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As newly elected president of the sixth grade in her rural Pennsylvania town, idealistic Bess Stein is excited to start the school year. She’s developed new methods to calm her anxious thoughts, and even though it feels like her BFF Emmy is pulling away, new friend and vice president June is by her side. Bess is excited to make good on her campaign promise of installing a book vending machine in the library, but after realizing that the appliance is missing some titles, she’s horrified to learn that a parent complained about “inappropriate” selections. Together with a group of local librarians, Bess brainstorms ways to persuade the community of the value of the challenged books. Upon discovering that June’s mother is the one stirring up controversy, Bess assumes that June will speak up on her behalf and is devastated when she refuses. Though conversations surrounding the important issue of book banning are hampered by a didactic tone, Swartz (Hidden Truths) 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. Main characters read as white. Ages 10–up. Agent: Andrea Cascardi, Trans- atlantic Literary. (Jan.)