that the children who read and listen to this book will see how much representation matters, and that everyone deserves to see themselves in books.

Also that people who ban books are stupid.

[Kendall Santoro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired by Aya Khalil’s own experience having her children’s book banned by a Pennsylvania school district, her sequel claps back on discrimination with a powerful and inspirational message to children. Khalil’s story focuses on an Egyptian immigrant girl named Kanzi, who discovers that her American school library has banned an entire shelf of books dedicated to diverse POC stories. This impacts Kanzi’s identity at her new school, feeling sad, displaced, and silenced. However, Kanzi and her class decide to protest the banned books by organizing a bake sale to raise money to buy banned books for the library. The class works together to prepare desserts, raise awareness throughout the community, and protest their outrage. Kanzi reads out her poem to the community, expressing how her voice will not be silenced. Their united activism over the social injustice convinces the school district to reverse the ban. Khalil’s powerful message teaches a valuable lesson that all educators can use to show children that their voices matter and can make a difference in the world.

[Bern · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son and I have been working through some picture books for his Misinformation/Disinformation/ Fake news Unit, it was important to me to include how vital hearing diverse voices can be for certain topics especially when the news is about a specific community. I think this book was a good addition, especially because of the author's note, where she explains how her own book was banned.

[Regine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didactic in a good cause.

I would not be the same person without libraries of all kinds. Early on I found few books that matched my lived experience, but libraries allowed my imagination to explore freely and to make connections for myself. Now I revel in the wonderful range of books broadly available for readers of all ages, and I seek out banned books.

Monolithic group-think be damned.

[Emma]

A girl learns that some books are being banned from her library, so she starts a bake sale to bring them back. It teaches kids about fairness and using their voices for good. Talk about favorite classroom books and how important reading is. Then let students “make” paper cupcakes with drawings of their favorite stories on them to add to a class “Reading Bake Shop” display.

[Lisa's Book Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming picture book showing what kids can do to protest book bans.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aya Khalil, author of this book, wrote a book with the same characters called “The Arabic Quilt”, because she wanted something for all the children out there that did not have a story with them in it.

When she found that her book was banned by a school she and others who had had books banned started letting people know, and people started to protest. That is what this picture book is based on, where the children said they needed diverse books, and raised enough of a fuss, as well as funds to buy the books that had been taken, that the books were restored to the library.

It is a good book on political action, at the school level. And unfortunately, a hot topic, as books are banned, often for not being about white, English speaking, characters.

Easy to understand, and great pictures. Plus there is a recipe for Baklawa (also known as baklava), in the back of the book. (The sweet treat that Kanzi and her grandmother make together, in the book.).

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. It comes out from Tilbury House Publishing 1st of August 2023.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and relatable story to introduce elementary schoolers to the issue of banned books.

[Kirin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This follow-up picture book to The Arabic Quilt, takes readers back to Kanzi's school, but also works as a standalone for ages 7-10.  Addressing the hot topic of book banning, the fictional story brings the discussion down to an elementary level and shows kids speaking up and pushing back against something they don't agree with.  The main character finds a connecting thread to events in Egypt, and with her class and family behind her, she finds her voice and takes the lead.  The story bounces around a bit and feels a little rough and underdeveloped at times, but the subject matter is important and can be used to help guide discussions, encourage peaceful protesting, and taking action.  There is nothing Islamic specific in the text, the main character's mom and teita wear hijab and are in the illustrations (#muslimsintheillustrations), in a memory of Egypt there is a man holding a cross.  The author is Muslim and mentions it in the Author's Note at the end.

The book starts with Kanzi leading the class to the library, she passes the Arabic quilt she helped bring to life and walks a little taller.  She has promised her Teita she will bring home a book with Arabic words from the library, but when she walks in to the library, the "bookcase where the new diverse books were displayed has been emptied."  The librarian explains that the books have been banned.  That the school district, like many others around the country, have decided certain books are not allowed. Kanzi is upset, but her classmates "gather near (her) in solidarity. They want her to know that they care, too."

Back in class the teacher opens up the discussion, and Kanzi can't find her words.  Kareem says it is unfair and when the teacher explains that people are responding by protesting, writing letters, and buying more copies of banned books.  Kanzi finds her voice and suggests a bake sale.  Kareem suggests they raise money to buy books that are banned and call it "The Great Banned-Books Bake Sale and Protest." Molly adds that they can put the books in Little Free Libraries. The class agrees that Friday will be the day, that baked foods inspired by books that are banned will be sold to raise funds to buy more banned books, and the local news station will be invited to broadcast the protest. 

Kanzi tells Teita as they make baklawa from a book they once read while her grandma tells her stories of protesting in Tahrir Square.  Teita held a banner and demanded rights for the people of Egypt. Friday comes, and the kids are determined to be heard, as the crowd grows, Kanzi's nerves also grow, but her strength comes from those that support her and who have also spoken up to be heard.

I enjoyed the illustrations and the backmatter.  The inclusion of a baklawa recipe and insight to how this story came about with the banning of The Arabic Quilt, definitely adds to the book's appeal.  I felt a little disconnect though from the emotions of the book, and oddly enough, little connection to the characters. 

I wish it would have shown her joy when she first saw the diverse book display.  How it made her feel seen and valued and important to see books that reflected her and her classmates.  Then we, the readers,  would feel the pain now that it is gone.

I also was a little unsure of the scene when all the kids gather around Kanzi in solidarity, why is she the only one upset? Is it that they care about her or that they care that the books are no longer available? Sure it can be both, but again, as it is written, it isn't particularly strong. 

I'm not sure why the three characters named in the book Kanzi, Kareem, and Molly, do not have their names shown on the Arabic quilt pictured in the illustrations, and I also don't know why it bothered me that the book banned that had baklawa/baklava was not named.  I don't care that it isn't a real book, but I wanted a title to make the case of how ridiculous this ban is more articulate.

I love Little Free Libraries, but it seemed tossed in without much fleshing out. The book doesn't explain what Little Free Libraries are, so I'm not sure that kids will even understand the plan.

The book is a decent read, I don't know that the climax or characters will be memorable on their own, which is unfortunate because connection with the success or failure of this fictionalized book ban really could have radiated out of the book and deeply inspired kids.  The reversal of the boards decision doesn't directly link to the kids' actions.  I had to provide that link to my own kid when I read the book to him (he is almost 8).  It is implied, but a line or two about how the kids protest encouraged other people to also speak up, and write letters, or that the school board attended the bake sale, would have shown that when voices amplify it is hard to ignore them.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kanzi, the immigrant girl from The Arabic Quilt: An Immigrant Story finally feels at home in her new school. She loves the school library and proudly leads the way when it is her class's turn. Then one day Kanzi discovers all the books about kids who look like her are gone, banned. Why? How could this happen? Her classmates are supportive. Other kids want to see books that look like them too. The solution? Fight it! They decide to hold a bake sale to raise money to buy books for Little Free Libraries.

Based on true events from the Central York school district in Pennsylvania, with a simplified and sweet story for young readers, this book is a must-read for champions of the freedom to read. It focuses on how Kanzi feels when she can't access books about kids like her. Even the Arabic language books she brings home to her grandmother are gone. Kanzi is no longer able to hold her head up. She loses confidence and her sense of belonging. Kanzi's Teita, grandmother, is a bad ass! She participated in the Egyptian uprising of 2011 carrying signs for the things they need for their community to survive: bread, freedom, social justice. Teita is such an inspiration and Kanzi takes note and jumps into action.

I really like how this is a positive story. Mrs. Haugen, the teacher, is supportive of her students and of freedom. The other students want to read too and it's not just Kanzi's problem. They bake treats from their favorite books and from Kanzi's family's culture. I'm in! There's a recipe for baclawa in the back. There are some very important messages in this book and it is necessary for kids to read this to learn the importance of reading and what to do when they see injustice.

The illustrations are really cute and the signs the kids are holding are taken from real protest signs held by real students in Pennsylvania.

A++++!

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oops! The duo who created award-winner The Arabic Quilt have done it again, creating a timely sequel to the first book.

When the school board removes all books that reflect diversity from their school library, Kanzi suggests that her classmates hold a bake sale to raise money to buy diverse books for Little Free Libraries in their neighborhood. Everyone in the class jumps on board to bring in baked goods, reach out to local media, and spread the word about the fund-raiser. During the event, parents, students, teachers, and others join in their protest of the book ban. The following week, their teacher announces that the school district has reversed the book ban, so all of the diverse books return to the shelves to be checked out.

Child-centric, Kanzi is the focus of this book – her emotions about not being able to see herself or her American-Arabic heritage drive her to set up and execute the student-led protest. Khalil’s text reads as if Kanzi is speaking, telling her own story. Artwork (medium?) by Anait Semirdzhyan packs an equal visual punch that balances well with the story. Kanzi and her classmates reflect the diverse community they live in – kids of all shapes, sizes, and color.

The timeliness of this book is not a coincidence, as it was inspired by a similar book ban in a neighboring state. Every school board member on a reconsideration committee should read this one. Better yet, pair it with This Book Is Banned by Raj Haldar and Julia Patton (Sourcebooks, c2023).

Highly Recommended for grades K-5.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is a 3,5 for me. Readers of The Arabic Quilt will recognize Kanzi, this picture book's protagonist. As time has passed, she has come to feel comfortable and accepted in her new classroom. But when she learns that many of the books featuring diverse characters have been banned from the school library by the school district, Her classmates and teacher rally around Kanzi as she spearheads a bake sale and protest against the removal of these books. Inspired by her grandmother's example from the 2011 Egyptian uprising, Kanzi speaks up during the protest, listing many of the positive aspects of books and the importance of representation and empathy. While the happy ending to this story might be rather unlikely, given the current divisive climate and the efforts of some individuals to silence voices and thwart intellectual freedom, Kanzi's story offers hope and some steps that youngsters and community members can take when this sort of thing happens. Readers won't want to miss the Author's Note, sharing her own experience with book banning, and a yummy recipe for baklava. Like the previous book, this one opens readers' hearts and minds, showing that one person can make a difference and some things are worth taking a stand for. The faces of the students, their teacher, and their librarian as well as Kanzi's grandmother, are filled with emotion, and it's nice to see that quilt from the other book displayed on the school's walls as well as to see the good guys win for once. Now, more than ever, we need diverse books and individuals to stand up for them.

[MOSS Kids Book Project · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book hit so close to home with my children's literacy 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization's mission; trying to bring diverse and inclusive books to all kids in all communities. After learning that diverse books have been banned by her school district, Kanzi feels hopeless. But her peers - with the help of a teacher- come together to hold a bake sale and use the proceeds to buy diverse books to donate to libraries. The event is a huge success. Prodded by her classmates to read the poem she has written, Kanzi starts softly but finds her voice. The ban is reversed the following week. BIG, BIG 5 STARS.

This book is SO important right now in our current social climate. Every library, every school, every classroom, every home should have or at least have access to this book. Books that represent different cultures and perspectives NEED to be read to our youth. When kids read and learn about different cultures and perspectives (seeing different clothing, reading new-to-them words, visiting different countries/cities, seeing different skin tones), this is what works on key concepts such as kindness, understanding, appreciation, acceptance, and empathy. Books are an essential tool to start having challenging, empowering, and important conversations. It's our jobs as teachers/caregivers/librarians to help raise these types of kids. Who will grow to be kind, understanding, appreciative, accepting, empathetic adults who will hopefully help change our world for the better.

[Maileen Hamto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young people have the power and agency to make meaningful changes supporting diversity. This is an important message of "The Great Banned-Books Bake Sale," which tells the story of Kanzi, an immigrant Arabic girl, who organizes her schoolmates and teachers to fight book bans in their community. Kanzi draws from the wisdom and support of elders who encouraged her to speak out and take action against a discriminatory school district policy. Kanzi and friends made beloved recipes from their families to raise funds and awareness about the harms of censorship.

During an unprecedented time when a growing number of school and library districts are removing books with diverse, LGBTQ+, and people of color characters, this is a book that all K-12 libraries must carry. Writer Aya Khalil once again teamed up with illustrator Anait Smirdzhyan to share the importance of diverse voices. They bring back Kanzi, the young Egyptian immigrant from "The Arabic Quilt," who musters the courage to adapt to her new life in America. In "The Great Banned Books Sale," Kanzi emerges as a leader who stands up against bigoted views. Young readers will learn important lessons about valuing one’s identity, bringing others along, and being courageous to stand up against hate.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

A follow-up to The Arabic Quilt wherein Kanzi faces discrimination at a broader level in the form of book bans sweeping the nation, including her school library. She and her classmates are disheartened by empty shelves where stories about kids like them once stood, and come up with a plan to hold a bake sale using foods featured in the books that were banned. This is a timely yet hopeful story about believing in your collective voice, organizing, and solidarity.

For fans of Ban This Book, Love is Powerful, and Leo’s First Vote!.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

When books are removed from her school library Kanzi is shaken and sad. When her teacher asks the class to speak about how they feel, Kanzi stays silent. Her class decide to do a bake sale to raise money to buy books for local little free libraries. They also decide to share recipes from some of the books that had been removed. While baking with her grandmother, her Teita, she learns of a protest her grandmother had been in and Kenzi feels very proud. The students make it clear how much they love the diverse book shelf and sell out of their baked goods and end up on the news with their protest. This book is beautiful and full of warmth and heart despite the upsetting situation the students in Kenzi's schools face.

I love books with recipes and this one has a baklava recipe. I love books where students face real situations that are in our current news today. Book banning is certainly being dealt with across the country right now and it is good to see a book that speaks to how students who see themselves in books would/do feel when these books are challenged. This book is important!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspired by the temporary banning of the author's previous book, The Arabic Quilt, Khalil returns to that setting to tell a story about diverse books being banned in a school library. Kanzi is again the main character and she no longer feels like the new kid at her school. She loves the library and checking out the new diverse books. Kanzi is obviously dismayed when her class discovers those books have been removed. When she asks the librarian why would anyone ban books, the librarian replies that "Some books are so powerful that they intimidate people." After brainstorming, the class decides to take action and have a bake sale to buy banned books for the Little Free Libraries. Fortunately, the bake sale and protest are a success and eventually the books are returned to the library. This is a wonderful example of young people working together to take positive action on issues that concern them. A useful picture book to include in units about censorship and the freedom to read.

"Am I invisible?
Books make us think.
Books make us imagine.
Books make us compassionate.
Books make us creative.
Books make us LOVE."

[Kirsten - Children's Library Lady]

Kanzi discovers that her school district has banned books featuring children who look like her, making her feel helpless and scared. With her classmates and their teacher's support, they plan a bake sale and use the proceeds to buy the banned books.

The Great Banned-Books Bake Sale explores representation, resilience, taking action against injustice and the impacts of censorship.

Discussion Questions:
1. How does Kanzi feel when she learns about the book ban? Why do you think she feels this way?
2. Why do you think the school district decided to ban certain books? Do you agree with their decision?
3. How do Kanzi's classmates support her? What does this tell us about the importance of community?
4. What actions do Kanzi and her friends take to address the book ban? What does this teach us about standing up for what we believe in?
5. Why do you think it's important to have diverse characters in books?
6. Can you think of any other ways to protest against a book ban?
7. How would you feel if books representing your identity were banned from your library or school?

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

By the same author and illustrator who created The Arabic Quilt, which has been banned in various places, Aya Khalil and Anait Semirdzhyan have created a story for all who are upset, but also energized into action, about book banning in libraries and school libraries. This time, a young girl named Kanzi (who has also created a quilt with all her classmates' names in Arabic) leads the class to the library. She's promised her Tieta (grandmother) she would bring home a book with Arabic words. But when they arrive, they find the shelf labeled "diverse books" nearly empty. They discover that the books have been banned. What happens next is inspiring and hopeful. I've seen in the news that kids and young adults are taking steps in protest to numerous laws or lack of laws. This is one story that will show that doing something can help! This is one hopeful story!
Some kinds of books that have been removed are cookbooks that include foods from a variety of cultures. There is an author's note and a recipe for baklawa (baklava) in the backmatter.

[Brooke - TheBrookeList · Rating 3 out of 5]

100% support the premise and ideas presented in this book. Kanzi, an immigrant girl, is eager for diverse books in her school library to help her classmates understand her background. When the school removes those books, she is unsettled at not being able to see herself in texts. I believe there is great value in both windows and doors. I'm working on a district committee in our local school district for this very reason. The children put together a bake sale to purchase diverse books, speak through their fear about their feelings, and convince the district to restore their books. The illustrations are beautiful and the text is appropriate for elementary readers.

Read as a nomination in the Fiction Picture Book book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).

I know I should rate this cute book higher, but it feels a little too didactic for me. I have read more than ten children's picture books on this subject this year, and other manage to find more appeal to youth without feeling like a lecture or lesson.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This incredibly relevant picture book will help educate kids and adults alike about the dangers of banning books and how it negatively impacts diverse communities. Every child deserves to see themselves represented in the books they read and in the media they consume. The author, Aya Khalil, faced her own book, "The Arabic Quilt", under a brief ban and this details her story and her fight to get it reinstated.
The book follows Kanzi who finds out that diverse books in her school library were banned including books featuring kids that look like her. The students rally together to support her by holding a bake sale and using the money to buy diverse books to donate to libraries.
"The Great Banned-Books Bake Sale" serves as a reminder of the importance of fighting to protect our right to information and books.
#TheGreatBannedBooksBakeSale #NetGalley

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Anait Semirdzhyan, Tilbury House Publishing through NetGalley.
Powerful message about standing up to those who want to dictate what can be read.
Kanzi looks forward to library class each week. She appreciates seeing characters in books that are similar to her. However, this week, the class learns that whole shelves of books have been removed. Any books that shared diverse viewpoints were removed. The class discusses their thoughts and decides to do something about this. They hold a bake sale to raise money to purchase banned books for Little Free Libraries in their community. They combine this event with a protest to stop banning books. Readers see this work and learn the books have been returned. The ending pages show the next week's trip to the library with a much different tone.