Season's Readings

 

So, I have a bit of a reputation for being a Grinch, and I am not going to deny that there may be some truth in this assessment. However, I do feel the need to defend my self. My heart is not two sizes too small, as one of my coworkers joked just last week. I do enjoy the holiday season: the snow, the decorations, the gifts, the food, even the music (at least some of it in moderation) etc. What makes me want to retreat to a hobbit hole is the excess and over the top extravagance that seems to grow bigger and last longer every year. As Alfred, the wise beyond his years janitor from Macy's, says: "Yeah, there's a lot of bad 'isms' floatin' around this world, but one of the worst is commercialism." I don't know if commercialism is actually the worst "ism", but it does suck the joy out of the holiday season.

I know that I started this post like a greasy black banana peel, so I'm going to move on to something that does fill me with holiday delight: Christmas books! After all, I am a mom and a children's librarian and nothing makes me happier than reading books to kids.

The first book that I am going to write about is actually better known as a movie, and it is in fact one of my all time favorite holiday films. You may be aware that I have an infatuation with anything and everything Jim Henson.

Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas is a less well-know work by Jim Henson, but is enchanting with humor, memorable music, and just the right amount of schmaltz. Even if you are familiar with the Henson version of Emmet Otter you probably do not know that the movie was adapted from an adorable picture book written by Russell Hoban and illustrated by Lillian Hoban that was published in 1971. I actually read this book and watch the movie with my kids every December and I love them both. I will say that Henson's adaptation has a bit of an edge over the book because you get to hear the fantastic music composed by Paul Williams. Music is still an important element of the book, but the jug-band tunes, and Marilyn Sokol singing Our World and Wheren the River Meets the Sea make the movie unforgettable.

The story is a sweet twist on The Gift of a Magi with the widowed Mrs. Otter and her son, Emmet, sacrificing prized possessions in order to give the other the perfect Christmas present. The Muppet version stays very true to the story written by Russel Hoban and and it is impossible to not fall in love with Lillian Hoban's charming denizens of Frogtown Hollow. There is even a second book set in Frogtown Hollow about one Emmet's jugband friends, Harvey Muskrat.
    If the style of Emmet Otter's Jugband Christmas and Harvey's Hideout look familiar, you have probably seen some of the other books created by the husband and wife team. The Frances series being the most well known. Although, the first Frances book, Bedtime for Frances, was illustrated by Garth Williams (illustrator of the Little House series) the remaining five books were illustrated by Lillian Hoban. After their divorce, Lillian Hoban went on to write and illustrate the Arthur easy reader series (Arthur the chimpanzee, not the aarvark), the Silly Tilly Mole series, and several other books for children. Russel Hoban switched to writing science fiction and fantasy for adults.

When it comes to reading picture books for storytime or to my own kids I have always preferred stories with humor. Two books that are always a big hit with the younger kiddos are Santa's Stuck by Rhonda Gowler Greene and Who Will Guide My Sleigh Tonight? Both books are silly with fun and colorful illustrations. You can probably guess the plot of each story from it's title and cover. Suffice it to say, little ones are sure to giggle as a family dog, the cat and all of her kittens, the reindeer, and even a mouse have to pull Santa out of the chimney when he eats too many cookies. Also, who doesn't want to imagine Santa trying to deliver toys around the world with a sleigh pulled by tigers, kangaroos, or even snakes.

For older kids, I absolutely adore the Pig the Pug books by Aaron Blabey.  I know that I have mentioned Blabey before, but he is also the author of the Bad Guys series which was recently made into a movie.

It is the most wonderful time of the year and of course to Pig the Pug that means presents and MORE PRESENTS. If you have read any of the other Pig the Pug books, you will not be surprised when Pig's greed lands him in a dangerous and rather painful predicament. As usual, Pig should heed the advice of Trevor, who wisely goes to sleep on Christmas Eve, happy to open whatever Santa brings. Pig's over the top and ridiculous behavior (he actually bites Santa on the bum) will have kids giggling and, perhaps, checking their own attitudes at Christmas time.

Another wonderful book about appreciating family and love during the holiday season  (that is a bit more serious than Pig the Elf) is The Broken Ornament by Tony DiTerlizzi. If you are a fantasy lover, you may recognize DiTerlizzi as the artist of The Spiderwick Chronicles (please, do not watch the movie, it is just bad) and the author and artist of The Search for Wondla series. DiTerlizzi is also incredibly well-known among nerds like me for his Dungeons and Dragons and Magic: the Gathering artwork. He also illustrated an absolutely gorgeous version of the 1930s poem by Mary Howitt, The Spider and the Fly. I digress, The Broken Ornament is about a young boy who is very excited to decorate for Christmas and his enthusiasm breaks an old ornament belonging to his mother. Not really understanding why his mother is upset, the boy just wants everything to be bigger, brighter, more sparkly. Suddenly, a fairy appears that is willing to grant his wish for the best Christmas ever, which has bigger trees, more snow, brighter lights, etc. When the fairy shows Jack why the broken ornament was so important to his mother, though, he realizes that the best Christmas is not about the having the most or shiniest of anything. As parents, I think we all strive to give our kids memories that they will cherish long past childhood and that is really what this story is about. Learning that the best memories are not about stuff, but about spending time with those we love. If you fall in love with this book, be sure to check out Diterlizzi's website where he has ornaments that you can print and cut out. There are also activities, wallpapers, and oodles of other goodies about his books and art. 

Before , I finish I want to mention a couple of fantastic Christmas chapter books that are perfect for reading aloud together. You may have heard of A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig since it was made into a Netflix movie a year or two ago. I actually have not watched the film adaptation so I cannot tell you whether that is any good, but the book is adorable. I read this aloud to my then five-year-old and he was completely enthralled in young Nikolas's journey to the North Pole to rescue his father. Luckily, Haig has written a few more wonderful stories about Santa Claus and Christmas to keep us entertained for a few years to come.  Haig's writing is charming and witty, like a wonderful cross between Lemony Snicket and Roald Dahl. Chris Mould's intricate illustrations make the books even more enchanting.

The last book I am going to recommend is a Christmas mystery/ghost story that will appeal to kids and adults. Part of what makes Greenglass House by Kate Milford so wonderful is a setting that could be straight from an Agatha Christie novel. The ramshackle inn high up above the smuggler's town of Nagspeake that requires a cable car to reach. Snowbound during the Christmas break with a number of quirky and mysterious guests, it is up to Milo to discover everyone's secrets.  This is the perfect book to snuggle under a blanket and read next to a cozy fire. 

If you celebrate Christmas and have little ones (and not so little ones) to read with this December, I hope that I have given you some fun books to read together. 

Happy Holidays!

Oceans of Possiblities (and Books)

If you are a regular patron of your local library, or have been in the past, you are probably familiar with the summer reading program. Every summer libraries across the nation decorate, plan parties, book performers, and purchase oodles of prizes to encourage kids, teens, and adults to keep reading books and visiting the library.  Since 1987 the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) has connected libraries and librarians across the country so that we all use the same theme, slogan, and artwork for our summer programs. The CSLP provides tons of valuable resources for the consortium including unique artwork created by a renowned illustrator. For example, Jarret Krosoczka, Brian Lies, Brian Pinkney, and Scott Nash have been artists behind previous year's themes.

This year the theme is Oceans of Possibilities and the artwork was created by the Sophie Blackall.

I admit that there are years when I love the theme, the artwork, and the direction that the CSLP provides as far as planning. And then there are years when I feel constrained and unsure what to do. This year has actually been a lot of fun since there are so many interesting and fun things that you can do with the theme of oceans. Our library has made jellyfish in water bottles, mini coral reefs, sea glass candle holders, decorated with paper mache fish and paper bowl sea turtles. It has been so much fun and our patrons of all ages have been delighted. 

Ok, I have talked about themes and artwork, blah, blah, blah, but this post was meant to be about books. Specifically books that pertain to the 2022 theme, Oceans of Possibilities. As the librarian responsible for crafts, programs, displays, and storytimes it is always nice when the theme is fun and easy to promote. The theme, Oceans of Possibilities, brings to mind oodles of entertaining books for all age levels.

Let's start with picture books, since I have been planning ocean-themed storytimes for the past month.

I think it is important to always include the classics so I could not even imagine the summer without reading Mister Seahorse and A House for Hermit Crab by the preeminent author and illustrator, Eric Carle.
Yeah, I am pretty sure that I have mentioned Eric Carle picture books more than once. Come on, though, Eric Carle is a genius, and these books are not only beautifully illustrated, but they are also informative. How many children know that it is male seahorses that actually carry and deliver babies or that hermit crabs grow out of their shells and then look for new ones. These stories are also easy to translate into storytime crafts which is always a bonus. My storytime kiddos decorated their own hermit shell crabs and sea horses with markers, puff balls, glitter, sequins, foam stickers, etc. I always enjoy seeing the variety, how all the kids go about doing the craft in completely unique ways. 

I am pretty sure that I have mentioned having boys with a penchant for carnage in picture books. Honestly, I am not sure whether I should encourage this or not, but here are a couple of books that made my blood-thirsty six year old bust out laughing. If your little one will get upset by animals eating other animals you should probably steer clear of Ugly Fish. Also, if you are offended by the word bum or bothered by the idea of piranhas wanting to eat bums than I would definitely not check out the Blabey book. The majority of kids, though, (at least those that I have encountered) delight in the absurd and will be rolling on the floor laughing at both of these books. Blabey, who is the author of The Bad Guys juvenile series and also the

Pig the Pug picture book series, is a master at appealing to children while also giving them opportunities for a good giggle. Brian, the Piranha tries to encourage the other Piranhas to embrace his vegetarian diet. Eventually, they are willing to try fruit, but ultimately decide that "bum" is still better. 

Ugly Fish by Kara Larou is hilarious story about a ugly fish (who would have guessed) living in a fish tank that loves his solitary life until new fish appear. I don't want to give anything away, but Ugly Fish learns that company can be a fun thing, and then, not so much.

One of my favorite new author and illustrators is

Einat Tsarfati, I only recently became aware of Tsarfati's books (I just happened to see one in a bookstore) and I am so happy that I found them, especially considering this year's summer reading theme. Tsarfati is a brilliant artist whose illustrations contain wondrous detail that accompany her equally delightful text. It Could Be Worse has been my go-to-book for reading to my elementary class tours that would usually claim to be too old for a story.  In this story two shipwrecked sailors are floating along in the ocean on what is left of their ship. Albertini is, understandably, upset about their situation, but George is an optimist and keeps reminding Albertini that things "could be worse". Of course, every time George says this things get considerably worse. Readers of all ages will be in hysterics as the two sailors deal with flying fish with diarrhea, tone-deaf mermaids, ghost pirates, hungry whales, etc.

The Sandcastle is another book written and illustrated by Einat Tsarfati. The book features characters from one of Tsarfati's other books, The Neighbors. In this story the young red-haired protagonist is enjoying a day at the beach with her parents and decides to build a sandcastle. Not just any sandcastle, though, a fantastical sandcastle of such enormity that kings and queens from around the world move in and hold elaborate balls, games, and feasts. As with all of Tsarfati's books, the illustrations are whimsical and intricate and you will want to have a copy in your hands so you can appreciate all of the magical details on each page.

I could probably go on for several more pages describing picture books about the ocean but right now I do want to mention a few ocean-themed chapter books. The Flooded Earth Trilogy by Mardi McCondrie is an exciting sci-fi, dystopian adventure with a climate change twist that is sure to grab middle grade readers. It is the not-so distant future and in order to address world-wide drought caused by climate change scientists developed a machine that resulted in the earth being flooded.The planet-wide flooding has resulted in the navy taking control of what is left of America, billions of refugees whose homes are now underwater, and countless pirates roaming the expanded seas. These are books that I will continue to recommend and hope that I can get kids to check out, because I loved it. The premise and characters are intriguing and appealing and once you read the first book you are going to be chomping at the bit to find out what happens to twins, Will and Annalie, as they search for their missing father.

The last book I want to mention is a historical fiction set in Europe during the aftermath of World War I. There are so, so, so many books about WWII and young readers (as well as teens and adults) are fascinated by holocaust. I have enjoyed explaining to my younger patrons that there was a first world war that did not include Hitler and it also historically significant. Voyage of the Sparrowhawk by Natasha Farrant  is about two children whose lives are in turmoil following WWI. Together they set across the English Channel and into France aboard a narrow boat called the Sparrowhawk.  Voyage of the Sparrowhawk is an exciting adventure that is sure to capture the attention of young readers.

I know that there are countless more books that I could include in this post. I didn't even make it to teen or adult books. That will have to be my next post, I guess.  Anyways, I hope that this post inspires you to read some new books that revolve around the ocean. OR at least fish since I just realized that I mentioned two books that have nothing to do with the ocean. Obviously piranhas are freshwater fish and Ugly Fish takes place in a fish tank. Oops.

Fine! I'll watch Ted Lasso!

 I have written quite profusely about the books and genres I love to read. When it comes to movies or television, it is much the same. I love anything science fiction and/or fantasy (I have watched and rewatched every permutation of Star Trek created), and beyond that I steer towards mystery shows. What can I say, I grew up watching Star Trek with my dad and Murder She Wrote with my mom and, BOOM, my life long watching habits were set. Seriously, turn on any episode in any season of Murder She Wrote and I can tell you who the victim and murderer are within the first five minutes. I should probably be embarrassed about that but any reader of this blog already knows that I am a complete nerd.

What I don't watch (or at least very rarely) are comedies. This  drives my drives my husband crazy when he just wants to watch something light and I suggest Criminal Minds, Picard, or that new show, Severance. He (my husband) is always talking about sitcoms and comedies that he loves and that I need to watch and I just smile and nod or sit for a scene or two and then go back to reading my book.

For the past year my husband has been gushing about Ted Lasso. It is one of the best shows he has ever watched, I will love it, I need to watch it, blah, blah, blah. I won't lie, I pretty much ignored him and forgot about it. Not that I am anti-sports, because I am an huge follower of professional tennis and there are some amazing sports movies that I have watched more than once. But a comedy about an American football coach that moves to England to coach a professional soccer team doesn't sound that interesting.

Well as famed author and family therapist, Virginia Satir, stated "Our biggest problems as human beings is knowing that we don't know."  Side note: If you have never heard of Virginia Satir, she is a fascinating person who was a child prodigy that taught herself to read at age three, but by the time she was a teen one of the few fields open to females was education. Eventually her interest in family dynamics led to her becoming an esteemed family therapist.

I know that I went off topic a bit there so back to television. My husband has been talking about the series, Ted lasso, for MONTHS!!!!! I am not going to lie, I probably started to say no out of pure stubbornness, but eventually I caved.  We had just finished watching the most recent season of Star Trek Discovery and he asked if I wanted to try Ted Lasso and I said "sure". Honestly, I figured I'd humor him by watching the first episode and then I would stop hearing about the weird soccer/football show.

You have probably already guessed that I ended up LOVING Ted Lasso and we watched both seasons in a single weekend. Before I tell you why Ted Lasso is so amazing let me give you a quick origin story. You may be surprised to learn that Ted Lasso began as commercial.  The character was co-created by actors, writers, and comedians, Joe Kelly, Brendan Hunt, and Jason Sudeikis and  then used by NBC sports in a series of videos in 2013 and 2014 to promote their coverage of the Premier League. The videos went viral, Sudeikis loved playing the character, fast forward several years of Hollywood wheeling and dealing, and Ted Lasso premiered on Apple TV on August 14, 2020.

 

 

 Now that you know how Ted Lasso began, let me get into what sets it apart from other shows. You've heard the term "feel-good" but I don't know if it has ever been more applicable then when used to describe Ted Lasso. The show should be a train wreck. Lasso is basically Pollyanna with a stache and you would think that alone would make it too unbearably saccharine to even watch. Sudeikis's performance of the persistently positive Lasso is nuanced and sincere. At first glance Lasso may seem to have rose colored glassed staple-gunned to his face, but the superb writing and Sudeikis's brilliant performance lead to a much more nuanced character. We see the cheerful, let's just "BELIEVE" and "we can do it" Lasso, but there is also the Ted Lasso who is heartbroken over the breakup of his marriage and suffers severe panic attacks. It is this earnest depiction of serious issues such as mental illness intertwined with the humor that takes Ted Lasso from mediocre to exceptional television. 

It takes more than a title character to make a show stand out, though. As phenomenal as Sudeikis is as Lasso, it would not be nearly as good without a fantastic supporting cast. First among these has to be Lasso's assistant coach (and one of the co-creators of the show), Brendan Hunt aka Coach Beard. Lasso's assistant football coach and best friend goes all in with Lasso and heads across the pond to coach soccer. Coach Beard's sardonic attitude is the perfect foil to Lasso's relentless positivity and the interplay between the two is delightful to watch. Almost as good as the dialogue is Beard's stoicism and sporadic delivery of side line wisdom and one liners. As a librarian (and a nerd) I love that Beard is this quirky dude who is always reading books and randomly demonstrating his vast knowledge of random subjects. This is probably a good thing, since Lasso is not up on the rules of football across the pond. 

                                                                                                                                                                          

I love the entire cast of Ted Lasso. Hannah Waddingham just won her first emmy for her role as Rebecca Welton, owner of AFC Richmand. Waddingham's character, who only became the owner of the team after a nasty public divorce is brilliant, funny, strong, and an amazing inspiration to all women who watch the show not just her goddaughter and Keely. I cannot express how wonderful it is to see a leading female character on television who is sexy, smart, and interesting who is not barely out of high school. Hollywood has a long tradition of allowing men to age and continue to land starring roles, while female actresses are relegated to grandma roles when they are barely over thirty. Ted Lasso actually shows two female characters who have relationships with men younger than them. Isn't it strange how the majority of people barely bat an eyelash when they see an older man with a younger female, but vice versa and we instantly question it. Ted Lasso really tackles this issue head on and  and celebrates women for their individuality and strength and intelligence. This isn't just  Rebecca, but extends to Keely, Mae, Julie Higgins, Jane, Dr. Sharon, Sassy, Nora, and even Phoebe.

 

Speaking of Phoebe, I can't write about the show Ted Lasso without discussing her uncle, the surly and foul-mouthed Roy Kent. Brett Goldstein, who won the best supporting actor emmy alongside for his role in Ted Lasso began as a writer on the show. After working on several scripts, Goldstein felt that he understood the character of Roy and was capable of bringing him to life. Luckily, Sudeikis and the rest of the casting crew agreed and Goldstein got the part, because it is impossible to imagine anyone else playing Roy Kent. I am not going to lie, Roy is my favorite character. He is sardonic, tough, and I already mentioned foul-mouthed. Underneath that rough exterior, though, he is a total softy as exhibited by his relationship with his niece, Phoebe. You know that I am a librarian and a sci-fy/fantasy nerd so my favorite scene is after Coach Lasso gifts all of the players with books and Kent receives A Wrinkle in Time. It seems like an odd choice until he is reading it to Phoebe and he realizes that Lasso wants Kent to be a better leader of the team. Wow, my bookworm heart melted into a puddle around my toes.

So, you may be one of those people that reflexively avoid Ted Lasso because of the Emmy wins, the hype, your nagging spouse etc. Don't give in to your inner contrarian! Watch Ted Lasso, I promise that you will not be disappointed. It is a show that will make smile, laugh, cry, and want to be a better human being.

Ban What?

Even if you are not an avid reader, you have probably heard news about the astronomical rise in book banning and challenges at school and public libraries.  These have occurred all over the United States, but one particularly egregious township council meeting took place not too far from me. Video of the Byron Township Council meeting was also shared on the Michigan Library Association website as an example of challenges to intellectual freedom.  Feel free to watch the video or read this news article about the meeting.

Can we all agree after watching the video that the Kent District Library director deserves an Oscar for his "Good Ol' Boy" way of talking to this group of primarily old white dudes.  To paraphrase: "If it were up to me we would probably just have Louis Lamour westerns and fishing books in the library, but we need to have something for everyone." I was shocked that he wasn't chewing on a wheat stem and wearing a cowboy hat. 

Let's move past political prowess, though, and take a look at this "trash" book that a college educated vet who was "no prude" found unfit for readers of any age. 

Check Please! is a graphic novel written and drawn by Ngozi Ukazu, who first started writing the story of Bitty when she was still a student Yale University. Originally from Houston, Ukazu had little exposure to hockey before attending Yale. It required a significant amount of research into both hockey and baking for Ukazu to publish the story of a gay former figure skater who receives a hockey scholarship and loves baking first as webcomic. The massive popularity of Bitty's story on the web resulted in one of the largest kick starter campaigns for a web comic ever to have Check, Please! published.

So, getting down to details of Check, Please! is it pornographic, obscene, or 'trash"? The quick answer is No. Yes, there is language. This is a story about college students, mostly male that are on a sports team. I don't know what high school and/or college the Byron Township Council members attended, but teens swear. I was a teenager, a college student, a mother of teens, and now I work with a lot of teens. Swearing is not abnormal. It makes teens feel grown up and like they are doing something "forbidden" without actually doing anything. Now, please do not think that I condone swearing or that I allow my teens or the teens at my library to stroll around dropping F-bombs left and right. There are rules of behavior, especially in public, where others may hear them, but swearing is often a way teens rebel and express their emotions and independence. Now the minute language becomes mean-spirited or derogatory that is a completely different story. Honestly, I question the members of the city council who seemed so preoccupied with the notion of kids reading swear words, but never mention the homophobic slurs hurled at Bitty by opposing teams at hockey games. As a parent, I would be far more upset if my child said something purposefully degrading about someone's sexual orientation, race, weight, appearance, etc. than them saying shit or damn when goofing around with their friends.

Please know that I am not trying to make light of anyone's aversions to cursing. However, this is a graphic novel recommended for readers in 10th grade or higher and the author is using language authentic to a group of college aged boys living in what is basically a frat house. If anything, the language is probably cleaner than what is typical in many college dorms, locker rooms, or fraternities. As far as the abuse Bitty endures (which I am sure is probably less than what many LGBTQ youth are subjected to) it is integral to the story.  If you are concerned read it with your child and talk about it together. Discuss the language. Why does it bother you? Have you heard other kids talk this way? What about the way some people talk to Bitty (or other LGBTQ people)? How does that make you feel?

Another issue with Check, Please! that came up in the council meeting is that drinking occurs in the story. Once again, I am not saying that I condone excessive drinking and I definitely don't want to say that underage drinking is acceptable. This is a book about college students, though, and many college students can legally drink. If you are worried, talk with your teen about alcohol, the dangers, the risks, and how to drink responsibly once they are over 21. 

The wonderful thing about books is that they can give adults an easy way to connect with kids about serious topics. If you read a book and than sit and talk about it together, it becomes a discussion of thoughts and feelings, rather than a lecture.

Now I am going to address the elephant in the room that was never brought during the council meeting. Would there have been the same brouhaha if Check, Please! was about a female freshman who loved baking and fell in love with a the captain of the hockey team? Probably not! Maybe a parent would have said that they didn't like the swearing, but they would not have spread copies of pages everywhere and taken it all the way to a council meeting. The recent tsunami of book challenges (which have only been about books that deal with race or LGBTQ issues-go figure) are about hatred and fear. 

Check, Please! and the sequel, Sticks & Scones, are both such fantastic stories of inclusion, friendship, love, and camaraderie. My soul aches when I think that people think it is garbage unfit to be read. You may raised an eyebrow during the meeting video when one council member claimed that a coach has a relationship with a player in the second book. That does not happen, and it was quite obvious that not a single one of those council members knew anything about these books other than there was swearing, parties, and two young men kissed (once, so hardly pornography). What I found so beautiful about these books was the love and support Bitty's teammates show him and Jack. The team doesn't care that that they are gay. All the team wants is for their friends to be happy and comfortable being themselves. Isn't that what we all want and deserve? 

I have not been in locker rooms with many hockey teams, or any sport team for that matter, but it saddens me to think that Check, Please! may not be as realistic that I want it to be. Unfortunately, there are kids every day that are too afraid to come out or ones that do and they are ostracized and tormented by people in their communities, schools, and even families. Everyone deserves to have a family and a "team" that loves and supports them. Just as every reader should be able to go to a library and find a book in which they see themselves. And every library needs to have books in which readers can step into the minds and lives of people who are different from them. It builds empathy, respect, and love that can only make this world a better place.

Nothing sums up my feelings more on this than a passage from the book In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner.

"You'll never regret a decision more than one you make out of fear. Fear tells you to make your life small. Fear tells you to think small. Fear tells you to be small-hearted. Fear seeks to preserve itself, and the bigger you let your life and perspective and heart get the less air you give fear to survive." 

So, what can we do about book challenges, the increased desire by some people to censor what kids read, and make our world smaller rather than larger. Well, first off. Pay attention to what is happening in your community and when you hear about groups wanting books taken out of libraries and schools speak up. Attend the library, school, or city council meetings and make your opinions known. I firmly believe that the vast majority of people support intellectual freedom, the need for diversity in books, and learning history even when it is ugly and makes us uncomfortable. Unfortunately, at most of the board meetings that deal specifically with book banning it is a very vocal few making the most noise. Let people know that you support your library and school and tell them about the positive impact reading has had on your life and the lives of your children and friends. 

The most important thing you can do, though, is READ MORE BOOKS! Go to your local library and check out books about all different types of people and places and if they are not on the shelves request them so the library will know that people want diverse collections. Jason Reynolds who is a fantastic young adult and juvenile author and also happens to be the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature said in a recent interview: “We need to make sure that they know, that we know that they’re in the world. That they have value”. Every child, teen, or adult no matter their race, religion, gender, sexuality, etc. deserves to see themselves as the hero of a story. Just as important, though, is for kids that are not part of a marginalized group to read books where kids not like them are the accurately and honestly portrayed. 

Lastly know that book banning, fear of the unknown, and vilifying what is different is nothing new. Below you can watch the book banning scene from Field of Dreams which came out in 1989. People have always feared change and what they don't understand and that leads to them wanting to withdraw and make the world smaller. Those of us that reading need to continue to stand up for the books.

Thumbs Up 2021

 This past year I had the honor of serving on the Thumbs Up committee. I am sure that most of you reading this have no idea what I am talking about, so I will give you a quick rundown. Each year the American Library Association selects the best picture book, juvenile chapter book, and young adult book. The names of these awards are probably more familiar: the Caldecott Medal, Newbery Medal, and Printz Award. You may be aware of these national awards, but even dedicated bibliophiles may not know that each state library association has their own literary awards. Michigan's youth literary awards happen to all be named after bad puns related to our state and its shape (which I happen to love because I am a massive dork). The picture book award is called the Mitten, the juvenile chapter book award is the YouPer (which is a play on young person and the U.P.) and the teen award is the Thumbs Up.

Since I have spent an entire year reading almost exclusively angsty teen dramas I thought that I would share a few young adult books that I particularly enjoyed. Now, these are not necessarily ones that will be on the committee's top ten, but these are the teen books from 2021 that I thought were exceptional.

1. The Life I'm In by Sharon G. Flake

One of the parameters of the Thumbs Up award is that a nominated novel cannot be a sequel. As you can see from the picture this book is a sister novel, but I can attest as someone who did not read The Skin I'm In that The Life I'm In stands alone. 

In The Life I'm In Flake expounds on the life of Char, a character who was a bully that tormented the main character of The Skin I'm In. We soon learn that Char is a teen who has been dominated by rage since the untimely death of her parents. Eventually Char's fighting and multiple school expulsions, Char's older sister and guardian (who is struggling to make positive life decisions too) decides that Char is going to go live with their grandmother. Angry and resentful, Char leaves the bus at a random stop and ends up in a city alone, uncertain, and desperate. This makes her easy prey to men who are skilled at manipulating and victimizing young women who are already vulnerable.  Despite trauma, brutality, and denigration, Char manages to hold on to her identity and find the courage to persevere.

I cannot overstate how compelling the writing ability of Sharon Flake is. Char is such a nuanced character that you like, dislike, sympathize, and weep for her all at once. In other words, Char is a real person that feels too much at times and cannot control it; she makes bad decisions and is forced to suffer consequences that are horrific. Ultimately, there is an innate goodness and strength in Char that cannot be eradicated and you as the reader you will become her loudest cheerleader.

When The Skin I'm In came out in 1998 it was a revelation about bullying, race, identity and how real teens felt and acted. Twenty years later Flake has been able to take the same characters and depict a current issue affecting youth. If you have turned on the news, read the paper, scrolled Facebook you have probably heard of human trafficking. And like most people, you assume that human trafficking is the movie Taken or a white panel van kidnapping teenagers out of the suburbs and selling them overseas. Victims of sex trafficking in the United States, according to the state department, are most minorities that are already at risk whether by being in the foster care system, runaways, or struggling in some other ways. Sex traffickers invest time and effort to convince their victims that there are no other options but compliance.

Flake shines a spotlight on a character who is a real human being who goes through hell and an manages to survive (without Liam Neeson taking out a super organized international sex trafficking cartel all by himself). Although Char escapes her abuser, Flake shows us that her recovery will be long and hard.

The Life I'm In will make you cry and possibly scream and want to throw things, but don't let that keep you from reading it. This is a powerful, punch-in-the-stomach book that should be required reading for anyone who claims to be concerned about sex trafficking.

2. Little Thieves by Margaret Owen

In Little Thieves Margaret Owen completely transforms the classic Grimm fairytale, The Goose Girl, into a fantastical adventure that I could not put down. Vanja's biological mother gave her to the Low Gods of Fortune and Death when she is only a toddler believing that 13th child of a 13th child would bring nothing but hardship and ill luck. Her adoptive mothers raise Vanja until the age of 12 when they place her as a servant at a wealthy estate where she exploited and horribly abused. Tired of being abandoned and victimized, Vanja is determined to live life on her own terms and that means becoming a thief. First of the identity of her mistress and then jewels of the ostentatious, yet insipid aristocracy. Can she avoid capture from a young investigator who sees through her lies or atone for her own greed? 

This is such an entertaining mix of fantasy, heist, Germanic mythology and lore. Thankfully, the author includes a glossary in the back and I found myself googling more than a couple German terms and legendary figures. The characters are well-developed, nuanced, and incredibly likable. Vanja's banter with Emeric and other characters can seem a bit implausible at times, (like watching the supposed teenagers on Dawson's Creek) but I still lapped up every word and loved it.  Honestly, it reminded me a bit of The Witcher. There are serious issues, action, monsters, death, blood, etc. but there is also a good amount of sardonic humor.

You do not have to be familiar with the original story of The Goose Girl to enjoy Little Thieves, but it is interesting compare Owen's interpretation to it. I particularly liked that she took the villain of the classic tale, the servent, and made her the protagonist. No, Vanja is not completely innocent, but striving to protect herself does not make her evil either. The true princess, Gisele, is an equally complex character. Yes, Vanja stole her identity, but Gisele was complicit in the abuse of Vanja and also wanted Vanja to take her place during the parts of her life she did not like. 

After reading so many young adult books this year that dealt with heavy, depressing topics, Little Thieves was a delightful respite. Owens does touch on serious issues of class and abuse, but ultimately Little Thieves is wonderfully entertaining. I also greatly appreciated that it was a complete. There is definitely for more stories about Vanja, Gisele, and Emeric but the book does not leave feeling unsatisfied. As a devotee of fantasy, it is nice to not have to commit to a multi-volume series.

 3. Rainbow in the Dark by Sean McGinty

How do I even describe this book? Drama, science-fiction, comedy, fantasy, surreal mishmash of everything? I think that part of the appeal of Rainbow in the Dark is that it defies definition and is completely unlike any other teen book out there. Rainbow (yes, that is the main character's name) is a lonely high school senior whose mother has dragged him and his brother to live in a crappy trailer park in a town that he hates. While looking for his brother, Rainbow finds himself walking through endless fog until he is in a completely different world that appears almost video-game like. Now, Rainbow must work with three other teens to complete enough quests to return to the real world. If the real world actually exists, because maybe the RPG world is reality instead of vice versa. 

It is not just the eccentricity of the plot that sets Rainbow in the Dark apart, though. The story deals with the very real and serious issues of depression and suicide without hitting you over the head with teen melodrama. Considering there are nearly 2 million kids aged 3-17 that have experienced depression (at least according to the cdc, other sources predict much higher numbers), it is so important that there are fictional books that make teens realize that they are not alone in their feelings of despondency, hopelessness, worry, etc. Rainbow in the Dark deals with these issues in a way that will appeal to readers that may not like realistic drama. Fiction can often make us feel like we are not alone and there are kids who Rainbow in the Dark will reach because it is unlike anything else and reading it makes them feel seen.

4. Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas

Has anyone not heard of The Hate U Give at this point? I sincerely hope that you have read it, because it is a spectacular book that is so powerful and important in the issues that it brings up. Concrete Rose is a prequel to The Hate U Give and it tells the story of Star's parents, mostly her father, Maverick Carter.

Concrete Rose was such an exceptional story that I think was actually better than The Hate U Give. There were lots of brief hints about Star's parents in The Hate U Give but I really enjoyed finding out more about their story. Of course, there is still some left out and maybe there will be another book forthcoming.

Most of us have heard headlines about "gang violence" on the news but do we understand it or what leads to so many kids joining gangs? With Maverick there is no choice really with his father being in prison and his cousin leading the King Lords. Being a King Lord is not just about legacy, but about protection and safety for his family. 

If you read The Hate U Give you know that Star has a brother barely a year older by a different mother. Now you find out the story behind Seven and his mother, Maverick's best friend, King, and the love of his life, Lisa. I don't know if there has ever been a young adult book written from the father's perspective. I do vaguely remember an ancient after school special starring Rob Lowe and Dana Plato but  that wasn't exactly well written. Concrete Rose is an exceptionally well-written story about a young man who wants to do what is right for his family, those he loves, and himself. Maverick makes mistakes and isn't always sure what to do and that just makes him all the more relatable as a human being.

5. Muted by Tami Charles

And we have another story about sex trafficking.  Muted is an incredibly unique novel that is told in verse, but please do not let that turn you off. Novels in verse are often hard sells to readers, but they be exceptional stories that are just as compelling as a narrative.

Muted is definitely has correlations to the R. Kelly news story that we are all now familiar with, but the author also pulls on her own experiences as a young girl trying to make it big in the music world. 

Since the story takes place in the music world, much of the story is relayed as lyrics written by the main character, Denver. Her (Charles's) lyrics are so hauntingly beautiful I wish that she had an album I could listen to. 

I wept multiple times reading this book and I am sure you will too. It is such a tragic, but understandable story. How many talented young women are there who dream of fame and recognition and are manipulated into sacrificing who they are in the hopes of achieving their dreams? 

Muted is one of those books that I could not stop thinking about for weeks after reading. It is that compelling and beautifully written.

6. In the Wild Light by Jeff Zetner

Jeff Zetner is the young adult author who I have an extreme love/hate relationship with. I love his books and his writing, but, my goodness, reading them shatters my heart into a thousand pieces. Zetner's latest novel is a coming of age story of two teens in rural Tennessee.

Cash and Delaney are more than just best friends. Their indestructible bond was forged by a shared background of poverty and addictive parents. When Delaney (an actual genius) makes a scientific  discovery that becomes news worldwide, she is offered a scholarship to an elite private high school. However, Delaney (who is neurodivergent) refuses to accept this opportunity unless Cash who is her touchstone in life can also attend. Cash loves Delaney and knows she needs to go this school but he also struggles to leave the grandparents that raised him after his mother's death. 

Throughout this story Zentner tells us how extraordinary Delaney is. She is a genius whose brain operates in unique ways and Cash needs to watch out for her. After reading this book, though, you will realize that Cash is also exceptional; in his love, loyalty, and kindness.

Every time I pick up a novel by Jeff Zentner I know that he is going to rip out my heart and wring it like a dishrag. In the Wild Light is no different, but I promise that the heartache will lead to hope and a staunch belief that there is far more good than bad in this world. That is truly the gift of Jeff Zentner. He can put words on a page that will leave you sobbing, but in the end you are mesmerized by the beauty of what is and can be.

7. Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

So, you may have already heard that Firekeeper's Daughter has won the Printz Award, which is the American Library Association award for the best young adult novel. It also won the William C. Morris award for best teen book by a new author, the Walter Dean Myers award for diverse teen literature, and it was an honor book for the American Indian Youth Literature award. 

An augmented crystal meth is killing indigenous people. Daunis Fontaine, half French and half Ojibwa, uses her knowledge of the local people, the area, and native culture and medicines to assist the FBI investigation.

Firekeeper's Daughter is a mystery, a thriller, a coming of age story, family drama, romance, and even a bit of a sports story. As a resident of Michigan I loved all of the local references because it made the story so much  more real to me. Obviously, by the number of awards and rave reviews this book has received you do not have to be from Michigan to enjoy Boulley's story. The story is a unique and in depth look into Ojibwa culture and history in Michigan's upper peninsula and also current issues that affect affiliated and non affiliated tribal members. Daunis is an 18 year old girl dealing with extraordinary circumstances and Boulley makes the reader feel her conflicting emotions concerning her friends, future, and the two vastly different cultures that she has been town between.

I have two complaints about Firekeeper's Daughter (or at least sort of complaints). First, I am not sure if this book should be classified as young adult. Speaking for my own library and of what I heard from several other libraries, this novel seems to be considerably more popular with adults than teens.  That could be how it was marketed, I know whenever anything has a Reese Book Club, Oprah Book Club, Jenna Book Club, etc. it instantly gets checked out by tons of women. (and definitely not teens). Considering the books deals with an 18 year old character who is straddling that line between child and adult I guess that it could be in either YA or Adult fiction.

My second complaint (and I feel like a crappy person even saying that because I have never written a book), is that I wish that Boulley had spread the topics in Firekeeper's Daughter over more than one book. This book takes on a lot of issues. Drug use, domestic violence, sexual assault, murder, indigenous history and current issues affecting the Ojibwa people, etc.  Some of the issues, particularly the sexual assault, felt rushed. I hope that Boulley writes another book that deals with these topics in more detail and depth.

Despite my concerns, and I don't necessarily see them as negatives, Firekeeper's Daughter is a stunning view into a culture that the majority of readers are probably unfamiliar with. For readers that are indigenous, it is a chance to see themselves in a powerful, exciting, and beautifully written story.

8. Bad Witch Burning by Jessica Lewis

This one may not be getting as much publicity as a few of the others in this post, but I thought that Bad Witch Burning was fantastic. The story has a spooky, supernatural plot (sure to attract teen readers) but Lewis interweaves the very real issues of poverty, abuse, and loss. 

Katrell Davis may only be sixteen years old but she has had to be the adult in her home for many years. In addition to her fast food job, Katrell relies on selling her unique ability to manifest ghosts for the grieving to pay for rent, electricity, and the groceries her mother's abusive boyfriend eats. When her power dramatically increases, Katrell cannot resist the temptation to use it to buy herself a few necessities and build up a nest egg. No amount of money can make Katrell feel secure, though, and her gift swiftly turns into an out-of-control curse.

 This is one of those stories where you know everything is going to go horribly wrong, but it will still keep you on the edge of your seat. I read this is one day and I thought that the storytelling and characters were fantastic. It was also wonderful to read a story for teens that had no romance in it. As a youth librarian, I have had a large number of teen readers request books that do not have romance or at least books where the romance is not a central theme. Relationships are an important part of Bad Witch Burning, but Katrell does not need a boyfriend or a girlfriend. She needs to discover who she can trust to support and love her even when she makes mistakes.

9. The Initial Insult by Mindy McGinnis

This is the first book in a duology and I cannot wait for the second book. If you are at all familiar with the work of Edgar Allen Poe you will probably recognize allusions to The Cask of Amontillado in The Initial Insult.

Once upon a time Tress and Felicity were best friends but following the death of Tress's parents the two a chasm separates the two teen girls. Years living in poverty with her abusive grandfather have made Tress bitter and angry. All of her rage is directed at Felicity, her former best friend who may have knowledge of what happened to her parents. Tress has spent years in misery plotting how she will not only get vengeance but also make Felicity tell what she knows about the night Tress's parents disappeared. A high school Halloween party in an abandoned house provides Tress with the perfect opportunity to enact her plan. However, everything goes horribly wrong when a panther escapes from Tress's grandfather's "white trash zoo".
 

Yes, you read that right, a wild panther. If I started out by telling you this story is narrated by three distinct voices, one of which is a panther you would probably be a bit reluctant to read it. I know that it sounds a bit strange, but I can attest that McGinnis has managed to not only make it work, but write an incredibly compelling story. The Initial Insult is a mystery, a thriller, a tragedy, and absolutely unique story that will suck you in.

The sequel to The Initial Insult, The Last Laugh, is due out in March 2022 and I am so excited to find out how everything turns out. What really happened to Tress's parents? Who is going to survive? What does Ribbit know and what will he do in a desperate desire to be accepted by the popular kids? Personally, I would wait till March and read both books back to back because waiting to find out what happens is going to be incredibly difficult.

 

10. This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron

Teens that were raised on Percy Jackson are going to love This Poison Heart for its unique take on Greek mythology. I love that Bayron gives us a different take on the story of Medea. When I was in high school the tragedy of Medea by Euripides was required reading, but who knows these days. Maybe teen readers will receive their first exposure to Medea in this book. I know that the story of Medea has always disturbed me. The fact that Medea allowed a man to steal her humanity and that a mother could commit such an atrocity because a man dumped her always made me angry. I confess that Bayron giving a new look at the myth of Medea gave me enormous satisfaction.

The story revolves around a teen girl named Briseis, (yes, from the Illiad or Brad Pitt's love interest in the movie Troy if you have not read the Illiad). Briseis, in The Posoin Heart, has a way with plants and I am not just talking about a green thumb. She can make them grow from seeds in seconds, is immune to poisons like belladonna, and trees, grass, flowers, etc. move and are drawn to her presence. Out of the blue, a lawyer arrives and informs Briseis and her adoptive mothers that she has inherited a house in a rural town in New York. The news could not come at a better time for the family that are struggling to pay the increased rent on the small flower shop they operate in New York City. Briseis is frightened and also excited about a fresh start where she may make friends and not have to rein in her power. In her new home Briseis unravels the mystery of her gift and heritage and a thousands of year curse that she must help resolve. 

I know that I mentioned with The Burning Witch that I liked that there was no romance. My one complaint about This Poison Heart is that the romance seems a bit tossed in as an after thought. It just seemed a bit sudden and unnecessary at least at this point. Maybe if the attraction had taken a bit longer to develop I would have been a bit more interested. Granted teens do fall in and out of love (or attraction) very quickly so maybe it is my old age complaining. 

Despite thinking that the romance was rushed I found This Poison Heart to be incredibly engaging and I am definitely anticipating the next book in the series, which is due out in June!