The list of ABE nominees are here (in a pdf) and this year Susan sponsored students who were reading and voting on
selections for the list – that was exciting, especially when they were
recognized by the Board of Education for their efforts! As a group, the Librarians at New Trier will
be talking about these books in the next few weeks and I am sure some more
reviews will appear here. In the
meantime, here’s a mix of recent Young Adult titles, some of which might appear
on the ABE list in the future:
Don’t you love the cover of THE
BEAUTY THAT REMAINS by Ashley Woodfolk (March 6; Random House; SLJ:
Grade 9 up)? The story is also multi-faceted, being told from three
perspectives by racially diverse characters: Autumn, Shay, and Logan each of
whom have lost someone they loved (a best friend to a car crash, a twin to leukemia
and a boyfriend to apparent suicide). They, too, need to rebuild and reform
their lives and get beyond the shocking situations, the panic attacks and the
self-medicating with alcohol. Debut author Woodfolk weaves a darker and very emotional
tale as these three try to cope with grief, saying at one point, “Lying is the
new language we speak. It’s the only way we can talk at all.” Gradually, though,
they begin to rely on new friendships and a shared interest in music. THE
BEAUTY THAT REMAINS received a starred review from School Library
Journal.
A GIRL LIKE THAT by Tanaz Bhathena (February 27; Farrar, Straus and
Giroux; SLJ: Grade 8 up) has another very compelling cover and insightfully
explores some heavy themes. This story, told from multiple viewpoints, offers a
look at life in Saudi Arabia for a young orphan girl named Zarin Wadia. Her
aunt criticizes and restricts her actions constantly and, as Kirkus says,
there are “graphic descriptions of assault and sexual abuse.” Zarin has
difficulty establishing friendships (unlike her Muslim school mates, she is Zoroastrian)
and she rebels, acting out by smoking cigarettes and sneaking around with male
friends. Readers will feel compassion for her and anger at her difficulties coping
with such a controlling and often sexist society. A GIRL LIKE THAT
received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and School Library
Journal. Read an excerpt here.
NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE by Cori McCarthy (April 1, 2018; Sourcebooks; SLJ:
Grade 8 up) is an unusual blend of present day movie making and a fantasy
story. As it begins, Iris Thorne (17)
and her young brother Ryder are arriving in Ireland to observe the filming of
their grandmother’s fantasy epic named Elementia. Iris has a trust fund
established by her grandmother and is clearly privileged. She doesn’t seem to recognize this and spends
an inordinate amount of time sulking and bemoaning her in loco parentis
role as well as obsessing over the strained relationship she has with her
father. Good for her that there are several supportive cast members and an
empowering, feminist-leaning director. Seemingly on a quest herself and
experiencing romance for the first time, Iris does an amazing amount of maturing
in just over a week or so as the filming zigs and zags from one crisis to
another.
Although not too realistic, NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE is
ultimately an uplifting, hopeful story and I have two favorite quotes: “My ma has a saying. It’s a life policy, really. Do something that
scares you every day.” And… “Say that the book is a
sculpture. You can walk around the story.
You can touch it. You can view it up close or far away. That is why people love books. The stories interact with your memories, your
experiences. They are personalized. Movies? Movies are a picture of that same
statue. The parameters are set. The
characters have defined faces. The scenes artistically rendered to one person’s
vision.” Can’t wait to use that
description in my next booktalk! In the
meantime, hope you find a book that speaks to YOU.
