It’s hard to choose a “favorite” book by Jason Reynolds because each is so different in style and subject matter. But this one… whew! The way-too-quickIt’s hard to choose a “favorite” book by Jason Reynolds because each is so different in style and subject matter. But this one… whew! The way-too-quick recap is that it’s Judy Blume’s Forever told from the male perspective. And I love that he dedicates the book to her. But of course it’s not a Judy Blume retelling. It’s the story of Neon and Aria, who have been dating for two years and are on the brink of having sex for the first time. It’s the story of how their relationship came to be, of the influences in their lives that have brought them to this moment, of the ways that Neon’s parents and grandparents have raised him to think about sex, of conversations within his friend group, of the swirl of conflicting emotions he feels, of so many things that go through his head. And we get to be there for the journey, for the anticipation and the awkwardness and the serendipitous events that have brought Neon to this moment. I am so excited for teens to read this.
Thank you, NetGalley and Atheneum Books, for the electronic arc....more
This novel in verse is a wonder. Jake’s story will resonate with middle grade students through young adults who have experience with disordered eating This novel in verse is a wonder. Jake’s story will resonate with middle grade students through young adults who have experience with disordered eating or eating disorders. It will resonate with their families and friends. It is a love letter to anyone who thinks they don’t deserve to take up space. It’s a tough love letter: John Schu doesn’t sugarcoat Jake’s struggles, his fears, his anger, the internal voice that has controlled his actions for so long. But slowly, with a lot of work and the help of others, Jake is able to see and claim his potential. The story concludes with a note from Schu, sharing with readers how much of Jake’s story was inspired by his own diagnoses of and treatment of anorexia nervosa, depression, anxiety, and OCD as a young teen. A generous story that will save lives.
Thank you to Penguin Random House and Libro.fm’s ALC program for making the audiobook available to librarians and educators. Narrator Jeff Ebner does a fantastic job of voicing Jake....more
So good on so many levels. I haven’t been so invested in the characters in a book for a long time. I love the way that Torrey Peters blends unflinchinSo good on so many levels. I haven’t been so invested in the characters in a book for a long time. I love the way that Torrey Peters blends unflinching honesty and messiness and humor. And she nails the ending. ...more
All the stars for this collaboration between author Joanna Ho and multidisciplinary artist Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya. Powerful words and breathtaking pAll the stars for this collaboration between author Joanna Ho and multidisciplinary artist Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya. Powerful words and breathtaking pictures combine in this anthem to the wide diaspora of Asian Americans past and present. There is so much our history books are missing, and this picture book, accessible to all ages, seeks to close some gaps in our collective awareness with a broad array of resources and backmatter. Thank you to Scholastic for the advance readers copy and the opportunity to hear from both creators....more
Is there anything that Jason Reynolds can’t do? Add picture books to the “completely rocks it” column.
This is an ode to Langston Hughes and libraries aIs there anything that Jason Reynolds can’t do? Add picture books to the “completely rocks it” column.
This is an ode to Langston Hughes and libraries and a little-known picture of Maya Angelou and Amiri Baraka dancing at the 1991 dedication of the Langston Hughes Auditorium at the Schomberg Center.
Reynolds’ words bring the rhythm, but it is brothers Jerome and Jarrett Pumphrey who really take things to the next level. Their illustrations are a celebration of words and movement and joy and freedom.
Read the book once just to get that first feeling of wonder. But make sure you go back and read it a few more times to savor the playfulness of hidden and not so hidden words woven into the illustrations, the energy, the layers.
Who knew I needed Shannon Chakraborty and her bad-ass, 40-something, semi-retired pirate in my life? Amina Al-Sirafi thought she had left her high-seaWho knew I needed Shannon Chakraborty and her bad-ass, 40-something, semi-retired pirate in my life? Amina Al-Sirafi thought she had left her high-seas days behind her, but finances are always a struggle. When she gets an offer that will allow her to provide for her mother and her young daughter for the rest of their lives, she accepts the job. Amina quickly learns that the assignment is more dangerous than she was led to believe— and that her mother’s and daughter’s lives hang in the balance of her successful completion. Harrowing, high-stakes adventure combine with humor and social commentary for a very satisfying historical fantasy on the Indian Ocean. Grateful to Sabaa Tahir for putting this on my radar in a recent post....more
This is among my favorite books I've read this summer. Ariel Aberg-Riger knows how to present factual information that is accessible and engaging and This is among my favorite books I've read this summer. Ariel Aberg-Riger knows how to present factual information that is accessible and engaging and more startling than anything teens might have thought they knew about American history. She takes traditional historical canon and turns it upside down. Think a bunch of European explorers "discovered" America? Actually, Mustafa Al-Azemmouri (or Estevanico, as his enslaver named him) was instrumental in paving the way for these white men. Want to see how environmental injustice-- and lack of affordable housing-- and mass incarceration-- and the fight for workers' rights-- all issues that we continue to deal with today-- are a continuation of decisions that were made centuries ago? Aberg-Riger's mix of graphics and bursts of text keep the pages turning quickly, and backmatter includes source material so that teens can dig deeper. A great introduction to some of the less-discussed, but very important, parts of our country's history. I'm excited to share this with teachers and students....more
I loved the depth and breadth and conversational tone of these essays. I’ve enjoyed reading them slowly over the past several months, and know that I’I loved the depth and breadth and conversational tone of these essays. I’ve enjoyed reading them slowly over the past several months, and know that I’ll return to them again. If you’re a highlighter or annotator like I am, this is a book you’ll want to have your own copy of… so many opportunities to engage with the text. As with his fiction and his podcasts, this collection delves into explorations of mental health, science, history, how we engage with the world around us. Thought-provoking and lovely....more
Jade Nguyen’s Ba left the family several years ago to return to Vietnam. When he offers to pay Jade’s upcoming tuition at UPenn if she spends the summJade Nguyen’s Ba left the family several years ago to return to Vietnam. When he offers to pay Jade’s upcoming tuition at UPenn if she spends the summer helping him convert an old French colonial house in Đà Lạt into a B&B, she can’t refuse: her nail salon employed mother has enough to worry about financially as she raises Jade’s younger siblings. Jade and younger sister Lily travel to their father in Đà Lạt while her mother and brother visit family in Saigon.
So begins a summer that slowly unravels into one of the creepiest, most horrific speculative fiction works that I have read. Hungry ghosts, a house that will stop at nothing to lure new victims to its long-empty rooms, maggots and flowers and decay and fungal infections, questions of who can be trusted and who is controlling whom…
I got strong The Only Good Indians vibes. Like Stephen Graham Jones, Tran has given us a visceral story that weaves in thought-provoking commentary on the atrocities of settler colonialism and its long-ranging implications. The slow burn of the story arc culminates in truly disturbing ways, and the resolution is one that I didn’t see coming but that was entirely satisfying,
A powerful debut-- I'm eager to read more from this author....more
This Irish YA import is amazing, and is among my top 3 books I’ve read this year. When Maeve finds an old deck of tarot cards, she begins giving readiThis Irish YA import is amazing, and is among my top 3 books I’ve read this year. When Maeve finds an old deck of tarot cards, she begins giving readings to schoolmates— a lark until her ex-best friend Lily insists on a reading and disappears soon after. Slowly realizing that something supernatural has been released through the readings, Maeve is frantic to help track down Lily. A mysterious Housekeeper card appears intermittently in the deck, and seems to hold the key to Lily’s disappearance. Complicating matters, Maeve and Roe, Lily’s genderqueer older sibling, are developing a relationship, and both are trying to figure out how they can possibly have romance on their minds when someone so central to both of them is missing. Maeve is prickly and awkward and wonderful, and secondary characters are fully fleshed out. This contemporary and original fantasy takes place against a backdrop of a river town where people are becoming increasingly divided and hostile over LGBTQI+ rights, and aggression towards racial minorities is on the rise. Enthralling writing… I’m so glad to see there’s a sequel coming....more
One of the most powerful books I’ve read this year. I want to get it in the hands of every history teacher— every teacher, every human— I know. Clint One of the most powerful books I’ve read this year. I want to get it in the hands of every history teacher— every teacher, every human— I know. Clint Smith’s experiences at historic locations in our country and beyond underscore the fact that American history is indelibly linked to our history of slavery. We must come to terms with our nation’s past if we have any hope of moving forward. The personal connections in his epilogue are especially impactful. I highly recommend the audiobook version, narrated by the author....more
Amber Ruffin left her Omaha, Nebraska hometown as a young adult. Her sister, Lacey Lamar, still lives in the area. Both have dealt with pH O L Y C O W
Amber Ruffin left her Omaha, Nebraska hometown as a young adult. Her sister, Lacey Lamar, still lives in the area. Both have dealt with plenty of racism, but the regularity with which Lacey was calling Amber and recounting the latest crazy example made Amber realize that gathering some of the stories into a collection might bring home just how pervasive racism is.
The sisters’ sharing of stories of countless micro aggressions (and some not so micro) allowed me to get some sense of how exhausting it is to be on the receiving end of the willful ignorance and assumptions and privilege of white America.
The audiobook, narrated by both sisters, is similar in tone to Ruffin’s talk show, and the comedic delivery only underscores the appalling experiences of racism.
As Ruffin says at the end, “We’re not trying to educate white America, but maybe we accidentally did.”...more
If you had told me my probably-favorite book of 2020 would be a Bildungsroman starring a 40-year-old pudgy and balding bureaucrat, I would not have beIf you had told me my probably-favorite book of 2020 would be a Bildungsroman starring a 40-year-old pudgy and balding bureaucrat, I would not have believed it. But holy cow, T J Klune has created a story that defies categorization. It combines the charm of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone with the quirk of Terry Pratchett. A touch of romance, a dash of hopefulness, threads of social justice, and it all comes together beautifully. It’s a story that has appeal for just about any age, 8 to 88. And as several folks have mentioned, excellent reading during this time of COVID: escapism with heart.
Thanks, Andria Amaral, for getting this on my radar a while back ...more
All the love. Lucy Cuthew is a British author who, up till now, has written primarily children’s books. I hope this is only the beginning of her foray All the love. Lucy Cuthew is a British author who, up till now, has written primarily children’s books. I hope this is only the beginning of her foray into YA. Her novel in verse tackles period taboos and online shaming in a completely authentic way, and captures female high school friendships beautifully. It’s a must-read.
Thank you, Candlewick Press and NetGalley, for the electronic ARC....more
I was a little nervous about reading this, because sequels so often fall short of the original. But holy wow, Adib Khorram pulled it off. It’s Darius’I was a little nervous about reading this, because sequels so often fall short of the original. But holy wow, Adib Khorram pulled it off. It’s Darius’s junior year, and he’s got a boyfriend and an internship at Rose City Teas and a position on the varsity soccer team, and life should be sweet. But his parents are overworked (that trip to Yazd took a big chunk out of the family finances), Trent Bolger is still a jerk, Laleh is dealing with her own bullies at school, Landon wants to move their relationship along faster than Darius is comfortable with, and in Iran, Babou’s health is rapidly declining. There’s a lot going on. No wonder Darius is overwhelmed. But the various threads flow organically and we get such an intimate look at Darius’s world. I especially appreciate the thoughtful ways that depression, sexual consent, and gender identities are portrayed.
Highly, highly recommended.
Thank you, Dial Books and Edelweiss, for the advanced readers copy....more
One of the best books I’ve read this year. Jacob’s graphic memoir opens with a conversation she’s having with her 6-year-old son Z, who is curious aboOne of the best books I’ve read this year. Jacob’s graphic memoir opens with a conversation she’s having with her 6-year-old son Z, who is curious about whether Michael Jackson was brown or white. With a brown mom and a white dad, Z has questions as he observes the world. Much of the memoir is given to conversations with Z as Jacob tries to answer his many questions honestly and in a way that doesn’t overwhelm (my favorite is the racism dialogue on pages 80-85). Through other conversations, we meet her parents and brother, her extended family in India, her friends, various lovers, and finally Jed, the white, Jewish guy she knew vaguely growing up in New Mexico, and ultimately married after they reconnected in New York. Jacob navigates racism, colorism (her lighter-skinned relatives in India are distraught at how dark she is), and sexual harassment. After 9/11, she deals with fellow New Yorkers calling her a terrorist. Her conversations allow us an intimate look into her relationships with her parents, her husband, her friends, her in-laws, and her son. And her graphics— pen and ink cutout drawings of each person involved in the conversation, against a photographic background and with speech bubbles guiding the readers— work beautifully. She can relay so much through slight shifts in the cutout’s positioning on the page. Masterful....more
This beautiful story defies categorization. It’s set in 1930s Maine, but the term “historical fiction” doesn’t do justice to the timelessness of the thThis beautiful story defies categorization. It’s set in 1930s Maine, but the term “historical fiction” doesn’t do justice to the timelessness of the themes. Our protagonist is 12 years old, but her unique perspective and the profound truths she uncovers about the world around her will appeal to teens and adults as much as to middle graders. This is a tale of ifs and elses and yets, our connections with nature and with each other. I loved every page, and am excited for other readers to immerse themselves in the world of Echo Mountain....more
One of the most powerful and courageous memoirs I have ever read. Chanel Miller gives readers an unflinching look at not only the horror of the sexualOne of the most powerful and courageous memoirs I have ever read. Chanel Miller gives readers an unflinching look at not only the horror of the sexual assault she experienced, but the longer-term effects in the year and a half following the assault. As she worked with the DA and detectives, as hearings were postponed and her life was in limbo, as her family saw close up that the justice system isn’t necessarily about justice, she soon realized, “it was not for me, but at the expense of me, that we’d be able to get there” (p. 127).
Towards the end of her recounting, Chanel writes, “I wrote this book… because there were times I did not feel like living. I wrote because the court system is slow as a snail, and victims are forced to spend so much time fighting…. I wrote to expose the brutality of entitlement, gender violence, and class privilege in our society” (324). But she is quick to highlight the humanity, the kindnesses, the grace that she has seen. One of my favorite lines in the book comes from a response to Buzzfeed’s publication of Chanel’s—Emily Doe’s—victim impact statement that was published on June 3, 2016 as “Here’s the Powerful Letter the Stanford Victim Read to Her Attacker:”
“She looked straight into the sun and laid it all out for us.”
It’s not an easy read. But it is so important. Grateful to my friend Krissy for nudging it to the top of my reading pile....more
I truly don’t know how she does it. The Poet X was masterful. Clap When You Land, I think, goes even further. It’s a story of tragedy that unlocks secrI truly don’t know how she does it. The Poet X was masterful. Clap When You Land, I think, goes even further. It’s a story of tragedy that unlocks secrets. It’s a story of two sisters who were not aware of the other’s existence.
Papi had two lives. Papi has two daughters.
Papi was a man split in two, playing a game against himself.
But the problem with that is that in order to win, you also always lose.
It’s a love letter to the Dominican Republic and to New York’s Dominican communities. It’s a study of family and flawed parents and secrets and what we’re asked to forgive.
The ways that Acevedo shapes her free verse, the parallels and the subtle differences in the layout of alternating entries from Camino and Yahaira, plumb emotional depths without feeling manipulative.
I hope, hope, hope that she’ll narrate the audio version, because the only thing better than reading Elizabeth Acevedo’s books is listening to her read them....more
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