Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett

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It has been too long since I last posted. I’ve been reading less young adult lately. But here is a good one. Jenn Bennett knows how to write teen romance with well developed characters, a strong sense of place and swoon worthy moments. Serious Moonlight is a great read to enjoy while sheltering in place. Her settings make me feel like I am not stuck at home, but wondering around Seattle with Birdie and Daniel. Birdie lost her mom at age ten and was homeschooled by her protective and overbearing grandmother. Daniel has his own secrets. Both are relieved to meet a person who does not have preconceived notions about them and a hookup ensues. Birdie leaves the scene, mortified only to discover that Daniel works at her new job. The job she hopes that will prove to her recently widowed Grandfather that she is a responsible adult. Birdie loves a good mystery and is a sleuth herself, hoping the famous hotel where she works as a night desk clerk might give her a mystery to solve. Daniel discovers a famous mystery writer has strange comings and goings on the celebrity, high income client floor. They investigate together. Birdie is embarrassed by their hookup but is still drawn to him. I love how their relationship unfolds. Bennett’s male characters are always decent human beings. Which is a nice switch from the brooding, disappointing types that often show up in novels for teens. She is also unapologetic about her female character’s sexuality. Her characters are safe and nothing tragic happens to them. Birdie’s Aunt Mona has a very healthy take on Birdie’s experience with Daniel. It is refreshing and great advice. Aunt Mona is a delightful character. The hotel, diner, island, Mona’s movie theater home and hippie commune are also well developed characters in the book. This was a perfect escape read. Fans of Bennett will be thrilled. I’ll be reading Chasing Lucky next.

Some ideas for discussing with teens:

Discuss Birdie and Daniel’s first encounter. How would you have handled it?

How would Birdie’s life have been different if she was raised by her mother? How would that have changed who she is?

Discuss Birdie’s relationship with Aunt Mona. Her relationship with her grandfather.

What is appealing about Daniel?

Discuss Daniel’s family. 

What are your thoughts about the octopus. What does the octopus represent to you? 

Discuss what happens between Birdie and Aunt Mona’s boyfriend. 

Pick some mystery quotes from the beginning of the chapter. Discuss what they mean to you. 

Discuss how Birdie processes her feelings about what Daniel shares about his past. 

Discuss second and even third chances. 

Discuss narcolepsy. 

Discuss this passage, “Missing people is hard. Letting new people inside is harder.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jackpot by Nic Stone

Nic Stone’s latest novel is about friendship and classicism. Rico’s family which consists of her mother and brother, is struggling. Rico works at the Gas ‘n Go to help make rent and provide basic needs. They live in a well-to-do suburb so Rico and her brother, Jaxon can attend schools that will give them the best chance. On Christmas Eve, Rico has an encounter with a woman who buys lottery tickets. Because Rico assists her the woman gives one of the tickets to her. Rico remembers some of the numbers used on the other ticket. That evening when she watches the lottery drawing she realizes the woman may have won because some of the numbers were the same. One of the winners came from her store but never comes forward. The only other person to see the woman who purchased the ticket is a wealthy, handsome football player from school named Alexander aka Zan. He is the type of person that Rico assumes doesn’t know she is alive. Rico also knows that Zan got in trouble at his last school for being a hacker. She enlists his help to find this woman, hoping that the woman will be so grateful that she may possibly share the winnings. During the course of the adventure, their friendship grows and develops into something deeper. This is confusing for Rico because she had herself convinced that she liked being invisible. She didn’t have time for friends and was too focused on helping her family survive. Her friendship with Zan makes her want more and she isn’t sure how to handle that. The subject of money and her lack of it are always top of mind. She wonders how can she possibly continue this relationship. What will is cost her in the end. This is book written for teens but adults will enjoy it too.

Some ideas for discussing with teens:

Rico works to help support her family. Maybe you do the same or know someone who does. If not, how do you think this would impact your life?

What do you think of Rico’s mother’s decision not to use public assistance. What would you do in her shoes?

Both Rico and Zan feel trapped by their circumstances. How are their situations different and how are they the same?

What do you think of Rico’s initial future plans? What would you do in her situation? What would you do in Zan’s situation?

Discuss their friendship. What do you think they find appealing about each other?

What was your reaction to the location of the lottery ticket? Why did Zan do what he did? Would you be able to stay friends with him?

Discuss Rico’s dinner at Zan’s house.

Discuss Rico’s relationship with Jess. How are they different? How are they the same?

All Of Us With Wings

All Of Us With Wings is an atmospheric novel for fans of Francesca Lia Block. It is magical realism at its best. Xochi is 17 years old and a governess of a child of rock stars. She lives in a sprawling home in San Francisco with Pallas, her parents and their band mates. Pallas’s parents Io and Leviticus are not “together” and the house mates are free to love each other. Xochi and Leviticus have an instant attraction to each other which makes things complicated for Xochi. Her background with her flighty mother and her long string of past men made for a less than idea childhood for her. There is something in her past that is traumatic although we won’t know what it is until the end. One night Pallas and Xochi play by creating a witchy brew in Pallas’s giant bathtub. They end up summoning ancient creatures who want to punish those who have hurt Xochi in the past. This story unfolds in a dreamy, eccentric manner. I loved the feel and style of the story and its beautiful characters. From the huge mansion to the streets of San Francisco, the setting is also a big part of the story. A cat which becomes a central storyteller weaves his way through the characters, tying them together and is able to see the ancient creatures for what they are and what they want. If you are a fan of magical realism, this book is a great read for you. It is one of my favorites of 2019.

Some ideas for discussing with teens:

What were your first impressions of Pallas?

What did you think of the moment where Pallas saw her mother through the hidden passageway?

Discuss how Xochi came to be Pallas’s governess.

Discuss the relationship with Xochi and Leviticus and the other members of the “family” that live in the house.

How would you have handled the relationship with Leviticus if you were Xochi?

Discuss the concept of magical realism. Discuss the creatures that Xochi and Pallas summoned.

Discuss what happened with the creatures and Evan and Xochi’s mother.

Discuss the cat, Peasblossom. How did he help move the story forward?

What do you think will happen next with Xochi?

Fantastic new novel from Printz Honor winner, Jessie Ann Foley

I’m a huge Jessie Ann Foley fan.  A new book from her is always a gift.  I loved her Neighborhood Girls and The Carnival At Bray.  Sorry For You Loss is a story that is just as wonderful.  Pup is the youngest of eight children in an Irish Catholic family in Chicago,  He lost his brother, Patrick a few years ago.  His family is still reeling from that loss in different ways that are not always obvious to each other.  Pup’s brother Luke has a drinking problem and Pup feels he constantly needs to cover for him.  Pup is part of a grief support group at his school.  That is where he meet Izzy, the object of his unrequited crush.  Pup is also struggling in his art class and his photography project is the only thing between him and failure,  This is the story of Pup dealing with the painful impact of losing his brother, his feelings about girls and discovering a new talent he didn’t know existed.  Jessie Ann Foley is a master at creating a cast of characters I root for and I enjoy following their journeys.  After I read the moment with Pup and Patrick’s baseball hat, I had to put the book down and cry.  This is a great book for both teenage boys and girls.  It has appeal factors for both.  Adults will love it too.  This is a summer book you won’t want to miss.

Some ideas for discussing with teens:

Discuss Pup’s relationship with Izzy and Abby.  How are they different?

Discuss the photograph he took of Luke on the roof.

Discuss Pup’s relationship with his older sister-moms and his near perfect cousin.

Discuss how the author uses art elements to separate the sections of the story.

Discuss when Abby says, “I’d already figured out that here in America, people have trouble meeting you where you are. They have to bend you to become whatever they already know.”

Discuss this passage, “Sometimes Pup thought he loved Izzy because loving her felt the same as loving Patrick; a love that went unreturned, unnoticed, a dark wall that absorbed your light but never returned it.”

Discuss Pup’s relationship with Luke and this passage, “He was so used to covering for Luke, it no longer really even felt like lying.”

Discuss Pup’s moment with Patrick’s baseball cap.

Discuss when Mr. Hughes says, “Life itself is one long personal problem.”

Discuss, “In Flanland, what you have to do is steal a brand-new green bath mat from the linen closet and hope that it provokes a fight. And then hope the fight will start a, like, real conversation.”

Discuss how Pup’s siblings and parent dealt with Patrick’s death in different ways.

Discuss the phrase, “sorry for your loss.”  What could you say instead?

National Book Award Winner, Elizabeth Acevedo Serves Up A Worthy New Novel.

There is always high pressure when a National Book Award Winner publishes their next book.  Elizabeth Acevedo’s With The Fire On High is a worthy follow up.  Emoni is a senior.  She lives with ‘Buela and her two-year-old daughter.  She got pregnant her Freshman year in high school and has balanced raising her daughter and helping to support her grandmother, all while trying to plan for the future and stay in school.  Emoni has a magical talent for cooking.  It is intuition that drives her so when a culinary arts class is a possible elective, Emoni is thrilled.   However the class comes with a trip to Spain that she know she cannot pay for.  With The Fire On High has a vivid cast of characters, from Emoni, her outstanding grandmother, her absent father in Puerto Rico, her adorable daughter, her vivacious friend, Angelica,  her not so helpful ex and the new boy with the dangerous dimpled smile.    I loved this book.  It is an authentic immigrant story with a strong female heroine.  I was rooting for Emoni to chase her dreams throughout the story.  One of my favorite moments were the experiences she had working with the chef in Spain.  Emoni is also smart enough to learn from past mistakes.  She is rightly cautious with her heart.  I highly recommend this enjoyable read for teens and adults.  I can’t wait to see what Acevedo dishes up next.

Some ideas for discussing with teens:

Discuss how Emoni named her daughter Emma.  When she wanted her daughter’s name to sound less like hers so Emma could have more opportunities.

Discuss when Emoni says, “When people from different neighborhoods first meet me, they wonder why I don’t fit certain modes.”

Discuss when Emoni says this about her neighborhood, “This part of Philly has one of the highest crime rates in the city, or at least that’s what the newspaper reports.  They call us part of the Badlands, but when you stay here, you know there’s a lot more goodness than is reported in the news.”

Discuss “Where we come from leaves it fingerprints all over us, and if you know now to read the signs of a place, you know a little more who someone is.  Anyone who wants to get to know me has to know how to appreciate the multiple skylines.”

Discuss when Emoni says some days she feels “like a full pot of water with the fire on high” so she lets her heart take over.

Discuss when Angelica tells Emoni to be careful with Malachi’s smile.

Discuss when Emoni says, “My hopes and dreams seem so far out of reach I have to squint to see them, so how could I possibly pursue them?”

Disuss What Emoni says about her friendship with Angelica.  “And ain’t that what it means to be a sister? Holding things tight when the other one is falling apart?”

Discuss how Malachi and Tyrone are different?

Discuss Emoni’s relationships with her teachers.  Do you have a teacher who made a big impact in your life?

Discuss Emoni’s relationship with her dad?

Discuss this passage, “We look beautiful and hood and excited to see the world, and none of us are hiding from this world seeing us. All of us shining despite what it took us to earn our way here.”

Discuss Pretty Leslie.  Do you know anyone like that?

Discuss this passage, “And I know the past isn’t a mirror image of the future, but it’s a reflection of what can be; and when your first love breaks your heart, the shards of that can still draw blood for a long time.”

Discuss the stereotyping about Angelica’s colorful weave but she guesses that the woman would thinks a “white tween with purple cornrows is charming and creative.”

 

 

All The Walls Of Belfast

The story begins with American, Fiona flying to Ireland to meet her father who she recently discovered was looking for her.  Her mother fled Belfast with her when she was a baby and has never spoken of her father since.  Fiona meets her father, two half brothers and a nephew with a troubling scar.  Her father lives near the peace wall which separates the Catholic side of Belfast from the Protestant side.  Fiona finds out that her father was a high ranking officer in the Irish Republican Army.  Even though The Troubles are over, peace is uneasy especially this close to the wall.

Danny lives on the other side of the wall.  Her family is heavily involved in the Loyalists and their hatred of Catholics is pretty intense.

As an American of Irish descent, I found this story fascinating.  My family is from the southern part of the island so I didn’t know as much about Northern Ireland or what it is like in the aftermath of The Troubles.  This story brings the pain of that past to life with characters that are struggling to live their lives in peace when such anger is just beneath the surface.

Some ideas for discussing with teens:

Discuss how the wall plays into the storyline.

Discuss the relationship between Fiona and her mother.  How did that change when she learned about her father?

Discuss how Seamus and Patrick feel about Fiona’s mother.

Discuss how the culture of Northern Ireland is different from the rest of Ireland.  What do you know about The Troubles?

Do you think the wall helps or hurts?

Discuss the differences between Danny’s father and Fiona’s father.

How would you react if you were Fiona and your father shared the story of his part in The Troubles?

What do you think will happen to Danny in the future?

Discuss Fiona’s relationship with her nephew?

What would you have done about Patrick?

Why do you think the culture is so important to Danny’s father?

 

 

 

Angie Thomas writes another powerhouse! Read it!

On The Come Up is Angie Thomas’s much awaited second book.  I loved The Hate U Give and felt it gave me new perspective which is what I was hoping for as well with this new book.  I think those of us who are not African-American need to be still and listen more which is what make’s Thomas’s books so valuable.  She is telling the rest of us something and we need to put our bias aside and pay attention.  Bri lives in Garden Heights which is the same setting as The Hate U Give.  This is after the events in the first book.  The characters are different but they are impacted by those events.  Bri’s mother lost her job because of the damage done to the church where she worked during the riots.  Bri lost her father who was an up and coming rap star.  He was killed in gang violence.  Bri has the same talent for rap and joins a battle with the help of her Aunt Pooh.  Her aunt is a drug dealer and gang member.  When she shows talent, Bri catches the eye of her father’s former manager, Supreme.  She records a song called On The Come Up which gains huge popularity and could make her a star. However, Bri may have to create a persona based on people’s perception of her rather than the person she truly is.  At the same time Bri’s mom, who is a recovering drug addict, is trying to keep her family from falling into homelessness as they struggle for food and to keep the power on.  Thomas once again tells a compelling story many will relate to.

Some ideas for discussing with teens:

Discuss the significance of Timberlands and how they play into Bri’s story.

Why do you think Supreme wanted her to act gangster and thought that would help her career even though that is not who she is?

Discuss when Bri says, “I’m no longer invisible, but now I wish I was.” (pg. 68)

Discuss when Bri talks about drowning on page 74.  In the dream she can control it.  While she is awake she is drowning and can’t control any of it.

Discuss why Jay won’t take money from Pooh.

Discuss how Jay’s job loss relates to The Hate U Give.

Discuss how Bri feels when she is about go to through security on page 139.  She doesn’t have anything on her to get her in trouble but she is terrified anyway.  Just like in the store when she knows she is not stealing but afraid people will think that she is.

Discuss the unspoken rules on page 146.

Discuss when Jay says, “There will always be someone with something to say, but it doesn’t mean you gotta listen.” (pg. 160)

Discuss Bri’s experience at the food giveaway.

Discuss when Curtis says, “Yeah, people leave us, but that doesn’t mean we are alone.” (pg. 340)

Discuss how Hype set her up and that the world now sees her as a “ratchet hood rat.” (pg. 355)

What do you think will happen next for Bri?

 

 

Heroine is a 2019 must read for parents, teachers and students.

Mickey Catalan is a star catcher at her school.  She is going into her senior year with high hopes for the season and her future.  Mickey and her best friend, Caroline are injured in a car accident.  They both sustain injuries that can put the season in jeopardy.  Mickey has a prescription for Oxycontin which she burns through quickly so she can work through the pain in time for softball conditioning.  When her doctor refuses to refill the prescription, a person approaches her who is all to willing to sell to her.  What happens next is a spiral into addiction that is far too common, especially in Ohio high schools.  Mindy McGinnis has written a gripping, hearbreaking story about what is playing over and over again in Ohio’s opioid epidemic.  This is a must read for parents, teachers and students.  It will generate great discussions in communities.  I will make sure my two teenage daughters read this book ASAP.  It will be available for sale in March of 2019.

Some ideas for discussing with teens:

Heroine and prescription drug use is unfortunately common.  Do you know anyone affected by this?

What do you know about the opioid crisis?

At the end of the book, Caroline asks why Mickey and not her.  Why do you think they had different experiences?

Discuss Edith’s situation.  Why do you think she does what she does?

Discuss Josie and her sister.  Why do you think they get involved in drugs?  Why do Luther and Derrick get involved?

How would you react to Mickey’s behavior if you were Caroline?

What could Mickey have done differently?

Is drug use something you hear your classmates talk about at school?

Is this something you talk about at home?

Did it surprise you how easy it was for Mickey to get her hands on the drugs?

 

The Poet X is one of the great reads of 2018.

As the title suggests, this is written in verse. Xiomara and her twin brother are known as miracle children.  Their mother had them later in life.  Her mother wants her to be a  pious Catholic like she is.  Her mother wanted to become a nun but had to marry her father instead to come to America from the Dominican Republic.  This is a story of a young woman discovering her voice and who she is in contrast to what her mother wants her to be.  The most powerful struggle is Xiomara’s comfort with her own body.  She is curvy which draws much unwanted attention from men and boys.  They have assumptions about who she is because of her body and they don’t hesitate to step into her personal space, grab her and make unwelcome, lewd comments.   She has to reconcile her feelings about a boy she is attracted to and the strict path her mother wants for her.  She is close to her brother and is often his protector.  She outsizes him and uses her fists to beat back his bullies.  Xiomara’s mother is a master at shame and is often cruel, making her kneel on rice with her bare knees.  Xiomara’s escape is her poetry.  This is one of my favorite reads of 2018.  It is no surprise it won the National Book Award.  For some readers it will be a mirror or a window.  For me it was a mirror,  not because of my ethnicity but because I can remember all too well the shaming that took place when I was younger, when my curves brought on unwanted attention.  I remember how horrible that felt.

Some ideas for discussing with teens:

Discuss how Xiomara’s mother wanted to become a nun.  How did that affect their relationship?

Discuss how boys treated Xiomara because of her body.  Have you had experiences like that?  Have you ever treated anyone that way?

Why do you think Xiomara is resistant to participating in the poetry club?

Discuss this passage, (pg. 48) “I look and feel like a myth.  A story distorted, waiting for others to stop and stare.”

Discuss, “How does a girl like me figure out the weight of what it means to love a boy?” (pg. 33)

Discuss what Xiomara says about her mother in this passage. “I look at her scarred knuckles.  I know exactly how she was taught faith.” (pg. 17)

Discuss when Xiomara says this about her father. “Just because your father’s present doesn’t mean he isn’t absent.” (pg. 65)

Discuss how Aman’s forearm brush changed everything. (pg. 69)

Discuss how Xiomara’s relationship with Aman changes.

Discuss this passage, “My body was a problem. And I didn’t want any of these boys to be the ones to solve it.  I wanted to forget I had this body at all.” (pg. 151)

Discuss this passage, “And I think about all the things we could be if we were never told our bides were not built for them.” (pg. 188)

Discuss what happens with Xiomara’s mother finds her poetry.

Discuss this Bible verse, “The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.”  – Psalm 119:130