If you're new around here, Things I've Read Recently is a series of posts I do that are basically mini-reviews of books that I either forgot to review, didn't have enough to say for a full review, or just didn't want to do a full post about for whatever reason.
The House You Pass on the Way by Jacqueline Woodson
Published: Originally released in 1997, the edition I have is from 2003, and there was a 2010 printing. I'm honestly shocked the copy I have has "2004" written in it because it's practically brand new.
Genre: Historical YA - I'll talk more about this in the review.
Binding: Paperback
Page Count: 114
Part of a series? No.
Got via: The library.
Amazon /
Book Depository /
Indiebound
Summary (from goodreads): Staggerlee is used to being alone. As the granddaughter of celebrities and the daughter of an interracial couple in an all-black town, she has become adept at isolating herself from curious neighbors.
But then her cousin, Trout, comes to visit. Trout is exactly like Staggerlee wishes she could be: outspoken, sure of herself, beautiful. Finally, Staggerlee has a friend, someone she can share her deepest, most private thoughts with. Someone who will teach her how to be the strong girl she longs to be. But is Trout really the girl Staggerlee thinks she is?
Thoughts: I actually saw this on lists of queer MG, but I fully consider this YA. The main character is fifteen, going into high school, and talking about becoming an adult. I think this is a case of people assuming a shorter book is obviously for a younger audience despite the subject matter or actual, you know, book. In my opinion, this is basically a hi-low book, but it is indeed a YA book. And whoever categorized the copy I have agrees, 'cause it has a YA sticker on it. So there.
And a really good YA at that. The writing is simple enough that I think selective readers would find it on their level, but still is lyrical and honestly beautiful. Hi-low books are great, but they can sometimes, due to the nature (and also kind of strict rules? Like, there are rules and stuff) of them, be a little more basic. Woodson really manages a balance of simplicity and almost poetic prose.
Oh, and I'm calling this historical because I think it's set around 1988-1990, and although it would probably be considered contemporary when it came out... I'm just gonna call it historical, lol.
Not to harp on the hi-low thing, since I don't particularly think that is what it's supposed to be, but part of the appeal of those type of books is subject matters that don't talk down to the reader just because they read at a lower level than their peers. This totally nails that, honestly. There is a lot going on this book, all very complex stuff. There are parts that feel a little under-developed, but I appreciate it nonetheless.
The only thing that really made me sad was a bit at the end. Gay and straight are very much seen as binary options, and the word bisexual or anything else is never used. However, I kind of also don't so much think that two 15-year-old girls in the South in the late 80s/early 90s would have had a lot of opportunity to hear a lot of queer terms, so I can't really complain about that too much. Maybe an author's note in updated revisions would be a good addition though!
Honestly I think kids today would find this really interesting looking at it as a historical book, and seeing the context of it being at least 30 years ago. This would be a really good book to buy for a classroom, too. And it's a short read, so if you need to pad out your goodreads reading goal... just sayin'.
The Family Fletcher Takes Rock Island
Published: May 10th, 2016 by Delacourte Books for Young Readers
Genre: Contemporary MG
Binding: Paperback
Page Count: 255 plus acknowledgements and whatnot
Part of a series? This is the second book in the Family Fletcher series.
Got via: The library.
Amazon /
Book Depository /
Indiebound
Summary (from goodreads): The Fletchers are back on Rock Island, home of all their best summer memories. But from their first day on vacation, it’s clear that this year, things have changed. Their favorite lighthouse is all boarded up‘ and the Fletcher boys can’t figure out why or how to save it. Add a dose of Shakespeare, a very tippy kayak, a video camera, (maybe, possibly, or not) a swimming cat, and some new neighbors, and the recipe for a crazy vacation is complete.
Over the course of the summer, the Fletchers will learn that sometimes, even in a place where time stands still, the wildest, weirdest, and most wonderful surprises await.
Thoughts: This is a really good sequel that also would work just fine as a standalone. There's definitely some continuity, and it's cool if you read both, but this is a book where a kid can grab it and not have to seek out the one before it to understand what's going on. I think that's a strength in MG, because kids can't always control what books they have access to, or have the patience to wait for a previous book.
This series really reminds me of Judy Bloom's Fudge series, which I adored growing up. Especially the one where they went on vacation. (One of my favourite Baby-sitter's Club books was also a vacation book... perhaps I have a thing!) I also really think it's cool how the book manages a balance between being realistic about technology (Sam tries to get his phone to work a lot, despite the island's bad signal, a Go-Pro becomes a plot point) while still feeling timeless, and letting the kids just play and go to the beach and chase the ice cream truck. It feels like you could read this in twenty years and the inclusion of technology wouldn't feel dated or gimmicky, you know?
I also appreciate that the book did actually address some racism. This is a series that is aimed at slightly younger kids, even for middle grade, but I think it's very true that many of the readers of it are going to have experiences like the kids have, where someone assumes they're a criminal or a bad kid because of their skin colour, and the book saying no, that's not true, and explicitly calling it racist is a good thing. Now, I think the representation of their friends who were Latinx was a little clunky at times, especially with the handling of them being bilingual, but I can't say for sure because, you know, white, and I can't find reviews mentioning that. In all of this, obviously, take me with a grain of salt, and feel free to completely ignore me.
I also thought there was a really unfunny line at one point that was transmisic and not necessary. At one point one of the kids thinks about their (presumed male) friend having to wear a dress and thinks that's hilarious. Boys can wear dresses. It's not funny. And that was incredibly unnecessary and kind of mean.
So I did have a couple problems with this, but in general I liked it, and I thought it was a lot of fun. There's a ton of humour in it, and I think it's got big appeal. I also do appreciate the cover and back copy. I know it's kind of a bummer not to see the parents on the cover, but that also makes it a safer cover, as well as the back not mentioning their dads. A kid who needs this might be able to read it, who otherwise might not have been able to. That's something important to consider in MG, sadly.
I really do hope for more middle grade with both queer main characters and queer families. Imagine being a little kid and reading this and seeing your family, or seeing the kind of family you want to have when you grow up. That's powerful. Plus, this is just a series that's ridiculously fun.
Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde
Published: March 14, 2017 by Swoon Reads
Genre: Contemporary YA
Binding: Paperback
Page Count: 262 plus extras like acknowledgements and an interview and stuff.
Part of a series? No, standalone.
Got via: The library.
Amazon /
Book Depository /
Indiebound
Summary (from goodreads): Charlie likes to stand out. She’s a vlogger and actress promoting her first movie at SupaCon, and this is her chance to show fans she’s over her public breakup with co-star Reese Ryan. When internet-famous cool-girl actress Alyssa Huntington arrives as a surprise guest, it seems Charlie’s long-time crush on her isn’t as one-sided as she thought.
Taylor likes to blend in. Her brain is wired differently, making her fear change. And there’s one thing in her life she knows will never change: her friendship with her best guy friend Jamie—no matter how much she may secretly want it to. But when she hears about a fan contest for her favorite fandom, she starts to rethink her rules on playing it safe.
Queens of Geek by Jen Wilde, chosen by readers like you for Macmillan's young adult imprint Swoon Reads, is an empowering novel for anyone who has ever felt that fandom is family.
Thoughts: Well, this was adorable. I almost read this last year for Diverse Book Bingo, but my library didn't have it yet when I went to order it, and didn't get it until a fair while after it came out, I believe, so I grabbed a different book for that bingo space. I am super glad that I finally got around to this one!
First of all, it is really nice to see fan culture and geeky things being explored positively in YA, especially from the perspective of girls.
Especially from perspectives that are queer and non-neurotypical and not-white and fat. Those are perspectives that are unique and underexplored and so important, and it's so great to see that reflected in YA.
SPEAKING OF - Why did no one tell me that Taylor is fat in this? Like, dang, "here's a fat anxious girl who's into fandom" is
clearly something I'd be into. She's a small fat, but pretty obviously actually fat. I really appreciated that the book was clear about the spectrum of the type of body she has, and described it well, without naming her weight or size. Other people read her as fat, too, with people at one point body-shaming her for that, and the book takes a moment to point out that being fat isn't bad, and that her body is a good body, and it's a really great thing. It's seriously not often that surprise fat characters are such good representation!
I also really appreciated that she's not really into wearing dresses or makeup. She has an undercut! And short hair! It's nice to see fat girls who are allowed to be not hyper-feminine, because not everyone presents that way, and there's not just one way to be fat. And she's autistic, and has anxiety, and I love her so much.
Honestly, this is so good. And one of my favourite things is how it's so fluffy and cute. It handles things that are real and serious, like Charlie dealing with negative bi stereotypes, and Taylor finding a graphic novel that represents her as an autistic girl for the first time, but it does it in ways that are so natural and realistically. And it does stay fluffy and sweet, while still touching on those deeper things. I think it's almost more of an easy, relaxed read because it doesn't ignore that, yeah, these things would be happening to these characters in this situation.
Oh, gosh this is getting long. Seriously though, I only have like two complaints about this. One is there's a use of an aromisic phrase, along with some casual ableist language (by the protags, not called out), and two is the real lack of ace or aro identities, and nonbinary or trans rep, none of which are mentioned at all. It stands out a lot considering how good the book is about so many other things are represented so well.
Last couple things. One, shout out to the non-toxic masculinity rep with Jamie. He's actually a cool dude. Nice to see! And two, this cover is way brighter in real life, and more purple on my computer. Does my computer just display bright pinks badly or is this a thing with like. Digital media. Because this used to be a thing when I took pictures of my hair, which was a similar colour to the cover in real life. It never looked as bright on my camera or computer as it did in real life.
Anyways, overall, I'm really glad I read this, and I really want to read more from the author, because I loved her voice. Recommended for sure!
Hurricane Child by Kheryn Callender
Published: March 27th, 2018
Genre: MG Magical Realism
Binding: Hardcover
Page Count: 211, plus acknowledgements and an about the author that uses "they/them" pronouns for the author and made me realize I've never seen that in... basically any trad book, let alone a MG book, and was super cool to see.
Part of a series? No, standalone.
Got via: The library
Amazon /
Book Depository /
Indiebound
Summary (from goodreads): Twelve-year-old Caroline is a Hurricane Child, born on Water Island during a storm. Coming into this world during a hurricane is unlucky, and Caroline has had her share of bad luck already. She's hated by everyone in her small school, she can see things that no one else can see, and -- worst of all -- her mother left home one day and never came back.
With no friends and days filled with heartache, Caroline is determined to find her mother. When a new student, Kalinda, arrives, Caroline's luck begins to turn around. Kalinda, a solemn girl from Barbados with a special smile for everyone, seems to see the things Caroline sees, too. Joined by their common gift, Kalinda agrees to help Caroline look for her mother, starting with a mysterious lady dressed in black. Soon, they discover the healing power of a close friendship between girls.
Thoughts: The first thing I want to mention is that the goodreads summary is not the same as the one on the book jacket. The book jacket is explicit about Caroline's crush on Kalinda, which obviously is cool! But I do think it's important to point that out, so people can recommend it accordingly. It might not, for instance, be a safe book to send home with a child whose parents wouldn't approve of the main character being queer. Something to keep in mind! Not a judgement, just something to be aware of.
Second thing - trigger warnings in this book for homomisia, child abuse, and attempted suicide.
On to the review! I really liked this. I'm still not entirely sure when this is set (I suspect the late 80s or early 90s just based on the one clue given about Caroline's mother's age), and I'm not really familiar enough with the setting to guess, but it's got a real timeless feel to it. The voice is really beautiful and so incredibly mature. Caroline still sounds like a twelve year old, but the book treats being twelve as important and Caroline's emotions as so important. It feels like a book that middle graders would read and feel validated.
The fantasy elements work really well, and I like the structure of things like that existing in the book but not being the most important part of the plot or character development. That's a really cool thing, and I really enjoyed the way it was handled. I loved how importantly the book treated Caroline's romantic feelings, as well. They aren't treated as shallow or brushed off because of her age, and that's so sweet to see. It really reminded me of classics like Tuck Everlasting, you know? And I think this is one that adults should read as well, even if they're not usually middle grade readers.
Honestly, this is a terrible review. I read this in basically one sitting, took hardly any notes, and just enjoyed it so much. Trust me, just read it. Highly recommended.
Well, isn't this a surprising post! All books with queer representation, and all books I liked! That's a nice feeling.
What have you been reading?
Peace and cookies,
Laina
