Category: Realistic Fiction

Riding On

5/24/2022

Ride On by Faith Erin Hicks

Girl meets horse. Horse meets girl.

Cover art captures the trusting, tender relationship between one young equestrian and a gelding. Hicks uses the term Horse Girl to describe a youngster enamored with horses. Evidently the affection between this pair is reciprocal.

Twelve-year-old Victoria is new to Edgewood Stables. She may be unfamiliar with this equestrian facility, but she is obviously not a novice. Her horsemanship catches the eye of Edgewood staff. She shows potential as a trainer.

However this is more than a horse story. It is a story about relationships. When Victoria's best friend gets her own horse, the dynamic between the two changes. Victoria wonders: is riding at Waverly Stables the only thing the two have in common?

Stung by this falling out, Victoria is hesitant to connect with a trio of Edgewood's regulars. What will it take to overcome the past and make new friends? These kids have their own problems and they may need Victoria just as much as she needs them.
Trust is recurring theme. In a climactic scene, trust plays a pivotal role.

In addition to horses, Victoria and her newfound friends share a fascination with the sci fi series Beyond the Galaxy These nerdy fans look forward to the release of new episodes and concoct an elaborate scheme to celebrate their favorite show.

Hicks is particularly skilled at revealing undercurrents that simmer beneath the surface. Misunderstandings, first impressions, and frustrations are often discernible by a facial expression, simple gesture, or a figure's placement within a panel.

This is a story filled with heart. One does not need to be a horse person to appreciate Victoria's world.
It is obvious that Hicks has more than a passing interest in horses. Her love for all things equestrian shine on every panel, every page. She knows what it means to develop a close relationship with a horse. This is more than a hobby and far exceeds athletic prowess.

The phrase Ride On has multiple meanings. Victoria not only finds a new stable, but a group of friends with shared interests. After a few disappointments, our girl is ready to move on. Ride On Victoria, Ride On.

Back matter includes the author’s history as a Horse Girl, which served as the inspiration for this stand alone comic. The inclusion of a personal photograph and childhood drawings of horses are a bonus.

Secrets & Silence

5/16/2022

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Caprice by Coe Booth

Twelve-year-old Caprice is concluding a seven week Summer Leadership Program at a prestigious girl's school in upstate New York. She has thrived in this academically challenging institution, impressing the faculty, and making new friends. Now she is offered a scholarship to enroll as a full-time student. It seems like a dream come true.

There is one problem. A HUGE problem.

On the last night of her summer program, an unexpected and unwelcome kiss triggers childhood memories. With painful clarity, Caprice begins to recall her history as a victim of sexual abuse. For years she has suppressed those memories. That coping mechanism is no longer working.

She returns home, believing that reuniting with her parents and friends will ease her torment. Caprice spends her days at the local community center. She joins Express Yo’Self, a writers group, where her poetic talent blossoms and then takes the initiative to organize a Woman Group.

When her grandmother is hospitalized, the family gathers at grandma's home in Baltimore, the site of her victimization. Memories associated with the bedroom where she will sleep are excruciating.

Booth masterfully builds to the climactic scene that readers simultaneously hope for and dread. Caprice publicly confronts her abuser.

Construction of the novel is one of its strengths. This story takes place within a week and consists of a running first person account interspersed with text messages and inner dialogue. Each time segment of Caprice’s week is introduced with one of her poems. A lot gets packed into a few days.

Caprice must decide if she will make a major life change. Should she remain at home with her supportive family, community, and best friend? Or should she accept this "once in a lifetime" educational opportunity? Caprice debates the question of familiarity and family versus the opportunity for new experiences and academic challenges. It’s a difficult choice. Caprice's decision is not revealed until the final pages.

Intended for a younger audience with a publisher’s suggested age range is 9 to 12 years, the narrative is intense and heart wrenching but avoids overly graphic descriptions. The focus here is on the heart and mind of a twelve-year-old girl. Booth's approach is honest while remainng sensitive to tween readers.

No one can tell a story like Booth. Although readers may have different life experiences from the protagonist, audiences of all ages will indentify with the universal desire to suppress painful secrets. Healing begins with acknowledging past wounds and reaching out to trusted individuals for support.

Kudos to the cover artist. A careful examination of the portrait of Caprice reveals the light in her eyes is a silhouette of a girl.

Bonus factoid:

Definition of caprice. noun. a sudden, unpredictable change, as of one's mind. Source: Oxford Languages

More Books by Coe Booth

Want more stories by this award-winning author? Try these.

Background Reading

Booth mentions two titles, written for adults, that add context to the story.
Born a Crime, a memoir describes living with apartheid in South Africa. The one constant in his life is his mother.

Breath, Eyes, Memory is a novel of a Haitian girl who returns to Haiti after living in New York. A story of trauma, violence, and conflicted relationships.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: May 17, 2022 Publisher: Scholastic ISBN: 978-0545933346

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Pandemic Life

4/19/2022

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New From Here by Kelly Yang

People look at you and see a white kid. They look at me, and they see…a virus carrier.

With the onset of COVID 19, the Wei-Evans family faces a major upheaval. Mom and her three children abruptly leave home and family in Hong Kong and return to California, hoping to avoid exposure to the virus sweeping throughout Asian. Dad will remain working in Hong Kong with the family dog to keep him company.

Life in California is not what they expected. Protective masks, hand sanitizer, and social distancing are the norm. Groceries and household goods, especially toilet paper, are in short supply. After a period of in person instruction, schools initiate virtual classrooms. Mom loses her job. Money is tight.

The family’s story is told through the eyes of ten-year-old Knox, whose ADHD heightens his impulsivity, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating. Viewing the pandemic through his eyes gives the story a unique perspective. Knox has his own way of seeing the world, which at times can be a bonus but in some situations is a problem.

He knows his race, culture, and medical condition mark him as different from his classmates. What would be a small slip-up for other kids, spirals into a major disaster for Knox.

What’s gotten into that kid? I look down. The pain is almost unbearable. It’s a question I’ve been asking myself my whole life.

Knox’s narrative exudes with his frustrations along with his sense humor and an appreciation for the absurd. A dinosaur costume is an example of his unconventional and clever way of looking at a situation.

The children miss their father. It is particularly hard for Knox, as dad was the one who always had his son's back. The kids decide that the best way to reunite the family is to raise enough money to pay for dad's airfare to California. They sell unwanted items in a garage sale. Unfortunately, an item that they consider "unwanted" is a family treasure. Next they brainstorm, creating a social media account for dad and systematically searching the online job postings, posing as their father. Misunderstandings and complications naturally ensue.

Yang handles heavy subject matter with just the right touch of hard reality, disappointment, heartwarming moments, and delightful humor. Her clever descriptions sparkle throughout the narrative.

It feels like a Double-Double burger of I-screwed-up.

While the story centers on life during a pandemic, the narrative explores important topics such as family separation, racism, sibling rivalry, unemployment, adapting to a new environment, and living with ADHD. These issues transcend the current pandemic crisis, giving New From Here a timeless quality.

Life is hard enough already. But if we’re not kind to each other, it’s a double whammy of hard.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: March 1, 2022 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers ISBN: 978-1534488304

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Some Days

12/2/2021

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Some Days: A Tale of Love, Ice Cream, and My Mom's Chronic Illness
by Julie A. Stamm art by Chamisa Kellogg

being different makes you unique and special

Meet Wyatt and his mother Rosie. Wyatt believes that his mom has superpowers. For example, she makes delicious chocolate chip pancakes, educates groups of people, and plan family adventures.

Mom also possesses one special superpower: the power to battle multiple sclerosis. Stamm ingeniously introduces this medical term as Wyatt struggles to correctly pronounce the two word diagnosis. The initials M.S. are also used as an identifier.

Narrative centers on the phrase “some days,” emphasizing the unpredictable nature of M.S. Wyatt knows that life with mom will include visits to museums, parks, and ice cream shops. But there will also be days when mom must rest at home, quickly locate a public restroom, or even go to the hospital for treatment.

Despite challenges, Rosie and her son remain optimistic. A wheelchair is like a roller coaster ride. Her cane becomes a magic stick. Mom can be a "train" scooting her son around the floor.

Stamm suggests the family’s financial burden with a two-page spread highlighting a community-wide fundraiser to help offset the cost of treatment for this chronic illness.

Kellogg reinforces the picture book’s upbeat tone with jewel-toned images, smiling faces, and comforting mother son embraces. There are several illustrations that include a male caregiver who is present in family outings. He takes Wyatt’s hand when mother is hospitalized. The artist occasionally dresses Rosie and her son with capes, a subtle message that both mom and son superheroes.

Some Days: A Tale of Love, Ice Cream, and My Mom's Chronic Illness presents a realistic portrait of life with M.S. A story of acceptance, patience, courage, hope, and love.

Kindness is truly the best thing you can add to this world.

Copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: October 26, 2021 Publisher: The Experiment ISBN:9781615198108

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Classic Remix: Little Women

10/30/2021

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More to the Story by Hena Khan

Louisa May Alcott's 1868 classic tale of sisters gets updated with these retellings that feature four siblings with unique personalities and interests, a hardworking mother, and a modest home filled with love. Khan and Morrow give this framework fresh settings and perspective, resulting in new stories to tell.

More to the Story introduces a Pakistani-American family of girls ages 10 through 16 who negotiate the challenges of a contemporary family life in Atlanta.

Seventh grader Jameela and her sisters Maryam, Bisma, and Aleeza miss their father who must temporarily work overseas. The narrative’s dynamic shifts slightly when teenage Ali, the son of a family friend, moves into town. When Jam decides to feature Ali in an article for the school newspaper, she faces a question of journalistic ethics.

A major plot point centers around Bisma's cancer diagnosis and treatment. The effects of a serious illness are accurately described without excessive technical details and medical jargon.

Khan seamlessly blends Muslim life, including religious observance, food, and customs into the narrative. A heartwarming story.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: September 3, 2019 Publisher: Salaam Reads ISBN: 978-1481492096

So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix
by Bethany C. Morrow read by Adenrele Ojo

So Many Beginnings is a stunning reimagining of Little Women that starts with Alcott's early 1860's time period and then fashions an entirely new tale, deftly weaving in often-overlooked aspects of American history. The March family resides in the Freedpeople's Colony of Roanoke Island, working to build a free society for formerly enslaved individuals.

Morrow's characters are intelligent women with lofty goals. Meg is a teacher who hopes to marry. Joanna dreams of becoming an author but by day works alongside construction crews, building homes in the colony. Bethlehem is a skilled seamstress and designer who wants to develop an African-based clothing enterprise. Talented dancer Amethyst earns accolades as a performer. The sisters encounter both overt and subtle forms of racism and gender inequality as they pursue personal and professional ambitions.

Listen to a sample

Audio copy accessed via Net Galley

Release date: September 7, 2021 Publisher: Macmillan Audio

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Aftermath

8/17/2021

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AfterMath by Emily Barth Isler

Lucy loves math. She loves precise definitions and phenomena that can be explained. She loves solutions.

There is one aspect that does not fit into her world view of calculations and exact answers. Her younger brother Theo was born with a heart defect. His short life was filled with doctors and hospitals and treatments. Now he is gone, leaving behind grieving parents and his sister Lucy.

Mom and dad decide that the best way to cope with their loss is to move to a new town. They select a city that has suffered a profound loss. Four years ago, a deranged shooter entered the elementary school, killing and injuring many inside the building.

Lucy’s anguish as she witnessed her brother's painfilled demise stretch over five years is both similar and very different from the public tragedy that instantly affected the entire community.

Isler's characters provide a variety of perspectives on the aftereffects of grief. Lucy's father withdraws, remaining in bed or behind his newspaper. Her mother visits with a therapist and busies herself with making the family home fresh and different. Lucy learns that the bedroom in her new home was the bedroom of Bet who was a shooting victim. She develops an internal storyline for Bet. By chance, Lucy connects with Avery, a classmate who appears to be a pariah. Later, Lucy discovers that Avery's brother was the shooter.

The one place where Lucy feels most comfortable is math class, a world of formulas and equations. However, there is one concept that eludes her: infinity. Lucy searches to understand this mathematical expression throughout the book. The text is brimming with math facts, riddles and jokes which are a counterpoint to the story's heart-rending subject matter.

While this is a story of grief and loss, AfterMath is a hopeful story. Through an extracurricular mime group Lucy learns new ways to express herself, make friends, and solidify her relationship with Avery. Her family begins to heal.
A touching story that avoids becoming maudlin. The author’s narration is well suited to the voice of a tender twelve-year-old. Occasionally a title is precisely the perfect fit. AfterMath is a brilliant title choice.

Audio copy accessed via NetGalley.

Pub date: September 7, 2021 Publisher: Carolrhoda Books ISBN: 978-1541599116

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A Girl, Golf, and Graduation

8/11/2021

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10 Truths and a Dare by Ashley Elston

We’re full of bad ideas. So what’s one more?

High school graduation is here and Olivia is ready for this. So ready. She has worked HARD, taking every AP class that she could fit into her schedule, while maintaining a high GPA and has earned her ranking as class Salutatorian. Everyone in her large closely-knit family will be there to honor her. It will be her proud moment.

When a friend refers to Salutatorian as “runner up,” Cousin Charlie responds. "So, if the valedictorian can’t perform their duties, does the crown pass to you?" Yes, the dialog is loaded with snark.

There is a wrinkle. Olivia learns that the required P.E. credit for her off-campus golf has not been honored. Without this credit, she will not graduate. The golf coach offers to waive her excessive absences and sign her P.E. form if she will work as his assistant during a local golf tournament.

There is yet another wrinkle. Olivia's parents are out of town and have installed a tracker on her phone to keep constant surveillance on their daughter. Not wanting to reveal her graduation dilemma, Olivia concocts an elaborate scheme to trade phones with her cousins throughout the tournament. They will take Olivia's phone to locations where she should be and respond to mom as her daughter would.

The phone exchanges result in numerous complications including Cousin Sophie getting stuck while escaping through a bathroom window and Charlie attempting to field his aunt’s question about the appropriate bra for a party ensemble.

"Now is not the time for I told you so."
"This is the exact perfect time for I told you so. Never, ever has there been a time when I told you so was more needed."

There are even more problems: some trivial, many hilarious, and a few that are heartbreaking. Olivia realizes that she has made errors in judgement on several counts. Can she get everything straightened out before graduation? Readers will keep turning pages in Ashley Elston's contemporary comedy of errors with a side of sweet romance. 10 Truths and a Dare is great fun.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: May 4, 2021 Publisher: Disney-Hyperion ISBN: 978-1368062381

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Jane Austen Remix

5/27/2021

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It is a truth universally acknowledged that a popular classic with witty commentary on society, expectations and romance is an interesting starting point for a retelling. Example: GoodReads lists 440 adaptations, variations, and continuations of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Several of these stories are available in audiobook format. Pop in the earbuds and chill with two engaging reimaginings of a timeless rom-com.

Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remix
by Ibi Zoboi read by Elizabeth Acevedo

Well, there goes the neighborhood!
Zuri Benitez is appalled when wealthy Darius Darcy and his family move into her predominantly African American/Latino working class community.

Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remix maintains several elements of Austen's novel: five sisters, a scoundrel who initially appears charming, a family with an uncertain financial future, and a younger sister who makes a troubling choice.

Zoboi sets this version in a contemporary urban environment with a sensory-rich description of life in Bushwick and the Haitian-Dominican culture. Zuri also confronts racism, gentrification, and stereotyping. The expectation of higher education for students of color is a welcome addition and includes a nice shoutout to Howard University.

Listen to a sample.

This refreshing adaptation with numerous misunderstandings, awkward situations, and heartbreak eventually arrives at a satisfying conclusion. No one will walk down the aisle, but there is mutual attraction and admiration.

Acevedo's narration is spot-on, injecting the text with an intonation and rhythm which brings the story to life.

Audiobook accessed via Hoopla.

Release date: September 18, 2018 Publisher: Harper Audio

Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price read by Morag Sims

What happens when the daughter of a barrister decides to solve a murder? Welcome to the 19th century world of Lizzie Bennett. Price and Premeditation is a mystery that preserves Austen's setting and cast of characters along with several of their idiosyncrasies.

Price moves the story away from Longbourn and to the law firm of Mr. Bennett. He employs Lizzie, Charlotte, and the odious Mr. Collins who does little work but takes all the credit. Lizzie hopes to expand her role from quietly working behind the scenes to taking an active role in a case of murder.

To her dismay, she learns that haughty Fitzwilliam Darcy will be representing the defendant. Undaunted, Lizzie soldiers on: interviewing witnesses, uncovering evidence, and eventually trying the case before a judge. While this aspect of the story is historically inaccurate, it fits neatly with her personality.

Listen to a sample.

This tale of manners takes a modern twist, focusing on women's empowerment. Lizzie's jurisprudential skill and courage are admired by her father and Mr. Darcy. Her future as a barrister seems assured. However, Miss Bennett has a mind of her own and surprises everyone with an interesting decision about her prospects.

Sims' uses a variety of speech patterns to distinguish various characters, while retaining her "proper" British narration.

Audiobook accessed via NetGalley.

Release date: April 6, 2021 Publisher: Harper Audio

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Of Courage and Cowardice

5/10/2021

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On the Hook by Francisco X. Stork

Francisco X. Stork books often feature teens who find themselves in difficult situations, the result of personal choices and circumstances beyond their control. The protagonist struggles with a moral dilemma. There are no easy answers. There is no simple solution. Stork’s stories are filled with complications. Like life.
Case in point:

Sixteen-year-old Hector Robles has a lot going for him. An excellent student and exceptional chess player, he has a best friend he can confide in, a loving and supportive family, and a good part-time job. He also deals with some serious problems. Hector resides in the gang-infested projects of El Paso. His father’s death, along with older brother Filipino's difficulty in coping with the loss of his father, make life doubly hard. His drug-dealing neighbor Joey constantly bullies and threatens him. Hector bears the scar from an encounter with Joey: a “C” carved into his chest with a box cutter. Joey's omnipresent threat haunts Hector. "You know I'm coming. You're dead already."

One night, fate places Hector in the wrong place at the wrong time. Joey and his brother Chavo confront Filipino. Hector is terrified as he silently witnesses Joey and Chavo attack Filipino. Panicked, Hector drives a truck toward his brother’s killers, seriously wounding Chavo.
The result: Joey and Hector are both sentenced to a reform school for troubled minors. Hector is ashamed of his inability to stop the fight that took his brother's life. He plans to kill Joey as soon as he has the opportunity. A life for a life.

While at the reformatory, Hector is conflicted as he considers his options and wonders what he should do. He is consumed by a desire for revenge and at times makes rash decisions. Surprisingly, he also performs a selfless heroic act. He questions his motives. Why did he do that? Can he overcome his cowardice? How will he satisfy his desire for justice? Is it possible to make things right?

The final pages reveal Hector's surprising solution. His choice will be painful. It's a big risk, difficult and potentially dangerous. But... it feels right.

On the Hook offers readers a searing exploration into the mind and heart of a young man struggling with serious issues. It's a story that needs to be told and one that is impossible to forget.

Try These Books

Stork explores the lives of three young men who are confronting serious issues, weighing consequences, and making difficult decisions.

Meet the Author

Francisco X. Stork introduces On the Hook, his latest novel for young adults.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: May 18, 2021 Publisher: Scholastic Press ISBN: 978-1338692150

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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.

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.

Uncorrected copy provided by publisher.

Pub date: March 9, 2021 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers ISBN: 978-1534468214

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<<Previous

Riding On

Ride On by Faith Erin Hicks

More Stories

Secrets & Silence

Caprice by Coe Booth

More Books by Coe Booth

Background Reading

Pandemic Life

New From Here by Kelly Yang

Some Days

Some Days: A Tale of Love, Ice Cream, and My Mom's Chronic Illness
by Julie A. Stamm art by Chamisa Kellogg

Classic Remix: Little Women

More to the Story by Hena Khan

So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix
by Bethany C. Morrow read by Adenrele Ojo

Aftermath

AfterMath by Emily Barth Isler

A Girl, Golf, and Graduation

10 Truths and a Dare by Ashley Elston

Jane Austen Remix

Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remix
by Ibi Zoboi read by Elizabeth Acevedo

Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price read by Morag Sims

Of Courage and Cowardice

On the Hook by Francisco X. Stork

Try These Books

Meet the Author

Love, Loss, and Violins

When We Were Infinite by Kelly Loy Gilbert

Category

Archives

Barbara Moon

Ride On by Faith Erin Hicks

More Stories

Caprice by Coe Booth

More Books by Coe Booth

Background Reading

New From Here by Kelly Yang

Some Days: A Tale of Love, Ice Cream, and My Mom's Chronic Illness by Julie A. Stamm art by Chamisa Kellogg

More to the Story by Hena Khan

So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix ​by Bethany C. Morrow read by Adenrele Ojo

AfterMath by Emily Barth Isler

10 Truths and a Dare by Ashley Elston

Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remixby Ibi Zoboi read by Elizabeth Acevedo

Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price read by Morag Sims

On the Hook by Francisco X. Stork

Try These Books

Meet the Author

When We Were Infinite by Kelly Loy Gilbert

Category

Archives

Barbara Moon

Some Days: A Tale of Love, Ice Cream, and My Mom's Chronic Illness
by Julie A. Stamm art by Chamisa Kellogg

So Many Beginnings: A Little Women Remix
by Bethany C. Morrow read by Adenrele Ojo

Pride: A Pride and Prejudice Remix
by Ibi Zoboi read by Elizabeth Acevedo