Kelly Jensen's Blog, page 15

Mini-Trends

Here a few mini-trends in children’s and teen literature for 2020 that I’ve noticed the past few weeks.

 

Picture Books About Blue Dwellings

I wanted to do a venn diagram of these three books but it didn’t quite work. I wonder why we have this sudden spate of blue house/cottage books – maybe they’re soothing.

The Blue House by Phoebe Wahl

In the tradition of Virginia Lee Burton’s The Little House comes a heartfelt story about a father and son learning to accept the new while honoring and celebrating the old.

For as long as he can remember, Leo has lived in the blue house with his dad, but lately the neighborhood is changing. People are leaving, houses are being knocked down and shiny new buildings are going up in their place. When Leo and his dad are forced to leave, they aren’t happy about it. They howl and rage and dance out their feelings. When the time comes, they leave the blue house behind–there was never any choice, not really–but little by little, they find a way to keep its memory alive in their new home.

 

The Little Blue Cottage by Kelly Jordan

The little blue cottage waits each year for summer to arrive—and with it, the girl. Through sunny days and stormy weather, the cottage and the girl keep each other company and wile away the long days and nights together. Until one year, and then another, the cottage is left waiting and empty season after season.

In this heartfelt story about change, Kelly Jordan’s lilting text and Jessica Courtney-Tickle’s lush art captures the essence of cherishing a favorite place.

 

Little Blue House Beside the Sea by Jo Ellen Bogart

What child doesn’t love walking in the surf, feeling the water steal the sand from beneath her toes as a wave retreats? Who doesn’t love the salty smell of the air and the sight of ships far out on the horizon?

What happens in the oceans is critically important to life on Earth. That’s why the girl in her little blue house wants to believe that the children gazing back from far over the horizon love the oceans as she does and wants to keep them safe, alive, and beautiful.

 

Picture Book Biographies of 2020 Presidential Candidates

These picture books are all biographies – not autobiographies – and were published this year, either while the candidate was running or soon after they left the race. I thought it was interesting that most weren’t published during the thick of the primary season, when presumably interest would be highest, but rather after most (or all) of the voting had already taken place.

Elizabeth Warren’s Big, Bold Plans by Laurie Ann Thompson

Elizabeth Warren always has a plan. As a child, she wanted to help others by becoming a teacher. When discrimination forced her to surrender that dream, she found another path: She became a lawyer. Then life changed again, and Elizabeth became a professor of law—and she didn’t stop there. No matter her job title, Senator Elizabeth Warren has always worked to ensure that people with more power help those with less. She leads by example, inspiring young people across the nation to pursue their dreams despite obstacles like prejudice and inequality. Known for her dedication and willingness to adapt, Elizabeth Warren has persisted and become a voice for fairness and positive change.

Now a presidential candidate, Senator Warren is a role model for the young people who will one day assume the mantle of leadership. And this gorgeously written, beautifully stylized picture book provides a pitch-perfect look at all they can accomplish.

 

Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice by Nikki Grimes

When Kamala Harris was young, she often accompanied her parents to civil rights marches—so many, in fact, that when her mother asked a frustrated Kamala what she wanted, the young girl responded with: “Freedom!”

As Kamala grew from a small girl in Oakland to a senator running for president, it was this long-fostered belief in freedom and justice for all people that shaped her into the inspiring figure she is today. From fighting for the use of a soccer field in middle school to fighting for the people of her home state in Congress, Senator Harris used her voice to speak up for what she believed in and for those who were otherwise unheard. Her dedication led to her being selected as the Democratic vice presidential nominee in the 2020 election.

Told in Nikki Grimes’s stunning verse and featuring gorgeous illustrations by Laura Freeman, this picture book biography brings to life a story that shows all young people that the American dream can belong to all of us if we fight for one another.

 

Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea by Meena Harris

One day, Kamala and Maya had an idea. A big idea: they would turn their empty apartment courtyard into a playground!

This is the uplifting tale of how the author’s aunt and mother first learned to persevere in the face of disappointment and turned a dream into reality. This is a story of children’s ability to make a difference and of a community coming together to transform their neighborhood.

 

 

Mayor Pete: The Story of Pete Buttigieg by Rob Sanders

When Pete Buttigieg announced he was running for president, he became the first openly gay candidate to run for the Democratic party’s presidential nomination and the first millennial ever to pursue the office. But before the nation knew him as “Mayor Pete,” he was a boy growing up in a Rust Belt town, a kid who dreamed of being an astronaut, and a high schooler who wondered about a life of public service. Without a doubt, no one could have imagined who Peter Paul Montgomery Buttigieg, the boy who lived in a two-story house on College Street, would become.

Through victories and defeats, and the changes that the seasons bring, the young boy from South Bend grew into a man devoted to helping others. Mayor Pete: The Story of Pete Buttigieg celebrates the life of an American who dared to be the first and who imagined a better world for everyone.

 

Joey: The Story of Joe Biden by Jill Biden

Joey is the first ever picture book about the young life of Joe Biden, the 47th Vice President of the United States, and includes never before told family stories about the presidential candidate and former vice president’s childhood—written by Jill Biden, his spouse.

Joe Biden grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the oldest of four children. His parents always encouraged him and his siblings to be independent and strong. The family moved to Wilmington, Delaware, where at twenty-nine, Biden was elected one the youngest United States Senators ever elected. This is his story.

 

Witchcraft for Tweens and Teens

These nonfiction books are about witchcraft as a serious spiritual practice. For young people who are interesting in exploring paganism and non-mainstream belief systems, 2020 has provided some great resources.

Secrets of the Witch by Elsa Whyte and Julie Légère

Since ancient times, magic and witchcraft have inspired both fear and fascination. More recently, witchcraft has become a popular symbol for feminist empowerment. Everything a young witch needs to know is contained in Secrets of the Witch . Uncover the meaning and history behind magical tools and symbols such as cauldrons and pentagrams, find out the truths of the Salem Witch Trials and learn about witches in popular culture, from the ancient figure of Circe to Hermione Granger.

Part history, part spellbook, this magical compendium gives a fascinating insight into the lives and practices of witchesthroughout time and from all over the world. Initiates to the ways of the witch will learn the stories of legendary and real-life witches, as well as how to make their own talisman, how to use magical crystals and plants, which familiar is right for them and so much more. Aspiring witches 9 years and older will find this an invaluable and empowering guide, filled with authentic detail and strikingly illustrated.

With the supernatural wisdom of modern-day witches Elsa Whyte and Julie Légère and Laura Pérez’s rich artwork, step into your dark sisterhood and discover the Secrets of the Witch.

 

The Little Witch’s Book of Spells by Ariel Kusby

The Little Witch’s Book of Spells is an enchanting compendium of spells, potions, and activities for kids 8 to 12 years old. Young witches-in-training will discover spells to resolve problems, foster friendship, and engage with the natural world.

This spellbinding book guides readers on how to craft a magic wand, befriend a fairy, and read tea leaves, as well as glossaries of magical terms and symbols.

• A playful and immersive guidebook to all things magical

• Filled with simple activities using easily found ingredients

• Complete with lush illustrations

The Little Witch’s Book of Spells harnesses magic and the imagination to help little witches feel powerful, tap into creative energy, and practice self-love. Spells and activities include Best Friends Forever Spell, Jump Rope Protection Spell, Get Well Soon Elixir, Blanket Fort Magical Fortress Spell, How to Make a Magical Fairy Garden, and Mermaid Bath Spell.

 

The Young Witch’s Guide to Crystals by Cassandra Eason

A comprehensive and beautifully illustrated introduction to using crystals in magick, geared specifically to young adults.

Young witches, welcome to the school of crystals! In Young Witch’s Guide to Crystals you’ll discover what can be an exciting and beautiful addition to your life. It provides a basic introduction to magickal practice with information on using crystals for everything you can possibly imagine: healing your body and broken heart, fortunetelling, keeping away bad dreams, creating a lucky charm, and so much more. There’s also advice on choosing your crystals, keeping a crystal journal, and making a special altar and treasure box for your stones.

 

The Young Witch’s Guide to Magick by Cassandra Eason

Welcome to witch school, where renowned author Cassandra Eason teaches her magickal secrets! In this introduction geared especially to young adults, Eason targets teen issues like figuring out a future career path, dealing with bullies, changing bad luck, building self-confidence, and handling problems at school. Her spells use astrology, candles, crystals, colors, flowers, and moon power, and she also explores coven rituals and seasonal celebrations. Whether you’re trying to get your crush’s attention, pass your driver’s test, or simply let your natural beauty shine through, you’ll find the path to making your world better and your dreams come true. 

Here are spells to help you:

Pass a tough test: use six dice, a photo of yourself looking happy, and dried mint for luck in a drawstring bag.

Relieve shyness and anxiety about moving or changing schools: Put a green plant on your altar, along with ribbons and small bells.

Follow your dream: go outdoors and shoot power into the cosmos by blowing bubbles.

Prevent nosy siblings from messing with your private things by creating a fragrant psychic barrier.

Call people back into your life with a beeswax candle.

Also: learn how to choose your witch name, set up an altar, make a spell book, and more!

 

The Junior Witch’s Handbook: A Kid’s Guide to White Magic, Spells, and Rituals by Nikki Van De Car

An empowering guide for young witches about the kinds of magic they can create for themselves every day.

Intended for children between the ages of eight and twelve, who are curious about the possibility of “something more” in their lives, this handbook focuses on three major areas of the witch’s life: friendship, personal fulfillment, and family. Each section includes spells, rituals, potions, and other useful information, such as tables about crystals, chakras, and herbs.

 

Graphic Novels About Donuts

This is my favorite of them all. What a weird and delightful mini-trend.

Norma and Belly: Donut Feed the Squirrels by Mika Song

Two squirrels–and best friends–meet their match: a donut food truck! A hilarious young graphic novel perfect for fans of Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea and anyone who would do ANYTHING for a donut.

Norma and Belly plan to start the day with some pancakes, but when Norma accidentally burns them, these two best friends set out to find a new treat. Chestnuts might be nice . . . but what is that delicious smell in the distance? A new food truck has parked near their tree, and these two squirrels are going to figure out how to get their hands on these “donuts” that it seems to be selling.

Mika Song gives readers something to laugh at as these squirrels try their hardest to get some donuts while just about everything goes wrong. A fun “donut caper” graphic novel that focuses on madcap action, problem-solving, and the power of working together.

 

Donut the Destroyer by Sarah Graley and  Stef Purenins

Donut (middle name: The; last name: Destroyer) has a heart of gold and incredible strength. She lives in a world where everyone is born with a special ability and can choose whether to develop it for good or evil.

Donut has just received the best news of her life — she’s been accepted to Lionheart School for Heroes! But her parents are the most infamous villains around, and her best friend, Ivy, can’t understand why Donut would choose a life of boring heroism and ruin their plans to cause chaos. Donut is determined to prove that, despite her last name, she’s meant to go her own way and be a hero. Meanwhile, Ivy cooks up a plan to get Donut kicked out of Lionheart — and back on track to villainy!

July and August 2020 Debut YA Novels

With the break, I didn’t get the chance to highlight debut YA novels that hit shelves in July. Now with August coming to an end, it feels right to do that and to also include August’s fresh batch of debuts.

 

 

This round-up includes debut novels, where “debut” is in its purest definition. These are first-time books by first-time authors. I’m not including books by authors who are using or have used a pseudonym in the past or those who have written in other categories (adult, middle grade, etc.) in the past. Authors who have self-published are not included here either.

All descriptions are from Goodreads, unless otherwise noted. If I’m missing any debuts that came out in July and August from traditional publishers — and I should clarify that indie/small presses are okay — let me know in the comments.

As always, not all noted titles included here are necessarily endorsements for those titles. List is arranged alphabetically by title. Starred titles are the beginning of a new series.

Note: for some reason, the 2020 debut groups that have been so helpful for me in the past in compiling these lists seem to be scant this year. Likewise, those groups which do exist don’t have book titles or publication dates readily accessible. Here’s my repeat plea for making that easily located, not just for me but for any reader, librarian, and teacher who wants the essential information without having to click a ton of links.

I’m aware some book releases have been shifted, but this list is as up-to-date as is possible.

 

July and August 2020 Debut YA Novels
Accidental by Alex Richards

Johanna has had more than enough trauma in her life. She lost her mom in a car accident, and her father went AWOL when Johanna was just a baby. At sixteen, life is steady, boring . . . maybe even stifling, since she’s being raised by her grandparents who never talk about their daughter, her mother Mandy.

Then he comes back: Robert Newsome, Johanna’s father, bringing memories and pictures of Mandy. But that’s not all he shares. A tragic car accident didn’t kill Mandy–it was Johanna, who at two years old, accidentally shot her own mother with an unsecured gun.

Now Johanna has to sort through it all–the return of her absentee father, her grandparents’ lies, her part in her mother’s death. But no one, neither her loyal best friends nor her sweet new boyfriend, can help her forgive them. Most of all, can she ever find a way to forgive herself?

In a searing, ultimately uplifting story, debut author Alex Richards tackles a different side of the important issue that has galvanized teens across our country.

The Black Kids by Christina Hammond

Los Angeles, 1992

Ashley Bennett and her friends are living the charmed life. It’s the end of senior year and they’re spending more time at the beach than in the classroom. They can already feel the sunny days and endless possibilities of summer.

Everything changes one afternoon in April, when four LAPD officers are acquitted after beating a black man named Rodney King half to death. Suddenly, Ashley’s not just one of the girls. She’s one of the black kids.

As violent protests engulf LA and the city burns, Ashley tries to continue on as if life were normal. Even as her self-destructive sister gets dangerously involved in the riots. Even as the model black family façade her wealthy and prominent parents have built starts to crumble. Even as her best friends help spread a rumor that could completely derail the future of her classmate and fellow black kid, LaShawn Johnson.

With her world splintering around her, Ashley, along with the rest of LA, is left to question who is the us? And who is the them?

 

Displacement by You’re Next by Kylie Schachte

Flora Calhoun has a reputation for sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong. After stumbling upon a classmate’s body years ago, the trauma of that discovery and the police’s failure to find the killer has haunted her ever since. One night, she gets a midnight text from Ava McQueen, the beautiful girl who had ignited Flora’s heart last summer, then never spoke to her again.

Just in time to witness Ava’s death from a gunshot wound, Flora is set on a path of rage and vengeance for all the dead girls whose killer is never found. Her tunnel-visioned sleuthing leads to valuable clues about a shocking conspiracy involving her school and beyond, but also earns her sinister threats from the murderer. She has a choice—to give up the hunt for answers, or keep digging and risk her loved ones’ lives. Either way, Flora will regret the consequences. Who’s next on the killer’s list?

 

This Month on Book Riot and More

 

So much writing to catch up with during hiatus! Starting with Book Riot . . .

 

Bookish gifts for bird lovers.

 

15 great read aloud books for middle schoolers.

 

How are public libraries going to adapt to the upcoming school year?

 

Love the library? Showcase that love with a library sticker.

 

A deeply personal piece about growing up with giant boobs and never seeing it in YA…and the YA book that just came out which captured my experience so perfectly.

 

Some sweet bookish washi tape.

 

20 must-read YA books about cults.

 

These were the most popular under-the-radar books in US libraries during quarantine.

 

Some wooden bookstands to enhance your reading life.

 

A brief history of George du Maurier’s sensational book Trilby.

 

Bookish notecards and other paper products.

 

How to dismantle white supremacy in public libraries.

 

15 gorgeous and inclusive tarot and oracle card decks.

 

I also had a couple of pieces over on School Library Journal…

 

A deep dive into how librarians are using TikTok to connect with their communities.

 

16 recent funny YA books.

 

See you back here next week. Break was so nice, and now, I’m eager to get back into the swing of STACKED.

BODY TALK Is Available Now

 

Available today wherever you buy or borrow books is my latest YA anthology, Body Talk: 37 Voices Explore Our Radical Anatomy. This is a book all about the physical and political realities of living with a body in today’s Western world.

I encourage you to purchase if you can, and if it’s possible, purchase through your indie. We all make decisions we need to, though, so if that’s not possible, that’s okay! And if purchasing isn’t an option, I hope you request your library add the title to their collection. This is free, and often, it puts you as requester to the top of the holds list.

How else can you help? Spread the word about the book! If you read and liked it, leave a review on major retailer sites. If you write book lists, consider including it on your lists of great YA nonfiction, essay collections, books about the body, body positivity, and disability.

We took a break from STACKED for a few weeks, and I wanted to round up a few of the pieces I’ve written in support of the book:

Wearing a mask in public has made me less self-conscious. . . but far more aware of other people’s bodies. (At MS. Magazine!)

 

Yes, I’m fat — but I’m also a damn good yoga teacher. (At Shape!)

 

20 uncollected thoughts on mental health in 2020. (At TWLOHA!)

 

You should also read the gorgeous essay from Juanauda Petrus that Refinery29 ran about learning to love her Black femme body.

 

Virtual Events

I haven’t updated the image, but ALL events are now virtual only. I hope you can join! Links to the virtual events are available on the corresponding bookstore event pages.

 

 

 

As always, thanks for your support, your enthusiasm, and your encouragement. It’s fun getting to write about YA AND knowing I get to directly contribute to YA, too. My hope is to be back to regular blogging in the next week or two!

Summer Break for Stacked

 

We’re taking a summer break from STACKED. Both Kimberly and I are ready for a little off-blog time to spend our summer relaxing and, well, navigating the world right now.

We will see you again in August, and in the mean time, happy reading!

This Week on Book Riot

Over on Book Riot this week…

 

In Phoenix, librarians are being recruited to help with COVID testing — but not the police.

 

Is the letter “W” ever a vowel? A nerdy dive into language.

 

The perfect nursery bookends (and let’s face it: they’re not just for nurseries).

 

Two podcasts to sink into as well: excitement over this week’s best new book releases and on this week’s Hey YA, I invited my pal Amma Marfo to join in discussing just how fantastic the Netflix adaptation of The Baby-Sitters Club really is.

Cover Makeovers: Fall 2020 YA Edition

It’s makeover season!

Although it’s still summer here in the northern hemisphere and will be until September, publishers have been putting efforts behind promoting and sharing their fall 2020 YA books. There are so many great new books, as well as great previously-published books getting their paperback editions.

Many paperbacks look similar to the hardcover, but in a softer, cheaper, and more portable form. But as happens in YA quite a bit, a number of books get a new look in their paperback form. Be it for marketing purposes, for better highlighting the mood and tone of the book, or to get it on fresh reader radars who may have missed it before.

Let’s take a look at some of the YA books getting new looks in paperback in the coming season.

As always, the original hardcover is on the left, while the paperback is on the right.

 

Spontaneous by Aaron Starmer

 

 

I hadn’t realized Starmer’s book wasn’t in paperback yet, since the hardcover came out in 2016. Perhaps because the book is in development for adaptation. The new paperback will hit shelves September 8.

The original hardcover really pops. The yellow background with the orange title and clever burst of the “o” in the font. It’s not super surprising to see that the John Green blurb takes up more real estate than the title and author name, and in addition, there’s a tag line which reads “a novel about growing up . . . and blowing up.” The ice cream truck is central, and the girl in the image says so much with her body language. She’s over the truck, but she’s also tough.

In paperback, the ice cream truck is gone, as is whoever was standing beside the girl. Now she’s front and center, giving off the same vibe as in the hardcover. She’s tough and she’s over it, whatever “it” might be. The bubble is a clever little detail.

Missing from the paperback is the tag line, the standout color background, and clever font design for the title. The new color is more muted, as is the title. But the Green blurb is still present, though it blends into the background a bit more than before.

Either cover is fine. I’m not sure one is better than the other, nor does one draw me in more than the other as a reader. Perhaps the new cover is a hint at news of the adaptation coming soon?

 

Chicken Girl by Heather Smith

 

 

Chicken Girl! It reminds me a lot of Hot Dog Girl by Jennifer Dugan, of course, though rather than being a girl in a hot dog costume, it’s a girl in a chicken suit.

The hardcover doesn’t give any indication of that and, in fact, is kind of confusing all around. Is the girl actually a chicken? Does she raise chickens? The bright pink is fun, but the contrasting bright yellow feathers, as well as the black-on-yellow font for the book title and author name is a little challenging on the eyes (especially digitally).

In paperback, it’s a different story. We know exactly what the book is about: a girl who might be wearing a chicken costume, presumably for a job. The fact we don’t see a face of the girl is clever, especially paired with the tag line, which carried over from the hardcover: “Life can be a tough egg to crack.” The light pink with pastel yellow is much easier on the eyes. I love that the chicken head looks like it has an eye roll going on.

For me, this one is easy. The paperback is way more appealing and would make it pick it up. I suspect teens would feel similarly.

The paperback hits shelves September 8.

 

Everlost by Neal Shusterman (series)

 

 

Given the tremendous success in the last few years in Neal Shusterman’s career, it shouldn’t be any surprise one of his older series is getting a fresh look. It’s a good one, too!

Everlost looks perfectly creepy in hardcover, but it does feel like design that’s about a decade old. In no way is it bad, but it blends into so many other book covers of the time of its publication.

The paperback, on the other hand, feels fresh and contemporary. The cover also indicates it’s part of a trilogy, which is super helpful for readers and those who work with readers. Added to the paperback, in addition to a new — but still familiar — look, is that Shusterman is a New York Times bestseller. The title of the book gets a new font, with the second “e” getting a little special touch. Perhaps most noticeable is Shusterman’s name. What was once in the corner of the book is now front and center and takes up much more real estate.

I think both covers are effective and evocative, though the new paperback might edge out the original look a bit for me, if for no reason other than how fresh it feels.

You can grab Everlost in paperback September 8. All of the books in the trilogy will be getting the redesign, which is going to look so sharp on shelves.

 

Tithe by Holly Black (series)

 

 

 

Another series getting a whole new look is Holly Black’s “Modern Faerie Tale.” The originals, picked above, are dark and reminiscent of the YA fantasy which published around the same time (2004!). Think LJ Smith and the Vampire Diaries, among others. It’s really perfect for the series, and readers who are looking for dark fairy tales know what to pick up.

But the paperback design? It’s absolutely gorgeous. The books maintain the same feel, but they’ve been updated and modernized for today’s teen readers. The images pay homage to the classic covers, while also making clear these are still modern and relevant. Holly Black’s name is much larger now, and like with the Shusterman redesign, the series title is indicated on the front cover. The font is fresher, too.

For anyone with this series on your shelves at libraries or schools: this is your sign to update.

It’s not going to be surprising that I think the paperback redesign is a total win. The originals are great, but they’re of an era. The new looks are of this era.

The redesigned series will hit shelves October 20.

 

 

The Beauty of the Moment by Tanaz Bhathena

 

This cover redesign seems to be a classic of “what is the story about” variety. I love the hardcover. It’s eye-catching and unique. But what is it about? I love the brown model at the center, paired with the illustrated flora and fauna, as well as the swoopy script lettering of the title. There’s a tag line, too, which in digital rendering is super challenging to read: “Why fit in when you can stand out?” It’s a beautiful cover but it tells absolutely nothing of the story.

The paperback is a big change, though the illustrated girl definitely gives the same vibe about her as the model on the hardcover. It’s more clear that romance might be central to the story here, and even clearer is that the girl might not be entirely into it. It’s interesting that the background is of a skyline, which suggests an entirely different feel than the hardcover, featuring nature.

On paperback, the font is not noteworthy except for the thing that does make it noteworthy: it’s big! And rather than the author’s name being in all lower case letters, it’s now rendered in all uppercase. Both the title and author font stand out well on the muted-rainbow background.

The tag line has disappeared, but it’s been replaced with a blurb that explains the story so much better: “A titanium-strength love story.” In no way does the original suggest love story, but the paperback? Absolutely.

And interestingly, there’s a different cover for the Canadian edition of the book, which may be the inspiration for the new design in paperback:

 

This cover is a sheer delight. Look at the girl! Look at the boy who is trying so hard to be smooth with her! I love the elements of this one.

Both the paperback and hardcover are beautiful, but the paperback seems more true to the story itself. If only we had the choice of the Canadian edition because it’s especially good.

You can grab the paperback July 21.

 

 

What do you think? Which covers do you prefer? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

 

 

This Week at Book Riot

 

Over on Book Riot this week…

 

The most popular anti-racist books in US libraries in early 2020.

 

The governor of Florida line item vetoed all funding for their online learning and library programs to K-college students.

 

Bookish goods for your kitchen.

 

Your guide to summer 2020 YA book releases, with titles hitting shelves between July and the end of September.

Kimberly’s Second Quarter of 2020

The second quarter of 2020 ended yesterday. I read a total of 23 books in the past three months, bringing my total for the year to 41 (I accidentally left two titles off my First Quarter list – oops). I set a goal to read 100 books every year, and while my reading has picked up slightly due to the pandemic, it hasn’t really taken off like I thought it might.

A big portion of my reading this quarter has been occupied with a third re-read of the Amelia Peabody mystery series by Elizabeth Peters (which I have always read on audio, never in print). It’s been five years since I last read it, and I’m experiencing it pretty differently this time. Aside from this favorite series, my reading this quarter consisted of a few YA mysteries, a few adult thrillers, a few graphic novels, and one popular science book.

 

The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

I went through a period early in the quarter when I wanted to read some recent popular adult fiction, preferably mysteries, and this was available on audio from the library. It’s about a young woman who goes to the town where her aunt disappeared decades ago in order to solve the mystery of her disappearance. It’s a solid mystery, though there are some supernatural elements, which is not usually my cup of tea for a mystery. I tend to prefer mysteries that rely only on what’s real for all the answers.

 

Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain

This is not my normal fare at all, but I enjoyed it a lot. I had actually been searching for another mystery, similar to The Sun Down Motel, and came across this one marked as such. While there is a mystery to it, I wouldn’t categorize it as a traditional whodunnit. It’s more like what is traditionally called literary “women’s fiction,” and it uses the split time period trope that I often encounter in that type of story.

Half of the story is told from the point of view of Morgan in the present day, a talented artist who has been granted early release from prison (for a crime she maintains she did not commit) in order to restore an old mural painted in 1940 for a post office in North Carolina. The other half is told from the point of view of the artist, Anna Dale, in 1940. The central plot revolves around what happened to Anna, who disappeared without quite finishing the mural. As Morgan restores the painting, she grows closer to uncovering the town’s secrets. I enjoyed reading about North Carolina in both time periods; it’s where I went to college and it’s fun to recognize some of the landmarks and the culture. Chamberlain is also just a talented writer who breathes life into both of her protagonists, and she surrounds these sympathetic characters with an interesting, well-paced story.

 

I Killed Zoe Spanos by Kit Frick

This is a modern take on Rebecca, which I’ve actually never read. I enjoyed it nonetheless, though I do feel I would have gotten more out of it had I been able to compare it to the inspiration. Still, it’s a solid YA mystery with a creepy setting, a smart protagonist, and several surprises.

 

The Vanishing Deep by Astrid Scholte

I enjoyed this YA fantasy about a flooded world and the island that has the ability to bring loved ones back to life – but only for 24 hours – despite its completely ludicrous plot. Read my full review here.

 

The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain

I enjoyed Big Lies in a Small Town so much that I sought out others by Chamberlain. This one is about a woman named Riley who, after her father dies, begins to investigate what really happened when her sister Lisa died by suicide 20 years ago. It’s less of a mystery than Big Lies in a Small Town, though it has its share of surprises. Chamberlain excels at creating living, breathing characters who make bad (but believable) choices, and I appreciate that her endings – at least of the books I’ve read so far – provide closure and catharsis.

 

What I Want You to See by Catherine Linka

Linka’s book is a sort-of mystery, sort-of coming of age story about Sabine, a freshman at the prestigious CALINVA art school in California. On full merit-based scholarship after being homeless for a time (her mother’s employer kicked Sabine out of her home where they had been living after her mother died), Sabine is terrified that she’ll be kicked out if she doesn’t do enough to impress Colin Krell, the tyrannical teacher who seems to have it out for her. His one bit of good advice is to study a master’s painting by “translating” (i.e. copying) it. When the opportunity arises for Sabine to translate Krell’s current masterpiece – without him knowing, of course – she takes it. But everything is not as it seems. While the mystery concerning Krell’s painting and Sabine’s translation of it is less than surprising, Sabine’s journey is engaging, and the lack of a perfectly happy ending almost made my heart break for her. Read my full review here.

 

Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain

While I enjoyed this book the least of Chamberlain’s books, it’s the one that I’ve thought the most about since finishing it. This one is fully historical, with the entirety of the book’s events (except for small bits at the beginning and end) taking place in rural Grace County, North Carolina in the 1960s. It splits points of view between Jane, a young social worker, and Ivy, the teenager whose family is assigned to Jane. The main focus of the story is on North Carolina’s eugenics program, which was broader (operating outside of institutions) and longer-lasting (well into the 60s) than any other state’s program. Jane is a naive, inexperienced social worker fresh out of college (where there really isn’t a program for women in social work at this time), and when her supervisor is injured, she’s given a full caseload, which includes Ivy’s poverty-stricken family. Jane finds herself pressured by the other social workers to sterilize Ivy, whose older sister has already been sterilized. Lying about the procedure – telling the patient they’re merely getting their appendix removed, for example, as Ivy’s sister was told – is normal. Fourteen year old Ivy, meanwhile, whose parents are both dead and whose family is employed by a landowner to work his farm, tries to care for her sister (who is mentally disabled), her sister’s baby, and her grandmother. The resources provided by the social workers are essential to their lives.

What I found most riveting were the details about the eugenics program itself, of which I knew very little (mainly just that the United States had them). Reasons for sterilization included mental disability, mental illness, and epilepsy, though in reality generational poverty was often the real reason. Characters often tell Jane that such people deserve to be sterilized, even without their knowledge, because they’re drains on the public. Sometimes sterilization was welcomed, though, as is the case with a supporting character who did not have the ability to keep herself from becoming pregnant but did not want any more children. The program was fascinating – and horrible – to read about. The story, unfortunately, was predictable, so I found it often frustrating to read (why can’t the characters see where this is going like I can?). You, too, could likely sketch out what happens to Ivy and what Jane eventually does about it. Still, it was a worthwhile read and one I’ve recommended to others.

 

The End of October by Lawrence Wright

I found Wright’s novel about a flu pandemic – which eerily mimics much of what we’re experiencing now – riveting, and I talked about it endlessly with friends and family, but I can’t say it was actually a good book. Read my full review here.

 

The Phantom Twin by Lisa Brown

The graphic novels I’ve read this year haven’t really wowed me. This YA one was cute enough, about a conjoined twin whose sister convinces her to have experimental surgery to separate them and dies. From then on, the surviving twin sees her sister as a ghost. The setting is a turn of the century sideshow, where Isabel and her sister Jane were employed. Now that Jane is dead, Isabel must find a new kind of life. I enjoyed the story, but didn’t find it that special.

 

The Pathfinders Society: The Mystery of the Moon Tower by Francesco Sedita, Prescott Seraydarian, and Steve Hamaker

This is another cute graphic novel – for middle grade readers this time – about a group of kids who join the Pathfinders Society and set out to find a treasure. It’s almost too fast-paced, with not much time given to character development or even development of the clues, but kids who enjoy treasure hunts will likely enjoy this.

 

Gotham High by Melissa de la Cruz and Thomas Pitilli

Bruce Wayne, 16, is kicked out of boarding school and returns to Gotham City. There he finds himself caught up in a kidnapping, and future friends/nemeses Selina Kyle and Jack Napier are involved. The plot was a bit more convoluted than I expected and at times hard to follow, but mostly I just didn’t care enough about the characters. Perhaps this is better for more die-hard Batman fans than me.

 

The Kinder Poison by Natalie Mae

I enjoyed this exciting high fantasy, full of magic, competition, betrayal, and some unique world-building, but took issue with its central premise of kindness as king. Read my full review here.

 

And It Was Good and It’s a Miracle! by H. Claire Taylor

These are books 2 and 3 of a self-published humor series by an author who lives here in Austin. The premise is that in small-town present-day Texas, God begets a daughter named Jessica. The series follows her from a small child into adulthood, and books 2 and 3 focus on her life as a teenager in high school (though the whole series is geared toward adults, not kids or teens). The books are very funny: God will often pop into Jessica’s head with a funny revelation (“Don’t tell anyone, but I wasn’t really paying attention when I created Australia”), or to clarify a translation error in the Bible (“It was supposed to be Powerful and all that, not All-Powerful), and when he wants to use strong language, he says “Oh Me!” In book 2, Jessica is tasked with finding her own special miracle that she can perform, and it turns out to be as football Kicker (naturally). Taylor also skewers Southern/Texan evangelicalism pretty handily; for those of us who grew up with or around evangelical Christian Texans, much of the observations ring very, very true. The first book is by far the funniest (so far), but there are 6 in the series and I look forward to reading them all.

 

Bad Science by Ben Goldacre

Ben Goldacre is a British physician and science writer who wrote a column called Bad Science in The Guardian from 2003-2011. Published in 2008, his book Bad Science covers many of the topics he wrote about for the paper, all focusing on bad medical science in some fashion. He discusses homeopathy, skewers modern “nutritionists,” teaches readers how to determine if a study is a good one or a bad one, and covers the anti-vaccination scare as it occurred in the UK (lucky us, the discredited former doctor who started it all now lives in Austin). He also delves deeply into the placebo effect, which was the most fascinating chapter for me and which I regaled my friends with at a recent picnic for many minutes. (Did you know that the placebo effect works better with two pills than one, and even better with an injection than a pill?) This is exactly the kind of nonfiction I love reading.

 

The Amelia Peabody mystery series, Books 1-8

I first listened to these (and I’ve always read them that way, as audiobooks) as a kid, when my family would check out kid-friendly audiobooks (both for kids and for adults) for our long road trips during the summer. I was fascinated by the concept of Egyptology as a kid, and I loved Amelia’s sassy narration, the love between her and her husband Emerson, and especially the intrigue of their teenage children and wards (we started listening in the middle, when Ramses was 16).

I listened to them properly, this time from the beginning, in grad school, and then again five years ago. I began to pick up on more of Amelia’s faults during these re-reads (she’s wrong quite frequently!). Of course, these faults are apparent and part of the fun for mature adult readers, but they went completely over my head as a kid. But it’s only this third reading where I’ve really noticed the glaring faults in the books themselves. While Amelia values and respects the Egyptians as a people, including their culture and religion (she is cognizant of the fact that the British don’t treat their women any better, for example), imperialist ways of thinking – British superiority, in general – always seeps through. Amelia is not as open or fair-minded as she thinks, though she certainly outpaces many of her peers. In fact, the whole concept of the books is a problem (British colonizers digging up Egyptians’ ancestors and regulating what Egyptians can and cannot do with their own country and possessions), and this fact goes completely unrecognized and unmentioned.

Aside from these glaring issues, I also noticed the rather alarming amount of fatphobia that Amelia spews. It’s lessened somewhat in later volumes, but for the most part, fat characters are portrayed as ridiculous, stupid, lazy, and sometimes villainous. Emerson, too, is not as charming as he once was to me, with all of his shouting and half-insults, then maintaining he is a calm, reserved person (and again, the disconnect between what he thinks about himself and what he is is part of the humor, but it’s just not as funny this time around). I’ve even noticed some flaws in the narration, performed wonderfully by Barbara Rosenblat, whose English accent was flawless to me as a child but whose American roots are apparent to me now.

I’m still enjoying the books quite a lot, and I intend to finish the series (I’ve always stopped somewhere in the middle before this for one reason or another), but my nostalgic love for them has been tempered by these realizations.

 

BODY TALK Preorder Incentive Time!

The first reviews for my next anthology Body Talk: 37 Voices Explore Our Radical Anatomy have been coming in, and they’re incredible.

 

Here’s what Kirkus says:

Although we often take them for granted, our bodies—no matter what they look like, how we feel about them, or how others feel about them—are inherently political.

This anthology edited by Jensen contains a series of personal essays describing experiences that defined the authors’ relationships with their bodies. Avid young adult readers will recognize popular authors like I.W. Gregorio, who, in her capacity as a urologist, answers frequently asked questions about penises; Anna-Marie McLemore, who writes about struggling to get a diagnosis for their severe dysmenorrhea; Eric Smith, who discusses puberty and facial hair; and Alex Gino and Julie Murphy, who reflect on their evolving relationships with fatness. The book also includes narratives from celebrities like gold-medal–winning gymnast Aly Raisman, model Tyra Banks, musician and free-bleeding marathon runner Kiran/Madame Gandhi, and trans rights activist Gavin Grimm. Each author fully and impressively engages with their intersecting identities and the ways in which these intersections affect the way their bodies are treated by society. Taken together with short FAQ sections that address everything from the difference between body positivity and fat acceptance to respectful terms to use when discussing disability, the anthology is a comprehensive, compulsively readable guide to growing into our bodies in a politically fraught world.

A thoughtful, well-rounded anthology featuring diverse voices speaking out on essential topics. 

 

And School Library Journal is giving Body Talk a beautiful starred review:

Gr 7 Up–Jensen has collected personal narratives for a remarkable anthology that tackles various aspects of anatomy. Authors, athletes, celebrities, and other public figures share their experiences of negative self-image and how they came to terms with these feelings. Topics include visible “issues” (being overweight, having noticeable chin hairs, having scoliosis) and invisible ones (dealing with partial blindness, being Deaf, or having Crohn’s disease). These individuals are not afraid to share what they have gone through and how they achieved self-acceptance. As with her previous anthologies, Jensen expertly organizes these stories into chapters on a common theme. The experiences are relayed with equal parts honesty and knowledge. Throughout the book, readers can find “Body Talk FAQs” that fit the section in which they are located. The further reading guide contains nonfiction titles and fictional works where characters contend with those topics. Teens may not find a touchstone in every story but are likely to have experienced insecurity about one or more of the subjects. VERDICT A must-have anthology collection on an evergreen topic.

 

Body Talk hits shelves on August 18, and I’m really stoked for this book to be out there. It’s timely and timeless, and I think y’all will be super excited to see the VIRTUAL events lined up to go along with its release. Local pals: we’re working on an in-person event at my local indie as well, with details to come (and, of course, dependent upon how covid-19 looks by then).

But first, let’s talk about the sweet preorder incentives I’ve got set up!

 

 

Body Talk Preorder Incentives

Every preorder from a US resident or someone with a US address will be able to score a bookmark, as pictured above. The front reads “Your body is radical,” and the back features all three of my anthologies.

In addition, there’s a sweet sticker to come, too — it’s the same design as the front of the bookmark, reading “Your body is radical.” Order between now and August 18 and you’ll get these goods from me.

I want to sweeten the pot, of course, so there are a couple additional incentives.

If you order Body Talk from an indie bookstore, you’ll be entered to win a $25 gift card to a bookstore of your choice. Doesn’t matter what indie. Bookshop.org is fine, too. Just show me proof via the form below, and you’ll be automatically entered.

If you order Body Talk from my indie, a couple other bonuses: I’ll sign it for you, AND you’ll be entered to win a $50 gift card to the bookstore of your choice. You’ll also be entered for the $25 gift card. In other words, order from Read Between The Lynes (linked to my book!), and you’ll be entered for both a $50 gift card AND the $25 gift card, as well as get the book signed by me and get your bookmark and sticker. Sweet deal, eh? If you want me to personalize the book, leave a note in the comment field when you check out. Otherwise, I’ll just sign it with my fancy name.

Non-US ordering folks: I want to thank you, too. This is the tricky bit, though. Currently, Book Depository does not have a gift card option, and since Book Depository ships to the most non-US countries, I want to work through them. So, if you’re non-US, order the book and show me proof of purchase in the form below, and you’ll be entered to win a new book from the Depository equal or lesser than $25 US dollars. You’ll let me know what it is if you win, and I’ll send it your way.

Sound good?

I’ve made the record keeping as easy as possible.

Click this link to upload your proof of purchase — a receipt, a photo of a receipt, etc — and click the appropriate answers. That’s all! If you have trouble with uploading the proof, leave a comment here and I’ll connect with you another way. 

 

Some Answers to Questions

Does purchasing for my library/school count? Yes! Proof of purchase is all I need.

 

When will you send out the bookmarks and stickers? Once a week!

 

When will you let us know if we won a gift card? Publication week. It might not be August 18, but it will be by the end of that week.

 

So if we order from your indie, Read Between The Lynes, we get to enter both giveaways? Yes, indeed!

 

I’d like my book signed and/or personalized: Leave a note in your order from Read Between The Lynes. I’ll go in and sign them prior to their shipment to you.

 

I preordered the book before you shared this. Can I still enter? Yep! Just fill out the form above. And big thank you for such enthusiasm.

 

I ordered from Amazon/Barnes and Noble/Another non-indie bookstore. Do I get anything? Yes! You’ll get your bookmark and sticker. The gift card entries are for indie bookstore purchases, as a means of offering an incentive to do so. I don’t care where you purchase your books, since we all make decisions based on our own needs. But because my work required Amazon linking to keep the lights on, off-work, I like to incentivize indie bookstore spending and to my awesome indie especially. I don’t judge your choice — I’m just incredibly grateful for your support!

 

More questions might come up, of course, so always feel free to ask here, via Twitter, or via Instagram. And most of all, thank you for your support. Right now is the hardest time to be an author and promoting a book that is indeed relevant and timely. It doesn’t feel good to try to capitalize on the pandemic relating to disease nor the one related to racism. But it’s a book I believe in deeply, and the voices of color in particular in this book are ones I want to keep highlighting and trumpeting because they’re vital reminders of what it is to live and operate in a body in today’s culture.

 

And if you haven’t yet seen it, here’s the official description of Body Talk:

It’s time to bare it all about bodies!

We all experience the world in a body, but we don’t usually take the time to explore what it really means to have and live within one. Just as every person has a unique personality, every person has a unique body, and every body tells its own story.

In Body Talk, thirty-seven writers, models, actors, musicians, and artists share essays, lists, comics, and illustrations—about everything from size and shape to scoliosis, from eating disorders to cancer, from sexuality and gender identity to the use of makeup as armor. Together, they contribute a broad variety of perspectives on what it’s like to live in their particular bodies—and how their bodies have helped to inform who they are and how they move through the world.

Come on in, turn the pages, and join the celebration of our diverse, miraculous, beautiful bodies!