Adult Crossovers
These titles may have been written for adults, but can be appreciated by teens and adults alike.
A Hope More POwerful than the sea, Melissa Fleming
ISBN: 978-1250161703, St. Martin’s Press, 2018.
Plot Summary:
Doaa Al-Zamel, born in Syria, is like many other girls — she’s shy but smart, and has her own dreams and hopes. While her friends desire to get married young and start their families, she wants to finish school and even attend university. As her country plunges into unrest amidst the Arab Spring, Doaa loses her shyness and becomes involved in protests, some of which endanger her life. She runs from bullets and police officers, all the while knowing that she must continue to fight for the country she loves. When Syria becomes too dangerous amidst the fighting between the rebel groups and the government, Doaa’s family flees to Egypt. At first, Doaa is sad and desperately wants to return, but as she sees how much safer Egypt is, she is able to embrace the country. She even finds herself falling for a fellow Syrian with huge heart and similar dreams of returning home and making a difference. When troubles arise in Egypt and the Syrian-friendly government is ousted, life again becomes far too unsafe for Syrians, especially women and children, who are threatened with violence daily. Doaa, who doesn’t know how to swim, is forced to cross over the sea to Europe in order to start a new life. But one horrible, shocking event occurs that will change everything. Will Doaa survive and stand up for Syria?
Critical Evaluation:
Written as a biography, the narrative is a bit distant from Doaa and her family; a closer POV could have offered more of Doaa’s perspective and insight into her experiences. While her experiences are recounted with sympathy, we learn at the end of the book that this narrative is taken from a series of translated interviews. Although they have certainly been checked for accuracy, this does lend to the feeling of learning about Doaa from a more distanced perspective.
Yet the narrative is effective enough, as the figures in the book are well-drawn and easy to relate to. This book is so excellent for teens because the struggles Doaa has growing mirror those that other teens have — wanting more from your life, wanting to be free of your parents’ control, and finding your own identity. Doaa is a likable person; although we do not get a sense of her personality past major characteristics, she is a great example of the human cost of war.
The writing and language help to bring the reader into the story; as Doaa is dearly holding on for life in the sea, desperately wishing to be rescued, we are there with her, tasting the salt water and feeling exhausted. The sense of danger throughout the book is tangible, and created by the effective writing on Fleming’s part.
Reader’s Annotation:
Doaa Al-Zamel is just a normal girl, looking forward to becoming independent and living her own life. Her hopes and dreams change, however, as her beloved country Syria falls apart, and she must make a series of heart-wrenching decisions.
Author Biography:
Melissa Fleming is Head of Global Communications for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), working to draw attention, drive empathy and generate support for the world's 68.5 million refugees and displaced people. She leads global media outreach and campaigns, and operates a multi-media news and feature service. She is also host of the UNHCR podcast, Awake At Night. She believes in the power of public speaking to move audiences. Her TED talks have been viewed by over 3 million people around the world.
She is the author of the book, A Hope More Powerful than the Sea, about an extraordinary young Syrian woman who, with the baby she saved, was one of the only survivors of a boat wreck that killed 500 refugees, including her fiancé. The book was published by Flatiron Books in the U.S. and been also published in over 10 countries. It will be adapted into a motion picture by Steven Spielberg and J.J. Abrams, with the screenplay written by Lena Dunham.
She grew up in Marblehead, Mass. and has spent her adult life in Europe working for international organizations that promote refugee protection, nuclear safety and non-proliferation, democracy and human rights and free media. She holds a B.A. from Oberlin College and M.A. in journalism from Boston University.
Genre:
Nonfiction, Social/Political Studies
Curriculum Ties:
Social/Political Science
English - Biographies
Diversity/Current Issues
Booktalk Ideas:
Have teens assemble into groups that must leave the country ASAP. Ask them to make a list of what they’d bring. As they “begin” each journey, pose an obstacle to them: “Your friend has now been detained. What can you do? This is what Doaa did . . .”
Age Range or Reading Level:
14+
Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation:
This book deals with many issues and experiences teens can relate to that may be challenged, including:
-violence
-violence against women
-religion
-death
-war
-immigration
-refugees
Defense File:
Collection Development Policy
Have readily available
Have staff be familiar with the document
Have staff know and be trained on how to use the policy in a conversation about a challenged book
Have staff be familiar with the process of reporting challenged books
ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom
ALA Document on the First Amendment & Censorship
ALA: How to Respond to Challenges and Concerns about Library Resources
Professional reviews, as published by Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Kirkus
Staff should be familiar with these sites, and be able to explain why librarians use them
Rating and information found on Commonsense Media
Any applicable awards for the title or author
Why I Chose this Book:
Teens, just like adults, need to understand the world in which they live. They see news about Syrian refugees, but are they able to understand why these people have been forced to flee and move into countries that aren’t always so welcoming? They might even think, “Ah, I’d never do that! I’d make sure I enter legally!” This book puts a face to the millions of displaced Syrians, and offers a history that’s not dry and is very accessible. Teens can use their critical thinking skills to understand why some refugees make the decisions they do, and can see that they’re not so different from these people. Additionally, the book provides an example of one woman who was able to survive a horrific event and move forward, providing hope to teens undergoing crises themselves that they can move past their own struggles.
Beneath the sugar sky, seanan mcguire
ISBN: 978-0765393586, Tor, 2018.
Plot Summary:
Cora, like other students of the Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children, desperately wishes to to return home to her true world. There, she was a mermaid, a beautiful and powerful swimmer, a true champion — but here, in our world, she constantly feels ashamed of her body and its size. Although none of the students say anything to her, she feels like she must apologize for the space she takes up. Blinded by self-doubt, she isolates herself and only talks to one classmate.
One day, a strange visitot named Rini falls into the turtle pond from the sky, demanding to see her mother . . . a student who was murdered just around a year ago. With her mother dead in this world, Rini’s risks disappearing from existence, but if she can find a way to bring her back, Rini might just survive. With her fellow students, Cora and Rini must find a way to bring back the dead — and that means a visit to Confection, a sugary-sweet world with its own dangers. Will Rini die? Can Cora see herself for who she truly is and embrace her true power?
Note: This book is #3 in a series. The first book explores the school and introduces the world, and follows Nancy, a quiet girl longing to go back to her home. Students begin to panic when others are murdered, and they must figure out the killers before it’s too late. In the second book, we follow characters Jack and Jill, and visit The Moors, their cruel and fascinating home that has mysteries of its own. While it is beneficial to read each book in order, readers can treat the books as standalones.
Critical Evaluation:
As a standalone novel, this is an interesting exploration of body image, fantasy worlds, and belonging. In her own world, Cora is perfect: her swimming skills rival no other. Her powerful muscles and body help propel her through the water; while she feels beautiful, her self-esteem comes from her talents. Back in our dimension, Cora feels the pressure of society to be small and thin, and to shrink herself to meet the expectations of others. At times the authorial voice on body image is a preachy and heavy-handed on the topic, but it can be a powerful message for teens. The imagery in the novel is exquisitely done: one can easily imagine being in the land of Confection, where all of the elements of the world are made of edible candy.
As part of a series, this book is the weakest. Previous characters were given more depth, and the messaging and themes were better handled; in this book, Cora is defined only by her weight and the pressure she feels from others. The reader knows little else about Cora and how she thinks, or what she wants. However, the story is still interesting, and some of the characters from the past two books return, making the story feel more entertaining. Ultimately, the book still masterfully explores the themes of belonging, home, and finding yourself, even if this volume could be improved.
Reader’s Annotation:
Cora dreams of returning to her true mermaid home, where her strong body is only an asset — but she’s stuck in Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children, where she feels anything but strong. As a shocking new visitor appears and promises a quest, will Cora go on her own quest for self-acceptance?
Author Biography:
Seanan McGuire is a native Californian, which has resulted in her being exceedingly laid-back about venomous wildlife, and terrified of weather. When not writing urban fantasy (as herself) and science fiction thrillers (as Mira Grant), she likes to watch way too many horror movies, wander around in swamps, record albums of original music, and harass her cats.
Seanan is the author of the October Daye, InCryptid, and Indexing series of urban fantasies; the Newsflesh trilogy; the Parasitology duology; and the "Velveteen vs." superhero shorts. Her cats, Lilly, Alice, and Thomas, are plotting world domination even as we speak, but are easily distracted by feathers on sticks, so mankind is probably safe. For now.
Seanan's favorite things include the X-Men, folklore, and the Black Death. No, seriously. She writes all biographies in the third person, because it's easier that way.
Genre:
Fantasy
Curriculum Ties:
Diversity
Booktalk Ideas:
Ask teens to make up their own “ideal” worlds in 5 minutes. How does their world differ from a classmate’s? Would a friend’s perfect world be horrible for them? Relate this exercise back to the story and characters.
Age Range or Reading Level:
14+
Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation:
This book deals with many issues and experiences teens can relate to that may be challenged, including:
-teen sexuality
-LGBTQ identities
-fat-shaming
-disability
-violence
Defense File:
Collection Development Policy
Have readily available
Have staff be familiar with the document
Have staff know and be trained on how to use the policy in a conversation about a challenged book
Have staff be familiar with the process of reporting challenged books
ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom
ALA Document on the First Amendment & Censorship
ALA: How to Respond to Challenges and Concerns about Library Resources
Professional reviews, as published by Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Kirkus
Staff should be familiar with these sites, and be able to explain why librarians use them
Rating and information found on Commonsense Media
Any applicable awards for the title or author
Why I Chose this Book:
This book, along with the other books in the series, explores ideas of gender, sexuality, body image, and mental health, all the while intertwining it with fantasy. Teens and adults can see themselves represented in the series, and relate to the characters who just can’t seem to fit in to this world. Any reader of fantasy who’s longed to find a portal of her own will find solace in this series.
how to be yourself, ellen hendriksen, phd
ISBN: 9781250105998, Flatiron Books, 2017.
Plot Summary:
Ellen Hendriksen might be a clinical psychologist now, with years of experience in treating all sorts of mental health issues, but you might be surprised to know that she’s struggled with social anxiety her entire life. With her own personal experience and professional training, Hendriksen leads readers through the definition and symptoms of the common affliction, and offers tips to conquer the anxiety. With plenty of personal anecdotes, and stories from her former patients, Hendriksen shows readers that having social anxiety — and even anxiety — is not a death sentence for your life, but instead something of a gift that can be harnessed. What’s another way to think about caring too much about the way people think: empathy! Instead of letting your mind be bogged down by empathy, you can use it to your advantage and let your best self shine. Backed by scientific evidence and humor, with no harsh words or judgement, Hendriksen leads readers through common myths (“I’m just bad at conversation and I’ll never get better!”) and offers realistic tools to help ease this anxiety.
Critical Evaluation:
What makes this book so engaging are the personal stories and the humor. There are many books and resources about conquering social anxiety, and many more on overcoming shyness, but this one stands out due to these elements. Hendriksen expertly weaves in stories from her patients without boring the reader or making it hard to remember which patient had which problem. While all of the patients are adults, teens can easily relate to the problems they have: believing they are horrible conversation partners, that everything they say or do is stupid, that everyone is judging them, and so on. With Hendriksen’s humor, the reader is put at ease; this could be a difficult book to read due to the amount of information thrown at the reader, as well as the fact that some may feel nervous to look into this problem. Hendriksen makes fun of herself and her own anxiety, and manages to become relatable and trustworthy. While this book would not be enough for those with anxiety disorders, as Hendriksen notes, it does offer many practical tips and experiments to help relieve anxiety and promote confidence and self-esteem.
Reader’s Annotation:
You might think you’re alone with your social anxiety — it can certainly feel that way sometimes. Let Dr. Hendriksen show you realistic tips to deal with your anxiety, and that you’re not alone.
Author Biography:
Dr. Ellen Hendriksen is a clinical psychologist who helps millions calm their anxiety and be their authentic selves through her award-winning podcast, the Savvy Psychologist, and in the clinic at Boston University's Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders (CARD). Her debut book is HOW TO BE YOURSELF: Quiet Your Inner Critic and Rise Above Social Anxiety.
Ellen's scientifically-based, zero-judgment approach is regularly featured in Psychology Today, Scientific American, The Huffington Post, Susan Cain's Quiet Revolution, and many other media outlets. The Savvy Psychologist, which has been downloaded over 5 million times, was picked as a Best New Podcast of 2014 on iTunes and was Otto Radio's Best Healthcare Podcast of 2016.
Ellen earned her Ph.D. at UCLA and completed her training at Harvard Medical School. She lives in the Boston area with her family.
Genre:
Nonfiction, Self-help
Curriculum Ties:
Mental Health/Health Education
Booktalk Ideas:
Ask teens what their worst fear is, and collect on pieces of paper. How many said being embarrassed, or public speaking? Share two to three tips from the book.
Age Range or Reading Level:
13+
Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation:
This book deals with many issues and experiences teens can relate to that may be challenged, including:
-mental health
-mental illness
Defense File:
Collection Development Policy
Have readily available
Have staff be familiar with the document
Have staff know and be trained on how to use the policy in a conversation about a challenged book
Have staff be familiar with the process of reporting challenged books
ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom
ALA Document on the First Amendment & Censorship
ALA: How to Respond to Challenges and Concerns about Library Resources
Professional reviews, as published by Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Kirkus
Staff should be familiar with these sites, and be able to explain why librarians use them
Rating and information found on Commonsense Media
Any applicable awards for the title or author
Why I Chose this Book:
More than ever, teens are struggling with anxiety — we see this in research, and I see it when I talk to teens in the library and at their schools. Books like this can offer safe, realistic tips to aid teens in their journey to confidence. While it is no substitute for professional help, it is an excellent supplement that doesn’t talk down to the reader; instead, it offers hope and humor and helps the reader feel empowered.