A Wigwam for a Goose's Bridle

I received an ARC of Censored by Caroline Bobick via NetGalley.

It’s an interesting time to read this book. This is an easy read (took me 2 hours) as it’s clearly aimed at the 9-11 years age group. This narrative challenges the reader to consider their freedoms of thought, speech, religion and association.

The story is written “by” a 13 year old Jewish girl in America. A single day of peaceful protests by teachers about their wage quickly leads to a police state. The only way to stay safe and alive is to say nothing or become a refugee.

This book raises so many important issues. Freedom. Power. Rights. Safety. What to believe in the media and on social media. How it might feel to become a refugee.

What the book really lacks, however, is a proper depth. I appreciate this is aimed at “kids” but it has no detail. It gives no reasons for the government suddenly deciding protest is illegal. It has no good cops, no good politicians or other leaders. The only good protagonists, a rabbi and a teacher, are quickly silenced. There is no hole in this book. There is no chance to oppose the bad, only to run away and try to stay alive. And I know that for some people in history and today, that has been reality, but I find it unhelpful in this book. This book just leaves you depressed. It leaves you thinking everyone in power is bad and I can’t trust anyone. That’s not the right message to be sending to our youth. Yes, they need to know that some in power are bad, but they need to be equipped with tools to challenge this.