Like No Other

Like No Other by Una LaMarche

Neither Devorah, a Hasidic Jew, nor Jaxon, the son of Caribbean immigrants, are natural-born risk-takers—but that all changes when they get stuck together in an elevator. Although they’re only trapped for a short while, each makes an indelible impression on the other, so much so that when they run into each other again, they decide to risk it all be together. Can they overcome their family’s prejudices to maintain this fragile first love? Authentic first-person voices, important lessons about love and relationships, and intriguing insight into Hadisic and immigrant culture make this a definite win for the We Need Diverse Books movement. Recommended for Gr 9 Up for language.

A Sumptuously Written Love Story

The Wrath & the Dawn (Saga of Shahrzad and Khalid, #1) by Renée Ahdieh

Khalid, the young Caliph of Khorasan, has a rather horrifying habit. Each night, he takes a girl to wife, only to have her strangled the next morning. The feisty Shahrzad, whose best friend was the most recent of these ill-fated brides, plans to break this deadly cycle by marrying, and then murdering, this teenaged monster. As the end of her wedding night approaches, she turns to storytelling in order to stave off her imminent demise. Although initially irritated by this ruse, Khalid can’t help but be intrigued by this clever new wife—and allows her to continue her stories for several more weeks. As she waits for just the right moment to strike, Shahrzad not only learns of the tragic curse that holds sway over Khalid, but also gets to know the man behind the monster. Little does she know that as she struggles between this new-found romance and her duty as an assassin, her friends and family are mounting a secret rescue mission to save her life, one that could, unintentionally, threaten the stability of the kingdom. Endearing side characters, a sweet romance, and lush descriptions of food, setting, and dress make for a sumptuous, well-written fairy tale. The only down side to the novel is that the author ends the story abruptly, leaving nothing resolved. This is probably because it’s Book 1 of a duology, leading me to believe that the publisher intended readers to consume Wrath and its sequel, The Rose & the Dagger, as a single work, rather than as two separate books in a series. This leaves readers torn between two choices: they can either immediately spring for part 2 (The Rose & the Dagger), or, if they’re not that taken with the story, simply accept the lack of closure and savor the work as it is: a beautifully written love story with an unsatisfying ending. Recommended for Grades 9 Up for fantasy violence, some language, and mature romantic content.

To Dance!

To Dance: A Ballerina’s Graphic Novel by Siena Cherson Siegel, with art by Mark Siegel

Husband/wife team Siena Cherson Siegel and Mark Siegel collaborate to produce a graphic memoir of Siena’s ballet training from ages 6 to 18. Simple but effective color drawings illustrate the hard work and sacrifices required in this honest, kid-friendly memoir geared towards older children. The story of her experiences is a fine model for young girls who wish to follow—or rather, dance—in her footsteps. Recommended for Gr 6 Up.

Almost as Good as the Original Classic

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: The Graphic Novel by Gary Reed, with art by Frazer Irving

Reed and Irving deliver a clear, straightforward adaptation of Shelley’s classic novel that older children will be able to both enjoy and understand. Soft, surreal, black and white illustrations set the stage for this gripping, elegant narrative. Facial expressions are never dull, and at times border on the melodramatic. The centerpiece of this work is the Monster himself – towering and lanky with long, disproportional limbs, this creature is dark and frightening, yet expressive and laden with undeniable human thoughts and emotions. Part of the Puffin Classic Graphics series, this graphic adaptation is one that can certainly stand apart from the original. Recommended for Gr 7 Up.

An Excellent Addition to Multicultural Literature for Young Adults

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

In a traditional Chinese fable, the Monkey King, no longer content with his lowly origins, studies Kung Fu and aspires to become a god, while the gods themselves, unhappy that an outsider has tried to emulate their glory, seek to punish him. Yang cleverly modernizes this tale by interweaving its themes of pride and disillusionment with the experiences of Jin Wang, a young Chinese boy who moves to America with his parents. Although Jin tries to fit in at his new school, he encounters xenophobic attitudes from his mostly white classmates. Like the Monkey King, no matter how much he tries to shed his Chinese identity and take on an entirely American one, he finds that his heritage is always close behind. This poignant and moving tale examines the unique experiences and troubles of duel-heritage children in America. It was the first graphic novel to win the American Library Association’s Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature, and also a finalist for the National Book Award. Recommended for Gr 8 Up.

Stirring Memoir of an Iranian Childhood

Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood (Persepolis, #1) by Marjane Satrapi

This graphic memoir documents the Iranian childhood of Marjane Satrapi, the only child of Marxist parents. Beginning with the Islamic revolution of 1979, the author uses black and white drawings in a simple comic-strip format to invoke Iran’s tumultuous history, from prehistory days, to the eventual overthrow of the Shah and the triumph of the restrictive Islamic regime. At the heart of this memoir, however, is Marjane’s beloved family. Her supportive parents, grandmother, and relatives are as endearing as the spirited, outspoken young girl who narrates their family’s story. Persepolis came to the silver screen in 2007, and was named a New York Times Notable Book. Recommended for Gr 9 Up for language and violence.

Sensitive Readers Beware: "Deogratias" is Truly Disturbing

Deogratias: A Tale of Rwanda by J.P. Stassen

Stassen documents the 1994 Tutsi genocide in Rwanda through the eyes of the title character, Deogratias, a member of the Hutu ethnicity. The story begins with the massacre’s aftermath: Deogratias, traumatized by the recent past, wanders from place to place like a disturbed animal, even imagining at times that he’s a dog. As the narrative progresses, the reader pieces together fragments to reveal the horrifying truth. While Stassen doesn’t show the violence as it happens, his depiction of a murdered woman towards the end of the book proves to be disturbing enough. With its vibrant colors and its gut-wrenching content, Stassen’s work will leave the reader feeling unsettled long after the story is finished. Originally published in France, Deogratias won YALSA’s Great Graphic Novel Award, and was named one of ALA’s Best Book for Young Adults. A helpful introduction provides readers with a brief history of Rwanda, its colonization by the French, and the political factors that paved the road to genocide. Recommended for Gr 10 Up for language, sexual content, and violence.