Book-review post!
Thoughts on some YA and MG I’ve been reading recently…
Becky Albertali – Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda
I adored this book. It’s a funny and charming coming-out story, reminding us that although there are more LGBTQ+ stories to be told aside from coming-out, it’s still important; as the characters note, straight people still don’t have to ‘come out’. Simon is an adorable sixteen-year-old with a warm, realistic family and a close-knit group of friends; he’s also madly in love with a boy Blue he’s met online, who he knows attends his school. But who is Blue… and could he possibly be who Simon hopes he is? And when an awkward guy with a crush on Simon’s best friend starts blackmailing him, things get even more complicated. Great voice, very funny, do read.
Sally Nicholls – An Island of Our Own
My full review of this will be in the next Inis magazine but for the moment let’s just say it’s a very charming update to typical treasure hunt quests, and will tug on your heartstrings (but the ‘by Sally Nicholls’ part probably gave that bit away anyway).
Ann M Martin – Bummer Summer
Ann M Martin’s first book, published over 30 years ago, but quite pleasing; Kammie’s father and stepmother have sent her off to camp because she’s struggling with the new family arrangements. She’s not delighted to be there – but she also doesn’t want to be at home with her bratty stepsiblings. An authentic and still relevant MG tale.
Hannah Moskowitz – Not Otherwise Specified
This book touches on topics over-simplified by other YA. There’s eating disorders and dance and musical theatre and bisexuality and all kinds of good stuff, but at the heart is Etta – a girl who’s never been skinny enough to be perceived as sick, even during her eating disorder; a girl whose lesbian friends have disowned her because she dated a guy, even though she’s always said she waas bisexual. A girl who doesn’t quite fit in with the ‘normal’ kids or with the clearly-labelled ‘others’, and who hasn’t danced ballet ever since she was told she needed to lose weight. A girl who wants to make friends and follow her dreams and stay in recovery. This is a smart contemporary read, the kind of book I wish I had been around when I was a young ‘un.
