The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind by Meg Medina

Grades 5 and up--

Rooted in folklore with hints of mystery, magical realism and young love, The Girl Who Could Silence the Wind by Meg Medina tells the story of a small town that believes that one of their own has the power to change their futures, but for her, the pressure has become too much and she has to make a decision to

Intended audience:

According to Medina’s site, she aimed to write a telenovela style story for kids of all ages. I would say more specifically upper elementary students, boys and girls, Spanish speakers.

Audience to whom it may appeal: I think that the novel may appeal to kids and adults alike, those who are interested in a coming of age tale with a few twists and turns. It may also appeal to those interested in learning about magical realism and perhaps those interested in studying the Spanish language.

Strengths: The time and place of the tale is obscure enough that it could be anywhere at anytime which lends it to a unique experience for each and every reader. Its timeless themes of  family, perseverance and love make for a relatable read for all types of readers.

Weaknesses:  While the obscurity of the setting may be enjoyable for readers with strong imaginative skills, some might find the lack of descriptive language hard to picture and follow. There is a sprinkling of Spanish phrases throughout the novel that might discourage readers with no prior knowledge of the language or cultural practices.

VERDICT: An allegory for finding the balance between family and following your heart, this novel would be an excellent addition to an elementary or middle school library for students seeking a story with soul.

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass

Grades 7 and up--

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass is both the title and the first line of this intensely true and moving novel about Piddy Sanchez, her relentless bully and everything else in between.

Intended audience: Middle school and high school students of all races, religions, genders and socioeconomic situations. Note: I feel very confident with these specifics as I heard them from Meg Medina herself at the NCTE conference.

Audience to whom it may appeal: I think this book has the potential to read a vast audience of all people 12 and up. The age old tale of the bully who picks on those smaller and destroys everything in her/his way has been updated for a modern, technological age and this time it’s with girls. I found Piddy’s story to be extremely foreboding, yet brutally honest and accurate to my experience teaching young people.

Strengths: Meg Medina has done her research. The interactions between the characters are so realistic and relatable and the modern references are spot on. The characters are well constructed and interesting and the novel doesn’t resolve itself in a neat little bow, which I found refreshing.

Weaknesses: There were a few sexual references that I found took away from the overall style of the novel, and the prose is more straightforward than poetic, but these were well outweighed by strengths.

Special considerations: This book has great potential as a resource in an anti-bullying program as young as middle school. I think the fact that story revolves around a lower-class Latina, also provides great fodder for discussion about gender and cultural stereotypes.

VERDICT: Yes, your library should have this book. Yes, my library should have this book. Middle school and high school libraries should stock at least 5 copies of this book at any given time. A great opportunity for a small group of kids to read it together or a few teachers to check it out and do it as a read aloud. This is a story that needs to be told and this book is the perfect way to tell it.

Awards and Recognition:

• 2014 Pura Belpré Award
• 2014 International Latino Book Award, Best Young Adult Fiction/English
• 2014 Américas Award Commended Title
• 2013 Junior Library Guild 2013 Selection
• 2013 YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults
• 2013 Kirkus Best Books for Teens
• 2013 School Library Journal Best Books

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

Grades 9 and up--

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews tells the story of Greg an amateur film maker who is stuck (yes, that’s how he describes it) making frequent hospital visits to girl from his school who’s recently been diagnosed with leukemia. Witty and awkwardly funny in many parts, crude and inexplicable in others, I’m still working out my emotional response to this book.

Intended audience: Being that this has got to be one of the strangest books i’ve ever experienced (it was definitely more than a read, it was an experience), I am not 100% sure I know the audience for whom it was intended, but I think high school boys. Girls may have been considered, but definitely not as the core audience.

Audience to whom it may appeal: I can see this book appealing to both high school age boys and girls, and perhaps also the 18-25 range for young men. Though this might be stereotypical (okay, it’s flat out stereotypical), I found a lot of the humor quite crude and a bit offensive and feel other females might have a similar reaction.

Strengths: The unique structure of the book as a film script makes for a quick and interesting read. It is also written in the second person, where the narrator speaks directly to the reader, which has an odd effect. I liked that it was different than many YA novels I’ve read in that regard.

Weaknesses: Like I mentioned previously, the crude humor could be taken down a notch for a more universal readership, and the young narrator is extremely self-deprecating throughout the entire book, which I believe sends a negative message to young creative minds. There is also quite a bit of potty humor and a plethora of curse words with no limit on F-bombs.

Special considerations: This book was made into a movie, which I have yet to review.

VERDICT: I think the unique format of the book and the fact that it has been made into a movie, make this a book with few competitors in its vein. That said, I think a single copy of this book would suffice in a high school library. Though it might offend the first few who page through it, given the right student, a real connection could be made. And that’s the ultimate goal, right?

Meanwhile by Jason Shiga

Grades 6 and up--

Let me start off by saying, I'm not really a graphic novel person, nor am I into choose-your-own-adventures. However... Meanwhile by Jason Shiga is BOTH of these things and was SO MUCH FUN to read. While I'm a person who loves a long novel with character development for days, I can absolutely see why someone (anyone, really!) would want to pick up this book.

In this extremely interactive graphic novel, Jimmy starts out on a seemingly ordinary afternoon, in search of an ice cream cone. But this is only the beginning. Once you choose chocolate or vanilla, the adventure really begins. Each choice leads you to a new page, new characters and new adventures. While one page might just take you home for a nice relaxing evening, another might give the opportunity to use a time machine or a "killitron" (read to find out more).

The beauty in this book is in its cleverness - it literally took almost 10 years to publish due to the complex nature of the structure! The comics are bright and accessible, once you figure out how to read it! You could read this book in 10 minutes or spend an entire weekend exploring its many possibilties.

VERDICT: A must-have in middle and high school media centers, it has an extremely wide appeal to young and old, male and female, as well as high and low readers. (Though I might include a how-to-read guide along with it.) Also - though the pages are thick, this particular book requires a lot of tender care to ensure the tabs (and thus story) stay intact!

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

Grades (mature 8th) and up--

To the loners, who feel they can do no right and feel awkward wherever they find themselves: read this book. To the popular kids, who everyone thinks fit in everywhere, but aren't sure themselves: read this book. To the little sister who hates being compared to her older brother and the older brother who wishes he could be as innocent as his younger sister; read this book.

Whoever you are, read this book.

I'll Give You the Sun is the story of Noah and Jude, twins who have always been extremely close but as teenagers suddenly find themselves ripped apart by the secrets they aren't willing to share.

The story goes back and forth between their voices-Noah, who has started to have "left out butter" feelings for the boy next door and is constantly painting in his head, and his sister Jude, the more verbose, wilder, surfer.

 I fell in love with Noah immediately because he shared his "Invisible Museum" of paintings that gave mei nsight no other character was privy to. And then I loved Jude, for her (sometimes unwanted, but always present) protection of her brother and her desire to live her life out loud.

The raw emotion of the characters plus the quirky, yet beautiful writing style of Jandy Nelson that blurs the line between figurative and literal language made me long for the end of the day when I could snuggle up with these characters and hear more of their story.

VERDICT: This book should absolutely grace the shelves (and displays!) of all high school media centers. The characters are relatable, genuine and also realistically flawed.  Given some of the language and sexual references, I would say it would be less appropriate in a middle school setting, but it could be the right fit for the right kid...

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

Grades 7 and up--

As cliche as "ripped from the headlines" sounds, this book is just that. And it is excellent. I cannot say enough positive things about this novel. The story of a brutal interaction between a police officer and a teenager is told through the eyes of two boys: one black, one white. One is a witness, the other a victim. I couldn't take myself away from this book. It followed me for weeks after I put it down in the same way news of similar stories has haunted us in recent years. I do not want to give too much away, but I think this fictionalized version of an all-too-familiar tale is absolutely worth the time, teens and adults alike.

Although the intended audience may be teenagers, I think this book could appeal to a variety of individuals young and old, teens and those who parent or work with them. The strength of the book comes in its rawness and realistic portrayal of recent events. It also shows multiple perspectives which is crucial for addressing such a difficult issue. The only weakness I noticed was the lack of female characters, but this issue does more often affect young males, so it is understandable that they played smaller roles.

VERDICT: This book is a must-have for all middle (7+) and high schools. Its relevance and quality create that rare book that has the potential to build bridges.

Awards: Coretta Scott King, 2016

Shadowshaper by Daniel Jose Older

Grades 6 and up--

This novel was unlike anything I've read before. It is part realistic fiction, part spirituality narrative, part fantasy, part romance, the list goes on. 
Sierra is an admirable, witty heroine. She talks a mile a minute, paints stunning murals in the city late into the night and has a family secret that she can't quite figure out. For some mysterious reason, her elderly abuelo (grandfather) who hasn't spoken in months starts muttering "lo siento" (I'm sorry) and Sierra wants to know why. Her adventure takes her into a “thrilling collision of artistry and spirituality” (47) that shows young women can be just as powerful as men in any realm. I found myself admiring Sierra for her courage and laughing as she and her friends dealt with every day teenager angst alongside issues of life and death (think Hunger Games or Divergent with a spiritual twist). VERDICT: I think this magical book would make a great addition to any middle or high school media center. It has the power to grab the unsuspecting reader and hold on for the ride, meanwhile exposing him or her to issues worth discussing: race, identity, family, culture, art, heritage, and the power of art to transform relationships.

Seventeenth Summer by Maureen Daly

Grades 6 and up--
I had hoped that Seventeenth Summer would be like a dusty treasure found in an attic that contains lost wisdom of the ages.

Let's just say my hopes were left unmet. As a lover of literature, I hate to say it, but getting through this book was a struggle! I know that this novel was well received when it was released and I am absolutely in awe of a 17-year-old who can write and publish a novel, but I couldn't stand it! When I began reading, I knew there was bound to be more than a bit of teen angst and overly pliable female characters, so I wasn't surprised to read lines like "Friday and Saturday limped on" and "The next day meant nothing, because I didn’t see Jack at all," but I was nonetheless disappointed in the character's lack of agency in the novel. I can't help but to wonder how my perspective would shift if I had read it at the time of publication. Would I be in awe of how openly she spoke of her affection? Would she be more brazen than other girls her age? I can't imagine it, which is a shame. VERDICT: A single edition of this book in a media center or library would do. It would provide a resource of "back in the day" YA literature and be a fascinating historical text for reference in a social studies classroom. For pleasure reading, not so much.

Enjoy the covers through the ages...