Source: MSL Book Review

Only This Beautiful Moment

Only This Beautiful MomentOnly This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian
Published by Balzer + Bray on May 9, 2023
ISBN: 0063039370
Pages: 400
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars

“Only This Beautiful Moment” by Abdi Nazemian is a beautifully written, complex story of three generations of Iranian-American men. The narration alternates between the three as young men roughly the same age in different times – Bobby (Baba) in 1939, Saeed in 1979 and Moud in 2019, as well as switching settings between Los Angeles and Tehran. Bobby and Moud struggle with being gay during oppressive times and regimes, and Saeed struggles with accepting his gay father and gay son. Bobby is under contract in the 1930s at MGM studios, and forced to sign a contract with a “morals” clause, meaning he has to hide his true self. Saeed takes part in the protests in Tehran in the late 70s hoping to change his government to one of freedom and democracy, only to be sent to Los Angeles against his will by his parents for his own safety. Moud is openly gay in Los Angeles currently, but struggles with his feelings of being neither fully American or fully Iranian. He eventually goes with his father Saeed to visit Baba in Tehran, where he discovers the beauty of his homeland, despite the horror of knowing being gay in Iran can be punishable by death. Part historical fiction, part queer coming of age story, focusing on intergenerational family trauma, this book manages to weave two intricate plot lines of finding one’s identity simultaneously. 

 

Recommended for Cream of the Crop.

Recommended for grades 9-12.

Lee Remick, York Middle School, York

five-stars

The Many Fortunes of Maya

The Many Fortunes of MayaThe Many Fortunes of Maya by Nicole D. Collier
ISBN: 0358434645
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction, Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
four-stars

12-year-old Maya Jenkins is determined to get recruited to the Chargers soccer team–the elite team her dad was a part of during his youth.  She also is secretly still practicing her flute because while she loves it, she doesn’t believe she can focus fully on soccer if she gives her music the attention she’d like to. Add in her parent’s separation, her now strained relationship with her best friend and swimming lessons, and this summer is not turning out the way Maya was hoping.  Using her wheel of fortunes as a compass, Maya tries to navigate the muddy waters of being true to herself under the weight of others’ dreams.

Maya’s struggle to remain loyal to her parents while trying to decide where her true interests lie will be relatable to many middle-grade readers. Surely grappling with parents on the brink of divorce will be familiar territory as well. Her emotional turmoil is honest and each problem is resolved realistically even if predictably. Each chapter is tagged with one of Maya’s collected fortunes which adds an interesting plot device as the story moves along. 

Recommended for Cream of the Crop

Kerrie Lattari, York Middle School, York

 

four-stars

B My Name Is Boy

B My Name Is BoyB My Name Is Boy: A Song of Celebration from Australia to Zimbabwe by Dawn Masi
Published by Doubleday Books for Young Readers on May 16, 2023
ISBN: 0593487125
Pages: 40
Genres: Cultural / African American
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
three-stars
Dedicated to her son, this multi-cultural, inclusive picture book is a follow-up to the author’s G My Name Is Girl. Following the English alphabet, Masi takes readers on a world tour from Australia to Zimbabwe via the name game. For each letter, a boy, a friend, a country, and a favorite pastime is presented. One of my favorites is “L, my name is Lauris, and my teacher’s name is Ludis. We come from Latvia, and we can Lend”, which is, of course, in a library.

The full-page, muted illustrations enhance the gently encouraging text, reminding every boy of every ability that they can be and do so many things. Recommended for readers in first through third grade.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine – Gorham Campus Library

three-stars

Northranger

NorthrangerNorthranger by Bre Indigo, Rey Terciero
on June 6, 2023
ISBN: 0063007398
Genres: Romance
Format: Graphic Novel
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads
five-stars
Cade Muñoz is a Texas teen who lives vicariously through horror movies in order to avoid the horror of his own life. He does not feel he can come out to his blended family about the fact that he’s gay. Much to Cade’s chagrin, and to make extra money for his cash-strapped family, he and his stepfather spend the summer working at a horse ranch owned by the stepfather’s former military commander, a rigid, demanding boss and father. Cade and the owner’s son, Henry, hit it off and eventually admit they really like each other, leading to a whole new set of problems. Not only is Henry’s father deep in denial about his son’s homosexuality, but Cade becomes unjustifiably suspicious of Henry because of his reluctance to talk about his dead mother. Cade has definitely watched too many horror films. Ultimately, Cade comes out to his family, sorts things out with Henry (who is only guilty of attempting to kill one person – himself), and even overcomes his fear of horses.

The author’s afterword explains that this semi-autobiographical book is based on Jane Austen’s classic novel Northanger Abbey.  Terciero grew up in Texas during a time when coming out could not only have gotten him bullied, but might also have endangered his life. He intentionally chose to give Cade an easier time than he experienced in real life and he does an admirable job it.  Northranger deals with coming out, coming of age, the impacts of loss and economic insecurity, all with a gothic flavor. Indigo’s sepia-tone illustrations add to the mystery and tension.

I highly recommend this book for teen / young adult collections.

Reviewed by Crystal Wilder, University of Southern Maine – Gorham Campus Library

five-stars