YA – Squad; The Storm Crow; Hope and Other Punch Lines; The Best Lies; Call It What You Want; Breaking Bailey

McCarthy, Mariah. Squad. Farrar Straus Giroux, 2019. 978-0-374-30750-9. $18.99. 244 p. Grades 9 and up. 

Jenna Watson cheers for one of the top high school squads in the state – arguably the nation – and the girls’ closeness and “hive mind” mentality contribute significantly to their success. Jenna and Raejean are best friends on the squad, but something in their relationship shifts at the beginning of their junior year. Jenna starts to feel like Raejean is making fun of her and embarrassing her in front of their other friends, and she decides she can no longer ignore it. Teenage friendships can be confusing as one grows and changes, and everyone handles it differently, but the choices Jenna makes when pushed too far are shocking and could affect not only her and Raejean but also their entire squad. Far from what some may consider stereotypical cheerleaders, the characters in Squad are smart and take their sport seriously. Their interests vary as well. In fact, as a result of her relationship struggles with Raejean, Jenna gets closer with her nerdy older brother Jack and his group of “goth” friends. The story takes more surprising turns as Jenna spends more time with them and becomes involved with Live Action Role Playing. How can the squad still fit in her life when so much has changed?

THOUGHTS: A good addition to YA collections, though it has a very niche audience and some elements some readers should be made aware of before reading. First, it may struggle to find an audience because one typically doesn’t associate “bookworm” with “cheerleader.” However, I know a student who frequents my library who would LOVE this novel because she can relate to Jenna as both a cheerleader and self-proclaimed nerd, and there just aren’t many books where these worlds collide. In that way, this also works in Squad’s favor. Secondly, it should be noted that this novel deals with very real, very dark and unpleasant teenage emotions, and it might be a trigger for students dealing with serious mental health issues.

Realistic Fiction           Sarah Strouse, Nazareth Area SD


Josephson, Kalyn.  The Storm Crow. Sourcebooks Fire, 2019. 978-1-492-67293-7. 348 p. $17.99. Grades 7 and up.

Kalyn Josephson’s debut novel is both wonderfully compelling, and mildly problematic. There are the well-worn fantasy tropes of the reluctant heroine, the hyper-evil villain, and the secret rebel forces, blended with the fascinating, yet incomplete, mythology of the Crows, magical creatures who embody different elemental powers and correlate to eight different saints: Thereal (wind), Kerova (shadow), Turren (battle), Rynthene (water), Brynth (earth), Garien (storm), Cyro (fire), and Caravel (sun). The Crows only exist in the kingdom of Rhodaire, where the people depend on them for virtually everything, from keeping harsh weather at bay, to forging weapons, to ensuring a clean water supply. When the kingdom of Illucia, ruled by the power hungry and cruel Queen Razel, invades Rhodaire during their most sacred festival and sets fire to all of the rookeries, killing all of the crows, along with their eggs, with Queen Alandra, Rhodaire falls into a complete state of upheaval and despair. Alandra’s eldest daughter, Caliza, becomes queen, and in a desperate act to protect her people from Illucia, promises her sister, Anthia, to Queen Razel’s son, Ericen. Ever since that night, Anthia has been in a deep depression, barely able to pull herself from her bed; if not for her best friend, Kiva, she would probably never leave it again. Before the invasion, Anthia was set to become a Rider; now, she feels rudderless and useless; being engaged to the son of the woman who destroyed everything she loved and believed in does not help her situation. In person, he’s just as insulting, arrogant, and infuriating as she imagined him to be; however, the anger he sparks in her makes her feel like her old self again, and she determines that he will not get the best of her. In the midst of this, Anthia makes a discovery that could alter the future of Rhodaire, prompting her to hatch a plan to unite the kingdoms against Illucia. Of course once she actually arrives in Illucia, and is confronted by the sheer ruthlessness of not just Queen Razel, but her subjects as well, Anthia realizes that her task will require a Herculean effort. Joesphson makes an effort to diversify her characters – the Rhodairans are “dark-skinned,” and multiple characters, including Kiva, are gay. While this is admirable, the standard Western idea of beauty is the one that’s upheld as the ideal, with Anthia describing Razel, who is white, thin, with flowing hair to her waist, as “the most beautiful woman” she’s ever seen. Josephson does stray from typical romance fair; although there is a quasi-love triangle, Anthia never falls for Ericen’s charms – while their relationship grows and develops as they get to know each other, and while Ericen is clearly falling for Anthia, she never once forgets that his loyalty is to Razel, not to her. And though Josephson also addresses mental illness with Anthia’s depression, her portrayal feels harmful, as, more than once, Anthia decides that she’s going to be “strong,” and not let her depression hinder her; it needs to be clear that depression, for most people, is not something they can just talk themselves out of, nor is it a weakness of personality – it is an illness. Despite these pitfalls, this is a fast-paced, exciting story, and readers will no doubt come back for more.

THOUGHTS: Josephson has peopled her debut with well-drawn, three dimensional characters, and the interactions between characters feels authentic. This is particularly true for Anthia and Caliza; their conversations are nuanced and laced with feeling.

Fantasy        Lauren Friedman-Way, The Baldwin School


Buxbaum, Julie. Hope and Other Punch Lines. Delacorte Press, 2019. 978-1-524-76677-1. 307 p. $18.99. Grades 7 and up.

Following an iconic 9/11 photograph that immortalized her as Baby Hope, Abbi Hope Goldstein just wants to be a normal teenager. Though forever changed by that fateful day, her own family survived. The fact that they live outside the city in a town that was devastated with loss on 9/11 means everyone knows who she is. For the first time Abbi has the opportunity to be herself as a counselor at Knights Day Camp, where no one knows she is Baby Hope. Then she recognizes fellow counselor Noah Stern, another teen from her hometown, and she fears he will reveal her secret. Noah has questions of his own about the Baby Hope photo, and he convinces Abbi to help him uncover the truth about the people in it. Neither is ready to face their own truths in this novel that will help readers realize the significance of photos.

THOUGHTS: Today’s young adult readers did not live through 9/11, though that day and its aftermath will likely be part of their history texts or lessons. Students will appreciate the subtle details about how that day resonates for those who survived or lost loved ones. Highly recommended for middle and high school collections.

Realistic Fiction          Maryalice Bond, South Middleton SD


Lyu, Sarah. The Best Lies. Simon Pulse, 2019. 978-1-481-49883-3. 352 p. $18.99. Grades 9 and up. 

Remy meets Elise at the perfect time after her now in college boyfriend breaks her heart at homecoming. Elise fills the hole in her life that Cameron created, and together Remy and Elise are inseparable. They enjoy pranking those who have done wrongs, including Cameron. When Remy meets and falls for Jack, Elise suddenly seems to be clingy. Remy wants to spend more time with Jack, but she has to make up excuses for not spending time with Elise. Jack is a good guy; he opens Remy’s eyes and questions how much of a true friend Elise really is. He also worries for Remy’s safety and is disappointed when he learns about the pranks she and Elise orchestrate. Then Elise shoots and kills Jack in self defense. As the police investigate, Remy tells readers what happened in alternating before and after narratives.

THOUGHTS: This thriller will leave you on the edge of your seat until you figure out the truth about Jack’s death. Hand this one to fans of E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars or other titles with unreliable narrators. Recommended for high school libraries due to mature language and situations.

Realistic Fiction          Maryalice Bond, South Middleton SD


Kemmerer, Brigid. Call It What You Want. Bloomsbury YA, 2019. 978-1-681-19809-5. 384 p. $18.99. Grades 9 and up. 

Rob and Maegan are both social outcasts at the moment, so being paired to work together on a calculus project might be perfect for them. Rob’s dad was caught using his business to embezzle funds from most of their town’s retirement savings. Then his dad’s failed suicide attempt leaves Rob and his mom taking care of every basic need while also dealing with the aftermath. Overachiever Maegan was caught cheating on the SAT, and no one else yet knows, but her sister is home from college and is pregnant. As Maegan and Rob get to know each other, they find that it isn’t always easy to let others see the hurt they’re feeling, but it may help help them heal and move forward. 

THOUGHTS: This heartbreaking romance will have readers rooting for Rob and Maegan, even though they’re the school outcasts. Highly recommended for high school libraries. 

Realistic Fiction          Maryalice Bond, South Middleton SD


Anonymous. Breaking Bailey. Simon Pulse, 2019. 978-1-534-43308-3. 384 p. $19.99. Grades 9 and up. 

After her dad remarries following her mother’s death, Bailey and her sister welcome the opportunity to start fresh at prestigious boarding schools. Bailey is off to Prescott Academy, where she quickly plans to ignore her father, since he’s to preoccupied with his new wife to care for her. Bailey finds her book smarts draw attention from the Science Club, a group of wealthy students who cook and supply drugs to the locals, and club leader Warren. At first Bailey holds to her values, but the appeal of spending money, not needing to rely on her father, as well as attention from new friends, quickly changes her mind. As Warren and Bailey become closer, she forgets the girl she used to be, and suddenly she can’t figure out a way out of this new life she’s living.

THOUGHTS: Told through diary entries, this book will be popular with fans of other anonymous epistolary novels like Go Ask Alice, Jay’s Journal, etc. Trigger warning: This book describes in detail the process of cooking and distributing meth as well as use of other drugs. Recommended for high schools were similar novels are popular.

Realistic Fiction          Maryalice Bond, South Middleton SD

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