Top Young Adult Fiction Title
Dreams: Visions of the Crow, Volume 1
Written by John-Kehewin, Wanda, Nicole Burton, and Kielamel Sibal. Dreams: Visions of the Crow. Published April 2023. Highwater Press. $21.95 Paperback. 80 pages. 9781774920459, ages 12-Up.
Damon’s life has never been easy. Isolated from his Native culture, with his mother’s alcoholism and daily harassment from school bullies, he isn’t sure if he can make it through his senior year. When a crow appears in his dreams and daily reality, Damon finds himself swept into an Indigenous cultural connection that can become a pathway to family and healing. This first in a series is based on the author’s true life experiences. The committee was unanimous in its selection of Dreams: Visions of the Crow as the 2024 Top Young Adult Fiction Title based on the distinct cultural perspective it provided of an Indigenous teen challenged to survive in a world void of cultural connections. The authenticity derived from the author’s experiences and relatable challenges, and symbolic elements can inspire readers as they accompany the main character’s journey of healing and self-discovery. The novel’s graphic format further enhances its appeal, making it a standout for both reluctant and motivated readers. Trigger Warnings: Loneliness, alcohol abuse, poverty, parental anger, school bullying, anti-indigenous sentiment, depression.
Eb and Flow
Written by Kelly J. Baptist. Published March 2023. Crown Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House. $16.99 Hardback. 224 pages. 9781593429136. Ages 9-12.
When Ebony (aka “Eb”) steps on De’Kari’s (aka “Flow’s”) sneakers, Eb and Flow get a 10-day suspension.What really happened? Did Flow use the B-word? Did a fight ensue? Did Eb do it on purpose? Eb and Flow’s alternating narrative-in-verse explores the facts that they think they know, filtered through their feelings about respect, and social pressure. It’s possible they may not be the enemies they think they are. Trigger Warning: anger management, school bullying, school fighting, expulsion,
Three Shots
Written by Katy Grant. Published May 2023. West 44 Books, an imprint of Enslow Publishing. $16.35. Paperback. 191 pages. 9781978596528. Ages 13-17.
Three shots. Three lives. Three losses, including Daniel’s friend Gracie. The town is thrown into turmoil, and Daniel is drowning in unsurmountable shock and grief. As Daniel uses the lessons he learned from his therapy to pass them forward, this novel-in-verse shows the resiliency needed to overcome the emotional trauma of losing a friend. Trigger Warnings: Murder/Suicide. Guns. Death. Emotional Trauma. Grief.
My Brother is Away
Written by Sara Greenwood. Illustrated by Luisa Uribe. Published October 2023. Random House Studio, an imprint of Random House Children, a division of Penguin Random House. $18.99 Hardback. 40 pages. 9780593127162. Ages 5-8.
With her brother in prison 500 miles away, a young girl creates an acceptable way to respond to others who bring the subject up without compromising her social interaction with her classmates.
Invisible Son
Written by Kim Johnson. Published June 2023. Random House Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House. 416 pages. 9780593482100. Ages 13-Up.
After being falsely incarcerated and released from juvenile detention in COVID-19 quarantine, wrongful accusations taint Andre’s friendships and nearly erase his existence. Written as a mystery/thriller, this novel illuminates the consequences and impact of juvenile justice on the community, youth advocacy, and social media. It also illuminates transracial adoption’s side effects. Trigger Warnings: Racism (theme), Racial slurs, Suicide mentioned, Alcohol consumption, False incarceration, Police violence.
Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass: The Graphic Novel
Written by Meg Medina Adapted and Illustrated by Mel Valentine Vargas. Published September 2023. Candlewick Press, an imprint of Walker Books, Ltd. $17.99 Hardback. 288 pages. 9781536234732. Ages 13-Up.
Piedad Sanchez is having a hard time adjusting to her new school. Yaqui Delgado’s threats, bullying and targeting via social media doesn’t make it any easier. Pidi finds support in her warm family environment and in knowing who her true friends are. Trigger Warnings: Bullying, Domestic Violence, Assault, Bra & Breast Exposure (Strategic illustrated Shading of female upper body), & Teen/Parent Conflict. Language: Skank, Ass, Loser
Frontera
Written by Julio Anta and Illustrated by Jacoby Salcedo. Published July 2023. HarperAlley, an imprint of HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers. $18.99 Hardback. 240 pages. 9780063054943. Ages 13- Up.
Mateo lived with his family in Arizona since he was a toddler. After recently being deported to Mexico, he is anxious to return to Arizona to start his senior year. The only problem is that Mateo is impatient and decides to cross the desert alone. That’s when he meets the 70-year-old ghost Guillermo, who warns him of all the dangers he can face from the military crazies and the regular border patrol. This graphic speculative novel realistically presents the horrors and challenges migrants face crossing the border. Trigger Warnings: Gun violence. Racism. Paranormal Aberrations.
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