Outcast by Adrienne Kress

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Sarah

Outcast by Adrienne Kress. Diversion Books, 2013. Currently Available.

Genre: Speculative Fiction

OutcastFace Value: I read this one on e-book (which I only acquired recently) so I didn’t spend as much quality time with the cover as I would normally in a print book. But still, I say yes to this cover, which has a great use of color, lovely illustrations, and is absolutely reflective of the story.

Does it Break the Slate? Totally. Riley is both relatable and admirable, bringing toughness, compassion, and a healthy dose of skepticism to her town’s strange circumstances. She is the true hero of this story, and it’s great to see such a richly realized young women at the center.

Who would we give it to? Sure there’s a fantasy element, but what I really loved about this book was the relatable small town experience that Kress captures beautifully and the smart interactions between characters. If you’ve pushed through Sarah Dessen’s canon already and are willing to try something a little out of the box, you might really enjoy Outcast. And of course, if you like well-plotted realistic fantasy, then you’ll enjoy this too. Continue reading →

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Review: Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Brianna

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers. St. Martin’s Griffin, 2010. Currently available.

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

somegirls_cover_bigFace Value: Half girl alert! She’s missing part of her body and head! I wish that that publishers could just be ok with girls’ faces being on book covers and then we could all move on with our lives. The painted locker connects with the story, but it makes this look like a murder mystery rather than high school fiction. From a distance, I thought that the locker was dripping with blood rather than paint. Creepy.

Does it break the slate? Not even close. This is a story about girls doing terrible things to one another. They cut each other down. They ruin lives. They never advocate for one another or support the choices that other girls make. This is a cautionary tale of how not to be a Slatebreaker.

Who would we give it to? Some Girls Are is not a book that makes you feel good about yourself. It is difficult for me to pinpoint how I would recommend this book. Perhaps if I saw a bullying issue among the youth with whom I work, I would encourage some of them to read this book and think about the consequences of targeted harassment. I don’t know if that would work, though. When you are the instigator, it’s not so easy to recognize the impact of your actions.

Continue reading →

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Books, Feminism, and TYA: An Ode to Matilda the Musical

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Sarah

We write this blog about feminism in YA and kids books because we are avid lovers of both of things. But in our real lives, both Brianna and I have degrees in theatre for youth, and work in the field of TYA (theatre for young audiences).

Matilda Poster

So imagine how excited we have been about the musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Matilda, which opened in London in 2012 and on Broadway this past spring. This is a feminist TYA play, in which the young heroine relies on books as a means of saving herself. It’s basically everything we’ve ever wanted in an experience. Brianna introduced me to the music last year, and ever since I’ve been fantasizing about seeing the production. And last weekend, I got to go and see it in New York, with my sister!

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So even though Matilda was robbed of the best musical Tony award last night* I wanted to take a moment to celebrate this incredibly Slatebreaking piece of art, with some of the things I loved best about the show.

Matilda Set with Swings

Continue reading →

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Review: French Milk by Lucy Knisley

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Brianna

French Milk by Lucy Knisely. Epigraph, 2007.

Genre: Graphic Novel (YA, or maybe New Adult? Let’s talk about it after the jump.)

frenchmilkFace Value: Lovely. This is a neat graphic novel cover because it lures you in from far away in the bookstore with the romantic French architecture, then when you get close you see that it’s a graphic novel with an illustrated protagonist. It’s a sweet cover, and it feels both young and grown-up at the same time. Lucy looks young, and she draws herself as such, yet the dangling cigarette and sophisticated setting signal that she is very much an adult, albeit a ‘young’ or ‘new’ one.

Does it break the slate? There is nothing especially revolutionary about French Milk, but it is a pleasant book that tells the story of two women on their own little adventure in Paris. Lucy and her mother are smart, capable women. Lucy writes and draws about her response to depictions of women in art, as well as her opinions on relationships and careers. It’s not a slate-smashing book that will revolutionize perceptions of gender, but it is a strong travel narrative by a young woman who is confident enough to explore other cultures and reflect on what she learns.

Who would we give it to? I handed my copy to my sister who is about to study abroad, and I think it would be the perfect book for anyone preparing for a significant journey, whether it is out of state or overseas. French Milk is about chronicling new experiences, and I think it could be both a comfort and an inspiration for any reader about to have a major new experience of their own.

A note on age appropriateness – French Milk is about a young woman in her early twenties. She talks frankly about her sex life, and there’s casual consumption of alcohol and cigarettes, but there is nothing you wouldn’t find in a typical YA realistic fiction novel. In my opinion, high school students would enjoy this book as a travel narrative. Older readers of college-age would get something different out of this book, I think, because of the way it describes the unique fears that come during major life changes. Continue reading →

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Review: The Sweet Revenge of Celia Door by Karen Finneyfrock

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Sarah

The Sweet Revenge of Celia Door by Karen Finneyfrock. Viking, 2013. Currently Available.

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

The Sweet Revenge of Celia DoorFace Value: How much do I love this cover? So. Much. It’s both interesting artwork and actually relevant to the book’s content. The boots are perfect, Celia looks appropriately fierce and the use of perspective gives her and her story a larger than life quality. Normally I would shake my fist at the headless model but this looks so intentional, as though the image is actually an artistic choice instead of a stock photo, I can’t find myself bothered by it.

Does it Break the Slate? Definitely. Celia is a Slatebreaker – frankly, I wouldn’t put the literal act past her if given the right circumstances, but she’s also very much a character who is taking her situation into her own hands. She has a whole lot of terrible things to deal with, and she handles them with a remarkable finesse, and a ton of inner strength, while still being a fascinating/flawed character.

Who would we give it to? Definitely add this title to your anti-bullying curriculum. It’s a fresh, non-cloying perspective, and it’s an important voice to add into the mix. Any budding poets will find a lot to like here as well. Continue reading →

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Interview with Mindy Raf: “Of course I’m a feminist. Isn’t everyone?”

Posted on May 30, 2013 by Sarah

On Monday, we reviewed Mindy Raf’s terrific first novel, The Symptoms of My Insanity. It’s great – if you haven’t read it yet, you should. But better yet, we learned that Mindy is actually friends with one of our colleagues, and she put us in contact (thanks Karen!). Mindy agreed, very generously, to do an interview with us. If it’s possible, we love her book even more now. Our questions (and her incredibly thoughtful responses) are after the break:

Mindy Raf Continue reading →

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Review: The Symptoms of My Insanity by Mindy Raf

Posted on May 27, 2013 by Sarah

The Symptoms of My Insanity by Mindy Raf. Dial Books, 2013. Currently Available.

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Face Value: This is a perfectly solid cover. While it doesn’t blow me away, I always think that a text-based cover design is appealing. The backdrops of smiley faces reflect the story, the font is appealing, and it will hold up over time. Contemporary realism about girls always runs a risk of pink, headless girls, and soft lighting, and it’s nice that this one is straightforward and classy.

Symptoms of My Insanity 1

However, when I looked at Goodreads for alternate covers, I found this absolutely beautiful ebook cover! Here we have an illustrated version of Izzy’s face, constructed with the materials that make her unique – just as her artwork is described in the book. Why is this beautiful edition wasted on ebooks! Can I get that on a paperback please?

Symptoms of My Insanity 2

Does it Break the Slate?  YES! Oh, Izzy, you are a Slatebreaker at heart, and this book addresses feminist issues through a hilarious, empathetic lens. Raf also integrates humor into her story in a Slatebreaking way. This book made me laugh out loud, and the humor is based in very real elements of the female experience.

Who would we give it to?  I hope this book finds an audience with readers of Maureen Johnson and Libba Bray – Raf is another writer with a skilled grasp of the fine line between comedy and tragedy and how those things can be distilled into the contemporary teenage experience. Continue reading →

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Review: The King’s Equal by Katherine Paterson

Posted on May 23, 2013 by Brianna

The King’s Equal by Katherine Paterson. HarperTrophy, 1992. Currently available.

Genre: Fiction/fairy tale easy reader.

h5226Face Value: This book cover is designed to look like a traditional fairy tale, and it’s an accurate reflection of the story. I had to laugh at the cover of the book I picked up from the library. Even though this story is about Rosamund, the unusually gifted woman who is the only suitable mate for the prince, they slapped a barcode right on top of her face. On the version that I read, Rosamund is not even visible on the cover. The prince and wolf are clearly visible but you cannot even tell that the other character on the cover is a woman, except for a peek of her pink dress at the bottom. It is frustrating to see such careless placement of a barcode.

Does it break the slate? It’s not a slate-smashing book, but there are certainly elements that challenge the typical gender roles that we see in most fairy tales. It is a more Slatebreaking option than most fairy tale and princess-themed stories.

Who would we give it to? Fans of Brave will appreciate the themes of The King’s Equal. I would love to watch a parent read this book with their child and then discuss the gender roles presented within. It’s also a great contrast to traditional fairy tales, so it would be an excellent book to present to any young person studying fairy tales to show them how these types of stories can be written in a way that presents strong and intelligent females. Continue reading →

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Review: Destiny Rewritten by Kathryn Fitzmaurice

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Sarah

Destiny Rewritten by Kathryn Fitzmaurice. Katherine Tegen Books, 2013. Currently available.

Genre: Middle Grade Realistic Fiction

Destiny RewrittenFace Value: I like this cover, and it fits the book. It looks young, but I think that this book plays best on the younger end of middle grade anyway, so it will appeal to its audience well. Emily is the focus, of the engaging illustration, the books look exciting and hint at the story. I don’t know what the cat has to do with anything though.

Does it Break the Slate? Emily is well on her way to being a Slatebreaker, and she shows the necessary self-determination to get there. She is absolutely determined to take her life into her own hands and when she breaks free of the “destiny” she thought she was stuck with, it is an outstanding Slatebreaking moment.

Who would we give it to? Literary girls, who will get wrapped up in the romance of a secret in a book of poetry and an adventure to find yourself. If you have a young reader with an interest in poetry (or romance novels, actually), this would be a nice fit. Continue reading →

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Review: Fat Angie by E. E. Charlton-Trujillo

Posted on May 16, 2013 by Brianna

Fat Angie by E. E. Charlton-Trujillo. Candlewick, 2013. Currently available.

Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

15798674Face Value: I appreciate that the girl’s body on this cover is true to the character. Although it would be even nicer to see a real person as the cover model, this cover is well done – it’s clear and bold, and the many elements floating inside the shape of Angie capture the confusion of her current state. I also want to give some positive credit to the book trailer for Fat Angie. It features live actors who actually look like the characters who are described in the story.

Does it break the slate? By the end of the book it does, but it takes a while to get there. Angie’s family situation is desolate, to the point when any scenes involving her and her mother are painful to read. I hated those scenes because they represented everything awful about the way women embody societal expectations of appearance and behavior and torture themselves into compliance. Angie gradually pulls herself into a place of better self-esteem and self-image – but she still has a lot of naysayers in her life. The book concludes in a Slatebreaking tone, but it is tenuous. I can only hope that Angie has the strength to continue to be a Slatebreaker.

Who would we give it to? The core of Angie’s story is about grief and loss. Readers coping with a traumatic loss may empathize with Angie. It is a dark story, however, and has some potential triggers for self-harmers and those coping with eating disorders. Continue reading →

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