“All boys aren’t blue” George M. Johnson

Rated 5 stars ***** First Square Fish (Farrar Straus Giroux, Macmillan). 2024. 304 p.

Open, raw, honest prose fills nonbinary George Johnson’s memoir through memories of growing up Black and Queer in a small New Jersey town. The love and support received from their parents, extended family members, and their beloved grandmother are also detailed. Reasons why they suppressed their identity as they sorted out what it meant to know they weren’t like other boys, as well as the oppression they felt as a member of the Black community, are also part of their story. Johnson wants teen readers who are Black and Queer to see themselves. As the title suggests, all boys are not the same because they are not all stereotypical blue. Some might be a little pink or an entirely different color and should be able to live freely.

Recommended for ages 15 and older.

I met George Johnson at a recent conference and was impressed because they are articulate, well-versed, a spitfire, and an advocate for their community. This is the #2 banned book in the United States due to its graphic content, but its message is important. Banning a book because it’s eyebrow raising content doesn’t measure up to a book banner’s point of view does a huge disservice to its intended audience. Erasing a book erases a reader’s identity, and no one deserves to be erased.

“The moonlit vine” Elizabeth Santiago

Rated 5 stars ***** Tu Books (Lee & Low Books). 2023. 360 p. (Includes “Author’s note,” “Anacaona and Caonabo ancestry,” “Key moments in Puerto Rican history,” “Inspiring Boriqueños,” and “References.”)

The native Arawak lived in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica, before Columbus and his conquistadores arrived. There are several theories on how they became known as Taíno including that they shouted “tayno,” meaning “good people,” to an incoming Spanish ship. Over the next 25 years their population was severely decimated through disease, massacre, and slavery, reducing their numbers from millions to 32,000 by the year 1514. It had been thought the Taíno were extinct, but a 2018 National Geographic article explained they assimilated and aren’t extinct because their DNA is found in living people – including yours truly.

Knowing this background information made “The moonlit vine” especially interesting as I read about fourteen-year-old Taína’s quest to defend herself and her family from injustices in their neighborhood and schools. Taína comes from a long line of proud Taíno women, direct descendants of Anacaona, a powerful leader murdered by Spaniards soon after Columbus’ arrival on Haiti. Anacaona gave an amulet and zemi to her daughter for protection, with instructions for them to be passed on through time to women in her family who would remember the knowledge of their proud past as their future power.

Over the centuries these precious artifacts and memories of their heritage were passed on until Taína received them from her grandmother. Though fearful at first, she soon learned of the powerful strength of her ancestors in a life-or-death situation.

I absolutely LOVED this book! Taína’s story, as well as historical chapters of women who came after Anacaona, kept me riveted.

Highly recommended for ages 14 and older.

“The one that got away with murder” Trish Lundy

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Henry Holt books for Young Readers (Macmillan). To be published April 16, 2024.

To get away from things that almost ruined her life, Lauren and her mom moved across the country to a small town in Pennsylvania. There she began a secret romance with Robbie, who she soon finds out is part of the richest family in town and has been accused of murdering his girlfriend. As if that isn’t bad enough, Robbie’s brother is accused of killing his girlfriend too. This should have been enough to scare Lauren off, but she knows what it’s like to have secrets. Robbie tells her he’s innocent and she believes him.

The girls on the soccer team aren’t so forgiving, and ice Lauren out of everything. Soccer has always been her escape from everything that happened in California, but now it’s become another burden. Soon after Lauren finds evidence that incriminates Robbie, the evidence disappears. As she gets closer to learning the truth Lauren doesn’t realize the killer is closer than she thinks, and that she’s his next planned victim.

This book will have readers sitting-on-the-edge of their seats, turning pages until its satisfying conclusion.

Highly recommended for ages 16 and older.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“This Indian kid: A Native American memoir” Eddie Chuculate

Rated 2 stars ** ARC. Focus (Scholastic). 207 p. (Includes Q & A with author). To be published September 23, 2023.

Author Eddie Cuculate is both Creek and Cherokee, and believed books about the Native experience didn’t focus enough on everyday lives of Native Americans who didn’t live on reservations. “This Indian kid” is his answer to that void as, through photographs and memories, Cuculate traces his life growing up in Oklahoma. From kindergarten through high school Cuculate details his memories that, ultimately, led to a career in sports writing and fiction.

Typically, after a spat with his stepfather, the family would split which necessitated Eddie attending different schools almost every year. His mother would shuttle his siblings off to others while he stayed with her parents in the country. Sometimes they would move due to a job change or another reason. Life with his grandparents afforded time to fish, play baseball, enjoy time with his friend Lonnie, and feel a stability lacking in other areas of his life.

Though chapters are labeled with the years in which Cuculate recounts his memories, he tends to jump back and forth across the years which creates a disjointed feeling to the book. I struggled to get through it, as it failed to hold my attention.

I will leave it up to readers ages 15 and over to decide if you want to read it or not.

“Out of the ashes” Kara Thomas

Rated 4 stars **** ebook. Thomas & Mercer.2023.

As soon as she could, Samantha escaped her dead-end town of Carney, New York and moved to Queens. There she made a life for herself as a nurse, always trying, and failing, to bury the tragedy of the murder of her parents, uncle, and little sister twenty-two years earlier. When her uncle’s death brought her back to Carney, Travis Meacham from the N.Y. State Police told her he’d been working on her case and had new leads.

Samantha was skeptical because a local police officer had it in for her family, so she didn’t trust the police. She was sure he had murdered them, especially when she heard more stories of crimes he’d committed on the job. She didn’t think Travis could add anything to the case. When she found out her former best friend was missing, she began questioning her old friends. As a result, another person disappeared, and one was murdered. Someone is not happy Samantha is asking a lot of questions about her family and the missing girls.

This was an interesting book, with a surprise ending.

Recommended for Adults.

“Last summer boys” Bill Rivers

Rated 5 stars ***** ebook. Lake Union Publishing. 2022.

Jack Elliot was thirteen during the summer of 1968. He lived with his older brothers Will and Pete and their parents in a 200-year-old stone house, where a forest and Apple Creek provided numerous distractions for boys who loved the outdoors.

Pete would turn eighteen on July 4th, so Jack had a plan to keep him from being drafted and dying in Vietnam. Since he had overheard someone say famous people never got drafted, he knew Pete would be famous if they found an old fighter jet that had crashed in the woods years ago. When cousin Frankie came to visit Jack knew his ability to write award-winning stories was what he needed. The plan to save Pete was all set. Jack didn’t know it then, but the summer of ’68 would be a summer he’d never forget.

This book was wonderful! Jack’s narration was descriptive and endearing and made me feel as if I was also experiencing that summer with him, his brothers, dog, and cousin. Events like Robert F. Kennedy’s murder and the televising of the Vietnam War also have parts to play in his story, so put on your seatbelt because it’s going to be a wild ride.

Highly recommended for ages 15 and older.

“In the shadow of a queen” Heather B. Moore

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Shadow Mountain Publishing. 2022. (Includes “Family chart,” “Author’s note,” “Afterword,” “Chapter notes,” “Selected list of Princess Louise’s art,” “Notable contributions by Princess Louise,” “Notable titles of John Campbell, Marquess of Lorne,” “Discussion questions,” and a “Selected bibliography.”)

Princess Louise (1848-1939) was the sixth of nine children in the royal family and was a beauty. Though princesses weren’t allowed to be involved in political issues she had a mind of her own. Despite her mother’s disapproval women’s suffrage, as well as the education of women and children, were causes dear to her heart. Her desire to be a sculptress was also unacceptable, but Queen Victoria eventually allowed her to take sculpting lessons. Throughout her life Louise followed a path that adhered to her mother’s wishes yet also showed her independent streak. “In the shadow of a queen” gives new life to a Victorian princess who may remind readers of Princess Diana.

Recommended for Adults.

I received a digital advance reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“One summer in Savannah” Terah Shelton Harris

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Sourcebooks Landmark (Sourcebooks). To be published July 4, 2023.

Sara was almost 18 years old when she was raped. It seemed as if no one believed her, but David testified against his twin brother and Daniel was sent to prison. When Sara found out she was pregnant she fled, fearful Daniel’s mother would take away her child. She spent eight peaceful years in Maine as beautiful Alana grew older but was devastated when she learned her father had a heart attack. She knew she had to go home but was determined to keep Alana’s parentage secret and leave town as soon as possible.

Years earlier David left Savannah, changed his name to Jacob, and tried to forget the devastation that had befallen his family after his little sister died and Daniel was sent to prison. His mother insisted on Daniel’s innocence and blamed him for ruining the family because his father committed suicide after the trial. After years of running, he decided to return home to stitch together the only family he had left.

When Jacob accidentally met Alana, he was astonished because she looked exactly like his dead sister. Though Sara was reluctant for him to spend time with her she allowed him to do so if he promised not to tell Daniel or his mother of her existence. As time passed, they grew to trust one another as each wrestled with how to forgive the people who’d hurt them the most.

The author says her goal was to “challenge readers on the definition of forgiveness and what it truly means to forgive.” Based on that goal it’s up to readers to decide if Sara and Jacob took the correct path, or if should they have taken a different one.

Highly recommended for Adults.

I received a digital advance reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“Beyond that, the sea” Laura Spence-Ash

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Celadon Books. To be published March 21, 2023.

In 1940, when Beatrix was eleven years old, her parents sent her to live with Americans to keep her safe from war. At first Bea was resentful and felt out of place with brothers William, Gerald, and their parents. However, their acceptance made her feel as if she’d always been part of their family, and she grew to love them as they grew to love her. As her soul bonded with them, London and her parents became distant memories. When the war ended in 1945, she had to return to England, which broke her heart.

Her mother resented their years apart and refused to allow her to share her memories, so Bea kept everything to herself for many years until Mr. G. died and William came to visit. Suddenly everything that had transpired with them filled her mind and heart. Was it possible to turn back the hands of time?

I absolutely LOVED this book! Through the alternating voices of Bea, the boys, their parents, and others, readers get a fuller picture of the joy and sorrows that occurred from 1940-1977. I didn’t want the book to end but wanted Bea’s story to go on forever. It’s been a long time since I felt this strongly about a book. Kudos to Laura Spence-Ash for writing this remarkable story that spans many years in a wonderfully complex and fascinatingly interesting way.

Highly recommended for Adults.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“The door of no return” Kwame Alexander

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (Hachette Book Group). Published September 27, 2022.

In poetic verse readers are introduced to the 1860 world of eleven-year-old Kofi and his family in his West African village of Upper Kwanta filled with Asante life and culture. There Kofi attends school where his teacher insists they speak the Queen’s English instead of Twi, their tribal tongue. He has a crush on Ama, constantly thinking of her beauty but not brave enough to tell her how he feels. Kofi loves listening to his grandfather’s stories, puzzling over his riddles and advice, while studying his champion moves at Oware, played with stones and skill.

Kwasi, his older brother, is full of advice and has taught him many things, while he and his best friend Ebo have fun together as they prepare for their initiation ceremony into manhood. His cousin is the bane of his existence. Both are named Kofi, since they were born on a Friday, but his cousin is older, taller and meaner. Kofi knows his cousin is better at almost everything, but swimming is where Kofi shines. When his cousin disrespects Ama, Kofi challenges him to a swimming duel. He is determined to best him, while his cousin intends to crush him. Before their race a great darkness comes into Kofi’s life, forcing him to leave behind everything he has ever held dear.

“The door of no return” makes an excellent book club selection, as it has much to discuss. It is the “Roots” of the 21st century. Two more books will follow in this trilogy, and I look forward to reading more about Kofi’s life and his bravery.

Highly recommended for ages 14 and older.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review