Best Teen & Young Adult African American Fiction eBooks
A National Book Award Longlist title with eight starred reviews! Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. This story is important.” (Kirkus Reviews (starred review) ). “Though Thomas’s story is heartbreakingly topical, its greatest strength is in its authentic depiction of a teenage girl, her loving family, and her attempts to reconcile what she knows to be true about their lives with the way those lives are depicted—and completely undervalued—by society at large.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review) ). “Pair this powerful debut with Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely’s ALL AMERICAN BOYS to start a conversation on racism, police brutality, and the Black Lives Matter movement.” (School Library Journal (starred review) ). “Thomas has penned a powerful, in-your-face novel that will similarly galvanize fans of Kekla Magoon’s How It Went Down and Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely’s All American Boys.” (Horn Book (starred review) ).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I had originally said I was not going to read this book, I didn't know how well I would like it, and I don't tend to get involved with things that can make life at work harder for me. I hated reading it, I cried my eyes out, Thomas did such an amazing job of making a horrible action into beautiful fiction that made you feel like you were right there. This was really refreshing to read because so many books, YA especially make parents out to be monsters that don't care, that aren't there for their kids. I mean it is like a troupe or something for these stories and it isn't actually the norm and gets annoying to read, so this book did an amazing job with the parents and family. All around though this story just floored me, it gave me a perspective I have never considered before, offered insights into a world I am not a part of, and I loved every minute of it."
"In January, uber popular author, John Green, tweeted that The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas would become a classic. I can see this book lasting, not because it’s timeless (hopefully the struggles addressed in THUG will be no more, as Starr prophesied), but because it’s a flashpoint in American history that shouldn’t be forgotten even if it’s rectified. Angie Thomas’ debut is the kind of transformative and accessible novel that can touch a variety of readers and have long-lasting effects. They’re vigorous and honest, Angie Thomas’ words giving them breath, blood, and life. If you’ve read the blurb, then you know the Black Lives Matter movement inspires this novel. Experiencing the effects of that moment from Starr’s perspective is gut wrenching, although, I can foresee some readers feeling numb. Her rage over her friend’s murder is the emotion that steals the show, never leading to traditional acceptance. I mean, with all the hype it’s impossible not to go into this book with some expectation and my greatest fear regarding THUG was that it would piss me off."
"This story follows high schooler Starr and how she deals with losing her friend who was shot by a police officer after being pulled over."
"It also portrays gangs, addiction, non-nuclear families, poverty, and low socioeconomic class (and why it exists)."
"I’m not the target audience for a YA book about the injustices suffered by mostly urban minority youth but I am moved by this story and saddened by the knowledge that it is replicated in news items around the US way too often."
"A young girl witnesses her childhood friend being shot by a police officer."
2 Monster
Monster is a multi-award-winning, provocative coming-of-age story that was the first-ever Michael L. Printz Award recipient, an ALA Best Book, a Coretta Scott King Honor selection, and a National Book Award finalist. To calm his nerves as he sits in the courtroom, aspiring filmmaker Steve chronicles the proceedings in movie script format. Interspersed throughout his screenplay are journal writings that provide insight into Steve's life before the murder and his feelings about being held in prison during the trial. Myers, known for the inner-city classic Motown and Didi (first published in 1984), proves with Monster that he has kept up with both the struggles and the lingo of today's teens. Steve is an adolescent caught up in the violent circumstances of an adult world--a situation most teens can relate to on some level. By weaving together Steve's journal entries and his script, Myers has given the first-person voice a new twist and added yet another worthy volume to his already admirable body of work.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The novel takes place in New York, and most of it is inside a Courtroom were the. main character Steve Harmon, is accused of being involved in a robbery that ended up. as a murder case. The question is, "Is Steve an innocent boy who made a wrong. choice and wants to do better now, or is he a murderer who should pay for it?" In the. process of the trial many things occur, there are moments when Steve's lawyer wants to. give up or has little hope."
"The book Monster by Walter Dean Myers is a story on the perspective of a sixteen year old Steve Harmon if he were to make a movie of his experiences. Throughout the book he is constantly going back and forth while trying to figure out: what is going on, what should he say, how should he respond to the prosecution, what had he done that twenty second day of December a few months ago? I also wondered if the author had some inside first-hand experience with what jail is like for him to write such a detailed book about the ordeal."
"All the characters had unique voices and it was paced really well."
"Overall, while the outcome of the trial did not surprise me, it was worth it to pick the book up solely based on its unusual format and for the images that were thrown into my mind as the story progressed."
"Powerful story for youth and adults."
Raw, captivating, and undeniably real, Nic Stone joins industry giants Jason Reynolds and Walter Dean Myers as she boldly tackles American race relations in this stunning debut. Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up— way up, sparking the fury of a white off-duty cop beside them. Shaken by the various responses to these incidents—and to the pro-justice movement that sprang up as a result—Stone began the project in an attempt to examine current affairs through the lens of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s teachings.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Really amazing book. So much insight."
"I must say I am impressed with the many topics this book covers from racial profiling, affirmative action, going along with racist jokes and more. Dear Martin would be a perfect book for a high school class because of the topics it discusses, the engaging story and the short length. The idea that they’ll deal with racism solely because of their skin color guts me and the possibility of someone harming them because of it, I can’t even think about it. Thank you Nic Stone for writing a piece of literature that I hope helps many people see problems of today and revisit how they think."
"Justyce’s story is one of societal racism, police brutality, toxic masculinity, and privilege. His letters to Martin Luther King, Jr. beautifully depict the pain and difficulty that comes with being a black individual in the United States today. Especially coming from two directions.”. Something exceptionally interesting to me about Nic Stone’s writing in this book is her decision to address not only racism, but also the mindset that some individuals in the black community have regarding themselves and other POC. The entire gang discussion in Dear Martin also highlights some serious struggles with toxic masculinity and the way it can effect young people in particular, leading young men to believe that proving their worth means violence, aggression, etc. Among other less-discussed topics in the book, there’s time taken to dive into sexism (like Justyce’s frequent remarks to Manny that he is “such a girl”, which is later challenged), misogynoir and internalized racism (as Justyce’s best friend, Manny, admits that he struggles to find black women attractive, and goes on to categorize them stereotypically and unfairly), and discrimination and how it can impact both sides (Justyce has a crush on his best friend – a Jewish girl named SJ – but refuses to pursue it due to his mother’s insistence that no black son of hers should have anything to do with a white girl). There’s also a heavy line of discussion about police brutality, which we get to see somewhat from both sides: Justyce wonders if one cop’s racism is influenced by having seen his partner shot by a black teen months prior – blame is never 100% placed on either side, and nobody’s actions are justified. As a result of police brutality, Justyce’s best friend’s father joins a protest group (seemingly similar to Black Lives Matter), and is forced to resign from his management position as a result of being seen with “those people”."
"Rating: 5/5. Genre: YA Contemporary. Recommended Age: 15+ (racism, sexual content, language, violence. Trigger warnings for those who may have been victims of extreme racism or prejudice). I received this book for free from KidLitExchange in exchange for my honest review. Justyce McAllister is top of his class and set for the Ivy League—but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs. And despite leaving his rough neighborhood behind, he can't escape the scorn of his former peers or the ridicule of his new classmates. Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up—way up, sparking the fury of a white off-duty cop beside them. So to hear people say that racism doesn’t exist anymore really makes me angry."
Best Teen & Young Adult Prejudice & Racism Fiction
A National Book Award Longlist title with eight starred reviews! Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Some cops and the local drug lord try to intimidate Starr and her family. This story is important.” (Kirkus Reviews (starred review) ). “Though Thomas’s story is heartbreakingly topical, its greatest strength is in its authentic depiction of a teenage girl, her loving family, and her attempts to reconcile what she knows to be true about their lives with the way those lives are depicted—and completely undervalued—by society at large.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review) ). “Pair this powerful debut with Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely’s ALL AMERICAN BOYS to start a conversation on racism, police brutality, and the Black Lives Matter movement.” (School Library Journal (starred review) ). “Thomas has penned a powerful, in-your-face novel that will similarly galvanize fans of Kekla Magoon’s How It Went Down and Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely’s All American Boys.” (Horn Book (starred review) ).
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I had originally said I was not going to read this book, I didn't know how well I would like it, and I don't tend to get involved with things that can make life at work harder for me. I hated reading it, I cried my eyes out, Thomas did such an amazing job of making a horrible action into beautiful fiction that made you feel like you were right there. This was really refreshing to read because so many books, YA especially make parents out to be monsters that don't care, that aren't there for their kids. I mean it is like a troupe or something for these stories and it isn't actually the norm and gets annoying to read, so this book did an amazing job with the parents and family. All around though this story just floored me, it gave me a perspective I have never considered before, offered insights into a world I am not a part of, and I loved every minute of it."
"In January, uber popular author, John Green, tweeted that The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas would become a classic. I can see this book lasting, not because it’s timeless (hopefully the struggles addressed in THUG will be no more, as Starr prophesied), but because it’s a flashpoint in American history that shouldn’t be forgotten even if it’s rectified. Angie Thomas’ debut is the kind of transformative and accessible novel that can touch a variety of readers and have long-lasting effects. They’re vigorous and honest, Angie Thomas’ words giving them breath, blood, and life. If you’ve read the blurb, then you know the Black Lives Matter movement inspires this novel. Experiencing the effects of that moment from Starr’s perspective is gut wrenching, although, I can foresee some readers feeling numb. Her rage over her friend’s murder is the emotion that steals the show, never leading to traditional acceptance. I mean, with all the hype it’s impossible not to go into this book with some expectation and my greatest fear regarding THUG was that it would piss me off."
"This story follows high schooler Starr and how she deals with losing her friend who was shot by a police officer after being pulled over."
"It also portrays gangs, addiction, non-nuclear families, poverty, and low socioeconomic class (and why it exists)."
"I’m not the target audience for a YA book about the injustices suffered by mostly urban minority youth but I am moved by this story and saddened by the knowledge that it is replicated in news items around the US way too often."
"A young girl witnesses her childhood friend being shot by a police officer."
Best Teen & Young Adult Asian American Fiction eBooks
This stunning fantasy inspired by Chinese folklore is a companion novel to Starry River of the Sky and the New York Times bestselling and National Book Award finalist When the Sea Turned to Silver. A fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a timeless story reminiscent of The Wizard of Oz and Kelly Barnhill's The Girl Who Drank the Moon . Every night, Minli's father tells her stories about the Jade Dragon that keeps the mountain bare, the greedy and mean Magistrate Tiger, and the Old Man of the Moon who holds everyone's destiny. Determined to change her family's fortune, Minli sets out to find the Old Man of the Moon, urged on by a talking goldfish who gives her clues to complete her journey. After her mother ridicules what she believes to be a foolish purchase, Minli sets out to find the Old Man of the Moon, who, it is told, may impart the true secret to good fortune. Stories, drawn from a rich history of Chinese folktales, weave throughout her narrative, deepening the sense of both the characters and the setting and smoothly furthering the plot.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I just read this book again yesterday, because my daughter borrowed When the Sea Turned to Silver from the library, and I figured out pretty quickly that it would be better if I refreshed my memory on Where the Mountain Meets the Moon first."
"This was a story with underlying themes that older readers will pick up on but younger ones may not initially but as the stories are told by the characters each are intertwined with in each other and woven together very nicely."
"Would make a good bedtime story to read to kids about 6-10, who have longer attention spans for chapter books with minimal pictures."
"This book is a family favorite I highly recommend you read this book."
"Purchased this book for my grand niece when she turned 8."
"A wonderful children's book that my children have highly enjoyed."
"It is simply the best Children's book I have ever read."
"I just LOVE Grace Lin's books. Starry River is like the beginning of Where the mountain meets the moon. one reason why my mom and i love where the mountain meets the moon is because the main characters name; Min-Lee."
Best Teen & Young Adult Native American Fiction eBooks
Bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. He expects disaster when he transfers from the reservation school to the rich, white school in Reardan, but soon finds himself making friends with both geeky and popular students and starting on the basketball team. Arnold Spirit, a goofy-looking dork with a decent jumpshot, spends his time lamenting life on the "poor-ass" Spokane Indian reservation, drawing cartoons (which accompany, and often provide more insight than, the narrative), and, along with his aptly named pal Rowdy, laughing those laughs over anything and nothing that affix best friends so intricately together. He weathers the typical teenage indignations and triumphs like a champ but soon faces far more trying ordeals as his home life begins to crumble and decay amidst the suffocating mire of alcoholism on the reservation.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Overall, I feel that the author did a good job writing this, but only a mature reader should read this book."
"I believe all teens should read and see they are not alone in how they feel, how they see themselves."
"The book touches on a lot of sensitive and taboo topics for some people."
"While I would not suggest it for anyone not in high school (and possibly a worldly upperclassmen at least), I would recommend as eye opening look at the experiences of a population that live just below the radar of most Americans."
"It's raw, probably good to read before your teen or tween reads it or read it at the same time they do and do some discussing."
"Native American lives on reservations, has the guts to go to a "white" school outside the reservation, perseveres against bullies, wins over the prettiest girl in school, becomes friends with the popular kids -- but perhaps I have said too much. A nice parable, perhaps, certainly a feel-good story, but it doesn't feel like an "absolutely true diary"."
"One of my favorite YA books of all times."
"In a moment of rage over being issued an old textbook with his mother's name written in it, Junior hurls the book, accidentally hitting his teacher in the face. This proves to be a turning point, with Junior making the decision to attend a better supplied and equipped "white" high school miles from the reservation. Proclaimed a brave warrior by some, and a traitor, by others, Junior records his experiences, losses, and triumphs, through his writings and drawings, with hilarity, and gut-punching poignancy. "Oh, so they think you're a traitor". "Yep". I love Juniors determination and "spirit" despite of all that life throws at him; his brash and boisterous teenage voice is rings clear."
Best Teen & Young Adult Hispanic & Latino American Fiction eBooks
The winner of the Pen Center West Award for Fiction for his unforgettable novel Alburquerque , Rudolfo Anaya's rich and compassionate writing about the Mexican American experience has helped cement him as the father of Chicano literature in English. Besides winning the Premio Quinto Sol national Chicano literary award, this novel of a young boy in New Mexico in the 1940s has sold more than 300,000 copies in paperback since its 1973 debut.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The narrative voice is a young boy who experienced both evil and loss, but through the pain, he discovered the great mysteries of life."
"His struggle between the strict religious structure of his mother and her desire for him to become a priest and the magic of the curandera Ultima, a herbal healer, rang true."
"love this book, bought this copy for a friend."
"I personally find myself increasingly interested in the genre and other authors who write it given this read."
"Will he commit to his mother's way of life--living harmoniously with the farm land, or with his father's way of life--living the life of an always moving vaquero? As they read Anaya's novel, readers have to step into the shoes of a young Hispanic boy as they witness every one of Antonio's life and religious uncertainties."
"A coming of age story about a boy growing up in rural New Mexico and the woman who comes to care for him."
"Great product and price."