Young Adult Fiction: Dear Justyce by Nic Stone

Nic Stone may not have intended to write a sequel to Dear Martin, but those of us who love that book are glad she did. Dear Justyce follows a character that shows up in the first book, though some readers may not remember him. Through letters and flashbacks, a new story unfolds from a young man who grew up in the same neighborhood as our previous protagonist, but whose life has gone in a very different direction.

The Situation: Vernell LaQuan Banks Jr., or 'Quan,' is currently in the Fulton Regional Youth Detention Center on a murder charge. Mistakes were made, choices were made, and through a series of ill-fated events, a police officer is dead and all signs point to Quan. Now Quan is writing letters to Justyce McAllister, who is currently finishing up his first year as a pre-law at Yale. Quan has to know: Both he and Justyce grew up in the same neighborhood, even went to the same schools; so how did they end up in such different places? Quan begins the story when he was younger, and he feels the night his dad was arrested is the night when it all began. Granted, things were not the best before that, but they were better. Afterwards there is the first arrest. Then came the second. Followed by a third that would stay on his record, and the fourth that established the course of his life. Quan does not want to be the guy to blame fate or destiny, but what else is he to call it when no one ever expected anything different?

The Problem: Quan wants to be clear: He made decisions that landed him where he is. But there are others who have made similar decisions - some even worse decisions - whose consequences were not nearly as bad, simply because they did not look like him. Boys who look like him, who grew up where he did, are easily ignored, blamed, and dismissed as delinquents. Quan wonders if things could have been different if he had received more support, if people were not so ready to believe he was capable of only the worst. The path that led him to where he is feels predetermined, and almost impossible to go against, so why not lean into it? But when Justyce enters the picture after finishing his first year in college, he has a plan to change things. It was his letters to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. that inspired Quan to begin writing letters to him, and after their months of correspondence, he insists on standing by his friend. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel that follows 2017's Dear Martin. Stone was ready to leave Justyce McAllister alone as she felt good with where his story ended. But after a correspondence with some readers, she decided to write about the black boys who do not end up going to Ivy League colleges in the end - the ones who either stay where they are, or end up in jail, and not necessarily because the punishment is fitting for the crime. Dear Martin readers will not only recognize some of the characters from the previous book, but also Stone's stylistic, almost lyrical prose as Quan tells his story. Going beyond simply varying the sentence structure, simple phrases are often laid out in a way that will cause a reader to stop and think. Is Quan simply following his destiny? Was there ever a chance that things could have been different? If Justyce escaped, why couldn't he? And why is the justice system, and so many other systems, so ready to give up on him, when all it could take is for someone, anyone, to believe in him?

My Verdict: I read this book in a day. Less than 12 hours. And it is not because it is an easy read. There is a lot going on in this thing, and I can see why Stone said in the author's note that she had a difficult time writing it. I even had a difficult time writing this blog post. What I love most is the writing style. From the letters, to the snapshots, to the actual narrative, things start off interesting and they stay interesting. Quan is the type of kid that society quickly gives up on, but I refused to give up on his story, even when things looked their most hopeless and desperate, which was often. From the start it was clear that Quan was going to have a hard road. The term 'uphill battle' is appropriate, but also not quite strong enough. His story says a lot about the world we live in and how it treats people like him, and it is a must for any Dear Martin fan. It is an example of the power of belief and hope, as well as perseverance and courage.   

Favorite Moment: There is something about the way Quan describes the playground that he used to run to, with the rocket ship that he would climb inside. The rocket ship shows up a few times, until Quan must eventually describe what the playground looks like without it. 

Favorite Character: Justyce may be one of the bravest young characters I have read about in quite awhile. He is willing to enter what amounts to a lion's den for a friend he is not even sure he can save.

Recommended Reading: I recommend Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi, and of course, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas.        

Graphic Novel: Displacement by Kiku Hughes

Graphic novels do not get the attention they should. They are a wonderful form of storytelling for pretty much any genre. Today I will be discussing Displacement by Kiku Hughes, the story of a teenage girl who is transported back in time to when her grandmother was forced into an internment camp for Japanese families living in the United States.

The Situation: Kiku is a 16 year-old girl following her mother around while on a trip to San Francisco. While her mother attempts to find the house Kiku's grandmother lived in before she was forced into an internment camp, Kiku simply wishes their trip were over and the two could return back to their home in Seattle. But as Kiku waits for her mother outside of a shopping mall, a fog rolls in and transports her to a different time, though the same place. It does not last long. In fact, it is short enough for Kiku to convince herself it was a dream. But then it happens again, and this time there is no question that what Kiku is experiencing is real. Now she wants to get out of San Francisco more than ever. Believing she has left what she refers to as the 'displacements' behind in California, Kiku relaxes at her home Seattle, while the nation is preparing for the 2016 presidential election. And as Kiku's mother frets and scowls over the speeches of Repubican candidate Donald Trump, Kiku is once again displaced to the 1940s, and this time, she may be there awhile.

The Problem: Kiku finds herself as one of the many that were forcibly removed to internment camps in the 1940s after the events of Pearl Harbor. Completely alone and only 16, she must lean on the kindness of others to get her through in both a time and place she does not know. And though the food is inedible, and the authorities are less than gracious, Kiku finds herself adapting quickly and more easily than she thought she would. If there was one thing she wish she could get over, it is her hesitance to reach out to the family who lives next door, which happens to be her grandmother and her great-grandparents. In her actual life, Kiku never knew much about her mother's mother, not even her real first name, much less her history and struggles. Now she is one door down, and she still cannot bring herself to reach out. Kiku's displacement has left her scared and uncertain, wondering if she will ever return to her own time; if she will get the opportunity to meet her grandmother; and if history will be bound to repeat itself in her own time.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a graphic novel set mostly in Japanese internment camps during the 1940s. The reader follows 16 year-old Kiku as she moves across time, experiencing for herself what her grandmother went through as someone forced away from their home, and into an internment camp. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, many Japanese, German, and Italian residents were forced into internment camps all across America. Some were hastily built, which meant they were often not properly insulated, and less than ready to be inhabited even after the people arrived. Before the displacement that will leave Kiku in the past for the better part of a year, she recalls overhearing the television as Donald Trump lays out his plan to regulate the immigration of Muslims, mandating that a registry be kept for all Muslims entering the United States. Though it is nearly 80 years later, parallels can still be drawn between then and now. It is a story about the importance of learning our history, and the power of memory.

My Verdict: The illustrations are well-done, clean, and simple, while also powerful and at times haunting. Inspired by Kindred by Octavia E. Butler, Hughes explores the pull of the past and the lessons it can teach us about our present and future. What is nice about graphic novels is that they can relay a story with their vivid illustrations, using less words, and therefore be read quickly, often in one sitting. However, sometimes details get lost, or it seems like something is missing. I did not feel like I was missing out on anything with this story. The confusion and fear Kiku experiences over the injustice she is faced with is intense, and even seems somewhat magnified as she belongs in the present day, not the 1940s. What I am possibly the most pleased with is the potential for this story to encourage readers to look for more information on the internment camps of the 1940s, and also evaluate for themselves the current policies regarding immigration.

Favorite Moment: *spoiler alert* When Kiku is able to bond with her mother over her experience.

Favorite Character: At the first interment camp she is sent to, Kiku is assigned a room with Aiko, a determined woman who takes many risks to stand up against what is happening.

Recommended Reading: Naturally, I recommend Butler's Kindred, either the novel or graphic novel adaptation. Also, I recommend The Train to Crystal City by Jan Jarboe Russell.     

Contemporary Fiction: Truthtelling by Lynne Sharon Schwartz

Often I choose the books for this blog through research and recommendation. Today's selection, Truthtelling: Stories, Fables, Glimpses, was sent to me ahead of publication, and I am thrilled to be able to cover a book before it comes out, as that is extremely rare for me. I also do not often cover short story collections, so this was a nice change of pace.

Genre, Themes, History: As mentioned, this is a short story collection, and every story occurs in and around New York City, following various city residents as they live their lives, or attempt to. With 25 stories, a few or as short as a couple of pages, and the longest comes in at 27 pages. Each one focuses on a fairly ordinary person who has either entered into a certain phase of life that has brought about some sort of realization, of they find themselves in a slightly odd situation that they have a hard time reconciling. "Return of the Frenchman" is a shorter story of barely two pages that simply relates a woman's chance encounter with a Frenchman that she first met at a party years before. Then there are slightly longer stories like "I Want My Car," which involves an increasingly confused and agitated man whose ex-wife keeps coming up with reasons not to return the car she borrowed from him. And then there are some stories that go a bit further, such as "Public Transit," in which a woman is concerned for her own mental well-being due to her increasingly erratic behavior while riding public transportation. The collection is all about New York, and all about human behavior in the big city.

My Verdict: I was excited to tackle a short story collection for a change instead of the longer narratives I usually gravitate towards. Naturally, with 25 short stories, there are going to be some that simply are not as engaging as others. For me, there are maybe only four or five of them that stood out, while the others sort of blend in with each other. Some of them were lacking in plot, while others were lacking in resolutions. The stories seemed to simply end, almost with the understanding that the character's lives will continue on as before, and what the reader saw was one snapshot of a less than ordinary circumstance. Fortunately, the standouts really stood out, such as "Career Choice," "Near November," and "Fragment Discovered in a Charred Steel Box." For those that enjoy Schwartz's work, this collection will probably be enjoyable enough, and it is an interesting overall look at society in general through the eyes of a few peculiar people.

Favorite Story: I enjoyed "Career Choice," which involves a woman's plan to marry a wealthy older man, but her surprise comes after her plan succeeds.

Recommended Reading: As I said, I do not read many short story collections. For today, I recommend Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds, which tells stories involving school kids as they head home.    

Young Adult Fiction: Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

Before the world shut down, I had the privilege to attend LibraryPalooza in February and hear Tiffany D. Jackson speak. It was then that I first learned about her upcoming novel Grown, and how it would center on the caustic relationship between a teenage girl and an older celebrity figure. I feel like I should issue all of the warnings for this book, including ones for mentions of sexual abuse, child abuse, and even addiction to opioids.

The Situation: Enchanted Jones can sing. Like really sing. At 17 years-old, she has her eyes on a career on the stage, but for right now, she is attending Parkwood High School where she is on the swim team and spends nearly every lunch period with her best friend Gabriela. When she is at home, she helps take care of her four younger siblings as her parents work hard to keep a roof over everyone's head. It is Gabriela who tells Enchanted about an audition for Music LIVE, a show on BET. One little white lie to her mother, and Enchanted makes the audition. She may not make it through, but what she has done is gain the attention of Korey Fields, one of the hottest music stars. Enchanted cannot believe it, but Korey Fields is talking to her; then he is giving her and her parents VIP passes to his show; then he is texting her; then he is inviting her to his studio; then he is kissing her. Enchanted pushes the 11-year age difference to the back of her mind, thinking about her future career and the love she cannot believe she has found.

The Problem: Korey Fields is dead. It is some time in the future, months after Enchanted first met Korey, and now he is dead. There is what looks like beat juice all over the room they are in, and she cannot remember a thing. But now there is an urgent banging on the door of Korey's house - the cops wanting to get in - and Enchanted only has moments to think, to even understand where she is and why. Since she met Korey, she has fallen deeply in love (at least she is sure she has), and since then been taken prisoner by the man who promised her stardom. When he was not watching her every move, he kept her locked up in a room with very little to eat, and only a bucket for a bathroom. Authorities did not want to believe all of the allegations of abuse that she and her family threw at Korey. They certainly are not going to believe that she is not the one who killed him.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel that enters murder mystery territory from the first page. The first thing the reader learns is that Korey Fields is dead, and Enchanted is in the room. From there, the history of there relationship is laid out, starting from when he first spotted her at an audition and proceeded to ruthlessly pursue her. Despite the obvious age difference, Enchanted is enthralled by Korey, almost hypnotized by his fame and his attention on her, and things accelerate quickly. But his dark side soon emerges, and using fear and manipulation, Enchanted becomes his prisoner. During her talk at LibraryPalooza, Jackson acknowledged that there are elements of the story that will remind us of the allegations against R. Kelly. However, the book is about abuse of power, and the adults who know the difference between right and wrong. It is also about the reluctance to believe women when they ultimately come forward, and the corporations that benefit when they are silenced.

My Verdict: This is an intense and powerful book. Enchanted's story may be one of fiction, but it is not outside of reality. Anyone who pays even then smallest amount of attention to the news today will find stories like this, and not only about famous and/or rich people. When Enchanted decides to work with Korey, my insides became heavy, knowing what was coming. And when everything unfolded the way it did, my heart broke. Jackson gets full credit for going for it and not holding back. Enchanted is put into some terrible situations, and not only with Korey, but Jackson almost attacks the issue with full force. My only problem was how quickly the action moved. Of course, that could also be Jackson's way of showing how quickly things like this can happen, and how these girls can look around one day and wonder how they got to where they are. It is a difficult thing to read about, but also an issue that needs to be confronted.

Favorite Moment: When a flight attendant refuses to be intimidated by Korey and insists on checking on Enchanted.

Favorite Character: Gabriela, Enchanted's best friend, is a fighter and knows what she wants out of life. 

Recommended Reading: I recommend Monday's Not Coming, also by Jackson. A young girl goes missing, and her best friend cannot understand why no one is searching for her.     

Nonfiction: Notes on a Silencing by Lacy Crawford

When I was doing my research in early July, like I do at the beginning of every month, I came across Lacy Crawford's Notes on a Silencing. So far, 2020 has been a good year for me when it comes to engrossing and engaging nonfiction, and this sounded like a book that would continue the trend, though I feared it would also be hard to read. A young girl, a prestigious boarding school, a long history of abuse and secrecy...it is a story we hear too often, but getting to the truth is necessary for change. 

Genre, Themes, History: This is a nonfiction book that is mostly set in 1990-1991. During these years, Crawford was a student at St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire. One night she would receive a phone call from an older male student, almost begging her to come to his room. When she got there, she would be sexually assaulted by him and one other. What comes next is a high school experience filled with shame, embarrassment, insecurity, and confusion, along with other things. This would be followed by decades of simultaneously wanting to leave what happened behind, while also wanting to bring the school to justice. While the act itself is heinous, what is also appalling is the lengths the school will go to in order to keep everything quiet. And what is further revealed is St. Paul's long history of covering up incidents of sexual misconduct among their students, and their staff. More than 20 years after the fact, when other allegations are introduced, the school will still do what it can to maintain its reputation, even at the cost of children's safety. 

My Verdict: This story is upsetting, but it was not as hard to read as I had anticipated. Probably the thing I had the most difficulty with was keeping track of the timeline. And for those of us who are not at all used to the world of boarding or private schools, getting around the terms and jargon may be a challenge. But Crawford's writing is straightforward and honest without being a constant barrage of awful events, despite what the book is about. And it is more than a story about a sexual assault and a cover up. It is also about the long history of sexual assaults and cover ups, as well as the issues of power, victimhood, privilege, and shame. It is a powerful account that will prove difficult for many, and understandably so, and I admire Crawford for telling it.  

Favorite Moment: In the acknowledgements, we get some updates concerning recent developments at St. Paul's, which are a little encouraging. It is hard to pick a favorite part beyond this as so many of the events in this book are heartbreaking.  

Recommended Reading: My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell is a fiction novel that explores a similar story line of an inappropriate relationship between a young girl and her teacher at a highly regarded boarding school. Perhaps the most disturbing thing about the story is that it happens in real life all of the time.        

Science Fiction: A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor by Hank Green

The time has come to discuss the conclusion to Hank Green's The Carls duology, A Beautifully Foolish Endeavor. When I read An Absolutely Remarkable Thing back in 2018, I remember having mixed feelings about the experience, and that mostly had to do with the book's main character, April. She was annoying, vain, and not good to her friends. But now (and major *spoiler alert* for anyone who has not read the first book) she is no longer the only focus. In fact, she wasn't even alive by the end of the first book. So I was interested to see where this one would go.

The Situation: It has been roughly six months since April was killed in that warehouse fire. Her group of friends have more or less scattered and begun doing their own thing. Andy has taken April's place in the spotlight, gaining for himself a pretty solid celebrity status and a healthy media following. Maya, April's ex, is still dealing with her grief, while also holding onto hope that April is still out there. And Miranda has returned to her research at Berkeley, still keeping in touch with the group, but also not feeling like she is one of them. And the Carls? They disappeared as quickly as they came. Even the Dream is gone, though the memories are still there. And Peter Petrawicki, April's former nemesis, seems to have figured out that the Carls have left something behind in the human brain. Something is certainly happening, and the appearance of mysterious books that seemingly predict the future are the proof.

The Problem: Somewhere in Puerto Rico, Peter Petrawicki has set up Altus, a new company involved in some top-secret research. At first, all people know is that the company is recruiting some of the top minds in the country, and that Peter has seemingly turned a new leaf. He regrets his past actions, and now wants to put his efforts to good use. The group is of course suspicious, and Miranda may have found a way to investigate, though it involves going directly to Altus as a not-so-covert spy, since Peter remembers who she is. Andy has the celebrity, money, and access to investigate from a different angle, though it puts him in danger as well. And Maya decides to follow a series of clues that could easily lead to nothing, until they lead to the very thing she has been searching for. Everyone will have to work quickly and use every resource they have if they want to stop a new, bigger threat, because what slowly becomes clear is that humanity is not okay, and getting less okay by the day.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novel set more or less in the present day. Following the conclusion of the first book, the Carls have disappeared, April is dead, and everyone is dealing with the loss of the Dream. It is like what we would have to deal with if an incredibly popular social media platform were to disappear. But then Peter Petrawicki shows up with the promise of a newer and better option that is infinitely more addictive. There are political and social commentaries all over this book, way too many for this review (and there are probably a lot that I simply did not notice). The most prominent, at least to me, regards the almighty algorithm and how it decides what comes up in our Google searches, and what adds we see while watching YouTube. Companies spend a lot of time trying to find out what we like, and how best to get more our money. It is a science fiction adventure that explores how we got here, and how far it can go.

My Verdict: For the most part, the mixed feelings continued for me with this book. It was pretty glorious not having all of the action revolve around April. Andy, Maya, and Miranda are much more interesting, and much less stressful to follow around, even when they are put in harm's way, or making terrible decisions (there is plenty of both happening in this book). I liked the pace of the book as it moves pretty quickly, but perhaps at times it was too quick. Honestly, for anyone who has ever watched Hank Green speak, the frantic and fast-changing pace is to be expected. But I did feel that sometimes the details suffered, and some elements got lost. Thankfully, the action and intensity make up for any confusion, and Green manages to bring this story to a thorough and not at all ambiguous conclusion.

Favorite Moment: *spoiler alert* When April goes Terminator 2 on a cop car and disables it. 

Favorite Character: I do like Miranda and admire her decision to enter the belly of the beast when she goes to Altus, but I wish there was more of Bex, a new character that Andy meets and proves to also be integral in the saving of humanity. 

Recommended Reading: There were many elements of this book that reminded me of Blake Crouch's Recursion, as well as The Long Earth series by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter.     

Historical Fiction: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Much like with horror movies, horror books can be hit or miss. It is a type of story that is difficult to write well, but many still try. I picked up Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia not necessarily because it is considered horror, but more because it simply sounded interesting. A creepy family in a creepy house in a small town in Mexico sounds interesting in any genre.

The Situation: It is 1950 in Mexico City, and Noemí Taboada is enjoying her life as a wealthy young debutante. While she is not necessarily interested in getting married and settling down, she does enjoy the attention of the young attractive men who are more than willing to escort her to all of the best parties. Unfortunately, when a distressing letter arrives from her cousin Catalina who is now married and lives in the Mexican countryside, Noemí must put her carefree life on hold and visit her. Noemí's father was never a fan of Catalina's new husband, Virgil, and now he is sure that something sinister is taking place. He charges Noemí with going to the small town of El Triunfo and making sure everything is okay. So Noemí puts the parties on hold, packs her bags, and heads into what she is sure will be a cursory visit.

The Problem: When Noemí arrives at High Place - the name of the house where Catalina resides with her husband and his English family - it is clear that the estate had once enjoyed some glorious times, but has since fallen into disrepair. Everything has the feeling of once having been grand and enviable, but now the place looks like it is being consumed by mold and fungus. It also becomes clear to Noemí that Catalina is not okay, but any attempts to help her, and sometimes even attempts to visit her room, are blocked by Virgil and his family. And the more Noemí digs into the history of High Place, the more horrified she is, eventually having nightmares and visions of her own, even occasionally sleepwalking, something she has not done since she was a child. Noemí is determined to find out what is really happening, and save her cousin in the process. However, High Place may have plans of its own.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical and horror fiction novel set in Mexico in 1950. Noemí is a young, carefree, and glamorous debutante used to parties and the attentions of men. A disturbing letter from her cousin brings her away from the glamour of Mexico City, and to the eerie setting of High Place. The house includes Catalina's handsome but somewhat intimidating husband Virgil, his father Howard, his cousin Florence, and Florence's son Francis. It used to be that the family operated a prosperous silver mine and employed most of the people in the area. A series of misfortunes and illnesses have since plagued the house, family, and mine, leaving the entire area with a rich history filled with horror and death. Both Noemí and Catalina loved fairy tales as young girls, stories filled with princesses being rescued and evil witches and curses. But when such things become real menaces, Noemí wants nothing more than to leave with her cousin. There is also some talk of eugenics and the idea of superior and inferior races.

My Verdict: This book delivers on the creep factor, as well as the suspense and mystery. Unfortunately, despite an interesting premise, the result is less engaging than anticipated. I am not sure if it is the narrator, as Noemí is naive and spoiled, while also being self-assured and strong-willed. For me, it may have been when I realized what was really going on (I won't spoil it, I promise), and felt disappointment that it was not something more sophisticated. It is original; it is scary; and somehow it still felt like something I have seen before. It was strange. I certainly encourage lovers of horror and historical fiction to pick it up for themselves. I am curious to see how other readers feel about it.

Favorite Moment: When Noemí is able to learn about one of the more disturbing moments in the history of High Place from a local healer.

Favorite Character: Everyone in this book is tiresome to some degree. But I found myself invested in the fate of Francis, and hoping he came out of this okay.

Recommended Reading: I feel like The Shining by Stephen King would be an appropriate follow-up to this one, though it is long, and a different kind of thriller.