Misfits

Misfits

Jen Calonita

Sourcebooks, 2018 254 pages

Grades 4-7

Fantasy/Fairy Tale

Royal Academy Rebels series #1

Devin has no interest in being royal. She enjoys hanging out with her animal friends in the woods and making god use of her skills in animal communication. Much to her disappointment, she receives an invitation to the Royal Academy. Devin's mother is thrilled and quickly has commission’s gowns with high hopes that the school will turn her daughter into a true lady who will snag a prince. The school's headmistress is Olivina the Fairy Godmother, who has exacting rules and is not as warm and fuzzy as she appears in the stories. Although Devin can speak to animals, which is a covenanted skill, she struggles with fitting in at the academy. Her roommates, lady in waiting, and two prince friends try to offer tips and support, but it is no use. Devin is terrible at waiting around for the princes to save her and insists on having pants sewn into her dresses. After repeated warnings it looks as though she may get kicked out of the school--thus causing her family shame and heartache. An anniversary ball gives Devin the opportunity to prove that she is a proper royal and knows how to behave demurely. Only, can she sit back and watch as danger threatens herself and her new friends?

 

A companion series to the author's popular Fairy Tale Reform School series, instead of seeing what happens to naughty folks in fairy tale land, we are treated to the a view of life from the other side. All that glitters is not gold as the school is run by a totalitarian headmistress with sexist rules and complete power. Poor Devin is not a good fit for the Fairy Godmother's definition of proper princess behavior, not is her friend Logan what constitutes a traditional dashing prince. Not content to sit back when danger is lurking while she can do something about it, Devin exercises her abilities to help herself and others even in the face of punishment. Readers will enjoy seeing the famous fairy tale characters twisted in a humorous and fresh manner. Readers new to the genre of fantasy will enjoy this story and, perhaps, crack into the original series or the title's sequel. The story is conversational, funny and never drags. Devin is a relatable and inspirational character (who wouldn't want to talk to animals?) and readers will find much to admire about her. An exciting climactic scene leaves the readers with a cliff hanging ending and an exciting new fairy tale character, naturally leading them to the next book in the series. Perfect for fans of the author's original series or the Descendants.

Fighting Words

Fighting Words

Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Dial/Penguin, August, 2020 259 pages

Grades 5-Up

Realistic Fiction

Right from the start first person narrator, Della, warns us that this book has some hard parts and, oh, boy, does it ever. Della's story begins with moving in with foster-mother Francine, along with her big sister Suki. Ever since Mom set fire to their hotel room while cooking meth when Della was five and was sent to prison, Della and Suki have been living with Mom's boyfriend, Clifton. Clifton provides a home, and also has them living in fear. As the novel progresses, we find out why they left Clifton and why they are now so distrustful and broken. Suki is determined to keep taking care of Della, just as she always has, even though Francine tells her it’s not her job. Finally, Suki snaps and Della is forced to move forward on her own without her sister, learning how to depend on an adult for the first time in her life. Through the friendship of a few trusted adults and a classmate, as well as the support of a therapist, Della finally starts to heal and distinguish exactly what is appropriate behavior. She learns to stand up for herself in a healthy way and no longer be a victim. After once being told that she and Suki were "raised by wolves" by a neighbor, Della learns that wolves are pretty cool and longs to go to Yellowstone to learn more. Yes, Suki and Della have been through a lot, but in the end they lean, most of all, to stand up for themselves and take control of their own stories.

 

I picked this book up thinking that it was in the same vein of the author's The War that Saved My Life and its sequel. The only thing this new volume shares with the award predecessors is a protagonist that overcomes terrible adversity and carefully crafted writing. This new title has a contemporary setting (as opposed to historical fiction) and is exceedingly gritty. Adult readers will suspect early on that the girls are victims of sexual abuse and as their story is slowly revealed the reader's heart breaks for them. Throughout the book Della substitutes the word "snow" every time she curses. She uses "snow" a lot, depending on strong words to help give her strength and power. As the novel progresses and she learns new skills in therapy, Della is able to control a situation with words that bring her satisfactory results and keep her out of trouble. An author's note at the end gives more information about childhood sexual abuse, offering staggering statistics. As I was reading I thought that, although the narrator is ten, the book belongs in the teen section for content. Unfortunately, many children are dealing with this very situation and will find hope and coping mechanisms within the pages and I think that it is important that it is in the children's section. Parents should be aware of the content, though, and be prepared for a conversation with their children. The book is beautifully written, the voice is authentic, and, although the content is tough, it remains child-appropriate. This is an important story that will offer hope and help to those who need it and enlightenment to those who may have a friend in a similar situation. Ultimately, Suki and Della are survivors and, though they have been through Hell, we are confident that they will ultimately be okay.

Never After: The Thirteenth Fairy

Never After: The Thirteenth Fairy

Melissa de la Cruz

Roaring Book, December, 2020 336 pages

Grades 4-7

Fantasy/Fairy Tale

Never After series #1

Filomena has always felt different. She is constantly bullied in school by a group of rich kids, whom she refers to as the Fettuccine Alfredos, and her only friend has deserted her. Filomena holds onto the one true constant in her life: the book series The Thirteenth Fairy. The thirteenth installment is due for release, yet suddenly, it is announced that a mistake was made and the author has disappeared without writing it. Huh? What a disappointment! After reeling from the news, Filomena bumps into a boy who claims to be Jack Stalker, the main character from the series. He and his sidekick transport her to the magical land in which the series is set and she must help them to defend the land against the evil queen. Meanwhile, the backstory is revealed of the curse placed upon Sleeping Beauty by the "evil" fairy. How does this story connect with Filomena? All is revealed as Filomena delves into the world of fairy tales, discovering that they are, in actuality, not what she once thought, and finding her true identity and some new friends in the process.

 The author of The Decendants series, as well as other bestselling novels for both kids and teens, de la Cruz offers a new series opener for middle grade, perfect for her Decendants fans, as well as The Land of Stories. Famous fairy tale characters are re-imagined and updated in a Shrek-esque manner that will appeal to today's kids. Readers will identify with Filomena and her struggle to fit in, as well as the way her books are her friends. The fairy tale world is quirky, fully realized, and a lot of fun. Readers will wish for their own journey into such a place and their imaginations will be sparked. Beyond the fantasy element and adventure, as Filomena and her friends battle trolls, ogres, and evil witches, there is a lot of humor in the pages and I found myself laughing more than once out loud. De la Cruz offers interesting plot twists and seemingly mild characters rise to the occasion in triumphant ways. Not just for fantasy lovers, give this book to kids looking for a fun, light read that will make their imaginations soar. The ending indicates that a new adventure awaits for the gang-yet to be announced. 

The Great Pet Heist

The Great Pet Heist

Emily Ecton

Atheneum/S&S, 2020 246 pages

Grades 3-6

Animal/Humor/Mystery

When Mrs. Food slips (in dog Butterbean's vomit) exactly one minute before the start of The Price is Right, she appears to be down for the count and is taken away on a stretcher. The super of the apartment building brings a preteen Madison to take care of Butterbean, the cat, bird and two rats living with Mrs. Food. He says that her services are only temporary. He plans to take all of the animals to a shelter soon. What? A shelter? The pets know that this is not an option and decide to get their hands on some cash to pay for their own upkeep. But where to get the loot? It is discovered that a man on the floor above has gold coins. The animals become determined to get their paws on those coins, but how? The team works together to concoct an elaborate scheme involving escaping from both cages and the apartment, the complex ventilation system, wild rats, and an octopus. All of the pets put their unique talents to work, creating a team that is a force to be reckoned with. It looks like they might actually pull off the heist, yet there are, predictably, complications. The real mystery of the story is the secret that Madison is hiding, which is finally revealed and a solution is discovered that is beneficial to all concerned parties.

 

Who couldn't use a good laugh these days? I didn't realize how much I needed one until I fell into this book and started cracking up. Kids will pick up the book from the comical cover and both the humor and the fast moving plot will keep them turning pages. A heist of Ocean's Eleven proportions, these critters work together, creating an elaborate scheme, to ensure their survival in the manner in which they are accustomed. You have to appreciate their chutzpa and willingness to fix their situation. It's hard for me to pick my favorite animal, for they all have fully developed and unique personalities with hilarious idiosyncrasies. A perfect choice for reluctant readers, illustrations by Dave Mottram make the book that much more accessible. The chapters run a bit long, yet they have plenty of designated breaks. The adventure is solid with several minor mysteries to keep readers guessing. My only complaint is that I sometimes struggled with keeping the animal names straight, but the cover thoughtfully labels the names with the characters, to which I often referred. Give to animal lovers or anyone looking for a good laugh--tinged with a bit of madcap suspense.

Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Suzanne Collins

Scholastic, 2020 528 pages

Grades 7-Up

Science Fiction/Dystopian

Collins returns to the world of Panem with a prequel to the Hunger Games trilogy featuring the early life of President Snow. Coreolanus Snow is a senior at the most prestigious private school in the Capital ten years after the war, which ripped apart the country and killed his parents. He now resides in the ancestral apartment with his grandmother and cousin, barely scraping by, yet keeping up appearances. In an effort to draw more viewers to the Hunger Games, the Head Gamemaker recruits students from the school to serve as mentors to the tributes. This is considered a privilege and the winner will get a scholarship to University: an unobtainable dream for Coreolanus in his present financial situation. Coreolanus is assigned Lucy Gray, a scrawny recruit from District Twelve, who does not seem to have a chance. Lucy proves scrappy from the first, when she slips a snake down the dress of the Mayor's daughter at the Reaping. Lucy is of gypsy stock and surprises all of Panem when she sings beautifully on camera and wins the hearts of the entire country--including Coreolanus. The games begin and he must do whatever it takes to keep Lucy Gray safe and guide her through the traps and pitfalls, all while trying to provide her with basic necessities. The action heats up, even putting Coreolanus personally in jeopardy, all while he realizes that his feelings for his tribute are crossing over from professional to personal. Who will win the tenth Hunger Games? And what will become of our narrator from the Capital, as well as his songbird tribute?

 

Suzanne Collins knows how to write a page-turner. I devoured the original trilogy and started this prequel out of curiosity--and then couldn't put it down. It features President Snow's backstory and explains his motivations for the evil he exudes in the later books, as well as the start of his path to power. As with all humans, no one is truly evil and President Snow is no exception. Readers will root for him, all while we see him make questionably ethical decisions out of a survival instinct. Elements of later books are seen and are explored in further depth such as Mockingjays and the Hanging Tree song, as well as the development of aspects of the games themselves. The early games prove to be much more like a Roman arena with the tributes being treated as animals. It is up to the gamemakers and the mentors to tweak the games in order to attract more of an audience. I found this book compelling. It is in the world of the first, yet with a different angle to keep it interesting. There are three distinct parts of the book: the events leading up to the games, the games themselves, and Coreolanus's experiences after the games. There were twists and surprises along the way and I especially loved the end. These are not the flashy games of Katniss and Peeta with parades and houses for the victors. This post war Panem is gritty and broken. Fans of the original trilogy will be the natural audience, yet the book could also be read as a stand-alone. A satisfying prequel that fleshes-out this dystopian world, all while providing some great entertainment. 

Stand Up, Yumi Chung!

Stand Up, Yumi Chung!

Jessica Kim

Kokila/Penguin, 2020 306 pages

Grades 5-8

Realistic Fiction

Eleven-year-old Yumi has a secret desire to be a stand-up comedian, though she is afraid to confess to her strict Korean parents the extent of her ambitions. Yumi's parents are immigrants and have worked very hard to give Yumi and her older sister all the advantages. They own and operate a Korean barbecue restaurant that has fallen on hard times. Even though money is tight, they pay to have Yumi attend a Korean tutoring program. Yumi hates the tutoring, as well as the prestigious private school she must attend. She would much rather go to the Los Angeles performing arts middle school but knows that her parents would never approve. Quite by accident/purpose Yumi wanders into a local comedy club, where one of her YouTube favorites is teaching a comedy camp for kids just her age. A case of mistaken identity leads Yumi to her new role as the latest member of the troupe, performing under the name "Kay", a registered girl who could not attend for medical reasons. Yumi makes new friends at camp who finally get her, and she longs to ditch academia and parental expectations to follow her dreams and be the person that she knows herself to be. The duplicity begins to wear her out and makes her feel guilty, yet she can't confess the truth to anyone in her life. Finally, the secret spills, Yumi tells her parents what is in her heart and accepts responsibility for her shady behavior. The results are not perfect, but they serve as a decent compromise, creating a solution that everyone can live with and saving the restaurant in the bargain.

 

I can't remember ever reading a middle grade book about an inspiring stand-up comedian, so this title came as a fresh surprise. With the added bonus of a modern Korean American protagonist, an underrepresented culture in children's literature, this was a book I was excited about. Yumi must learn how to follow her parent's wishes, while also staying true to herself and her passions. At first, she takes the approach common to all middle school aged kids-hide the truth and avoid confrontation. Yumi learns that this is not the best approach and feels better after she has a serious talk with her parents, apologizes to her comedy teacher, and makes up with her friends. Children of immigrants will appreciate Yumi's desire to please her parents since they have made countless scarifies for her and many kids will relate to how hard it is to live up to expectations that go against the person that you know yourself to be. I love the compromise that the author comes up with and found it to be pleasantly realistic. The climax of the novel is a Hail-Mary gesture to save the restaurant and demonstrates the importance of community and supporting small business. Yumi makes a real contribution in helping her parent's save the restaurant and is a producing member of the family. The book, though often dealing with serious issues, is predictably funny. Readers will like the stand-up bits, though they are few and far between. We don't see much of Yumi's act until the end, but we are treated to her clever musings of her world along the way. This book may give kids the courage to stand up to their parents and, possibly, work up a little stand-up routine of their own.

Kind of a Big Deal

Kind of a Big Deal

Shannon Hale

Roaring Brook Press, August, 2020 400 pages

Grades 9-Up

Fantasy

Josie Pie was a big deal in high school. The star of all the plays with an awesome best friend and a cute and sweet boyfriend, she had it all and was beloved by many. Because of her various attributes, Josie's drama teacher encourages her to bail on high school and chase the bright lights of Broadway as he lines up an audition for her. The audition was, predictably, a flop and after a period of floundering she accepts a job as a nanny to make ends meet. Now Josie is stuck with a five-year-old in a small Montana town with little to do, no goals for the future, and a boyfriend who is not picking up her calls. After a trip to the town's bookstore where she purchases a recommended romance from the cute store clerk, Josie cracks into the book on a bench at the playground. Suddenly she finds herself in a carriage bouncing down the road in long-ago England as part of the story. The plot gets rocking and she finds herself as the ingenue with Justin, her boyfriend, as the leading man. After some time, Josie returns home to find that little time as passed. As the weeks roll by, she enters more books of different genres, all with Justin as the male lead. Finally, she finds herself in the story of her dreams. Will she choose to leave? And should she stay too long, is it even possible? As Josie explores different books she comes to terms with her problems and starts to consider her future. The cause of the book travel is determined as Josie struggles to fight off evil forces in order to regain control of her life.

 

Sharron Hale sure is an eclectic author. She is the co-author of the chapter book series, Princess in Black, as well as one of my favorite adult books, Austenland, and has all stripes of different books in between. This story is a cross between teen and adult. The character is college age and living independently, making it more relatable to older teens. Kids fresh out of high school will appreciate the concept of a "do-over". I appreciate the concept of hopping into the plots of some of my fav books. Josie learns what and who is important to her and how to be a small fish in a big pond. She also matures into her adult self and starts to see the world through the eyes of others instead of her loved ones simply rotating around her. This story is mostly about the clever concept, plot and the emotional growth of the main character. Secondary characters are not particularly developed, although we are seeing the world through Josie's eyes, which for much of the book, are focused on herself. The ending is a bit unrealistic and rings hollow but will satisfy the target audience. The book runs a bit long, yet since Josie is falling into different books, it doesn't get boring. This author and the subject matter are sure to attract a readership and the book will be an easy sell to teens and new adults.

Dancing at the Pity Party

Dancing at the Pity Party

Tyler Feder

Dial, 2020 201 pages

Grades 8-Up

Graphic Memoir

Feder traces her experience of her mother dying from cancer when she was a sophomore in college. We learn about the person Mom was, Tyler's relationship to her and the entire dynamic of the family. The book begins with some general background and then explores the summer of the diagnosis through Mom's death, the funeral process, jumping back into life and afterward. The effect of both Mom’s life and death on the author are explored and we see her path to healing. The back of the volume includes actual family photos, giving the reader further perspective and reinforcing the truth behind the story.

 

Graphic novels are a great vehicle to convey complex human emotions, such as mourning. Feder is able to use images to illustrate the varied emotions she was feeling during the loss of her mother at such a vulnerable time. This is an honest and sad story, yet there is humor and irony and beauty and love amidst the grief.  There were times I laughed, times I cried, but I never wanted to put the book down even though the subject matter is sad. Through the story we see the importance of the overall family and care and support they offer each other. Readers unfamiliar with Jewish burial traditions will experience, perhaps, a different way of processing this terrible time with the healing power of family and community at the funeral and Shiva. The full-color illustrations, mostly created in a pastel pallet utilizing a lot of pinks and greens, are reflexive of the author/illustrator’s youth and memories and place the reader in her past. Clearly, this was a devastating tragedy in the life of the author, but eventually she comes out of the other side keeping some of her mother with her and becoming a strong woman thanks in part to her journey with Mom. A love letter to her mother, Feder invites readers into her life and allows us to see both its beauty and pain. Those who have experienced such a loss will find comfort amidst the pages of this book, yet others will also relate with the author as they travel the journey with her. Perfect for teenage graduates of Raina Telgemeier who love graphic memoirs but are ready for something a bit more mature.