A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez, written by Maria Dolores Aguila. Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast, 2025. $24.99 ages 9 and up

 

"DAVID'S LITTLE BROTHERS'
small sobs, 
the way they try to 
swallow their 
sadness quietly, 
twist my insides. 

When I walk through the 
rickety stick fence
and meet Mama's sad eyes, 
I almost shatter into a million pieces. 

She knew it would happen, 
but maybe, just maybe, 
it would not. 

Because who could imagine
they would turn us away
for the color of our skin
and the language we speak?"

This verse novel eloquently recounts the story of Roberto Alvarez and the 1931 Lemon Grove Incident. I had never heard of it, and I am guessing that I am not the only one. These are the stories that are rarely shared in history classes. It is very unsettling; then, ultimately hopeful even though it didn't stop such incidents in years that followed. 

While students are on Christmas break, Roberto meets his friend Socorro's cousins. They have just moved to San Diego after being driven out of their Oklahoma home in the face of deportation raids on Mexican families. As break ends and the students eagerly return to their studies, the Mexican American students are told they can no longer attend Lemon Grove Grammar School. Now, they will have to attend the Olive Street School. 

Their classes will be held in a renovated barn. It is not right, and residents of the barrio know that to be true. Roberto also knows it. As el Comite de Vecinos de Lemon Grove is organized to fight the transfer of their children, Roberto is made the young spokesperson for their legal action. The court case occasions change; it is the first successful desegregation case in the US. It does not go smoothly. Families are threatened; the community remains strong. Charges against the children for not attending their new school, deportation of some families, and a need for money to fight their case result. 

When all is said and done, the people win their case. In spite of their many losses, they stand together to do what is best for their children. The text is beautifully written. Roberto, a 12-year-old boy is a compelling and courageous voice for all the tensions and fears between the two sides. There is reason to fear what will happen; there is also determination and perseverance to stand in solidarity. 

An author's note provides readers with the history that led to the Lemon Grove Incident.

"THERE IS SO MUCH
I do not know about the world, 
but I hope that people 
learn about what happened
in the sea of lemon trees.

I make a wish that 
children of every color
can go to school together
and never feel 
like they do not 
belong."

The Outlaws Scarlett and Browne, written by Jonathan Stroud. Yearling, Penguin Random House. 2021. $12.49 ages 12 and up

 

"The mists parted. There behind the woman, limping
extravagantly: a stocky man in a bowler hat and long 
gray coat, gun held ready at his side. 
"Albert," Scarlett said. "You need to come with me."
There was no response when she grabbed him by the 
sleeve. He was inert, a spent battery, a broken spring. 
He was still staring back toward the woman as Scarlett
wrenched him into action, pulled him with her toward
the arch, sweeping up her bags as she did so."

When I received a copy of The Notorious Scarlett and Browne last year, I spent some time looking for information about the book and its story. It seemed a book I would enjoy reading. But, wait! There was a first book in the promised trilogy, and I hadn't yet read anything about it. So, I got a copy and have just finished it. It has been a terrific incentive for me: I read it every day while pedalling a stationary bike as part of my therapy following knee replacement surgery. The second awaits. I am sure it will be just as compelling! 

First things first. Scarlett McCain is an accomplished bank robber, outrunning the law and keeping to herself as much as possible. When she rescues Albert Browne from a bus crash on the roadside, she has no idea that it will change her life in many ways. As they run from the armed men pursuing them, she realises they are not tracking her. They are after Albert, who has escaped from Stonemoor and Dr. Calloway, an evil woman who uses torture and cruel experiments on children who exhibit unusual powers that she can use for her own diabolical reasons. 

Their flight for freedom and safety for Albert lasts twelve days and is largely spent on a river raft whose pilot is a crochety old man with little charm, but needed and practical knowledge of the journey that will get them to the Free Isles. Joe hires his raft to anyone who can pay the price. He is caregiver for his young mute granddaughter. Just as Albert's unusual mental powers make him an outcast in a dystopian England, Effie is sure to be a target when she is recognized as being unable to speak. They are a motley crew. 

Their journey is wrought with the tension of the endless chase, giant birds, an unexpected meeting with the Tainted (cannibals who inhabit the wilds of this post-apocalyptic world), the social order established by the Faith Houses that have control over towns along the way, and the perils of the river itself. 

The cast of characters is strong, the barbed and often humorous conversations between Scarlett and Albert are engaging, and the constant danger keeps the reader on edge at every turn. The abilities of both Scarlett and Albert, though very different, are integral to the promise of more adventures to come. Readers will very much enjoy the spirited action, the powerful setting, and the relationship established through often laugh-out-loud dialogue.  

If you are looking for adventure and characters to admire, start with this first book and be prepared to move quickly to the next as I have just done. 

https://youtu.be/CmwsZ9q54ck?si=WrnZefKr6C6e7dcB

GLOBAL, written by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin, with illustrations by Giovanni Rigano. Sourcebookskids, Raincoast. 2023. $19.99 ages 10 and up

 

"The bear runs. 

I just freeze.
Totally. 
I just ... watch. 

It's fast. 
And lumbering. 
It's fast and lumbering
at the same time. 

But there's nothing to do. 
Unless."

This book, created by the same team who brought readers a graphic novel about the many crises and complications facing undocumented immigrants (Illegal, Sourcebooks, 2018), have turned their attention to today's very real problems caused by global warming. Their focus is on two young people and each one's personal perspective, told in alternating chapters: Sami lives in a fishing village in the Bay of Bengal, and Yuki's home is in the Arctic Circle. Both have grave concerns about their homes and the threats to their environments. To say they are brave is understated. They are brave to the point of putting their lives in danger to make a difference where they live. Those who love them come close to losing them. 

Readers will not forget the dangers faced, or the severity of the issues that cause them to take things into their own hands. Sami (12) and his grandfather fish in the Indian Ocean, a habitat that is threatened with rising sea levels. They continue to live in this beautiful place, while catches grow smaller even though they work harder. Suki (14) is very concerned about how the melting ice is affecting her beloved polar bears, who need ice to hunt. With less ice cover, the bears are hungrier all the time and therefore, often more dangerous.  

The story is action-filled. Sami and his grandfather are attacked by pirates just before their village is destroyed by a mud slide. Yuki gets caught on ice floe after being attacked by a grolar (a hybrid mix of grizzly and polar bears). The authors keep the telling sparse, yet compelling. Mr. Rigano assures full attention throughout in vigorous and beautiful illustrations that speak to the awesome wonder of both settings and the destruction caused by warming waters. It is not surprising to learn that these young people want to preserve what they have and love. 

https://youtu.be/VfAH8uH7ac8

Backmatter does an excellent job summarizing global warming and its negative effects.

The Librarian of Auschwitz (The Graphic Novel), adapted by Salva Rubio and translated by Lilit ZekulinThwaites. Illustrated by Loreto Aroca. Henry Holt and Company, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2023. $19.99 ages 12 and up

 

"Dita, our library now also contains 
"Living Books". Let me introduce 
Mrs. Magda, also known as The 
Wonderful Adventures of Nils Holgersson.

The "Living Books" became another 
secret of the Library of Auschwitz.
Soon, people could borrow both the 
paper books, and the living books, 
and many wanted to listen to them. 

Soon, they had a living book about 
the history of the Jews ... 
and a collection of stories about the 
American Wild West ...
and Mrs. Marketa became The Count
of Monte Cristo."

This graphic novel has been adapted from Antonio Iturbe's acclaimed novel, published by Henry Holt and Company in 2017. It is based on Edita Kraus' story of working in a forbidden school within the Auschwitz concentration camp. Before the arrival of the Nazis, Dita lived a happy life in Czechoslovakia. She loved books and school. That soon changed when schools were closed, and the family was deported to Auschwitz in 1942. Dita was 14. At first, they were lucky enough to be placed in the family camp established there. There, they were part of what was shown to be the humane treatment of prisoners to the outside world. 

Dita worked in secret to gather eight smuggled books, and ensure they got tino the hands that needed them so badly - teachers and students. It was a daunting task, fraught with worry at being discovered. Dita knew that books could make a difference. She was willing to risk her life so that others would know the magic of story. They could give hope in a hopeless time, as they had given her hope growing up.  

The story is carefully translated and shown in remarkable visuals that carry the emotional impact of the lives of fear and terror prisoners endured, worrying every day about what was to come. Using dialogue bubbles and text boxes to establish all that happened from the family's arrival, the telling is effective and horrific. 

Changes in tones from sepia to shadows cast in blue-gray assure understanding for the emotional toll taken at the camp. Bold red denotes the panic and terror that comes with the arrival of Nazi soldiers. Following images include a mass grave, prisoners being led to the gas chambers, further atrocities inflicted, and finally freedom for survivors. An illustrated epilogue provides further information about Adolf Hitler's plan and describes a few of the people who played a role in the events described.

Unforgettable and heartbreaking indeed. As it should be. 

The Door of No Return, by Kwame Alexander. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2022. $22.99 ages 11 and up

I read this book weeks ago. Then, I read it again. Yesterday, I read it once more. I am one of those readers who is constantly mesmerized by the stories Kwame Alexander tells. This is a book that leaves an imprint on your heart, and many scenes from it in your memory. It will not be forgotten; I promise you that. My daughter would confirm that I am not a person who rereads book. Erin often rereads those she calls her favorites. Despite reading it three times, once so recently, I do not find it easy to find the right words to tell you about it.  

It is a historical novel, written in verse and prose. It is both mesmerizing and exceptional. It is the story told of Asante villager Kofi Offin, an 11-year-old living with his family in their home village in Ghana. His days are spent with friends doing what young people do: going to school, working hard to learn English while he speaks Twi at home with his family, values, and history. He is with Ebo and Ama constantly, and is just beginning to feel an attraction to Ama. He recognizes that his friend Ebo feels much the same way. 

After being bullied, he challenges his cousin to a river race. That river holds a special place in Kofi's life. Named after it and spending many happy hours there, Kofi doesn't pay much attention to village stories that tell of beasts that can be found thereat night. It isn't until he sees the snares placed near the shore meant to capture humans. Caught in one of the snares and sold into slavery, Kofi starts down the terrifying path that leads him to the door of no return. 

Because Mr. Alexander's clear and moody writing gives voice to Kofi and all of the emotions as his story moves forward, readers have a real stake in what is happening and empathy for his plight. The story moves forward quickly because of the verse format, and the writer's ability to tell a story in words that speak volumes. Although lengthy (398 pages), I had little choice but to keep going. My lack of knowledge concerning Asante culture was greatly improved while living alongside Kofi, his family, and friends. I learned about entertainment, storytelling, language, food, and village and family life. 

And I met Nana Mosi, Kofi's grandfather who is the village storyteller. He has a real and present role to play for all villagers. 

"Though he is nearly eighty now
and seldom speaks, 
when he does, 
I hang on to all his words, 
the lulls in between, 
and I remember 
the stories
like a pigeon remembers
its way home."

Thoughtful and ample backmatter includes acknowledgements, a Twi glossary, a legend for Adinkra symbols, and a list of real locations used in the telling of this remarkable, memorable story. In those acknowledgements, Kwami Alexander explains his reason for writing: 

"because people need to know that the middle was not our beginning. I wanted to speak the truth about the history of African Americans, because while most of us are aware of the American part, it’s time for us to know more about the African part, right?" 

Here's the best news for fans and new readers of Mr. Alexander's work. This is the first book in a trilogy! My eyes are peeled. 

Sunshine: How One Camp Taught Me About Life, Death, and Hope, written and illustrated by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. 2023. $19.99 ages 12 and up

"I watched as my friends all joined their groups. 
I have to be honest, I had been looking forward
to working with littler kids, so being assigned to 
a teen was at first a little disappointing. Especially 
given that I was a teen myself - I didn't see what 
I'd have to offer. Along with my ragtag group of
teen-group counselors, I waited for our campers
to gather. I saw a boy getting wheeled over by
his parents."

At the time that this event took place, it is hard for those who know Jarrett to make sense of his wanting to work at a week-long summer camp for kids with illnesses that threaten their lives. His grandparents, who are his caregivers, think it will be too depressing for him. He reassures them that he is okay with his choice, although he does admit to his readers that he really doesn't know how it will be. There are 6 teens and two chaperones when they arrive at the camp. Everyone is given their assignment. To Jarrett's surprise he is not going to be working with a group; instead, he is paired with Diego. Diego is 13, and has a brain tumor that is inoperable and advanced. Diego is in a wheelchair. Jarrett will also host another family at meal times. 

Not only does he develop a welcome and trusting relationship with Diego, he also really enjoys getting to know Eric from the meal family he hosts, a little boy with leukemia and an obsession with the Power Rangers. Readers learn about the strengths and character of the campers, rather than focusing on their illnesses. There are many happy moments that make the experience very special to all, including both families. 

Jarrett's artwork throughout this memoir that reflects on all that happened at that summer week at camp is both compelling and inspiring. The conversations shared and the activities depicted give readers an opportunity to fully participate in the camp's many benefits for the kids and their families. He is able to maintain the warmth of his experiences there while never shying away from the sadness or the grief felt by all. It was a summer that changed his life in a myriad of ways. What an amazing place to spend a memorable summer week - Camp Sunshine.    

An author's note gives further background on some of the characters and affirms that helping others by learning more about them and genuinely caring for them provides its own kind of emotional healing.

https://youtu.be/sYJ80QsDTOw 

Muhammad Najem, War Reporter. Written by Muhammad Najem and Nora Neus and illustrated by Julie Robine. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2022. $16.99 ages 12 and up

 

"Look! A journalist wants to promote my 
videos! He wants to show the world what 
is happening in Syria! 

Muhammad, you can't send this. 

Why not? 

Do you know who this is? 

Yes, a journalist. 

He claims he's a journalist. 
What did I tell you about showing 
where you live?" 

What a truly powerful story this is.

Muhammad Najem lives in war-torn Syria in Eastern Ghouta, a suburb of Damascus. Although he has always felt safe in his father's shop, life changes dramatically when Assad's soldiers march in with their threats and terror-filled searches. Children grew up very fast in the midst of the Assad regime. At 13, Muhammad had lost his father to a bombing while he was praying, and his family was reeling from that loss. When they also lost their home and so much else of importance, Muhammad looked for a way to inspire himself to keep going. 

He found that inspiration when he interviewed children about the war, and posted it to social media so the world would know the real story. Would their story encourage people around the world to support the Syrian people? 

Yes, he was afraid. Yes, he was warned of reprisal from the government. Yes, he was brave enough to keep reporting. Eventually, at 15, he got the attention of Nora Neus, a CNN reporter who helped him write this book to tell his story. 

A normal, happy life was turned upside down because of war and governmental conflict. The people of Syria lived through great loss, poverty, and terror on a daily basis. Expressive artwork allows a clear look for readers at all the important moments for Muhammad and his family. Heartbreak, accompanied by moments of warmth, humor, and love is evident. The conflict continues today for so many. Readers will begin to understand the struggle that forces so many Syrian people to try to find a safe path to a new and happier life. 

Appended author notes and photographs bring the story into the present.

 https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2018/02/21/eastern-ghouta-syria-15-year-old-boy-lon-orig.cnn

https://youtu.be/DrhPuaSuhwc

Maybe An Artist, written and illustrated by Liz Montague. Random House Studio, Penguin Random House. 2022. $33.99 ages 12 and up

 

"My older sisters had Myspace, but I'd never
had any interest in that. As soon as I got home,
though, I checked out Facebook. It was an 
entirely new frontier. 
It was nice being able to meet people 
without actually having to meet them
and know things about them without 
actually having to talk to them."

This graphic memoir begins when Liz Montague, as a working adult, finds herself faced with a blank page and wondering "why do I do this?" Putting herself through day after day of having to come up with something new, interesting, and inspiring can be very hard work. When the same question is put to her by her partner, she must take stock of her journey from 9-year-old girl to full-time artist. 

How did that happen? Her early years at school saw her diagnosed as dyslexic and struggling with academics. Middle school saw her grapple with academics, fitting in, and finding a path. She thought she wanted to be a writer. But other issues weighed heavy on her mind. Her artwork was praised, as was her ability at track. High school was not better. Now, she felt invisible in much bigger school, and came to know some of the pressures that arise when part of a racial minority. What was she to do to make her parents proud, and worthy of their sacrifices for her? A track scholarship to university and classes available there offered an opportunity to take an art class. She had found her calling. At 22, she became on the first Black female cartoonists to be published in the New Yorker. What an accomplishment! 

Told in chapters that focus on each part of her life's journey, this graphic novel is sure to find fans quickly and be passed along to others who will want to read it. Middle and high school readers will identify with some of the descriptions and struggles faced by a young woman of color in a small community. She is both serious and funny when describing so carefully her experiences and emotions. Her artwork holds great appeal for her audience. It is expressive, and placed on a white background, assuring attention is paid fully to the story being told. Hers was a long and winding path to finding success and fulfillment in her life. She tells her story with joy and careful thought that will leave readers pleased to know more about her. 

Invisible, written by Christina Diaz Gonzalez and and illustrated by Gabriela Epstein, with color by Lark Pien. Scholastic, 2022. $16.99

"It's true, though. 
Isn't it? 
Maybe we can help. 

You can't tell anyone. And
it's only temporary ... until 
I can get back on my feet.
I have things under control ...
I've been looking for a job. 

We won't say anything. 
Promise." 

Their story begins in the principal's office at Conrad Middle School. Five Latinx students have been called in to talk about the events of April 18. They don't know why they are there, and assume they are in some kind of trouble. Their story is told from five distinct perspectives. The first assumptions made is that they are all Mexican, and that they don't speak English. 

Neither is true. George (the brain) is of Puerto Rican descent; Sara (the loner) is Mexican; Dayara (the tough kid) is Cuban; Miguel (the athlete) is Dominican; and Nico (the rich kid) is Venezuelan. As they tell their stories, readers learn about the challenges they are facing in their own lives outside of school. George is placed with 'students like you' when he is assigned community service hours helping Mrs. Grouser in the school's cafeteria. Though George does not speak Spanish fluently, he is assigned to be the translator for the group. They work together but don't know much about the others.  

While on the playground together, they meet a young woman and her daughter near the fence. They discover that the two are homeless and set out to help in any way they can. Of course that means breaking some of Mrs. Grouser's ridiculous rules. They must decide for themselves if helping is worth becoming more visible in a setting that makes ungrounded assumptions about them because of how they look. 

In her first graphic novel, Ms. Gonzalez creates complex and exceptional characters who are much more that who everyone assumes they are. The text is written in Spanish and English; the format is accessible and inspiring. Readers will relate to some of the issues they face. The focus of Ms. Epstein's expressive artwork is on the five and their personal stories, as well as the interactions between them. Together they find community far beyond what others expect of them and realize that they can make an important difference.  

The twist at the end makes it an even more satisfying read. 

https://youtu.be/CdIZ5gb0jCg

Home Is Not a Country, written by Safia Elhillo. Make Me a World, Penguin Random House. 2021. 23.99 ages 12 and up

 

"I know something happened on the news again
because my mother has stopped wearing her scarf
to work    & instead tucks each strand of her hair
into a knit hat   the nape of her neck new
& tender in the light   she who once said 
I will never be ashamed of where I come from 
I will never let you be ashamed of who we are
seems to have changed her mind    & I wonder
if this means I should feel ashamed too "

Nima has never felt comfortable being who she is. Her father died before her birth. Her mother chose to leave family and friends for a new life. Nima doesn't feel at home in this new life in America., and doesn't feel any real connection to her culture. She has one friend ... Haitham. Following his hate-crime beating and while he is recuperating, she has no one. Her days are spent with no social contact and little communication with her mother. The reality of this life where she is bullied for not speaking English without an accent, the poverty that is the life of a single mother raising a child alone, the hate for Muslims at the time, and her inability to speak with Haitham while he is in a coma lead her to a belief about what life could be, if only she knew about her home country and heritage. 

Her dreams offer a different way of life; the kind of life she has never known. In that other reality, her father is still alive, her extended family is large and welcoming, and her mother has time away from work to spend with her. Her dream world, and Yasmeen, lead her to take risks she might never take in the real world. Yameen could be her other self, the one who knows what her life might have been. 

The narrative voice in this novel in verse is authentic, and often heartbreaking. The fantasy that allows a life of belonging and love in the land of her birth soon collapses, and points Nima toward a new appreciation for what she does have and who she is. Gaining that perspective makes for a hopeful conclusion to her story.  

They Called Us Enemy, Written by George Takei, Justin Eisinger and Steven Scott. Art by Harmony Becker. Top Shelf, Penguin Random House. 2019. $25.99 ages 12 and up

"We are going on a vacation ...
A long vacation to a far-away 
place called Arkansas. 

What's it like there?

I ... I'm not sure ... 

I saw people crying and couldn't
understand why. Daddy said we
were going on a vacation."

I have read two graphic novels recently that help readers understand the repercussions of internment for so many Japanese Americans during WWII. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese air force, the government determined that all citizens of Japanese heritage were an immediate threat to the US. The decision was made to take them from their homes, asking them to leave with what they could carry and shipping them to one of ten camps that were being set up to house the families.

George Takei was only 5, the oldest of 3 children, when he and his family were rounded up in the night and eventually sent to their first internment camp. His father downplayed the move, suggesting they were going on vacation - tough for a young child to understand when people around their family were frantic and crying. Arkansas provided wooden barracks, barbed-wire fences and a watchful rifleman.

Takei's narration is through the eyes of a young child. Their new home was hot and flooded often. The food was unfamiliar and unappealing. It was difficult to adjust to a life where furniture had to be built from scraps, where older children did their best to get the young boy into trouble, and where startling discoveries were made because nothing was normal (Santa was not his roly-poly self). His parents did what they could to make the most of their situation. His father became a leader in the camp, helping newcomers and dealing diplomatically with guards. His mother used a hidden sewing machine to ensure her children were clothed and comfortable.

When his resilient and proud parents refused to swear loyalty to the United States and denounce Japan, they were immediately coined 'No-Nos'. This meant a transfer to Tule Lake in California, a place where 'disloyal' Japanese people were sent, and notoriously labelled the 'worst' of the ten camps set up by the American government. The camp's atmosphere was strained, pitting activists against those who resisted protest. George had difficulty accepting some of his father's teachings as a young man; he did come to see what his father had been saying and has lived the rest of his life emulating his father's legacy of truth, kindness and understanding. 

George Takei speaks brilliantly of his childhood memories when he compares what he felt at the time to the plight of many people in the world today. He uses his celebrity to make a difference, just as his father used his intelligence and patience to help Japanese families when they needed his guidance.

This is another distinguished graphic memoir published by First Second. It gives readers a clear understanding from this author, actor, and activist of the impact that the internment had on generations of Japanese families.

If you want to hear more, check out George's TED talk from 2014, and his address at the  FDR Museum and Presidential Library in 2017.                                                                         

displacement, by kiku hughes. First Second, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2020. $24.99 ages 12 and up

"I listened to her speaking to
her parents - my great grand-
parents - in Japanese as they
moved into the stall next to
mine.

I couldn't understand them
but I could tell by their tone
they were stressed.

I knew no Japanese ... "

This stunning graphic novel is both fact and fiction. It tells one family's story of the Japanese internment following the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1942. Learning about her family's history happens when Kiku and her mother visit San Francisco. Her mother wants to see the house where her mother grew up; Kiku is not impressed by their wandering about and is ready to head back home to Seattle.

Her mother is anxious to visit the mall that now sits on the site where the house once was. Kiku wants to sit and wait outside. It is her first time of  'displacement'.

"That's when it happened.

I heard the music first.

And when I opened my
eyes, all I could see
was a thick fog.

But when it cleared at last ...

I was somewhere entirely different."

Her return to the present time happens quickly. Then, she is 'displaced' again ... and then again. Finally, she seems to be stuck back in time where she experiences what her grandparents and many other Japanese families endured while incarcerated during World War II. She soon realizes she is going to be there for some time. She resigns herself to surviving along with the others. She watches the varied reactions of those sent to the camps. Some are determined to protest and not abide by the rules set for them by the government. Others yield to their circumstances, hoping that life will soon be normal again.

Although she knows that her grandmother is a camp resident, she does not make contact with her. Rather, she watches and sees in her grandmother bravery and refinement as she deals with the conditions of camp life. Kiku's 'displacement' connects her to a heritage she has not explored, as little has been said about it. Unsure that she will return to the present time, there is a sense of hopelessness that is shown in the memorable artwork that offers a rather bleak existence in the desert (where many of the camps were located), and a true sense of isolation that all must have felt so far from home and all they had known.

Readers - and there will be many interested in this historical, autobiographical graphic novel - will learn needed information about a time in history that is not often discussed. A connection is made to the current incarceration in the United States of migrant children, as well as the Muslim ban enacted by President Trump and his administration. It has an emotional impact that is memorable for all who read it.

Archival photos, an author's note, a glossary to terms used, and a list for further reading are useful and may encourage further research.
                                                                                     

When Stars Are Scattered, written by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed. Color by Iman Geddy. Dial Books, Penguin Random House. 2020. $27.99 ages 10 and up

"I heard you're quitting school. 

Yeah. I have to take care of
Hassan. You of all people must
understand.

No, I don't understand. I don't 
understand how anyone would 
turn down the chance to go to
school. 

Do you think if I were a boy I'd ... "

Omar and Hassan are brothers forced to flee Somalia when their father is killed during the civil war. As they fled on foot, they became separated from their mother and eventually made it to Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya. The two are fostered to one of the camp's citizens, Fatuma. She treats the boys as her own, helping Omar with Hassan who has a seizure disorder and cannot communicate clearly. Always at the back of Omar's mind is that they will one day find their mother and return to their homeland.

The boys are at Dadaab for seventeen years. Omar is lucky to be going to school, and having good friends. He studies hard, helps Fatuma, spends time wtih those friends, and harbors wishes to be resettled through the United Nations to a Western country, at some point. Food is scarce, there are few resources, and there is little to no medical care for Hassan. This is Omar's mostly personal story, impressively told in a graphic novel by the talented Victoria Jamieson. It flows perfectly from the first page to last.

This novel gives readers a very personal view of life in a refugee camp settimg that is a reality for many people around the world. Displaced by circumstances beyond their control, the boys get emotional and physical support to help them deal with their new normal. In the end, when they set to go, they must leave the family they have always known. This story needs to be told, and should ensure empathy for their plight. Readers will not forget these boys, their friends, neighbors and supporters.

Back matter includes photos of the brothers before and after leaving Dadaab, an afterword that continues their story, and separate author notes from both Omar and Victoria. It is an amazing tale, both heartbreaking and heartwarming. You will not be sorry to spend time with these quite remarkable characters. It is stark account of life as a refugee, and an eye opener. Fitting for our times and a needed resource.
                                                                        

Finding Baba Yaga: A Short Novel in Verse, by Jane Yolen. Tor, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2018. $!4.50 ages 12 and up

"The longer I am in these woods,
I learn words.
I become cornucopic
with language
which rolls around my mouth
like dark chocolate,
like butterscotch,
like peppermint.

There's no one to caution my tongue,
no one to soap my mouth,
no one to bridle my brain."

I have always been drawn to Jane Yolen's writing. Some of her books remain favorites, and have a permanent place on my 'keepers' shelf. When I read about this verse novel, I knew that I would like to see a copy. Thanks to Fernanda at Raincoast for sending it to me.

As she has done before, Ms. Yolen blends traditional folklore with present-day sensibility to bring readers an engaging story about Natasha, a runaway whose emotional journey leads her to Baba Yaga and her little house with chicken feet.

An opening poem tells readers this is a not the story they think it is going to be.

"Stories retold are stories remade.
A sorrowing girl in a house.
An old witch with iron fillings.
A hut in the wood,
in the meadow, in the hood.

This is a tale
both old and new,

borrowed, narrowed,
broadened, deepened.

You think you know this story.
You do not."

What an invitation to jump right in and be immersed in this old story, told new. In a series of chapters, readers learn what life is like in a house that has no peace. A domineering and abusive father makes life so difficult that Natasha sees no solution but to run away to find herself and some peace.

"If I'd made a plan
it wouldn't be this one.
If I'd packed a bag,
it wouldn't be my backpack.
If I'd left a letter,
I couldn't have written a word.

See, it all begins and ends
with that.
A word.
But which word:
love,
regret,
good-bye?"

Leaving is difficult, and frightening, and even peaceful. Eventually, she finds herself at Baba Yaga's door. The house invites her in; the meeting with the Baba is a revelation; and there are numerous jobs to be done if she intends to stay. Baba Yaga, it turns out, likes 'feisty gitls'. Boys? Not so much.

"Boys, on the  other hand, she devours whole,
spitting out the little finger bones.
Even if they can dance and sing.
Even then."

When Vasalisa arrives, Natasha meets a new best friend. Their differences soon cause strife. Vasalisa's departure to marry a prince is a blow. Natasha stays on, always learning from the witch. This is a her family now, and she will continue her life in this new role, taking over for Baba in the future. 

"She promises me I'll be the Baba ever after.
For now that's quite enough."

Beautifully written in language that is smart, sensitive, magical, and memorable. This is not the only time I will read it!

The Assassin's Curse, by Kevin Sands. Aladdin, Simon & Schuster, 2017. $12.99 ages 12 and up

"Is it?" the king said. "Think. This one" -  he pointed at me - "has now stopped not one, but two plots against my family - plus that business with the plague. He treats poisons, finds criminals - he even deciphers codes. Who better to go than him? And we'd all be dead without his giant friend, rolling pin or otherwise." To my horror, I saw Lord Ashcombe looking at us speculatively ... "

Charles, King of England, has summoned Christopher and Tom to court to praise their bravery and resourcefulness. He has heard about the Cult of the Archangel (The Blackthorn Key) and also of the scam in London (Mark of the Plague) where an unknown apothecary is determined to prove he has a cure for the Black Plague which is terrifying the citizens of London.

While the two are present at court, a plot to kill the king is exposed. However, a cryptic message left behind names the King’s sister, Minette, as the intended victim. Christopher and Tom, along with their partner and friend Sally, are ordered to accompany Minette to Paris, to provide protection. Christopher, a puzzle genius, uses his skills to decipher the code and discover the secrets of an ancient curse on the French throne, as they search for the long-hidden treasure meant to unlock that curse. Christopher constantly refers to the lessons taught and learned while he lived and worked with Benedict Blackthorn, master apothecary.  That connection to the past and the ongoing mention of his Master is welcome.

Above and under Paris streets, the three friends embark on a tension-filled race to find the treasure and thwart an assassination. They don’t always see eye-to-eye as they work together. Tom is right when he accuses Christopher of rushing forward with no thought given to the dangers the three may encounter. Christopher recognizes that Tom has a point; he knows he must make a concerted effort to think before further rash and impetuous action. There is also a hint at the deeper feelings Christopher is beginning to feel for the spunky, skillful Sally. Fans will relish this development, and will also further appreciate the team's continued growth as honorable, often funny, and very authentic characters.

Kevin Sands’ storytelling is remarkable. It is impossible for me to pick a favorite from the first three Blackthorn books. This one has the same strength as the first two, while serving up proof that it will not be the last. The Paris setting, the strong sense of 17th century history, the fast-paced action and complex plot make for a captivating and very satisfying read.

Spoiler alert – it ends in a cliffhanger.

Call of the Wraith is due to be released in late September. I will be waiting in line.
                                                                       

   

Night Shift, written and illustrated by Debi Gliori. Razorbill, Penguin. 2017. $18.99 ages 13 and up

"Chin up.

If at first you
don't succeed,
try, try again.

Pull yourself
together.

Get a grip"

In this tiny book with a big message, Debi Gliori speaks to an adolescent audience, and to adults as well. It is a much needed, and openly honest, look at depression and the overwhelming weight of it. Throughout the uncluttered text, she never gives it a name.

The young girl describes it with candor and fear.

"Night after night,
I was diminished.

I awoke every night
afraid of something
I couldn't see."

Words escape her; she cannot begin to describe the hurt, the worry, the overwhelming sense of losing herself. Wanting to help, others offer words meant to encourage her to find a way forward ... easier said than done. Finally, trying to outrun her demons and sure that she has failed miserably, a tiny ray of hope appears and shifts her focus.

In black and white charcoal artwork, and using a dragon to represent the overwhelming burden the child faces, the reader is witness to the battle she wages and the night skills learned to give her strength.
With mental health finally getting the attention it deserves, and hopefully the understanding, this powerful book has a big impact. Ms. Gliori hopes that those who read it will be set on a path toward
tolerance and compassion for those who too often suffer in silence. This book might just be the light at the end of a long tunnel for someone dealing with anxiety and depression, letting them know they are not alone.

Her author's note begins with this paragraph:

"This book is the result of spending most of my adult life living through periods
of depressive illness. Some of these have been severe enough to warrant medical
intervention, others have eventually responded to counseling, and sometimes I have
simply hung on and waited to become well again."

Those who suffer will recognize themselves in her words.

The Grave's A Fine and Sacred Place, by Alan Bradley. Doubleday, Penguin Random House. 2018. $29.95 ages 10 and up

"... would simply do away with myself. And as an authority on passing, I knew precisely how to accomplish it. No cyanide for me, thank you! I knew the symptoms all too well: the vertigo, the dizziness, the burning in the throat and stomach and, as the vagus nerve becomes paralyzed, the difficulty in breathing, the cold sweat, the feeble pulse, the muscular paralysis, the crushing heaviness of the heart ... "

Can it be the ninth time I have spent a glorious day reading about Flavia de Luce, her family and her unusual encounters with the dead?

Flavia is having great difficulty dealing with her father's death, the further breakdown of her relationship with her sisters, and the arrival of Aunt Felicity and her announcement that Flavia's beloved family home, Buckshaw, is to be sold. How can that be? Buckshaw has been left to Flavia in her mother's will. Her aunt will not be dissuaded, and a 12 year old has little power to make decisions for herself in 1952 England. To the rescue comes Dogger, their devoted servant and Flavia's best friend. He suggests a family trip on the river might be the distraction needed.

"It was Dogger, I think, who had come up with the idea
of a boat trip: of lazy days on the river, of cold-meat
hampers with flasks of lemonade and ginger beer from
Fortnum & Mason, of goose-down mattresses at night
and hot beef roasts in the ever-changing string of country
hotels."

As they motor toward the riverbank, and an infamous site sure to please Flavia's interest in convicted and executed poisoner Canon Whitbread who was alleged to have murdered three of his parishioners, Flavia's hand comes in contact with a corpse in the water. In fact, it is the body of the Canon's son, Orlando. Flavia remains calm and composed, as those who know her would expect. She is quick and discreet in collecting evidence that might help she and Dogger discover what has really happened here; just another death in a long line of cases requiring her assistance and knowledge. Her detective work is not always appreciated by the local police; she remains persistent in solving the mystery of this new death and of taking a fresh look at the old case as well.

Fans (like me) will be delighted to read this new book. We know that when Flavia is on the case, there will be humor, bold confidence, brilliant intuition, an uncommon fascination with death and poisons, curiosity, charm, and a promise for future adventure.

"A brass plate, Miss Flavia?" Dogger asked.
"Yes," I said, drawing a rainbow in the air with my spread
fingers. "And on it we shall have these words: Arthur W. 
Dogger & Associates - Discreet Investigations." 
"Hmmm," Dogger said. "It does roll off the tongue,
doesn't it, Miss Flavia? Discreet is such an elegant touch."

Bring on #10, please!

Escape From Syria, by Samya Kullab, Jackie Roche and Mike Freiheit. A Firefly Book, 2017. $19.95 ages 12 and up

"Toronto, Canada, 2017
"Dad, do you think we will
ever be able to call this place
home?"
"We are so lucky - don't
you remember why?"

Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, 2015.
"Back then, Dad, you said we
were only leaving home for a
few months."

As we hear news about another nerve gas attack on the people of Syria, it remains unimaginable that a government could do that to innocent residents who are trying to keep themselves and their families safe. It is important that we continue to be aware of the unending tragedy for so many.

This honest account of what has happened and continues to happen in Syria first places readers in Aleppo City in 2013, where we meet Amina. She is on her way home from school, excited to share her good grade news with a friend, when a bomb strike changes her life forever. By 2017, her family (mother, father, brother and herself) have emigrated to Toronto. A time shift moves readers back to Aleppo prior to the bomb strike. Trying to come to grips with the fact that it is a government -led attack is at the heart of the anguish that has led so many to flee their homeland. It was and remains unexpected and heartbreaking for Syrians who now must seek asylum in world communities, as they have no homes and no hope for the future.

Samya Kullab uses her journalistic skill to help readers understand news from the Middle East. A former reporter for The Lebanon Star she has first-hand knowledge concerning the events and politics of the region. In this fictionalized account, we see the story from Amina's point of view - only one voice among many who have harrowing tales to tell. As the author moves us back and forth in Amina's life, we learn about Syria before the war. We learn about the politics, and the events that led to the crisis that has forced families to become refugees.

For Amina's family, it means a refugee camp in Lebanon and the dangers the family faces  there - all too real and described honestly to help readers gain understanding for their plight. Isolated because they are from Syria, they have little food and nothing to keep them busy. Without any means of support and needing funds to secure medical attention for Amina's brother, Amina must leave school. There are many painful moments, including her mother's need to go home again, only to find they have no home. In that moment, the family accepts an offer to leave for Canada.

It is important for middle and high school students (and adults as well) to read this story. It puts a face, albeit imagined, to the very real circumstances that force people to leave everything they have always known and make a new life.  It is powerfully told and provides a face for them to remember as they listen to continuing news reports.

Heartbreaking and hopeful, memorable and mind-boggling.
                                                                     

Windfall, written by Jennifer E. Smith. Delacorte, Penguin Random House, 2017. $24.99 ages 12 and up

"The money arrives on a rainy day in the middle of March. For the past seven weeks, Teddy has been doing a very convincing impression of a contestant on one of those game shows where they set you loose in a store with a bucket of cash and a ticking clock. With his growing assortment of credit cards, he's already managed to run up a debt so big it would've given pre-jackpot Teddy a heart attack."

Alice is not alone, although she lost her parents when she was far too young. Following their deaths, she moved from San Francisco to Chicago. There she lives with her aunt and uncle and their son, Leo. She has been with them for nine years. Leo and Alice are best friends, always looking out for each other and happy to let Teddy into their tight knit kinship. In fact, Alice has hidden feelings for Teddy.

Not knowing what to get him for his 18th birthday, she buys him a lottery ticket. It's a winner - a huge win! More money than anyone can imagine. Teddy's life with a single mother and an absent father, has not been easy. He is happy with this wondrous gift, and the incredible wealth that will allow a real reversal of fortune. He offers to share it with Alice, who turns him down. Her decision causes a rift between the two. Alice has always struggled to be like her parents ... helping others, working with the needy, selfless. She finds it hard to watch Teddy squander what he has been given, when he could do so much with it.

Funny, poignant, courageous, and even annoying at times, their story is one that will appeal to many. The characters are real, certainly flawed, but worthy of the reader's attention and even admiration. How wealth might impact a life is what those who buy lottery tickets try to imagine. In this book we certainly see how it affects friendship, family, acquaintances,  and the three teens themselves. It does change everything that came before the win.

The story has an interesting premise, and is handled well by Ms. Smith. It gives readers pause for thought, and deals with issues that make us consider how lives are shaped by circumstances, luck, and even perhaps how we make our own choices for the future.

What might you do if it happened to you?

Garvey's Choice, by Nikki Grimes. Wordsong, Highlights. 2016. $21.99 ages 9 and up

"Joe caught me dancing
in first grade, during recess,
out back by the slide,
alone - or so I thought, till
Joe showed up and joined right in.

Seems funny now, 'cause
there was no music playing
and neither of us
minded or needed any.
We were our own melody."

Ms. Grimes uses tanka poems to share the story of a young man - chubby, non-athletic, Trekkie, lover of music and books, dreamer - whose father wants him to be so much more. He wants a sports star when he already has a daughter who is just that.

"Angie's the athlete.
Why should I compete with her?
"Why can't Garvey be
like his sister?" I heard Dad
ask when I was eight. Mom said,

"That's the wrong question.
Ask Garvey what interests him.
Talk to him, honey."
Yeah, Dad, I thought. Talk to me.
But will he? I wish I knew."

It isn't until Garvey strength in his voice while singing in the school chorus that his life changes for the better. What will his father say? How will his family react? His happiness is heartwarming, and readers will naturally compare it to the hurt he feels at the teasing words of some schoolmates. 

"The change bell always
sinks fear into me like teeth.
Ugly name-calling
leaves me with bloody bite marks:
lard butt, fatso, Mr. Tubs."

Garvey is courageous and uncertain, buoyed by his friendship with Joe while also turning to food and his love of science fiction to deal with his father's displeasure. Meeting Manny at chorus is a step toward acceptance of himself and what makes him special.

"Manny nudges me
when it's time for my solo.
Legs like spaghetti,
I worry that I might faint.
Eyes closed, I wait for courage.

A whisper at first,
the music in me rises.
Live inside the song.
I tell myself and I do.
Then comes the hush, and applause."

Beautifully told in perfect poetry, this is a book that will find fans in any middle school classroom. It would be a terrific readaloud as students explore their own talents, and the way they treat others.