An authentic and sincere expression of young people’s anguished yet optimistic outlooks.
Young writers share stories inspired by their experiences of life during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ten Washington, D.C., residents in their late teens and early 20s collaborated to produce short fiction pieces, organized chronologically and divided into the four seasons, that reflect upon the events of 2020. Noted YA author and National Book Award finalist Candice Iloh’s foreword speaks to the impact of lockdowns on creative people and how these stressors show up in this volume that offers readers the experience of “holding a collection of hope in your hands.” Each piece is deeply influenced by the writer’s personal history, and their narratives focus on both human connection and systemic inequities. Struggles are balanced by support from friends and family: The underlying threads of “love, trust, understanding, joy, and community” shine through. The contributors’ backgrounds reflect the diversity of the city and add depth to the portrayals in stories that feature positive resolutions while not shying away from exploring relationship woes, a friend’s suicide, mental health concerns, confusion, fear, uncertainty, grief, and protests against police brutality sparked by the killing of George Floyd. A common theme is new gratitude for how things were before and all the normal times that now feel so distant. Illustrations by five artists include gray-tone drawings and simulated social media posts tracking the progress of the pandemic.
An authentic and sincere expression of young people’s anguished yet optimistic outlooks. (sources, about the authors and illustrators) (Anthology. 13-18)Pub Date: April 4, 2023
ISBN: 9781950807550
Page Count: 308
Publisher: Shout Mouse Press
Review Posted Online: Feb. 14, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2023
Bound to be popular.
A suddenly trendy trope—conflict and romance between members of conquering and enslaved races—enlivened by fantasy elements loosely drawn from Arabic tradition (another trend!).
In an original, well-constructed fantasy world (barring some lazy naming), the Scholars have lived under Martial rule for 500 years, downtrodden and in many cases enslaved. Scholar Laia has spent a lifetime hiding her connection to the Resistance—her parents were its leaders—but when her grandparents are killed and her brother’s captured by Masks, the eerie, silver-faced elite soldiers of the Martial Empire, Laia must go undercover as a slave to the terrifying Commandant of Blackcliff Military Academy, where Martials are trained for battle. Meanwhile, Elias, the Commandant’s not-at-all-beloved son, wants to run away from Blackcliff, until he is named an Aspirant for the throne by the mysterious red-eyed Augurs. Predictably, action, intrigue, bloodshed and some pounding pulses follow; there’s betrayal and a potential love triangle or two as well. Sometimes-lackluster prose and a slight overreliance on certain kinds of sexual violence as a threat only slightly diminish the appeal created by familiar (but not predictable) characters and a truly engaging if not fully fleshed-out fantasy world.
Bound to be popular. (Fantasy. 13 & up)Pub Date: April 28, 2015
ISBN: 978-1-59514-803-2
Page Count: 464
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Jan. 9, 2015
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2015
Despite some missteps, this will appeal to readers who enjoy a fresh and realistic teen voice.
A teenage, not-so-lonely loner endures the wilds of high school in Austin, Texas.
Norris Kaplan, the protagonist of Philippe’s debut novel, is a hypersweaty, uber-snarky black, Haitian, French-Canadian pushing to survive life in his new school. His professor mom’s new tenure-track job transplants Norris mid–school year, and his biting wit and sarcasm are exposed through his cataloging of his new world in a field guide–style burn book. He’s greeted in his new life by an assortment of acquaintances, Liam, who is white and struggling with depression; Maddie, a self-sacrificing white cheerleader with a heart of gold; and Aarti, his Indian-American love interest who offers connection. Norris’ ego, fueled by his insecurities, often gets in the way of meaningful character development. The scenes showcasing his emotional growth are too brief and, despite foreshadowing, the climax falls flat because he still gets incredible personal access to people he’s hurt. A scene where Norris is confronted by his mother for getting drunk and belligerent with a white cop is diluted by his refusal or inability to grasp the severity of the situation and the resultant minor consequences. The humor is spot-on, as is the representation of the black diaspora; the opportunity for broader conversations about other topics is there, however, the uneven buildup of detailed, meaningful exchanges and the glibness of Norris’ voice detract.
Despite some missteps, this will appeal to readers who enjoy a fresh and realistic teen voice. (Fiction. 13-16)Pub Date: Jan. 8, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-06-282411-0
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: Oct. 14, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 1, 2018
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