Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky

Pages: 243
Intended Audience: Teens and mature tweens
Genre: Real life
Notes for Parents: Deals with some mature issues concerning a transgendered sixth grader.

The Inside Cover

Grayson Sender has been holding on to a secret for what seems like forever: “he” is a girl on the inside, born into the wrong gender’s body. The weight of this secret is crushing, but sharing it would mean facing ridicule, scorn, rejection, or worse.
Despite the risks, Grayson’s true self itches to break free. Will new strength and support from unexpected places be enough to help Grayson step into the spotlight she was born to inhabit?

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is the author’s first novel.

What’s good?

This is a compelling story about a sixth grade boy struggling with his desire to be the girl he knows he is. This book is a quiet celebration of differences, addressing the issue of gender at the age when it’s most relevant– puberty—without getting into the subject of sexuality. Characterization is well done. Grayson is a courageous and sincere character with insecurities that give us a real sense of his inner struggle. The supporting characters—mainly his aunt, uncle, cousins, and schoolmates—are realistic and varied in their levels of support and fear.
Best Part: The skirt in the second-hand store sounds awesome!

What isn’t good?

As this is intended for middle grades, the story stays pretty simple. The majority of the conflict is internal, with only bits of action. There isn’t a lot of depth to the secondary characters, although some still manage to play a vital role. I kept forgetting that Grayson was just a sixth grader because the atmosphere felt more high school level most of the time.
Worst part: Nothing is terrible.

Recommendation þþþþo

I’ve been consistently impressed with the high quality of books aimed at middle school students. Many would say it’s brave to address the issue of transgender children, and indeed LGBT issues continue to be under represented in middle school literature even though this is the age when many of these issues tend to surface.
This is an unpretentious journey of self-discovery and acceptance. I found it to be engaging and authentic. Definitely recommended.

Polonsky, Ami. Gracefully Grayson. Los Angeles: Hyperion, 2014. (Hardcover)

Nnewts: Escape from the Lizzarks by Doug TenNapel

Pages: 185
Intended Audience: Tweens
Genre: Graphic novel / Fantasy
Notes for Parents: Contains some violence and scenes that may be frightening to sensitive readers.

The Back Cover

Herk, a lovable Nnewt, longs for stronger legs, something his mother and father wish they could give him. When his quaint village is attacked by the reptile Lizzarks, he’s forced to flee his home and leave behind the only life he’s ever known. Now, all alone and on the run, Herk navigates a dangerous world filled with strange creatures and mysterious wonders, where friends are few and an evil overlord is in hot pursuit.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is the first book in a series. Besides being a graphic novelist, Doug TenNapel is an animator, television producer, and video game designer.

What’s good?

This is a quick read that’s full of bold graphics and interesting characters. The story is quirky and energetic, with plenty of action and adventure. The main character, Herk, is a well-drawn and likeable hero. Pikk and his mother just come in at the end of the story but promise to be delightful supporting characters in volumes to come. Besides some heart-pounding action, there were a few poignant moments, as well as some exciting mysteries that will likely extend over the period of the series.
Best Part: “I’m a nudie-butt!”

What isn’t good?

The story doesn’t flow very well. Several parts felt disjointed and the plot kind of jerked around a bit. I found myself confused by what was happening – sometimes because the graphics wee too bold, sometimes because the dialogue was too vague, and other times because things happened so quickly (like resolutions!) that I missed it. Some of the quirkiness borders on ridiculous.
Worst part: Transitions.

Recommendation þþooo

I enjoyed the characters, especially Herk, his knife-weilding mom, Pikk, and Pikk’s mom, and there’s definitely some interesting mysteries that will carry over the series. However, overall, I found the story difficult to follow. I’m sure this book has an audience, but I don’t feel it’s strong enough to earn my recommendation.

TenNapel, Doug. Nnewts: Escape from the Lizzarks. New York: Graphix, 2015.

Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

Pages: 599
Intended Audience: Teens and up
Genre: Supernatural thriller/romance
Notes for Parents: Coarse language, scenes of violence, some mature themes

The Inside Cover

Darcy Patel is afraid to believe all the hype. But it’s really happening—her teen novel is getting published. Instead of heading to college, she’s living in New York City, where she’s welcomed into the dazzling world of YA publishing. That means book tours, parties with her favorite authors, and finding a place to live that won’t leave her penniless. It means sleepless nights rewriting her first draft and struggling to find the perfect ending…all while dealing with the intoxicating, terrifying experience of falling in love—with another writer.
Told in alternating chapters is Darcy’s novel, the thrilling story of Lizzie, who wills her way into the afterworld to survive a deadly terrorist attack. With survival comes the responsibility to guide the restless spirits that walk our world, including one ghost with whom she shares a surprising personal connection. But Lizzie’s not alone in her new calling—she has counsel from a fellow spirit guide, a very desirable one, who is torn between wanting Lizzie and warning her that…believing is dangerous.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is literally a novel within a novel, written by the award-winning author of The Uglies series.

What’s good?

One story is a dark and tense paranormal romance-thriller, while the other story is a somewhat satirical look at young adult writing and the publishing world. In Lizzie’s world, the plot is strong, with intense – even scary – moments intertwined with some mystery and romance. The world-building is wonderful and the characters are interesting. In Darcy’s world, the pace is steady and the plot is more subdued with subtle humor that explores the complexities of New York’s young adult writing scene.
While Lizzie’s tale could have stood alone, Darcy’s story is finely woven into the “novel within a novel,” creating a comfortable ebb and flow as Darcy tackles rewrites, romance, finance, and maturity. Best of all, Darcy’s story makes fun of typical YA devices while employing them at the same time.
Best Part: The answers each author gives to the question, “Which of the five elements of a story do you think is the most important? Plot, setting, character, conflict, or theme?” (Page 370)

What isn’t good?

It’s difficult to say what isn’t good because the bad parts may have been intentional. The instant love that occurs between Darcy and Imogen, and Lizzie and Yamaraj, is typical in YA romances and referred to as such in Darcy’s story. [However, I like how in the second half of the book, each relationship changes and becomes less typical, strengthened by themes of trust and integrity.] I was disappointed that the “death cult” wasn’t explored more, and yet that was even mentioned by a fan at Darcy’s signing. Ironically (intentionally?), the parts of Lizzie’s story I didn’t like were all pointed out in Darcy’s story.
Worst part: Imogen’s novel. (Again, this may have been intentional!)

Recommendation þþþþo

I dreaded reading this 600 page mammoth of a novel until I read chapter one. It was outstanding! Which ironically we learn to be the reason why Darcy’s novel sold to a publisher so quickly. This was a clever parody of the publishing business, young adult novels, and coming-of-age stories. I fear, however, that only those with an interest in writing and publishing will get any real joy from it. Recommended, but especially for those who would appreciate the satire.

 

Westerfeld, Scott. Afterworlds. New York: Simon Pulse, 2014. (Hardcover)

The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen by Susin Nielsen

Pages: 243
Intended Audience: Mature Tweens
Genre: Real life / Grief / Bullying
Notes for Parents: Some very mature themes are touched upon, like severe bullying, murder, and suicide. While most of the book is appropriate for tweens, some subject matter may be too much for sensitive readers.

The Back Cover

There was no description on the back, so I adapted this one from chapters.ca:
Thirteen-year-old Henry’s happy, ordinary life comes to an abrupt halt when his older brother, Jesse, commits a horrible act of violence. The family is shattered and is forced to resume their lives in a new city, where no one knows their past.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

The story is about Henry starting at a new school, struggling to make friends, trying to figure out how to deal with his feelings about his brother, and also deal with his parents’ broken relationship. This book was the winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award and CLA Book of the Year for Children Award, and a finalist for CBA’s Young Readers’ Book of the Year.

What’s good?

This quick and easy read is about coping and resilience following trauma. The very heavy subject matter is handled beautifully with generous amounts of both humor and compassion. Henry, the vulnerable but optimistic (and extremely likeable!) main character is surrounded by strong but lovingly flawed supporting characters. I especially enjoyed Farley, the son of affluent, but absent, parents who lives with his nanny in a mansion. This is a well-written story that effectively illustrates the power of perspective when trying to understand the actions and motivations of others.
Best Part: Robot Voice

What isn’t good?
I didn’t like Alberta. She wasn’t a very likeable person, but more importantly, I don’t see how her involvement with Henry and Farley influenced the story. She didn’t make the story bad, I don’t understand the point of her being there.
Worst part: I put off reading this book for a long time because the cover made it look like a book for boys (there’s a cartoonish wrestler on the front). I was so wrong!

Recommendation þþþþo

I don’t know how the author managed to write a humorous, heartwarming story dealing with bullying and an intense family tragedy, but she did. I enjoyed the characters, and especially Henry’s journey. Definitely recommended.

Nielsen, Susin. The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen. Toronto: Tundra Books, 2012.

I Love, I Hate, I Miss My Sister by Amélie Sarn

Pages: 146
Intended Audience: Teens and Mature Tweens
Genre: Grief/Culture
Notes for Parents: Violence; extreme religious views

The Inside Cover

Eighteen-year-old Sohane loves no one more than her beautiful, carefree younger sister, Djelila. And she hates no one as much. The two have always shared everything. But now, Djelila is embracing her life as a secular teen, and Sohane is becoming more religious.
When Sohane starts wearing a head scarf, her school insists that she remove it or she’ll be expelled. Meanwhile, Djelila is repeatedly harassed by neighborhood bullies for not following Muslim customs. Sohan can’t help thinking that Djelila deserves what she gets. She never could have imagined just how far things would go.
In the year following Djelila’s tragic death, Sohane struggles with her feelings of loss and guilt, revealing a complex relationship between two sisters, each girl’s path to self-discovery, and the consequences they face for being true to themselves.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

Translated from its original French, this novel was first published in France under the title Un Foulard Pour Djelila (A Scarf for Djelila).

What’s good?

Short and easy to read, this is a compelling tragedy about two Muslim sisters growing up in France. The plot is simple but emotional, presenting a realistic sibling relationship and the challenges each girl faces as they try to balance social pressures with a desire for self-expression. The two sisters are beautifully drawn characters, both convincingly sincere in their need to be authentic.
Best Part: The irony of Sohane being kicked out of the meeting.

What isn’t good?

As always, a short and easy read results in a story that lacks depth. All the focus is put on the sisters, so the supporting characters get little attention. The events at the school regarding Sohane wearing a head scarf are skimmed over quickly and even the neighborhood lacks exploration, giving no true explanation as to why the neighborhood bullies have such a problem with Djelila.
Worst part: Too short.

Recommendation þþþþo

I would have loved a longer, more in-depth examination of the attitudes and events that led up to the tragedy, and I would have liked to witness more of the aftermath. However, this brief but poignant tale is skillfully unpretentious and effectively gives us a glimpse of the bravery and risk involved in publically expressing your true self.

Sarn, Amélie. I Love, I Hate, I Miss My Sister. New York: Delacorte Press, 2014. (Hardcover)