Novel in Verse, Realistic Fiction
239 pages
Change is always hard, and Macy has her fair share this year. Her mom is getting married, they are leaving their home for this new family, and since she’s fighting with her best friend, there’s no one to turn to. She can visit with her elderly neighbor who’s sweet, but she doesn’t know sign language which makes communicating (Macy’s deaf) difficult. In the end though, the stories they have for each other are exactly what they both need to hear.
I loved that this novel was told in verse with different fonts for sign language and written words. It can be hard for a deaf person to catch every word, but with some homemade cookies and a little self-reflection, she just might learn to notice what is most important in her life.
What do you like to do to get your mind off things? For Lolly, it’s building with Legos. Of course he has a lot on his mind: his brother was killed, he and his friend are harassed by a rival gang, his parents aren’t together, and money is tight, so his Lego building is immense. In fact, he’s imagined an entire world that first takes over his room at home and then takes over the room in the rec center. When he’s forced to share his space and his Legos with Big Rose his tension only grows. The characters and situations in this story are fiercely realistic and engaging. For a kid who has a lot going against him, he’s got a really fascinating path ahead of him if he can just stay on it.
Della Kelly is only 12, but she would do anything to protect her family from her mother’s illness. Della’s mama has schizophrenia and it’s scary how she spirals out of control right before her daughter’s eyes. Maybe if Della could do all the chores, care for her wild baby sister, and sell all the vegetables in the stand each day it would get mama the rest she needs to heal. But it’s the driest summer she can remember and with the heat and the stress rising, her family is in trouble. No one wants to admit that they are in over their heads, but if they don’t learn how to take some help, everything could fall to pieces.
Armpit is back home, 2 years after Camp Green Lake where he was “rehabilitated” after a fight. He’s doing all the right things–working hard at his summer job, following the rules, and protecting his friend Ginny who has cerebral palsy but still sees right into Armpit’s true self. It’s not his fault that his old friend X-Ray gets him fake tickets for the concert or that he falls for the lead singer in the band. Theodore still has to prove that he’s the good guy.
A feral can communicate with a certain animal, and Caw can talk to crows. He never knew there was a name for what he was; he just knew he relied on his dark winged friends for his survival. But something is changing all around him, and it’s not good. He’s been viciously attacked, surviving only because of a new friend who was looking out for him, and his secret nest has been exposed. Orphaned and alone, Caw has never felt comfortable or safe around people, but he’s going to need help to understand who he is and how to combat the evil lurking all around him. Years ago, the city was under siege by the Spinning Man, and he is showing up again. The last defenders of this dark force are old and beaten, but perhaps a few are willing to let Caw in on some of their secrets. Honestly, who knows how many of them are hiding in the city.
To be honest, I read this book because we’re in a pandemic and I wanted to see what happened in 1793. In Philadelphia, 10% of the population died from Yellow Fever, and Philadelphians were quarantined from other towns. Of course it’s different because we have the technology for breathing machines, grocery stores and refrigeration, and we can generally stay informed about the virus’ transmission. Also, we are much more mobile, so we come in contact with many more people. However, the similarities are fascinating. People debate how best to combat a virus, and worry about their loved ones. They want to help their neighbors and hope to keep their businesses afloat. I loved the fight in Matilda and the hope she held onto despite the horrific death and devastation all around her. She grows up fast, but she holds onto the things that matter most.