YA Spotlight: Historical Fiction

The power of historical fiction is demonstrated when an author can transport the reader into the sensibility of another time.  All three of these books accomplish that goal in a compelling manner.

Come August, Come Freedom by Gigi Amateau (Candlewick, 2012) tells the story of Gabriel Prosser, an African-American slave who organized an uprising in Virginia in 1800.  Amateau researched Prosser extensively, then took the pieces she discovered in primary sources and fashioned them into a gripping portrait of a complex man.  Who would Gabriel be to take on such a mission in his time and place?  What events would take someone from dreaming about freedom to organizing a full-scale rebellion?  Amateau creates a believable, thrilling version of events that examines human motivation beyond the bare bones of the court records.  

Ruta Sepetys' first book, Between Shades of Gray, was a outstanding debut.  She returns with another historical fiction title, but one that is completely different in setting and tone.  Out of the Easy (Philomel, 2013) takes us to 1950s New Orleans. Josie Moraine is the daughter of a prostitute.  Her part-time job is cleaning up the brothel and doing errands for the madam, Willie.  Raised in this world, Josie accepts it but is not eager to embrace it.  Sepetys is particularly good in catching the rhythms of her characters.  The setting is another star here--the mixture of grit, glamour, truth, and deception that Josie sees each day is unforgettable.  Things begin to change when Josie makes a friend who is everything Josie wishes she could be--a college girl with a respectable family.  Sepetys' characters are multi-dimensional however, and most are not all good or bad.  Discovering the many layers within each person is one of the great pleasures of Out of the Easy.

Z:  A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Ann Fowler (St. Martin's Press, 2013) is a fascinating novelization of Zelda Fitzgerald's life.  Fowler takes on some of the criticisms of Zelda--was she really mentally unstable?  jealous of her husband, F. Scott Fitzgerald?--and answers with compassion and insight.  Maybe Zelda was unfairly criticized by people like Ernest Hemingway.  Maybe Scott was jealous of Zelda's abilities.  The story is told from Zelda's point of view, so regardless of whether you believe her, the story is always interesting.  From her debutante years in Alabama, to New York City, Paris, and other European hot spots, Z provides a tantalizing glimpse into a glamorous life.  To prepare for the new Great Gatsby movie coming out in May, re-read that novel along with Z--Lucinda Whitehurst.

YA Spotlight: For fans of The Help--The Dry Grass of August

Do you know YA or adult readers who loved Kathryn Stockett's The Help?    Tell them about The Dry Grass of August by Anna Jean Mayhew (Kensington Books, 2011).

In August, 1954, thirteen-year-old June travels with her mother, sisters, and Mary, their black maid, from their home in Charlotte, N.C., to Florida and back through Georgia.  Mayhew explores the complex relationships between white children and black maids.  June gets more genuine love and affection  from Mary than from her parents, but the relationship always is a bit guarded.  Despite their closeness, June and Mary are restricted by societal roles and expectations.  Mary knows "her place," and changes her manner for survival in various circumstances.  Mary's deference to white people initially is confusing to June, but during the trip June sees more of how the larger world treats black people.  A tragedy forces June to face the terrible truths about her family and her way of life.  Signs of coming change are everywhere once June begins to look.  At one point, June and her older sister Stella argue about Mary.  June says, "But she was our friend," and Stella replies, "We paid her to be."

Although this book is not written specifically for a YA audience, teens and adults will appreciate June's, and Mary's, journey--Lucinda Whitehurst

JMU Picture Book Presentation

What an honor to be invited to speak to the Future Childhood Educators' group at James Madison University!  I know these terrific young people will make a positive difference in our classrooms.  

Reached by Ally Condie

November brought Reached, the conclusion to the series Ally Condie began with Matched and continued with Crossed.  Like Suzanne Collins and Veronica Roth, Condie imagines a future society that is recognizable to us, but in which the government is taking a highly active role in determining the course of individual lives.

Teens and adults both love these books and it is not difficult to understand why.  The issues Condie tackles matter to everyone--in whom or what can we believe (who is the Pilot?); how can we express ourselves (can we all be Poets or artists?); and how can we be healed (where is the Physic?).  As a unit, the three books take readers on an exciting, adventurous journey.  They are a pleasure to read simply for the plot, but Condie goes deeper.  Her characters are complicated people who grow and change.  They demand and engage the reader's attention and involvement.  Match up, cross over, and reach out.  Do not miss these books--Lucinda Whitehurst.

(Matched, 2010; Crossed, 2011; Reached 2012; all Dutton/Penguin)

Gigi Amateau and Michael Rosen at Fountain Bookstore

Richmond author Gigi Amateau and poet Michael J. Rosen and will be signing their new books together at Fountain Bookstore on Friday, November 23, 2012 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Gigi will be signing COME AUGUST, COME FREEDOM and CHANCEY OF THE MAURY RIVER (Candlewick Press).

Michael will be signing these titles:

CHANUKAH LIGHTS (a pop-up Robert Sabuda from Candlewick Press)

THE HOUND DOG'S HAIKU and Other Poems for Dog People (Candlewick Press)

SAILING THE UNKNOWN: Around the World with Captain Cook (Creative Editions, starred review from Kirkus)

RUNNING WITH TRAINS: A Novel in Poetry and Two Voices (Boyds Mills/Wordsong)

MY DOG: A Kid's Guide to Keeping a Happy and Healthy Pet (Workman)

If you’re in town for Thanksgiving, would you consider stopping by Fountain on Friday? Gigi is even making red velvet cupcakes for Fountain shoppers that day!

IQ Kitty Hawk by Roland Smith

 Roland Smith's Kitty Hawk is Book 3 in the IQ series.  These exciting adventure stories are great for fans of the Alex Rider books by Anthony Horowitz.  Followers of Smith's Storm Runners series will be interested to know that a major character crosses over to help IQ and his team rescue the President's kidnapped daughter.  IQ is published by Sleeping Bear Press--Lucinda Whitehurst.

Freakling by Lana Krumwiede

Everyone in Taemon's city possesses psi, an ability that lets them control objects with their minds. Taemon's mind, however, works differently.  He can see into the very nature of things, and use that knowledge in powerful ways.  His parents are worried about his unusual talent and want him to keep quiet.  People are watching both Taemon and his brother Yens, people who want to use the boys for their own dangerous purposes.  

Richmond author Lana Krumwiede makes a strong debut with Freakling.  Her fantasy world is well-imagined, drawing readers in with elements of the familiar enlivened by dashes of magic or science, depending on your viewpoint.  A colony of people without psi provide a refuge for Taemon, but when his friend Amma's family is threatened, Taemon realizes that no place is really safe.  Taemon's journey is both physical and psychological as he tries to discover the source of his power and determine where his responsibilities lie--Lucinda Whitehurst.

(Grades 4-7, Candlewick, 2012)