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!