About this book
2024 Whippoorwill Award Honor Book 2025–2026 MASL Gateway Award Finalist From award-winning author Mindy McGinnis comes a thrilling and gripping YA mystery about a small town’s past and the secrets unearthed by way of two teen girls—and a podcast. Perfect for fans of Sadie, The Cheerleaders, and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. A lifetime of hard work has put Lydia Chass on track to attend a prestigious journalism program and leave Henley behind—until a school error leaves her a credit short of graduating. Bristal Jamison has a bad reputation and a foul mouth, but she also needs one more credit to graduate. An unexpected partnership forms as the two remake Lydia’s town history podcast to investigate the Long Stretch of Bad Days—a week when Henley was hit by a tornado and a flash flood as well as its first, only, and unsolved murder. As their investigation unearths buried secrets, some don’t want them to see the light. When the threats escalate, the girls have to uncover the truth before the dark history of Henley catches up with them.
Censorship history
In 2024, "A Long Stretch of Bad Days" by Mindy McGinnis was banned at the school level in the United States, categorized under "Other" reasons, although specific details regarding the challengers or the nature of the complaints were not publicly disclosed. This ban reflects a growing trend in certain school districts to restrict access to books that address complex themes, particularly in the realm of young adult literature. The ban remains in effect, with no documented attempts to contest or reverse the decision as of the latest updates.
Bans
| Country | Year | Reasons |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 2024 | Other |