Attack Of The Black Rectangles
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
272
Novel • Fiction
•
Children`s Literature•
Coming of AgeNovelty, Pennsylvania • Contemporary
•
Emotions/Behavior: Courage•
Perseverance2022
Scholastic
YA
10-14 years
Super Short Summary
In A.S. King's Attack of the Black Rectangles, 11-year-old Mac Delaney and his friends Denis and Marci discover that their school-issued copies of The Devil's Arithmetic are censored, prompting them to challenge their town’s restrictive rules and advocate for freedom of information and truth. The novel features themes of censorship, developing one’s identity and values, and navigating relationships during adolescence.
Challenging
Mysterious
Emotional
Inspirational
Unnerving
Reviews & Readership
419 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Attack Of The Black Rectangles by A.S. King has been praised for its imaginative storytelling and relatable adolescent themes. Critics commend the book's exploration of censorship and truth, resonating with both teen and adult readers. Negatively, some reviewers find the plot occasionally disjointed and the pacing uneven. Overall, it's a thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read Attack Of The Black Rectangles?
Readers who appreciate Attack of the Black Rectangles by A.S. King are typically young adults keen on exploring themes of censorship, personal growth, and social justice, much like fans of Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson and The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas. They seek thought-provoking, character-driven narratives that challenge societal norms.
419 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
One of Mac’s best friends who is involved in protests against censorship; she is intelligent, mature, and informs Mac and Denis about feminism.
Mac’s other best friend who participates in the fight against censorship; he is anxious and sensitive, often providing comic relief and representing diverse sexualities.
A sixth-grade teacher known for her strict adherence to town rules; she initiates the book's central conflict through her acts of censorship.
A diligent hospice care worker and supportive parent who embraces social justice, affecting Mac’s viewpoints positively.
Mac’s father figure who introduces him to countercultural ideas, guiding him through sixth-grade challenges with his wisdom and experience.
Mac’s father, who left the family home but maintains a relationship with Mac; his emotional complexity influences Mac’s growth and understanding of relationships.
A member of Mac's literature circle whose perceptions of censorship and personal freedoms evolve throughout the story.
272
Novel • Fiction
•
Children`s Literature•
Coming of AgeNovelty, Pennsylvania • Contemporary
•
Emotions/Behavior: Courage•
Perseverance2022
Scholastic
YA
10-14 years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 10,950+ additional titles.