This Book Won't Burn by Samira Ahmed

5*

This is a timely and extremely uncomfortable book to read, and that’s what makes it so powerful. In a time when Fascism seems to be winning in our country and book banning is sharply on the rise, it’s so important for our teens to have a story like this that lays bare the extremism, racism, anti-LGBTQ language and violence perpetuated by the white supremacists who have been empowered by our country’s leaders. It speaks to how protest can begin with just one voice, one brave person committed to freedom and fairness by speaking out against the ugliness that has been exposed.

As a librarian, it hurts my heart to read a fictionalized account of what challenges our young citizens are being exposed to under the guise of “protecting our children.” Noor Khan is a role model for standing up for what is right, even if it puts her and her loved ones in harm’s way. If I were still working at the high school level, I’d not only buy multiples of this book, but would also work with students and colleagues to host an event to discuss the topic and actions students can take to fight against these bans. Highly recommended.

 

The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers

 

2*

Spoilers:




Sometimes a book can be really well-written, but it just doesn’t do it for me. The Book Swap is one such book. I struggled to get through it, hoping for the happily ever after that readers depend on in romances, but the longer I read, the less I liked the female main character, Erin. I thought both Erin and James were immature and so burdened by their traumas that it really stunted their emotional growth. They both dealt with mommy issues and the cancer death of their mutual best friend, but their utter lack of communication (vs. the tired miscommunication trope) and Erin’s selfish unwillingness to let James explain his actions and forgive him just annoyed me.

The premise of a romance building between two strangers who share ever-increasing parts of themselves in the margins of books found in a London little book library should have been a slam dunk for this romance-loving librarian, but the narrative was just too bogged down with grief, job dissatisfaction, James’s mother’s bipolar disorder, and Erin’s mom’s betrayal. As a former educator and parent, I really hated reading about James’s bullying, and couldn’t fathom why no adults in his life put a stop to it. They both should have been in therapy in their adolescence, another failure on the part of their parents. Even when Erin’s (ironically) psychotherapist sister forced her into therapy at age 30, it was clear that it wasn’t doing her any good in terms of her grieving and stubbornness in holding on to others’ past transgressions. Pretty much everyone in the book is either miserable or making others so. Bottom line, I just found this book depressing and, if I’m being honest, somewhat triggering. Speaking of, there should be trigger warnings for death, bullying, mental illness, and abandonment. Not recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Grayson House through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Jupiter Rising by Gary D. Schmidt

 

5*

I decided to re-read Orbiting Jupiter before reading this sequel, and it was just as heart-wrenching as I remembered. I recommend any reader do the same for context, but this can technically be read as a standalone since some of the background story of Jupiter’s parents is revealed. However, getting a greater sense of why Jack so desperately wants to keep Jupiter (his foster sister and Joseph’s daughter) close makes this story that much more poignant. Schmidt never shies away from highlighting how poorly children can be treated by parents who should love and protect them and how the government agencies that are supposed to safeguard abused children so often fail in their duty because of unscrupulous lawyers and the misguided idea that all efforts should be expended to keep them with their blood relatives.

In this story, Jack’s adopted parents fostered Jupiter’s father who was just 14 when she was born. Eventually, they began fostering her as well and are in the process of adopting her when her maternal grandparents, who ignored her for the first three years of her life, decide to fight for custody. At the same time Jack has to worry about losing her, he’s also paired by his coach with one of Joseph’s former bullies, Jay Perkins. As they spend every weekday afternoon running the roads of their small Maine town, they start to grudgingly build a friendship and Jack finally learns why Jay was so angry at Joseph. I couldn’t help but hope that Jack wouldn’t suffer the loss of anyone else he loves. Schmidt writes achingly beautiful coming-of-age stories that highlight just how strong young people can be when faced with some of the worst of humanity. Be sure to have tissue ready! Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Clarion Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

We Contain Multitudes by Sarah Henstra

3*

Update:

I initially gave this book 5*, but after reading multiple 1* reviews in which the reviewers mentioned the age difference, the rape scene towards the end of the book, and the fact that a straight white woman shouldn't be writing a book about a young gay (or gay and bi) couple without vetting it with members of the queer community, I knocked it down 2 stars. I still feel it's well-written and has a lot going for it, but I acknowledge that I am, in fact, a straight, older woman who can't subjectively evaluate it and apologize for even trying.

Initial 5* review:

In this epistolary YA novel, Jonathan (Jo) Hopkirk and Adam (Kurl) Kurlansky are assigned as pen pals. With each letter exchanged, an unlikely friendship develops between openly and proudly gay Jo and bad boy football player Kurl that eventually grows into love. However, as the vicious bullying of Jo escalates and devastating family secrets are revealed, will their love be strong enough to survive? Henstra has gifted us with a gut-wrenching, heart-warming, and ultimately hopeful story about the challenges gay teens face and the scars and wounds they carry that can either strengthen or destroy love. It is a love letter to the lost art of letter writing and to Walt Whitman’s poetry which is the thread that binds their relationship. Kurt’s affirming journey from a taciturn, angry young man to a thoughtful and expressive writer is noteworthy.

As an advocate for LGBTQ+ teens, it warms my heart to read so many new YA romance titles with queer protagonists. At a time when the queer community is fighting to protect its rights and vulnerable teens are dealing with increased depression, bullying, and suicide, they desperately need to have books that provide assurance that they are not alone and that their love is honored and celebrated. I encourage all librarians and others working with teens to share this book and use it as a vehicle to spark conversation between queer and straight kids because, with knowledge comes understanding and acceptance.


I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

The Next to Last Mistake by Amalie Jahn

5*

Tess Goodwin, Iowa farm girl, lover of cows, chess player, and best friend to Zander, the boy next door, is blindsided when her father re-enlists in the military and moves the family to Fayetteville, North Carolina. She worries that she’ll lose her relationship with Zander despite his assurance “You’re always gonna be a part of my life, even if you’re no longer a part of my days”, that she’ll be all alone without him acting as her “relationship liaison”, and that she won’t be able to adjust to a bigger school in an unfamiliar place. When she sees the casualty count billboard on the base at Ft. Bragg (“incentivizing the practice of staying alive”), her fear for her father’s safety is actualized. On her first day of school, she meets Leonetta who, along with new friends Alice and Summer, helps Tess navigate the racially and economically-diverse landscape that her homogeneous town in Iowa didn’t prepare her for. As she stumbles and apologizes for unintentional microaggressions, she builds the first real female friendships she’s ever had and realizes that mean girls exist everywhere. Through letters and phone calls, she also comes to accept that her love for Zander is more than platonic. Is there hope for the two of them becoming more or will distance and time tear them apart?

This is an exceptional YA novel that breaks from the normal tropes and, instead, focuses on healthy friendships, sweet romance, and the strength and support of a loving family. Romance, though present, isn’t the main focus. At its heart, it is the story of platonic love between friends. Jahn uses blond, blue-eyed Tess’s friendship with two African-American girls to highlight the issues of racism, “voluntary isolationism” in peer groups, and white privilege without becoming preachy. By using first person and liberal dialogue, she easily invites us into her characters’ lives. And when tragedy strikes, our tears are inevitable. Highly recommended for libraries serving teens.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Light Messages Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.