The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Another selection on the September LibraryReads list is THE WATER DANCER by Ta-Nehisi Coates.  Our students read and discuss Coates’ award-winning Between the World and Me, but this is something very different, involving magical lights and superpowers. I was expecting more traditional historical fiction due to its Southern plantation setting and focus on the institution of slavery. Although Coates does use aspects of the historical period to explore the tension between duty to self (should one escape and make a better life) and duty to family, the novel also contains elements of fantasy and seems somewhat more akin to Colson Whitehead’s writing (our students also read The Intuitionist, for example). Wall Street Journal reviewer Sam Sacks says, "there's a lot of talk in this novel, but not enough tale." Coates extensively researched the Underground Railroad and speaks in the video below with PBS NewsHour’s Jeffrey Brown about the differences between history and myth:

Coates has an extensive tour planned; specifically in Chicago, he will be speaking at a FAN event to be held at Evanston High School on Friday, October 4 beginning at 7:00 pm. More info about Ta-Nehisi Coates and his new book is available from CBS this morning, NPR’s Fresh Air, and this New York Times review.  THE WATER DANCER received starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal and Publishers Weekly.

Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore

WILD BEAUTY by Anna-Marie McLemore has been getting some rave reviews and I definitely was drawn to this absolutely lovely cover.

Described as “magical realism” and a “stunning exploration of love, loss, and family,” McLemore’s third young adult novel received starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus AND School Library Journal. In it, Estrella and her cousins Azalea, Calla, Dalia, and Gloria pay a price for their magical abilities such as growing flowers from their bare hands. Their curse is that anyone they love will disappear and when they are all attracted to the young woman who will inherit the garden where they live, they try to protect her with surprising results.

It might be interesting to pair WILD BEAUTY with A SECRET HISTORY OF WITCHES by Louisa Morgan since both involve magic, threats to witches and family relationships across multiple generations. Morgan's work covers the time period from 17th century France to WWII London and repeats the story of subsequent generations as they must overcome prejudice and fear and cope with romantic entanglements.  

Other titles to consider? AN ENCHANTMENT OF RAVENS or CITY OF SAINTS & THIEVES or GIRLS MADE OF SNOW AND GLASS. 

Rocks Fall Everyone Dies by Lindsay Ribar

I was only able to read the “sneak peek” for Rocks Fall Everyone Dies by Lindsay Ribar, but I do want to read more of this story which involves magic.  From the beginning, it is hard to tell if these enchantments will be used more for good (protecting the town from dangerous rock slides) or for evil (irrevocably changing the personalities of the residents).   

Grandmother Willow, Aunt Holly and a young man called Aspen are all members of the Quick family who for generations have protected an upstate New York town by offering gifts to the Cliff.  They use personal artifacts (like a toy or book) to make a connection and then can remove defining characteristics and feelings like pleasure in solitary pursuits or a competitive streak.  Sending those “gifts” to the Cliff keeps it whole and the town stays safe, but the people involved are transformed without their knowledge or consent.  

Throughout Rocks Fall Everyone Dies, there is a feeling of menace and suspense --- a bit reminiscent of The Accident Season – which I think will attract student’s interest. Self-centered Aspen seems fairly disturbing and unwittingly cruel, too, and I am wondering how future events (possible romance? family issues?) will shape him. Rocks Fall Everyone Dies received a starred review from Kirkus.

Places No One Knows by Brenna Yovanoff

There is so much emotional pain and growth in Places No One Knows by Brenna Yovanoff. This novel, set in a contemporary high school, is simultaneously full of astute introspection and denial or avoidance. Places No One Knows is a powerful read by a talented author.

The story is told in alternating voices by Waverly Camdenmar and Marshall Holt. She is the seemingly perfect girl who excels at academics and cross-country running, but she cannot sleep and at times seems barely in touch with reality.  He is dealing with a dysfunctional family by self-medicating with alcohol and drugs, hoping to feel less sensitive while also gaining a reputation as a loser. 

Somehow, they find each other – sort of. Waverly's dreams lead them to meet at night; ignoring each other during the school day. Each shares secrets – places no one knows – as they deal with the angst of being an older teenager – concerns about self-identity ("the gap between myself and the facade of myself must be growing exponentially"), family, truth, manipulative friends, peer pressure – and more peer pressure ("if you can prove someone else is a disaster, you never have to let them see what's wrong with you."). Places No One Knows has been called “achingly real” and is a very moving story with well-developed characters beyond Waverly and Marshall.  On her website, Yovanoff says, "It's about boys and girls and ideas and feelings and the towering shower of sparks that happens when all those things collide."

We will certainly be booktalking this title next Fall, particularly for fans of All the Bright Places or We Were Liars. Places No One Knows received starred reviews from Booklist, Kirkus and Publishers Weekly.