Ada Holloway's Had Enough - by Randi Smith (Paperback)

About the Book

When her town bans the book she needs to graduate, senior Ada Holloway starts a secret public library banned book club. A YA novel about courage, friendship, handling conflict with grace, parent/child relationships, and the freedom to read.

Book Synopsis

Ada Holloway just needs to survive her final semester as a high school senior, but nothing's going her way.

Star quarterback Beckett Forsythe relies on Ada to do his homework for him, her rebellious cousin Molly has no where else to go but the Holloway's house, and to top it all off, Ada doesn't really know what she wants to do with her life-even though her parents already decided for her.

The one thing she does know is the topic for her senior essay: the life of Freeport's founder, Everett J. Washington. But the Mayor of Freeport has pulled Washington's biography from library shelves among a massive book ban. Ada needs that book, she needs to write her essay, and her best friend David has a perfect idea: a banned book club run by the public library. What could go wrong?

Review Quotes

"Many young readers will come away with a clearer understanding of book challenges, censorship, and First Amendment rights, but the novel delivers these lessons with a light touch, grounding them in everyday struggles of high school kids. As Ada navigates the trials of adolescence, she discovers that choice and voice matter, and that even quiet actions can spark meaningful change. A story that explores confidence, bravery, and real-world pressures with admirable restraint, offering insights without drifting into melodrama."-Kirkus Reviews

"The fed-up high school senior of Ada Holloway's Had Enough challenges the orthodoxy of her small, 'unimportant town'... in Smith's astute young adult debut, which focuses on censorship and the erasure of history. When a banned biography sparks Ada's quiet rebellion, her fight against institutional control transforms her from a rule-follower into a bold advocate for truth... Smith expertly addresses larger issues within the context of Ada's awakening. By shattering the protective bubble around this smart and resilient young adult, Smith sets Ada on a path to bravely engage with the wider world." -BookLife (part of Publishers Weekly)

"A feel-good story about a young person's growing confidence and the importance of books to a community." -Grace Pickering, School Library Journal

"In the dynamic coming-of-age novel Ada Holloway's Had Enough, a bold girl is determined to stop a book ban." -Foreword Clarion Reviews

"An unforgettable story that portrays the harm of book banning and the power of youth voice. Although this is a work of fiction, I found it strikingly real and relatable, with events grounded in the challenges many communities face today. Smith's characters are perfectly charismatic and authentic, engaging the reader throughout. I found myself saying "just one more chapter" up until the very final page. In a time when the world can seem so very dark, this story was a shining light of hope. As an activist fighting against censorship, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and cannot wait for it to be in the hands of readers everywhere!"- Julia Garnett, School Library Journal's 2024 Banned Books Week Youth Honorary Chair