Everything Comes Next: Collected and New Poems by Naomi Shihab Nye

 

Everything Comes Next: Collected & New Poems

by Naomi Shihab Nye

Poetry

Summary:

        This is a collection of poems written by the highly esteemed poet Naomi Shihab Nye. Nye was the Young People's Poet Laureate from 2019-2021. The poems in this volume are divided into three sections: "The Holy Land of Childhood," "The Holy Land that Isn't," and "People Are the Only Holy Land." Some of the poems are obviously related to each section, and some are more loosely related. 

Justification:

        Poetry is a great genre to introduce to struggling readers. Many children's poems are short, and though the themes explored can be deep and enriching, many times the words used are simple. Students who enjoy reading poetry may also feel more open to trying to write poetry of their own. The academic uses of poetry are endless, and this is a great volume to include in a poetry collection.

Style and Language:

        Nye is a highly esteemed poet of several decades, which shows in this volume. This volume is full of wisdom wrapped in simple words. Nye has a way of taking the entire human experience and whittling it down to the simple moments that can be found every day. This volume is great because not only is it wonderful entry-level poetry for children, but it is also poignant poetry for all ages. 

Tone:

        The tone of this collection can be summed up overall as reflective. Nye comments on a lot of different themes within this book, and the tone can be different for each of them, but the common thread between all of them is reflection. It is clear that Nye has spent a lot of time thinking about what it means to be human.

Setting:

        As this is a collection of poems, there is a multitude of different settings, but each of them feels very real. Within this book, there are modern locations such as a school, a home, or a doctor's office. There are also locations that highlight nature, such as a lake, a field, and a bird's nest. Each location means something significant to the subject of the poem, which is fascinating to read about. 

Nye, N. S., & López, R. (2022). Everything comes next: Collected & New Poems. Greenwillow Books. 

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson

 

Roller Girl

by Victoria Jamieson

Texas Bluebonnet List

Summary:

        Roller Girl is about twelve-year-old Astrid in the summer before she enters junior high. She and her longtime best friend, Nicole, attend a local roller derby game, which sparks a desire in Astrid to be a roller girl, and she signs up for the roller derby kid's camp taking place that summer. The only issue is, Nicole doesn't want to participate. The novel centers around Astrid finding her lack of roller derby skills devastating and the unraveling of her friendship. 

Justification:

        Girls love reading about other girls in sports. While the girl in sports genre is growing, there still isn't nearly enough representation. This is a great one for girl athletes in general, but obviously those in roller derby especially. Sports aside, there is a lot of discovery in this novel. Astrid learns what it is like to be new, how to struggle, and when you need to put in the work to get where you want to go (and when to take a break). 

Illustrations:

        The art style is adorable and adds to the childlike nature of Astrid. She is a young 12, still disgusted by boys and girly things in the way that some young girls are. I loved the amount of detail in the panels, especially regarding the hair of each character. Everyone's hair was perfectly designed to match their personality in a very endearing way.

Setting:

        The main setting of this novel is the roller rink. Though the rink itself doesn't have a lot of memorable detail, it allows the brightness of the characters to shine. It functions in the way it should without much else to say about it, which is perfect for this sort of novel. Another setting I particularly liked was the gas station store that Astrid stops at on her way home from practice. The store starts out as a strange place but as she gets more and more familiar with it, the design shifts to one that feels more homey. 

Characters:

        The characters in this novel are adorable and realistic. My favorite relationship in the novel was that of Astrid and her best friend, Nicole. Throughout the novel they argue, they make up, but they don't necessarily go right back to where they were. The reader gets the idea that though there isn't bad blood between them, they likely won't be attached at the hip anymore, or maybe not even casual friends, and that is okay. Especially as a kid, sometimes friendships just fall apart due to maturing and losing interest in the same things. 

Jamieson, V. (2020). Roller girl. Dial Books for Young Readers. 

Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy by Faith Erin Hicks

 

Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy

by Faith Erin Hicks

YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

Summary:

        Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy is, essentially, exactly what the title says, with some fun self-discovery plot points thrown in, too. Alix, the star hockey player on her team, asks the calm and cool-headed drama geek, Ezra, for help with anger management. Alix learns how to stand up for herself while not giving in to violence, while romance develops between her and Ezra.

Justification:

        This is sure to be a crowd pleaser on any middle or high school campus. The bright cover looks a lot like the romances circulating on the ever-popular BookTok accounts, while still being school-appropriate, unlike many of the titles popular on social media. While being a romance, this one also promotes social-emotional learning in the format of a fun read. 

Reader Response:
        While I didn't love this one nearly as much as the other graphic novels I have reviewed, I still found it to be a solid read for the demographic. The art style opts for a more neutral color scheme, using only whites and blues. Though I personally prefer a wider color palette, the art was very detailed and well done, and it contributed to the plot in a significant way. This art style also gives it a more mature feel than the elementary or middle grade graphic novels, which have a cutesy and colorful style. One aspect of this novel I enjoyed was how it explored sexuality. Ezra is known as gay around school, but he actually likes all genders, which leaves Alix shocked when she finds out that he likes her. The lack of labels for Ezra was very empowering to read about, and I think it could benefit students who are still exploring their sexuality, too. 

Hicks, F. E. (2023). Hockey girl loves drama boy. First Second, an imprint of Roaring Brook Press. 

Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega and Rose Bousamra

 

Frizzy

written by Claribel A. Ortega and illustrated by Rose Bousamra

Pura Belpre Award

Summary:

        Frizzy tells the story of a young Dominican American girl named Marlene, whose mother forces her to straighten her curly hair every week. Marlene hates having straight hair and doesn't feel like herself, so she hatches a plan to get away with keeping her curls. In the end, it is through family that she is able to learn to take care of her hair and convince her mother that her curly hair is what makes her feel most herself.

Justification:

        This is a wonderful book for children to read. Children with curly hair will identify with Marlene, but any child can relate to the feeling of insecurity she felt, regardless of hair type. The book is a Pura Belpre winner and a fantastic book for a diverse student body.

Illustrations:

        The art style in this graphic novel is pink-hued, colorful, and vibrant. I loved the imaginative panels where Marlene was pretending to be a superhero. The art style did a good job of depicting the different hairstyles, and even different stages of Marlene's curly hair. 

Plot:

        Though the plot is fairly low-stakes, I could see students getting really invested in Marlene's problem and eager to find out how she solves it. Being unhappy with your appearance is something that most children can relate to, so I can see this being a highly circulated book. The plot takes us to multiple different locations in Marlene's life, all of them full of detail and life.

Characters:

        The characters in this novel are just adorable. Marlene and her best friend have such a supportive friendship. They set a great example for young readers everywhere. Even when her friend didn't quite understand the hair vision Marlene was going for, she supported her through it. Marlene's mom, though she was the instigator for Marlene's insecurity, was very caring, supportive, and understanding once Marlene finally opened up to her. 

Ortega, C., & Bousamra, R. (2023). Frizzy. First Second. 

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

 

The Hate U Give 

by Angie Thomas

Walter Dean Myers Grant Winner

Summary:

        Starr lives in the "ghetto" but attends a prestigious (mostly white) private school. After a party gone wrong, she and her childhood friend, Khalil, get pulled over. Khalil gets shot by "One-Fifteen," as Starr knows him, the officer who pulled them over. The novel is about Starr learning what it means to stand up for what you believe in and how to stay true to who you are and where you come from while still doing what is best for your personal growth.

Justification:

        The Hate U Give spent something like 70 weeks on the NYT Bestseller List, and it deserved every second of it and more. This book is something every person should read. It is a deeply riveting book and handles the deep issues with such tact, while still being brutally honest and genuine. This is a fantastic book for class studies or independent reading alike. Students will learn about personal bias, privilege, and how to be a responsible human.

Reader Response:

        What an impactful book. Even as an adult, I found myself tearing through these pages and devouring the words. Starr's story is filled with tragedy, empowerment, belonging, and self-discovery. Starr learns how to use her voice for the better, even when it requires intense bravery in the face of potential violence. This book really challenged my own personal biases and offered a view of the world from a perspective I hadn't seen before. I found myself uncomfortable at some parts, but it was necessary to sit with it, consider why I felt that way, and challenge it. One aspect of this book that I really enjoyed was the inside look at a "ghetto" community that others might look at from the outside and offer pity or disgust. This book really highlights that it is a beautiful community full of hardships, yes, but also joy and teamwork. 

Thomas, A. (2017). The hate U give. Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. 

Mexikid by Pedro Martin

 

Mexikid

by Pedro Martin

Newbery Honor Book

Summary:

        Mexikid is a charming graphic memoir telling the story of Pedro and his large, Mexican family as they embark on a road trip in the 70s to bring back their abuelito from Mexico. Along the way, Pedro learns more about his family and his identity as a Mexican American.

Justification:

        This is a wonderful graphic novel to include in a library's collection because it is a colorful, fun tale that is filled with adventure, discovery, and family. It received the Newbery Honor Award and the Pura Belpre Illustration Award. This book teaches students how to embrace their identity, whether American or not, which is something all students can benefit from.

Illustrations:

        The illustrations in this novel are colorful, vibrant, and filled with personality. The coloration of the novel feels very stylized to Mexican culture, which is fascinating to see. The art style also has a 70s retro flair, providing a lot of visual interest.

Plot:

        There is a reason this book is known for being funny. The interactions between Pedro and his family are hilarious at times. The way Pedro sees the world is also humorous. Between the funny moments are pockets of reality and themes like identity, culture, and acceptance. From seeing Pedro and his family prepare for the road trip to seeing them arrive in Mexico, this book is an adventure all the way through. 

Characters:

        The characters in this novel are larger than life! Pedro and his siblings are so funny, and remind me a lot of interactions I have had with my siblings. I also loved how Pedro was into stereotypically "nerdy" things, like Star Wars and comic books. Though he gets teased by his siblings about his affinity for action figures, he doesn't let it stop him from enjoying what he loves, which is a great example to set for the children who might be reading the book. 

Martin, P. (2023). Mexikid. Dial Books for Young Readers.