About the Book:
An absorbing speculative Queer romance, set in a town that uses technology to prevent hate speech and bullying. From the LAMBDA Award-winning author of The Grief Keeper.
When seventeen-year-old Sebastian agrees to come to New Gault to care for his absent and abusive mother after her cancer diagnosis, he is not prepared for the strange new community that awaits him or the distressing state he finds his mother in. He tries to help, but despite being ill, her tongue is as sharp as ever, finding all Sebas’s tender places. But he promised his Abuela he’d try to make this work.
Unfortunately trying also means attending TECH, New Gault’s high school. His first day, he’s assigned to enthusiastic TECH student ambassador, Lu, who introduces him to all TECH can offer—a safe space, free from bullying. But all this safety and technology comes with a catch—not only do you have to watch what you say, but you have to stay within a strict word limit. Sebas declines. To him New Gault feels more like the Stepford Wives than freedom.
For Lu, who suffers from anxiety and has a history of being bullied, TECH is a lifeline somewhere they can be safe. They can’t understand why Sebas would refuse. When Sebas rejects TECH, it feels as if he’s rejecting Lu.
But when Sebas learns if he doesn’t accept the TECH phone and abide by the rules, his mother will be denied cancer treatment, he changes his tune. Slowly, Lu and Sebas form a friendship that morphs into something more, but the closer they get, the more Sebas challenges Lu’s beliefs about TECH and what it means to be safe. Meanwhile, Sebas contemplates how to forgive his dying mother for being no mother at all.
This thought-provoking, tender love story examines what we’re willing to give up to feel safe as two broken teens navigate emotional trauma and discover what blooms may come from the ashes.
*Review Contributed by Adrien Carter, Social Media Assistant and Staff Reviewer*
What I Liked: This book instantly captures your attention, going back and forth between the POV of Sebas and Lu. From the moment you open this book, you want to know just what this new place that Sebas has walked into is and the role that Lu plays in it.
Sometimes you see that there is so much packed into a book and worry if each topic is going to be covered well, which isn’t the case with this book. This book effectively addresses a wide range of topics and thoroughly explores each one. The topics that this book goes over include disability, caretaking, gender, sexuality, family dynamics, and the role of technology in the future.
This book touches on what life looks like with anxiety and ADHD, and how this can complicate daily tasks. Through Lu, we get a glimpse into how their anxiety has been controlling their life and the things that they use to cope with this. We also see how the combination of anxiety and ADHD complicates things for them, especially when their past is at the door.
It also goes into being a caretaker for a parent who hasn’t been in your life and who can be abusive. Through Sebas’s point of view, we get to witness him finding out the real reason his mom asked him to come to New Gault. We get to be privy to the dynamic between him and his mother and how things shift once she gets what she wanted from him. This will constantly break your heart as you hope, just as Sebas does for a change from his mother that may never come.
This book also touches on gender and sexuality, and what being visibly queer meant for Lu and what it means now. We get a chance to see what Lu believed before moving into this town about gender and sexuality, and how this has shaped past events in their life.
While this book incorporates many topics, there is also a romance going on between Lu and Sebas that develops naturally. This romance is sweet and heartwarming as they both support each other through difficult moments. Another thing that was interesting to have as part of this story was Sebas’s reading tarot cards as his job, as well as his connection to his family that he left behind. The moments in which he is reading cards for Lu are important, as this is a way of letting them get a glimpse into his world and bonding with them.
Final Verdict: Fireblooms is a fascinating story about emerging technology and the impact that surveillance has on the world. If you enjoyed The Grief Keeper from the same author or Always Human, then this is one that you will enjoy.
*Find More Info & Buy This Book HERE!*
About the Book:
In this haunting story about family, legacy, and sacrifice, a young Black girl living in a Texas sundown town must find the courage to stand up for what’s right even when it means facing impossible choices—perfect for fans of Dear Martin and The Hate U Give.
Fifteen-year-old Lala Russell is doing a bad job at being a Black girl. She has social justice fatigue, and she doesn’t want to join the Black Alliance Club at her school (even though she agrees with them). A gifted cellist, she’s focused on leaving her small town and accomplishing her goals and dreams. But Lala has also inherited another gift, her grandmother Sadie’s gift of foresight. She has visions of the future—and they always come true.
In Davey, the Texas sundown town she lives in, there is growing tension, as a Black organization attempts to diversify the nearly all-white part of town. Amidst violent protests, Lala has a vision. In it, a Black teenage boy is shot in the chest by a white homeowner. Now Lala has a mission: find the boy and save him.
But Grandma Sadie has a vision too. After the boy’s murder, a wave of protests breaks out. And the outrage over the casual and frequent slaying of unarmed Black children will result in unprecedented change. Change that won’t happen if the vision is altered. Lala is faced with an existential question—can she allow herself to sacrifice one life to, in turn, save many? And if so, whose life will she choose?
*Review Contributed by Adrien Carter, Social Media Assistant and Staff Reviewer*
What I liked: From the description of this book, you know going in that this book is going to tackle some heavy subjects, such as racism, racial injustice, death, and more. Given this, I was prepared for a story that would break my heart; what I wasn’t prepared for was the mixture of feelings that happened as I read this story. Yes, your heart will break, but there’ll also be anger, frustration, awe, joy, and more.
This book does a great job of incorporating Lala’s gift into the story as you get to see some less meaningful flashes, but then you also see flashes that have an impact on her family and friends. The moment in which her grandmother takes her back in time and then shows her the house is a moving moment in which we see the real impact of a movement, and how movements get started. It was fascinating to see this take on how movements happen, and what starts them and how one small thing could’ve changed the trajectory of someone, which would’ve changed history.
Something that stood out in this book was Lala’s insistence that she gets all sides of something before making her final decision about what she does with the flash. She takes time to get to know each of the boys that it could be in the flash, and in those moments, you easily see why she feels the need to intervene. Then you also get a chance to see things her grandma shows her to try and let her know why she can’t intervene, which are also important. Getting the chance to see all of these sides shows you the hard spot that Lala is in now and creates tension in the story as you don’t know which answer is the right one.
While this book is a story about racial injustice and just how it impacts so many different people, it is also a story of hope. This story lets us hope that one person can make a change, and as it shows, this has been the case in the past. One person can start a movement that serves as the catalyst for change and can empower a lot of people to ensure that change occurs.
The ending of this story is beautiful as it is set in the future, and the hope would be that there’s one movement left to put an end to everything. This gives you hope that one day, all children in the jump house are going to get their souls released and move on. The multiple flashes that Lala gets at the end provide great closure to this story as things come full circle from the beginning.
Final Verdict: Split the Sky is a powerful and moving book, highlighting the reality of racial injustice while also showcasing the importance of community. This book is perfect for fans of The Hate U Give, This Is My America, Light it Up, and Slay. Young adults will enjoy the elements in this story where Lala’s flashes are incorporated, and seeing how she makes decisions once she has gathered all the information.
*Find More Info & Buy This Book HERE!*
About the Book:
Two starred reviews!
In this compelling, moving story that “beautifully tackles race, social justice, and disability” (School Library Journal, starred review), a Black, autistic teen tries to figure out what happened the night his older brother was unjustly arrested.
All Aiden has ever wanted to do was play football just like his star quarterback brother, Brandon. An overstimulation meltdown gets in the way of Aiden making the team during summer tryouts, but when the school year starts and a spot unexpectedly needs to be filled, he finally gets a chance to play the game he loves.
However, not every player is happy about the new addition to the team, wary of how Aiden’s autism will present itself on game day. Tensions rise. A fight breaks out. Cops are called.
Brandon interferes on behalf of his brother, but is arrested by the very same cops who, just hours earlier, were chanting his name from the bleachers. When he’s wrongly charged for felony assault on an officer, everything Brandon has worked for starts to slip away, and the brothers’ relationship is tested. As Brandon’s trial inches closer, Aiden is desperate to figure out what really happened that night. Can he clear his brother’s name in time?
*Review Contributed by Adrien Carter, Social Media Assistant and Staff Reviewer*
What I Liked: This is a book that will stick with me for a while after I finish the last page. It is one that I am recommending to everyone around me especially the neurotypical people in my life. This portrayal of Autism was realistic and shows the range of the spectrum and how Autistic people differ from one another and have various needs. This book showcases the importance of friends and family when navigating various systems.
There are many important conversations that appear throughout this book, such as the conversations regarding race, police brutality, being Autistic, and how that impacts the individual as well as those around them, and doing the right thing even when it is hard. This book touches on how, regardless of economic status, Black people are still treated differently and have a harder time navigating the world. Aiden’s parents wanted to protect him, so they moved to a more affluent and predominantly White neighborhood, yet Aiden points out that this didn’t make a difference because his brother still got arrested and is being tried as an adult for things he didn’t do.
There are various moments in which Aiden uses the skills that he learned from his family and friends to support others, such as the knowledge that deep pressure helps calm him down. Without providing y’all with spoilers, there is a moment on the field in which emotions are heightened, yet Aiden remains calm and provides his team with the tools they need to regulate their emotions. It is in this moment that Aiden realizes his importance to the team, but also that the team recognizes and sees him.
Final Verdict: All The Noise at Once is an intriguing read that covers many heavy topics with grace, the topics that are covered are racism, police brutality, being on the spectrum, the intersectionality of being Black and Autistic, and more. This is a must read for anyone aged 14 and up to read a genuine portrayal of an Autistic teen who is navigating high school, as social stigma and racial injustice surround him.
*Find More Info & Buy This Book HERE!*
About This Book:
Covid lockdown is over, but A’s world feels smaller than ever. Coming out as trans didn’t exactly go well, and most days, he barely leaves his bedroom, let alone the house. But the low point of A’s life isn’t online school, missing his bar mitzvah, or the fact that his parents monitor his phone like hawks—it’s the weekly Save Our Sons and Daughters meetings his parents all but drag him to.
At SOSAD, A and his friends Sal and Yarrow sit by while their parents deadname them and wring their hands over a nonexistent “transgender craze.” After all, sitting in suffocating silence has to be better than getting sent away for “advanced treatment,” never to be heard from again.
When Yarrow vanishes after a particularly confrontational meeting, A discovers that SOSAD doesn’t just feel soul-sucking…it’s run by an actual demon who feeds off the pain and misery of kids like him. And it’s not just SOSAD—the entire world is beset by demons dining on what seems like an endless buffet of pain and bigotry.
But how is one trans kid who hasn’t even chosen a name supposed to save his friend, let alone the world? And is a world that seems hellbent on rejecting him even worth saving at all?
*Review Contributed by Adrien Guerra, Social Media Assistant and Staff Reviewer*
A came out as trans during the covid lockdown which is now over but A’s life still isn’t going according to plan. A’s parents drag him to weekly Save Our Sons and Daughters (SOSAD) meetings hoping that A being trans is only a phase. At the SOSAD meeting, A has made two friends, Sal and Yarrow, and they all sit silent as their parents deadname them so that they don’t get sent away for “advanced treatment”. After all the SOSAD individuals who have been sent away were never heard from again. Yarrow is tired of staying silent and finally speaks up, only to vanish shortly after that. A decides to try to find Yarrow and in doing that finds out that SOSAD is run by a demon who is feeding off the pain and misery of trans youth. It is up to A to defeat the demons who seem to be all around the world along with the help of some new friends. Will he be able to figure out this puzzle?
What I Liked: This book opens by introducing you to A and the life he is currently living. At the beginning of the book you also get a glimpse at some SOSAD meetings and get to meet Sal and Yarrow along with all of the character’s parents. Right from the start of the book, it was clear that this book was reflective of the current political climate towards transgender people.
A is fairly young and makes a lot of mistakes throughout the book which makes him a realistic main character. This book shows how everyone can make mistakes and that there is even room for Trans people to make errors on people’s pronouns as they are learning. The book shows the importance of intent when it comes to the errors made when interacting with Trans people yet it also shows that even when the intent is well-mannered there can still be a negative impact. There are moments in which Sal calls A out and speaks about the differences between life as a Trans woman. While this book is fiction there is a lot that one can learn from reading it about what life is like for Trans people and the lessons that A learns as he has more conversations with the golem.
This book touches a lot upon Jewish religion and folklore which was fascinating to learn about. The lore that surrounds the Golem and the various demons that A encounters is explained in a way that is accessible. There are moments in which the Golem is speaking in a manner that may be difficult for a younger audience to understand but the context clues surrounding those passages are helpful.
Throughout the whole book, there are people who deadname the transgender characters but as a reader, you don’t get to ever know the deadnames as they appear as dashes. Throughout the book, A hasn’t decided what their permanent name will be and has this discussion with his friends. There is a beautiful moment in which A is sitting with the Golem who has told him to move forward. There is a lot that he has to let go of, it is in this moment that you watch as A lets go of his expectations of others and learns of the harm he has caused his friends unintentionally because of some of those expectations.
Final Verdict: A World Worth Saving is a powerful and insightful read that offers representation and education on transgender experiences while also incorporating Jewish folklore. This book provides a realistic portrayal of a young trans character navigating identity, mistakes, and personal growth which makes this a great story for children who are exploring their own gender identity so that they feel seen and less alone. This is also an important read for adults who are looking to better understand trans experiences, and the impact of language, intent, and expectations.
*Find More Info & Buy This Book HERE!*
About This Book:
Paletero Man meets Besos for Baby in this Spanish-English counting picture book that’s bursting with all the love, laughter, and chaos found at a large family gathering.
Sundays are the best: that’s when a little girl and her mamá, abuelitos, tías and primos all gather together to eat yummy menudo, a traditional Mexican soup. But when playtime with the cousins and family dogs gets out of hand and Abuelito Esteban’s special bowl of menudo breaks, everyone has to pitch in to make a new batch! Through all the menudo mishaps and sneaky snacks for perritos with wagging tails, young readers will giggle as they learn to count from 1-15 in Spanish and English. Bonus materials at the back of the book include a glossary of Spanish words, a note from the author, and tips for hosting your very own Menudo Sunday!
*Review Contributed by Adrien Carter, Newsletter Manager and Staff Reviewer*
It’s Sunday, and that’s the best day, because that’s when a little girl and her family gather to eat menudo, a traditional Mexican soup. Unfortunately, playtime between the cousins and their dogs gets rambunctious, and Abuelito Esteban’s special bowl of Menudo breaks. No need to fret, though; they will just make a new batch.
What I Liked: Menudo Sunday does a great job of teaching children to count up and down from 1 to 15 in Spanish and English. This book achieves this through the buildup to the breaking of the Menudo bowl, and then through the creation of the new batch. The illustrations throughout this book are warm and inviting, making you feel as if you have entered someone’s home. It was great to see what the day looked like as they were preparing for the Menudo and what happened when the bowl broke. It was refreshing to see how everyone reassured the children that things would be okay, and then they all worked together to make their new batch.
There are several Spanish words sprinkled throughout this book that are later defined in a glossary. The few Spanish terms that are included will be easy for a non-Spanish speaker as the images and context clues will be able to keep the story moving along. The author also includes a note and tips for hosting their own Menudo Sunday, which sounds like a fun tradition to start with your own family.
Final Verdict: Menudo Sunday is a fun book that helps children learn to count from 1 to 15 in both English and Spanish in a way that keeps young audiences’ attention. Children ages 3 and up will enjoy listening to this story, especially children who share in these traditions, and can relate to what the weekends look like when they are with their families. Adults will also enjoy passing down these memories with their children as they teach them how to count.
*Find More Info & Buy This Book HERE!*
We would like to take a moment to thank all the wonderful authors, publishers, and publicists out there who have so graciously sent these books to our review staff. We would also like to thank all our YABC community members who visit our site each day.
