How It All Blew Up by Arvin Ahmadi

 

Over spring break, I read How It All Blew Up by Arvin Ahmadi. This realistic fiction novel is about 18-year-old Amir Azadi who is faced with the reality of coming out to his Iranian American family. During his senior year of high school after moving to a new school, he secretly dates another boy, Jackson Preacher, for the first time, but when two classmates, Ben and Jake, plan to blackmail him by showing a picture of him kissing Jackson to his parents on graduation day, Amir decides to run away to Rome. In Rome, he meets a community of young queer men and begins to feel more comfortable with his identity. He even considers what it would be like to stay long-term. Meanwhile, his younger sister, Soraya, investigates to find out why Amir ran away and where he is. After she spills the news to their parents, everything comes crashing down on Amir and he and his family are stuck recounting their story to U.S. Customs officers.

When I started reading this book, I had no idea what to expect, but I ended up enjoying it even though there were times when I wanted to yell at Amir to stop making bad choices. I actually really felt for Amir because it seems really hard to feel like you have to keep a big secret about yourself from parents that have demonstrated that they have conservative views due to their culture and upbringing. I absolutely loved that he ran away to Rome, though, because I myself visited Italy less than two years ago. As I was reading, I definitely felt like I was back there. I also thought it was interesting how the story reveals that the lives of Amir's new friends aren't as perfect as he originally thought. He learns to see them as people who have struggles, too. Additionally, I really adored Soraya because she was sassy and immediately accepting of Amir after she learned about his sexuality. She's an amazing younger sister and I could tell how much she and Amir care about each other even when they were reluctant to admit it. While Amir's dad was frustrating at times, I did understand the perspectives of him and Amir's mom. I think it can be hard for parents to learn that their children have hopes and dreams that differ from their expectations. Amir's relationship with his mom seem to be in a good place at the end of the story, but his dad definitely still has room to grow. I don't want to say too much, but the very last chapter was bittersweet, as well. It made me wish Amir was still in Rome. Due to swearing and some suggestive content, I recommend How It All Blew Up to mature readers who enjoy friendship and family stories that have a dash of romance.

All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson

 

Last week, I read All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson. This realistic fiction novel that combines verse and prose is about Sage, a girl whose best friend, Angel, was hit by a drunk driver on the way to her house for her thirteenth birthday. To cope with her grief, guilt, loneliness, and anxiety, Sage has been going to a counseling group with four other girls, Ebony, Zay, Ana, and DD, at school. Of the other girls, Ebony understands Sage best and DD also spends time outside of grief group with them, but it's still not the same as having Angel around. Although Sage initially believes her pain is different from Zay's and Ana's because Angel died suddenly, she grows to realize that just because the circumstances of their losses are different doesn't mean it hurts less for them. Meanwhile, she begins to fall for a boy, Kofi, who plays basketball at Morningside Park. As time goes on, Sage learns that she can feel many emotions at the same time.

Although this novel is poignant, I enjoyed reading it from the very first lines. I could relate to Sage because, like her, I first experienced loss at a relatively young age. I felt awful that she blamed herself for Angel's death. Although I've never had counseling for grief myself, I liked how the author had Sage join a grief group with other girls who had lost someone. Besides Aunt Ini, it seems like Sage would have been quite alone otherwise. I liked how the counselor, Ms. Carver, could help Sage process her feelings even when Sage was angry. It definitely seemed important for Sage to have another supportive adult in her life, especially given the twist at the very end of the story. Additionally, it made me happy that Sage was able to genuinely become friends with Ebony, DD, Zay, and Ana, despite her initial reservations. Her connection and romance with Kofi was sweet, too. In conclusion, anyone should read All the Blues in the Sky, especially those who have experienced loss, whether it was a friend, a family member, or a beloved pet.

Greenwild Series by Pari Thomson

 

Yesterday, I finished reading the Greewild series by Pari Thomson. This fantasy series is about Daisy Thistledown, an eleven-year-old girl whose mother has been keeping big secrets as they travel the world for Ma's journalism career. In the first book, The World Beyond the Door, Daisy is left in the care of a boarding school in London when Ma goes on a trip to Peru for a dangerous job. After Ma mysteriously disappears, Daisy is on the run from Mr. Craven, Ma's new editor who is determined to stop her from learning the truth about her mom. When she goes through a mysterious hidden doorway at Kew Gardens seeking safety, she finds herself in Mallowmarsh, a community in the Greenwild. As Daisy spends time in this land of green magic, she discovers that Artemis White, the commander and head mallow, may have information about what happened to Ma and that someone wants to destroy the Greenwild. While learning the truth about who she is, Daisy befriends Indigo, the Prof, Acorn, and a vain cat named Napoleon to save the Greenwild. In the second book, The City Beyond the Sea, Daisy and her friends desperately leave the safety of Mallowmarsh to join the expedition to find Daisy's mom and the other missing Botanists. Pursued by the dangerous Grim Reapers and seeking Iffenwild, the legendary capital of the Marindeep, for help fighting their enemies, they end up with the Nautilus Theatre Company, a group of Moon Travelers that can travel between pockets of the Greenwild and the Marindeep. Daisy also meets Max, a twelve-year-old boy who is on the run from a man named Jarndyce. They hate each other at first but grow closer as it becomes clear that Iffenwild is also in danger. In the third and final book, The Forest in the Sky, Daisy, Max, the Prof, Indigo, Acorn, and Napoleon finally go on the long journey to Amazeria, a Greenwild community in South America, for aid in finding the Botanists, including Daisy's mom. Although they are split up on the rescue mission, they learn more about the Reaper King and must prepare for a great battle.

I enjoyed this series so much because it reminded me a little of the Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis, especially The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The world-building was breathtakingly wonderful and it made me wish that green and blue magic were real. I especially loved the protagonists, their friendships, and how they would do anything for each other. All of them were courageous in their own ways, but Daisy, Max, and Napoleon were definitely my favorites. This series was also a roller coaster ride. There were so many twists and turns, especially in the second and third books, but I loved the battle scenes, even when I was on the edge of my seat hoping that Daisy and her friends would be able to save the Greenwild and the Marindeep. The only thing that didn't quite sit right with me was the reveal of the Reaper King's identity. It didn't make sense to me because I feel like it left some plot holes and the foreshadowing was a bit lacking. I'm not sure who else it could have been, though. I think the end was bittersweet, as well, with the characters that died during the final battle. I had grown fond of them. Although I knew that not everyone could survive, it made me super sad, even though the reunions were heartwarming. All in all, the Greenwild series is an enchanting choice for anyone who loves fantasy.

Outsider Kids by Betty C. Tang

 

Last week on Sunday, I read Outsider Kids by Betty C. Tang. The sequel to Parachute Kids, this historical fiction graphic novel is about the Lin siblings after they have spent seven months as undocumented immigrants and adjusted to their new lives in California. While Jia-Xi (Jesse) has a new job and Ke-Gāng (Jason) has a new crush, Feng-Li (Ann) is looking forward to her birthday and enjoys hanging out with her new friends and playing flute in band. Although they're still waiting for their parents to receive visa approval in Taiwan, they try to help each other out and avoid the attention of immigration authorities. When their stuck-up cousin Josephine, who is a violin prodigy, moves in with them, she gives them all a rough time, but Feng-Li is especially disappointed because she and Josephine used to be friends. As things become tumultuous once again, they wonder if they'll have to give up the lives they have built.

This sequel was fantastic. I enjoyed spending more time with the Lin siblings and seeing Feng-Li go trick-or-treating with her new friends at the beginning. It was also a lot of fun when the three siblings celebrated different American holidays for the first time. Because they're undocumented immigrants, I suspected that their stability wouldn't last, but I could have never predicted how chaotic their lives became after Josephine was left with them when her mom went back to Taiwan because of Wai Gong being deathly sick. Even though she is given some depth late in the book, Josephine was a complete brat and there are no excuses for how she treated Feng-Li. I definitely wanted her to be gone. It's just unfortunate how much damage she did in the time she lived with the Lin siblings. On the other hand, I really liked that Ke-Gāng had a positive romantic experience in this book. I just felt very bad for him by the end. I also had mad respect for Jia-Xi retaking the S.A.T. to raise her score so that she could improve her chances of going to Harvard. The ending is bittersweet, but there is going to be a third book, so I'm not too sad. I would recommend Outsider Kids to anyone who enjoyed the first book in the series.

Warrior Girl by Carmen Tafolla

 

During winter break, I also read Warrior Girl by Carmen Tafolla. This realistic fiction novel in verse is about Celina Guerrera, a girl who celebrates both Mexican and American traditions and is proud of her Mexican American identity. When she started first grade, it always felt like her teachers were trying to erase the Mexican part of her identity. Eventually, she moved, but the hurt lingered and even her fourth teacher ignored her thoughts about the history of the Alamo. Thankfully, she always had the support of her gramma, who taught her to use joy as a shield. When she moves once again before starting middle school, her dad is suddenly deported again like he was shortly after she was born. Although she is feeling down, she makes three new friends, who help her fight the ignorance at her new school, and begins writing poetry. She and her friends even decide to plan a school program that celebrates all cultures for April. Then, the pandemic hits in March, closing their school and imposing the practice of social distancing, and Celina wonders when her dad will return and if he is even okay.

This novel in verse was absolutely wonderful. It was clear from the beginning that Celina had a challenging life from the time she was born, but I loved her relationship with her gramma and how Celina took her gramma's advice to have a positive outlook on life, despite the hardships, like moving multiple times and not being respected at school. Everyone has their breaking point, though, and I could totally understand when she was worried about her dad after he was deported and wondering when he would be back. I could also relate to her feelings during the beginning of the pandemic when the last third of the book took place. It was definitely a stressful time and Celina didn't know what was going on with her dad, along with the fear of her gramma becoming sick with COVID. I also enjoyed Celina's friendship with Liz, Cata, and Chato. They each brought something different to their group and I liked how they worked together to plan a culture celebration for their school. Towards the end, something sad does happen and there is a moment that is quite intense, but all in all, the ending is happy. I really appreciated the message that knowledge and courage are your shield and your power. Warrior Girl shows how strength can come from our differences and anyone should read it.

What Happened to Rachel Riley? by Claire Swinarski

 

Over winter break, I finished reading What Happened to Rachel Riley? by Claire Swinarski. This mystery that features passed notes, emails, text messages, interview transcripts, and other documents is about Anna Hunt, a recently turned 13-year-old eighth grade girl who is new at East Middle School. When she is assigned an un-essay for her Social Issues class, she decides to make an investigative podcast about how her fellow classmate, Rachel Riley, went from being the most popular girl to the most hated. It is not easy convincing the other eighth grade students to share what they know, though, and she realizes that the story is more complex than she could have imagined. After she becomes the target of Trevor Frey for the boys' game of harassing girls, she must rely on her sister, her mom, and the school staff to help her make East Middle a better place for all.

With its innovative format of telling Anna's story, I was intrigued by this mystery from the beginning and it reminded me a lot of Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee as I got deeper into the story. I thought it was relatable that Anna was struggling to find her place at a new school and I really liked that she cared about why Rachel was a social outcast even if her interest could be considered nosy because she wasn't there the previous school year. I admired Anna's persistence as she discovered a variety of clues and some of her classmates eventually opened up to her to be interviewed. I was surprised at how complex the mystery really was, especially upon learning who all was actually involved in the accidental fire at the Kincaid Farms Event Barn during the spring. I also felt really bad for Anna when she became a part of the boys' game. I was anxious about Anna being targeted from the moment I learned about the game, but it still broke my heart when the harassment happened to her. Rachel herself was also one of my favorite characters by the end of the book. I really liked learning more about her and why she did what she did, risking her own social status. I thought she was very brave and was really rooting for her to be accepted into the Moorland Academy of the Arts to attend their music school as a violinist. Additionally, I enjoyed the ending. I especially thought the final lines were profound. As a social commentary on the cycle of harassment in schools, What Happened to Rachel Riley? is an exemplary choice for any middle school student, not just those who like mysteries.

World Made of Glass by Ami Polonsky

 

Last week, I finished reading World Made of Glass by Ami Polonsky. This historical fiction novel taking place in 1987 is about Iris Cohen, a seventh grade girl who recently learned that her father is dying of AIDS, a disease that people avoid talking about. At school, she tries to act normal and her friends don't even know that her father is sick, but inside she is full of grief and turmoil. She is especially angry at her dad's partner, J.R., and blames him for her dad's illness. Then everything changes after her dad passes away and she decides to give J.R. a chance, following her dad's dying wish. From J.R., she gets to know a side of her dad that she never knew before. He also encourages her to speak out against the widespread fear, misinformation, and prejudice surrounding AIDS by taking her to an ACT UP protest with her new friend and crush, Julian, who just moved to New York City from Indiana. As she goes to more ACT UP  events, including a meeting and another protest, she becomes more confident in using the power of her voice.

This novel was absolutely devastating, but also uplifting at the same time as Iris grows from her grief into a confident ally and activist. I knew going into this book that the ending would be bittersweet, but it didn't stop my heart from breaking for Iris. At the beginning of the story, I could totally understand her fury at J.R., but I began to love him just as she did when she got to know him better and it truly made me even more sad as his health began to deteriorate like her dad's. There were glimmers of hope, though. Even though they had just met, I loved that Julian was comfortable enough to go to ACT UP protests with Iris, especially because she was unsure how her friends, Will and Toby would react to the news about her dad if she told them. Iris hadn't mentioned anything to other friend, Mallory, either, who moved to Philadelphia over winter break. What was frustrating is that some of the adults in Iris's life had misconceptions about AIDS. For example, I don't think her English teacher, Mr. Inglash, realized how hurtful he was being when he overreacted to Iris getting a splinter from a slingshot that Will made. Most of all, I enjoyed learning about Iris's relationship with her dad. The acrostic poems they wrote to each other were wonderful and I liked that they each had their own binder to preserve them. Additionally, the imagery in this novel was poetic, especially regarding the glass paperweights that Iris and her dad picked out at the Corning Museum of Glass. As a metaphor, they were a poignant reminder of how life is both beautiful and fragile. Finally, there is an author's note after the end of the story that explains some of the real life history of the AIDS epidemic. I would recommend World Made of Glass to anyone because it shows the power of hope and community in the midst of tragedy and injustice.