X: A Novel (a review of the fictionalized account of Malcolm X's youth)

X: a novel
by: Ilyasah Shabazz (illustrator: Kekla Magoon)
Published: Candlewick (January, 2015)
ISBN: 978-0763669676


Malcolm’s parents love him and they believe that despite the racism plaguing the country that he can be whatever he wants to be, but life gets in the way of that dream when his father is murdered by racists and his mother is broken by the tragedy in such a way as to be institutionalized. Seperated from his family he strives to do his best in school, and he does, outperforming the white boys who call him names in class. Despite his academic abilities and his desire to be a lawyer he’s told he should think lower, much lower. People like him don’t get to be lawyers. Disheartened he gives up on the straight path and falls in love with the city and plays the hustler’s game until it ultimately leads him to jail, then to God and then to greatness.

I've read the Autobiography of Malcolm X, which I recommend we all do, and I was interested to see what the differences in the two might be. This is a fictionalized account of the activists's life so it's based on the facts of his life, but fleshed out and dramatized. I enjoyed the color that was brought to the tale and definitely felt that it was more accessible to younger audiences than the autobiography. It's hard to imagine how someone can make such a dramatic change on their outlook and approach to life, but it is also hard to understand the choices each of us make each day. What turns a man into a god? What turns a man into a demon? Sometimes the same experiences can do one or the other to each of us and we have to explore whether we are contributing to the uplift of ourselves and others or our collective destruction.

Discussion Questions

1. What personality traits led Malcolm to abandon higher learning and pursue a life outside the law? How did those same traits lead him towards a career in civil rights?
2. How did Malcolm’s neighborhood nurture him? How did it fail him?
3. The story isn’t chronological. Is this helpful or harmful to the story?
4. Malcolm is told that he can be anything he wants to be, but he comes to believe that this isn’t possible through a series of events in his life. Many children are told the same thing. Was Malcolm wrong? Has this changed in your lifetime?
5. Mr. Ostrowski reveals what he believe Malcolm is capable of in Chapter 3. Describe what kind of person he is.
6. How was prison an incubator for Malcolm? Why were the words of Elijah Muhammad so effective in that environment?
7. Malcolm lived a hustler’s life. Did he have a choice? Why was it so attractive?

If you like this then:

Obviously go pick up the Autobiography of Malcolm X (as told to Alex Haley), but while you're getting that go ahead and try Queen: the story of an American family by Alex Haley. It's fictionalized, as well, if you believe scholarly accounts. It follows the life of an ancestor of Alex Haley's whose father is the master of the plantation that she is freed from after the civil war. We follow her on a journey through eras of strife as she finds herself redefining what race, family and home really mean.

Soundtrack:

Now, if you want to be authentic you might try some Duke Ellington to listen to while you read, but I feel that militant rap is also appropriate, so choose at will.

A Tyranny of Petticoats: Shonuff' Badass Girls and Pretty Pirates (a review)

A Tyranny of Petticoats: 15 stories of Belles, Bank Robbers & Other Badass Girls
Edited by Jessica Spotswood
Candlewick Press, 2016


Float from the Alaskan wilderness before colonization to the heart of the Black Panther Party in the 1960's. Hop from a pirate ship during the height of the slave trade to the parlor of a debutante fresh from a Quadroon Ball in New Orleans. They're all here, pirates, princesses, assassins and the occasional deathwielding monster. In this collection of stories you'll find the stories of girls all across the American timeline and landscape that have been forgotten or seldom told. Each story is written by different author who brings her own special eye to historical fiction. They include Kekla Magoon, Marie Lu, Andrea Cremer and more.

As soon as I read the description of this title I was intrigued and the moment I read the first story I was in love. A very deliberate focus on diversity and feminism has is apparent from the stories themselves and their arrangement. The story that opens the book is Mother Carey's Table by J. Anderson Coats about an African American girl posing as a boy on a pirate ship to escape a life of slavery. Jo is brave and smart and in love with the sea.(Spoiler Alert) It was a disappointment that Jo doesn't survive the story, nor did Whitby in High Stakes. Both had my diversity nerves tingling and throwing up a Magical Negro flag on the play, but it was undeserved or at least mitigated by my favorite of the bunch, El Destinos by Leslye Walton, a wonderfully imagined retelling of the Three Fates myth that transforms the women into Tejano teenage girls in 1848 Texas. I love a little paranormal and it's not often that I get it in my historical fiction. This is a fantastic addition to any collection and much needed.

A Murderer is the Ultimate Bad Boy: The Wrath and the Dawn (a review)

The Wrath and the Dawn
by: Renee Ahdieh
Speak; Reprint edition (April 5, 2016)
978-0147513854
Paperback: $6.15

Shazi's best friend has just been murdered. In fact, she's just one of nearly 60 girls that have met the dawn with a silver cord around her throat, a final gift from their murderous husband on their wedding night. With anger and determination Shazi volunteer's to be the next wife, accepting a personal mission to find out why the girls have been murdered and assassinate the bloody Caliph of Khorasan, Khalid. Unfortunately, things aren't as simple as they seem. The boy isn't as mad as the people would think and soon it becomes harder and harder to kill the thing you love.

The Wrath and the Dawn is a beautiful twist on A Thousand and One Nights, set in the fictional Khorasan it could be Pakistan, Iran or modern day Turkey. Readers are introduced to the opulence of a bygone era while still holding on to the fairytale-like elements that western readers are used to. It is Book 1 of a series and has fantasy elements in small amounts, but will delight those who love historical fiction romances. Shazi is bold and quick witted, while Khalid is the ultimate bad boy. Murdering a series of wives on their wedding nights is about as bad as bad can get, but there is vulnerability there that Ahdieh is adept at teasing out. We don't see that much of a love triangle in this book, but even after 400 pages you'll want to rush to Book 2 to see the clash between the childhood sweetheart and the new love.

The setting descriptions are breathtaking, but it will take a little bit of determination to get through some of the vocabulary, but it isn't anything that fantasy readers wouldn't be used to and midway through the book you'll have gotten used to the names and honorifics. It's not Elvish so dig into it and let the story take you away.


This Book is Perfect For:

• Reluctant Romantics
• Fans of Historical Fiction and Classic retellings
• Anyone who likes their fantasy in small bites

Book Club Discussion Questions:

1. Shazi's anger spurs her to volunteer as a wife. Why can't she hold onto that anger?
2. Discuss how the times and ways in which Shazi rescues Khalid. She becomes his defender in some ways. How does that power shift affect their relationship?
3. Tariq immediately springs into action to save his childhood sweetheart, but there is little backstory given to how much in love the two were. Speculate as to whether the tie between Tariq and Shazi is just fond memories or real connection. Does he really have a chance to place a wedge between her and Khalid?
4. Discuss the ways in which Khalid failed his first wife. Was he truly at fault?
5. Themes of revenge and justice are woven throughout the book. What do you make of Shazi's attempt? Her father's? Can there be justice in revenge?
6. What do you make of Khalid's grief and remorse? Is it real? Is it enough given his crimes?

If you like this, try:

Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt

Suggested Song:
7 by Prince and the New Power Generation

Silver Sparrow (a review)

Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones
Algonquin Books, 2011
978-1616201425
$14.38

15-year-old Dana and Bunny are sisters. The only thing is, Bunny doesn't know it. James Witherspoon has two families. On every night except Wednesday he's Daddy to Bunny and husband to her mother, but on Wednesday he spends the night with his other family. Dana knows all about this little game and so does her mother. She doesn't know anything but how to play along and get along with less than her "legitimate" sister. Despite her father's efforts to make sure the girls never meet, Dana sets things in motion to not only meet, but become friends. As Dana plays with fire we watch as secrets come to life and marvel at what parts of this fragile house of cards get burned to the ground.

With beautiful flashbacks to 50's Georgia in a tight community we see how Dana and Bunny's parents meet and get a glimpse into how this horribly complicated lie came to be. Themes of love, betrayal, and obligation are weaved throughout the tale and we have to question whether anyone knows the true meaning of family. I've read a review of the book that said that the plotting became unbelievable in the end, but being from the South and being raised by black folks from the same, I will tell you that the story rings absolutely true. If we ever get a chance to chat in real life I'll have to tell you the story my Nana told me about a woman who was kidnapped by her husband and held captive in the country without shoes so she couldn't escape.

I've never been sure what qualifies a book to be considered YA Lit. The book is told from the perspective of a teenage girl so that's all I need to put the title in that category and that in no way disparages the quality of the writing. My mother loved this book. My aunties loved this book and I've had teen readers who loved it so much they wanted to forget it so they could read it again.
This book is perfect for:

• 80's nostalgia geeks
• People who are suckers for a sprinkling of historical fiction
• Anybody who drools over family secrets

Book Club Discussion Questions:

1. The question as to what is "good enough" runs throughout the book. Mama may not be married but what she has is "good enough". My sister isn't really a sister, but what we have is "good enough". Why do you think the women are willing to settle for what the little they have?
2. Did you expect Dana's father to react like he did at the gas station? What should he have done?
3. Dana always feels second best. Do you think she ever reconciles that?
4. Dana and Bunny think the other has it better. In what ways is that true? In what ways isn't it true?
5. All roads leads back to Dana's father, James. Why do you think he created this mess?
6. Who does James love?
7. How did Dana's past affect the decisions she made romantically in the future? Or did it have a hand in it at all?

If you like this, try:The DitchDigger's Daughters by Dr. Yvonne S.Thornton

Suggested SoundtrackDebarge: The Ultimate Collection by Debarge

Everything, Everything (a review)

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
Delacorte Press, 2015
978-0-553-49664-2
$18.99


Written in chocolate kiss sized chapters, Everything, Everything is the story of Madeline, a young girl who is trapped inside of her house because of a rare disease that makes her allergic to Everything. This means the air, grass, people, everything.  She never leaves her house and a fantastically intricate air filtering system makes sure nothing gets in. Olly lives next door. He's a mystery. He's an adventure. He's a link to the outside world and her life raft.

Obviously, this is a romance and they small chapters are punctuated with little illustrations and references to classic literature that book lovers are sure to love. Madeline is plucky and optimistic and not at all the awkward mess that you would expect her to be in her isolation. Although, that would have been interesting. I like a little weirdness. I will admit that I got about half-way through, because I thought the romance between Olly and Madeline was doomed from the beginning, but the story isn't as predictable as you think. Keep reading!


This Book is Perfect For:

• Hopeless romantics
• Introverts fighting against crippling anxiety that scratches inside of your gut
• Anybody into sick kid lit

Book Club Discussion Questions:

1. Madeline is physically cut off from the world because of her disease. In what other ways to people cut themselves off from other people or the outside world?
2. Discuss the ways in which Olly is and isn't the typical 'bad boy'. As an outsider he is physically dangerous. How is he emotionally dangerous?
3. Madeline transitions from a world of white to a world of color. How is this figurative? How is this literal?
4. Madeline takes risks with Olly. Were they worth it? Would you feel the same if the ending were different?
5. Not much is made of Madeline's race. Does this add or take away from the book?
6. Madeline's mother makes a major mistake. Was it fear or love that motivated her?

If you like this, try:

Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern

Suggested Soundtrack:
Blood by Lianne La Havas

In The Margins List Revealed

The In the Margins list is compiled of books that are most likely to appeal to at-risk and incarcerated youth. I've always found gems in this list and anticipate it every year. There is a top ten list, which I've included below and a larger list of over 30 titles that are in consideration. Many of our kids don't live the Green Gables life and have to deal with drugs, death, abuse and other "unpleasant" topics that YA can shy away from. Reluctant readers may be reluctant because the books they pick up dont reflect the realities they live. These titles are mirrors in which many students will see themselves and they also serve as windows so that kids can see where their choices may lead and how they might presumably overcome obstacles.

In the Margins Official 2016 Top Ten List

Butler, Tewhan. America’s Massacre: The Audacity of Despair and a Message of Hope. Raise UP Media. October 2014. PB $19.99. ISBN 9780692281826.

Carter, Alton. The Boy Who Carried Bricks: A True Story of Survival. Roadrunner Press. March 2014. 196p. HC $18.95. ISBN 9781937054342.

Deutch, Kevin. The Triangle: A Year on the Ground with New York’s Blood and Crips. Lyons Press. December 2014. 214p. PB $16.95. ISBN 9781493007608.

Frank, E.R. Dime. Simon Teen. May 2015. 336p. HC $17.99. ISBN 9781481431606.

Kern, Peggy. Little Peach. Balzer + Bray. March 2015. 208p. HC $17.99. ISBN 9780062266958.

Laboucane-Benson, Patti. The Outside Circle. House of Anansi Press. June 2015. 264p. PB $19.95. ISBN

9781770899377.

Lewis, Tony Jr. Slugg: A Boy’s Life in the Age of Mass Incarceration. Hanover Place Press. July 2015. 166p. PB $9.99.

Ross, Richard. Girls in Justice. The Image of Justice. 2015. 192p. HC $29.95. ISBN 9780985510619.

Voloj, Julian. Ghetto Brother: Warrior to Peacemaker. NBM Publishing. May 2015. 128p. PB $12.99. ISBN 9781561639489.

Workman, P.D. Tattooed Teardrops. PD Workman. August 2014. 292p. PB $15.95. ISBN 9780993768750.

The Head of the Saint by Socorro Acioli (a review)

There is storytelling and then there are people who weave tapestry with words and build worlds with letters. Socorro Acioli is one of those people. Socorro Acioli is Homer's contemporary. I am not exaggerating.

Fourteen-year-old Samuel's mother has just died. An occurence she foretold a few days before her death, a talent that all of the women in her family have had, though he did not believe her. Being the only family in his life, Samuel's only purpose is to complete her last wishes. He has to light three candles at the feet of three saints and go Cadeia to find his grandmother and the long lost father he never knew. In his journey to complete these tasks he finds himself living in the decapitated stone head of a St. Anthony statue, and while he's there he begins to hear voices, prayers and an eerie soul stirring singing.

This story is a study in plot. It is a revelation. It is spell-binding and the very proof that We Need Diverse Books. This story is utterly Brazilian and I'm sure there is quite a bit that is lost from the Portuguese translation, but we'll have to make do. We're transported back in time and to place that exists and doesn't and the beauty of it is in the names of the characters: Chico the Gravedigger, Madeinusa (a beautiful name from the side of a box - Made in USA); it is in the places: Cape Verde, Fortuleza, Candeia. In this tale, we get follow the faithless and see how they are restored, discover passion and realize the pain of loneliness and the destruction of shame, all in one tiny village.

It is a pretty short book. You could read it in a few hours, but it doesn't need more than what is presented. It has to have been beutifully edited and there isn't a lot of fluff. Our main character is Samuel, but there are smaller life stories that are fleshed out in the village that give the feeling of short vignettes. The language is floral without being stuffy or inaccessible and I would recommend this to upper level readers in high school while encouraging teachers and even librarians to try it as a read-aloud to younger ones.