Fresh Ink: An Anthology edited by Lamar Giles
Erica's Picks
7th & 8th
tags: contemporary fiction, issues fiction, LGBTQ, People of Color, short stories, social justice
This collection, edited by the cofounder of the We Need Diverse Books movement, gathers stories from some of my favorite authors. In these stories characters who were rarely seen in American stories for youth, or only as sidekicks, are the stars. These realistic stories tackle a diverse range of subjects and tones from serious to light-hearted. But they all give you a glimpse into someone's life. Great for fans of realistic fiction looking for more diverse stories. Fresh Ink: An Anthology edited by Lamar Giles Erica's Picks 7th & 8th tags: contemporary fiction, issues fiction, LGBTQ, People of Color, short stories, social justice
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On an island off the coast of Ireland, a dark magic is waiting to resurface. Fionn's father grew up on the island, but he died when Fionn was just a child and Fionn's lived on the mainland ever since. When he and his sister are sent back to the island to live with their grandfather, they discover a hidden legacy of magic and a family feud that goes back generations. Fionn's grandfather is imbued with magical powers as the Storm Keeper and it's time for him to pass that mantle onto someone new. Not everyone is happy that Fionn is the heir apparent, and a dark magician that was banished centuries ago takes advantage of the upheaval to return. This is a classic fantasy adventure where the young protagonist discovers a hidden world of magic and his own destiny to save it from evil forces. This is a promising start to the series with a beautiful Irish setting and a strong cast of characters. Perfect for young readers looking for a magical escape. The Storm Keeper's Island by Catherine Doyle Erica's Picks 4th - 7th grade tags: adventure, fantasy, global perspectives Alex lives in a kingdom where people mistrust magic. The king has created creatures to hunt down all enchanters and their children and people are encouraged to rat out anyone they suspect of having powers. Alex has never been treated well by her foster mother and sisters, but she is still surprised when one turns on her and she is forced to flee with her little brother. It's the first time she's left the safety of her walled village and she'll encounter wonders, terrors, new friends, and old enemies. Her only weapon is the magical cards she uses for predictions. But will they be enough to discover the secrets of her past and save her future? This is a fascinating world populated with a large cast of characters. I loved the unique animals and Alex is a great protagonist. She is fiercely protective of her younger brother and brave in the face of truly daunting challenges. Good for those looking for a new fantasy series to get lost in. Twilight Hauntings by Angie Sage Erica's Picks 4th -7th grade tags: adventure, animals, fantasy, fast-paced Princess Amarande's life is turned upside down when her father dies unexpectedly. The doctor and high council call it a heart attack, but she thinks her father was poisoned. The council only wants to marry her off so they can have a king because thanks to ancient laws a queen cannot rule on her own. When her beloved stableboy is kidnapped to force her hand, she refuses to submit. Her father raised a warrior as well as a princess and she is determined to save her love, find her father's murderer, and take over the kingdom on her terms. This book was inspired by the Princess Bride, but only in the loosest sense. Henning creates her own rich world and Amarande's journey to save her prince is different from the Dread Pirate Roberts, although no less thrilling. The adventure here centers of a desert kingdom full of deadly creatures, dangerous people, and hidden mysteries. It also differs in that it's a series opener and not a stand-alone, so brace yourself for a cliff-hanger. A winner for fans of fantasy, romance, and adventure. The Princess Will Save You by Sarah Henning Erica's Picks 7th & 8th grade tags: When Fable's mother died in a shipwreck, her life on the open sea ended. Her father, a trader with a reputation for cruelty, abandoned her on an unforgiving island where survival was a constant fight. After four years of suffering, she finally earned enough to pay for passage off the miserable rock and return to life at sea. But the ocean is as unforgiving as ever, and her fight for survival has only begun. I love a good adventure set on a sailing ship and this did not disappoint. There are some fantasy elements, but mostly it's a gritty adventure tale full of secrets, stabbing, and storms. The crew has great characters but Fable is clearly the star and she makes a great heroine. Highly recommended for fans of sea-faring adventure. Fable by Adrienne Young Erica's Picks 7th & 8th grade Tags: adventure, fantasy When Khosrou was just a child he had to flee his home in Iran with his older sister and mother. After spending years as a refugee, he finally finds a new home in America. But Oklahoma isn't the paradise he dreamed of. His days of wealth and privilege were left behind in Iran, and in America his family struggles to get by. He even loses his name, changing it to Daniel. But he is determined not to lose his memories and stories from home. So he tells his patchwork story like Scheherazade with one tale leading into another. It's a story of heart and humor and, much like the fabled King, you'll always be left eager for another. I absolutely adored this story. I went through a whole pack of post-its marking my favorite passages. The story is based on the author's own experiences and his family history which ranges from the verifiable to the legends of his great-great-great-great grandparents. My heart occasionally broke at the great injustices he faced, but ultimately the thing that came through most was Nayeri's wonderful sense of humor. The style is unique with the Scheherazade-style tangents and his habit of addressing the reader directly. It is a story you won't soon forget. Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri Erica's Picks 5th - 8th grade tags: First impressions can be deceiving. When Zuri first met the wealthy family that moved into the new mini-mansion across the street in her gentrifying neighborhood, she instantly hated the stuck-up Darius. Her sisters and mother fell all over themselves swooning over the handsome boys, but she knew they were nothing but trouble that her family and her neighborhood did not need. But when fate throws them together Zuri starts to question if she judged Darius fairly. Even if you've never heard of Pride and Prejudice, you can enjoy this modern romance that tackles issues of identity, authenticity, and gentrification. But if you are an Austen fan, there's even more to delight in. The parallels Zoboi creates makes me appreciate both even more and she adds such rich details to this new setting while deftly weaving in more modern issues alongside the timeless themes. Strongly recommended. Pride by Ibi Zoboi Erica's Picks 7th & 8th grade Tags: After three years of traveling in a wagon, Hanna is excited when they pull up to the frontier town of LaForge. She hopes that she and her father can finally settle down and open a dress shop. She even dares to dream that she can fulfill her mother's dying wish of graduating from school. But when she shows up to the one-room school house, the town is scandalized. Most of them have never met an Asian person before and don't want their children going to school with one. Will Hanna's dreams finally come true? Or will she never find a place that will accept her? This novel is Park's answer to Little House on the Prairie and set in the same time and place. Fans of the series will recognize much and think about the series in a new light. I particularly enjoyed reading about Hanna's dress-making and designing. Hanna is a strong heroine and easy to root for with her sense of humor and determination to fight for what is right. Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park 5th - 7th grades tags: character driven, family life, historical fiction, People of Color, SEL, social justice Gene was never interested in sports, but when he suffers from writer's block and everyone at school is talking about the basketball team, he senses a story. By the time he is done he's immersed himself in the history of basketball as a sport and the specifics of its history at his school. His school really does have a remarkable team with players destined for greatness. Gene was always interested in superheroes and comics, but he never imagined the epic stories of heroes right under his nose and how big a fan he'd become. This is a great comic for basketball fans and the sports-shy alike. The human stories explored in the comic are universal and I feel lucky that Gene recorded their story to share with all of us. Especially considering its local setting. I'm a fan of Gene's work so I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes glimpse I got into his life as a comics creator. Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang 7th & 8th grades tags: Muiriel was left at the John Muir Medical Center as a baby. She has taken her namesake as a role model and has spent her life bouncing from one foster home to another, only feeling truly at home when she can go for a walk outside. She is prepared to age out of the foster system without any attachments, until she moves to a small island in Washington for her Senior year. There she meets people who seem to truly understand her and she starts to break her rules and open her heart to them. But her eighteenth birthday is fast approaching and she knows that soon she'll be on her own. What will happen when she has to leave the island, and everyone on it, behind? This book was inspired by the author's daughter who lived in three different foster homes before being adopted. It works hard to portray a balanced picture even as it points out the inequities inherit in the system. Seeing how foster care as affected Muir is heartbreaking but watching her slowly come out of her shell and bloom warms your heart back up and puts it together again. What I Carry by Jennifer Longo 7th & 8th grades tags: character driven, contemporary fiction, friendship, issues fiction, romance, school stories, SEL, social justice, tear jerker |
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