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. 

Sheets by Brenna Thummler

 

Sheets is a beautifully illustrated graphic novel that tells the story of a teenage girl who has taken on adult responsibilities after the death of her mother. Marjorie runs her family's laundry business, while also managing mean girls at school, angry customers, and her deeply depressed father. Her biggest problem, however, is a nasty man who wants to buy her business and turn it into a spa. And when Wendell, a young ghost, enters her laundromat, he inadvertently makes things worse. On first reading the book, I had some confusion about the role of minor characters and about Wendell's life (or rather, afterlife). I re-read the book and caught a lot more of the story on the second time around. My middle school book club had a similar reaction—kids were puzzled and unsatisfied about certain aspects, but it gave us fodder for a deep discussion about the book and left most of us wanting to read the sequel, Delicates, which is coming in March 2021. 

Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park

 

Hanna is a 14-year-old girl who settles in a South Dakota town with her father. The year is 1880, and Hanna, who is half Chinese, knows that she will face prejudice in her new town. Hanna and her father, who is white, are still mourning the death of her mother, who was Chinese. Living in California wasn't quite as difficult, but now that they are in a prairie town (yes, almost exactly like the prairie town that Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote about), Hanna must struggle just to finish school. Hanna has a gift for designing clothing, and in addition to finishing school, she wants to open a dress shop in her father's store, and she yearns for a friend. Hanna's interactions with indigenous women she meets on the prairie are priceless, and while this books stands alone, it is certainly also a response to other books that have glorified the white pioneers and settlers. Recommended for all readers from third grade through adults. 

Rowley Jefferson's Awesome Friendly Adventure by Jeff Kinney

 

I picked this up because one of my middle school book clubs was reading it, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this goofy story. Rowley (the sweeter, more innocent friend of Greg, the Wimpy Kid narrator), is writing an adventure book about how a boy named Roland and his sidekick Garg the Barbarian go on a quest to save Roland's mother from the White Warlock. Rowley is a rule follower and wants his story to show children how being good and following the rules will pay off. Greg Heffley, who is reading Rowley's story and commenting between each chapter, sees a movie deal, merchandising opportunities, and Happy Meal toys. Rowley is refreshingly sweet, and Greg is brilliantly snarky as he comments on how children's books are marketed and merchandised. There is a reason why kids love Jeff Kinney's books and read and re-read them all the way through middle school. They are funny and clever and kids have great taste in literature when they get to make their own choices. 

The List of Things that Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead

Bea's parents are divorced, and they have given her a list of things that will not change. Number one on that list is that they will always love Bea and each other. Bea's dad is gay and she is thrilled when he and his boyfriend Jesse get engaged, mainly because she will finally have a sister. Sonia lives far away, but Bea is sure they will feel like sisters. Of course, relationships don't always come all at once, and Bea struggles with her disappointment. This is an intimate view of Bea's life and how her loving parents help her deal with a secret that she has been hiding from everyone. Rebecca Stead writes beautifully about the details of every day life and you will leave this book feeling like you know Bea and the people in her life well. 

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo

This is the story of two young women who, unbeknownst to them, share the same father. When papi is killed in a tragic plane crash on his way to the Dominican Republic, the two young women's paths are destined to cross in the midst of their grief. Camino lives in the Dominican Republic and dreams of coming to the United States for college. The other is a former chess champion who lives in New York City. Elizabeth Acevedo has now written three books in verse for young adult readers, all of them wonderful and original and brimming with hope. I recommend that teens and adults read Acevedo's books and enjoy the poetry and the relationships you will form with the characters. 

Twins by Varian Johnson and Shannon Wright

 

This is an outstanding graphic novel for middle schoolers. The story centers around Maureen and Francine, identical friends and best friends. But when they start 6th grade, they are placed in separate classes and friction starts to develop between the girls. Maureen feels isolated and left out as Francine moves away from her. When they run against each other for class president it threatens to tear their bond apart. The art is colorful and fun, the plot is relatable with a few surprises, and the adults in the story, especially the parents, are supportive and understanding of the twins' unique talents. Written by Black author/illustrators and featuring Black middle schoolers, this fills a gap in graphic novel collections and adds another great choice for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Victoria Jamieson. Recommended for grades 3-8. A must-purchase for school libraries!

Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier

Nan Sparrow sweeps out chimneys in London. The year is 1875, and ever since her caretaker, Sweep, disappeared, she has been an indentured servant for a cruel man who puts children to work with no regard for their safety. In a terrifying and mystical turn of events, a lump of char from her pocket comes to life and saves Nan from death in a chimney. From that point on, Charlie, who is actually a golem, and Nan, become an inseparable pair, even though Nan learns that for a golem there will be no good end. Like many classic children's books, this is a story of deep love and friendship, sacrifice, and saying goodbye. The historical facts about chimney sweeps, child labor, and Judaism, are seamlessly woven in, and readers will empathize with the sweeps and be horrified that middle and upper class people so easily watched the children suffer and even die to keep their houses from catching fire. I loved the history and the mysteries that are woven in, but mostly I loved the bond between Nan and Charlie, which you find out in a touching author's note was inspired by E.B. White's Charlotte's Web. I was entranced by this book and recommend it to readers of all ages--not just young people. It is a gem.

Go with the Flow by Lily Williams & Karen Schneemann

This is a friendship story about girls who see a problem and take action. When Sasha gets her period at school the girls can't find any pads or tampons in their school bathrooms. Led by Abby, their artistic friend who tenaciously leads the fight, the girls go to the administration and write letters, but gentle tactics aren't working in a school that values football above the needs of female students. I love the diversity of the four friends and the storylines about their everyday struggles and relationships. I was afraid this would be an issue book, but was pleasantly surprised to enjoy it as an all-around entertaining story as well as an honest and positive normalization of menstruation and the corresponding troubles it can cause. My own 6th grade daughter recoiled from this book due to the topic, but I am sure that middle school readers will be checking this book out and recommending it to their friends. In spite of the main characters being high school sophomores, this book is totally appropriate for tweens and middle schoolers. Highly recommended for middle school libraries.

The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert

Marva and Duke are both 18 years old and eligible to vote for the first time. Marva has been waiting her whole life for this chance, and is determined to also help others vote as well. At the election site she meets Duke, also Black and 18 years old. Duke is told he is not registered in that precinct, so Marva offers to drive Duke to another polling location. Casting a vote turns out to be an all-day ordeal, and the two teenagers get to know a lot about each other during that day. Duke is still reeling from the death of his older brother, who was a strong advocate for racial justice. Marva is dealing with a long-term boyfriend who has decided not to vote and her Instagram-famous cat who is missing. The entire story takes place in one long day (much like The Sun is Also A Star by Nicola Yoon). Great characters and an intriguing premise and also a serious look at voter suppression. I predict that my middle school readers will love it. Recommended for grades 7-up.