YA Shelf Talk

RE:  The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna      I chose to read The Gilded Ones because the novel has themes of patriarchy and feminism and because the main character/protagonist is a Black young woman, which is not often the case in most novels and films.  Summary The Gilded Ones is a story set in the fictional kingdom of Otera, where young women must participate in a blood ritual at sixteen years old to determine their purity. The protagonist, Deka hopes to pass the test of the ritual in order to be accepted by her village and marry; however, her blood runs gold instead of red so she is declared impure and sentenced to death. In her imprisonment she is repeatedly killed but always wakes up alive and healed. A mysterious woman, Deka refers to as “White Hands” ends up coming to the prison to recruit her to train and fight in the army known as “alaki.” During her training, Deka learns more about Otera’s hidden history and forges allies that help her determine whether...

  Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe     I thought Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe was such a heartwarming novel that tackled the theme of friendship--more specifically young men coming of age--so beautifully. The story follows two Mexican-American teenagers as they build their new friendship while navigating their identities, family life, and adolescence. The plot begins with the two main characters, Ari and Dante meeting at a public pool. At first, they seem like opposites but soon find many connections and commonalities. The story is an intimate look into a friendship between two boys, which is a breath of fresh air in a world where society pushes false ideals about what it means to be a "man." by Benjamin Alire S á enz Published 2012 Genre(s): Young Adult(YAL)Novel, realistic fiction, and bildungsroman/coming-of-age 359 pages     I chose to add Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe to my read...

     T he Black Flamingo  by Dean Atta has the capacity to challenge perspectives, invite meaningful discussions, and help student reflect on their own identities--and I think it might encourage all three beautifully. This novel-in-verse follows Michael, a mixed-race gay teenager in London, as he navigates questions of identity, self-acceptance, and belonging.      The novel was published in 2020 and is 403 pages. The novel is in verse so it's a quick read--at least I turned pages fast as I enjoyed learning more and more about the main character, Michael's, upbringing, coming of age, and ultimately becoming himself so beautifully.      I chose the read the Black Flamingo because this graduate course is also a way for me to explore the lives--fictional and real--of those who I'm not necessary similar to. But I find myself, over and over, finding connection even with the people I initially think I may have nothing in common with. Like Mich...

The Poet X  by Elizabeth Acevedo; a novel-in-verse, 357 pages      This may be my most favorite read--book 9, thus far, as I continue through the graduate course that requires this blog and the YAL reading stack. As a woman, I could identify with the main character's struggles with body image--along with the double standards for the feminine body and excuses of society for objectifying women. I also felt her struggle with her mother's expectations of her in how I might be projecting too rigid expectations on my own daughter as she begins adolescence.      Xiomara is a 15-year-old girl in Harlem, New York, who is struggling to find her voice amidst her family's strict expectations and her own desires. She lives with her parents, Mami and Papi, and her twin brother, Xavier. Xiomara's journey begins when she is forced to enroll in a Catholic confirmation class as she questions her faith and place in the world. She also writes about the leather journal her...

    The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater is an investigative report that chronicles the lives of two adolescents leading up to a traumatic event that takes place during the eight minutes they are on the same commuter bus through Oakland, CA.  Genre: YAL, Narrative Published 2017; 305 pages Awards and Recognitions Stonewall Book Award, 2018 California Book Award Gold Medal Beatty Award Green Mountain Book Award, 2019 Rhode Island Teen Book Award, 2019 Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor           The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater is a nonfiction book that tells the true story of two teenagers from different backgrounds whose lives intersect in a tragic and life-changing moment. Sasha, a white, nonbinary teen, and Richard, a Black teenager from an inner-city neighborhood in Oakland, briefly cross paths during the eight minutes on the 57 bus route. In a reckless and impulsive act, Richard sets fire to Sasha's skirt, causing severe burns and devastating legal conseque...

code name verity Tidbits Author, Elizabeth Wein Published 2012 332 pages Historical Fiction Edgar Allan Poe Award (2013) for Best Young Adult Novel (YAL) Michael L. Printz Award honor (2013) for Excellence in Young Adult Literature (YAL) UK Literacy Association Award, 2013 Novel Summary     Code Name Verity is a story that takes place during World War II and follows two young women serving in the British army. The bulk of the novel is framed as a written narrative confession by Verity, who is captured by the Gestapo in Nazi-occupied France. They believe she is a spy. Her account highlights her friendship with Maddie, the pilot who flew her into France. The plane crash-lands in enemy territory and Verity believes that Maddie is dead. Verity continues to write confessions and details of her and Maddie's time prior to the the crash.     The very cool aspect of the story--and Verity's written confessions --is the clever deception and coded messages she weaves throughout...

Summary     I chose to read Thomas's The Hate U Give because the novel goes beyond the character's inner challenges to see how our created systems can distort our perceptions and influence our paths and decisions. The Hate U Give explores these systems through the main character, Starr's narrative of recent events that put her at a crossroads with her identity, friendships, and family.  Published: 2017 Genre: urban fiction Pages: 464 Notable Awards & Recognitions ("notable" because this novel received so many awards and recognition since its publication) Coretta Scott King Book Award (2018) Goodreads Choice Award for YA Fiction (2017) National Book Award Nominee for Young People's Literature (2017) Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction (2017) Canegie Medal Nominee (2018) There are so many!...More can be found here:  The Hate U Give Awards & Recognition Teaching Considerations As with all of my previous posts, I suggest educators use sensitivity an...