Our take on Printz

 Written by Hope M., Lauren M., and Lisa W.

Each year, the American Library Association "honors the best best book written for teens, based entirely on its literary merit." Sometimes these books really resonate with teen readers (like Looking For Alaska) and other times they are head-scratchers that don't really appeal to your average teen. We take a look at this year's Printz winner and honor books and share our own thoughts on their merits.

2021 Winner
Everything Sad Is Untrue (A True Story) by Daniel Nayeri depicts the life of the author and narrator throughout his childhood. In one book, Nayeri weaves together a tale of facts and feelings, struggles and strength, fiction and nonfiction, and so much wisdom. While reading, I felt like the author was speaking directly to me. Furthermore, his personal questions and thoughts caused me to reflect in ways I haven't before. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the novel. On a grading scale of A-F, Everything Sad Is Untrue (A True Story) gets an A+ from me!

-Hope

2021 Honor Books

Apple (Skin To The Core) by Eric Gansworth is a memoir depicting the author's life growing up in the Onodaga Tribe in America. Written in verse, Gansworth uses his experiences (and a few Beatles references) to empower Native Americans and help them embrace their identities. Honestly this book was slightly confusing, especially at the beginning; I've read many books written in verse before, however the format of each line had me wondering whether I was reading the book itself or a strange (and long) prologue. Nevertheless, I do feel as if the book allowed me to fully comprehend the horrors that most Native Americans had to endure. If I were to grade Gansworth's work, I would give it a B.

- Lisa

In Dragon Hoops, Gene Luen Yang's newest graphic novel, we dive deep into Bishop O'Dowd High School's basketball team as they make their way through the 2014-15 season with hopes of finally winning the State Championships. Striking and thought-provoking, Dragon Hoops introduces readers to the members of the team and explores the principles and mannerisms that make a winning team that go far deeper than drills and practice--principles the apply to every area of life. An A on the grading scale of A-F, Yang's latest will have readers cheering the Dragons on throughout. 

-Lauren

Every Body Looking by Candace Iloh portrays the life of Ada, a young woman who struggles to find her identity and take control of her own destiny. The novel goes back and forth between her present and her past, illustrating the difficult circumstances Ada has experienced from her childhood up to her life at college.Many mature themes are presented in the story, and the author's unique writing style allowed me to empathize with the character's trials. Despite this, I didn't really enjoy it. For this reason, I would give this book a D.

-Hope

We Are Not Free by Traci Chee World War II is a subject that is approached frequently by authors, however Traci Chee finds an innovative and enlightening way to utilize that topic to introduce another part of history that is, sadly, not as well known. We Are Not Free is a passionate and heart-wrenching story about 14 Japanese-American teenagers whose lives are uprooted when they are placed in incarceration camps during World War II. I recommend this book, not because it was an enjoyable read, but because the abuse and racism that Japanese-Americans had to face should not be an obscure part of history. The only negative comment that I have for We Are Not Free is that 14 different points-of-view are a bit difficult to tolerate, seeing as every time the reader begins to sympathize with the character, the POV is switched to someone else’s. Ergo, I wasn’t able to connect to any of them. I would give this book an A-.

-Lisa

Counting Down With You by Tashie Bhuiyan

Reviewed by Lauren M.
Grade 11

In Tashie Bhuiyan’s upcoming novel Counting Down with You (to be released in May 2021), a teenage girl battles anxiety and severe familial expectations. Although the story itself was interesting and the plot had potential, I found it to be incohesive and simply too long.

Karina Ahmed is a sixteen year old Bangladeshi-Muslim American who is gravely afraid of disappointing her parents. Although she is proud to be a Muslim and embraces it, she believes her family is too conservative. When her parents fly to Bangladesh for a month, she is afforded a bit of freedom. But when she is roped into tutoring Ace Clyde (a boy with a questionable reputation), she begins to wonder if she is crossing too many lines--especially when they start pretending to date. But as she counts down the days until her parents’ return, a new thought grows more powerful in her heart: What does she want? Dare she even fight for it?

The story was interesting--it provided a chance to peek into a world and culture not portrayed in mainstream media. Likewise the plot held just enough to interest, but unfortunately, that flicker was all there was to it. Bhuiyan is a great writer, but she had Karina’s thoughts flying in all directions.

Chunks of text could have been cut out, and it would still be cohesive--more so, even. However, the biggest issue was neither the story nor the plot but the characters, specifically Karina. I appreciated the diversity, but I found myself disliking her--she seemed very rigid and even mean at times, especially to people who only showed her kindness, like Ace. While I understand that her family was extremely burdensome and her anxiety amplified her problems, that does not excuse much of her behavior. She often complained, told people they did not understand, and then had to be forced to communicate her grievances in a way that inspired change. Another thing I did not appreciate was the way her anxiety was written; it was not painted in a very educational or hopeful light and was not true to reality in many ways.

While promising, Counting Down with You disappointed me. It simply lacked the character development and action it needed. I would rate this as a two out of five stars.

Where the Rhythm Takes You by Sarah Dass

Reviewed by Anna M.
Grade 9

While Sarah Dass’s debut novel Where the Rhythm Takes You was not the best YA book I’ve read, it definitely was not the worst. It is a retelling of Jane Austen’s Persuasion, and if you’re looking for the similarities you can find many.

Taking place in Tobago, the novel began with Reyna, a seventeen-year-old girl trying to run her late mother’s hotel almost completely by herself. Then, like every other romance, her ex-boyfriend, Aiden, shows up with his bandmates and two women, one of which may or may not be his new girlfriend. Awkwardly, Reyna and Aiden decide to avoid each other, but since he’s staying at HER HOTEL…..well let’s just say that doesn’t happen. Aiden’s friends actually ask Reyna’s father for her to be their guide around Tobago. Her dad, who is completely ignorant of the romance once between Aiden and Reyna, agrees, wanting to give Reyna a fun vacation. By fate (or maybe just good luck), Aiden and Reyna are always thrown together, and Reyna finds herself falling in love again or maybe she just never stopped. Unselfishly, she is willing to sacrifice her dreams and happiness to live out her mom’s plans for her life. Worried about the hotel and her feelings with Aiden, Reyna feels the weight of the world on her shoulders.

Showing the experience of loss, love, and hope, this novel was definitely an interesting read. However, I found it hard to buy into the “never stopped loving you” fluff, especially since Aiden was hooking up with another girl during the time spent apart. Personally, I think if someone really loves somebody, they’re going to be loyal to that person, but everyone’s entitled to their own opinion I guess. Overall, I thought the novel was a pretty generic YA romance, though it was unique that the setting was in the Caribbean. The writing was well done; therefore the cheesiness of the romance was forgivable. Ultimately, I think Sarah Dass is a good author and I look forward to reading more novels by her.

While it has romance novel stereotypes, it also has an originality that’s hard to pinpoint. This book was not a bad time-killer. I would not recommend this book to someone who does not like romance, but if you do, give it a try.

Black History Month Recommended Reads

In honor of Black History Month, the Winter Park Library's Teen Book Guild read multiple novels written by black authors. The books presented on the list below offer valuable insight into African American lives, demonstrate remarkable character development, and teach important lessons throughout each story. From classics set in the 1800s to novels established in present day, these books will not only be enjoyable reads, but they will also help individuals develop a better understanding of a very significant culture.

Anna recommends Inventing Victoria

Tonya Bolden’s Inventing Victoria took me on an emotional roller coaster ride. It showed the hardship of growing up in difficult circumstances and the beauty of rising above and overcoming it. If you want a great African American History Month read, then I totally recommend this book.

Hope recommends Their Eyes Were Watching God

In Their Eyes Were Watching God, Zora Neale Hurston clearly depicts the fictional story of Janie Crawford, a black woman determined to live her own life in a world where she is largely controlled by others. Published in 1937, this narrative follows Janie through three marriages and much tribulation. Through it all, Janie discovers there are “two things everybody’s got tuh do fuh theyselves. They got tuh go tuh God, and they got tuh find out about livin’ fuh theyselves” (p 192). Despite being a fictional novel, Hurston brings much of the early twentieth-century African American culture to life in this entertaining read.

Lauren recommends Flygirl

Flygirl is an inspiring piece of fiction and a memorial to the bravery of African American women during World War II. Throughout the book, Sherri L. Smith fleshed out her characters with skill and empathy and enabled the reader to connect with the characters and various situations that arose. Smith’s wartime novel will keep readers guessing all the way through, as bravery and loyalties are tested and forged.

Maansi recommends Dear Justyce

In Dear Justyce, author Nic Stone explores the thoughts and situations of an innocent, black young man dealing with being in prison. It gives readers insight into something that they might not really understand or want to learn more about. Nic Stone does an amazing job showing the discrimination and injustice that is faced every day.