Character Spotlight: Amy Anne

by Kayla Aldrich, Read to Them staff

Hello, all and happy Monday! We at Read to Them hope you are just as excited as we are to dive into Ban This Book by Alan Gratz. This story of one girl’s determination to see her favorite book returned to the shelves of her school’s library. While it’s likely that you’ve gotten to meet her, we thought we’d give you a proper introduction to the novel’s unforgettable protagonist:

Amy Anne

Name: Amy Anne Ollinger

Age: 9

School: Amy Anne is a student at Shelbourne Elementary

Friends: According to Amy Anne, her one and only real-life friend is Rebecca,

Family: Amy Anne is the oldest of three. Her little sisters, Alexis and Angelina, are a handful, but Amy Anne loves them-- even if they might frustrate her a whole lot. Her Mom and Dad are supportive and patient, and rely on Amy Anne to set an example for her siblings.

Personality: Amy Anne is something that often keeps herself from saying the things she wants to. Her thoughts are long and clear, but what she speaks aloud tends to be just a few words. She’s quiet and nervous with a habit of chewing on her braids when her anxiety gets the best of her. However, when Amy Anne is made to face an obstacle, she has the resolve to find a solution even if that solution involves speaking in front of parents at a school board meeting.

Likes: One of Amy Anne’s favorite places to go is the library. If she could, Amy Anne would stay tucked away in a quiet corner and read until she absolutely had to leave. She loves to delve into stories of all kinds, but her favorite book is From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. The titles that Amy Anne prefers are those where the main character gets to live alone, so she’s a big fan of other books such as Island of the Blue Dolphins, Hatchet, My Side of the Mountain, and Hattie Big Sky.

Dislikes: Amy Anne doesn’t care for loud spaces - it’s one of the reasons her sisters get on her nerves so much. The thing she can’t stand the most, though, is the idea of banning books, especially when it’s her favorite book that’s vanished from the shelves.

Sweet Amy Anne, you’ve got quite the battle ahead of you! In the meantime, if you’re reading along with us or taking part in our live activities, be sure to tag us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Enjoy the read, all, and until we meet again— be well, be kind, and happy reading!