Double Feature: A Boy Called Bat & Raymie Nightingale

**This originally appeared on a discussion board for my Children's Literature class**

Title: A Boy Called Bat

Author: Elana K. Arnold

Genre: juvenile lit, realistic fiction

I ordered all four books on this list for this week’s readings and fell in love with A Boy Called Bat after flipping through the book and seeing this illustration:

I’m a sucker for any kind of animal book so my heart just melted when I saw this drawing. It also brought back memories of when I visited the local pet store when I was about 6 or 7 years old; the pet store had some baby skunks for sale and I just thought they were so cute. Occasionally, my inner child wants a pet skunk, but I have to remind myself that “keeping a pet skunk as a pet is much more challenging than keeping a dog or cat. Skunks are not pets by nature” (Arnold, 2017, p.172), as Dr. Dragoo advises to Bat.

A Boy Called Bat falls under many literary categories and sub-categories. Not only is the book realistic fiction, but it’s also a part of the contemporary realistic realm since it is a “story that takes place in present time and portrays attitudes and mores of the present culture” (Short et al., 2014, p. 146). The events take place in the present (there are references to email and latptops) at Bat’s home, his school, his dad’s house, and his mom’s veterinary practice- all locations that are familiar to most children. Bat and his sister, Janie, are also part of what Short et al. refers to as an “alternative family”- their parents are divorced, and Bat and Janie spend Every-Other-Friday with their dad (a dad who doesn’t seem to keep up with Bat’s various quirks. For example, Dad calls Bat, Sport, even though Bat doesn’t play any sports, and Dad makes foods that cause texture issues for Bat).

While Bat is thrilled with the baby skunk his mom brought home and researches the best way he can convince his mom to keep Thor permanently, Bat must negotiate the everyday hurdles of schoolwork, sibling stress, and making new friends. While these are everyday occurrences for most children, Bat has a sensory disorder, or he might even be on the autism spectrum; the book never puts a label to Bat’s behavior which I think might be more relatable to young readers. Instead of spotlighting Bat’s disability, the book focuses on his love and care for Thor and Bat’s desire to make Thor a part of the family.

My recommended read-a-likes are Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin and Seven Days to Goodbye by Sheri S. Levy. The main character in Rain Reign, Rose, is a little girl with high-functioning autistism and is obsesses with homonyms (hence the title) and prime numbers. Rose lives with her father, who is neither the best or the worst father in the world, but he does not act kindly towards Rose's disability. The book starts off with Rose's daily struggles in school to contain her outbursts and her awkwardness in social situations. Luckily, Rose has Rain, her dog, and her Uncle Weldon to help her through life and her father's moods. Unfortunately, Rain becomes lost during a hurricane and it's weeks before she is reunited with Rose. At the reunion, Rose learns that Rain had a family before her and Rose takes the hard, brave and unselfish journey to find Rain's original family. Seven Days to Goodbye takes place during Trina's last week with Sydney as he must be returned to the service dog organization to find his fur-ever family and a child that will need his protection. While Trina is happy that she is going on a vacation to the beach with her family and her best friend, the thought of parting from Sydney makes her heart ache even though it's for a good cause.

For an additional yet informative dose of cuteness, here is a video about skunks created by Chris and Martin Kratt of the TV show, The Wild Kratts.

Citations:

Arnold, E. (2017). A boy called bat. New York: Walden Pond Press.

Levy, Sheri S. (2014). Seven days to goodbye. Vancouver, WA: Barking Rain Press.

Martin, Ann M. (2014). Rain reign. New York: Feiwel & Friends.

Short, K.G., Lynch-Brown, C., Tomlinson, C.M. (2014). Essentials of children’s literature (8^th ed.). Boston: Pearson.

Skunked! (n.d.). In Wild Kratts Wiki. Retrieve from http://wildkratts.wikia.com/wiki/Skunked!

Title: Raymie Nightingale

Author: Kate DiCamillo

Genre: juvenile lit, realistic fiction, takes place in Florida

As a native Floridian, the setting of Raymie Nightingale caught my attention; it is set in the fictional town of Lister, Florida, somewhere in the center of the state, during the summer of 1975. Due to its semi-serious tone, this book fits into the new realism subcategory of realistic fiction, a type of fiction that is “less lighthearted than their predecessors, but they are more truthful and real in portraying the actual lives of children” (Short et al., 2014, p.150). I would also classify this as juvenile regional fiction, since a lot of minor characters fit the “eccentric Southerner” or “eccentric small-town resident” trope (portrayed respectfully and with good humor by the author). Although there are some humorous interactions between Raymie, Beverly, and Louisiana, their antics and adventures are a mask for the serious issue each girl faces in her life: Raymie’s father unexpectedly deserted the family, Beverly’s mother is physically abusive, and Louisiana lives in poverty with her grandmother.

I would also classify this a coming-of-age story as well. At the beginning of the book, Raymie enters the Miss Central Florida Tire Pageant in the hopes that “her father would see her picture in the paper and come home” (DiCamillo, 2016, p. 7). After meeting Louisiana’s grandmother and visiting their home, Raymie comes to the realization that Louisiana is more deserving of the prize money, should she win the pageant (Louisiana and her grandmother had their electricity turned off and “feasted” on tuna sandwiches every night due to their money woes).

My read-a-like suggestions are Rocky Road by Rose Kent and Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm

In Rocky Road, Tess Dobson's must deal with her mother’s whim to move to Schenectady, New York to open an ice cream shop in the middle of winter. Once Tess gets to Schenectady, she learns that her mother's risk-taking, sloppy spending, fast talking, and mood swings have a name: bipolar disorder.

Turtle in Paradise features Turtle (so named for her tough emotional exterior), a preteen sent to live with her aunt, uncle, and cousins in Key West in 1935. Turtle's mother never told her about her extended family, so she is surprised to learn she has so many cousins. Unfortunately, in her eyes, they are all boys. In this quiet gem of a book we get a glimpse of Key West during the Great Depression and before commercialism and tourism changed the Keys' way of life forever.

Since there was a side plot of Archie, the missing shelter cat, I would like to share with everyone that June is Adopt a Shelter Cat month! A few years ago, I created a themed library display that contained non-fiction and fiction books about cats, and the local animal shelter sent us flyers to add to the display as well. Of course, the cat lovers and children loved the display….

Citations:

DiCamillo, K. (2016). Raymie Nightingale. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Holm, J. L. (2010). Turtle in paradise. New York: Random House Books for Young Readers.

Kent, R. (2010). Rocky road. New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers.

Short, K.G., Lynch-Brown, C., Tomlinson, C.M. (2014). Essentials of children’s literature (8^th ed.). Boston: Pearson. 

Double Feature: The Cruel Prince and The Buried Symbol

**This post originally appeared on a YA Fantasy Literature discussion board for my Children's Literature class**

Title: The Cruel Prince

Author: Holly Black

Genres: YA fiction, fantasy, read for school

The Cruel Prince drew me in visually with its understated yet beautiful cover but the prologue definitely peaked my reading interest since it literally starts off with a bang- a mysterious man kills the parents of Jude, Taryn, and Vivienne in front of them. Let’s just say that Mystery Man had a very personal connection to their mother…The rest of the book occurs ten years later as the three girls have come to terms with Madoc (the mysterious man) and their life in Faerie; Vivienne, Madoc’s biological daughter, hates him and wants to leave Faerie to live with her mortal girlfriend. Jude and Taryn are twins but are complete opposites in personality: Taryn is quiet and loves the spectacle of Faerie parties and balls; Jude’s goal is to become a Knight (these two remind me of Sansa and Arya in the Game of Thrones series). Madoc treats all three girls equally: “The servants are overfond of telling me how fortunate I am, a bastard daughter of a faithless wife, a human without a drop of faerie blood, to be treated like a trueborn child of Faerie. They tell Taryn much the same thing” (Black, 2018, p.10). The Folk view Vivienne more fondly due to her pure Faerie blood while Taryn and Jude are subjected to constant scorn and mockery for their mortal status.

The court intrigue and drama in Faerie is also reminiscent of Game of Thrones and mortal world politics. High King Eldred’s six children each have their allies: The Circle of Grackles (the party animals), Circle of Larks (the art lovers), and Circle of Falcons (the warriors). Spies from each of these subgroups stay busy discovering evidence of unsavory plots and creating distractions. Taryn and Jude have to deal with their own immediate drama: Prince Cardan. Prince Cardan, known through Faerie for his drunkenness, playboy ways, and cruelty: “This is how they are. Someone gets in Cardan’s way, and they’re instantly and brutally punished…I am grateful that Cardan has five more worthy brothers and sisters; it’s guaranteed that he’ll never sit on the throne. I don’t want to think of him with more power than he has” (Black, 2018, p.23).  (Hello, Prince Joffrey of Westeros!). Prince Cardan and his entourage take every opportunity to bully the sisters, especially Jude, who verbally antagonizes them back in return.  

Jude uses her past, swordfighting practice, and chess strategy lessons with Madoc to build up her survival skills; skills she hopes to use someday as an official warrior in Madoc’s retinue and gain power to make her untouchable:

“I was raised by the man who murdered my parents, reared in a land of monsters. I live with that fear, let it settle into my bones, and ignore it. If I didn’t pretend to be scared, I would hide under my owl-down coverlets in Madoc’s estate forever. I would lie there until there was nothing left of me. I refuse to do that. I will not do that” (Black, 2018, p.31).

I am going to recommend two sets of readalikes this week: one for older teens (ages 17-18) and one for younger teens (13-16). For older teens, I recommend The Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin (AKA Game of Thrones) and The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. These are fantasy series for adults but could also be categorized as YA/Adult crossovers. The Song of Ice and Fire series takes place in a medieval world called Westeros. Multiple kingdoms are vying for control of the throne while ignoring the threat of “whitewalkers” (zombie-like creatures) to the north. This book contains graphic, mature content, which is why I recommend it for older teens. The Dresden Files is an urban fantasy that takes place in modern-day Chicago. Harry Dresden is a wizard turned private detective (even wizards need to eat). Harry lives with two magical pets and a lecherous, talking skull. He and his rag-tag groups of friends stay busy saving Chicago and the world from various supernatural-induced catastrophes.

For younger teens, I recommend The Shannara Trilogy by Terry Brooks (now an MTV series) and anything by Maggie Stiefvater. I have not read The Shannara Chronicles myself but my husband has watched the TV series, which is specifically created and marketed to a teenage audience. Maggie Stiefvater has written about werewolves, water horses, and lots of other magical creatures. I swoon every time she publishes a new book!

Citations:

Beimler, H. and Hewitt Wolfe, R. (Writers). (2007-2008). The Dresden Files [Television series]. In N. Cage, N. Golightly, R. Hewitt Wolfe, and D. Simkins (Producers). New York: SciFi Channel.

Benioff, D. and Weiss, D.B. (Writers and Directors). (2011-2018). Game of Thrones [Television series]. In D. Benioff and D.B. Weiss (Producers). New York: Home Box Office.

Black, H. (2018). The cruel prince. New York: Little, Brown, and Company.

Brooks, T. 1977-1985. London, UK: Orbit Books.

Butcher, J. 2000-2014. The Dresden Files, book series. New York: Roc Books.

Gough, A. and Millar, M. (Writers). (2016-2017). The Shannara Chronicles [Television series]. In D. Blocker (Producer). New York: Viacom Media Networks.

Martin, G.R.R. 1996-2011. Song of Ice and Fire, book series. New York: Bantam. 

Title: The Buried Symbol

Author: jeffrey L. Kohanek

Genre: YA fiction, fantasy, read for school

Brock Tannerson is fed up with the futility of life as an Unchosen after the death of his beloved aunt. “He didn’t want just any vocation. He wanted to make a difference, to achieve something special. He wanted to be able to save the next loved one when they needed him” (Kohanek, 2016, p. 43). After stealing enough money to get an illegal rune branded into his forehead, Brock and his best friend, Tipper, set off the Academy- an elite school run by the government (the Empire). While on the journey to the Academy, Brock and Tipper encounter a banshee and a bacabra and Brock has a vision of an unknown rune which gives him special powers and abilities (which come in handy later in the book).

Once he arrives at the Academy, Brock realizes he forgot to research the admissions requirements! Thanks to the help of well connected, new friend, Brock applies to the Academy through a series of puzzling evaluation tests; after passing these tests he is admitted to the Academy and his life changes forever. Brock learns about engineering, lore/history, fighting, the structure of the government, laws, and the arts of healing and divination which seem to be his special gifts. Brock learns about Order, a “life force tied to all living things” (Kohanek, 2016, p.174), which sounds strangely similar to the force in the Star Wars universe…. As if dealing with school stress and experiencing love with his first girlfriend wasn’t enough to keep him busy, Brock also has to contend with a bully. The lost symbol referred to in the title of the book, refers to some extracurricular research Brock and his friends discovered after Brock illegally pilfered a book from the library (originally referred to as a knowledge center). Their research uncovered a rune for Chaos, another life force, that was used in the past for destruction, but now the Ministry has erased Chaos from the cultural memory of Issalia.

Although I initially had some misgivings about The Buried Symbol due to the cover (I thought it looked amateurish and formatting (I know, I know, you can’t just a book by its cover), the first chapter drew me in. Although this book wasn’t as well written as The Cruel Prince (I found a few spelling and grammatical errors in The Lost Symbol), the plot was fast-paced and engaging. I wish certain background elements had been fleshed out more within the text. For example, being an Unchosen is a big deal but the ceremony where all the citizens received the rune that determines the course of their life is barely mentioned throughout the book. There are a few scenes where Tipper, Brock’s best friend, experiences discrimination based on his Unchosen status, yet the author never delves in depth into the hierarchy and classism of this world. Another thing that bugged me was the way the author described females in the book- they were either curvy, voluptuous, and beautiful, or they were painfully thin. I know this book is told from the perspective of a teenage boy, but I found these initial descriptions of women as superficial and annoying. Even though this is a fantasy novel, the characters in the book don’t speak as formally as most characters in fantasy novels do. In fact, they sometimes speak in a Southern manner. Brock refers to his father as “Pa” and the man in the tavern that was upset about eating in the same inn as an Unchosen kept using the word “ain’t.” I don’t know if this was on purpose because of the intended audience or if it’s just the author’s writing style, but I’m used to a certain formality of language when reading fantasy novels. Oh, and did anyone notice that the map of Issalia resembles the continental US?

Citations:

Kohanek, J. (2016). The buried symbol. No location: Black Rose Printing. 

Double Feature: Bob and Crenshaw

**This post originally appeared on the discussion board for my Children's Literature class**

Title: Bob
Authors: Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead
Genre: juvenile fiction, fantasy

Bob takes place in rural, drought-ridden Australia (exact location never mentioned). Livy and her family are visiting Livy’s grandmother after their last visit 5 years ago. Poor Livy can’t remember any details from her last visit, when she was five, so everything is a surprise to her. The biggest surprise is when she finds Bob living in a closet. At first Bob thinks he is a zombie, and then a chicken, but as for what Bob IS, Bob can’t remember where he came from (what is it with the memory stuff around here?). As you can see from the sepia-toned illustration below, Bob is definitely NOT a chicken (if he were, he would be a huge chicken!).

As Livy spends more time with Bob, memories of her last visit return in sudden snatches:

“One chicken was not the other chickens…” (p.3).

“Did I ever bump down those stairs?” (p.6)

“But what I remember about the second floor is not a big bed with a canopy. I still don’t know what it is, but it is not that” (p.8).

Little memories like this eventually aid Livy and Bob in figuring out his identity. Eventually Livy and Bob figure out that Bob has a special ability: “If Livy’s mom doesn’t see me at all, and a kid like Danny, who doesn’t know me Livy knows me, sees a chicken, then maybe age is another clue to my magic” (Mass, 2018, p.100). Bob can also make people forget about him unless he gives them a “memory aid.” In Livy’s case, her memory aid is a black chess piece. Every time Livy was physically removed from Bob, she forgot about him, but once she touched the chess piece she remembered him again and their quest to find his home.

As an adult reading this, I thought at first that Bob was an invisible friend or a metaphor for Livy’s soon transition to teenagerhood (Livy is almost eleven during the events of the book). The drought is also mentioned several times throughout the book, so I thought that Livy’s memory was somehow magically tied to the drought. In the end, it’s Bob and his origins that are connected to the drought. I would classify this book as an animal fantasy with a touch of mystery. Even though Bob is not an animal in the traditional sense of the word, he is a creature (from somewhere) and he “experiences emotions, talks, and has the ability to reason” (Short et al., 2014, p.129). There are a lot of little clues sprinkled throughout the story that Bob, Livy, and the reader must use to restore Livy’s memory and assist Bob with his mission of finding his home.

Since Bob is not a scary creature, the mysterious elements are not scary, there are no violent events, and there is a happy ending, I think this would be a great book to introduce older elementary children to the fantasy and mystery genres. Since it is not scary, the book “can be read to very young children who enjoy the exciting but reassuring adventures in books” (Short et a;, 214, p.129).

 My read-alike suggestions are The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne and Raining Sardines by Enrique Flores-Galbis. In TMH series, siblings Jack and Annie travel to other lands and times to fulfill magical missions for Merlin and Morgan le Fay (reimagined here as the librarian of Camelot). Magical elements are used sparingly, and only for good, while the evildoer is always stopped in the nick of time. In Raining Sardines, the setting is in rural, pre-Castro Cuba and a bit of magical realism is entwined into the story (hence the title). Enriquito and Ernestina are best friends with two secrets: they have befriended the island's wild Paso Fino population and have discovered buried golden treasure! When the town land baron destroys the mountain, the locals have used for centuries for crops and hunting, the ponies' way of life is threatened as well. Enriquito and Ernestina hatch a plan to keep their beloved ponies safe and use the treasure to help their downtrodden neighbors. 

Citations:

Flores-Galbris, E. (2007). Raining Sardines. New York: Roaring Books Press.

Mass, W., Stead R., Gannon, N. (2018). Bob. New York: Feiwel and Friends.

Osborne, M.P. 1992-2018. Magic tree house, book series. New York: Penguin RandomHouse.

Short, K.G., Lynch-Brown, C., Tomlinson, C.M. (2014). Essentials of children’s literature (8^th ed.). Boston: Pearson.

Title: Crenshaw

Author: Katherine Applegate

Genre: juvenile fiction, animal fantasy

Crenshaw is told from the point of view of Jackson, a fifth grader, who unfortunately knows what sudden illness, financial hardship, and homelessness can do to a family. Crenshaw first appears to Jackson when Jackson was in the first grade. Jackson’s family had just lost their home and had to live in their minivan for fourteen weeks before they could find affordable housing. Crenshaw brought comfort to Jackson who was mentally burdened by his family’s situation: “In any case, Crenshaw had excellent timing, He came into my life just when I needed him to. It was a good time to have a friend, even if he was imaginary” (Applegate, 2015, p.142). Crenshaw disappeared just as suddenly a few months later the same day that Jackson met his best friend Marisol.

Jackson has keen observation skills due to his desire to be an animal scientist when he grows up. Jackson uses these observation skills to eavesdrop on his parents who refuse to tell Jackson the truth of the situation. After a few years of hungry bellies and too-small clothes, Jackson recognizes the signs of more changes and instability: his parents fight more often and his parents use various coping mechanisms to hide the seriousness of the situation from Jackson and his sister, Robin. The last straw, in Jackson’s eyes is when the family sells off most of their possessions in a yard sale in a last-ditch effort to catch up on their overdue rent. At this point, Crenshaw pops into Jackson’s life again; he’s big, he’s back, and he’s got catitude! When Jackson argues with Crenshaw about the reality or unreality of Crenshaw’s appearance, Crenshaw assigns Jackson a mission:

“Meantime, you get to work.”

“…on what, exactly?”

“The facts. You need to tell the truth, my friend,”

“Which facts? Tell the truth to who?”

“To the person who matters most of all” (Applegate, 2015, 79).

I would classify this book as a mixture of realistic fiction and animal fantasy. Unfortunately, many children will be able to relate to Jackson’s perilous situation regarding food and shelter. Short et al., defines the animal fantasy as a genre where “the author will interpret the animal for the reader in human terms without destroying the animal’s integrity or removing it from membership in the animal world” (2014, p. 129). The fantasy aspect comes into play when Crenshaw shows up on the first page in a flashback scene. Although Crenshaw can walk, talk, take bubble baths, and do handstands, he still retains feline characteristics and sensibilities (chasing frogs and moths, referring to the family dog as an odorous beast, purring during times of contentment, etc).

This book contains themes of adversity (the family’s experience with homelessness, food insecurity, and lack of money), honesty (Jackson’s guilt for shoplifting food and his desire for his parents to be honest with him and Robin), and friendship (Jackson’s friendship with Crenshaw and Marisol). Crenshaw’s catitude and mild snark adds just enough humor and amusement to keep the story from being too depressing for young readers. The story is also more character driven so it would make a great bedtime, readaloud book or a book that a newly fluent reader could read on their own.

My readalike recommendations are Babe, The Gallant Pig by Dick King-Smith and Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. Both books contain talking animals contained in a realistic, human setting. I have only seen the movie version of Babe, but I remember it to be a cute and wholesome movie, perfect for young children. Charlotte’s Web contains similar themes of adversity (Wilbur needs to be saved from the chopping block) and friendship (between Charlotte, Wilbur, and the other farm animals).

Citations:

King-Smith, D. (1983). Babe, the gallant pig. London, UK: Gollanz.

Short, K.G., Lynch-Brown, C., Tomlinson, C.M. (2014). Essentials of children’s literature (8^th ed.). Boston: Pearson.

White, E.B. (1952). Charlotte’s web. New York: Harper & Bros.

Ella Minnow Pea

Title: Ella Minnow Pea
Author: Mark Dunn
Genre: satire, humorous fiction, book club

The events of Ella Minnow Pea take place on the fictional tiny island nation of Nollop (located off of South Carolina). Due to their semi-isolation, Nollopians take great pride in educating their citizens and expounding their feelings and thoughts vociferously through the written word. Nollop was founded by Nevin Nollop, who the citizens hold in high regard. He is respected (and worshiped) so much within this island nation that he is the subject of a statue decorated with tiles that spell out “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.” When the letter “z” tile falls off the Nollop statue, the island council interprets this mini tragedy as a sign from beyond the grave: Nollop’s grave. The city council believes Nollop’s ghost wants the use of the letter z banished from all written and verbal communication on the island.

Losing the letter z isn’t difficult but communication becomes hampered when D,O, and K, and a lot of other letters fall from the statue. To keep the banishment of these letters from all communications, severe punishment is enforced for using forbidden letters: public humiliation/punishment via stocks or public lashing, banishment, and even death! Of course, such sudden authoritarian rules changes the idyllic and peaceful nature of the island. Neighbors turn against neighbors, the library is closed, the newspaper is shut down, food becomes scarce and is rationed due to the declining economy, some island citizens immigrate to the United States to start over, teachers resign since they can’t teach effectively (can’t speak and teach about past tense without the letter D), and an underground postal service is created to circumvent the state-sanctioned surveillance. Since communication is hampered, letters between friends and family become shorter, certain words are substituted for others (for example: school becomes “learny-place”), and some people resort to pointing in an effort not to accidentally use a forbidden letter.

The book is told through letters between various characters. At the beginning of the book, the letters are very verbose, almost reminiscent of the educated writing styles of the 19^th century. As the events in the novel progress, the letters become shorter as writing is hampered and people self-police the words they use. While this is a satire on authoritarianism, the book does spotlight the dangers of censorship, unneeded government surveillance, and the importance of the freedom to communicate.

We Are Okay

Title: We Are Okay
Author: Nina LaCour
Genre: YA fiction, LGBTQ fiction, grief, depression, mental illness

**The following review was originally posted on a discussion board for my Children's Literature class**

My second YA pick for this week’s reading is We Are Okay by Nina LaCour, a character-driven novel told in chapters that alternate between the present and flashbacks. Our protagonist, Marin, is a college student hiding the grief over her grandfather’s passing that occurred unexpectedly two weeks before her freshman year of college: “I just appeared in the doorway two weeks after Gramps died. I stepped in- a stunned and feral stranger” (LaCour, 2017, p.3). Marin has somewhat successfully stifled her grief but it bubbles to the surface as anxiety attacks (“Slowly it comes…The sound and then faster-the sight of waves crashing in, pulling back, disappearing into ocean and sky. I open my eyes. It’s too much” [LaCour, 2017, p.5]) and past depressive episodes (“No one will know if you stay in bed all day” [LaCour, 2017, p.3]).

Marin has a love for literature-especially literature containing ghosts; this is probably since her mother died when she was a toddler and Marin’s mother remains a mysterious yet ghostly presence in Marin’s mind and identity. Mysterious because Gramps claims that all family photos were lost. While Marin wrestles with her grief, she must also contend with her feelings for Mabel, her former best friend who comes to visit Marin over their respective holiday breaks.

After the initial awkwardness wears off, the two girls discuss the painting The Two Fridas by Frida Kahlo. I felt this section of the book and the girls’ interpretation of it was a metaphor for Marin’s struggle with grief and the status of Marin and Mabel’s friendship: “The painting is how she described it, but there’s also more. Behind the two Fridas are storm clouds, gray-blue and white. ‘I can’t tell, I say, if the trouble is coming or if it’s passed and already left them’ “(LaCour, 2017, p.95). The conversation then shifts towards possible explanations of the two Fridas in the painting: self-identity, loss of self, and emotional connection, all while a literal snowstorm rages outside of their room (a metaphor within a metaphor?).

As the story slowly evolves, the reader finds out that while Gramps had been acting erratically and hiding a serious physical and mental illness, Marin and Mabel’s relationship unexpectedly turned from friendship to an illicit romance. The flashbacks climax with Marin’s discovery of her grandfather’s shrine to Marin’s dead mother (not everything was lost after all) and evidence that Gramps committed suicide by walking into the ocean.

The themes of We Are Okay are grief/loss, betrayal, family secrets, teen sexuality, friendship, mental illness/suicide. There are a few F-bombs sprinkled throughout the text and the mention of suicide and a sexual encounter makes this a book full of “sensitive topics.” Although some adults might disapprove of the content within this book, our lecture notes remind us that “many of our young people face these issues every day. It’s important that their perspectives are represented and that the collection reflect the needs and interests of all our users regardless of our personal views” (Carruth, 2018).

Since the YA I read is either happy fiction or dystopian fiction, I had to consult the Internet for help in finding read-a-likes for LGBTQ YA fiction that also centers around grief and loss. Thankfully, the Internet gave a me a few lists:

100 Must-Read LGBTQIA YA Books

The Latest in Realistic Fiction for Young Adults

11 YA Books About Grief and Loss to Make You Think (And Cry) in 2017

Citations:

Carruth, D. (2018) Introduction to materials for youth [Word document] Retrieved from https://vsu.view.usg.edu/d2l/le/content/1710195/viewContent/27688012/View

Doll, J. (2016, November 11). The latest in realistic fiction for young adults. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/13/books/review/the-latest-in-realistic-fiction-for-young-adults.html

Jarema, K. (2017, March 9). 11 YA books about grief and loss to make you think (and cry) in 2017. Retrieved from https://www.bustle.com/p/11-ya-books-about-grief-loss-to-make-you-think-cry-in-2017-43211

Kahlo, F. (1939). The two Fridas [Oil painting]. Museo de Arte Moderno, Mexico City.

Stepanuik, C. (2017, May 11). 100 must-read LGBTQIA YA books. Retrieved from https://bookriot.com/2017/05/11/100-must-read-lgbtqia-ya-books/

March by John Lewis

Title: March
Author: John Lewis
Genre: graphic novel, American history, Southern history, African American history, YA non-fiction, civil rights


** The following was originally posted to a discussion board for my Children's Literature class **

My first YA pick for this week’s post is March by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin. Aside from reading the Archie and Veronica comics as a kid, I can count on one hand the number of graphic novels I have read in my life. It’s one of the few literary genres that doesn’t appeal to me (the others are poetry and short stories), but I decided to give March a shot because a) I have heard rave reviews about it and b) like most things outside of one’s comfort zone, I figured it would be good practice for me to read something in unfamiliar territory. As a librarian, I need to be aware of the various genres (even the ones that are not personally appealing) since I will deal with patrons of various reading levels and reading desires.

Because I am not immersed in the graphic novel world, I was not aware that March was released in three separate volumes, so I would like to thank and applaud our classmate that posted a question about this for clarification. I would also like to thank our professor for allowing us extra time with this module. We were only required to read volume three, but I went ahead and checked out all three volumes from the library because a) I can’t stand reading books out of order (probably due to my Type-A personality) and b) reading all three volumes would let me experience the events in the graphic novels in proper context.

Volume 1 explains John Lewis’ childhood in Alabama, his college years, and how he became involved in local civil rights movements in Nashville. Volume 2 shows how the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) strategically desegregated department store lunch counters, fast food restaurants, cafeterias, and movie theaters. Once these places were successfully desegregated, the SNCC turned its sights on desegregating buses and swimming pools, and revamping employment practices. During this time, Lewis was privy to negotiations with RFK and worked with MLK on various projects. Volume 3 is the most intense of the set: it opens with the Birmingham church bombing that claimed the lives of four little girls. The novel continues with members of the SNCC traveling throughout the South spearheading voter registration drives and marches/stand ins at county courthouses. Sprinkled throughout the various protests and jail times are JFK’s assassination, internal strife with the SNCC and other African American groups, the Civil Rights Act, betrayal at the Democratic National Convention, Lewis’ life changing trip to Africa, Malcolm X’s assassination, and the historic march in Selma.

This graphic novel set was intense, even for me, a grown woman, but I did learn a few things. The march in Selma was a series of marches that had to be repeated due to various legal maneuverings. Also, despite all the hard work in setting up protest lines, marches, and voter registration drives, “By the end of the month, fewer than 60 people had even allowed into the courthouse to attempt to register—and every single one of them was rejected” (Lewis and Aydin, 2016, p.166). My impression was that during these protests and marches some African Americans were successful in registering to vote- only because the federal government made the state government cooperate. I also learned a lot of names that I will need to research later!

The themes in this set of graphic novels are courage, civil rights, American history, African American history, non-violence, equality, perseverance, and justice. Due to the triggering content, I would recommend this book for high schoolers and above (a mature middle schooler might be able to handle it. That’s up to the patron and his or her parent to decide). There are swear words and racial slurs scattered throughout the text (used by the angry mobs in various states against the protestors). There are two to three references to sex, mostly in volume 3, and there is lots of violence, individual violence and state-sanctioned violence. Although most high schoolers are exposed to swearing, sex talk, and, unfortunately, some forms of violence, Horning recommends that a book reviewer “mention potentially controversial elements ‘only if they warrant analysis as an important aspect of the work’” Horning, 2010, 175).

Since I am not an avid graphic novel reader, it’s hard for me to recommend any read-a-likes. I did read the Persepolis graphic novel (and watch the movie) for a world history class during my undergrad degree. Persepolis also deals with injustice, among many other themes. Since I lack in the literary recommendations, I’m also going to recommend an article by the Huffington Post (cited below), that lists six civil rights museums appropriate for children and their families, along with the movies Selma and Malcolm X. I believe these various resources are valuable supplements to one’s education about the Civil Rights movement.

Citations:

Bower, N., Colson, C., DuVernay, A., Gardner, D., Garnes, P., Kleiner, J., McCracken, C., McKeown, D., Morales, N., Pitt, B., Winfrey, O. (Producers), & DuVernay, A. (Director). (2014). Selma [Motion picture]. United States: Harpo Films.

Holmes, P.L., Kilik, J., Lee, S., Murad, A., Ross, M., Sulichin, F., Worth, M. (Producers), & Lee, S. (Director). (1992). Malcolm X [Motion picture]. United States: 40 Acres a Mule Filmworks.

Horning, K.T. (2010). From cover to cover: evaluation and reviewing children’s books. New York: HarperCollins.

Lewis, J. and Aydin, A. (2016). March. Marietta, GA: Top Shelf Productions.

Mahoney, M. (2017, December 6). Six civil rights museums your kids will never forget. Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/maura-mahoney/six-civil-rights-museums-_b_9351576.html

Decatur Book Festival

Book Club Gang. I like the sound of that!

So the book club I'm a part of took a "field trip" to the Decatur Book Festival yesterday. This festival, in its 13th year, takes places in downtown Decatur, a picturesque suburb of Atlanta. The DBF is the largest independent book festival in the country according to its website, and takes place across multiple venues and stages that are in walking distance of each other. In addition to the festival panels scattered across downtown, there are multiple vendors featuring authors, booksellers, local libraries, colleges, and food. The local shops are also open for visitors' perusal. It has been a goal of mine to visit this festival ever since I moved to Georgia (almost) nine years ago. It was so much fun and there was so much to see. There were so many interesting concurring panels that I had to rank my choices (which came in handy when one of my chosen panels reached room capacity before I could get there). There were a ton of vendors- I ended up walking around with my eyes glazed over at one point. I only attended one day but next time I visit the festival, I want to book a hotel room so that I can experience the festival all weekend! 

Festival banner hanging from the courthouse.

The first panel I attended featured Madeline Miller, author of Circe, a modernized, feminine retelling of Circe from Greek mythology. Miller discussed why she wrote Circe: the Greek epics were always male-focused and never explained why the female characters acted the way they did. Miller also explained the symbolism behind the transformation of Odysseus and his men into pigs (pigs were viewed as sacrificial animals in the ancient world not as unclean animals from the Judeo-Christian viewpoint). Miller also explained the hierarchy of the Greek gods and goddesses and told the audience that her book explains one way of how Circe defied the social hierarchy. 

Left: Madeline Miller (left) and moderator Alison Law; Right: Circe book cover

 The next panel I attended was actually my third choice for that hour but my #1 pick (about women journalists) had reached room capacity by the time I arrived at the Marriott Conference Center. Luckily for me, my #3 choice was located in the room next door. This panel featured Dr. Lydia Kang and her new book, Quackery: A Brief History of the Worst Ways to Cure Everything. Dr. Kang co-authored this book with a friend and they focused on treatments that were well-intentioned but horrible. Dr. Kang and her co-author deliberately stayed away from featuring known charlatans that peddled known (to them) false hopes and treatments.

Left: Dr. Lydia Kang (right) and moderator Maryn McKenna; Right: Quackery book cover

The third panel I attended, "In and Out of Focus: Character Identity in the Midst of Murder," featured Florida author Lori Roy and debut author John Copenhaver. Both authors discussed the basis for their protagonists, read an excerpt from their novel, and answered audience questions regarding their characters and writing process. (A note for my Florida readers: one of the subplots of Lori Roy's book, The Disappearing, involves the infamous Dozier School for Boys).

Left: left to right: Lori Roy, John Copenhaver, and moderator John Lemley; Center: The Disappearing book cover; Right: Dodging and Burning book cover

The last session I attended, "Women Take Charge in Sci-Fi," featured Malka Older and Lisa Yaszek. For some reason the room captain discouraged the audience from taking pictures even though photography was allowed at all the other sessions I attended. Malka Older discussed her Centenal trilogy set 60 years into the future in a world containing thousands of self-governing districts that vote on the type of governance they will follow. Lisa Yaszek's book, Sisters of Tomorrow: The First Women of Science Fiction, lists numerous women that contributed to the science fiction genre, but whose accomplishments are little known today. She also briefly discussed why women sci-fi writers took on male-sounding pen names (for example: economic pressures regarding two sources of income during the Great Depression). Lisa and Malka also gave the audience some reading recommendations!

Left: Lisa Yaszek; Right: Sisters of Tomorrow book cover

Malka Older and the covers of her Centenal trilogy

Well, after sitting through four back-to-back panels, I was ready for lunch. I bought a monstrously huge yet delicious falafel pita and walked and shopped through the vendor area. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, one of the main festival sponsors, had a public crossword puzzle with dry erase markers at their booth so that festival goes could exercise some gray matter while walking around the festival: 

After walking through the vendor area, I found my friends in the Decatur Public Library. While relishing in the air conditioning, I took a look around the library (librarians love to visit other libraries).

Exterior of the Decatur Library

Reference section on the second floor

The Decatur Library is hosting a temporary exhibit titled, "Books as Art: Pulp" and the exhibit is filled with numerous and unique pieces that make you wonder, "How did they do that?"

Our last stop of the day included looking through the children's bookstore, Little Shop of Stories. Although it is a children's bookstore, there is a YA fiction and a small section for adult fiction and nonfiction. 

The floor is made of pennies!

So, if you ever have the chance to attend the Decatur Book Festival- do it! And don't forget to support any small, local book festivals, book fairs, author signings, book stores, or literacy initiatives in your area too. Authors love and need your support!