A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti

It had been a while since I had read a novel by Deb Caletti, but reading her newly released A HEART IN A BODY IN THE WORLD helped to remind me how much I enjoy her award-winning writing.  This story focuses on Annabelle who lives near Seattle and starts running one day after a drunk guy approaches her in an inappropriate way. It is clear that there has been trauma in Annabelle’s life and her family, single mom Gina, younger brother Malcolm, and Grandpa Ed all try to support her. In fact, her across the country run becomes a cause with a Go Fund Me page set up by her high school friends, and interviews arranged with high school newspapers along the way.  Annabelle reluctantly embraces this acknowledgment of her emotional pain and even begins making speeches. One of her struggles is “the sense that she must apologize for and atone for other people’s actions.” 

Here are just a few other quotes that illustrate Annabelle’s physical and emotional journey:  “Sometimes you just snap.  Snapping is easy when you’re already brittle from the worst possible thing happening.” “Worry is a different version of prayer.”  “She’s forever in a spinning round-ness of who she’s supposed to be and who she really is; what’s expected and what she really wants. When you spin like that, things get blurry.” “How weird, she thinks, that there are people who maybe don’t feel this thing, this endless buzz of nerves and fear and responsibility and control.”

Readers will empathize with her efforts both at running and with dealing with past events which are gradually shared in a series of flashbacks. Annabelle keeps a journal and many chapters start with notes about the heart like this one “There are only one and a half gallons of blood in the body at a time.  And you only have to lose two liters of it – one bottle of Diet Coke – and it’s over.” The story of A HEART IN A BODY IN THE WORLD will have wide appeal. And there are numerous connections with recent headlines, #MeToo or #WhyIDidntReport, and new non-fiction books like Rage Becomes Her.

 A HEART IN A BODY IN THE WORLD by Deb Caletti received starred reviews from Booklist, Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Kirkus, and Publishers Weekly. Highly recommended - Look for it on our shelves soon.

The Museum of Us by Tara Wilson Redd

THE MUSEUM OF US by Tara Wilson Redd is one of those books which I am definitely looking forward to discussing with other readers. The writing in this debut young adult novel is magical. I loved the first half of this book where readers meet Sadie and experience her fantastic imagination:

“George didn’t sit with her in the library. Why would he, when there were pages and pages to explore? She followed him down into the depths of the catacombs of Paris, and to the top of the world’s highest mountains. She sat alone, though she was never truly alone. After all, she wasn’t really there.”

But about halfway through, the novel turns very dark with a surprising cutting incident and Sadie subsequently grapples with intense emotional pain as she eventually chooses between George in her fantasy world and her loyal support system including boyfriend Henry and best friend Lucie. Like All the Bright Places, THE MUSEUM OF US may be emotionally difficult to read in part, but it will prompt some important, reflective discussions. As Sadie muses, “you have to wonder, is it fate or could we have changed it? .... Life only goes one direction, and this moment, and the next moment, once they’re in the past you can’t change them....” “What happens to all those forgotten thoughts? If no one remembers something, did it even really happen?”  “What happens to a thought when you are not thinking it?”

Tara Wilson Redd’s THE MUSEUM OF US received a starred review from School Library Journal: “Readers will identify strongly with Sadie and her journey as she struggles to cope with trauma and let go of her secrets.” Here's a related story in the news recently: I’m Not OK app developed by teens using technology to help those struggling with depression and anxiety.

New YA Books by Jeff Giles and Todd Strasser

THE BRINK OF DARKNESS by Jeff Giles is the sequel to his The Edge of Everything; enough backstory is provided to read this new novel on its own, but readers will enjoy both and benefit from the more complete story. There is a compelling blend of dystopia, fantasy, romance, humor, and adventure with a strong female protagonist, Zoe Bissell.  Themes of friendship and loyalty plus good and evil combine with often violent action to make for an exciting tale – I finished it in about a day. The main story focuses on Montana high school student Zoe who loves X. He is a mortal/bounty hunter with certain special powers who was born in The Lowlands, a hellish place where some truly evil people are kept as punishment. Zoe and various other quirky characters (e.g., Ripper, The Ukraine, Regent) are trying to help X escape. Pick up THE BRINK OF DARKNESS for an entertaining read and watch for a likely movie! 

PRICE OF DUTY by Todd Strasser is a blatant anti-war young adult novel which I am not really recommending, despite its attempt to address important issues. The story centers on Jake Liddell, a hero to all but himself. This book presents negative views towards the military, particularly the recruitment process and JROTC. Strasser unfortunately reinforces stereotypes, saying, “for a lot of minorities, the military is one of three options. The other two being an unlivable minimum wage, or crime and incarceration.” And sadly, his writing does not portray women and girls as soldiers or even as independent partners at home. Although suspenseful and relatively short (under 200 pages), flashbacks and chapter titles (using character names who are not the narrators and locations which are not explained) made this book a bit confusing to read. 

Referring to Jake’s “crisis of conscience,” Booklist gave PRICE OF DUTY a starred review and suggested it for readers in grades 7-10, but due to this novel’s rather graphic and painful presentation of military suicide, that grade recommendation may actually be rather young. Conversely, there are certainly other, more sophisticated books (M*A*S*H, Catch-22, Yellow Birds) for our older readers. And for those who want to learn more about suicide prevention, including amongst veterans, Journalists’ Resource has links to recent studies on possible intervention. There are multiple ways to help, including this campaign promoted by the late Jason Fitch and featured on CBSNews.