Shelf Awareness--These Violent Delights

YA Review: These Violent Delights

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 464p., ages 13-up, 9781534457690)

Chloe Gong's debut novel, a vibrant, bloodcurdling retelling of Romeo and Juliet, is set in an alternate 1920s Shanghai divided for generations by the rival White Flowers and Scarlet gangs. Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov are ex-lovers, bitter enemies and heirs to the crime syndicates. When a madness causes members of both gangs to begin dying en masse, the pair find themselves secretly keeping company once again.

Juliette, recently returned from a four-year exile in New York, is eager to take her place as next in line to lead the Scarlet Gang. She needs to be a nefarious, "callous killer" at all times, but her cousin finds "every opportunity to upstage her." At the same time, her first love, Roma, is also trying to establish his right to be his father's successor. But when Scarlets, White Flowers and the innocent people of Shanghai all begin to "gouge their own throats out," Juliette and Roma grudgingly join forces and defy deeply entrenched gang tradition to unearth what's behind the madness. Tensions between political factions escalate and the two must reckon with each other, their families and new forces--perhaps even "the devil himself"--encroaching on their traditional territories and power.

Gong's lushly worded, thrilling historical fantasy (terrific for fans of Libba Bray's Diviners series) is a fresh take on one of Shakespeare's most famous plays. Her dynamic city throbs with life and lascivious behavior as downtrodden workers share space with decadent overlords. The gripping stakes, diverse and compelling characters and all-consuming mystery make this a particularly rich and rewarding debut. --Lynn Becker, blogger and host of Book Talk, a monthly online discussion of children's books for SCBWI.

Discover: A mysterious madness--and a monster--cause the people of Shanghai to rip out their own throats in this YA Romeo and Juliet retelling set in the 1920s.

Shelf Awareness--I Am the Wind

PB Review: I Am the Wind

I Am the Wind by Michael Karg, illus. by Sophie Diao (Page Street Kids, 32p., ages 4-8, 9781624149221)

Playful, evocative text and art define this creative nonfiction picture book, an author and illustrator debut, which follows the whooshing, whirling and whispering wind as it visits 11 different animals--plus a human child--in various habitats around the world.

This story begins and ends in a city where, despite the "cold and dusky damp," a frisky breeze delights one young girl as it stirs autumn leaves. The wind moves on to "float in a barred owl's flight" above snowy fields, "scale the highest peaks" with a wolverine, race "like a river" with wolves and settle with "musk ox in massive coats... on a starry polar night." It electrifies "the heavens for a festive reindeer picnic," whistles through a "snow leopard ledge" and "serenade[s] some geese" over Everest. On and on it goes, all the while proudly proclaiming, "I AM THE WIND."

Michael Karg's expressive text makes excellent use of alliteration and repetition, and his personification of the wind serves as a perfect vehicle to whisk readers away to far-flung regions of the world. Sophie Diao's digital illustrations evoke the near constant motion of the journey, employing a variety of dynamic viewpoints to bring both wind and animals to boisterous life. Back matter includes a map, a short explanation of the way wind interacts with wildlife and an additional fact or two for each animal featured in the book. I Am the Wind serves as an age-appropriate introduction and global ode to this restless force of nature, one always ready "to lift again, and sing and swirl and soar." --Lynn Becker, blogger and host of Book Talk, a monthly online discussion of children's books for SCBWI.

Discover: An exuberant wind proudly escorts readers on a journey to visit animals around the globe.

December's Recommendations

Novels:

TROWBRIDGE ROAD, by Marcella Pixley immediately suffuses readers in the magic of a summer afternoon in 1983, as June Bug, hungry and dealing with her mentally ill, germaphobic mother, meets Ziggy, whose own mother has unceremoniously dropped him off to stay with his Nana Jean. June Bug and Ziggy’s budding friendship allows them to deal with some heavy issues, while love in all its imperfections is explored and celebrated. This luminous, literary novel was recently longlisted for the National Book Award. (MG)

In THE WAY PAST WINTER, by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, legend says that Eldbjorn is a bear whose den lies in the “heart-center” of Eldbjorn Forest,” a bear who is the reason the forest stays alive, a bear who rages against the humans who move in with their “glinting axes.” Mia loves this story, and the forest, too. But when winter lasts for five years, and a stranger spirits away Mila’s brother Oskar, Mila knows she will do whatever it takes to get Oskar back. This folklore-tinged magical adventure is the perfect choice for reading inside on an icy winter’s day. (MG)

Picture Books:

In GNU AND SHREW, written by Danny Schnitzlein and illustrated by Anca Sandu, the title animals meet at a riverbank. While Gnu is content to stay safely ashore, dreaming up ideas that will someday allow him to see what lies across the river, Shrew uses those ideas to build a boat so he can explore for himself. The pencil illustrations, colored digitally, are expressive and endearing.

A POLAR BEAR IN THE SNOW, written by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Shawn Harris, is a deceptively simple, beautifully illustrated picture book for ages 0 to 4. The text engages young readers by asking questions about where the polar bear is going, and the cut paper and ink art beautifully describes his progress. It’s rather perfect, really.

In EVELYN DEL REY IS MOVING AWAY, written by Meg Medina, illustrated by Sonia Sanchez, the title character is the “numéro uno best friend” of narrator Daniela. The two girls live across the street from each other, in apartments that are “mostly the same,” just like them. This touching story of a close friendship turning long distance is chock full of character and creative fun. Digital illustrations are full of color, interesting textures, and are appealingly designed.

THE PAPER BOAT: A REFUGEE STORY, a wordless picture book by Thao Lam, interweaves two threads of Lam’s own journey from Vietnam to Canada as a very young child. Her parents must flee the Vietcong, and family legend says that a trail of ants helped her mother find her way. Designed in panels like a graphic novel, this is sophisticated fare, with creative illustrations that leave readers plenty to consider.

--Lynn

December's Book of the Month--Ways to Make Sunshine

December’s Book Talk book is the uplifting middle grade novel, WAYS TO MAKE SUNSHINE, by the Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Renée Watson. This story stars a plucky, force-of-nature heroine named Ryan Hart, a fourth grader who rarely lets anything get her down for long. Ryan means “king,” and her mother wants her to “feel powerful”--like a leader--every time she hears it.

Even though most people assume it's a boy’s name, Ryan knows that it’s her name and she tries to live up to it. But life can be so complicated. Her parents say the family must move to a smaller, more affordable house in a new neighborhood, where they will "have to make some adjustments." And fourth grade is tough, no matter how you look at it. Luckily, having a loving family in your corner, a creative mind, and a boatload of confidence all help. Throw in a little mystery surrounding some hairpins found in Ryan’s new closet and the fourth grade talent show and you get this well-crafted young middle grade that kids are sure to gobble up. It's the first in a series.

--Lynn