This posting outlines ten novels which have been published in 2024 (except for three books.) Several of these books have many things in common, so I have organized my reviews by arranging the titles in pairs to highlight some text to text connections. I have given six Shout Outs since I thought these new releases by favourite authors are terrific and are likely to be on my list of favourites at year’s end.
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SHOUT OUT
FINALLY HEARD by Kelly Yang
Finally Heard is the sequel to Yang’s previous book Finally Seen. Kelly Yang is quite the prolific author, who seems to release a new title year by year. I highly recommend the five titles in her Front Desk series for their relatable characters, the unfolding and solution of real problems and for illuminating NOW issues that are part of our world (Anti-Asian racism (Front Desk), undocumented citizens (Three Keys), living through the pandemic (New From Here) and censorship Finally Seen) . Kelly Yang has done it again with her newest novel by exploring the ‘hot topic’ of the impact of social media on young people.
Lina Gao is a fifth grade student who discovers a talent for making videos that help promote her mother’s bath balm business and other members of the community. She is one of the last in her class to acquire a cell phone and though this helps her think she now belongs, she soon discovers that group chats can be dangerous. She and her friends are caught in the web of hurtful messages which exasperates Lina’s frustrations of growing up fast and learning to acquire a thick skin. She is worried about her _OO_body, odour, and pimples. She strives to be kind and gain acceptance from her peers but is distraught when a classroom bully torments her face to face and online on Discord. About social media struggles, Lina (and her friends) need to accept the fortune cookie message that “All things will be difficult before they are easy.” (p. 81)I and her mother’s advice that “Being strong doesn’t mean suffering si, lently.” (p. 297). I was certainly impressed by the way Kelly Yang presents important facts about Social Media through a fictional lens. For example, Lina is influenced by the media to buy cosmetics to make her feel better about herself; The caring classroom teacher gives lessons on how the brain works and how dopamine effects our moods and obsessions with technology; the organization of an after-school information meeting warning students and families about the potential dangers of social media. One piece of narrative concerns an adult who befriends and tricks kids online. And there’s the now issue of cell-phones being allowed in class. What’s a teacher to do?
Kelly Yang has yet to win the Newbery Award but she absolutely deserves recognition not only unpacking the trials and tribulations of puberty and shining a light on the obsession with social media for impacts the socialization and the mental health of young people. Finally Heard gets a five-star review from me. Kids need to read this book, as do their parents and teachers.
Lina’s journey was inspired by real issues Kelly Yang’s kids have gone through. She writes: “I hope Lina’s story serves as a jumping point to start talking to kids about digital health before they get a pone. I hope it inspires, enrage… and ultimately leaves us with hope.” (p. 327)
“If I could go back to Harvard and say one thing to young Mark Zuckerberg, I would say this: “Yes, you mad the thing that changed the world. But you forgot the responsibility taht comes with changing the world. The next generation deserves better. They deserve the honest trutgh, so they have a chance to find out who they are before they’re shaped by an invisible machine.” (p. 337)
SHOUT OUT
THE ONE AND ONLY FAMILY by Katherine Applegate
Katherine Applegate first introduced the iconic children’s literature hero, Ivan, the silveback gorilla to readers in the Newbery award-winning novel The One and Only Ivan, published in 2012. The fictional story was loosely based on the plight of a real western lowland gorilla who was captured as an infant by poachers in Africa moved to a cage in a mall and finally released to Zoo Atlanta in 1994. Reading the jacket cover for this new story, we learn that Ivan has become a father and comes to learn the joys and challenges of parenting twins. The book is divided into four sections (1. the wait; 2. the welcome 3) the worry 4) the wish. Applegate maintains her masterful style structuring the book in short (1-4 page) chapters, each with a title. Short paragraphs of one to three sentences are separated with white spaces, offering poetic expression to the narrative. Needless to say the writing is once again exquisite (“My son is holding on to me. / Maybe it is not because of love or need or purpose. Maybe the movement is ingrained in a way we can’t understand… Perhaps babies hold on to fingers because they must. And perhaps that’s all we need to know.” (pp. 127-18). And the Ivan stories of becoming a parent, caring for his wife and newborns, loving his friends, and remembering his past in Africa and in the mall are inspiring and touching. The One and Only Family is the fourth and final book in the Ivan quartet (The One and Only Ivan: The One and Only Bob; The One and Only Ruby). The One and Only Family is a book about Family and Love (with a capital ‘L’ Katherine Applegate will continue to write splendid books, but we thank her for your bringing the beloved Ivan into our lives engaging readers – young and old – yesterday, today and for many tomorrows.
Excerpt (p.174)
Stories, it seems to me are living things. Once you set the free, they’re like offspring. They have destinies of their own.
They are no longer your responsibility.
They belong to the world.
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2 SHOUT OUTS by 2 authors worthy of SHOUT OUTS
These two titles are connected because they are by two popular authors, each who has written over 100 novels. They aey are Canadian. They are prolific. They are great storytellers. Eric Walters and Gordon Korman have each written a terrific novel centred on a talented eighth grade student who is facing a dilemma that turns their life around.
THE CLUB by Eric Walters
Jax is a talented trumpet player. So is Liv. When the two meet up for band, they become fast friends but as the story we learn that there is more to the relationship than just being friends. The first 100 pages or so of this novel deals school life, band rehearsals and the ‘boy girl stuff’. Eric Walters captures the world of eighth grade students (and their dialogue) with authenticity. Then the narrative takes a twist when Jax and his single mother, and Liv and her single mother embark on a DNA project to determine if in fact Jax and Liv are brother and sister. Spoiler alert: Walters takes readers into the world of sperm donation. Procedures and information about women who choose to have sperm donors and the logistical and emotional impact of making that choice. We come to learn the meaning behind the title of this book as Jax and Liv learn about their possible extended family. As always, Eric Walters tells an engaging story. Moreover, as the expert writer that he is, Walters delves into contemporary issues that show, through fiction, how young adolescents deal with real dilemmas taking readers into deeper understanding of friendship and family. The Club is another Eric Walters ‘winner’ of a novel.
SLUGFEST by Gordon Korman
Arnie Yashenko (Yash) is the sports icon of Claarington School District,’worshipped by the whole town ever since he won hsi first field day ribbon in kindergarten. Due to an administrative, , star athlete Yash is forced to attend summer school to acquire a mandated credit Physical Education Equivalency (PEE) aka ‘Slugfest’ in order to graduate from eighth grade. The fun unfolds as we learn about Yash’s ‘Slug” classmates (an academic superstar, two twins who are always arguing, a prankster, and an athlete who has warn off sports, and a girl who is into protests). Each of these characters has a chance to tell a story from their point of view through the novel’s multi-voiced chapters. Heading this crew is an elderly teacher who is a terrific baker but teaches outside the box of what is expected from gym class (e.g. playing Duck Duck Goose, Musical chairs). The culminating event where the hapless Slugfest crew (a la Bad News Bears) partake in the local school football championships. Gordon Korman has the talent to present realistic situations with a layer of wackiness two great ingredients for creating novels that captivate middle years readers.Slugfest is a terrific addition to the Gordon Korman bookshelf.
Excerpt (p. 271)
“… Who makes the best sports story? Underdogs!”
“We’re so under we need shovels to dig up to the earth’s mantle
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These two titles have been chosen as selections for Junior grade novel studies in the Peel District Board of Education. Both of these fantasy adventure stories are centred on central characters who enter new worlds and discover the stories of Black American folk heroes.
FUTURE HERO: Race to Fire Mountain by Remi Blackwood (2022)
Jarell is a talented artist who is often teased at school. Visits to his local barbershop brings a sense of comfort to him. One day, however, Jarell discovers a hidden portal in the shop and he is suddenly transported into a legendary magical world of powerful gods and dangerous creatures. Is Jarell the hero they have been waiting for? A sure-fire story for lovers of fantasy adventures. Race to Fire Mountain is Book One of the Future Hero series. Other titles invite readers to partake in further Jarell adventures: Mission to Shadow Sea (Book #2), Escape from Darkwing Cave (Book #3) and Battle For Sky Kingdom (Book #4).
TRISTAN STRONG PUNCHES A HOLE IN THE SKY by Kwame Mbalia Adapted by Robert Venditti; illustrated by Olivia Stephens (2019) (2022)/ Graphic editiion
Tristan, a grade 7 student, feels responsible for the tragic death of his friend Eddie. Eddie has left Tristan his journal which contained collected stories about African American folktales and West African mythology. While on visit to his grandparents in Alabama, Tristan encounters a doll-like creature named Gum Baby and when they squabble, Tristan punches a Bottle Tree and when one of the bottles breaks, a portal to a parallel world. In the world called Alke, the mythology and folktales in Eddie’s journ\al are real. Encounters with the Bone Ships of the Burning sea, a visit to the MidPass inhabited by the Midfolk, and a place called the Golden Sky Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky is filled with the stuff of fantasy adventures with such characters as the Fetterlings (Iron Monsters), Brer Fox)aunt, ok heroes Brer Rabbit and John Henry and winged women Miss Rose and Miss Sarah. As it turns out, when Tristan ripped the sky, he released a haunt which strengthened the evil characters which lead to Tristan and his new friends set out to retrive Anansi’s famed Story Box. Tristan also discovers that he is an Anansesem so that when he tells storeis, reality is affected to reenact his words. Readers who enjoy fantasy adventures are likely to enjoy this book and reading about the sky god Nyam, who is trapped in statue form, High John Carpenter who is seeking to gain power through the Story Box, Uncle Cotton who holds the Story Box and Brer Rabbit who is Anansi in disguise. To get the most out of this story, some prior knowledge about about African folktales would add power to this book. For me, (disclaimer: not fond of fantasy). the narrative was often not accessible. The book could lead to readers learning more about the fok hero Anansi. Robert Venditi’s ada[tion, is predominantly presented through dialogue. I would have like to have seen narrative captions to fill in some gaps in the narrative. The graphic art illustrations by Olivia Stephens are remarkable for their expressive characterizations, vibrant landscapes, dynamic action scenes and energetic. cinematic quality. Other titles in the trilogy include Tristan Strong Destroys the World, Tristan Strong Keeps Punching.
This title is one of the Rick Riordan Presents series, an imprint of Disney Hyperion that was launched in 2018, publishing titles that use the mythology of various cultures and count in its storytellingo The books in the series are noteworthy for their diverse representation of characters an mythological deitiesSome titles in the series include: Winston Chu vs The Whimslies by Stacey Lee; The Lords of the Night by J.C. Cervantes.
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These two titles highlight the ups and downs of being a young adolescent, who questions their Muslim identity and try to come to terms with finding a place of belonging in school and in life.
CALL ME AL by Wali Shah and Eric Walters
“It’s only because of hate that we understand the need for love.” (Dr. Martin Luther King) (see page 207)
This excellent novel is centred on the character of Ali Khan, who, with the hope of better ‘fitting in’ prefers to go by the name Ali. Eigth grade Ali does very well in school but is not as perfect as his father wants him to be. Al’s father was a doctor in Pakistan and now works as a cab driver striving to do the best for his family. He has strong aspirations for his 3 sons and even though Al is respectful of his father’s outlook, he is becoming independent particularly with his interest and talent for writing poetry. (Doctors don’t write poetry. Al is up against racist views with his peers and more dramatically on shopping trip with his mother and brother when some thugs attack them, shouting ‘Go back where you came from!’. Poet, Wali Shah and Master novelist, Eric Walters have told a special story, about an immigrant family, a special teacher, and a conflicted teenager which that many of young adolescent readers will certainly connect to. Understanding of social class, insights and information about celebrating Ramadan are strong features of this book, as is the belief that “Forgiveness is Peace “. Call Me Al is absolutely a highly recommended choice from Dr. Larry.
HUDA F ARE YOU? by Huda Fahmy (2021) (age 12+) / Graphic novel
This is a terrific graphic novel, somrewhat based on the author’s experiences growing up and trying to figure out who she is (and what teenager doesn’t?). Huda is a Muslim teen whose family has recently moved to Dearborn Michigan where she feels lost in a see of hijabis and realizes that her hijab can’t define her anymore. To find a place of belonging, she attempts to partake in a batch of cliques (fashionista, athlete, gamer) but is unsuccessful at being part of any group. Huda is a very smart girl whose teenage awkwardness presents a warm, identifiable and humorous story of navigating Muslim Identity, developing friendships and confronting racism Huda Fahmy has created the webcomic “Yes, I’m Hot in This” and this witty and wise graphic piece of fiction is an A+ example of identity crisis which a vast number of teenage readers are sure to identify with. The number of panels on each page are rather sparse but the visual images in each frame are first-rate expressions of emotions and narrative, (as is the appearance of Huda’s conscience that appears throughout. The title is terrific (even though the author’s mother wants the world to know that she hates the title). Sequel: Huda F Cares?
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SHOUT OUT
These are two OUTSTANDING books, by two OUTSTANDING authors, each title sure to be at the top of the list of end-of-the-year favourites. One of the reason, these two titles are linked because of the special relationship each of the main characters has with a senior citizen.
FERRIS by Kate DiCamillo
Hurrah! Hurrah! A neel by Kate DiCamillo is cause for celebration. There is no doubt that she is on my list of favourite authors. Her multitude of fans would agree! Once again she tells a story with heart, humour and relatability. Emma Phineas Wilkey (Ferris) is an endearing character. Born under the ferris wheel at the local fair, her life is surrounded with fascinating, likeable characters all around: Uncle Ted who, after having a dispute with Aunt Shirely, has moved into the family basement to paint a history of the world; a feisty younger sister who attempted to rob a bank; a father who is worried about the invasion of raccoons; a best friend, Billy Jackson, who is a terrific piano player; a beloved -greif-stricken teacher; and last but not least Ferris’s much-loved grandmother Charisse who’s sudden stroke of illness is worrisome to the family; and oh yes, a ghost whose appearance is to take Charisse to the Great Beyond An unusual hair-do, the quest to find 40 candles to light a chandelier, a budding romance, a loveable dog; and a celebration of newly discovered vocabulary word are wonderful are ingredients the author has invented for a wonderful piece of fiction. Throughout the novel, the mantra “EVERY GOOD STORY IS A LOVE STORY” is a reminder about Ferris’s determination to protect and love those around her and a testimony to the heart of DiCamillo’s fine writing. This is a good story, a GREAT story, a funny, endearing, quirky story about funny, endearing, quirky family and community – who live to love. Hurrah! Hurrah!
TREE. TABLE. BOOK. by Lois Lowry
Two Sophies are the main characters in this novel. Sophie Gershowitz is a middle grade student and her best friend is eighty-eight year old Sophie Winslow. They enjoy good times together. but when young Sophie learns that the elder Sophie is forgetting important moments in her life, Sophie and her buddies Ralph and Oliver to help her senior neighbour retrieve her memories thus preventing her from going into assisted living facility. The novel packs a punch when Sophie Winslow recalls stories from her past in Poland. Thank you Lois Lowry for another treasured specimen of children’s literature. I so loved this pognant ‘must-read’ book.