I've enjoyed Giles's teen thrillers before, but this is his first step into contemporary YA fiction. He's gifted us with a nuanced look at sexism andI've enjoyed Giles's teen thrillers before, but this is his first step into contemporary YA fiction. He's gifted us with a nuanced look at sexism and the ignorance of "good guys" that is also chock full of humor and characters you root for. Del is a likable guy - very funny, smart, and well-intentioned, but faltering where a lot of teens do. Who can blame kids for screwing up when adults send them such mixed messages on complicated matters like sex? Del's peers are also complicated, rich characters. The male friendships are lovingly written, and the girls and women in Del's life are strong but not infallible.Â
The best gift of all from Giles's latest is the subtle sexism it tackles. Through Del's love interest Kiera, his coworker Maya, his collegiate sister Cress, and classmate Cheyanne, we get bits and pieces of the stories Del is missing in his quest to land Kiera. Del's journey is simple-sounding, but immensely challenging: what do we do in a world where even nice guys like Del are brought up to value women only in the context of their own stories? What is it that makes them realize that they aren't really listening to women's narratives? And how do men move forward when they are challenged on those faults?
A thoroughly entertaining story that opens rich conversations for young men....more
This is very cute! Sometimes a little too much "in the head" of the characters (I liked it more when there was more dialogue) and moved a little slowlThis is very cute! Sometimes a little too much "in the head" of the characters (I liked it more when there was more dialogue) and moved a little slowly for me, but kids might not care. ...more
To Be Honest is a very light, very sweet book with a proud plus-size girl in the spotlight. The plot spends equal time on the romance with her and GeoTo Be Honest is a very light, very sweet book with a proud plus-size girl in the spotlight. The plot spends equal time on the romance with her and George, the drama with her mother, and the pain of the distance from her sister. The investigative journalism plot is peppered in here and there, but frankly I kept forgetting it was a thing until it would be brought up again.
The best part of the book is how the issues with Savannah’s mom unroll. It was interesting to read something where the parent is the one with the eating disorder (that is sort of a spoiler, but one you definitely see coming), and I think the author could even have dug into that a little more. In the opening pages, it felt a little like this book was going to be all about Savannah being self-conscious about her weight, but that feeling eventually falls by the wayside and the story was more fun for that.
I also really loved that Savannah’s love interest is a band geek, and a jazz band geek at that....more
This is a spot on retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Its modern themes of gentrification, the complications of culture and class intersecting, and the This is a spot on retelling of Pride and Prejudice. Its modern themes of gentrification, the complications of culture and class intersecting, and the prejudices of ones heart meld perfectly with the social themes of the original novel. I haven't read the original book since I had it assigned in AP English - but it all came tumbling back through Zuri and Darius, Carrie and Charlize, and all their other counterparts. Plus, it was just a plain good story on its own merits. Zoboi makes Zuri a poet, and we get to enjoy her writing as she works out the conflicts of her mind and heart. I loved the translation of the Lydia/Wickham conflict!...more
“My personal motto has always been if you’ve already dug yourself a hole too deep to climb out of, you may as well keep digging.�
Michael Ausman is see“My personal motto has always been if you’ve already dug yourself a hole too deep to climb out of, you may as well keep digging.�
Michael Ausman is seething. His father has uprooted their family yet again for a job promotion � this time Michael was barely two months into his junior year. Now he is faced with making yet another new group of friends in another new school, and to make matters worse, that school is a Catholic one. Michael is an atheist, and he has no interest in setting down any roots lest they be ripped back out again.
But on the first day of school, he is utterly taken when his classmate Lucy offers a passionate feminist argument during a history lesson on the saints. And in befriending her, he finds himself connected to a surprising group of students who welcome him into their secret society: Heretics Anonymous. Its members include Eden, a paganist from an uber religious family, Max, an oddball who breaks dress code with his heroic cloaks, Avi, Jewish AND gay amongst this fold, and Lucy, who surprises him when her heretic nature comes from her fierce love for Catholicism and desire to one day breach the glass ceiling between her and priestdom.
The friends have just been meeting as a sounding board and support group, but Michael convinces them that they could be doing more. Their missions range from annotating the school’s horrifyingly inaccurate abstinence-only DVD, to rallying the students to find increasingly hilarious loop-holes in the dress code, to unveiling an alternative school newspaper. But as Michael’s anger towards his father’s negligence grows, he allows it to get the better of him, and when he commits a solo act in the name of Heretics Anonymous that goes too far, he finds himself facing the loss and endangerment of the people he loves the most.
I pick this book up a lot at the library because the cover makes me laugh, with its clear reference to “I saw Jesus in my burnt toast� levels of religious delusion. I’m always up for a teen book that challenges organized religion, and I got that and more from this book. Michael is a very sarcastic, very angry narrator who also manages to be very endearing, and his anger at his family situation is sympathetically presented. The other members of Heretics Anonymous are delightful. Lucy is among the Hermione Granger greats for heroines. While I have a hard time empathizing with her ability to negotiate her Catholicism and her feminism, she is a ferociously smart and open-hearted young lady, and that Michael falls first for her brains and boldness is a joy to read. Avi is Lucy’s number one ally, Eden is a wonderful voice of reason for the group (providing much needed sympathy for the books central villain, a highly unlikeable Sister’s Pet), and Max is mostly there to be the Sweet if Weird one.
The plot is a real page-turner � each act of subterfuge by the group unrolls with great tension and humor, though the tension ramps up and the humor lessens as the stakes get higher. The issues that the group take up against their school are all ones I’m very passionate about so it was easy for me to root for them. The author gets the reader so invested in the group’s friendship that when Michael goes rogue, it’s particularly devastating and you really root for him to win them back, even though I’m not sure if I would have forgiven him in their shoes.
I highly recommend this, especially if you enjoy smart realistic YA like John Corey Whaley....more
Aven Green has a pretty great life as a middle schooler in Kansas. She plays on the soccer team, has a wonderful group of friends, is a creative writeAven Green has a pretty great life as a middle schooler in Kansas. She plays on the soccer team, has a wonderful group of friends, is a creative writer, and plays the guitar. She also has no arms. She was born without them, though if anyone asks about it (and boy do they), she always has a wild tale to tell them about where they went and how. But her life is about to be upended: her dad has been out of work for a bit. When an opportunity finally comes around, it’s across the country in dry old Arizona. Funnily enough, Arizona is where Aven was born before the Greens adopted her. She has no memories of the place, but she’s about to land somewhere unforgettable: Stagecoach Pass, a rundown, unusual Western theme park that her father and mother now manage and where they live.
Meeting new friends will be a challenge � her old classmates were used to her navigating school using her feet in place of her hands. Now the staring is a lot, and she often finds herself eating lunch alone far from her peers, and losing interest in some of her old hobbies. But with time, things look up. She meets a couple more loners named Connor and Zion who are dealing with their own misfit status; she starts writing a blog to keep up with old friends and starts to connect with strangers too; and a mystery begins to unfold at Stagecoach Pass, as its quirky employees begin to clue her in to its strange and intriguing past. The three of them set out to find out more about the old theme park, and along the way will push each other to reclaim their differences and dismiss the haters.
This is a sweet little book that presents multiple ably diverse characters in an informative and fun story (that doesn’t make light of the character’s struggles and conflicts either). Aven’s sense of humor is fantastic and her struggles with starting over are very relatable. And while the physical demands of her life are less relatable to most, the author provides a lot of information in a readable fashion. Connor has Tourette’s Syndrome, and again, the reader learns a lot about people living with it and the challenges they live with each day. Zion is a big kid, and his family are super-nerds (hello my people). Interestingly, he’s a super-nerd of color, which I love to see more and more of in books. I think it would have been interesting if one of her friends had an “invisible disability� instead of two more very visible differences, but that’s a quibble.
The mystery, for me, is the less effective section of the book, and its outcome is a big obvious. But the journey to the kids solving it is still fun.
The parents in this book are really dynamite, too. Not in an unrealistic way either � I’ve been reading a lot of children’s fiction where the adults are really problematic and completely fucking up their children. This, of course, is realistic, but it was a nice break to have a pair of parents who are truly doing their best and succeeding at that best.
I listened to the audio of this, which was fantastically performed. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in reading more disability-diverse books, but it is particularly suited to grade 4-7....more
Another awesome book by Pablo Cartaya, so he's definitely an author you can buy for your tween reader, like, no question, just buy his books. The bullAnother awesome book by Pablo Cartaya, so he's definitely an author you can buy for your tween reader, like, no question, just buy his books. The bully in this though, TRIGGER WARNING he is....THE WORST. But Marcus is THE BEST so it all evens out....more
This was very good but very emotional and the parents and Cilla's unresponsiveness are so frustrating. Kids who like tearjerkers like Orbiting JupiterThis was very good but very emotional and the parents and Cilla's unresponsiveness are so frustrating. Kids who like tearjerkers like Orbiting Jupiter will like it....more
A great look at selective mutism and the anxieties that lead someone to it. This is a lovely book, but it is one that is very hard to read, due to somA great look at selective mutism and the anxieties that lead someone to it. This is a lovely book, but it is one that is very hard to read, due to some cruel bullying the lead character goes through as well as the devastating circumstances of her family -- without anything to lighten it up or break from the relentless sad. Some of the resolutions weren't quite satisfactory to me, but I still liked it. The author used one of my favorite fairy tales as inspiration, The Six Swans (or The Twelve Brothers, or The Seven Ravens -- you get it) which was a nice surprise (and is very clear from the magical element of the book)....more
Wonderfully endearing protagonist, just the right amount of romance, a wonderful introduction to activism, poetry, gentrification -- with delicious reWonderfully endearing protagonist, just the right amount of romance, a wonderful introduction to activism, poetry, gentrification -- with delicious recipes to boot!...more
First off, you MUST read the audiobook version of this, put that print edition down, the audio is where it’s at!
This book has staying power � at leastFirst off, you MUST read the audiobook version of this, put that print edition down, the audio is where it’s at!
This book has staying power � at least as long as people are obsessed with Serial-type podcasting. Summers flips us back and forth between two narratives: McCray’s podcast version of Sadie's story, presented to us mostly episodically (sometimes she splits singular episodes into two chapters for dramatic benefit) � and Sadie’s own narrative as she seeks revenge for her sister's death and their family abuse. So you see why this needs to be read on audio! Macmillan dug in and went full-cast for this one, with music and audio production to honor the podcast format of McCray’s story. But Sadie’s side of the story is also heightened in the audio format: Sadie stutters, and Rebecca Soler does a wonderful job conveying Sadie’s emotional narrative as well as her vocalizations.
This was my first read of Courtney Summers! She has a knack for clever and effective turns of phrase. She also builds the suspense very well � when you get the audio of this, plan to find nine hours of listening time when no one will bother you � you won’t want to stop listening.
The audio is almost perfect � I will say a couple of the actors were less than great. Maybe this was an expense thing? (Get the heavies for the leads and bring in some interns for the lesser parts?) Or maybe not everyone got the direction they needed? Even then, that's just a blip. Dan Bittner has the perfect NPR tone for the podcaster. And they made the wise choice of including the “full cast� element in Sadie’s narrative too, not just the podcast itself. That gives it immediacy vital to the narrative.
Excellently creepy horror for middle grade readers. Perfect for fans of Coraline or even of the horror episodes in Doctor Who. Don't listen to the audExcellently creepy horror for middle grade readers. Perfect for fans of Coraline or even of the horror episodes in Doctor Who. Don't listen to the audio, though -- it didn't capture the creepy vibe at all....more
I graded up a star because I think I'm just not a puzzle book person. If you like books like The Westing Game or Blue Balliet's books, definitely pickI graded up a star because I think I'm just not a puzzle book person. If you like books like The Westing Game or Blue Balliet's books, definitely pick this up. Just not for me. But the character voices are authentic and I love how it broaches working class issues and gentrification in a palatable way for middle grade readers....more
I didn't love the puzzle part of this book (but I have a hard time getting into puzzle books at all). But as a social issues novel and historical fictI didn't love the puzzle part of this book (but I have a hard time getting into puzzle books at all). But as a social issues novel and historical fiction story, it was really solid. Good audio performance too....more
So this is a dark one! <--understatement of the year. I'd list all the trigger warnings, but if you can think of it, it's probably in here.
I love faiSo this is a dark one! <--understatement of the year. I'd list all the trigger warnings, but if you can think of it, it's probably in here.
I love fairy tales and homages to them, and I especially love feminist retellings, so this went on my TBR immediately after reading the reviews. I was also curious about it because it is a YA book, but Kirkus, my favorite review source, felt it "missed the mark" for teen audiences. They claimed this because of how graphic the sexual scenes are and because they felt the message is too sophisticated.
But the message of this novel is VERY clear, and its graphic, dark scenes are written as they are to support this message. This book is a feminist manifesto disguised as a fairy tale. You can check off all the different ways Ama gets manipulated and hurt by men: gaslighting, check! female pleasure disregarded, check! women sucked into the patriarchal system being useless as allies, check! men overblowing the grandeur of their dicks, check! etc. It plots the abuse of women through Ama and her relationships with men in the novel, and the book makes the strong choice to make no exception out of any man in the book. Even the glassblower, who you could call kind, takes advantage of Ama as he takes credit for the glasswork she creates. I like that choice - and I like how it's made some people uncomfortable. It's hard not to be uncomfortable with this book, especially with the graphic sexual abuse scenes and the treatment of Sorrow and other animals by the castle falconer and king. But Sorrow's narrative is meant to parallel and foreshadow Ama's, and if you portray abuse on the page, it better feel uncomfortable. So I think it all serves an important purpose even if it makes for a difficult reading.
And hoo boy that ending! I agree with many that it comes a bit too abruptly and it's a little weird and leaves you spinning. But I didn't hate it. Here's my spoiler reaction to the end: (view spoiler)[Jeez, men really will fuck anything. (hide spoiler)]
All in all, I liked this and I think it's an important book. I'm not sure I can think of too many teens at my library that'd automatically hand it over to, though. It reminds me a little of Robin McKinley's Deerskin, which I read as a much younger woman and found a little too much for me at the time. I think I'd take it in differently now....more
Wonderful - covers a lot of ground for a small book, very successfully. Grief, passion for art, poverty and gang violence, family healing... I particuWonderful - covers a lot of ground for a small book, very successfully. Grief, passion for art, poverty and gang violence, family healing... I particularly liked how the book approached the problem of a life in art being inaccessible to the underprivileged. Lots of character growth for both big and small characters too....more
Awesome MG fiction inspired by Malala Yousafzai and other girls in Pakistan seeking more than they're given. Awesome MG fiction inspired by Malala Yousafzai and other girls in Pakistan seeking more than they're given. ...more
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