Readers have eagerly awaited Colson Whitehead's follow-up to the award-winning 2016 bestseller, The Underground Railroad, and their patience was rewarded with The Nickel Boys. Set in the Jim Crow-era south, it tells of the nightmarish conditions behind the walls of a reform school for boys.
The Situation: Elwood Curtis lives in segregated Tallahassee in the early 1960s. Raised by his grandmother, Elwood has discovered a fierce fondness for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. When he receives a record of Dr. King's speeches as a gift, Elwood cannot get enough of hearing it, and resolves to adopt the reverend's attitude towards the Civil Rights Movement. Of course, protesting injustice and maintaining a strong sense of right and wrong can come at a price, one that Elwood occasionally ends up paying. Even so, he seems to be headed in the right direction as he is a strong student, and is able to hold down a part-time job while keeping up with his schoolwork. But just as he begins to advance beyond his little neighborhood, one simple mistake changes his entire course, and he finds himself to be the newest student at the Nickel Academy, a reform school for boys.
The Problem: The Nickel Academy promises to provide an education that includes moral training, all in an effort to transform these troubled boys into decent citizens. However, what the sadistic staff at the Nickel Academy actually provide is abuse, both physical and sexual, on a level of cruelty that it causes many of the boys to disappear, for various reasons. When Elwood discovers the true Nickel, he does his best to hold onto the words of Dr. King, retaining an attitude that another Nickel inmate, Turner, thinks is naive, even foolish. Turner would rather keep his down, and work the system in his own favor. Despite their differences, the two boys become friends, managing to stay out of trouble, until one decision, stemming from his desire for justice, once again changes the course of Elwood's life.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel set mostly in early 1960s Florida, which is where Elwood grew up, and where the Nickel Academy runs as a reform school for delinquent boys. There are parts of the book that show Elwood's life at different points in the future, after Nickel, showing what has become of him after the abuse he endured as a teen. The Nickel Academy itself is based off of a real place, the Dozier School for Boys in Marianna, Florida, which operated for 111 years. If the physical and sexual abuse were not enough, school staff and officials also sold off supplies and food that were meant for the boys in a scheme to earn extra money. The school also was segregated, and the white boys received better supplies, and less abuses, than their black counterparts. Of course, that does not mean that they did not also suffer at the hands of the staff and administration, many of which would not be brought to justice due to the school's long years of operation.
My Verdict: I expected to have a much more difficult time reading this book than I did. Yes, the boys suffer terrible abuses and atrocities. And yes, there were many moments when the boys would be up to something, and it was plenty obvious that they, mostly Elwood, would suffer severe consequences for it. Scenes and events like that would cause me to wince and brace for pages at a time, while waiting for the hammer to drop. But instead of writing a book that simply contains unmitigated abuse and hardship, Whitehead manages to balance out the horror, while still keeping it front and present. The book is certainly about the terrible things that took place at Nickel, but also about the struggle between wanting to fight for justice, and also wanting to stay out of trouble and hope to make your own way in the midst of the chaos. Elwood and Turner beautifully represent the two sides, respectively, while also showcasing that the decision is not as cut and dry as we would often like to believe.
Favorite Moment: When Jaimie, a Hispanic boy at Nickel, manages to exact some revenge on a staff member who was cruel to him.
Favorite Character: Turner is trouble from the beginning, but he ultimately knows what he is doing, and only tells his friends to do what he thinks will keep them alive.
Recommended Reading: Whitehead's The Underground Railroad won the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, and for good reason. I highly recommend it.
First, I will go ahead and say that I did not care much for Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale when I read it years ago. This general dislike has kept me from watching the series on Hulu; plus, I have heard of how intense it is, so it may be too much for me anyway. Even so, I was still excited when I learned there was to not only be a graphic novel, but a sequel as well that is set to come out later this year. It is always interesting to me so see how artists decide to depict the events inside of classic works of fiction.
The Situation: In an unnamed year, in an unidentified reality that could be the future, or just another version of Earth, the United States is no longer the country as we know it. After a coordinated attack that has left the president and most of Congress dead, a radical extremist group has taken over. There are many changes, perhaps one of the most notable of which is that women can no longer hold property, handle money, maintain a career, or even read or write. But men are also affected, as newly established social classes give ultimate power to a few, while making others into little more than either common servants, or agents of the government in one of the many different roles that serve to keep the newly established society in-tact. Our narrator, Offred, is a Handmaid: a fertile woman who is assigned to a household of the ruling class in order to bear that household a child.
The Problem: Offred is on her third assignment, which means that if she does not get pregnant, she will be in risk of being labeled infertile and sent off to the wasteland of the Colonies. Of course, there is a chance that Offred may not get that far if she is ever believed to be violating one of the many laws that keeps this society going. The Handmaids are barely able to speak to each other, and when they do, they must be careful as to not be overheard, especially if they speak beyond general and approved pleasantries. Offred takes chances when she speaks with her partner Ofglen, as well as when she begins to have small communication exchanges with Nick, her Commander's chauffeur. When the Commander begins to request her presence in private in his office, something that is forbidden, Offred knows she is being forced to walk a fine line. Being found out would certainly mean being picked up by the black van, and any hope of one day reuniting with her daughter would certainly be lost, if it is not already.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a graphic novel adaptation of Atwood's classic done by artist Renée Nault. If the original story was not unsettling enough, now it has gained another life in brilliant, colorful, and detailed drawings. The red of the outfit worn by the Handmaids takes on a whole new severity, especially when many of them are grouped together. Offred's life in the Republic of Gilead seems to be full of one color or another. If it is not the red of her uniform, then it is the light purple of the Wives' uniform, or the green of the Marthas', or the army green many of the men wear, or even the black of the van that may come to pick someone up at any time. When Offred remembers her life before, the memories are in full color, but they also come throughout the story, and out of order. At one point, Offred apologizes not only for the disorganized nature of her tale, but also how upsetting and sad it is. In an effort to address the issue of lower birth rates, a radical group has warped and distorted selected passages of the Bible, creating a dystopia that suites no one, and ultimately solves nothing.
My Verdict: I cannot imagine attempting to adapt any novel, especially a well-loved classic, into a graphic novel. For me, this adaptation worked well, perhaps because I did not much care for the original novel. Graphic novels move quicker, while giving a visual to what the original author put on paper. That does not mean that the brutality and harshness of this new world is lessened at all. In many ways it was made much more vivid. But I do feel like something was lost in translation, and some details were missed. While Atwood's story was always a bit opaque, at least to me, this adaptation both cleared some things up, while also making other aspects of the story more confusing. In the end though, it was still an enjoyable experience, though many die hard fans of the story may have a few issues with it. I will say one more thing: I love love love the cover. Love it! The black matte look is one of my favorite for book covers. And the red of the Handmaid uniform against that background works incredibly well.
Favorite Illustration: The images of the ceremony that takes place when a Handmaid gives birth are extremely well-done, as well as extremely upsetting.
Favorite Character: Moira is a woman who refuses to give up, and refuses to settle into the life of a Handmaid. She ends up with the (maybe) more desirable assignment as a Jezebel, and maintains her sardonic wit.
Recommended Reading: It is worth reading the original novel by Atwood. As for another graphic novel adaptation, I recommend Kindred by Octavia E. Butler, adapted by Damian Duffy.
I never read Bridget Jones's Diary, but I have read Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. So when this book was compared to the both of them, I decided to try it out. Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams follows a Jamaican British woman as she looks for love in modern-day London, but of course, finds many other things along the way.
The Situation: Twenty-five year-old Queenie Jenkins has just moved into a shared living space with two strangers. After being asked to move out of the apartment she shared with her long-time boyfriend, Tom, Queenie had to settle with what she could afford, which in London is not much. This interruption in her and Tom's relationship has caused Queenie to lose focus on her work as a journalist at the Daily Read. She is constantly chatting with her best friend Darcy at her desk instead of sitting at her own, while getting someone else to do her work for her, and it is not like her boss hasn't noticed. Even so, she manages to keep moving along, even with the added distraction of Ted, a man who also works in the building and who cannot stop emailing Queenie and giving her compliments. Ted is not the only man who is after Queenie, proving that her break with Tom is not about her physical appearance. She wants to give him the space he asked for, while also staying close enough to pick up where they left off when he is ready.
The Problem: When it comes to the men that Queenie chooses while she is still missing Tom, she seems to attract and pick the worst of the worst. If they aren't fetishizing her blackness, then they are married, or have a girlfriend, of have some seriously questionable opinions regarding race relations. Even so, Queenie cannot stop seeing them, and these interactions only affirm the beliefs she has about herself. Some of her friends and family believe it is all because she insists on only dating white men, but a past experience takes black men completely out of the equation. Soon, things are spiraling out of control, not only with men, but with her friends and at her job. Despite her past and all of her baggage, Queenie must come to realize that nearly everything that is happening to her is of her own doing. How does someone get better when they are their own worst enemy?
Genre, Themes, History: This is a fiction novel set in London, England, and focusing on the experience of a young Jamaican British woman who is starting out in her adult life. After a break-up with her long-time boyfriend, Queenie must move out of their shared space and attempt to navigate life on her own, although she always has her closest friends, and her family is not far away. Though she is comfortable in her own body (for the most part), and is quick to tell anyone and everyone not to touch her hair, past and current experiences have Queenie believing she is unworthy and unlovable. After signing up for a dating app, she gets plenty of interest and messages, though many border on harassment (or simply are harassment), and the few she follows through with do not exactly go well. But even with all of the attention from men, the support of her friends, and the intrusions of her family, Queenie's ultimate goal is to get back together with Tom. She knows this break is temporary (and kind of her fault), but she is having a hard time giving him the space he asked for, while endlessly wondering when she will be able to move her stuff back in.
My Verdict: I had a hard time connecting with this one at first, possibly because of Queenie being somewhat all over the place. The break-up throws her for a complete loop, so she dives directly into chaos with a speed I had trouble keeping up with. But slowly and surely, the story unfolds to reveal that it is more than just a chronicle of the men Queenie insisted on self-destructing with. Eventually you get more about her history, more about her family, and then more about what it is like to be a young black woman with opinions in modern-day London. I still had trouble relating to Queenie, but I at least got a better picture of where she was coming from as more of her world came into focus. What is most satisfying is being able to see Queenie's (slow) growth over the course of the novel, even if she had to have some incredibly hard lessons to get there, and it is all done with humor and honesty.
Favorite Moment: When Queenie's grandmother was listing her reasons for not leaving South London, and many of the reasons had to deal with how she "didn't trust the buildings."
Favorite Character: I love Queenie's grandmother and grandfather, who both have supersonic hearing and can make out even the smallest whisper of a snide comment, even if it is made two rooms away.
Recommended Reading: I will always recommend Paul Beatty's The Sellout when it comes to books that deal with race relations with humor. But I will also recommend Thick, a collections of essays by Tressie McMillan Cottom.
I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet Susan Meissner at the 7th Annual San Antonio Book Festival; however, I was not able to actually make it to her panel on Texas during World War II. Even though I knew I would not be able attend the discussion, I went ahead and bought The Last Year of the War and waited in line for her to sign it. Sure, this meant I was signing myself up for yet another book about WWII, but this time I would be reading about the internment camp in Crystal City, Texas, so close to where I live now in San Antonio.
The Situation: Elise Sontag is a German-American teen living in Davenport, Iowa in early 1940s America. World War II continues to rage on in another continent, but for 13 year-old Elise, the fighting could not be further from her mind. Then her father is arrested for being a Nazi sympathizer, except he isn't one at all. At home, he is a calm, gentle, loving husband and father. To the U.S. government, he is an immigrant from Germany with family ties back home and a knowledge of dangerous chemicals. After her father's arrest, Elise, her mother, and her brother Max become social pariahs, and in a desperate attempt to be reunited with his family, Elise's father applies for all of them to be moved to a family internment camp all the way in Crystal City, Texas. Trading brisk Iowa winters for brutal Texas summers, Elise and her family will have to get used to life behind barbed-wire fences, in a place that is dominated by Japanese immigrants who have found themselves in the same situation. It is here in this new place she will have to call home that she meets the friend that will change her life.
The Problem: Life in an internment camp in south Texas is less than ideal, but at least Elise has found a true friend in Mariko. After Elise chooses the open seat next to Mariko on their first day of school in the camp, the two become fast friends, confusing those around them who mostly stick to their own ethnic groups when it comes to close relationships. With Mariko, Elise feels like she will be able to survive the rest of the war, but that is only until it is arranged for the Sontag's to be sent back to Germany in exchange for U.S. soldiers held as prisoners of war. Communication from Germany to Texas would of course be difficult, but not impossible. But it becomes clear that Mariko's family will similarly be moved to Japan, making the two girls' plans to stay in touch even more nebulous. As Elise navigates her new life in a country she does not know, attempting to learn a language she has never had to speak, with the war now in her front yard, she holds on to the brief but powerful friendship she and Mariko shared at the dusty internment camp in Crystal City.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a historical fiction novel that is mostly set during the final year of WWII, and the few years immediately after. Each part of the book begins with a chapter that follows Elise in 2010, now much older and battling with the onset of Alzheimer's, as she attempts to find Mariko one last time. She then goes back to where she left off in her story, and continues to tell of how she went from being a somewhat naive teenager in Davenport, Iowa, to the woman she is now. War is incredibly messy, even in a country where the fighting is not actually happening. So when the Sontags are moved to the family internment camp is Crystal City, Texas - which was a real place that few know existed - their adventure is just beginning. From there they will be moved to Germany, and even have a hard time finding permanence in Elise's parent's country of birth. Once the war is over, the family must first deal with French occupancy, and then the American soldiers take over after that. Everyone has their own allegiances, beliefs, prejudices, attitudes, fears, and convictions, and they all come out when a war is on.
My Verdict: It is laudable that Meissner was able to get so much into less than 400 pages. Conversely, it is also somewhat annoying that she fits so much into less than 400 pages. I liked the pacing, and there were few moments, if any, where the story dragged. But there are parts of the novel that would have benefited from more showing as opposed to telling, even if that would have made for a much longer book. For me, the friendship with Mariko is so brief, so quick, that I was not fully convinced of the impact it clearly had on Elise through the remainder of her life. The most engaging and interesting part of her story seemed to come near the end as she began her adult life, still apart from Mariko, and still attempting to decide how she would like to live. Also, Meissner does a great job of exploring a part of WWII that few know about, and that is the practice of sending German, Japanese, and some Italian immigrants and their families to live in the internment camp in Crystal City. Ultimately, many of these families were sent back to Germany, or Japan, or Italy in exchange for U.S. soldiers that were trapped abroad. With so many books published that focus on WWII, it is nice to find one that takes a slightly different approach.
Favorite Moment: "Do you think you could find it in your heart to like me, Elise?" A question asked by Elise's dubious and incredibly tough mother-in-law.
Favorite Character: Elise's father is an unfortunate victim of war-time paranoia as he is arrested and then sent back to his home of Germany, despite not being a Nazi sympathizer and having lived peacefully in the U.S. for 20 years. Somehow, he is able to approach every situation, no matter how difficult, calmly and practically, while also doing the best for his family.
Recommended Reading: For more information on the family internment camp in Crystal City, Texas, The Train to Crystal City by Jan Jarboe Russell is an excellent resource. For more fiction about WWII, I recommend Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly.
Once again, we have come to the close of YA Fest, and this year DSN is ending things with Elizabeth Acevedo's With the Fire on High. Last year, Acevedo entered the scene with The Poet X, a book that took me by surprise given my general apprehension when it comes to poetry. The time, Acevedo has gifted us with a story in prose set in one of my favorite cities, Philadelphia.
The Situation: Emoni Santiago is in her senior year of high school, and beginning to make those common early adult life decisions. The thing is, she has already made plenty of them as a young single mother. Living at home where it is just her, 'Buela, and Babygirl, Emoni has to carefully split her time between her daughter, school, her part-time job at a local Burger Joint, and her favorite hobby: cooking. 'Buela had always said that Emoni has magic hands, and pretty much anyone who has ever eaten her food agrees. So when the chance to take a culinary arts class at school comes up, Emoni is excited, but also hesitant. She is already struggling to keep up in her regular classes. Plus, the culinary arts class includes a chance to travel to Spain, a trip that Emoni is sure she will not be able to afford. Add in Malachi, the handsome new kid from Newark, and Emoni's world has somehow become even more complicated.
The Problem: Since she had Babygirl freshman year, Emoni and 'Buela have been able to make it all work, even when having to deal with Tyrone, Babygirl's father, and his less than supportive parents. But now, 'Buela has been going to more doctor's appointments than usual, and the culinary arts class is proving more challenging than Emoni thought, even with her natural gift for spices and flavors. And to add another pressure regarding school, it is college application time, but Emoni is not even sure college is in her future. Babygirl has been pretty much her entire world ever since she was born, even to the point that Emoni has put off dating. But much like with the culinary arts class, Emoni has to think about what she really wants out of life, and then find ways to make that happen, even with her already tight time constraints.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction novel set in modern day Philadelphia. Emoni lives with her grandmother, 'Buela, who adopted her and raised her when her father returned to Puerto Rico shortly after she was born. She became pregnant with Babygirl (real name Emma) as a freshman in high school, and after deciding to keep her, she and 'Buela have managed so far to keep their small family going, despite money always being tight, and both of them always being busy. Emoni must deal with all of the usual nonsense that comes from being a teenager attending high school (especially being a teenage mother attending high school), while also raising a daughter of her own, which means making sure Babygirl gets to Day Care, arranging visitation with Tyrone, and also being sure not to overburden 'Buela or taking advantage of her time, while working a part-time job she is not all that thrilled with.
Emoni's world is further complicated by her relationship with her own birth father, who has opted to live in Puerto Rico and support his home community over being in Philadelphia with his daughter and granddaughter. During somewhat frequent calls, Emoni bites back the desire to air her frustration and anger, instead opting to be grateful that he is around enough to communicate with at all. Her dream is to be a chef, in her own kitchen, creating the food she has been creating for years. But again, it all comes back to what is best for Babygirl, and Emoni simply is not sure if her dreams intersect with what she needs to do to raise her daughter. Though she has been careful to not let anyone else hold her back, she has a hard time not letting her own fear get the best of her.
My Verdict: This book is incredibly impressive. Just shy of 400 pages, what it manages to cover, and the finesse with which it does it, is nothing short of amazing. It is much more than a story about a teen mom who loves to cook and the difficulties that come with that. There are complex relationships as well as recipes; complex and likable characters, as well as a few that are not so likable; and to top it all off, it is set in Philadelphia, one of my favorite cities in the US (and one that I pretty much ate my way through when I was there, so it works for me that this book dealt so much with food). Emoni has been through some things, and yeah, it has effected how she sees people and how far she feels she can trust many of them, but she is not so jaded that nothing gets in, and is not so headstrong that she cannot be helped. And while her grades may not be the best, she is incredibly smart. She is the kind of heroine we need more of.
Favorite Moment: *spoiler alert* When Emoni returns to the culinary arts course after walking away for a week due to an embarrassing interaction with Chef Ayden.
Favorite Character: Chef Ayden is the teacher of the culinary arts class that Emoni decides to take at her high school. He is tough, but fair, and can clearly tell Emoni has a gift, while not letting that be a reason for her to ignore the rules of his class. I also like 'Buela, who is the rock and stabilizing force in Emoni's life.
Recommended Reading: Of course, I recommend The Poet X, Acevedo's previous book, and winner of the 2018 National Book Award.
Now we have come to the third week of YA Fest with Stephanie Garber's Finale, the third and final installment of her Caraval series. I started reading this series reluctantly, not sure of my chances of continuing after the first book. But I pressed forward and am glad I did. Finale brings everything back together in the dramatic whirlwind that is the adventures of the Dragna sisters. And of course, a massive spoiler alert must be issued for anyone who has not read the first two books in the series.
The Situation: It seems the impossible has happened, and the Dragna sisters have found their mother. When the Fates were released from the Deck of Destiny, they were able to take their mother with them, and now they only wait for her to wake up. Well, that is not entirely true. Scarlett, the elder sister, has been waiting to meet Nicolas, the man she was supposed to have married as arranged by her father, and Donatella, or Tella, waits every night for Legend to apologize for how he left things. Each have their own competing suitor who would rather have their attention and are not shy about showing it. Julian has been by Scarlett's side since the beginning of all of this, and absolutely refuses to leave it. Jacks, on the other hand, has alternated between villain and hero in Tella's story, and while he may be intriguing, he is not the one she waits for every night. Caraval may be over, and Legend has taken the throne, but the sisters still have loose ends that need tying.
The Problem: If the lives of the Dragna sisters were not complicated enough, they must now also deal with what it means to have the Fates freed from the Deck of Destiny. They are known to feed off of fear, and love to torture mortals. And when the most powerful among them decides it is now his time to assume the throne, matters go from complicated to deadly. Winning Legends' heart must take second place in Tella's list of priorities as she knows she must kill this new threat. With everything that has already been taken from her, it seems her sister could be next if they both do not find a way to defeat a power that only has one true weakness. Scarlett must play a dangerous game that will bring her closer to her mother than she has ever been, and Tella must make a decision that could give her the love of her life, while taking her own mortality.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fantasy novel that brings to a close the adventures of Scarlett and Donatella Dragna. Their story began in Caraval, the first novel and the series, and continued in Legendary. While the first book followed Scarlett, and the second focused on Tella, this one splits the attention between the two, though Tella gets a slightly larger portion of the adventure. And while there is plenty of the 'will they/won't they' for both sisters, Tella is the sister who has a harder time coming to the final decision as far as who she will ultimately give her heart to, and who is even worthy of receiving it. Their world is once again full of magic, color, and wonder, but also intense emotions, danger, despair, cruelty, and even death. This has all long stopped being a game to play, and now that the Fates are loose, everything takes on a darker reality. It may be true that not every Fate is cruel, but they are all certainly dangerous. It is a quest that requires the sisters to stick together, and for them to believe that love can do anything.
My Verdict: This is a satisfying conclusion to one crazy and dramatic series of events. There is so much that happens in this one book that it probably could be broken up into its own three-part movie or mini-series. After turning the last page, I could hardly believe how far Scarlett and Tella had come in less than 500 pages, much less over the entire trilogy. And maybe it took the perspectives of both sisters coming together, but all of the pieces finally started to fit together and makes sense for me. While reading Legendary, I felt like I was constantly accepting my own confusion and simply going along with the ride, which is not altogether a terrible thing. But with this book, the world was no longer some far off place too fantastic to be real. Even the characters began to take on a more realistic shape, including the ones who could do obviously supernatural and otherworldly things. This book felt more grounded, while still being full of a magic and danger and characters that could only come from the imagination.
Favorite Moment: *spoiler alert* When Scarlett meets Nicolas and discovers that he is nothing more than a gentle giant with a big lovable dog.
Favorite Character: Julian comes through big time here, but I also loved the Assassin: one of the more dangerous of the Fates who I would have loved to see more of.
Recommended Reading: Definitely the Sea of Ink and Gold series by Traci Chee.
The DSN YA Fest is moving right along with the pick for week two: The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen. I absolutely love knowing that every other summer there will be a new Dessen book to read and discuss. Publishing is such a nebulous thing, but we can always count on a summer read from on of the most popular and successful YA authors today.
The Situation: Emma Saylor (her dad calls her Emma, while her mom always called her by her middle name, Saylor) is ready for summer. Now that her dad's wedding is over, he and Emma's new stepmother, Tracy, will be off to Greece for their honeymoon, while her Nana is ready to explore the pyramids of Egypt. At 17 years old, Emma could easily stay at home alone, except Nana's apartment, where her and her father had been staying, is being renovated, and their new home in another neighborhood is not yet complete. When Emma's summer plans to stay with a friend fall through, Nana has the somewhat offbeat idea that Emma stay with her other grandmother, Mimi, out in North Lake. Emma's mom died five years ago after a long battle with substance abuse, and she has been to the family-owned hotel in the small lakeside community only once in her life, and it was so long ago that she cannot remember it. But she is headed there now, and she is about to meet and stay with another side of her family that she knows nothing about.
The Problem: At first, there are so many people to meet, many of which Emma is related to, that she begins to draw out a family tree. When she finds out about Mimi's directive that she is not to be put to work, something that everyone here does, including the incredibly pregnant Trinity, Emma pushes back and insists on helping out cleaning the hotel rooms. And then there is the issue of her name: Mimi knows her as Saylor, but Emma is used to only her mom calling her that, and her dad almost refuses to. Throughout the summer, Emma has to work out who exactly she is going to be, while also getting to know her mom's side of the family, as well as the history and stories behind North Lake. Turns out there is plenty her dad has not told her, and it is a boy named Roo who is able to fill in the gaps. Now Emma cannot imagine her life without the family she did not even realize she had, so what will happen when dad and Nana return from their trips, and she is once again removed from this tight-knit beach community, and the stories of her mother?
Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult fiction book set mostly in around the joint communities of North Lake/Lake North. North Lake is where Emma's maternal grandmother, Mimi, owns and operates Calvander's, a beach side hotel that is always booked throughout the summer. Across the lake, only three miles away, is the other beach side community of Lake North, which is also always booked throughout the summer, but with an entirely different kind of clientele. While Emma's mom was from North Lake, her father worked at Lake North, and that is how they met. When Emma arrives, it is easy to see the separation between the two communities, though she easily identifies with her mother's side of the lake, especially once she begins to get to know her family and their friends. She essentially must make up for lost time, going through old photo albums and snatching up stories as they are told. And then there is the issue of her own place in all of this. At home with her dad, she is Emma. Her mom always called her by her middle name, Saylor, and Mimi does the same. If only to avoid confusion, Emma decides to go by Saylor, at least for the remainder of the summer, though it is a choice her dad does not quite understand. So she spends the summer not only learning about her mom and her family, but also herself.
My Verdict: This is a lovely book, and anyone who has lost a parent, or anyone close to them, to substance abuse will understand Emma's pain and her father's desire to protect. Anyone who has lost a close family member at an early age will also be able to relate to Emma's desire and need for photos and stories about her mom, stuff that her father has always been reluctant to share. The Rest of the Story is a great summer read, not only because of its somewhat idyllic setting by the lake, and with the teenagers from both sides of the lake always having a plan to do something together every night, but also because Emma's story is all about gearing up for big changes, and making the decision as to how she wants to live the rest of her life. Plus, it is a summer of getting to know her mom's side of the family, and doing things she never imagined, while confronting those things she never wanted to.
Favorite Moment: When Emma insists on helping out at the hotel, even though that means taking on the role of cleaning hotel rooms.
Favorite Character: I adore both grandmothers, Nana and Mimi. Both are set in their ways, though one is used to wanting for nothing and not blinking twice about spending a lot of money on something, while the other is no stranger to hard work and has run a beach hotel for most of her life. Ultimately, they each want the family to come together, even if it is for a short time in the summer.
Recommended Reading: My favorite Dessen book is still Along for the Ride, which also takes place over the summer, where the main character is taken out of her element and sent to stay away from home. But I also recommend The Moon and More, as well as The Truth About Forever.
Readers have eagerly awaited Colson Whitehead's follow-up to the award-winning 2016 bestseller, The Underground Railroad, and their patience was rewarded with The Nickel Boys. Set in the Jim Crow-era south, it tells of the nightmarish conditions behind the walls of a reform school for boys.
