My Heroes ~ The Real-life Book Warriors, a guest post by Elly Swartz

“To all the Book Warriors – Librarians and teachers, thank you for your heart, your voice, and your courage.”

This, my friends, is the dedication in my newest book, Same Page.

Same Page is about Bess Stein who unites friends with a group of rockstar librarians known as the Book Warriors to fight a book ban happening at her middle school.

The Book Warriors in this story were inspired by the incredible librarians and teachers I have had the privilege of meeting as a child, a parent, and now as an author. They have changed my life.

As a child who had difficulty reading, they taught me that I could love a story even if I was in the lowest reading group (yep, that was a thing!) and the last one in my class to finish a book.

As a parent, they showed me the love and care and empathy they had for my sons – as students, as readers, as individuals.

And as an author, I’ve had the privilege of seeing the effect teachers and librarians have every time I visit a school. The positive impact they are making in the lives of the students stretches past the classroom doors and beyond the school year. It is a forever difference that lasts a lifetime.

In Same Page, Mr. Jasper is the new librarian at Bess’s middle school. He wears a t-shirt that says: Ban Hate. Read Books. The Book Warriors in the story, like those in real life, are tasked with making sure ALL kids feel seen. ALL lives feel honored. ALL experiences respected. This can be challenging in today’s world. According to PEN America, “Over 10,000 books were banned in public schools during the 2023-2024 school year….” This number is more than twice the amount it had been the prior year.  

So, to the real life Book Warriors, I want to take a moment to let you know how grateful I am for your strength, tenacity, and fortitude. And for your voice and courage as you seek to protect and honor the hearts and lives of your students.

Mr. Jasper also has a sign hanging in his library that says, “Libraries are for everyone!”

And they are! On the page and in life!

Just like Mr. Jasper, librarians and teachers create a safe space for kids. A place where they can ask questions, connect, and discover who they are. A place where they can begin to learn about and understand the world around them. A place where they feel seen, heard, and respected. A place where they can find their voice.

In Same Page, when June finds her voice, she shares this poem with Bess, her best friend.

Shining the Light

I won’t be quiet

Silent no more

I will shine the light

And open the door

I won’t be idle

Let hate take hold

I will shine the light

And dare to be bold

I won’t pretend

Ignore what’s true

I will shine the light

And speak up for you

This book is about many things, but at its core, it’s a story about allyship. Speaking up for each other. Coming together. United in friendship, kindness, and humanity.

Lorie Barber, The Silver Unicorn Bookstore manager of school and bulk orders, once called my books a “toolkit for kids’ hearts.” Oh how I love this! Then she asked if I was on a crusade to make sure all kids with mental health challenges saw themselves on the page.

A crusade? Hmm.

I hadn’t set out on that path, but was I?

I travel around the country visiting schools and talking to kids. Oh how I love my job! I share about the stories I write. I share that I have anxiety. And then this magical thing happens. Kids share with me. About their fears, their bullies, their sadness. Their family life, their OCD, their heart. They tell me that sometimes they feel weird or broken or ashamed.

I don’t want any child to feel that way. Ever.

And the truth is, the more children can see themselves, their lives, their histories on the page, the less alone they will feel. They will realize they are neither weird nor broken. They will see that we are all working on something. And we are all so much more than our most vulnerable moments.

In Same Page, you meet Avi, Bess’s little brother, who has anxiety that he calls the fishes. He works with their mom who is an equine therapist. Bess takes her own path to quell her anxious moments. She practices kindness meditation – a practice she learned from her great grandmother.

So am I on a crusade to honor my readers? Let them know I see them, I respect them, and they are not alone?

Yes, I guess I am. But I, too, am not alone.

For every story in every book there’s a child who needs it. And for every child, there’s a devoted educator who knows that reader and gives them that book.

I believe that we are at our best when we come together—authors, readers, educators—to share books. Open minds. And expand hearts.

As the librarian in Same Page said, “Together we are strong vines.”

To all the teachers and librarians, you are my heroes—the real-life Book Warriors.

Meet the author

Elly Swartz is the acclaimed author of six middle grade novels. Swartz’s books reflect her commitment to raising awareness about mental health and neurodiversity. Same Page, her newest novel, was named a Kids’ Indie Next List, and Publishers Weekly said, “…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.” Hidden Truths, was called “realistic fiction at its best” in a starred review by SLJ. Swartz is also the author of Dear Student, Finding Perfect, Smart Cookie, and Give and Take, novels for middle-grade readers. Swartz lives in Massachusetts and is happily married with two grown sons, a grandbaby, a beagle named Lucy, and a pup named Baxter Bean. Connect with her at ellyswartz.com, on Twitter @ellyswartz, and on Instagram or Threads @ellyswartzbooks. 

About Same Page

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?

ISBN-13: 9780593705605
Publisher: Random House Children’s Books
Publication date: 01/14/2025
Age Range: 10 – 13 Years

Filed under: Guest Post