Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel by Jason Reynolds with Art by Danica Novgorodoff

Long Way Down is one of the most powerful and popular books written for teens in recent years. The original was spare and poetic, and packed a powerful punch for readers of many abilities and interests. It's the story of Will, 15 years old and devastated over the shooting death of his older brother, Shawn. Will has grown up with "the rules" that say no crying, no snitching, and get revenge. He has never held a gun, but is in an elevator heading out to do what he thinks he has to do to avenge Shawn's death. In the space of one minute in the elevator, Will is met at each floor by a ghost from his past. There are no easy answers or platitudes here, but much to think about and discuss with students. This graphic novel uses soft watercolors temper the harsh topic and splashes of red to accent the violence and desperation inherent in the story. Although the original and the graphic novel tell the same story, they feel different. The graphic novel is well done, and will bring new readers to the story, but the original without the visuals, was a more powerful reading experience for me. In either format, this is essential reading, and recommended for readers in grades 7-up. 

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

 

This fictional book reads like a true crime story, and will remind readers of the first season of the podcast Serial. Five years before the start of the book, Andie Bell, a popular high school student, disappears and is presumed dead. Her boyfriend, Sal Singh, confesses and appears to commit suicide. Case closed. Five years later, high school senior Pip takes the case on as a school project, with the assumption that Sal Singh is not the murderer. She's a gutsy investigator, and she teams up with Sal's brother to try to prove his innocence, but someone knows what she is up to and might be willing to kill again to keep Pip quiet. There are dead ends, red herrings, and lots of twists and turns. Recommended for high school students who want a suspenseful murder mystery. Middle schoolers will also want to read this book, but should note that they will encounter teenage partying, drinking, drugs abuse, and some sexual content. I will be recommending it to 8th graders on up. 

Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang

 

I was absolutely enthralled by this 445 page graphic novel, which on the surface is the chronicle a high school season of basketball. Much like the author of the book, I don't have a lot of interest in watching sports and I identify more as a nerd then as an athlete. What make this book compelling is the storytelling, which is Gene Yang's superpower. The story is autobiographical—a nerdy math teacher decides to write a graphic novel about a pivotal season of high school basketball, a world he knows nothing about. What he discovers is a former player-turned-coach who has never coached a state championship team, a former coach with a questionable past, and a diverse team of athletes, all with stories of their own. And there is the teacher himself, a hugely successful writer and father of four, trying to make life choices that are bittersweet. Yang manages to take us through the history of the sport of basketball and into issues of race and culture and resilience. And did I mention that there is a huge amount of basketball action? This book worked for me as an adult reader for reasons beyond the basketball action, but I suspect it will work for students and sports fans as well. Very highly recommended for 8th graders through adults. One of the best books of the year! 

Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams

 

Genesis is a 13-year-old girl with a list of things she hates about herself. One of the primary things is the darkness of her skin. The book begins with Genesis and her mother being evicted from their home and moving from their Detroit neighborhood to a rented house in a beautiful suburb. Her father promises that he is getting a promotion and that he an afford the home, but Genesis has learned not to trust him. She has never lived in such a nice area but is wary of settling in. Genesis finds out from her own grandmother that the family didn't want her parents to marry because of the darkness of her father's skin. And now her father denigrates her for that same dark skin she inherited from him. While the book swirls with issues of race and colorism and family dynamics, what makes it shine is how deeply we come to empathize with Genesis. She's a character that readers can really root for as she overcomes obstacles and comes into her own. The audiobook, read by the author, is an outstanding listening experience. Highly recommended for middle school-up. 

Class Act by Jerry Craft

 

Jerry Craft, who so deservedly won the Newbery Medal last year with New Kid, has a follow up with just as much heart, humor, and food for thought as his first book about life at Riverdale Academy Day School. This time the focus is on Drew, one of Jordan's best friends. Drew, with darker skin than Jordan, faces subtly different treatment, from girls wanting to touch his hair without permission to being asked to be a tour guide for a poorly conceived sister school exchange. In spite of all the racism faced by Drew and Jordan (mostly at the hands of white teachers), at its heart this is a school story about belonging and coming into your own. Liam, their uber-wealthy friend, invites the boys to his house to swim in his pool, and the disparity causes a rift that is a main focus of the story. As in New Kid, Craft makes each chapter title a parody, this time riffing on popular graphic novels for kids. This is another gem, down to the last detail. Recommended for all middle schools everywhere.   

Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

 

Della is only 10 years old and she has seen more trauma than most people see in a lifetime. Her mother, a meth addict, is in prison, and she and her sister suffered abuse from the man who later took them in. The one thing she has always had is her older sister Suki, who staunchly protected and sheltered her. Now Della and Suki are with Francine, a matter-of-fact foster mother who doesn't even pretend to be very motherly. Della is the kind of kid who swears and fights and tries to get by any way she can, but when Suki succumbs to her own trauma, Della has to learn new ways to speak up. It sounds heavy and depressing, but it is neither. There is humor and lightness and a deep bond of sisterhood. All books by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley are gems, and this one is no exception. In a world where children are frequently the victims of sexual abuse, this book may be a lifesaver to some and a gateway to empathy for others. For adults as well as children, it is a beautiful, engaging story that stands on its own. Highly recommended for all readers ages 10-up.