True True by Don P. Hooper - OPTIONAL

True True by Don P. Hooper, 384 pages. Nancy Paulsen Books, 2023. $17 

Language: PG-13 (67 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG-13 (Subject matter. Smoking. Drinking); Violence: PG-13 (Bullying)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: SOME 

17yo Gil Powell lives in Brooklyn, NY. He is interested in robotics but there is no robotics program at his school. There is a private school in Manhattan that has an intense robotics program. Gil advocates for himself and gets accepted to Augustin Prep school and receives a scholarship. Also, Gil is a martial arts expert and participates in a neighborhood martial arts studio with local friends. Gil is targeted by a fellow student and "forced" to display his martial arts skills. He gets in trouble and is placed on probation. Other students of color at APS are isolated and they form a club and demonstrate against the inequalities at the prep school. Gil turns to the book The Art of War to devise a plan to keep his placement at APS. 

Gil is a likable character, and his work ethic is admirable. Some of the instances he has questionable ethics in his interpretation of what is allowable and not allowable. The angst between the neighborhood and friends and those at the prep school seem fairly typical. The students at the prep school work well together to create and devise plans to teach the prep school community about their racism from people and the institution. Gil is a second-generation Jamaican living in a Jamaican neighborhood in Brooklyn, NY. He lives with his grandmother, who is suffering from dementia, and his mother. His father is in Jamaica trying to secure legal status in the US. 

Bryant Baird, Librarian 

Wander in the Dark by Jumata Emill - OPTIONAL

Wander in the Dark by Jumata Emill, 383 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2024. $20 

Language: R (100 swears 67 'f');  Mature Content: R (reference to sex and drug use); PG-13 Violence received PG-13 because there was murder and some fighting, including blood being mentioned, but none was described in graphic detail. There was also discussion of owning enslaved people. 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO MANY 

17yo Amir does not want a relationship with his half-brother 16yo Marcel and the tension between them runs deep, but he shows up to Marcel’s birthday party only because Marcel’s friend Chloe, who is white, invited him and he thinks she might be interested in him. That night, Amir and Chloe hang out together and Amir passes out after doing some drugs. He wakes up in the early morning hours to find Chloe dead and he panics. The police and community are quick to place the blame on Amir: the black boy seen fleeing from her house. In spite of Amir pushing Marcel away, Marcel is determined to prove Amir’s innocence before he is indicted. His investigations reveal a dark trend of racism at their private school and the truth Chloe was fighting to bring to light. 

While this book got off to a slow start for me, I was totally sucked in and wanted to keep reading to see what would happen next! It is a great read for anyone who loves a good murder mystery mixed with elements of social justice, but mystery readers may find the ending to be too neat and the motive for murder less compelling. The main downside of this book for me was that it had some instances of feeling didactic because it overexplained racism at times and had the characters unnaturally using therapy terms; however, it didn’t detract too much from the plot. After the story got going, I became really invested in both Amir and Marcel. Not only was I rooting for them to overcome the systemic racism and injustice that Amir experienced and, of course, to solve the murder, but I also cared about their family relationships and the storyline of healing their family relationships. This book went many layers deep and did it all effectively, from divorce trauma to the pain of finding out that your friends aren’t really your friends to the issues of racism in the justice system. But, wow, there was a lot of drama and so much slang, which may be off-putting to adult readers, but felt right for a teen audience. Amir is black. Marcel is black and gay. Chloe is white. 

Marinda, librarian 

Come Home Safe by Brian Buckmire - ESSENTIAL

Come Home Safe by Brian Buckmire, 190 pages. Blink, 2023. $18

Language: G (no swears); Mature Content: PG (marijuana mentioned); Violence: PG (manhandling by the police, yelling)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL                     

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

14yo African American Eddie is on his way with his 12yo sister in the NYC subway when he is confronted by a police officer about jumping the turnstile and smoking pot. Being an Honors student and as polite as you can be, he doesn’t understand why he is the target. As much as he tries to remember his father’s advice about confrontations with the police, the situation swings out of control and Eddie is hurt and manhandled before his is finally released - not because of the great kid he is, but because the real perpetrators were caught. Olive wants Eddie and her father to fight back and sue the police. But when she becomes victim of a white “Karen” who insists that Olive stole her phone, Olive begins to realize some of what Eddie has been through and dangerous life can be when living Black.

I was thoroughly engaged by Eddie and Olive , especially the stream-of-consciousness narrative as Eddie tries to remember and apply what his Dad taught him. Buckmire did an excellent job of weaving Eddie’s thoughts into the narrative. I first listened to this as a free download from libro.fm, but went back and reread the print copy too. I would love to see this discussed in classrooms - a brilliant way to talk to students about life as Black or biracial.

Cindy, Library Teacher

Garvey in the Dark by Nikki Grimes - ESSENTIAL

Garvey in the Dark by Nikki Grimes, 170 pages. Wordsong, 2022. $18

Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: ; Violence: PG (George Floyd video described)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Garvey, who is Black, is a teenage boy who loves music, but not sports. He is living in California when the Covid-19 pandemic shuts the world down. Through his poetry, we come to learn what online learning and isolation looked like for him. We also see his reaction and anger at the George Floyd video and following protests, and we also get to watch him experience one of his parents getting sick with Covid.

I loved that Garvey’s story was written in Tanka poetry. I also liked that it was written about a recent historical event. Students will get to see and compare their experiences of the global pandemic through someone else's eyes. I thought it was great.

Mallory Birch, ELA Teacher 

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas - HIGH

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, 444 pages. HarperCollins, 2017. $10 (Scholastic Book Fair version)

Language: R (100+ swears, 54 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG-13 (teen drinking, marijuana, foreplay, arousal mentioned ; Violence: PG-13 (gun deaths, riots, beatings, police violence, fires set)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

Starr lives in a rough part of town and after one of her best friends gets shot in a drive by shooting when they’re ten, Starr’s parents have her attend a private school that’s safer. Now Starr is 16yo and she witnesses her other childhood friend getting fatally shot by a police officer. Her friend did nothing to provoke the shooting, except for being black.

Thomas has a powerful novel that is about much more than racism. It’s also about choices, bravery, integrity and helping others. This book has a lot of swearing which is authentic to the lifestyle of the character’s surroundings, but the message of empowerment makes it a must read. This is a novel that will stick with me. I liked how the author shows reality and brings her characters to life to make the readers care about them. I like that two different worlds are brought together by two teens living in both and experiencing the stark differences in each. Character development is abundant and bravery and integrity are a huge factor in the main character’s life and family. I love how the main character’s family is open to discussing everything instead of keeping secrets from each other.

LynnDell Watson, Delta High School Librarian 

Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed - HIGH

Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed, 416 pages. Little Brown, 2022. $19 

Language: R (47 swears, 1 “f”); Mature Content: PG (mild innuendo); Violence: PG-13 (off-page murder, dead body, vandalism, hate speech racism) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

17yo Safiya Mirza is a desi Muslim with Indian immigrant parents. She is also the editor for her school paper at DuSable Prep, a “limousine liberal” private school that pretends to be “woke” because it makes them look good. Jawad Ali is a 14yo Muslim son of Iraqi immigrants in a Chicago public school. He is also an aspiring inventor who loves to build things. When he wore a “jet pack” he made for a Halloween costume to school, his English teacher called the police. Although he was not arrested, he was treated like a criminal and called “bomb boy,” after the incident. When he disappeared a month later, he continued to get bad press. The book starts when Safiya find’s Jawad’s dead body and pursues her own investigation into his murder. The story is told in alternating chapters from Jawad (as a ghost) and Safiya. There are also news articles and other sources mixed in. 

Ahmed's newest novel is a compelling story that reflects the racism, propaganda, and general division between sides in the United States today. The author clearly researched all aspects of the topic and I learned a great deal that I am still processing. This powerful story with its authentic characters and Chicago setting kept me engaged through all 300+ pages as Safiya investigated Jawad’s murder and other racist incidents happening at her school and mosque. It is a murder mystery, an eye-opening social justice exploration, and a heartbreaking, but hopeful story of two teenagers who long to be seen as much more than their race, religion, and skin color. Mature middle schoolers could handle this book, but it would be a great classroom novel at the high school level, if our political climate allows it to be. Most people will be fired-up in a good way after reading this novel. 

Reading Teacher, Stacee S. 

You Truly Assumed by Laila Sabreen - HIGH

You Truly Assumed by Laila Sabreen, 344 pages. Inkyard Press, 2022. $15 

Language: R (6 sears, 2 “F”); Mature Content: PG (reference to terrorist activity involving deaths); Violence: PG (reference but no depictions) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS – OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

The lives of three black Muslim young women are rocked by a terrorist attack in the D.C. metro. Of course, everyone assumes the assailant is a Muslim because his name is Hakeem Waters. So, Sabryia accidentally decides to create a blog called, “You Truly Assumed” as a voice for black Muslim young women. Zakat becomes interested in the site, and, because she is an artist, she volunteers to post comic strips and art for the site. Farah joins the fray as the web designer. As their last summer before their senior years unfolds, the girls take on racism and bigotry and learn who they are in the process. 

I enjoyed that Laila Sabreen, a black Muslim young woman, writes truth about the fear, sadness, and isolation in her world  - along with the truth that standing for who you are empowers the soul. This first book by a young writer is a keeper. 

MOMMAC 

So Many Beginnings by Bethany C. Morrow - ADVISABLE

So Many Beginnings by Bethany C. Morrow, 288 pages. Feiwel & Friends, 2021. $18 

Content: G 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

The four March sisters and their parents have escaped slavery and are building a new home in the Freedpeople’s Colony of Roanoke Island during the midst of the Civil War. Meg is teaching lessons in a tent, while the white missionary teachers work in the buildings. Joanna works alongside the men of the colony to build houses and other important structures to keep the fledgling colony growing. Bethlehem works as a seamstress – mostly of Union soldier uniforms, while youngest Amethyst stays home and entertains herself with dancing. 

While touches of Alcott’s Little Women are there to see, Morrow’s remix makes very important and interesting steps away from the classic. For example, when Jo takes Amy to Boston to further dancing career, Jo meets with prejudice from never-enslaved free blacks of the city. Morrow shows many other prejudices incited by well-intentioned and not-so-well-white people. All-in-all a fitting remake, with much to teach us all. I have many Google searches myself from my first reading. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS 

The ABC’s of Black History by Rio Cortez and Lauren Semmer - ESSENTIAL

The ABC’s of Black History by Rio Cortez, illustrated by Lauren Semmer. NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK. Workman, 2020. $15. 9781523507498 

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS, HS - ESSENTIAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH 

Cortez and Semmer collaborate to create an exuberant abecedarian of words especially important to Black lives – places, people, ideas, truths. 

The eye-catching full color illustrations compliment the bouncing rhymes and rhythms. The back matter delves into a bit of detail of each word. I would definitely buy multiple copies and make a teaching kit for a mini class project at any grade. 

Cindy, Library Teacher, MLS