SYNOPSIS

Mac is in middle school. His parents’ separation seems to make dad act bizarrely while mom and grandpa look to support Mac.

When Mac, Denis and Marci discover blacked-out sentences in their assigned school reading, they quickly decide to investigate.

The school principal defends the teacher’s choice but fails to convince the three classmates in its logic.

The school text censorship is only one of many bizarre restrictions the town has seen recently (no colorful houses, no junk food, strict dress codes).

With grandpa’s support, Mac and his friends begin a campaign against the blacked-out book sections – first on a street corner and then in front of the school board.

Thanks to their effort, not only does the school remove the redacted books but the town begins to return to normalcy, too.

PERFECT AGE 11 – 14

We love

• Lovely to see granddad as a role model and earnest supporter of his grandson!
• Ingenuity and curiosity in students who recognize they’re being illogically limited and brainwashed.

CONVERSATION STARTERS

• Imagine you were Ms. Sett. How would you convince someone that crossing out portions of books is appropriate? Can you see why someone would believe the reasoning?
• How might Mac’s frustration with Christopher Columbus and the blacked out sections related?
• What do you make of Mac’s and his dad’s midnight “trips”? Should Mac have shared them with his mom or granddad?
• How is it significant that the book author showed up at the board hearing? Why do you think she chose to attend?