The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne

The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne
Jonathan Stroud
Knopf, 2021
432 Pages
Grades 5-8
Fantasy/Adventure

In a dystopian England, teenaged Scarlett is alone and living by her wits. After robbing a bank and with the law on her heels, she escapes into the wilderness, carefully avoiding the "Tainted" (zombie-like creatures) and human-eating wild beasts. While exploring a bus, who suffered an unfortunate run-in with beasts, she encounters a fellow teenager locked in the bathroom. Albert Browne is much less savvy than Scarlett and must rely on her to get out of the wilds alive. The two youths begin to work as a team, narrowing escaping beasts, Tainted, and hitmen. But are the hitmen after Scarlett for the bank heist-or does Albert carry secrets of his own? Albert is not as he appears and he needs Scarlett's help if he is to survive. Scarlett, herself, is running out of options. She might as well hitch her cart to Albert's horse and escape with him to the free British Islands-if only they can find a boat and make it there alive.

I am a long-time fan of Jonathan Stroud and love his previous two series. This is a solid start of what appears to be a new series in a brand new fully realized world perfect for fans of Rick Riordan and James Dashner. Stroud's depiction of future England is bleak. Warring factions and weather disasters have made a post-apocalyptic nightmare, where citizens struggle for safety and the barest existence. Within this framework Scarlett is a fierce character who will dazzle readers with her courage and fighting prowess. Albert harbors interesting secrets that provide a twist and equals the playing field with his bold companion. The action moves quickly and violence is displayed at every turn, making this title more appropriate for older children and younger teens. The plot is great and the added magical elements are cool. I could see this story being made into a movie. Meanwhile, though the main arc of the book is concluded, readers can tell that there is more in store for our heroes and threads of both of their backstories are left dangling. Readers will eagerly wait for the next series installment to find out what is next-and what came before- for both Scarlett and Albert.

Stuntboy, In the Meantime

Stuntboy: In the Meantime

Jason Reynolds

Raul the Third, Illustrator

Atheneum/Simon & Schuster, 2021

263 pages

Grades 3-6

Graphic Hybrid/Humor

Stuntboy series #1

Meet Portico. He lives with his parents and grandmother in a "castle" (tall apartment building) along with his bestest friend Zola and worstest enemy Herbert Singletary the Worst. Sometimes when life gets stressful Portico suffers from something called "the Frets", but the good news is that he has super powers to combat the situation. Portico has a secret identity, Stuntboy, who can solve any problem or worry by doing super-heroic stunts. The Frets come on hard as Portico's parents enter "the meantime" and fight all the time over the apartment's possessions. They will soon be living in two separate apartments in the castle and Portico will have a room in each. It doesn't sound like too bad of an arrangement, only--why do they fight all of the time? And why does he feel pulled in two different directions? Get to know the gang who lives in the castle as you spend time in Portico's world as he discovers that everything is not as it seems.

This series opener features two big names in current children's literature in a format sure to be gobbled up by the target audience. Told in both text and illustrations, the design has the feel of a classic superhero comic. There is plenty of text, yet generous illustrations, mostly black and white with some tinting help to convey the action. The actual cartoon that Zola and Portico bond over is included at various parts in the story with a slightly different look and font, as well as moving to full-color illustrations. Portico is a modern Junie B., not quite understanding his world and making mistakes that will empower the audience, who will get it. Also like Junie B, he uses some incorrect grammar for laughs, which is my least favorite device in books for emerging readers. At it's core this is a friendship story, as Portico is supported (in one scene both literally and figuratively) by his old and new best friends. As a series opener there will be more installments to come and we will get to see how Portico navigates his parent's separation now that he understands the truth. Hand to fans of Wimpy Kid and Dog Man for a sure-fire hit.

The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy

The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy
Anne Ursu
Walden Pond/HarperCollins, 2021
423 pages
Grades 5-Up
Fantasy

Marya is an often overlooked girl from a small town. Luka, her brother, is the golden boy: destined to become a sorcerer, one of the upper tiers of this society trained to battle the Dread. At Luka's testing Marya accidentally interferes. Luka is not chosen, but Marya receives a mysterious letter ordering her to attend Dragomir Academy for Troubled Girls deep in the mountains. At the academy life is harsh. The teachers are very strict and the rules are plenty. The silver lining is that for the first time in her life Marya begins to make friends with some of her fellow students. Yet all is not as it seems at the academy. What were the circumstances behind the founding family and what happened to their missing daughter? Why are the girls forced to attend--are they really "bad"? These questions and more are answered as the Dread approaches the school and the girls must figure out on their own how to save both their lives and the school, tapping into powers that they didn't know they processed.

Fantasy author for young people, Ursu, presents a new title with plenty of magic, mystery, adventure and friendship. Feminist in nature, the students at the academy discover that they have been kept down by the kingdom's menfolk, who do not wish to share their power, and must figure out on their own how to make their magical way in the world. Even though the book is set in a mythical kingdom and in a boarding school for troubled young girls, there is much to which today's youth will relate. Marya is a likable character and readers will root for her as she discovers her true nature and gains confidence, all while discovering the secrets hidden by older, powerful men. The secondary characters are also sympathetic. Many characters grow and change throughout the pages making the story as rich in characterization as it is in plot. The story fully ends, yet Ursu leaves the door open for a sequel. A book that ticks a lot of boxes, it is fun to read and keeps readers guessing, all while having something to say, yet doesn't sink under the weight of it's message.

Last Night at the Telegraph Club

Last Night at the Telegraph Club
Malinda Lo
Dutton, 2021
409 pages
Grades 10-Up

Lily is a dutiful Chinese girl living in mid-1950's San Francisco, only she has a secret side to her personality. Unlike her best friend, who is only concerned with boys and getting married, Lily wants to be involved with the space program as a "computer" and isn't attracted to the young men in her circle. In fact, she starts to develop feelings for the only other girl in her advanced math classes, Kath. The two form a tentative friendship, gradually confessing growing romantic feeling for each other and for women in general. Eventually, Kath takes Lily to The Telegraph Club, a nightclub with a lesbian cliental featuring male impersonators. It is here that Lily sees another way of life, one that she never knew existed. The problem is: her family and community will never except this lifestyle. Meanwhile, McCarthyism is rearing its ugly head and both the Gay and Chinese communities are being targeted as communists. Is Lily willing to sacrifice all that she loves, including her family's American citizenship, to be true to who she really is?

Winner of the 2021 National Book Award for Young People's Literature this timely novel speaks to young Americans on many levels. Discrimination against Asian Americans, as well as homosexual and transsexual people, is currently a hot topic, yet is not new as it was in full-force in the 1950's, when the straight, white lifestyle, was king. Feminism is also featured, as Lily longs for a career that is not an excepted path for women and even studying math in not encouraged. Moreover, the "Red Scare" and accusing minorities and immigrants of being anti-American in order to deport them is also back on our radar. Yes, the dark side of the glorious 1950's are explored in this novel and the reader discovers that we are still battling some of these issues. At it's heart, the book is a very sweet queer romance. The setting is not one that I can recall in historical fiction for young people, making this title fresh and new, while also reflecting current culture. For many reasons I understand why this book won the National Book Award. I am not sure that it will appeal to a wide range of teen readers, but it is very well written and of historical and cultural importance, making it worthy of notice.

Loteria

Loteria
Karla Arenas Valenti
Knofp, 2021
305 pages

Grades 4-6

Fantasy/Magical Realism

Eleven-year-old Clara unknowingly gets selected as a pawn in the yearly Dia de los Muertos loteria game played by the dapper fellow, Life, and his beautiful companion, Death. Clara's fate will depend on the outcome of their game and alternating chapters relate Clara's experience and their own. Strange events start to happen as Clara's drawings mysteriously come to life. After a family tragedy, Clara's beloved cousin, Esteban disappears, and Clara must follow him to the mythical kingdom of Las Pozas. El Diablo has tricked Esteban into following him to be traded to the king for as yet unknown purposes. Clara reaches the enchanted land, but cannot enter the castle. She must barter with and outsmart talking animals and creatures from legend in order to make her way in. Meanwhile, the loteria game continues, and with it, Clara's fate. Who will win and what will that mean for Clara? For what purpose does the king collect children? And, most of all, will Clara save Esteban in time? These questions and others will be answered as life and death battle it out in this all-important round of loteria.

Debut middle-grade author, Valenti, weaves a tale infused with Mexican culture and world philosophy. She explores the concept of fate verse free choice and, as Life and Death play the game to determine Clara's future, she is battling to control her own destiny. They are both right, as Clara's fate is decided by the game, but she provides a solution to twist the out come in a way in which she controls. The results both surprised and saddened me. The ending is not happy, which in itself is a twist for a middle grade book, yet all of the ends are sewn up neatly. The story goes pretty dark, from a king who collects children for nefarious purposes to El Diablo luring away Esteban, and contains several deaths, making this selection not for the faint of heart. The philosophy gets a bit heavy handed at times and bogs down the plot a bit. All of that said, it beautifully weaves Mexican cultural into a magical adventure. I have always been fascinated by the game Loteria, having played it as a child, and love how this bingo-esque game mirrors the plot. Extensive back matter provides info about some of the elements, places, and inspirations of the book, as well as including a discussion guide. This is a very different book that will appeal to kids who like fiction that makes them think, with a little bit of magic and a lot of creepiness thrown in for good measure.

In the Wild Light

In the Wild Light

Jeff Zentner

Crown, 2021

421 pages

Grades 9-Up

Realistic Fiction

Cash has lived his entire life in the same small Appalachian Tennessee town. His mother has died from an overdose and he currently lives with his beloved grandparents, though Papaw suffers from emphysema and is in pretty bad shape. Cash helps his best friend Delaney discover a mold in a cave that has healing properties. Delanie is offered a scholarship to a prestigious northeastern boarding school and will only go if Cash can come too. The teenagers step out of their comfort zone and into a whole new world of learning, different ways of living, and extreme privilege. They make some friends and Cash discovers  a love of poetry and a new mentor in his dedicated teacher. By joining the crew team he finds a place within the school. Meanwhile, he also finds first love, first heartbreak, and eventually comes to terms with the feelings he has harbored for Delaney for a very long time. The year passes by, as Papaw's condition worsens and Cash's privileged and nasty roommate crosses the line in a way that forces him to find his voice.

Zentner pens a character driven story that demonstrates Cash's growth from insecure small town boy, content with running a landscaping business, to a confident poet, able to stand up for what is right. Themes of toxic masculinity are explored, as Cash's entitled jerk of a roommate clearly crosses a line and Cash must risk his scholarship to do the right thing. Appalachia is shown as more than a region of hillbillies and it is unusual to see this area of America so fully explored. The region is part of Cash and Delaney, yet doesn't define them. The power of words and writing comes through, as we trace Cash's journey to becoming a poet and the healing that he feels from this expression. The book is mostly appropriate for younger teens; the romance is innocent and there is no language, yet there is violence and the scene where Cash must confront his roommate involves date-rape and is disturbing. A beautifully written coming of age story that will sweep up readers, make them cry, and then, ultimately, leave them with a sense of hope.

The School for Whatnots

The School for Whatnots
Margaret Peterson Haddix
Katherine Tegen/HarperCollins, March, 2022
304 pages
Grades 5-8
Science Fiction/Adventure

An unknown narrator relates the story of Max, a rich only-child growing up in the not-so-distant future. In order to protect him and allow him to grow up in a kind and gentle atmosphere, Max's parents have chosen to school him with child-like robots-AKA whatnots-as his classmates. One little girl, Josie, stands out in kindergarten, as she invites him to play in the mud and the two become best friends. As elementary school winds down and Max will enter middle school with real children, who were also previously school with whatnots, Josie hands him a note that reads, "No matter what anyone tells you, I'm real." What follows is a series of discoveries, as Max is finally told the truth about his classmates. Meanwhile, we learn Josie's story as she must live secretly all through elementary school as the only human child surrounded by robots. Upon fifth grade graduation, Josie moves back in with her struggling father to prepare for her next step. What she doesn't expect is that maybe there are more real children than herself posing as robots and maybe Max will find her and they get to the bottom of the mysterious situation together.

Margaret Peterson Haddix, of Among the Hidden Fame, is the "Concept Queen" of middle grade fiction. She has the best ideas and her books are a super-easy sell. As much as I get roped into reading most of her books because they are such fresh ideas, sometimes the execution is not as great as the concept. Kids don't care. They love her books and reach for the next if it is part of a series. Robots are cool and trendy and the thought of all of the kids in your class being robots is an intriguing concept. The book is fast placed and adventurous with a hint of mystery. It starts out believable-and then goes a bit off the rails. All ends well, but it almost has to in books written for this age group. Josie is a likable and lively character that readers will want as their own friend. Max as the poor-rich boy is sympathetic. The mysterious narrator is revealed as the book continues and other surprises are in store for the reader as they turn the pages. Themes such as loneliness, privilege, and the dark side of technology are explored. This story appears to be a stand-alone and is set for a March 2022 release.