Fiction for non adult readers that combines captivating plots with controversial issues is rarest in that long stretch between picture books and YA novels known as juvenile literature. YA fiction tackles just about every issue known to humankind. Picture books bring the Holocaust, indigenous boarding schools, immigration, and other formerly taboo topics vividly to life in often haunting text and illustration combos. Fortunately juvie lit seems to finally be coming around. Rick and Linked are two signs of this change.
Remember how in Alex Gino's George we met a character who didn't identify with birth gender, longed to become Melissa, and encountered challenges at home and school? Now out, Melissa (YESSS!) has moved up to middle school and is a classmate of Gino's Rick.
Rick isn't attracted to girls " in that way." But he also isn't attracted to boys. If he isn't gay or straight what is he? Sometimes he feels like he's the only one who hasn't figured his identity out.
At first Rick isn't sure whether he wants to try going to the Rainbow Spectrum Club. But when he does go he begins to understand himself and make new friends. There's one major problem though. His long term best friend, Jeff, is a jerk, a bully, and a homophobe. Can Rick keep his two worlds separate?
What if he has to choose one or the other?
Gordon Korman's Linked takes readers to Chokecherry, Colorado, a small town that may not be so small in the future.
"Why does a snooty college in Massachusetts have an office two thousand miles away, in Chokecherry, Colorado? That's where the dinosaur poop comes in. This is where they found it all neatly fossilized."
Remember dino poop was excreted by dinosaurs. Footprints and bone fragments have been discovered. A realtor and big time Chokecherry booster is sure that the discoveries will turn his beloved town into a tourist destination. "Then hotels, restaurants, ski resorts, golf courses. Our town is destined for greatness."
Except that it may not be. A painted swastika is found in the middle school. In spite of a new tolerance curriculum others start popping up all over the school. There are rumors of a huge KKK presence in the town decades ago and a Night of a Thousand Flames featuring burning crosses.
Plus a famous YouTube vlogger has set up shop, airing Chokecherry's dirty laundry to his legions of followers.
An ensemble cast of narrators brings the story to life in a very engaging manner.
On a purrrsonal note, the sky is spitting snow with the prospect of it keeping up all day. I'm in pajamas, chilling with Tobago and waiting to see if UMaine has decided to cancel classes. If they don't I'll head on in. If they do I have a problem. Somehow, even though big ass snow storms are to be expected in Maine this time of year I neglected to ask my internship supervisor whether a cancellation on a day I have office hours means I go in anyway (which seems like a dumb idea because the folks who hang out in the commuter lounge will probably sensibly stay home) or stay home and put in the hours next week. Ugh! My third day of internship and I have to make a major decision. (Jules)
If the decision makers are smart they'll close the school. It is nasty out there. (Tobago)
A great big shout out goes out to the blizzard battlers.
Tobago and Jules Hathaway
Sent from my U.S.Cellular© Smartphone
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