We have come to the end of another YA Fest, and while Elizabeth Acevedo’s With the Fire on High may have opened last year’s YA Fest, this year she will close it with her latest novel, Clap When You Land. What do you do when you find out your hero has been lying to you your entire life? This is the question the two heroines of this novel must deal with. And to make matters worse, neither is able to confront the man that has broken their heart, but instead must deal with the new reality of never being able to speak to him again.
The Situation: Camino and Yahaira have a few things in common. They are both 16 years-old, attend high school, and adore their father. For the most part, the similarities end there, as Camino lives in the Dominican Republic with her Tia, and Yahaira lives in New York City with her mother. For nine months out of the year, Yahaira’s father also lives with them, but for the months of June through August, he stays in the Dominican Republic and takes care of Camino, his other daughter. The two girls know nothing about each other, and they soon realize they also do not know much about the man who has split himself between two families. It is only when tragedy strikes, and a horrible plane crash unsettles everything they know, that the truth begin to come out. And the one person they would love to ask questions about it all is no longer alive.
The Problem: Life in the Dominican Republic can be hard, but Camino knows she has it better than most. Because of her father, she goes to a great school, the apartment she lives in with her Tia is paid for, and she has protection from those who would rather she work for them instead of going of to school. But after the plane crash, nothing is certain, especially Camino’s dream of studying at Columbia University in New York and eventually becoming a doctor. Yahaira was able to enjoy her father’s presence for the majority of the year, though she recently learned a little more about why he would take his annual trip to the Dominican Republic. After the plane crash, even more secrets come out, including that he had another daughter the same age. Now the two girls must decide what they want to do with the information. Yahaira’s mother has vowed to never set foot in the Dominican Republic again, but not only does Yahaira wish to attend her father’s funeral, but she wants to meet this girl who looks kinda like her, and has lived a life so different from her own, despite being her half-sister.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set in both the Dominican Republic and New York City as it follows Camino and Yahaira Rios. Written completely in verse, the novel is narrated by both Camino and Yahaira in alternating chapters. And the verse is always different from section to section, even if the speaker has remained the same. Both narrations are lyrical, mostly set apart by the setting and people around them. Camino’s chapters are full of water, and family, and an unsettling sense that danger that is always close by. Yahaira’s sections seem more strategic, perhaps reflecting her background in chess. The two girls are eventually brought together when the person they shared dies tragically in a plane crash. In the author’s note, Acevedo expresses her desire to pay tribute to the passengers of the real American Airlines flight 587, which crashed two months after September 11, 2001, and therefore received little media attention since it was not linked to terrorists. Grief is of course a big theme, but so are family, trust, deception, and what it means to really know someone, especially those we see as heroes.
My Verdict: I have never been good at poetry, either writing it or reading it. With that being said, I have enjoyed both this book and Acevedo’s previous novel-in-verse The Poet X. I struggle to write only one poem, so I am in awe of someone who can write enough to turn them into a full-length novel that is complicated, and beautiful, and unnerving, and sad, and hopeful, and simply fun to read. Some of my favorite novels are the ones that attempt to answer difficult questions, this time being the question of what would you do if you found out one of your parents was essentially living a double life and had been lying to you for years. So many other questions come from that, mostly what else is the person hiding, and who else knew? Acevedo navigates this difficult landscape well, and in poetry! There is not much more I can say really. I can only encourage readers to pick it up for themselves.
Favorite Moment: When Camino stays determined to fight back against a danger from which she no longer has her father’s protection.
Favorite Character: I like both Camino and Yahaira fine, but I found myself leaning more towards Camino and wanting to know what her future will shape up to be.
Recommended Reading: Both of Acevedo’s other novels are excellent, but I also recommend another novel-in-verse, Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds.
It's the third week of YA Fest and I will be discussing Don't Read the Comments by Eric Smith. Anyone who has spent any time on the internet knows that the comments section of any site can be brutal. For females and content creators of color, those comment sections are even worse, leading many to heed the advice of the book's title. Honestly, it is great advice, and I cannot recommend it enough. But listening to advice and agreeing with it, and then actually following through it, are two different things.
The Situation: Divya Sharma is D1V, an incredibly popular streamer on Glitch who plays the year's hottest game, Reclaim the Sun. Unbeknownst to her fans, Divya streams to help support herself and her mom. After her father left her family and refuses to support them, Divya is doing what she can for her mom, who takes night courses with the end goal of becoming a librarian. It is the sponsors and support that helps pay their rent, their bills, and keep food on the table. Meanwhile, Aaron Jericho is attempting to follow his own gaming dreams, but as a writer and creator. He has been able to gain valuable experience working for a friend, although he has yet to be paid. Even so, he continues to faithfully write for their newest project, hoping to gain the exposure, as well as a little money, that will set him up in the career of his dreams.
The Problem: An online army that is calling themselves Vox Popouli has decided that Divya does not deserve her place among the streamers, and have launched an aggressive campaign to take her down. What starts as an ambush on her and her faithful followers during a normal stream soon turns into a coordinated attack in real life, causing Divya to question if whether this is all worth it. It is while exploring on her own in Reclaim the Sun that she meets Aaron, and despite his awkwardness during game play, or maybe because of it, she finds him endearing, and the two become friends. Meanwhile, the attacks, both online and in real life, get worse, and Aaron's development meetings for the project he has been working on are getting more tense. If Divya continues, she fears for the safety of herself and her mother, as well as her streaming partner Rebekah. But if she gives up, she feels like the trolls win, and she simply cannot let that happen.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set in the New York/New Jersey/Pennsylvania area. Divya is a popular Glitch streamer who endures nearly unending abuse from trolls, mostly because of her gender and race. And while this new group, Vox Popouli, claims that their push to get her away from streaming has nothing to do with either if those things, it is pretty clear that it is about exactly those things. Often it is the communities that proclaim themselves to be inclusive and welcoming that can be the most unforgiving and prone to discrimination. For Aaron, he simply wants to write games, and when he joined up with an old high school friend, he saw it as an opportunity to do just that. But with a pay check that seems to be forever pending, and unending and unnecessary criticism of the content he keeps turning in, it seems more and more that this will be a lesson in working in the real world, and what it means to be taken advantage of.
My Verdict: Oh man was this hard to read. Divya is great, and Aaron is a good guy, but what they both endure is downright brutal, especially for Divya. Being a female in any male-dominated field is difficult. Add in the internet and gaming, and the word "difficult" is no longer strong enough. Even so, she continues to fight, and I love it. And she is not a Mary Sue, nor is she overpowered, or even some manic pixie dream girl. She is a real girl with real struggles who enjoys gaming and connecting with her online community. Aaron may have a bit of a savior complex, but he has his good friend Ryan to help bring him down to earth and show him how things actually are. What I adore about the book, besides Divya's strength and resolve, is that it calls out those who want to attack these online personalities, while hiding behind anonymity, and who use the bogus reason that there are "people who deserve the attention more." Yeah, okay...To anyone who has ever been brave enough to put themselves out there for a passion or dream, and ended up at the receiving end of an unnecessary and hurtful comment or action, this book is for you.
Favorite Moment: When Divya successfully defends herself and Rebekah at their favorite bad pizza spot when a guy who feels like he is "owed" gets aggressive.
Favorite Character: At first, Divya seemed a little naive to me. But then she grew on me, and I admire her resolve to keep fighting and not let the trolls win.
Favorite Quote: "I just...I don't want your passion to be what wears you down, Aaron. That's the quickest way to stop loving what makes you happy." - Aaron's mother.
Recommended Reading: For something a little lighter, I recommend Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia. For something a little heavier, I recommend Internment by Samira Ahmed.
Welcome back to YA Fest! This week I will be talking about A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow. This is her first YA book, following 2018's Mem, a science fiction novel that explored the idea of memory and how we treat it. Now Morrow is tackling sisterhood, monsters, privilege, and race.
The Situation: Tavia and Effie are not related by blood, but they might as well be. Both are juniors at Beckett High School in Portland, Oregon, both live with Tavia's parents, and both know American Sign Language, though they hear and speak just fine. Effie learned it as part of her role at the Renaissance Faire where she plays as a mermaid, and being underwater for long periods of time is part of the job, and sign language is her way of communicating. While Effie learned it for when she cannot speak, Tavia learned it for when she musn't. Being a siren in hiding, Tavia has to keep her voice in check, and when she fears that her powers will come out if she opens her mouth, Effie is there to sign and interpret for her, helping to keep her secret safe. Sirens are feared and criminalized. They are also exclusively black women. Tavia and her family have already had to move once after an incident in her hometown, and she is not interested in living that nightmare again.
The Problem: Despite their attempts to outrun their pasts, and who they truly are, strange events around Portland keep threatening both Tavia and Effie. If it isn't Tavia's siren voice that keeps threatening to come out, then it is Effie and her history of blackouts and being plagued by sprites. When Tavia uses her power at the worst possible time, things go from tense to dangerous, but she is not sure she wants to stay quiet forever. Tavia knows who she is and is tired of hiding it. Effie would love to know the source of her problems, but those with answers are refusing to speak up, even as her daily life becomes more chaotic. The two girls are determined to protect each other, while it seems like everyone else - including their own family, as well as other black women - is intent on either outing them or controlling them, or both.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set in and around Portland, Oregon, with some scenes taking place in Vancouver. Sisterhood is a powerful theme here, showing that two women do not need to be blood related to look out for each other, protect each other, and love each other as if they were family. Tavia and Effie did not grow up together, but they cannot imagine life apart. And then there are sirens, of which Tavia is one, who can use their voice to influence others. This is enough to make them feared and criminalized, but it does not help that all sirens are black women. The starting point of the book involves a murder trial that begins to receive national attention only after the victim is said to be a siren. But sirens are not the only mythical creature in this book: there are also sprites, elokos, and the gargoyle that pretty much lives on top of Tavia and Effie's house. It seems the only one of these creatures that people are not wary of is elokos, who are actually quite charming and draw people to them, something they often use for their advantage. They are fantastic creatures inserted into a fairly ordinary world, and the ordinary humans do not know how to handle them.
My Verdict: First off, I feel like I was promised mermaids with this book, but be warned, there are no actual mermaids. Effie plays one at the Renaissance Faire, and she can swim incredibly well, but she is not a real mermaid. So there's that. At the beginning of the book, it felt like too much was being thrown at the reader way too fast, and while these magical creatures were being introduced, all of the fun and wonder was absent. Eventually things began to come together, but it was still difficult for me to follow what these girls were going through until a little after the middle of the book. With Tavia being constantly under the threat of being found out, and the injustices that occurred against sirens, the tension was there, but not until the narrative began to focus more on Effie did I become really interested. The introduction of the mythical creatures made for a fascinating storyline, but often they confused things or seemed to interrupt the momentum.
Favorite Moment: There is a moment, that I am not quite sure I can pinpoint, when the focus of the story begins to shift away from being mostly about Tavia to being mostly about Effie. It may be when the reader begins to learn why the gargoyle has decided to perch on their roof.
Favorite Character: Tavia's mother does not say much throughout the story, but when she does, it is quiet but powerful.
Recommended Reading: I recommend The Sea of Ink and Gold series by Traci Chee. This is one of those fantasy series that I wish received more attention.
Welcome to YA Fest 2020! This is my second favorite time of year for the blog, with the annual Goodreads Choice Awards being first. For every Friday during the month of June, I will be talking about a new young adult fiction book, as it is my favorite genre. And it felt appropriate to start with The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the latest book by Suzanne Collins and a part of The Hunger Games series. Going back over six decades from the beginning of the first book, readers now have the opportunity to learn more about Panem's calculating and cruel president.
The Situation: Coriolanus Snow is 18 and looking towards his future after graduation, which is not looking all that promising. Since the war with the rebels, the once prosperous and well-off Snow family has fallen on significantly difficult times, but must keep up appearances in order to avoid gossip and pity. What Coriolanus wants more than anything is to attend the University, but without some sort of scholarship or prize, there is no way he can afford it. Thankfully, he has been given the opportunity to be a mentor for the 10th Hunger Games: the yearly competition that has children from the districts fight to the death. If he is able to coach his tribute to victory, the prize is as good as his. But to his horror, he has been assigned to mentor the girl tribute from District 12. It is well-known that even a male tribute from District 12 would be a long shot, so Coriolanus certainly has his work cut out for him.
The Problem: As soon as her name is called at the District 12 reaping, Lucy Gray Baird captures everyone's attention. If it isn't her bright dress, which stands in bright contrast to the dull colors worn by those around her, then it is her actions, her audacity, and certainly her voice. District 12 girls may not be expected to make much of a showing at the games, but Lucy Gray manages to gain many supporters, which allows Coriolanus some hope. If he were allowed to focus solely on his strategy, he is certain Snow would once again land on top. But his family's monetary troubles only seem to increase with each passing day, and it appears that the school and games officials are bent on seeing him fail. To add to his frustration, he finds himself entangled in the schemes of a tribute sympathizer, a boy who was originally from the districts and now enjoys the wealth and comfort that Coriolanus used to have, that he believes someone from the districts could never be worthy of. It will take everything Coriolanus knows about war, the games, people, and power to come out of all of this the victor.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set over six decades before the first book in The Hunger Games series. The war between the Capitol and the Rebels ended ten years ago, and now, at 18 years-old, Coriolanus has been chosen as a mentor for the 10th Hunger Games. This will be before the games become the spectacle that they are when Katniss becomes a tribute, but they are still just as cruel and unforgiving. Even at only 18 years old, the ambitious, cruel, cold, and calculating Coriolanus Snow readers come to know from the original series is already on his way to becoming a terrible person. Given the smallest amount of power and opportunity, Coriolanus does whatever it takes to secure is own future, no matter what it means for those around him. Something is only of concern if it affects him. And nothing annoys him more than things not being as they should be. The Capitol should be on top, and the Districts should know their place. He also has no time for sympathizers and those who care for the greater good, those who believe the tributes should be treated as people. With the introduction of Lucy Gray into his life, we see that there is a capacity for him to care about another person. But how far does that care go if it means sacrificing for their well-being? Of course, his character does not have a monopoly on the desire to oppress. It seems there are few in the capitol willing to fight for equality and the end of suffering for the districts.
My Verdict: When it was first announced that this book would focus on Coriolanus Snow, I remember a tweet on Twitter where someone asked, "Who asked for this?" I agreed with that sentiment, and now having finished the book, I still do. If I had to use one word to describe the book as a whole, it would be disappointing. If I had to use one word to describe only the ending, it would be sloppy. If Collins simply wanted to show that Coriolanus truly has no redeeming qualities, then she succeeded. The actual story had moments of interest, such as the history behind the early Hunger Games, as well as the Capitol; the madness and cruelty behind the idea of the muttations; and also the lore behind the mockingjays, but other parts of it simply did not work. I did not quite believe the romance between Coriolanus and Lucy Gray. In fact, it was difficult to really believe Lucy Gray as a character. What did come through were more complicated elements such as Coriolanus' annoyance with his schoolmate Sejanus, who is bent on helping people and doing what is right. To me, Sejanus is much like those today who insist on fighting for what is right and speaking out, while people like Coriolanus would rather he be quiet so he can maintain his comfort and not have things change from how they have always been. Overall, the book is a bit of bummer.
Favorite Moment: When Lucy Gray first commands everyone's attention at the District 12 reaping.
Favorite Character: Nearly everyone in this book is pretty hard to take, even the innocent ones. Sejanus' mother is possibly the sweetest woman in all of literature, and her homemade sweets are a comfort to her son and his friends.
Recommended Reading: I love The Hunger Games trilogy and will always recommend it.
We have come to the end of another YA Fest, and while Elizabeth Acevedo’s With the Fire on High may have opened last year’s YA Fest, this year she will close it with her latest novel, Clap When You Land. What do you do when you find out your hero has been lying to you your entire life? This is the question the two heroines of this novel must deal with. And to make matters worse, neither is able to confront the man that has broken their heart, but instead must deal with the new reality of never being able to speak to him again.
