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READING STYLE GUIDE

Japanese Classic

10/13/2021

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How Do You Live? by Genzaburō Yoshino
translated by Bruno Navasky forward by Neil Gaiman

Genzaburō Yoshino's literary classic is now available in English. Published in 1937, this exploration of science and history, cowardice and bravery, morality and friendship has enthralled generations of readers.
Jun’ichi Honda is known to his friends as Copper. His uncle started referring to him as Copernicus when his perseptions began to shift from "the world revolves around me" mindset to a Copernican model of oneself and the universe. Eventually Copernicus was shortened to Copper.
Copper is a charming young man. Small in stature, he often seems younger than his years. After the death of his father, he spends time with his uncle, sharing his observations and questions. This uncle expands on these interactions in his journal. The narrative alternates between a narrator who speaks directly to readers and the uncle’s journal entries written as advice to his nephew.
It is easy to empathize with this slight young man who lives alone with his mother following the death of his father. He sees wonder in the world. He also puzzles over conflicting and confusing ideas.
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Copper is all-too -human. His friendships brush aside class distinctions. However, at one critical point in the story he knows that he should stand up for a friend but is paralyzed with fear and does not defend his classmate. The shame he feels for his failure to act is crushing. Working through his guilt, acknowledging his mistake, and attempting to rectify his error constitute a pivotal plot point.
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The political sections, particularly the passages where the uncle expounds on the leadership of Napoleon, are rather lengthy. Younger readers may be unfamiliar with this historical figure.
As Neil Gaiman states in his forward to How Do You Live? this is a strange book, and such a wise book.
It transcends conventional definitions of a specific genre or audience. This story examines the universal question of what it means to be human. A book that expands the mind and the heart.
Gather your courage, Copper, and do what you must.
Internationally acclaimed Japanese animator, director, and manga artist Hayao Miyzki has announced that his next and possibly last film will be an animated retelling of How Do You Live.
While this film will attract manga and anime fans, the universal themes and captivating storytelling of this Japanese classic will appeal to a wide audience.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: October 26, 2021  Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers  ISBN: 978-1616209773
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Feast of Flavors

6/1/2021

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Dumplings for Lili by Melissa Iwai

It's going to be a special day. Nai Nai has invited Lili to help her make baos. This granddaughter not only loves to eat these steamed bundles of goodness, she loves to make them.
With charming watercolor illustrations, Lili describes each step. She begins by making the dough, then creating the filling, and finally tucking the filling inside each little pastry pillow. She refers to helpful cooking tips "secrets." 
When Nai Nai is missing cabbage leaves to line the bamboo basket and keep the bao from sticking, Lili ventures up to Babcia's apartment on the 5th floor for cabbage. She discovers that Babcia has cabbage to share but needs a potato for the pierogi she is making. This pattern continues. Lili traipses up and down the stairs, locating a missing ingredient for the resident grandmothers as each cooks her own version of savory filled pastries: ravioli, tamales, beef patties, fatayer, pierogis and of course, baos.
A top floor view, looking down, reveals on all the flights of stairs Lili and her adorable dog must traverse. Note: a posted sign indicates that the elevator is out of service.
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The multicultural culinary adventure concludes with neighbors sharing of each woman’s delicious specialty. A sweet surprises awaits Lili and readers on the final page.
Details from each apartment showcase the diversity of this community. In addition to learning various names for grandmother, readers are introduced to common phrases and greetings in a variety of languages.
An infographic offers a concise map of Lili’s journey throughout the apartment complex. The location for each type of dumpling is identified.  Bonus: ​A bao recipe is included.
Melissa Iwai's Dumplings for Lili is delicious introduction to a variety of tastes and cultures. 
Electronic copy accessed via NetGalley
Pub date: June 1, 2021Publisher: Norton Young Readers  ISBN: 978-1324003427
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Uncharted Waters

5/4/2021

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Wishes by Mượn Thị Văn art by Victo Ngai

The tale begins in the dead of night as a young girl rouses from sleep and with her immediate family prepares to leave behind all that she has ever known and travel across the sea in search of the promise of safety and security.
Wishes tells the immigration story from an unusual point of view. This perilous journey is described through the wishes of inanimate objects.
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​A bag wished it was deeper.
The boat wised to be bigger.
​The heart wished it was stronger.
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As the boatload of passengers reach their destination, the narrative shifts to the perspective of the young migrant and her first wish as she views her new home.
Victo Ngai's illustrations are breathtaking. A tiny boat, crammed with passengers, sets sail across a vast ocean and beneath a starlit sky. There is a magical, almost otherworld quality to the image that graces the cover. This is the hope. The dream.
​Interior images of the family collecting their belongings, bidding tearful goodbyes, and navigating the initial stages of the voyage are dark muted shades of gray. The color scheme adroitly changes to fiery reds and oranges as blistering rays of the sun torment the migrants with unrelenting heat. As the destination comes into view the reds soften to pinks and violet. Hope is in sight.
Artwork spans each two-page spread, completely filling the pages. There is no white space. The poignant narrative demands every inch of each page.
Hopeful. Haunting. Heart-wrenching. Wishes is an unforgettable journey.
Mượn Thị Văn based the narrative on her family's experience as immigrants and refugees. Her sparse yet thoughtfully selected text tells a powerful story.

Immigrants All

​Beautiful picture books tell of crossing uncharted waters to begin life in a new country. Come onboard and witness the immigrant experience.
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Immigrating to an unfamiliar land where everything is strange.
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What if all you could carry on your journey was a teacup of soil from your homeland?
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"A young man... left his home in Japan and went to see the world."
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: May 4, 2021  Publisher: Orchard Books  ISBN: 978-1338305890
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Girl's Best Friend

4/22/2021

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Pawcasso by Remy Lai

The Chihuahua-sized fib that grew into a Great Dane lie.
From the imagination of Lai comes Pawcasso, a graphic novel about a dog, art, and honesty. 
​Hoping to escape the confines of a large family, Joanna Lin steps outdoors and discovers a most unusual sight. A basket-bearing dog is heading into town. Intrigued, Jo follows.
​She learns that this pup is on a mission. The basket contains a list of items that the dog is expected to procure from local businesses.  
​Things get complicated when the dog enters Dog Ears, the local book shop. Jo discovers an kid's art class is in session. Young students are thrilled with the appearance of a friendly pup. This is a much more exciting model that an inert pear. They assume that Jo is the dog's owner and ask permission to sketch, paint, and sculpt the canine.
When the shop offers free books in exchange for using the dog as a model, Jo pretends to be the owner and agrees to the terms. In honor of their interest in art, the kids name their remarkable model Pawcasso.
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Then Jo learns that the art workshop will continue for five more weeks and culminate in a special art show. She worries. Who is the dog’s owner and where does it live? How can she get the dog to come to Dog Ears with her every week? ​
To make matters worse, neighbors are concerned that a dog is wandering through town without a leash. The city is divided into two camps: those supporting strict enforcement of leash laws and those that want to make an exception for this endearing animal. Finally, Jo meet's Picasso's owners and confesses her deception. With a little help, Jo brings the opposing factions together to solve the leash law dilemma. She also heals a rift in a neighbor’s family and comes to terms with her father’s work-related absence. Bonus: There is ice cream for everyone!
A surefire hit for fans of mysteries, poop jokes, adorable dogs, and happy endings.
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Lai packs her graphic novel with plenty of goodies.
  • Inventive word play: Pawcasso (canine version of the artist Picasso) Dog Ears (bookstore), Drippy Cone (ice cream shop) and Dippy (short for serendipity)
  • Contemporary artists Picasso and Marcel Duchamp
  • An ice cream recipe that is suitable for dogs and "hoomans”
Electronic copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: May 11, 2021  Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks ISBN:  978-1250774491
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Defining Moment

4/19/2021

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From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry:
The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial that Galvanized the Asian American Movement
​by Paula Yoo

June 2012. Jarod Lew came face to face with his past, a past that he never knew existed. Eventually he would uncover a thirty-year-old family secret.
June 1982. Vincent Chin was sitting in front of a McDonalds when he was bludgeoned with a baseball bat. Days later, he died of massive brain injuries.
Yoo's narrative introduces several seemingly unconnected individuals and brilliantly interweaves their life stories. Jarod Lew wanted to understand his past. Vikki Wong fought for justice after the violent death of her son. Detroit auto workers Ronald Ebens and Michael Nitz worried about job security when Toyota, Datsun, and Honda began to dominate the car market.
Vincent Chin's life and death is the common factor that connects these people. It is a real life drama: a heinous hate crime and the resulting mobilization of the Asian American community.
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​Born in China, Chin was adopted and raised by Asian American parents. To celebrate his upcoming marriage to Vikki Wong, Chin went with friends to a strip club. At the club’s bar he traded insults with Ebens and Nitz. When words escalated to a fight and a smashed chair, all were evicted by the bouncer. Vincent wandered Detroit’s streets and eventually sat down in front of a local McDonalds. Ebens and Nitz were driving around the area when they spied Vincent. Eben stopped, took a baseball bat from his car, and brutally beat Chin until his face was battered beyond recognition. Chin was taken to the hospital where he died days later.
A lengthy legal battle ensued. Initially Ebens and Nitz were charged with manslaughter but the sentence was reduced to probation with no jail time. The Asian American community was shaken by this verdict. They determined to no longer remain silent when faced with inequity and racism. Asians and Pacific Islanders united to protest, seek legal redress, increase media exposure, and join with other civil rights advocacy groups to combat overt and subtle forms of discrimination.
With excellent pacing and stunning detail, Yoo uses newspaper reports, court documents, and in depth interviews to recount events leading up to this tragedy and its long-term affects.
The work is well supported with extensive back matter: a detailed timeline, 311 source citations, numerous photos, and a bibliography. The author’s Afterward personalizes this defining moment in history and brings current events, especially the world wide pandemic into the equation. She suggests that reports of the virus have helped foster and exacerbate targeting Asians.
From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry: The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial that Galvanized the Asian American Movement chronicles a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for civil rights. It’s the story of a hate crime, the creation of the first pan-ethnic Asian American civil rights organization, and the genesis of the Asian Lives Matter movement. ​Compelling nonfiction.
Electronic copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: April 20, 2021 Publisher: Norton Young Readers ISBN: 978-1324002871
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Love, Loss, and Violins

2/22/2021

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When We Were Infinite by Kelly Loy Gilbert

A closely knit quintet of Asian American teens have remained together throughout their high school years. Stellar students and high achievers, each hopes to attend a prestigious university. All apply to several schools throughout the U.S. Beth Claire harbors the dream that all five will remain together, attending the University of California at Berkeley.
Musically inclined, they are members of the local youth orchestra. Beth is second chair violin to the technically precise Jason Tsou, first chair.
Beth lives with her Asian mother and has limited contact with her white father who remains aloof. Her maternal grandparents live nearby but she rarely sees them.
Her four friends are her anchor, her source of security and validation. Senior year exposes underlying stresses and fissures in their bond. They witness a father’s brutal physical abuse of his son. One tries to bring her romantic interest into the friendship circle. Another attempts suicide. When college acceptance notifications begin arriving, it is evident that the five will soon be geographically separated. Things are not the same. They will never be the same.
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Beth tries to understand and manipulate events, hoping to make everything “better.” A quiet observer who clings to her idealization of the group, she goes to extraordinary measures to get along and go along, even when it doesn’t feel right.
Gilbert's characters, as seen through the lens of Beth’s perception, often reveal their personalities through dialogue. A hallmark of her writing is an exploration into the essence of each individual while simultaneously illuminating the group’s dynamic. Tiny intimate details give the story its emotional depth. One of the most heart wrenching scenes occurs when Beth stands outside her father’s house, but never steps up to his door.
After a series of missteps and misunderstandings, Beth finally acknowledges that music gives direction and purpose to her life. As she plays her violin, she becomes one with the music. Following her passion requires courage and a belief that embracing music does not mean the end of treasured relationships.
Love the gorgeous book jacket. Note the sumptuous colors that wash over Beth as she turns away to face a future different from what she expected. An apt metaphor.
I wept as I read the final pages. When We Were Infinite is exquisitely written, simply elegant, yet intriguingly complex.
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​Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: March 9, 2021  Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers  ISBN:  978-1534468214
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Immigrants Welcome

1/26/2021

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Three Keys by Kelly Yang

Good news for those who love Yang's Front Desk. There are more stories and further adventures at the Calivista Motel. 
​Mia Tang is growing up, dealing with complex issues as well as daily frustrations. Sixth grade is not what she expected. She and best friend Lupe are in a classroom located in a temporary building. This year her teacher seems more critical of Mia and her writing style.
Set in the 1970's during the reelection campaign of Pete Wilson, Mia is devastated by her teacher’s support for a ballot measure that will deny educational opportunities to children of undocumented workers.
Yang delves into the plight of immigrants from a variety of viewpoints: Classmate Jason appears to have achieved the American dream of financial success. Lupe, Mia's best friend and the daughter of a Calivista employee, confides that she and her family are undocumented and risk deportation.
The Tang family hopes Proposition 187 will be defeated. Their motel's marque proudly displays the notice "Immigrants welcome."
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"We're Chinese, that's what we do."
Mia experiences the push and pull of two different cultures: retaining her Chinese identity while assimilating into the American lifestyle of chocolate chip cookies.  She resists a "bowl" haircut, dislikes red bean shaved ice, and worries about her slightly Asian accent. She wants to become an author but lacks basic English grammar skills.  Her parents who were respected professionals in China now devote their days to menial labor, struggling to keep their fledging business solvent. 
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"You're stronger than you think"
Three Keys is populated with an assortment of well-developed multigenerational characters with a variety of cultures and ethnicities. They are complex individuals with fascinating backstories, experiencing life's joys, heartbreaks and disappointments. Circumstances help them understand themselves and others in new ways.
There is no magic wand that solves all problems at the Calivista. While the story's conclusion is hopeful, there remain thorny political and societal issues to be addressed.  Lucky for us, a continuation of Mia's story will be published this fall. 

Front Desk Stories

Don't miss the continuing adventures of Mia Tang
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First book in the Front Desk series. Meet Mia Tang, her family, and friends.
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Third book in the Front Desk series. Room to Dream follows Tang Family's visit to Beijing.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: September 15, 2020  Publisher: Scholastic Press  ISBN:  978-1338591385
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Skyhunter by Marie Lu

9/28/2020

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Skyhunter by Marie Lu

Enter a futuristic world of violence, corruption, deception. The Karensa Federation, seeking total domination, is invading the last free nation of Mara and crushing any resistance it encounters. The Federation has created a cadre of grotesque zombie-like Ghosts, programmed to hunt down and destroy all enemies.
A select group of highly trained Mara fighters are dedicated to fighting back. Warrior pairs, consisting of a Striker and a Shield, battle in tandem. In addition to their extensive combat skills, Strikers have at their disposal an arsenal of weapons including daggers, guns, bows and arrows. Talin is a remarkably adroit Striker.  She grieves the loss of her Shield and best friend. When he is infected by a Ghost, she is required to kill her close companion to prevent him from becoming a Ghost. His death haunts her.
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Soon after this tragedy, she is assigned a new Shield. His name is Red and he is a Skyhunter, half-human, half-machine creation of the Federation. With massive metallic wings hidden in his back, he possess impressive fighting capabilities. The final phases of  Red's Skyhunter transformation were never completed and he now is a captive of Mara.
Is he a Federation operative? Can she trust him?
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Talin is mute. As a young girl her vocal cords were damaged by chemicals released during a Federation attack on her home. She remains physically and emotionally scarred by the trauma. Gradually, her suppressed memories begin to return. Secrets from her past come to light.
The book's exploration of women’s empowerment, class structure, and the corrosive effects of absolute political control are relevant today.
Lu has created a fantastic universe teeming with complex characters and high-stakes confrontations. She knows how to build tension and keep readers rapidly flipping pages to discover what will happen next.
Warning. This is the first book in an ongoing series. The conclusion of Skyhunter will leave readers on tenterhooks. Please Marie Lu don’t make us wait too long.
Copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: September 29, 2020  Publisher: Roaring Brook Press  ISBN: 978-1250221681
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Is It Destiny?

8/14/2020

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Of Curses and Kisses (St Rosetta's Academy Book 1) 
​by Sandhya Menon

Looking for an updated version of a classic romantic fairy tale? 
Sandhya Menon has this covered with Of Curses and Kisses, the first volume in St Rosetta's Academy, her new YA romance series. Set in an exclusive boarding school nestled in Colorado’s gorgeous snow-capped mountains, a girl from India and boy from England meet. Is it destiny?
Princess Jaya Rao and her younger sister Isha are sent off to boarding school, hoping to escape a scandalous rumor that a rival family has circulated about Isha. Jaya hopes to protect the Rao reputation from further damage and exact revenge on the family that is responsible for publishing the vicious gossip. She finds the perfect opportunity. Lord Grey Emerson, a member of the dynasty that has delivered centuries of indignities to the Rao family, is a student at St. Rosetta’s. Her plan: she will make him fall in love with her and then break his heart.
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Grey, a brooding loner, is facing his own personal crisis. He is destined to die when he turns eighteen due to an ancient curse pronounced by one of Jaya’s ancestors. The clock is ticking for Grey. Just when it seems that his life is ending, he has fallen in love.
Jaya is wrestling with the question of loyalty. Must she respect the wishes of her parents without question? What should she do to protect her family’s reputation? What will become of the Rao dynasty ? Does she need to ignore her own feelings?
This modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast includes a glittering ball, several misunderstandings, a despicable cad, one stunning ruby pendant, a bookstore named Bookingham Palace and a terrific snowball fight. It's a sparkling romance with an intriguing hint of magic.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
​Pub date: February 18, 2020  Publisher:  Simon Pulse  ISBN:  978-1534417540
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Immigrant Voices

8/6/2020

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Immigrants. Leaving the world you know and venturing into the unfamiliar. Escaping oppression, violence, poverty, deprivation. For some, the only option is to flee. Several books published in 2020 for teens and middle grade students focus on the immigrant experience. In the face of uncertainty and fear, these are stories of hope.
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Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story)
by Daniel Nayeri

Like Scheherazade, ​Nayeri weaves a thousand and one tales into an opulent Persian tapestry: a story of mythology and memoir, of lineage and loss. A story that is as true as what you see with your own eyes and as real as what you cannot see.
The saga begins as a ten-year-old Iranian refugee stands up in an Oklahoma schoolroom and tells classmates his story, his history.
There are so many things going on in this narrative. Several pages are devoted to considerations of poop. It should not be surprising. This is not some esoteric philosophical treatise, although there are ample references to God and religion, anxiety and resilience, dignity and prejudice. At its core, it is a story of basic human needs. It's a story of survival. Nayeri lays bare his heart, his devotion to his mother, his complicated relationship with his father. It’s a guidebook for navigating a strange western culture and for methodically escaping the cruelty of others. It’s all of it. 
​Readers will note that the narrative does not move in a linear fashion. There are spirals which move forward only to fall back, then spin forward again. All are encompassed within a slowly revolving story arc. It sounds a bit messy, but the story threads are easy to follow.
Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story) is a book like no other. It's like claiming a seat in that Oklahoma classroom and being transported to a world that is somehow familiar and yet one that you never knew existed. ​
​Pub date: August 25, 2020  Publisher:   Levine Querido
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Stand Up, Yumi Chung! 
​by Jessica Kim

A middle grade tale that is funny, heartwarming and painfully honest. Daughter of immigrant parents, eleven-year-old Yumi Chung constantly feels parental pressure to excel academically.
Mom has decided that Yumi will spend her summer with tutoring sessions in preparation for the SSAT, Secondary School Admission Test. ​​​Yumi grudgingly heads off for morning test prep sessions combined with three hours of afternoon study at the library.
Then something amazing happens.
​She discovers a comedy club adjacent to the library.  YouTube sensation Jasmine Jasper is facilitating a comedy camp. Yumi succumbs to temptation and steps inside. She is mistaken for a camp registrant who failed to show. Here’s Yumi’s chance to shine. Performing using another identity frees her from stage fright. She is a success!
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​Unfortunately, the family restaurant is experiencing a significant financial downturn. Yumi wants to quit the prestigious and expensive private school favored by her parents and enroll in the new Performing Arts Magnet School.
She is juggling working at the restaurant, attending morning test prep classes, maintaining the pretense of studying daily at the library, preparing a routine for an upcoming comedy club showcase, and assuming the identity of another workshop participant. It all comes crashing down. 
Readers will sympathize with Yumi as she tries to unravel the mess that she has created, support the family's business, honor her parents’ wishes, and find a way to realize her dream. Everything doesn't work out perfectly. There are heartbreaking moments and several compromises. However... there are jokes!
​Like Korean barbecue Stand Up, Yumi Chung! is sweet with a few salty tears but definitely savory. YUM! ​Kudos Jessica Kim.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: March 17, 2020  Publisher: Kokila
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Letters From Cuba
​by Ruth Behar

Late 1930's were perilous times in Europe. The Nazi party was ascending to power and invading surrounding nations.
Twelve-year-old Esther’s family are Polish Jews. They face a future filled with uncertainty and fear. Bravely Esther leaves her mother, siblings, and grandmother to join her father in Cuba. The plan: father and daughter will secure funds for the entire family to escape the dire conditions in their homeland and emigrate to Cuba.
Through a series of letters to her sister, Esther describes her life in this new country. Her correspondence is infused with sensory descriptions: luscious tropical fruit, beautiful countryside, eloquent Spanish language, and the poetry of José Matí. ​She tells of heartbreaking setbacks and small triumphs.
​Initially, the two earn money peddling religious statues in the predominantly Catholic villages. It seems an unusual thing: Jews selling religious statues. Sadly, this venture produces little income.
Their fortunes begin to look up when, desperate for suitable clothing to wear in the oppressive heat, Esther designs and sews a lightweight comfortable dress to replace her heavy woolen clothing. By hand, she sews similar dresses for her friends. Several of her creations are displayed in a local shop. Then the miraculous happens. Esther receives a sewing machine. With help from her father, the two make attractive lightweight dresses for women in the village. Eventually her designs are sold to a buyer in Havana. Now there is hope that she can earn enough money to reunite her family in Cuba. After some tense moments, the family obtains the necessary money to emigrate.
Esther is the star of this story. Her resourcefulness, hard work, willingness to try new things, and acceptance of other cultures and customs make the story shine.
This epistolary middle grade novel was inspired by Behar's grandmother’s journey from Poland to Cuba. Her story offers young readers a fresh perspective on a contemporary issue. ​ Letters from Cuba is a mind-opening, heart-expanding look at the plight of immigrants, the far-reaching effects of World War II, and the stain of racism. ​
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: August 25, 2020  Publisher:  Nancy Paulsen Books   

Illegal
​by Francisco X. Stork

Siblings Sara and Emiliano Zapata are on the run, hoping to elude an international human trafficking cartel. Illegal continues their story which began with Disappeared. After leaving Juárez, Mexico, the two separately cross the Rio Grande River, hoping to outpace and outsmart the syndicate.
The story is told in the alternating voices of the brother and sister. Sara opts to legally request asylum as she believes that ample documentation will support her amnesty claim. Emiliano chooses to go underground, hiding in the back of a horse trailer to evade detection and eventually living in the basement of his father’s home in a Chicago suburb.
​​The two share an dangerous secret: a cell phone containing damning photographs and documents detailing human trafficking that originates in Mexico and extends into the United States. Sara entrusts the phone to her brother. Sara and Emiliano must protect this valuable piece of evidence without endangering one another.
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Stork ratchets up the tension as both lives are on the line. Sara is locked in solitary confinement within a detention center in Fort Stockton, Texas because she refuses to disclose the whereabouts of her brother. Emiliano tries to stay one step ahead of a killer hired to track down the phone. It’s a nail biting, intense read.
The narrative includes fascinating details about everything from technical processes used to open a phone to some of the legal intricacies in the asylum process. A surprising betrayal keeps the central characters constantly questioning who to trust. Both siblings are faced with moral dilemmas. There are no easy solutions. Every choice has positive and negative consequences. ​
An electrifying story that could have been ripped from today's headlines. This can't-put-down story of danger, intrigue, and corruption will keep readers rapidly turning pages. It's action and suspense to the max.
Note: ​All author royalties from this book will go to local shelters for immigrants.
Uncorrected copy provided by author.
​Pub date: August 4, 2020  Publisher:  Scholastic Press  
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When Stars are Scattered
by Victoria Jamieson & Omar Mohamed

Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed's When Stars Are Scattered introduces readers to the reality of survival for displaced individuals, an existence filled with deprivation, uncertainty, and boredom.
Jamieson chronicles the childhood of Somali refugees Omar Mohamed and his younger brother Hassan.
​The narrative is based on Omar’s memories. He and Hassan escaped Somalia's civil war, lost contact with their parents, and were given shelter at a camp located in Kenya. Looked after by a kind woman, they subsist on meager rations and sleep in a tiny tent. Omar assumes responsibility for disabled brother's daily care. Life changes when a UN worker suggests that Omar attend a school organized for the camp's children. Education becomes his lifeline and an escape from the grim reality of camp life. Fifteen long years later, the two resettle in Arizona.
​Drawings are clean and uncluttered, keeping the focus on these young siblings. Each frame becomes a metaphor for life within the refugee camp. Omar remains trapped inside the confining panel boundaries. There are a few instances where Omar breaks through the restrictive lines which limit him. The inference is that education breaks the confines that hold him captive.
Color tends to be flat except the expanse of sky, where a breathtaking array of hues ranging from soft pinks to deep blues are sprinkled with the glimmering pinpoints of tiny stars. The sky appears limitless.
​Jamieson takes a few liberties with Mohamed's story, fleshing out the narrative with additional characters. Two fictional camp residents deal with the harsh realities for girls in this society: few basic personal supplies, limited education opportunities, and arranged marriages at a young age.
​​With extraordinary grace and simplicity, Mohamed and Jamieson put a name and a face on the plight of refugees. The suffering and unsettled circumstances are evident on every page. Without undue sentimentality or overwrought emotion, young Omar’s story is simple and straightforward yet powerful in its impact.
This graphic novelization of Omar’s life as a refugee is heart wrenching and eye opening. It's the story of the bond that connects siblings, living with a disabled family member, a repressive view of women, and the long-lasting aftereffects of war. Notwithstanding these obstacles, this is a story of hope.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: April 14, 2020  Publisher:  Dial Books

The Everything I Have Lost
​by Sylvia Zéleny

Thirteen-year-old Julia keeps a deeply personal journal describing her life near the Mexico-United States border. Over the course of approximately two years she discloses her fears, her uncertainty, and the longings of her heart. Detailed lists and commentary reveal her life, her everything.
Living in Juárez with father, mother, and younger brother Willy, Julia’s life experiences a seismic shift when her father begins working for the mafia. She assumes that he is a courier. Suddenly the family has a new car, a new house, and many luxury items. But wealth has a downside.
Mamá is no longer her confidant. Her mother’s primary objective is to protect and care for her husband. In an attempt ​to shield her children from the mob's influence and possible retribution, she sends Julia and Willy to live with family in El Paso. Young Julia faces an uncertain and frightening existence. She must adjust to a new city, new home, new school, new language.
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​She is angry with her father who mysteriously vanishes for long periods of time. She resents her mother for what she perceives as abandonment of her children. She feels that she must accept responsibility for Willy and be the mother he no longer has. This is a heavy burden for a young girl to carry.
When her life in Juárez is forever gone, she makes a startling discovery. Her father is more than a courier. He is a hit man.
​Julia is devastated. Her pain bleeds across her diary pages.
She enters an American high school with a few glimmers of hope. She makes a friend and tells him of her shameful secret. Her great grandmother becomes a source of constancy and comfort. Mamá reunites with Julia and Willy in the United States and takes tentative steps to reconnecting with family. 
The Everything I Have Lost is a story that is bleak and often terrifying. It paints a picture of survival and finding hope when things seem hopeless. Zéleny's prose is poignant and piercing in its honesty and humanity. 
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: February 11, 2020  Publisher: Cinco Puntos Press
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Superman Smashes the Klan
​by Gene Luen Yang

A comic book set in 1946 with 2020 sensibilities features the traditional superhero trope: Man of Steel versus an archenemy. Metropolis is plagued with a sinister influence. It’s up to the caped crusader with an assist from a couple of kids to defeat evil and protect the city’s citizens.
​Inspired by the 1940s Superman radio series “Clan of the Fiery Cross,” Gene Luen Yang chronicles a lesser-known aspect of bigotry and racism in American history: Chinese Americans targeted by white supremacists.
​​​The narrative has two plot threads. Alternating stories chronicle a Chinese American family's move from Chinatown to a new neighborhood. This is juxtaposed with the tale of a superhero arriving to earth from another planet. ​Both threads explore the plight of individuals who are perceived as different. ​Both are stories of immigrants. Stories of aliens.
​Dr Lee, his children Tommy and Roberta, and mandarin-speaking wife move from Chinatown to a suburban Metropolis home. Sadly, some people do not welcome the Lee family. They are subjected to subtle and overt racism. One night Tommy and Roberta watch in horror when hooded Klansmen chant “One Race! One Color! One Religion!" and burn a cross in their neighborhood.
Superman is having his own interior conflict. Readers follow a flashback when young Clark decides that his incredible powers are an unwelcome stigma. He resolves to conceal his capabilities, hoping for acceptance among his peers. Years later, Superman's parents from Krypton appear to their adult son and encourage him to accept and use all his remarkable strengths.
Things end well. After a frightening abduction, an injury, and a harrowing escape, the leaders of the Klan are exposed and their plans for destruction are foiled.
The script is laced with clever dialog as well as tongue-in-cheek humor. While characters remain true-to-form, Yang fleshes out the Superman with a compelling backstory. Smooth segues between the two story lines create a seamless narrative.
Gurihiru's art has a distinctive 1940's vibe. Panel size and placement moves the story forward at a fast pace. Large two-page illustration spreads are background for panel inserts which advance the action. A dazzling two-page spread exposes the horror of cross burning. Angled panels accentuate action sequences.
​The author’s note, "Superman and Me" provides context to Superman Smashes the Klan. Gene Luen Yang interweaves the development of the Superman mythos, a brief history of targeting Chinese Americans and other marginalized people, the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, and challenges faced by immigrants. The account is broad in its scope while also a deeply personal reflection on superheroes, bigotry, and the immigrant experience.
Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.
Pub date: May 12, 2020  Publisher: DC Comics 

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