About this book
A gripping new novel in verse by the author of the Printz Honor-winning Starfish, featuring a poverty-stricken boy who bravely rides out all the storms life keeps throwing at him Joe Oak is used to living on unsteady ground. His mom can’t be depended on as she never stays around long once she gets “the itch,” and now he and his beloved grandmother find themselves without a home. Fortunately, Joe has an outlet in his journals and drawings and takes comfort from the lessons of comic books—superheroes have a lot of “and then, boom” moments, where everything threatens to go bust but somehow they land on their feet. And that seems to happen a lot to Joe too, as in this crisis his friend Nick helps them find a home in his trailer park. But things fall apart again when Joe is suddenly left to fend for himself. He doesn’t tell anyone he’s on his own, as he fears foster care and has hope his mom will come back. But time is running out—bills are piling up, the electricity’s been shut off, and the school year’s about to end, meaning no more free meals. The struggle to feed himself gets intense, and Joe finds himself dumpster diving for meals. He’s never felt so alone—until an emaciated little dog and her two tiny pups cross his path. And fate has even more in store for Joe, because an actual tornado is about to hit home—and just when it seems all is lost, his life turns in a direction that he never could have predicted.
Censorship history
In 2024, "And Then, Boom!" by Lisa Fipps faced bans at various school levels across the United States, primarily due to concerns over themes of race and colonialism, as well as perceived immorality. Specific instances included challenges raised by local parent-teacher associations and school board votes in multiple districts, leading to the book's removal from curricula and libraries. The bans were part of a broader trend of increased scrutiny on literature addressing sensitive social issues, resulting in ongoing debates and formal complaints in several states. As of late 2024, the book's status remains contested in various districts, with some schools reinstating it while others uphold the bans.
Bans
| Country | Year | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 2024 | RacialMoral |