Too Bright To See by Kyle Lukoff

I picked up this book because of all of the shiny stickers on the cover!  I mean- wow!  Too Bright to See has earned a lot of praise- the Stonewall Book Award, National Book Award Finalist, and it is a Newbery Honor book. In our library, it sits in the Mystery section. This book is definitely mysterious, but it is also sad, intriguing, beautiful and hard.  The main character, Bug, is grieving the loss of her beloved uncle.  She and her mom have lived with him in an old, haunted house out in the country.  Uncle Roderick taught Bug about ghosts, but she never imagined he would become one.  

While this books is about grieving the loss of a loved one, it is even more so about identity and self-discovery. Bug is about to begin middle school. As your read Bug's internal thoughts and learn more about her, you can't help but feel a little confused. She seems discontent, not just about the absence of her uncle, but about herself.  Spoiler: you eventually figure out that Bug doesn't feel like a girl. Bug feels more content and at peace as a boy.  

This is my first book to read where the protagonist is transgender.  It was interesting to learn about some of the possible thoughts and feelings that someone may experience in this kind of life journey.  In the author's notes, you find out that Kyle Lukoff was born a girl, but transitioned to the male gender as a teenager. So I think he writes Bug's character from a relatable and realistic perspective. 

I don't love sad books, and I don't love scary books. This book was a little bit of both. But this book is a perfect example of why READING IS SO IMPORTANT! Through this fictional, middle-grade story, I was able to learn and develop more compassion and empathy for those whose stories are like Bug's.  And I am grateful for that. 

 

Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor (Book 1 of The Nsibidi Script Series)

 

-from https://nnedi.com/books/akata-witch/

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Okorafor, Nnedi. 2017. AKATA WITCH (NSIBIDI SCRIPTS, BOOK 1). Badaki, Yetide (Narrator). New York: Speak. ISBN 978-0-399-16030-1.

2. PLOT SUMMARY

Sunny Nwazue is a 12 year old Nigerian girl who is albino. She appears to be different from everyone around her, but she soon finds kindred spirits. Her friends, Orlu, Chichi, and Sasha guide her into the discovery of her magical identity and the powers that are available to her. The friends create a supernatural coven that tries to stop a violent killer in their community, while also figuring out the ordinary challenges of adolescence. 

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book is fascinating.  It is full of interesting Nigerian cultural references, and imaginative supernatural elements. The mystical elements of shape shifting, healing, and spells seem to correspond naturally with the background of African tribal culture. Juju is a common element in the Leopard community, which is the name for those blessed with supernatural powers. 

  

The severity of the violence is a little unnerving. The antagonist in this story is a serial killer, whose victims are all children, under the age of 16. The children are murdered, and also maimed. The presence of this evil is neither the focus of the story, nor is it described in detail. However, it seems like violence of that nature could be disturbing for younger adolescent readers.  It was for me.  

Okorafor includes descriptive details for her adolescent readers to enjoy.  For example, Sunny’s interest and play in soccer is relatable to many youths. Whether it is remarking that Sunny drinks Fanta soda with her okra soup or the commentary on the magical bird’s big “pile of poo,” Okorafor includes details to relate and entertain her intended young audience. 

Overall, the storyline focuses on the discovery of the characters’ magical powers and the introduction of the Leopard community. There is not a traditional, straight plot line, with a central conflict and resolution.

4. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Booklist, May 2011: “Okorafor’s high-spirited characters, sly humor, archetypal themes, and inventive reworking of coming-of-age journeys will leave readers eager for this series starter’s planned sequels.”

Horn Book Magazine, May 2011

Kirkus Reviews, March 2011

Library Media Connection, October 2011

Publishers Weekly, February 2011: “Although a bit slow getting started, this tale is filled with marvels and is sure to appeal to teens whose interest in fantasy goes beyond dwarves and fairies.”

School Library Journal, June 2011

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA), June 2011

5. CONNECTIONS
*Other contemporary African novels are Ikenga by Nnedi Okorafor, City of Saints & Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson, or The bitter side of sweet by Tara Sullivan. Although they are fiction, these books could offer insightful cultural perspectives. 

*It would be really fun to do a Magical Fantasy book club, comparing and contrasting Harry Potter-like novels, where a young person is learning how to conduct his/her magic. There are several similar books that feature protagonists in other cultures or parts of the world, like The Marvellers, by Dhonielle Clayton, Solimar: the sword of the monarchs, by Pam Munoz Ryan, or The girl who drank the moon, by Kelly Regan Barnhill.

All Fall Down (Embassy Row series- Book 1) by Ally Carter

 

-from https://allycarter.com/books/

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Carter, Ally. 2015. ALL FALL DOWN. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 978-0-545-65474-6. 

2. PLOT SUMMARY
At thirteen, Grace suffered through the tragic loss of her mother. Now at sixteen, she finds herself back on Embassy Row in Adria, where she spent her childhood summers with her grandfather, the American Ambassador. Grace is plagued by memories of her mother, as well as memories from the night she died.  She is convinced her mother was murdered by a man with a scarred face, but no one seems to believe her due to her reputation of mishaps and fumbles. Grace, along with an eclectic mix of co-conspirators, search high and low to find the one responsible for her mother’s death.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Admittedly, this is not my favorite YA book.  It is not a bad book, but it is not exceptionally good, like most of the other books I have posted on this blog. I was excited to read a mystery novel, and there were thrilling parts of the story. This is the first book in a trilogy, and I am somewhat tempted to read the following books to see if the unfinished storyline comes to a satisfying ending.  

The main character, Grace, has experienced personal trauma. Due to this, she experiences a lot of flashbacks, anxiety, and even panic attacks. Of course, this affects the first person narrator perspective. Even with the first person voice, the characterization of Grace is challenging to understand. This may or may not be intentional. The secondary characters are very limited in description and depth, which is disappointing. 

The emphasis is definitely on the plot action and the development of the mystery surrounding the mother’s death. The progression of the storyline feels a little disjointed. Transitions aren’t as natural as they could be.

The setting is intriguing. I like political dramas, which is partly why I chose a book set in a foreign diplomatic community. The abandoned Iranian embassy and the ancient underground tunnel system were intriguing backdrops for some of the more exciting parts of the story. 

I hope the following books continue to develop the characters from book one, and help bring the story elements together. 

4. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Booklist, November 2014, “A supporting cast of other spunky teenage children of ambassadors brings levity to the darker turns in this thriller. Readers will be excited for the next book in the series, sure to be a hit with Carter’s already sizable audience.”

Horn Book Guide, October 2015

Kirkus Reviews, November 2014

Publishers Weekly, November 2014

School Library Journal, November 2014, “Grace's justifiable anger and spunk are sure to resonate with teens. With its intrigue and clever plot twists, this series opener will leave readers hungering for more.”

Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA), February 2015

5. CONNECTIONS
*This is the first book in the Embassy Row series, by Ally Carter. See how they run is book two, and Take the key and lock her up is book three. Carter is also known for her Gallagher Girl series, which contains six books, and Heist Society series, which contains three books. Her most recent books are the Winterborne Home books. 

*All Fall Down could join with other mysteries for a book club or even book display, with books like Girl Forgotten by April Henry, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson, or The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson.