You Gotta Read This!
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4/30/2021 0 Comments Loveless by Alice OsemanTitle: Loveless Author: Alice Oseman Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books ISBN13: 9780008244125 Genre: YA/New Adult, Contemporary Realistic Fiction, Teen Romance Topics/Themes: Self-discovery and identity, finding the true meaning of love Diversity Tags: LGBTQIA+: Asexual, Aromantic, Lesbian, Pansexual Main Characters Recommended Age Level: 17-21 Awards / Recognitions:
Summary (from GoodReads): It was all sinking in. I’d never had a crush on anyone. No boys, no girls, not a single person I had ever met. What did that mean? 18-year-old Georgia has never been in love, never kissed anyone, never even had a crush – but as a fanfic-obsessed romantic she’s sure she’ll find her person one day. As she starts university with her best friends, Pip and Jason, in a whole new town far from home, Georgia’s ready to find romance, and with her outgoing roommate on her side and a place in the Shakespeare Society, her ‘teenage dream’ is in sight. But when her romance plan wreaks havoc amongst her friends, Georgia ends up in her own comedy of errors, and she starts to question why love seems so easy for other people but not for her. With new terms thrown at her – asexual, aromantic – Georgia is more uncertain about her feelings than ever. Is she destined to remain loveless? Or has she been looking for the wrong thing all along? Professional Reviews: “There is so much more I could say about Loveless, but to sum up, I completely adored it. From the heartfelt treatment of sexuality, to the diverse cast, to the intense connection I felt with it, this is undoubtedly going to be a long-term favourite of mine. And Alice Oseman might just be a new favourite author.” – Eleanor Maher, “Bookstacked” Book Review, 2020 https://bookstacked.com/reviews/book-reviews/loveless-review-alice-oseman/ “Loveless is a beautiful tale of self-discovery and self-acceptance, as well as a celebration of friendships. Alice Oseman offers one of her best works to date, unafraid to show the intricacies of human connection and the importance of valuing those around us to create a community of support and love in a world that always seems to go against us.” – Ankara C., “The Nerd Daily” Book Review, 2020 https://thenerddaily.com/review-loveless-by-alice-oseman/ Personal Insights: I feel like this is an incredibly important book because it is one of the only ones I have found that has an asexual/aromantic teen as the main character (other than the two I mention in the Readalikes below). As it gets referenced in the book as Georgia is discovering her own identity, asexuality is a term that not a lot of people are familiar with, nor one that many understand even though it is considered part of the LGBTQIA+ spectrum. While this book may technically be considered a teen romance story (and there is an incredibly adorable romance budding between secondary characters), the beauty of this story is that it shows that true friendship can be just as powerful of a kind of love, and just as fulfilling as romantic love. It was fascinating when I was looking at the recommended readalikes on Goodreads and Novelist, because every single one recommended was for a teen romance, or, even more jarring, a smutty romance book (complete with a bare-chested male on the cover). Which is completely antithetical to the message this story is trying to convey, and shows just how little the publishing world understands or factors in this specific identity. Just one more level of awesomeness, this book is also, #ownvoices! Alice Oseman came out as asexual shortly after publishing this book, so it’s very cool to know that the experiences that Georgia is facing come from very real experiences. Also, can we take a moment to appreciate this amazing author?? She is currently only 26 years old and has published numerous and very successful novels and graphic novels. Her first book, Solitaire, was published when she was only 17, and her graphic novel series, Heartstoppers, was just announced earlier this year to have a Netflix adaptation in the works! She is definitely an author to keep on your radar in the world of LGBTQIA+ fiction in the near future. You can check out a great article by Alice Oseman here where she talks about her life experiences with identifying as asexual here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z2fk3j6 As far as content goes, I wanted to make a note that this story is set in England, where the drinking age is 18. While the main character is 18, I would almost want to classify this book as “New Adult” if not the upper end of YA. I say that because the use of alcohol and partying is very much an integral part of the story, and for American readers, there is a different culture around alcohol (not to mention age of legality), so some might have a little harder time relating to the story in that regard. Notable Quotes: “Give your friendships the magic you would give a romance. Because they're just as important. Actually, for us, they're way more important.” “I've learnt some things. Like the way friendship can be just as intense, beautiful and endless as romance. Like the way there's love everywhere around me - there's love for my friends, there's love for my paintings, there's love for myself.” “In the end, that was the problem with romance. It was so easy to romanticise romance because it was everywhere. It was in music and on TV and in filtered Instagram photos. It was in the air, crisp and alive with fresh possibility. It was in falling leaves, crumbling wooden doorways, scuffed cobblestones and fields of dandelions. It was in the touch of hands, scrawled letters, crumpled sheets and the golden hour. A soft yawn, early morning laugher, shoes lined up together by the door. Eyes across a dance floor. I could see it all, all the time, all around, but when I got closer, I found nothing was there.” Readalikes (Summaries found on GoodReads)*These recommendations are based more on the fact that they were the only two other books I could find with asexual main characters rather than any similarity in tone/pacing/content.*
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3/25/2021 0 Comments Lemons by Melissa SavageTitle: Lemons Author: Melissa Savage Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers (2017) ISBN13: 978- 1524700126 Genre: Middle Grade, Action/Adventure, Historical Fiction (Set in the 1970s) Topics/Themes: Healing/Grief from loss of a parent, reconnecting with family, making new friends, living in a new place Diversity Tags: Death of a parent/raised by grandparent Recommended Age Level: 9-12 Awards / Recognitions:
Summary: Ten-year-old Lemonade Liberty Witt, Lem for short, has just lost her mother and is being uprooted from San Francisco to go live with her grandfather, who she has never met, in Willow Creek, California. Unsure of how to make lemonade from such large lemons (the well-known phrase being her namesake), Lemonade inevitably meets the quirky boy next door, Tobin, who is OBSESSED with the local Bigfoot legend and is the self-proclaimed CEO and founder of Bigfoot Detective Inc (which he runs out of the ramshackle garage belonging to Lem’s grandfather). Since Tobin is the first person her own age she befriends, he is able to rope her in to being his (reluctant) assistant, even though she is a bigfoot skeptic. While most of the sightings and reports that Bigfoot Detective Inc receives are from indulging town-folk (such as the retired school teacher who uses it as an excuse to bake and feed cookies to these two kiddos), a few reports begin to come in that are stumping even the adults in town. Before they know it, Lem and Tobin are caught up in a case that impacts them more personally than they could imagine as they both cope with their own unique grief of losing a parent. Professional Review: “The book is well paced, with plenty of humor to balance the heavy themes.” - Taylor Worley, School Library Journal, 2017 “An enjoyable and comforting middle-grade handbook on navigating new experiences and the heartache of losing loved ones early in life. A joyous celebration of cryptozoology, friendship, family love, and coping with loss.” – Kirkus Reviews, 2017 “Savage injects enough humor, mystery, and lively interaction among the characters to give this two-hanky debut a buoyant tone.” – John Peters, Booklist, 2017 Personal Insights: I loved how much this story addressed the emotions of grief and loss in an age appropriate way, which is not surprising given that the author, Melissa Savage, is a child and family therapist. It’s clear that she pulled from a deep base of knowledge and experience from the kids she has worked with in the creation of this story. I was also hooked immediately with this story because, like Tobin, I was OBSESSED with Bigfoot (and other cryptozoological creatures) in middle school. Almost every single free-choice research or report that was assigned I jumped at the chance to dive more into this realm where reality and fantasy begin to blur. So this story held a special place for me because of the deep nostalgic feelings it reawakened and helped me relive some great (and also slightly cringe-y) memories! Readalikes (Summaries found on GoodReads)
Title: You Should See Me in a Crown
Author: Leah Johnson Publisher: Scholastic Press (2020) ISBN13: 978- 1338503265 Genre: Realistic Fiction, YA, Romance Topics/Themes: Stepping outside your comfort zone, coming-of-age, first love, navigating friendship Diversity Tags: BIPOC: Black Main Character, LGBTQIA+: Lesbian Main Character, Death of a parent/raised by grandparents Recommended Age Level: 14-19 Awards / Recognitions:
Summary: Senior Liz Lighty is on track to graduate at the top of her class and head to her dream college, Pennington, to study medicine and play in their world famous orchestra. Her plan is to become a hematologist to work with patients who have Sickle Cell Anemia, the blood disorder that took her mother’s life and her little brother is struggling with. When her music scholarship unexpectedly falls through, Liz realizes that she must take matters into her own hands since her grandparents cannot afford to pay for her college. Her solution: run for prom queen in the annual competition that her school and small town are weirdly obsessed with because the prize is a scholarship that would more than pay for the rest of her tuition. Though it goes against every fiber of her spotlight-avoiding being, Liz will not let anything get in the way of her dreams to make it to Pennington, not even the gauntlet of public events and social media that she despises. Although she is the top of her class, Liz has always struggled with feelings of not fitting in as “too black” or “too poor” in her rich, midwestern school. Launching herself at this prom queen campaign, Liz must confront these fears head on as she meticulously works to create an image for herself. When Liz begins to fall for the smart and funny new girl, it seems she must make the impossible decision of whether stopping at nothing to achieve her dreams or finding love and being true to herself are more important. Professional Reviews: “Johnson puts a fresh spin on this novel with an unlikely romance, heartwarming friendships, and the tension of being Black, poor, and queer in a small town. Readers will revel in the growth of the entire cast, as their high-school years come to an exciting and wildly unanticipated close. A feel-good title for sure.” – Melanie Kirkwood, Booklist, 2020 “Readers will fall in love with this refreshing book that celebrates the beauty of individuality.” – Cicely Lewis, School Library Journal, 2020 “Johnson does an excellent job of portraying the anxiety and internalized self-hatred from being different in a mostly white, affluent small town. The queer prom romance you didn’t know you needed.” – Kirkus Reviews, 2020 Personal Insights: Since this story took place in a fictional town just outside of non-fictional Indianapolis, I loved the many references to Indiana, and felt an added connection to the culture and environment that Liz found herself in in this story. I was also a big fan of how much this story was able to pack in and address: not only is it a beautiful queer romance story, but it’s also a fantastic success story about a Black girl finding her way in a very white school. Also, yet another great examples of an #ownvoices story by a LGBTQIA+ and Black author! You can read more about the author’s journey and writing of the book here: https://electricliterature.com/leah-johnson-you-should-see-me-in-a-crown/ Notable Quotes: “I never needed this race, or a hashtag, or the king to be a queen. I was born royalty. All I had to do was pick up my crown.” “And I know then what I've always known: Campbell is never going to make a space for me to fit. I'm going to have to demand it.” “Silence and shame aren’t the same thing—not by a longshot. But sometimes silence is simpler.” “Loyalty between lifelong friends is complicated and runs deep. More deeply, even, than I think you realize, until just how different you and your friends have become is practically unavoidable.” Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) If It Makes You Happy by Claire Kann (2019) - High school finally behind her, Winnie is all set to attend college in the fall. But first she's spending her summer days working at her granny’s diner and begins spending her midnights with Dallas—the boy she loves to hate and hates that she likes. Winnie lives in Misty Haven, a small town where secrets are impossible to keep—like when Winnie allegedly snaps on Dr. Skinner, which results in everyone feeling compelled to give her weight loss advice for her own good. Because they care that’s she’s “too fat.” Winnie dreams of someday inheriting the diner—but it'll go away if they can't make money, and fast. Winnie has a solution—win a televised cooking competition and make bank. But Granny doesn't want her to enter—so Winnie has to find a way around her formidable grandmother. Can she come out on top? The Summer of Jordi Perez (and the Best Burger in Los Angeles) by Amy Spalding (2018) - Seventeen, fashion-obsessed, and gay, Abby Ives has always been content playing the sidekick in other people's lives. While her friends and sister have plunged headfirst into the world of dating and romances, Abby has stayed focused on her plus-size style blog and her dreams of taking the fashion industry by storm. When she lands a prized internship at her favorite local boutique, she’s thrilled to take her first step into her dream career. She doesn't expect to fall for her fellow intern, Jordi Pérez. Abby knows it's a big no-no to fall for a colleague. She also knows that Jordi documents her whole life in photographs, while Abby would prefer to stay behind the scenes. Then again, nothing is going as expected this summer. She's competing against the girl she's kissing to win a paid job at the boutique. She's somehow managed to befriend Jax, a lacrosse-playing bro type who needs help in a project that involves eating burgers across L.A.'s eastside. Suddenly, she doesn't feel like a sidekick. Is it possible Abby's finally in her own story? But when Jordi's photography puts Abby in the spotlight, it feels like a betrayal, rather than a starring role. Can Abby find a way to reconcile her positive yet private sense of self with the image that other people have of her? Ask the Passengers by A.S. King (2012) - Astrid Jones desperately wants to confide in someone, but her mother's pushiness and her father's lack of interest tell her they're the last people she can trust. Instead, Astrid spends hours lying on the backyard picnic table watching airplanes fly overhead. She doesn't know the passengers inside, but they're the only people who won't judge her when she asks them her most personal questions--like what it means that she's falling in love with a girl. As her secret relationship becomes more intense and her friends demand answers, Astrid has nowhere left to turn. She can't share the truth with anyone except the people at thirty thousand feet, and they don't even know she's there. But little does Astrid know just how much even the tiniest connection will affect these strangers' lives--and her own--for the better. 3/14/2021 0 Comments Wish by Barbara O'Connor
Title: Wish
Author: Barbara O’Connor Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (2016) ISBN13: 978- 0374302733 Genre: Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade Topics/Themes: Moving to a different city/culture, Adopted family/family history, Making new friends Diversity Tags: Mental Illness: Parent with depression, People with Disabilities: Physical limp Recommended Age Level: 9-12 Awards / Recognitions:
Summary: Short-tempered 11-year-old Charlie Reese is sent to live with her aunt and uncle in “hillbilly country” (the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina) since her mama can’t get up off the couch to take care of her and her father, Scrappy, is in jail getting “corrected. Resentful of her older sister who gets to stay in Raleigh with her friend, Charlie finds solace in a sacred ritual she has had since fourth grade: making the same wish every day, in every way possible (and there are A LOT of ways she knows how to make a wish). The longer she is there, the more unlikely it seems that her wish will come true…that is until she meets a dog she calls Wishbone, a scared and unwanted stray who she immediately feels a connection with, and Howard, an odd, but kind-hearted neighbor boy. As time passes living with her aunt and uncle, Charlie begins to realize that her wish may be coming true after all, just not in the way she ever imagined. Professional Reviews: “Poignant and genuine, this is a tale that will resonate with readers long after they finish it and have them cheering for the underdogs—both of the two-legged and four-legged varieties. – Michele Shaw, School Library Journal, 2016 “A warm, real, and heartfelt tale.”– Kirkus Reviews, 2016 Personal Insights: This was such a beautiful story, and O’Connor had the perfect mix of humor and emotion to really make it resonate. While the direction of the story is predictable from the get-go, the journey that Charlie makes is still an enjoyable and meaningful one that kept my attention all the way through. The characters in the story are all flawed in their own lovable kind of way, which adds a lot of depth to this otherwise pretty straightforward story. The setting of the Blue Ridge Mountains are tangible through the pages, and the southern dialect and the attention to detail really help the reader get into the story! Notable Quotes: “You'd think that a redheaded boy with glasses who was named Howard and had an up-down walk would have a lot more to wish for than being friends with me. But I admit I felt a smile on my face and hope in my heart, 'cause maybe wishes really do come true. Maybe some wishes just take longer than others.” “You can't judge people for the mistakes they make. You judge them for how they fix those mistakes.” “As I pedaled up the road, I turned and glanced back at the Odoms’ house. I remembered that first day on the school bus when I had seen it and thought it was so sad-looking. Then I pictured all those boys in that little kitchen getting loved on by their mama and that house didn’t look one bit sad anymore.” “On the line beside ‘Describe your family’, I wrote, ‘Bad.’ What is your favorite subject in school? ‘None.’ List three of your favorite activities. ‘Soccer, ballet, and fighting.’ Two of those favorite activities were lies but one of them was the truth. I am fond of fighting.” Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate (2015) - Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There's no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again. Crenshaw is a cat. He's large, he's outspoken, and he's imaginary. He has come back into Jackson's life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything? Lemons by Melissa Savage (2017) - What do you do when you lose everything that means anything? Ten-year old Lemonade Liberty Witt doesn’t know the answer to that question, except what her mom taught her. When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. But what if those lemons are so big that you forget how? How do you make lemonade out of having to leave everything you know in San Francisco to move to the small town of Willow Creek, California and live with a grandfather you’ve never even met? In a town that smells like grass and mud and bugs. With tall pines instead of skyscrapers and dirt instead of sidewalks. Not to mention one woolly beast lurking in the woods. That’s right, Bigfoot. A ginormous wooden statue of the ugly thing stands right at the center of town like he’s someone real important, like the mayor or something. And the people here actually believe he’s real and hiding somewhere out in the pine filled forests. How can anyone possibly be expected to make lemonade out those rotten lemons? Everything is different and Lem just wants to go back home. And then she meets Tobin Sky, the CEO of Bigfoot Detectives, Inc. and sole investigator for the town. He invites her to be his Assistant for the summer and she reluctantly agrees. At least until she can figure out her escape plan. Together, Lem and Tobin try to capture a shot of the elusive beast on film and end up finding more than they ever could have even imagined. Summer of a Thousand Pies by Margaret Dilloway (2019) - When twelve-year-old Cady Bennett is sent to live with the aunt she didn’t even know she had in the quaint mountain town of Julian, she doesn’t know what to expect. Cady isn’t used to stability, or even living inside, after growing up homeless in San Diego with her dad. Now she’s staying in her mother’s old room, exploring the countryside filled with apple orchards and pie shops, making friends, and working in Aunt Shell’s own pie shop—and soon, Cady starts to feel like she belongs. Then she finds out that Aunt Shell’s pie shop is failing. Saving the business and protecting the first place she’s ever really felt safe will take everything she’s learned and the help of all her new friends. But are there some things even the perfect pie just can’t fix? Title: Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus
Author: Dusti Bowling Publisher: Sterling Children’s Books (2017) ISBN13: 978- 1454923459 Genre: Realistic Fiction, Mystery, Middle Grade Topics/Themes: Adopted family/family history, Living with a visible disability, Making new friends Diversity Tags: People with Disabilities: People with no arms, Tourrete’s Syndrome Recommended Age Level: 10-14 Awards / Recognitions:
Summary: 13-year-old Aven Green loves to make up and tell stories to people about how she lost her arms when they inevitably give her weird looks or ask nosy questions. The truth, a rare genetic disorder, gets boring to tell after so many times, so she likes to push herself to see how wild her improv imagination can get. Her lack of arms has not kept her from doing anything she sets her mind to: living in Kansas with her parents, who adopted her when she was 2-years-old, she is loving life with her friends on the soccer team, and everyone else in her middle school has pretty much accepted who she is and has gotten used to the different ways she accomplishes daily activities at school. All that comes to a screeching halt when her parents announce they are moving to a small town in Arizona to run a wild-west themed amusement park called Stagecoach Pass… Not only does she have to finish up middle school as the new kid, she has to go through the entire process of surviving the stares and weird looks everywhere she goes. After a rough few days, her only bright spot at school is a boy named Connor, who struggles with his own disability and fitting in. As she adjusts to her new life living in a theme park, Aven and Connor quickly become friends as they explore the quirky theme park her parents now run. When they stumble upon a hidden room in an abandoned building, the secrets they uncover a hold a mystery that hits a little too close to home for Aven… Professional Reviews: “Charming and memorable. An excellent choice for middle grade collections and classrooms.” - Evelyn Khoo Schwartz, School Library Journal, 2017 “[The] portrayal of characters with rarely depicted disabilities is informative, funny, and supportive.” – Kirkus Reviews, 2017 “Bowling’s sensitive and funny novel . . . demonstrates how negotiating others’ discomfort can be one of the most challenging aspects of having a physical difference and how friendship can mitigate that discomfort. . . . [an] openhearted, empathic book.” - Publishers Weekly, 2017 Personal Insights: This might be one of, if not the favorite book I have read so far this semester! It is such a wholesome, heartwarming, and inspiring story, and the characters are relatable and lovable. It also provides some valuable insight to some rarely depicted disabilities while also being silly and entertaining. I also highly recommend the sequel to this book, Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus, which takes place about a year later as Aven starts high school. It dials up the maturity and the struggles the characters face as crushes and first love are incorporated while maintaining its heartfelt message and emotional undercurrent. Aven confronts whether she can stay true to herself in the face of confusion, humiliation, fears, and loss. I listened to both of these books as audiobooks and I also have to recommend consuming these books in this format: the narrator, Karissa Vacker, performs both books and is absolutely phenomenal. It feels like she is Aven, capturing so much emotion in her voice, and not at all like she is reading something that is already written. Notable Quotes: "I got so tired of telling them the same boring story about being born without arms that I started making stuff up. It was stinking hilarious. I knew from the first moment I told a girl my arms had burned off in a fire, I had found a great hobby: making up stories. I loved the way her eyes grew wide with shock and the way her voice went all high-pitched with excitement as he asked me a bunch more questions about my charred arms." “I think Connor would be the last person to label you like that. You shouldn't get so offended if someone calls you disabled, Aven. You DO have extra challenges that others don't have. It DOES take you longer to do most tasks. Your movements ARE limited. There's a big difference between saying you're disabled and saying you're incapable.” "I am an entirely insignificant event in the life of this cactus. I try to remember that as the sky darkens and the lights of Scottsdale and Phoenix brighten the earth -- millions of lights for millions of people. And then there's just me, sitting in the dirt on a mighty hill..." Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) Roll With It by Jamie Sumner (2019) - Ellie’s a girl who tells it like it is. That surprises some people, who see a kid in a wheelchair and think she’s going to be all sunshine and cuddles. The thing is, Ellie has big dreams: She might be eating Stouffer’s for dinner, but one day she’s going to be a professional baker. If she’s not writing fan letters to her favorite celebrity chefs, she’s practicing recipes on her well-meaning, if overworked, mother. But when Ellie and her mom move so they can help take care of her ailing grandpa, Ellie has to start all over again in a new town at a new school. Except she’s not just the new kid—she’s the new kid in the wheelchair who lives in the trailer park on the wrong side of town. It all feels like one challenge too many, until Ellie starts to make her first-ever friends. Now she just has to convince her mom that this town might just be the best thing that ever happened to them! Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess by Shari Green (2017) - Sixth grade is coming to an end, and so is life as Macy McMillan knows it. Already a For Sale sign mars the front lawn of her beloved house. Soon her mother will upend their little family, adding an unwelcome stepfather and pesky six-year-old twin stepsisters. To add insult to injury, what is Macy s final sixth grade assignment? A genealogy project. Well, she'll put it off―just like those wedding centerpieces she's supposed to be making. Just when Macy's mother ought to be sympathetic, she sends her next door to help eighty-six-year-old Iris Gillan, who is also getting ready to move―in her case, into an assisted living facility. Iris can't move a single box on her own and, worse, she doesn't know sign language. How is Macy supposed to understand her? But Iris has stories to tell, and she isn't going to let Macy's deafness stop her. Soon, through notes and books and cookies, a friendship grows. And this friendship, odd and unexpected, may be just what Macy needs to face the changes in her life. Wink by Rob Harrell (2020) - Twelve-year-old Ross Maloy just wants to be normal. Not to have a rare eye cancer, not to lose his hair, not to have to wear a weird hat or have a goopy eye full of ointment. Just normal. But with a sudden and horrifying diagnosis, Ross can't help standing out. His new life is medical treatments that feel straight out of a video game, vision loss in one eye, disappearing friends who don't know what to say to "the cancer kid," cruel bullying, and ultimately, friendships new and old that rise above everything. Just when Ross starts to feel like he's losing his footing, he discovers how music, art, and true friends can change everything. Filled with Rob Harrell's comic panels (Batpig for the win!) and spot art, this novel brings effortless humor and hope to an unforgettable, uplifting story of survival. Title: Felix Ever After
Author: Kacen Callender Publisher: Balzer + Bray (2020) ISBN13: 978-0062820259 Genre: Realistic Fiction, YA Topics/Themes: Finding love, self-discovery, navigating friendships Diversity Tags: #ownvoices, Main Character: LGBTQIA+: Transgender, BIPOC: Black Recommended Age Level: 14-19 Awards / Recognitions:
Summary: 17-year-old Felix Love is secretly terrified he is one marginalization too many to ever find true love. Being Black, queer, and transgender, he realizes he has a pretty good life. Hell, it’s a pretty damn good life, given what many people like him have had to go through in the past. He has a loving and supportive father, even if he sometimes calls Felix by his deadname every once in a while. He has a best friend, Ezra, who is there for him no matter what. And he is on track to graduate high school and pursue his lifelong dream of being an artist. And yet, Felix still feels like he is missing something…. Felix’s pretty decent life gets harshly interrupted when someone plasters his pre-transition photos and his deadname all over the school’s art gallery and an internet troll anonymously starts harassing him and sending him transphobic messages. Felix plots a course of revenge against his leading suspect, which launches him into a reevaluation of the people he surrounds himself with and sets him on a new journey of self-discovery. Professional Reviews: “Callender populates Felix’s world with a cast of queer, trans, and racially diverse individuals, genuinely reflecting the lives of many who work hard to build a supportive chosen family. From its stunning cover art to the rich, messy, nuanced narrative at its heart, this is an unforgettable story of friendship, heartbreak, forgiveness, and self-discovery, crafted by an author whose obvious respect for teen readers radiates from every page.” – Rob Bittner, Booklist, 2020 “Full of warmth, love, and support, this is an important story and an essential purchase.” – Amanda MacGregor, School Library Journal, 2020 “This top-notch depiction of a messy, complicated, romantic young artist navigating the bumpy road to self-love and self-determination sticks its landing at every turn.” – Publishers Weekly, 2020 Personal Insights: I love books that push my own boundaries, and this is definitely one of those books! I have been on a personal mission for the past year to try and add more LGBTQIA+ fiction to what I read in order to broaden my horizon and get a view of the world through eyes that are not my own. Not only does this book address many struggles that someone who is transgender faces, it also gets into the nuances of gender identity as Felix grapples with finding a label that fits him. Is he truly transgender if that label doesn’t describe him 100% of the time? Why does he even feel the need to have a label in the first place? This book is also a wonderful example of #OwnVoices: not only is the author, Kacen Callender, Black and transgender like his protagonist Felix, but the narrator for the audiobook, Logan Rozos, is also Black and transgender. There is some wonderful representation embedded into every facet of this story! Notable Quotes: “It can be easier, sometimes, to choose to love someone you know won't return your feelings. At least you know how that will end. It's easier to accept hurt and pain, sometimes, than love and acceptance. It's the real, loving relationships that can be the scariest.” “It could've been easy to say I was hurt because I'm trans, because someone singled me out for my identity, but there's something weird about that - something off, about suggesting that my identity is the thing that brought me any sort of pain. It's the opposite. Being trans brings me love. It brings me happiness. It gives me power.” “I want to be in love. I’ve never, you know—felt the kind of passion great artists talk about. I want that. I want to feel that level of intensity. Not everyone wants love. I get that, you know? But me—I want to fall in love and be broken up with and get pissed and grieve and fall in love all over again. I’ve never felt any of that. I’ve just been doing the same shit. Nothing new. Nothing exciting.” “It’s like every identity I have . . . the more different I am from everyone else . . . the less interested people are. The less . . . lovable I feel, I guess. The love interests in books, or in movies or TV shows, are always white, cis, straight, blond hair, blue eyes. Chris Evans, Jennifer Lawrence. It becomes a little hard, I guess, to convince myself I deserve the kind of love you see on movie screens.” Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) Birthday by Meredeth Russo (2019) - Two kids, Morgan and Eric, are bonded for life after being born on the same day at the same time. We meet them once a year on their shared birthday as they grow and change: as Eric figures out who he is and how he fits into the world, and as Morgan makes the difficult choice to live as her true self. Over the years, they will drift apart, come together, fight, make up, and break up—and ultimately, realize how inextricably they are a part of each other. I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver (2019) - When Ben De Backer comes out to their parents as nonbinary, they're thrown out of their house and forced to move in with their estranged older sister, Hannah, and her husband, Thomas, whom Ben has never even met. Struggling with an anxiety disorder compounded by their parents' rejection, they come out only to Hannah, Thomas, and their therapist and try to keep a low profile in a new school. But Ben's attempts to survive the last half of senior year unnoticed are thwarted when Nathan Allan, a funny and charismatic student, decides to take Ben under his wing. As Ben and Nathan's friendship grows, their feelings for each other begin to change, and what started as a disastrous turn of events looks like it might just be a chance to start a happier new life. Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin (2016) - Riley Cavanaugh is many things: Punk rock. Snarky. Rebellious. And gender fluid. Some days Riley identifies as a boy, and others as a girl. The thing is…Riley isn’t exactly out yet. And between starting a new school and having a congressman father running for reelection in uber-conservative Orange County, the pressure—media and otherwise—is building up in Riley’s so-called “normal” life. On the advice of a therapist, Riley starts an anonymous blog to vent those pent-up feelings and tell the truth of what it’s REALLY like to be a gender fluid teenager. But just as Riley’s starting to settle in at school—even developing feelings for a mysterious outcast—the blog goes viral, and an unnamed commenter discovers Riley’s real identity, threatening exposure. Riley must make a choice: walk away from what the blog has created—a lifeline, new friends, a cause to believe in—or stand up, come out, and risk everything. Title: Things You Can’t Say
Author: Jenn Bishop Publisher: Aladdin (2020) ISBN13: 978-1534440975 Genre: Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade Topics/Themes: Friendship, Family History, Loss of a parent Diversity Tags: Suicide Recommended Age Level: 9-13 Personal Rating: 5 / 5 Summary: Ever since 12-year-old Drew’s father died of suicide a few years ago, his favorite place to be during the summers is performing with puppets for little kids at the local library kid’s room. His summer hours are spent either volunteer there while his librarian mom works upstairs, or he is hanging out with his neighbor and best friend Filipe. Drew’s perfect summer plans get thrown through a loop when Filipe begins hanging out with an older kid from school and a know-it-all new volunteer, Audrey, invades his private sanctuary of the children’s room. The cherry on top is that an “old friend from high school” unexpectedly comes to visit his mother, making Drew suspicious and wary about his parent’s past when Phil takes a genuine interest in getting to know him. With Filipe busy hanging out with his “new” friend, Drew has no one to talk to except for Audrey. Reluctantly, they begin to hit it off as they try to solve the mystery of who Phil really is, and why he is so interested in getting along with Drew and his family. Professional Reviews: “A sensitive exploration of suicide, forgiveness, and the difficulty of navigating friendships.” – Sharon Rawlins, Booklist 2020 “Bishop's emotional novel may provide a way for readers whose lives have been impacted by suicide to navigate a complex topic and will appeal to those who appreciate tales of trauma and healing.” – Shelley Sommer, School Library Journal 2020 “In a story about the aftermath of parental suicide, former children’s librarian Bishop tells a touching and believable story about the ways worries feed on each other, the difference that honesty makes to kids, and how much emotional growth a child Drew’s age can experience in just a few weeks.” – Publishers Weekly, 2020 “A thoughtful examination of the slow, uneven recovery that follows a devastating loss.“ – Kirkus Reviews, 2019 Personal Insights: This story covers a lot of heavy topics, ranging from typical middle school troubles, such as changing friendships and first crushes, to life altering experiences, such as the aftermath of parental suicide. While this may be triggering for some young readers who have lost parents, others may find it relatable and helpful to them in figuring out how to navigate those weird things that come up, like when your mom starts dating again. Poignantly weaving a story of anxiety and the non-linear grief journey, Bishop shows one way to walk the path to healing from a seemingly impossible sadness. Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) See You In the Cosmos by Jack Cheng (2017) - 11-year-old Alex Petroski loves space and rockets, his mom, his brother, and his dog Carl Sagan—named for his hero, the real-life astronomer. All he wants is to launch his golden iPod into space the way Carl Sagan (the man, not the dog) launched his Golden Record on the Voyager spacecraft in 1977. From Colorado to New Mexico, Las Vegas to L.A., Alex records a journey on his iPod to show other lifeforms what life on earth, his earth, is like. But his destination keeps changing. And the funny, lost, remarkable people he meets along the way can only partially prepare him for the secrets he'll uncover—from the truth about his long-dead dad to the fact that, for a kid with a troubled mom and a mostly not-around brother, he has way more family than he ever knew. The Doughnut Fix by Jessie Janowitz (2018) - Tristan isn't Gifted or Talented like his sister Jeanine, and he's always been okay with that because he can make a perfect chocolate chip cookie and he lives in the greatest city in the world. But his life takes a turn for the worse when his parents decide to move to middle-of-nowhere Petersville―a town with one street and no restaurants. It's like suddenly they're supposed to be this other family, one that can survive without bagels and movie theaters. His suspicions about his new town are confirmed when he's tricked into believing the local general store has life-changing chocolate cream doughnuts, when in fact the owner hasn't made them in years. And so begins the only thing that could make life in Petersville worth living: getting the recipe, making the doughnuts, and bringing them back to the town through his very own doughnut stand. But Tristan will soon discover that when starting a business, it helps to be both Gifted and Talented, and it's possible he's bitten off more than he can chew… The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller - How do you grow a miracle? For the record, this is not the question Mr. Neely is looking for when he says everyone in class must answer an important question using the scientific method. But Natalie's botanist mother is suffering from depression, so this is The Question that's important to Natalie. When Mr. Neely suggests that she enter an egg drop competition, Natalie has hope. Eggs are breakable. Hope is not. Natalie has a secret plan for the prize money. She's going to fly her mother to see the Cobalt Blue Orchids--flowers that survive against impossible odds. The magical flowers are sure to inspire her mother to love life again. Because when parents are breakable, it's up to kids to save them, right? 2/14/2021 0 Comments Closer to Nowhere by Ellen HopkinsTitle: Closer to Nowhere
Author: Ellen Hopkins Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons (2020) ISBN13: 978-0593108611 Genre: Realistic Fiction, Novel in Verse, Middle Grade Topics/Themes: Dealing with mental illness, trouble at home, familial abuse Diversity Tags: Depression, anxiety, abuse Recommended Age Level: 10-15 Awards / Recognitions:
Summary: Hannah likes to believe she has a perfect life. Well, she USED to have a perfect life, that is, until her cousin Cal came to live with her and her parents. Until then, Hannah was an only child, loved by both of her parents, a rising star on the gymnastics team, and popular at school. While she tries to be understanding of Cal since his mom died and his dad is now in jail, she can’t help but sometimes wish he never moved in, especially since Cal is constantly pranking her, getting into trouble, and taking the valuable attention of her parents away from her. To top it all off, since he came to live with them, her parents have been fighting more and more. Cal, on the other hand, is just trying to fit in and do his best to not let his past control his life. He misses his mom like crazy all the time, and his dad…. well, let’s just say he’s glad he doesn’t have to live with him anymore. Cal copes by inventing wild and creative stories, but no one else seems to appreciate them, or his unique sense of humor. He doesn’t always mean to piss off Hannah, but he can’t seem to do anything right around his adoptive family either. He can tell he is only making things worse, and while he desperately wants to belong and feel loved, he is afraid he is only going to mess up this family as well. Cal and Hannah have to come to terms with what it means to be family if they want to have any hope in saving the one they have. Professional Reviews: “Hopkins creates realistic portrayals of two kids trying to do their best even when it’s not easy.” —Publishers Weekly 2020 “Hopkins’ use of free verse provides a canvas for sure-handed, brush-stroke development of the backstory and plot and emotional investment and identification with the characters. . . Compassionate and compelling.” —Kirkus Reviews 2020 Personal Insights: This is the very first book I have read that is in verse. I even had to look up online how to read one. After skimming the first couple of pages, it felt very awkward to try and read the non-rhyming poetry in a traditional rhyming cadence with pauses and emphasis, and I was actually considering putting it down and moving on to a different book. Boy, am I glad I took a little extra time to research how to read them and appreciate them! This story was phenomenal… so incredibly moving and touching as it addressed some REALLY serious subjects such as abuse, parental death, and imprisonment. Hopkin’s earlier YA novel, Crank, both highly-awarded and one of the most banned books in recent years, is a gritty story based on Hopkin’s daughter’s vivid struggle with meth. Incredibly talented at taking hard real-life topics to the page, Closer to Nowhere tackles Hopkin’s experiences of adopting and raising that daughter’s son. I find myself appreciating these books much more for the adept way in which Hopkins translates her personal, adult hardships into books for younger audiences. Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) Lost in the Sun by Lisa Graff (2015) - Everyone says that middle school is awful, but Trent knows nothing could be worse than the year he had in fifth grade, when a freak accident on Cedar Lake left one kid dead, and Trent with a brain full of terrible thoughts he can't get rid of. Trent’s pretty positive the entire disaster was his fault, so for him middle school feels like a fresh start, a chance to prove to everyone that he's not the horrible screw-up they seem to think he is. If only Trent could make that fresh start happen. It isn’t until Trent gets caught up in the whirlwind that is Fallon Little—the girl with the mysterious scar across her face—that things begin to change. Because fresh starts aren’t always easy. Even in baseball, when a fly ball gets lost in the sun, you have to remember to shift your position to find it. All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook by Leslie Connor (2016) - Eleven-year-old Perry was born and raised by his mom at the Blue River Co-ed Correctional Facility in tiny Surprise, Nebraska. His mom is a resident on Cell Block C, and so far Warden Daugherty has made it possible for them to be together. That is, until a new district attorney discovers the truth—and Perry is removed from the facility and forced into a foster home. When Perry moves to the “outside” world, he feels trapped. Desperate to be reunited with his mom, Perry goes on a quest for answers about her past crime. As he gets closer to the truth, he will discover that love makes people resilient no matter where they come from . . . but can he find a way to tell everyone what home truly means? Speechless by Adam P. Schmitt (2018) - As if being stuffed into last year's dress pants at his cousin's wake weren't uncomfortable enough, thirteen-year-old Jimmy has just learned from his mother that he has to say a few words at the funeral the next day. Why him? What could he possibly say about his cousin, who ruined everything they did? He can't recall one birthday party, family gathering, or school event with Patrick that didn't result in injury or destruction. As Jimmy attempts to navigate the odd social norms of the wake, he draws on humor, heartfelt concern, and a good deal of angst while racking his brain and his memory for a decent and meaningful memory to share. But it's not until faced with a microphone that the realization finally hits him: it's not the words that are spoken that matter the most, but those that are truly heard. 2/14/2021 0 Comments Wink by Rob Harrell
Title: Wink
Author: Rob Harrell Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers (March 31, 2020) ISBN13: 978-1984815149 Genre: Realistic Fiction, Autobiographical Fiction, Middle Grade Topics/Themes: Dealing with illness, overcoming bullies/trolls, the power of friendship Diversity Tags: Cancer, Loss of Vision Recommended Age Level: 9-14 Personal Rating: 5 / 5 Summary: Seventh-grader Ross Maloy wants nothing more than to be able to go back to being a “normal” kid. Ever since he started some pretty intense treatments for his rare eye cancer, no one seems to be able to know how to interact with him: not his classmates and not his teachers. Even his best friends have started treating him differently. Granted, his mandatory brimmed hat and eye patch don’t exactly help him to blend in, but why can’t everyone see that he is still the same Ross he has always been? He must figure out a way to deal with his rising anger and grief, not only from the fact that he might very well go blind, but with anonymous internet trolls, changing friendships, and all the landmines that come from middle school. As Ross continues with his treatments, he learns some valuable lessons and tools from some unexpected sources to help him cope with all that life is throwing at him. Professional Reviews: “This title is delightfully good and different. Readers will be interested to know that Harrell draws from his personal experience. There are witty comic panels and other art interspersed throughout the text. Highly recommended.” – Lisa Gieskes, School Library Journal 2020 “Harrell, himself a cancer survivor, offers a frank account of cancer’s effects while keeping the subject matter accessible for middle grade readers. Ross never takes himself too seriously, and amusing black-and-white comics trace his unsavory experiences, capture the ironies of his predicament, and underline his creativity and sense of humor. Told in the first person, this lively novel showcases the author’s understanding of middle school angst amid the protagonist’s experience with a serious illness.” – Publishers Weekly, 2020 Personal Insights: For such a serious topic, this book has a delightful sense of humor that comes through the story to undercut and soothe the brutal reality of cancer. Interspersed with hand-drawn comics, Harrell has found a way to perfectly balance an important discussion about how being diagnosed with a serious illness affects your relationships and day to day life, and packages it in a story laced with humor and relatability so that kids in middle school can understand and see themselves reflected in the characters. Notable Quotes: "Different moves the needle. Different is where the good stuff happens. There's strength in different." Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) Halfway Normal by Barbara Dee (2017) - Norah Levy has just completed two years of treatment for leukemia and is ready to go back to the “real world” of middle school. The hospital social worker warns her the transition back may be tricky, but Norah isn’t worried. Compared with battling cancer, how tricky can seventh grade be? Very. Everyone is either treating Norah like she will break at any second, or acting weird about all the attention she’s getting. Her best friend, Harper, does her best to be there for Norah, but she doesn’t get it, really—and is hanging out with a new group of girls, leaving Norah feeling a little unsteady. Norah’s other good friend, Silas, is avoiding her. What’s that about, anyway? When Norah is placed with the eighth graders for math and science she meets Griffin, a cute boy who encourages her love of drawing and Greek mythology. And Norah decides not to tell him her secret—that she was “that girl” who had cancer. But when something happens to make secret-keeping impossible, Norah must figure out a way to share her cancer story. But how do you explain something to others that you can’t explain to yourself? And then, once you find the words, how do you move forward with a whole new ‘normal’? Squint by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown (2018) - Flint loves to draw. In fact, he’s furiously trying to finish his comic book so he can be the youngest winner of the “Find a Comic Star” contest. He’s also rushing to finish because he has keratoconus—an eye disease that could eventually make him blind. McKell is the new girl at school and immediately hangs with the popular kids. Except McKell’s not a fan of the way her friends treat this boy named Squint. He seems nice and really talented. He draws awesome pictures of superheroes. McKell wants to get to know him, but is it worth the risk? What if her friends catch her hanging with the kid who squints all the time? McKell has a hidden talent of her own but doesn’t share it for fear of being judged. Her terminally ill brother, Danny, challenges McKell to share her love of poetry and songwriting. Flint seems like someone she could trust. Someone who would never laugh at her. Someone who is as good and brave as the superhero in Flint’s comic book named Squint. When Friendship Followed Me Home by Paul Griffin (2016) - Ben Coffin has never felt like he fits in. A former foster kid, he keeps his head down at school to avoid bullies and spends his afternoons reading sci-fi books at the library. But that all changes when he finds a scruffy abandoned dog named Flip and befriends the librarian’s daughter, Halley. For the first time, Ben starts to feel like he belongs in his own life. Then, everything changes, and suddenly, Ben is more alone than ever. But with a little help from Halley’s magician father, Ben discovers his place in the world and learns to see his own magic through others’ eyes. Book introduction from the author himself!
Title: Beyond the Bright Sea
Author: Lauren Wolk Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers (May 2, 2017) ISBN13: 978-1101994856 Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Middle Grade Topics/Themes: Personal Identity, The Power of Found-Family, Self-discovery Recommended Age Level: 10-14 Awards / Recognitions:
Summary: 12-year-old Crow has only known one home: her tiny isolated island off the coast of Massachusetts. She has been raised by a man named Osh who rescued Crow from a small boat when she was only a few hours old, and Miss Maggie, the fierce but loving neighbor from the other side of the sandbar. While she loves her life with Osh, as Crow has grown older, she has become more curious about her mysterious past and has started to question the simple and isolated way of life that Osh and Miss Maggie are so content with. When Osh finally reveals to her the only clue he has from the night he rescued her, Crow is overwhelmed with a desire to find out who she is and where she came from. As she begins to pull at the strings of clues, Crow begins to unravel the mystery of her past and must come face to face with who her true family is. Professional Reviews: “This is a tear-jerking yet ultimately uplifting tale of establishing one's place in the world and realizing that sometimes your family is the one you make, not the one you are born into. VERDICT A stellar story full of heart, action, and emotion that will make readers feel like they are a part of Crow's family.” - Christopher Lassen, School Library Journal 2017 “A beautiful, evocative sophomore effort from Newbery honoree Wolk” – Kirkus Reviews 2017 Personal Insights: This was an incredibly powerful and moving story. The three main characters, Crow, Osh, and Miss Maggie, are so well developed that you can’t help but feel as if you are a part of their family. While this book is written for middle grade kids, I would be hard pressed to find any adult who would not fully appreciate this work of art. The writing and prose that Lauren Wolk uses is simultaneously beautiful and concise. She doesn’t waste words, but the ones she uses pack a vivid punch. The historical setting also plays a significant role. Set in 1920s New England, there are real historical events that weave through this story (that I won’t mention by name to avoid spoilers). The way in which Crow, a young, non-white girl, is treated by the rest of society also sets the undertones to this story and adds a deeper layer to the events that happen. I listened to this book in audiobook format. The narrator, Jorjeana Marie, wonderfully captured the characters in different voices, and rich in emotion. Notable Quotes: “Don't you understand, Crow?" he said, his voice so sad, so tender, that I couldn't breathe. "You're the one worth finding.” - Osh “I'm just looking at you. Exactly as you are right now. And not because you'll change, though you will of course. Treasure or not. But because if I could have built a human being, I would have built you. Just so.” - Osh “Wouldn't that be a good thing? Not to feel pain?" -Crow "There's more than one kind of pain...and if you don't feel it, you can get hurt" -Miss Maggie "But it hurts when you do feel it, too" -Crow "Yes, but feeling hurt and being hurt aren't always the same thing" -Miss Maggie” “Mrs. Pelham's face was old but she moved like someone younger, and when she smiled I could see that her teeth were still strong. I wondered what had mapped her face like that" -Crow Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder (2017) - On the island, everything is perfect. The sun rises in a sky filled with dancing shapes; the wind, water, and trees shelter and protect those who live there; when the nine children go to sleep in their cabins, it is with full stomachs and joy in their hearts. And only one thing ever changes: on that day, each year, when a boat appears from the mist upon the ocean carrying one young child to join them—and taking the eldest one away, never to be seen again. Today’s Changing is no different. The boat arrives, taking away Jinny’s best friend, Deen, replacing him with a new little girl named Ess, and leaving Jinny as the new Elder. Jinny knows her responsibility now—to teach Ess everything she needs to know about the island, to keep things as they’ve always been. But will she be ready for the inevitable day when the boat will come back—and take her away forever from the only home she’s known? The Same Stuff as Stars by Katherine Paterson (2004) - Her daddy is in jail, and her mother has abandoned Angel and her little brother, Bernie, at their great-grandmother's crumbling Vermont farmhouse. Grandma spends most of her time wrapped in a blanket by the wood stove. There is one bright spot in Angel's world: a mysterious stranger who teaches Angel all about the stars and planets and constellations. Carving out a new life proves harder than Angel ever imagined. But she feels a tiny spark of hope when she remembers what the stranger said that she is made of the same stuff as stars. Louisiana’s Way Home by Kate DiCamillo (2018) - When Louisiana Elefante’s granny wakes her up in the middle of the night to tell her that the day of reckoning has arrived and they have to leave home immediately, Louisiana isn’t overly worried. After all, Granny has many middle-of-the-night ideas. But this time, things are different. This time, Granny intends for them never to return. Separated from her best friends, Raymie and Beverly, Louisiana struggles to oppose the winds of fate (and Granny) and find a way home. But as Louisiana’s life becomes entwined with the lives of the people of a small Georgia town — including a surly motel owner, a walrus-like minister, and a mysterious boy with a crow on his shoulder — she starts to worry that she is destined only for good-byes. For more info, check out this book talk from the author!
Title: To Night Owl from Dogfish
Author: Holly Goldberg Sloan and Meg Wolitzer Publisher: Dial Books (February 12, 2019) ISBN13: 978-0525553236 Genre: Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Epistolary (story told exclusively through emails) Topics/Themes: Friendship, Sisterhood, Unconventional Families Recommended Age Level: 10-15 Awards / Recognitions:
Summary: Avery Bloom and Bett Devlin couldn’t be more different. Avery is intense, bookish, no-nonsense, and a follow-the-rules-at-all-costs kind of girl. Bett, is outgoing, spontaneous, fearless, and a bit of a rebel. On top of all that, they live across the country from each other, Avery in New York and Bett in California. By all means, they never should have met in the first place, but here they are, emailing each other after they find secret correspondence from their dads, who, unbeknownst to the girls, are dating and quite a bit in love. Their dads have a plan to send them to summer camp together to get to know each other and hopefully become friends, because possibly, one day, they might become sisters. Neither girl wants to change or upend their lives and they make a pact to do everything they can to NOT become friends because their dads SURELY won’t get married. But as they are shipped off to camp, plans quickly go awry as the two girls find themselves on a summer adventure neither of them could have seen coming. Before they know it, they are facing a far worse crisis: they have become each other’s’ closest friend but their dads are breaking up. Faced with the ever uncertain future, the two girls do everything they can to get them back together to have the family they never even knew they wanted in the first place. Professional Reviews: “An imaginative and compelling middle-grade novel depicting modern friendships and modern families.” – Katherine Hickey, School Library Journal 2019 “Featuring a dramatic climax and a host of surprising twists, the novel affirms that families conventional and unconventional are families just the same.” – Publishers Weekly 2018 “A sweet and amusing tale that celebrates diversity while reinforcing the power of love and the importance of family.” – Kirkus Reviews 2018 Personal Insights: If I had to give an elevator pitch for this book (and it was to someone who remembers the 90s) I would describe this book as a modern day retelling of “The Parent Trap”. (Which feels REALLY weird to say about a movie that came out in my lifetime….) This book was able to capture so many warm and fuzzy emotional moments, as well as many complex and deeper topics that come from having complex and unconventional families, all within the epistolary medium of emails. I also had a unique perspective with this book in that I listened to the audio book rather than reading the physical book (something new I have been trying out recently!). I have to say, I was VERY impressed with the audio book narrators. Not only did they have a different actor for every character, but they all performed incredibly well. The only odd part was when the narrators read the email subject headings verbatim including the “RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE…” that comes from a long chain of email correspondences. But that is a small complaint that is vastly overshadowed by the performances given. I would highly recommend listening to the audiobook version of this book! Notable Quotes: “Gay people having families doesn't seem like something anyone should have to shout about anymore. Some people are a lot more interested in raising kids than other people. From what I can see, the person most interested usually does the best job" -Bett (Dogfish)” “I really like reading stories with an unreliable narrator, because the person telling you what happened can't be trusted with the facts and you have to figure it out. Maybe when it's your own story, you're always going to be an unreliable narrator" -Avery (Night Owl)” “But I think it's not bad to have a blowup with someone you really care about. Once that happens, you can be even closer. Maybe because sharing bad things as well as good things means you're in it for real. That's what being honest with someone does." -Avery (Night Owl)” “I don't know why they try to sell smaller candy bars as being more fun than the bigger ones. That's just a lie" -Bett (Dogfish)” “No one’s supposed to tell anyone, “You two shouldn’t love each other.” But maybe, also, no one’s supposed to tell anyone, “You two should love each other.” Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) The Best Man by Richard Peck (2016) - When Archer is in sixth grade, his beloved uncle Paul marries another man—Archer’s favorite student teacher. But that’s getting ahead of the story, and a wonderful story it is. In Archer’s sweetly naïve but observant voice, his life through elementary school is recounted: the outspoken, ever-loyal friends he makes, the teachers who blunder or inspire, and the family members who serve as his role models. From one exhilarating, unexpected episode to another, Archer’s story rolls along as he puzzles over the people in his life and the kind of person he wants to become…and manages to help his uncle become his best self as well. The Thing About Leftovers by C.C. Payne (2016) - Fizzy is a good Southern girl who just wants to be perfect. And win the Southern Living cook-off. The being perfect part is hard though, since her parents’ divorced and everything in her life has changed. Wary of her too-perfect stepmom and her mom’s neat-freak, dismissive boyfriend, she’s often angry or upset and feels like a guest in both homes. She tells herself to face facts: She’s a “leftover” kid from a marriage that her parents want to forget. But she has to keep all of that to herself, because a good Southern girl never yells, or throws fits, or says anything that might hurt other people’s feelings—instead she throws her shoulders back, says yes ma’am, and tries to do better. So Fizzy tries her best, but it’s hard to stay quiet when her family keeps getting more complicated. Fortunately, the Southern Living cook-off gives her a welcome distraction, as do her new friends Miyoko and Zach, who have parent issues of their own. Two Naomis by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich and Audrey Vernick (2016) - Other than their first names, Naomi Marie and Naomi Edith are sure they have nothing in common, and they wouldn’t mind keeping it that way. Naomi Marie starts clubs at the library and adores being a big sister. Naomi Edith loves quiet Saturdays and hanging with her best friend in her backyard. And while Naomi Marie’s father lives a few blocks away, Naomi Edith wonders how she’s supposed to get through each day a whole country apart from her mother. When Naomi Marie’s mom and Naomi Edith’s dad get serious about dating, each girl tries to cling to the life she knows and loves. Then their parents push them into attending a class together, where they might just have to find a way to work with each other—and maybe even join forces to find new ways to define family.
Title: The Field Guide to the North American Teenager
Author: Ben Philippe Publisher: Balzer + Bray (January 8, 2019) ISBN13: 978-0062824110 Genre: Realistic Fiction, Young Adult Topics/Themes: Friendship, New School, Identity, Navigating High School Recommended Age Level: 14-19 Awards / Recognitions:
Summary: 16-year-old Norris Kaplan must adapt to life in Austin, Texas when his mother gets a new job at the university there. It wouldn’t be so bad, except that Austin is literally the polar opposite of Montreal, Canada, where Norris has lived up until now. Not only does no one care about hockey and the heat is unbearable, but his best friend is still in Montreal and he is a black French-Canadian kid in the middle of cowboy country. Snarky and witty Norris has resolved to build an ironclad emotional barrier to keep everyone out to protest his new life while secretly keeping a “field guide” journal of everyone he meets to humor himself. All he has to do is keep his head down and run out the clock for a year, which is when his mother promised they would move back if he truly didn’t like it there. But his loud-mouth and sarcastic ways attract more attention than he planned from unexpected friend and foe alike, not to mention falling head-over-heels for a girl. Suddenly his straightforward plan to get back to Montreal gets a lot harder than he expected. Professional Reviews: “Readers looking for a diverse, fun, coming-of-age tale need not look any further than this fantastic debut.” – Reindardt Suarez, Booklist 2018 “A witty debut with whip-smart dialogue that will find much love among fans of authors like John Green and Jason Reynolds.” – Kristin Lee Anderson, School Library Journal “Philippe has a gift for dialogue and touches on a few instances of racism with sensitivity and humor in this crowd-pleaser.” – Publishers Weekly, 2018 Personal Insights: This book is jam-packed with such wit and snark, that I couldn’t help but laugh out loud many times while reading this book. On top of that, Philippe is able to seamlessly add several deeper layers to this story such as immigrant heritage and racial identity that allow this story to transcend a stereotypical high school fiction book. Norris as a character is likeable while still exhibiting realistic flaws that pushes this clichéd setting into a unique and compelling story. Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) The Absolutely True Story of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie and Ellen Forney (2007) - Bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Determined to take his future into his own hands, Junior leaves his troubled school on the rez to attend an all-white farm town high school where the only other Indian is the school mascot. Heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, which is based on the author's own experiences, coupled with poignant drawings by Ellen Forney that reflect the character's art, chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he was destined to live. Not So Pure and Simple by Lamar Giles (2020) - Del has had a crush on Kiera Westing since kindergarten. And now, during their junior year, she’s finally available. So when Kiera volunteers for an opportunity at their church, Del’s right behind her. Though he quickly realizes he’s inadvertently signed up for a Purity Pledge. His dad thinks his wires are crossed, and his best friend, Qwan, doesn’t believe any girl is worth the long game. But Del’s not about to lose his dream girl, and that’s where fellow pledger Jameer comes in. He can put in the good word. In exchange, Del just has to get answers to the Pledgers’ questions…about sex ed. With other boys circling Kiera like sharks, Del needs to make his move fast. But as he plots and plans, he neglects to ask the most important question: What does Kiera want? He can’t think about that too much, though, because once he gets the girl, it’ll all sort itself out. Right? Frankly in Love by David Yoon (2019) - High school senior Frank Li is a Limbo--his term for Korean-American kids who find themselves caught between their parents’ traditional expectations and their own Southern California upbringing. His parents have one rule when it comes to romance--“Date Korean”--which proves complicated when Frank falls for Brit Means, who is smart, beautiful--and white. Fellow Limbo Joy Song is in a similar predicament, and so they make a pact: they’ll pretend to date each other in order to gain their freedom. Frank thinks it’s the perfect plan, but in the end, Frank and Joy’s fake-dating maneuver leaves him wondering if he ever really understood love--or himself--at all.
3/9/2020 1 Comment New Kid by Jerry Craft
Title: New Kid
Author: Jerry Craft Publisher: Quill Tree Books (February 5, 2019) ISBN13: 9780062691200 Genre: Realistic Fiction, Graphic Novel Topics/Themes: Friendship, New School, Racism, Bullying, Peer Pressure Recommended Age Level: 9-13 Awards / Recognitions:
Summary: Jordan Banks wants nothing more than to go to art school to be able to pursue his passion of drawing. Instead, his parents are sending him to the prestigious prep school across town where he is only one of a handful of non-white kids there. As he adjusts to his new life in this new school, can Jordan find a balance between his old friends and his new friends, cultures that are so drastically different? Which world does Jordan really belong to, and can he ever really fit into one or another again? Professional Reviews: “Speaking up about the unrepresented experience of so many students makes this a necessary book , particularly for this age group. Possibly one of the most important graphic novels of the year.” – Jesse Karp, Booklist 2018 “An engrossing, humorous, and vitally important graphic novel that should be required reading in every middle school in America.” – Kirkus Review 2018 Personal Insights: As someone with their own host of white privileges, for me this book was a fantastic example of being a window to show someone a glimpse of what someone else’s life looks like that they have no way of experiencing themselves. Craft so skillfully portrays a myriad of ways in which subtle, or not so subtle, racism appears in a person of color’s life, all in an easy-going artistic style captured in the pages of this graphic novel. As someone who does not read a lot of graphic novels, I can definitely see the appeal now, and I do not think this story could have had the impact it did if it were text only. The power of this book’s message rests in the perfect marriage between the illustrations and conversations captured. Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga (2019) - Jude never thought she’d be leaving her beloved older brother and father behind, all the way across the ocean in Syria. But when things in her hometown start becoming volatile, Jude and her mother are sent to live in Cincinnati with relatives. At first, everything in America seems too fast and too loud. The American movies that Jude has always loved haven’t quite prepared her for starting school in the US—and her new label of “Middle Eastern,” an identity she’s never known before. But this life also brings unexpected surprises—there are new friends, a whole new family, and a school musical that Jude might just try out for. Maybe America, too, is a place where Jude can be seen as she really is. It All Comes Down to This by Karen English (2017) - It’s 1965, Los Angeles. All twelve-year-old Sophie wants to do is write her book, star in the community play, and hang out with her friend Jennifer. But she’s the new black kid in a nearly all-white neighborhood; her beloved sister, Lily, is going away to college soon; and her parents’ marriage is rocky. There’s also her family’s new, disapproving housekeeper to deal with. When riots erupt in nearby Watts and a friend is unfairly arrested, Sophie learns that life—and her own place in it—is even more complicated than she’d once thought. Unidentified Suburban Object by Mike Jung (2016) - The next person who compares Chloe Cho with famous violinist Abigail Yang is going to HEAR it. Chloe has just about had it with people not knowing the difference between someone who's Chinese, Japanese, or Korean. She's had it with people thinking that everything she does well -- getting good grades, winning first chair in the orchestra, etCETera -- are because she's ASIAN. Of course, her own parents don't want to have anything to DO with their Korean background. Any time Chloe asks them a question they change the subject. They seem perfectly happy to be the only Asian family in town. It's only when Chloe's with her best friend, Shelly, that she doesn't feel like a total alien. Then a new teacher comes to town: Ms. Lee. She's Korean American, and for the first time Chloe has a person to talk to who seems to understand completely. For Ms. Lee's class, Chloe finally gets to explore her family history. But what she unearths is light-years away from what she expected.
The official book trailer
An introduction to the book by author Jerry Craft
Title: The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle
Author: Leslie Connor Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (January 23, 2018) ISBN: 9780062491497 Genre: Realistic Fiction, Mystery Topics: Grief, Learning Disability, Friendship, Family Recommended Age Level: 10-15 Awards / Recognitions:
Summary: 12-year-old Mason Buttle has lived in a “crumbledown” house at the family orchard with his Grandmother and Uncle Drum ever since his mother died when he was little. Not only does Mason struggle with school, specifically with letters and words that never stay in the right order, but he is the self-proclaimed biggest and sweatiest boy at school, and constantly picked on and bullied. Things used to be better when he had his best friend, Benny, with him, but Benny died in an accident 15 months ago in their family orchard. Mason, being the last person to see Benny alive, is hounded by the lieutenant about what happened, and can’t understand why the lieutenant doesn’t seem to believe the story that Mason has told him. The one bright spot in his life is his new friend, Calvin, who genuinely enjoys spending time with Mason. But when Calvin goes missing, Mason is once again under the crosshairs and is pushed to his limits in order to help figure out what happened to his friend, and in the process, uncovers more details about what happened to Benny. Professional Reviews: “Throughout this realistic problem novel, Connor’s portrayal of Mason is spot-on, and the seventh-grader’s honesty shines through as his greatest attribute. Laced throughout the story, and evident at the end, is hope for a brighter future, both for the entire family and the community. Connor’s novel provides a thoughtful look at human nature, resilience, and love.” – J.B. Petty, Booklist 2017 “Using Mason's conversations with the detective and his voice-to-text storytelling, the author weaves the back story into a narrative of redemption chronicling his growing friendships. Connor's gift for creating complex characters extends to the supporting characters and makes this a compelling read.” – Kirkus Reviews 2017 Personal Insights: From bullying to learning disabilities, from depression to grief, this story gives a very realistic look at the ways these things can impact a young boy’s life. But Connor also masterfully shows how love, friendship, and family can come together to overcome these incredibly difficult things that life can throw at someone in a moving tale and gripping mystery that doesn’t come across as cheesy or heavy-handed. Notable Quotes: “Got me thinking. I know what I love too. Family and friends. All the ones here and all ones gone. I love my dog, and this orchard, and a crumbledown house. Funny thing. The way that feels. It's not dark, unlucky, or stupid. Tell you what. Stupid can go sit on the head of a pin somewhere. Knowing what you love is smart." Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) Lost in the Sun by Lisa Graff (2015): Everyone says that middle school is awful, but Trent knows nothing could be worse than the year he had in fifth grade, when a freak accident on Cedar Lake left one kid dead, and Trent with a brain full of terrible thoughts he can't get rid of. Trent’s pretty positive the entire disaster was his fault, so for him middle school feels like a fresh start, a chance to prove to everyone that he's not the horrible screw-up they seem to think he is. If only Trent could make that fresh start happen. It isn’t until Trent gets caught up in the whirlwind that is Fallon Little—the girl with the mysterious scar across her face—that things begin to change. Because fresh starts aren’t always easy. Even in baseball, when a fly ball gets lost in the sun, you have to remember to shift your position to find it. Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly (2017) (2018 Newberry Medal Winner): In one day, four lives weave together in unexpected ways. Virgil Salinas is shy and kindhearted and feels out of place in his loud and boisterous family. Valencia Somerset, who is deaf, is smart, brave, and secretly lonely, and loves everything about nature. Kaori Tanaka is a self-proclaimed psychic, whose little sister Gen is always following her around. And Chet Bullens wishes the weird kids would just act normal so that he can concentrate on basketball. They aren’t friends -- at least not until Chet pulls a prank that traps Virgil and his pet guinea pig at the bottom of a well. This disaster leads Kaori, Gen, and Valencia on an epic quest to find the missing Virgil. Through luck, smarts, bravery, and a little help from the universe, a rescue is performed, a bully is put in his place, and friendship blooms. Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks, Gita Varadarajan (2016): Joe and Ravi might be from very different places, but they're both stuck in the same place: SCHOOL. Joe's lived in the same town all his life, and was doing just fine until his best friends moved away and left him on his own. Ravi's family just moved to America from India, and he's finding it pretty hard to figure out where he fits in. Joe and Ravi don't think they have anything in common -- but soon enough they have a common enemy (the biggest bully in their class) and a common mission: to take control of their lives over the course of a single crazy week.
Below is a clip of the author, Leslie Connor, reading an excerpt of the book
2/4/2020 1 Comment The Line Tender by Kate AllenTitle: The Line Tender
Author: Kate Allen Publisher: Penguin Random House (April 16, 2019) ISBN: 978-0735231603 Genre: Realistic Fiction Recommended Age Level: 9-13 Awards / Recognitions:
Summary: Twelve-year-old Lucy Everhart and her rescue-diver father have been figuring out life together in their New England coastal town since the death of Lucy’s mother, Helen, 5 years ago. Her mother was a brilliant marine biologist who devoted most of her research to studying sharks. Lucy spends most of her free time with her best friend and neighbor, Fred, who she has known all her life. This summer, they are working on an extra credit wildlife project for school, where Fred’s love of science can blend perfectly with Lucy’s love of drawing and art. When news arrives of a great white shark that has been caught by a local fisherman and family friend, the two friends race off to add this specimen to their wildlife project. This sparks the emotional and pivotal beginning to a summer where Lucy and Fred begin to develop feelings for each other, Lucy discovers and grows interest in her mother’s work, and a tragic swimming accident plunges the entire town into grief, which hits all too close to home for Lucy and her father. “Lucy is a grounded, relatable character and the way she processes her grief is believable. Allen skillfully tackles the difficult issues without becoming too didactic or morose. The inclusion of women scientists, including Lucy's mother and, later, one of Lucy's mother's colleagues, is welcome as is Lucy's own budding interest in marine biology.” – School Library Journal Giunta, L. J. (2019, March 1). The Line Tender. School Library Journal, 65(2). Retrieved from https://www.slj.com/?reviewDetail=the-line-tender Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) Lemons by Melissa Savage (2017): Ten-year old Lemonade Liberty Witt doesn’t know the answer to that question, except what her mom taught her. When life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. But what if those lemons are so big that you forget how? How do you make lemonade out of having to leave everything you know in San Francisco to move to the small town of Willow Creek, California and live with a grandfather you’ve never even met? In a town that smells like grass and mud and bugs. With tall pines instead of skyscrapers and dirt instead of sidewalks. Not to mention one woolly beast lurking in the woods. That’s right, Bigfoot. A ginormous wooden statue of the ugly thing stands right at the center of town like he’s someone real important, like the mayor or something. And the people here actually believe he’s real and hiding somewhere out in the pine filled forests. How can anyone possibly be expected to make lemonade out those rotten lemons? Everything is different and Lem just wants to go back home. And then she meets Tobin Sky, the CEO of Bigfoot Detectives, Inc. and sole investigator for the town. He invites her to be his Assistant for the summer and she reluctantly agrees. At least until she can figure out her escape plan. Together, Lem and Tobin try to capture a shot of the elusive beast on film and end up finding more than they ever could have even imagined. Finding Esme by Suzanne Carlisle Crowley (2018): After her grandfather died from a heart attack while driving his tractor, Esme has avoided returning to the spot where he lost his life. But when she follows her little brother, Bo, up the hill while chasing fireflies, she makes an incredible discovery—dinosaur bones peeking out from underneath the abandoned tractor. Esme sees the bones as a message from her grandfather; a connection beyond the grave. But when word gets out that Peach Hollow Farm is hiding something valuable, reporters, researchers, and neighbors arrive in droves. Esme must find a way to understand who has her best interests at heart—especially as the memories of her grandfather begin to slip away. The Things About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin (2015): After her best friend dies in a drowning accident, Suzy is convinced that the true cause of the tragedy must have been a rare jellyfish sting--things don't just happen for no reason. Retreating into a silent world of imagination, she crafts a plan to prove her theory--even if it means traveling the globe, alone. Suzy's achingly heartfelt journey explores life, death, the astonishing wonder of the universe...and the potential for love and hope right next door. 2/4/2020 0 Comments Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Title: Wonder
Author: R.J. Palacio Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf (Penguin Random House) (February 2012) ISBN: 978-0375869020 Genre: Realistic Fiction Recommended Age Level: 8-12 Awards / Recognitions:
Professional Summary and Review: Kirkus Reviews, December 15, 2011 After being homeschooled for years, Auggie Pullman is about to start fifth grade, but he's worried: How will he fit into middle-school life when he looks so different from everyone else? Auggie has had 27 surgeries to correct facial anomalies he was born with, but he still has a face that has earned him such cruel nicknames as Freak, Freddy Krueger, Gross-out and Lizard face. Though "his features look like they've been melted, like the drippings on a candle" and he's used to people averting their eyes when they see him, he's an engaging boy who feels pretty ordinary inside. He's smart, funny, kind and brave, but his father says that having Auggie attend Beecher Prep would be like sending "a lamb to the slaughter." Palacio divides the novel into eight parts, interspersing Auggie's first-person narrative with the voices of family members and classmates, wisely expanding the story beyond Auggie's viewpoint and demonstrating that Auggie's arrival at school doesn't test only him, it affects everyone in the community. Auggie may be finding his place in the world, but that world must find a way to make room for him, too. A memorable story of kindness, courage and wonder. Personal Review: The true power in a book like this is its ability to teach kids meaningful life lessons. In this book specifically, readers will see first-hand how painful words and actions can be, even those that aren’t intended to cause harm. Wonder offers kids a lesson in empathy, challenging the idea of what is normal, and encouraging them to be kind in all situations. Even though I’m much older than the target demographic, I was easily swept up in the compelling story of Auggie and his struggles with starting middle school with kids his own age for the first time. As a librarian, I would feel confident recommending this to elementary-aged readers because, not only is it well-written and a good story, it has a lot of lessons to teach them. Books like this one are important as we strive to broaden children’s world view and expose them to narratives unlike their own everyday experiences. Wonder successfully navigates a story very dissimilar to most kids’ stories and does so with humor, love and nuance. Readalikes: (Summaries from GoodReads) Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper (2010): Melody is not like most people. She cannot walk or talk, but she has a photographic memory; she can remember every detail of everything she has ever experienced. She is smarter than most of the adults who try to diagnose her and smarter than her classmates in her integrated classroom - the very same classmates who dismiss her as mentally challenged because she cannot tell them otherwise. But Melody refuses to be defined by cerebral palsy. And she's determined to let everyone know it - somehow. A Monster Like Me by Wendy S. Swore (2019): Sophie is a monster expert. Thanks to her Big Book of Monsters and her vivid imagination, Sophie can identify the monsters in her school and neighborhood. Clearly, the bullies are trolls and goblins. Her nice neighbor must be a good witch, and Sophie’s new best friend is obviously a fairy. But what about Sophie? She’s convinced she is definitely a monster because of the “monster mark” on her face. At least that’s what she calls it. The doctors call it a blood tumor. Sophie tries to hide it but it covers almost half her face. And if she’s a monster on the outside, then she must be a monster on the inside, too. Being the new kid at school is hard. Being called a monster is even harder. Sophie knows that it’s only a matter of time before the other kids, the doctors, and even her mom figure it out. And then her mom will probably leave — just like her dad did. Because who would want to live with a real monster? Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine (2010): In Caitlin’s world, everything is black or white. Things are good or bad. Anything in between is confusing. That’s the stuff Caitlin’s older brother, Devon, has always explained. But now Devon’s dead and Dad is no help at all. Caitlin wants to get over it, but as an eleven-year-old girl with Asperger’s, she doesn’t know how. When she reads the definition of closure, she realizes that is what she needs. In her search for it, Caitlin discovers that not everything is black and white—the world is full of colors—messy and beautiful.
Below is the official trailer to the 2017 movie, which is a fairly faithful retelling of the original book.
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