Written in the Stars (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2015) by Aisha Saeed is a heartbreaking story that needs to be told (and read). It’s natural for teens and parents to be in strife at some level, but in this story author Aisha Saeed casts the light on parent/daughter strife that has crossed into abuse when girls are forced into marriage.
Here’s a brief introduction to the novel:
Naila in some ways is a typical American high school girl. In other ways she’s living the culture her Pakistani immigrant parents order. She thinks her parents will understand her love for Saif if they just meet him. But she can’t tell them about him as she isn’t supposed to be dating. And now that’s she’s gotten an acceptance letter to college her parents are debating about whether she can even go. Disaster strikes when she and her best friend Carla cook up a plan that lets Naila go to prom with Saif . . . and her parents find out. Not only is Naila not allowed to graduate with her peers, her parents whisk the family to Pakistan for a “visit.” Well, they’ll be visiting. Naila will be forced to marry a Pakistani man and make it her home.
The book was listed as a best book of 2015 by Bank Street Books, a 2016 YALSA Quick Pick For Reluctant Readers, and was named one of the top ten books all Young Georgians Should Read 2016. (I’d like to see every teen read it!)
Aisha Saeed is a founding member of the nonprofit We Need Diverse Books™. She’s also an example of a happy arranged marriage. Read more about her on her website.
Tag: diversity
Echo
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
Echo (Scholastic Press, 2015) by Pam Muñoz Ryan is a 2016 Newbery Honor book–my vote is for the top award as it is so amazing.
Four stories, four different time periods, different cultures, and a prophecy, a promise and a harmonica are all woven together in an unexpected way. Otto’s story is very short, but it kicks off with mystery when he gets lost in the forest. He must pass the harmonica on at the right time. Over sixty years later we meet Friedrich struggling with hiding his birthmark in a country gone crazy labeling someone like him a defective–welcome to Nazi Germany. He finds and passes on the harmonica. Next we jump two years later to an orphanage for destitute children in Pennsylvania to be with Mike who is trying to make sure he and his little brother stay together . . . somehow. Again, the harmonica plays an important part. Seven years later we meet Ivy in California dealing with prejudice for her Hispanic background and another family’s Japanese heritage. The harmonica comes to her, too.
Each of the three main stories were heart-jerking and so important for kids (and adults) today to hear. I love how the book is resolved. This really is a must read! (It’s also a New York Times bestseller.)
The author is an eclectic writer with books in the following categories: novels, picture books, early readers, and short stories in anthologies. Learn more about her here.
Just My Luck
Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
Just My Luck (Harper, 2016) by Cammie McGovern is a touching story.
Fourth grader Benny Barrows has so much to worry about–not being able to ride his bike, Dad’s accident might be his fault, finding a new friend, the new contest at school… He doesn’t think anyone else has more problems than they do which makes it hard to follow his mom’s advice of thinking about someone else’s problem and trying to help them.
The author created a sympathetic and believable character in Benny. Cammie McGovern also writes YA and adult books. Read more here.
Bottled
BOTTLED (Clean Reads, 2016) by Carol Riggs is a YA Fantasy that’s a modern take on a genie story.
Adeelah Naji was seventeen a thousand years ago when she was turned in to a genie. She’s still seventeen. And still imprisoned in a bottle and having to serve masters who don’t care about her. Adeelah wants to find Karim, the boy she fell in love with, but has to have her master’s permission to search for him. She’s also on the run from Faruq, although masters have a tendency not to believe he is a threat.
This book snagged my attention from the start and pulled me through it quickly. I sympathized with Adeelah and love the humor: “I must say, this guy isn’t the swiftest camel in the caravan.” The story really ramps up when Adeelah ends up with a seventeen-year-old master named Nathan.
I got to interview Carol about this story for some background info and what she’s working on next.
1. Where/how did you come up with the idea for Bottled?
From watching “I Dream of Jeannie” when I was young. I loved the magic in the show, even though the chaos of Jeannie messing everything up before she fixed it drove me nuts. At the time I wrote BOTTLED, there also weren’t any genie novels around that I knew of, so I thought it was unique. Now, there are a number of genie novels, but I still feel BOTTLED is different enough to bring a fresh slant to the subgenre.
2. What kind of research did you do into genies and the Arabian culture?
I didn’t do a TON of research since most of the novel is set in the U.S. (and a chapter or so in Kenya), but I did research the history and geography of the Arabian area, coins, insects, and foods like sage tea and al kabsa. I checked out Arabian names. I delved a little into djinns/jinns, and decided I wanted there to be a difference in Adeelah (main character) versus a “real” genie/djinn that I described as evil spirits like demons, beings that aren’t wise to be associated with.
3. How long did it take you to write the book?
I started BOTTLED in early 2011, got interrupted by life and line-edits for my debut, and finally finished the rough draft in 2013. So it was pretty stretched out due to other commitments and projects. I revised it off and on since 2013, and tightened and polished it up again just before submitting it to Clean Reads in January 2016.
4. I know you have another book coming out this fall. What’s that one about and who is publishing it?
My next book is a YA light sci-fi by my debut publisher, Entangled Teen. I wrote it in 2010-11 (right before BOTTLED), and I’m delighted it’s finally going to be released in October. Originally the title was SAFE ZONE, but my editor wanted something zippier and less “stiff” so now it has now been retitled as THE LYING PLANET. It’s the story of a teen named Jay Lawton who lives on the terraformed (made to be like Earth) planet of Liberty, and finds out everything he thought he knew about his world isn’t true. Which of course throws his life into chaos and causes lots of hopefully interesting conflict. It’s on Goodreads already but it doesn’t have a cover yet.
Keep up with Carol on her website and twitter.
Booked
Booked (HarperCollins, 2016) by Kwame Alexander is a novel in verse that tells the story of eighth grader Nick Hall.
Nick is a soccer star, victim of a dad who makes him read a book called Weird and Wonderful Words–written by Dad, daydreamer, and class comedian. He also has a crush on a certain girl, and his friend Coby and he have a pact about having girlfriends by ninth grade. Life is looking good, but some unpleasant surprises are headed Nick’s way.
I loved how Nick complains about the words his dad makes him learn, yet he uses them in conversation. He’s a nice mix of realistic attributes and emotion and humor. I also liked that Nick gets encouragement from a teacher during his struggles.
The author creates sympathy for Nick in this easy to read book. And I bet many kids are enjoying poetry because of Kwame Alexander’s many books. Read all about this impressive author on his website.