All American Boys

 

All American Boys

Jason Reynolds

Meira.Elena

Ages: 12-17

Lexile: HL770L

 

In this novel, Jason Reynolds tells the tale of protest, equal rights, and two boys’ complicated relationships with what is easy and what is write. Written with poignant characters, an engaging writing style, and an extremely relevant plot, All American Boys will grip you from the very first page.

Rashad was just reaching down to pick something up, and suddenly, he’s another name on a list of victims of police brutality. Quinn was just playing basketball and trying to make his family and community proud, but now he doesn’t know what to do or feel. As the school community—and the city community at large—throws out ugly words, like “racism” and “police brutality”, both boys find themselves swept up in the history of hundreds of years of oppression and injustice. They must find their places in these movements, or others will do so for them. And they may not like the results.

Not only did this make my “couldn’t put it down” list, this is one of the most engaging and important books I have ever read. As a white person, I often struggle to know how I can support people of different races and ethnicities appropriately—how do I speak with minority groups without speaking for minority groups? This novel may not answer that question, but I felt more connected to these movements for equality through this book and through these teenagers struggles than in any lecture or seminar I have attended so far.

          Today, racism and inequality are at an all time high. Morally, these issues go beyond politics—it is a fact that Black Lives Matter, not a political stance. This novel brings that fight to life for those who have not experienced it for themselves. This novel explains why it is vital that we stand up—or lay down—for others.

I recommend this book to literally everyone! Young or old, of any gender, of any skin color, of any religion—this book will fill you with a sense of ability and passion to step out into the world and find your place and your way of contributing.

Bitter Melon

 

Bitter Melon

Cara Chow

Meira.Elena

Ages: 14-18

Lexile: HL730L

 

Using the fictional character Frances, Cara Chow explores the world of cultural identities, the complexities of maternal love, and a young girl’s struggle to find herself at one of the most precarious moments in her life. Well-written, poignant, and relevant, Bitter Melon explores the contrasts of Chinese and American culture. This coming-of-age novel will leave you breathless!

Frances is a Chinese-American senior at a competitive high school in San Francisco. She struggles to manage her advanced courses while also study for the SATs so she can get into a pre-Med program at Berkley, her mother’s ultimate dream for her. Frances also struggles to live up to her mother’s expectations of behavior, beauty, and obedience. But then Frances discovers speech and debate. Through writing, speaking, and new friends, Frances begins to discover herself. And now, she must reconcile herself with her mother and their culture.

I read this book several years ago, and it topped my “couldn’t put it down” list, along with a novel of a similar vein, Girl in Translation. This book was culturally powerful and so well-written! I felt a strong connection to a culture not my own, and at the same time this novel renewed my own cultural connections as I reflected and reconciled myself with my home culture.

          Today, the ideas of maintaining one’s cultural heritage while also assimilating into the culture of the country one lives in is highly relevant, especially for young people finding their own identities as well. This novel teaches us the power of the individual and the power of the collective, and how strong and enduring the bonds of family can be.

I recommend this book to anyone exploring culture, family, motherhood, or identities. Frances is a relatable character who encourages reflection, independence, and respect.

There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones

                                                              There You’ll Find Me

Jenny B. Jones

Meira.Elena

Ages: 14-17

Lexile: HL560L

 

Finley Sinclair is a tough, sarcastic, and grieving young woman. She’s determined to get into the Manhattan School of Music, but since her brother Will died, she’s lost her creativity.  In There You’ll Find Me, Finley’s come to her ancestral homeland of Ireland to find the passion for life Will raved about in his travel journal. But of course, things are never as easy as we want them to be.  And with annoyingly handsome and world-famous actor Beckett Rush intrigued by the one girl NOT obsessed with him, life can get a little challenging.

 

                I read this book in two hours, it was so freaking good! The descriptions and imagery made me feel that I was right there in Ireland—a place I've wanted to go to for a while! —and I could practically feel the wind and rain and sun on my skin!

               The characters were well developed and they each grew over the course of the novel—a sure sign of good writing! Finley’s relationship with Beckett, her brother, her host family, her new community, and herself grew and changed throughout the book so that by the end, her entire outlook was different. This is real life—when you lose someone and you go looking for answers, you don't retain the same perspective as you did before. Each year, each month, each day, we change as individuals, and each loss of a loved one changes us in even more profound ways. This book portrays this needed emotional change in a way audiences will find quite easy to relate to.

              This story is great for anyone who loves emotional, heartening, and spiritual romances centered around imperfect, healing people. Join Finley in the beautiful Irish countryside as she searches for the perfect ending to her audition composition. With every page turned, you’ll find yourself admiring Finley more and more.