Format: Fiction

Act Cool

Act CoolAct Cool by Tobly McSmith
Published by Quill Tree Books on September 7, 2021
ISBN: 0063038560
Pages: 352
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

August is a junior in high who has run away – from his small town home, from parents who don’t accept him as a transgendered boy, and from potentially being sent to conversion therapy. He moves in with his aunt in New York City and is accepted into a prestigious arts academy where he begins his life dream of studying theater. 

August wears a mask with almost everyone he encounters throughout most of this book. He is on the precipice of discovering who he is and has always had to act as though he were someone else. Fearing judgement, misunderstandings, and general teenage angst over not fitting in, he manages to act his way through most challenging situations – until he doesn’t. He makes plenty of mistakes, but does eventually learn from them. August forms strong bonds with new friends and family members, and tries to learn how to let go of unsafe and disrespectful relationships that break his heart. 

Act Cool is an important book because it is written by a trans man and amplifies a version of the trans experience. It’s great in other ways too, and would be an excellent addition to any YA collection. Teens will relate to August fumbling his way through adolescence in ways we all do.

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Public Library, Damariscotta

four-stars

Ghost Girl

Ghost GirlGhost Girl by Ally Malinenko
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on August 10, 2021
ISBN: 0063044609
Pages: 288
Genres: Adventure, Horror, Mystery
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

From the opening paragraph, Ghost Girl by Ally Malinenko sucks the reader into the story of Zee Puckett, a white-haired girl and infamous outsider in her small town. Cared for by her older sister Abby, Zee has no real adult supervision. Much of her time is spent in the local graveyard or with her best friend Elijah. Zee’s natural ability to spin tall tales works against her when she begins to have vivid dreams of terrifying wolf-like creatures that she feels are chasing her.
The story shifts during a library field trip where Zee converses with a young boy who worked for the library over 100 years earlier. Her then enemy, Nellie, promptly nicknames Zee “Ghost Girl”. The fight that ensues ushers in the character Mr. Scratch, the new school principal. With one red-gloved touch from Mr. Scratch and promises that the children’s deepest desires can be fulfilled, he takes control of the school. But it doesn’t stop there. Mr. Scratch gains control of the whole town, even Zee’s sister Abby.
The nightmares increase with ghostly visitations at night. Zee has inherited “the gift” that her mother had for talking to ghosts. With the help of the ghost of a murdered kindergarten teacher, Zee, Elijah, and Nellie end up working together to break the curse that has been cast over the town.

There are positive themes in this horror story of friendship, trust, and learning to accept yourself. A good addition to any library’s horror section.
Suitable for ages 9 and up.

Reviewed by Liz Davis, Children's Librarian, Waterville Public Library

four-stars

The Ghosts We Keep

The Ghosts We KeepThe Ghosts We Keep by Mason Deaver
Published by Push on June 1, 2021
ISBN: 133859334X
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Sixteen year old Liam Cooper’s older brother Ethan, star baseball player and golden child, is killed by a hit and run right down the road from his house. “The Ghosts We Keep” by Mason Deaver explores Liam’s grief, alternating chapters before and after the accident. While coping with his brother’s death, Liam also navigates his relationship with his grieving parents, his feelings about his own sexuality, his tumultuous break from his best friends, a suicide attempt, and his budding friendship with his brother’s best friend. While the book grabs the reader in the beginning with the graphic details of Ethan’s death, the pace is slow throughout, and the end wraps up somewhat oddly with glimpses of Liam’s life far into the future. 

Unfortunately, Liam’s friends come across as toxic and unlikeable, his parents’ characters are one dimensional, and we guess his brother’s Ethan and his friend Marcus’s “secret ” right away. In a nutshell, none of the characters, Liam included, are likable. And while LGBTQIA+ representation in YA is great, every single character in this book with the exception of Liam’s parents falls into that category, which seems unrealistic and forced and doesn’t provide any kind of foil for those characters, or allow us to get any in depth look into the struggles they allude to. 

I would not recommend this book to a young adult struggling with the grief of a loved one dying, I think there are better options out there for a YA collection.

Grades 9-12

Lee Remick, York Middle School, York

three-stars

Out of the Fire

Out of the FireOut of the Fire by Andrea Contos
Published by Scholastic Press on December 7, 2021
ISBN: 1338726161
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

In “Out of the Fire” author Andrea Contos hands us a YA thriller about four young women who embark on a mission of revenge to get back at the men in their lives who have harmed them. Our main character and sole narrator, Cass, was kidnapped while out for an evening run. She managed to escape the trunk of the car her attacker threw her into, but months later is receiving anonymous letters from the same man letting her know he is still stalking her. Living in constant fear with no support from the police, and reluctant to tell her dad, she makes a pact with three other girls who also have been wronged by men. Margot is being blackmailed with photos by her ex boyfriend, Ori is being harassed by a racist teacher, and Nomi is still coming to grips with an abusive stepfather. The girls decide to find out not only who kidnapped Cass, but then retaliate against their persecutors one by one.  

Diving into the book, the premise was exciting and the pace of the action grabbed you right away. Unfortunately, things go awry fairly quickly. Instead of giving equal attention to each of the girls, the focus seems to be almost exclusively on Cass. By the end of the book the other girls’ revenge stories are skimmed over, and they seem to be merely an afterthought. Cass’s story becomes confusing and garbled and goes off on multiple tangents, introducing characters and subplots that aren’t explained well.  That said, this would be a fine book to have in a YA collection for those readers who like thrillers, and two of the girls represent different minorities, but I’m not sure it should be on a must purchase list.

Recommended for Grades 9-12

Lee Remick, York Middle School, York

three-stars

Once Upon a Quinceañera

Once Upon a QuinceañeraOnce Upon a Quinceañera by Monica Gomez-Hira
Published by HarperTeen on March 2, 2021
ISBN: 0062996835
Pages: 432
Genres: Romance
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
two-stars

Filling the need for more Latinx representation in YA fiction, Once Upon a Quinceañera features the story of one teen’s challenges and triumphs. 

Carmen is attempting to finish a work-study program required by her high school so she can graduate and move on with her life, although she’s not really sure what that might look like. Her best friend gets her a spot working as a party princess, and the boss is elated when the company is hired for a quinceañera. Carmen’s own quinceañera was canceled last-minute three years earlier because of a mishap with her cousin and aunt, after which the family members stopped speaking to one another. Readers can imagine her emotions when it turns out that the party she is hired to perform at is for none other than the cousin. 

There are subplots of romance, being true to who you are, family relationships, and coming of age, as well as drama – lots of drama. Readers that enjoy romance may get pulled into the need to find out how the story ends. 

This book has a place on YA library shelves for two important reasons: it gives a voice to members of the Latinx community and it might just be the type of light book readers are looking for when real life feels more heavy. 

Reviewed by Kristi Favaloro, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta

two-stars

Strange Creatures

Strange CreaturesStrange Creatures by Phoebe North
Published by Balzer + Bray on June 1, 2021
ISBN: 0062841157
Pages: 544
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

Phoebe North’s “Strange Creatures” is dark, realistic fiction intertwined with bits of fantasy that centers around the impact of all too real trauma in a modern day family. Jamie and Annie are siblings born exactly a year apart, inseparable when they are young, creating their own fantasy world called Gumlea. Jamie is clearly the golden child in the family, Annie seems to be the perpetual sidekick. As they reach middle school age, Jamie draws further and further away from Annie, under pressure from his father to engage in more “normal” teen boy activities. He copes by making new friends, self medicating and becoming involved with a girl, Vidya, although his struggle with his sexuality is alluded to early on. Jamie disappears without a trace, and the book focuses on the aftermath in the years following, including the impact on not only Annie (who believes he is somehow still alive in Gumlea) but Vidya and his parents as well.

This story is told from the alternating perspective of Jamie, Annie and Vidya. In addition, the book’s narration switches between real life and the fantasy world of Gumlea. The majority of the characters in the book present as white, with the exception of Vidya, and all of the pov characters are LGBTQ.

This book is unnecessarily long, and the transition between the fantasy narrative and realistic is often confusing. This is marketed as YA, with several reviews mentioning a comparison to “Bridge to Terabithia” and I’ve seen the recommendations for ages 14-18, but I’d say this novel is better served in the adult section. 

Would not recommend even as a secondary selection.

Lee Remick, York Middle School, York

three-stars

Any Sign of Life

Any Sign of LifeAny Sign of Life by Rae Carson
Published by Greenwillow Books on October 12, 2021
ISBN: 0062691937
Pages: 384
Genres: Science Fiction
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
four-stars

“Any Sign of Life” is an exciting, fast-paced thoroughly enjoyable read that would be a great addition to any library’s YA section. 

High school senior Paige Miller wakes up from six days in a coma, only to discover that she seems to be the only survivor in her town. Right off the bat Rae Carson’s descriptive starkness of the post-apocalyptic world grabs you – decomposing bodies everywhere, including Paige’s immediate family and her neighbors, feral animals roaming the streets, multitudes of scavenger birds, no power, internet or signs of life anywhere, except her neighbor’s dog Emmaline. Paige is no quitter, being a star basketball player bound for UConn and eventually the WNBA, so instead of wallowing in self pity, she sets out with the dog to gather supplies. Along the way she meets up with Trey, a fellow superstar athlete, as well as Tanq, a young asexual artist. Realizing fairly early that the sickness that killed almost everyone in the world was no accident, they set out to try to find other survivors. Fighting the invading aliens along the way, they make their way towards what they hope is a live person behind a radio signal who may have some answers.

This novel is sure to please fans of science fiction and thrillers. Carson’s descriptions really bring the feel of the end of the world to life. The story is heavy on action, but has just the right amount of personal interaction and self reflection from our characters with light romance thrown in to appeal to a wide range of readers. One great thing about this book is that the ending left you wanting a sequel, but it was wrapped up enough to be satisfying on its own.

Recommended for Grades 8 and up.

Lee Remick, York Middle School

four-stars

Pony

PonyPony by R. J. Palacio
Published by Random House Children's Books on September 28, 2021
ISBN: 9780553508116
Pages: 304
Genres: Adventure, Animals, Historical Fiction
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

A rip-roaring adventure, western, historical fiction with paranormal elements. Then there is the mystery about his beloved father’s dark past. Twelve-year-old Silas is awoken in the night by three menacing horsemen who take his father away. Silas is left alone except for the presence of his companion, Mittenwool, who happens to be a ghost. Then a pony shows up and Silas decides to go find his father. Good character development and a strong setting throughout. History, literature, and science of the day are essential to the story so probably best suited for middle school.  Also violence and gore are plentiful, with gunplay, hand-to-hand-combat, grievous wounds, and lost limbs. Multiple characters die. Palacio provides extensive references for further reading in the afterword. Atmospheric daguerreotypes front each chapter.

Reviewed by Barb Rehmeyer, Liberty Library

five-stars

Fade into the Bright

Fade into the BrightFade Into the Bright by Alyssa Schwartz, Jessica Koosed Etting
Published by Delacorte Press on April 27, 2021
ISBN: 0593174917
Pages: 336
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
three-stars

High school senior Abby has her future all figured out, including playing college volleyball and rooming with her best friend. Then she and her sister receive a letter from their father who suddenly abandoned them years earlier, telling them that he has Huntington’s disease, a genetic disease that they each have a fifty-fifty chance of inheriting. Shell shocked after receiving her test results,  Abby takes off for the summer to stay with her aunt on Catalina Island.

The premise and plot are fairly straightforward – Abby needs to do some soul searching to figure out what her future holds now that everything in her life is turned upside down. She also has an opportunity to get to know her aunt (her estranged father’s sister) and manages to meet a cute boy, make friends on the island and have some summer fun as well. While the author does delve into Abby’s thoughts and feelings on what the future holds (questions every older teen struggles with) there isn’t a lot of exploration or insight into the subplots – her feelings of abandonment surrounding her father, her eventual meeting with him, the loss she must feel giving up her beloved sport, or her thoughts on the disease’s impact on her family going forward. The author does wrap the story up neatly, but somehow the reader feels as though there were too many threads just left hanging. 

This book is recommended for grades 7 and up and is a fine secondary addition to any YA collection.

Lee Remick, York Middle School

three-stars

We Can Be Heroes

We Can Be HeroesWe Can Be Heroes by Kyrie McCauley
Published by Katherine Tegen Books on September 7, 2021
ISBN: 0062885057
Pages: 368
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Fiction
Goodreads
five-stars

We Can Be Heroes is a beautifully written book that successfully tackles multiple tough topics. The town of Bell reels after Cassie Queen is shot and killed at school by Nico Bell, her ex boyfriend and heir to Bell Firearms. The story of the aftermath is told from four different points of view, alternating between Cassie’s best friends Beck and Vivian (who was wounded in the shooting), activist podcaster Merit Logan, who is covering the shooting on her show, and Cassie herself, narrating in verse. 

 

This book addresses so many timely topics – domestic violence, gun violence, grief, trauma, friendship, misogyny – all laid bare for the reader to absorb.  Mature themes, diverse characters on a quest for vengeance and justice, stunning realism – this book will appeal to all teens and should be a staple in every library in Maine.

 

Recommended for grades 10 and up.

Lee Remick, York Middle School

five-stars