Social Justice Challenge

From the organizers of Social Justice Challenge:

Reading opens new worlds to us and can sometimes expose the injustice in our own. We have all been powerfully moved by the injustice we have learned about in books and decided we wanted to host a reading project that would encourage us to learn more about these issues in the world. We have chosen to focus each month on a different area of social injustice in the world. During that month, we are asking that you read something from the list of resources or watch something suggested by that month’s host.

This challenge is very different than others. This requires serious commitment. You’re asked to read to learn and follow up with an action step. There are multiple participation levels. Your level may change month to month. You are asked to commit to the Activist level 3 out of the 12 months.

Activist–At this level you are agreeing to participate fully in the activities of the month. You will read at least one full length book as well as choosing something from the other media list. You will also complete an action step.

Intern–You agree to either read something from the reading resources (it can be an essay or children’s book) or choose to do something from the other media list. You will complete an action step.

Volunteer– You agree to read at least one of the recommended blog posts, essays or shorter novels. You will complete an action step.

Observer — Need a break? Just follow along with the blog for the month. This month has no commitment level. You can only do a maximum of three months at this level.

A different topic will be covered each month. Short list:

· Domestic Violence & Child Abuse
· Genocide
· Poverty
· Illiteracy and Education
· Modern Day Slavery
· Homelessness & Refugees
· Women’s Rights

YA 2010 Reading Challenge

I've chosen to join this challenge because it aligns with my reading habits but more because I like group activities; they're opportunities to discover new reads.

There are four levels:

--The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.

--Just My Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 25 Young Adult novels.

--Stepping It Up YA Reading Challenge – Read 50 Young Adult novels.

--Super Size Me YA Reading Challenge – Read 75 Young Adult novels.

3. Audio, eBooks, paper all count.

4. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.

5. Challenge begins January 1st thru December, 2010.

I'm going for Stepping It Out. I normally read YA. In 2010, I'm going to spend some time reading adult so I'll stick with 50 for this. I'm adding my short list for now:

Magic or Misery by Peter Marino
The God Box by Alex Sanchez
Say The Word by Jeanine Garsee
Hard Love by Ellen Wittlinger
M+O 4EVR by Tonya Hegamin
Dramarama by E. Lockhart
Ask Me No Questions by Marina Budhos
Beneath My Mother's Feet by Amjed Qama
I Wanna Be Your Shoebox by Christina Garcia
Climbing The Stairs by Padma Venkatraman
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles
Blessing's Bead by Debby Dahl Edwardson
Shooting Kabul by N. H. Senzai
A Mesquite in the Rose Garden by Guadalupe Garcia McCall
Indie Girl by Kavita Daswani
Wanting Mor by Rukhsana Khan

Thulani: Male Monday Spotlight

Today is Male Monday at Reading In Color. I've chosen Every Time A Rainbow Dies by Rita Williams-Garcia.

One of my earliest reads by Ms. Williams was this love story. Now, I don’t normally care to read romances. I don’t like stories about guys rescuing girls. I don't enjoy stories that have tidy, Hollywood endings. I do, however, appreciate stories with depth and complexity and you always get that with Ms Williams.

I like stories that respect the intelligence and emotional maturity of the reader. I like stories where the romance is an opportunity to examine who we are as individuals and how we try to navigate our emotions in a relationship. Every Time A Rainbow Dies is a different kind of love story. This is another YA example of the richness to be discovered in this evolving genre.

This is a story about a 16-year-old boy who has not been able to grieve the death of his mother nor reconcile his estrangement with his father who is somewhere in Jamaica, and he doesn’t know how to cope with his resentment towards his caregiver, his older brother. Thulani doesn’t care much about school. His only friends are his rock pigeons that he takes care of on the rooftop of his building.

Then he hears a scream. From the rooftop, Thulani sees a young girl being raped in an alley. He runs to her aid. The rapists take off and Thulani tries to help the girl who is shamed and angry. And she is angry. Ysa is not the helpless, grateful victim.

Thulani is unsuccessful in getting the girl to report the rape. Instead, he takes her home. Helps her clean up and sees her home safely. He becomes attracted to her but she wants nothing to do with him. He catches sight of her one day on the street and begins to look for her. When he finally catches up with her, Ysa rejects him. Yes, he was kind and brave, but he also witnessed her violation. Hardly a way to meet a guy you’d want to date.

Thulani pursues her. Eventually, Ysa gives him a chance. Ysa lives with an aunt. She misses a country and parents she only vaguely knows in childhood memories. She wants to be a clothes designer. She is ambitious and talented. She’s also lonely and like so young women who have been violated, she refuses to get counseling. She wrestles with the aftermath mostly alone. Slowly, she finds some comfort in Thulani.

Their relationship is tentative, awkward. Still, they find comfort in one another and the whole time, the reader is invested in the relationship. You desperately want them to heal. One of the things I enjoy about Ms. Williams work is the pacing. It’s always pitch perfect. She doesn’t rush or languish over scenes or details that feel more like manipulation than a natural progression of a plot. There are no pat, feel-good lines here. No magic spell or love saves these lovers. And there is sex, (one brief scene) descriptive enough to illustrate a kind of intimacy and sensitivity young people can have. The encounter comes off authentic though by no means an endorsement of sexual activity. And yes, I believe there should be sex in YA because it is a part of some teens’ lives. I think we need mature, realistic images of what sex means to young people.

I love the layering here, the realistic ending. I love that Ms. Williams allows Thulani and Ysa to tell their story. We see damaged characters begin to heal and make informed decisions about how to move forward in their lives. Lastly, in Thulani we get a rare glance of a black male teen fully developed, capable of growth and who has the capacity to care for others. This is no small thing. We need more works with positive male teens of color.

The Sunday Salon

Had a good week. Read a great post by Eva at A Striped Armchair where she asks readers to ask her questions about recent reads. I opted to do the same and I’m happy to say doing so has motivated me to get some reviews done.

Recently finished Skunk Girl by Sheba Karim. It’s about 15-year-old, Nina Khan. Nina is Pakistani and Muslim. Like most teens, she’s disgusted with her body, interested in a cute boy and feels socially awkward. Heap on top of that she's conflicted about what it means to be both a good Muslim girl and a regular American teen.

One of the things that impress me about the author is the frank language about race. I read a lot of multicultural literature and a good deal of American teen lit, too, so to varying degrees I question political correctness in texts including social groupings; I consider if the grouping come across as natural or an attempt by the author to promote inclusion and diversity. In Karim’s work, there’s no clunky pc filter. In Nina's high school, blacks and a few Latinos hang out together and Asians and South Asians hang out with whites. While Nina's friends are white, she is teased by other whites for being brown. Then there is the whole color issue among Pakastanis themselves. Later in the book when Nina refers to coolies in Pakistan, I was surprised because I had been told the term coolie is the equlavent of the ‘N’ word still I appreciate that the author uses it because it reinforces a sense of authenticity for me. More about race and other issues in my forthcoming review.

Currently reading Mare’s War by Tanita S. Davis and I’m really enjoying it. The story alternates between Mare's, the eccentric, cool grandmother who served in the Women's Army Corp during War World II and her granddaughters', Tali and Octavia. The exchanges between these generations are funny and so relatable. My grandmother would have been Mare's age and like Mare, Ernie had big, Auburn hair. My grandmother was a hot mess. I couldn't have chosen a better time to read this. Thanks, Tanita.

This week for CORA Diversity Roll Call, Ali asked us to spotlight LBGTQ literature or authors. Well, my favorite YA author is Jacqueline Woodson so completing this assignment was fun and easy. Hope you’ll read it. Ms. Woodson is a prolific writer, she’s written twenty-two titles for children, young adults and adults. I’ve also linked to Worducopia so you can check out other entries. Join us.

More goodies in my mailbox. Did you get anything in the mail or at the library? Hope you had a good week. Happy reading.

In My Mailbox

We're down to the last days of our Color Online Summer Book Drive. Thanks to all of you who blogged, donated and those who wanted to give but couldn't. We appreciate your support. In My mailbox is hosted each week by Kristi at The Story Siren and Marcia hosts Mailbox Monday. With all the mail I won't be borrowing too much from my local library, but I will be reading books from our library and those titles I'll list for my Library Loot, a meme hosted by Eva at A Striped Armchair. From our library:

Mare's War by Tanita S. Davis. I've have been waiting for this. Was thrilled when it came in. I'm about half way through and loving it. The story alternates between Mare, the eccentric, cool grandmother who served in the Women's Army Corp during War World II and her granddaughters, Tali and Octavia. The exchanges between these generations are funny and so relatable. My grandmother would have been Mare's age and like Mare, Ernie had big, Auburn hair. My grandmother was a hot mess. I couldn't have chosen a better time to read this. Thanks, Tanita.

The Color Of Earth by Kim Dong Hwa
Synopsis
Ehwa grows up helping her widowed mother run the local tavern, watching as their customers – both neighbors and strangers – look down on her mother for her single lifestyle. Their social status isolates Ehwa and her mother from the rest of the people in their quiet country village. But as she gets older and sees her mother fall in love again, Ehwa slowly begins to open up to the possibility of love in her life.
I'm looking forward to this graphic novel. The cover art is stunning. I am really enjoy the graphic novel format.
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Synopsis
Clay Jenkins returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers 13 cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Bakerhis classmate and crushwho committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, hell find out how he made the list. Through Hannah and Clays dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

In the Mail:
Pemba's Song by Marilyn Nelson
Synopsis
Pemba knows she's not crazy. But who is that looking out at her through her mirror's eye? And why is the apparition calling her "friend"? Her real friends are back home in Brooklyn, not in the old colonial house in Colchester, Connecticut, where none of this would have happened if Daddy were still alive. But now all Pemba has is Mom and that strange old man, Abraham. Maybe he's the crazy one.
I had the good fortune to hear Ms. Nelson read her poetry at an authors series hosted every year at a local college. If her fiction is like her poetry, this will be one fine read. She is talented and a very considerate person.

White Bread Competition by Jo Ann Hernandez
Publisher's Comments
When Luz, a ninth-grade Latina student in San Antonio, wins a spelling competition, her success triggers a variety of emotions among family, friends, and the broader community.
I connected with Jo Ann through Twitter. She is a powerhouse. Dynamic, community-minded and a committed advocated for writers of color. I'm looking forward to reading this award winner.

Shortie Like Mine by Ni-Ni Simone According to Edi at Crazy Quilt, Ms. Simone is hip, urban and weaves teen drama that is entertaining without being crass. Our first copy walked before it could collect any dust. I'm hoping I get to read this one. We received another Simone title in the mail, too. I tell you about after I finish this one.
Sixteen year-old, Seven McKnight may be the thickest one in her clique, but she is fierce, fly and fabulous. She has the biggest crush on the school's star basketball player, Josiah Whitaker, who is fine as wine. The only problem is he is with her girl, Deeyah. When Deeyah plays Josiah and his worst enemy against each other, it leaves Seven thinking it is time to make her move. ~L. Romich

Confession Tuesday

I'm super late. And I'm writing off-the-cuff for real. I'm annoyed. I won't give you a full blown rant because whining is exactly what's bugging me.

Let's start with the blogosphere: Bloggers still whining about the them vs us controversy that started with an expressed criticism about how a panel of bloggers at BEA was presented. The core sentiment was how the group was presented and what that message meant. It was never a personal attack nor an argument about the quality of the panelists' blogs.

Seriously, people, let it go. There is real shyte going on in the world. The most ardent defenders argue that they began blogging because of their love of reading and sharing about what they've read. Then what difference does it make what a professional critic thinks of your efforts? Are you writing for the same audience? Hardly. Does someone else's opinion affect what you're going to continue doing or how you do it? Hardly. Do you think the majority of readers who have already chosen who they relate to care what someone else thinks about their reviewer of choice? Hardly.

Moving on. There are folks ragging what the President is doing or not doing for any particular group whether it's the LGBTQ community, African Americans or women, you fill in the blank. People, let's see beyond our own agendas. Anyone paying attention to Iran, North Korea or those dark folks in Africa that too many of us regard as a single country? AIDS is wiping out populations, militias are raping women and forcing children to wield guns, our planet is sick-thanks to us and we're whining about no one's paying attention to us?

Where I volunteer, residents at the shelter will routinely go off on staff (angry really because they feel powerless but they project on staff) accusing them of abusing their authority, complaining staff throws their failure in their face, curse them because the RAs have jobs and homes and they the residents don't. Well, you know what, stop it.

Shyte happens. Sometimes life sucks. But most of us and by most of us, I mean anyone who access to read this have far more to be grateful for than not. I have told the young women on ocassion: if you made it to this shelter you are far better off than the women on the streets or those stuck in one of the overcrowded, under-staffed shelters or the ones at the morgue. You aren't living under the threat of bombs or ditatorship. Put your crap in perspective.

If you've been whining lately: back up, shut up breathe. Letting go ain't easy. Living ain't easy. Would you prefer the alternative? I'm not ready to push up daisies. So let's chill.

In My Mailbox

Another busy week. Special thanks to all the bloggers who promoted our Color Online Summer Book Drive. We're almost at the mid-way mark. I won't list everything we get in but we are trying to record donations for our records, keeping notes on addresses when we get them. We really do want donors to know your gifts are a very big deal to us. Without you, we could not build the collection we have. So on to the mail. In My mailbox is hosted each week by Kristi at The Story Siren and Marcia hosts Mailbox Monday. The following is a short list of donations:
Amor and Summer Secrets by Diana Rodriguez Wallach
Synopsis:
"In the first novel of a sparkling new series that's reminiscent of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books, Wallach introduces an unforgettable heroine who's learning all about friendship, family, rivalry, and secrets. "

The author sent us a copy of each book in the series and signed them!

The Boondocks: Because I know you Don't Read the Newspaper

by Aaron McGruder

From publishers review:

The Boondocks has taken the syndication world by storm. Introduced in April 1999, the edgy new comic strip produced a stronger launch for Universal Press Syndicate than Calvin and Hobbes and For Better or For Worse... In fact, the notoriety landed Boondocks creator Aaron McGruder in publications ranging from Time magazine to People magazine which named him one of the "25 Most Intriguing People of '99." Centered around the experiences of two young African-American boys, Huey and Riley, who move from inner-city Chicago to the suburbs (or the "boondocks" to them), the strip fuses hip-hop sensibilities with Japanese anime-style drawings and a candid discussion of race...

Our first copy walked. When my assistant saw this donation she said the girls loved these. We're hoping this was lasts longer than the last.

Luna by Julie Ann Peters.

Synopsis

"From as early as she can remember, Regan O'Neill has known that her brother, Liam, was different. That he was, in fact, a girl. Transgender. Having a transgender brother has never been a problem for Regan until now. Liam (or Luna, as she prefers to be called by her chosen name) is about to transition. What does it mean, transitioning? Dressing like a girl? In public? Does Liam expect Regan to embrace this decision, to welcome his sex change? She's always kept her brother's secret, always been his confidante, but now Regan's acceptance and love will be put to the test. "

Got this on trade. Love this. Great writing and an issue more teens are facing now rather than in their later years. Highly recommend this.

The Color of Earth by Kim Dong Hwa

Synopsis

"In the tradition of My Antonia and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, from the pen of the renowned Korean manwha creator Kim Dong Hwa, comes a trilogy about a girl coming of age, set in the vibrant, beautiful landscape of pastoral Korea. "

This manhwa — first in a trilogy — chronicling the lives of a single mother and her daughter in rural Korea is a moving and evocative look at love as seen through the eyes of one feeling it for the first time and another who longs to savor it once more. The story follows daughter Ehwa from age seven up as she discovers the physical differences between boys and girls, grows into young womanhood and undergoes her initial confusing experiences with attraction and romance.

Saw an early review somewhere. Knew I wanted this graphic novel for our library. The book's cover and the paper are pieces of art in themselves. A generous donor sent us the first three volumes.

Flipping the Script by Paula Chase.

Synopsis:

"It's junior year at Del Rio Bay High, and Mina's feeling insecure while her boyfriend Brian is at Duke University. Meanwhile, Rob's presence around the clique triggers star athlete JZ's feelings of homophobia. "

Paula sent us a signed copy of the second title in the Del Rio series as well as Don't Get It Twisted, a popular title in our library.

Little Lov'n Monday

Little Lov'n Monday is a day we celebrate the work of fellow bloggers. Between now and Wednesday, post a link to an article, contest, interview, poem- anything you think deserves a little lov'n. Leave a link and be entered in LLM Giveaway. Deadline is May 29. Winner announced every Saturday. Congratulations to Rebecca, winner (5/22)! Check her out at Lost In Books. Rebecca is a reader, a writer, a poet, a designer, a crafty little thing.

Commit to visiting 5 blogs and leaving comments. If you do that, let us know. You might not care about winning a book, but I'm thinking you're a cool person who cares. Tell us that you shared some love. Thanks. Winner may choose a prize from the list or any previously offered book if it is available:
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Chosen One by Carol Lynch-Williams
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Earn 1 entry for leaving a link to a post you think we should check out. Earn extra entries:
+5 for saying you visited folks and shared some love
+3 for posting LLM icon/link in your sidebar
+2 for blogging about LLM
Leave a separate comment for each entry.

Check These Out:
Interview with Kekla Magoon @ SLJ
Book Giveaway @ Largehearted Boy
A Spring Book Swap @ Hospital Reading
Escape In Books- Group hug for this blogger
My friend Amy- Give some lov'n to this blogger
Teen denied right to walk across stage. Sign petition.
YA You Don't Know at Three R's of Summer
"Mama Lockdown" by yours truly. Had too much fun to not ask for some love

The Sunday Salon

Highlight of this week was creating my own superhero and then writing about her for 3WW. Diana Peterfreund is currently running a contest for her new graphic novel, Dull Boy. Check out the giveaway and make yourself a superhero while you're at it.

The battle of between D-town and the Hills had been fierce. City folk and suburbinites fought over what was left after the Burn of '44. Read more of Mama Lockdown here.

Picked up some really good book at the library and got a few in the mail. Check out my Library Loot and In My Mailbox post.

C.O.R.A Diversity Roll Call is a great meme designed to inform and broaden participants' reading habits. Join us. New challenges posted the first and third Friday of each month. Ali at Worducopia and I at Color Online alternate hosting. You can find our schedule in my sidebar week prior.

Had a blast with our Weekly Geeks assignment which was to give readers a literary tour of our hometown. I'm from the big D, Detroit. Before you say cars or Motown, know that we are city of poets. Followed up my wg assignment with a Poetry Friday selection, a poem by Detroiter, Sadiq Bey entitled "Morning 85."

Last week I shared I was reading Jumped by Rita Williams-Garcia. I finished it. It was raw, brutal in its candor and all the intensity of a 24 episode without Jack using questionable tactics and things blowing up. An incredible read. I loved it. If you don't know the author check out her interview here. Stay tuned for a full review. I also read and reviewed The Chosen One by Carol Lynch-Williams. If you like a tearjerker, you might like this. Didn't work for me. Find out why here.

Some of you know I also publish at Color Online, a blog that is an extension of a community group I founded to support young women. Our blog features women writers of color. This week I added a new feature, Sewing Circle. Looking for a new read, check out Color Online. We also host a monthly trivia quizzes. Answer correctly and your name is entered in a drawing for a free book from our Prize Bucket.

Lastly, I'm currently reading Secret Keeper by Mitali Perkins. I've been looking forward to reading Mitali's latest book. In addition to writing her own books, she writes a blog and commits a good deal of her time to promoting other writers of color. Read her at Mitali's Fire Escape. I'm also reading Brown Girl in the Ring by Nalo Hopkinson.

Find a list of Salon participants here.

Only Choice Is Sympathy: A Review of The Chosen One

The Chosen One
Carol Lynch-Williams
St. Martin Griffin
2009

When I got an email asking me if I wanted a review copy of The Chosen One, I was pleased. Then, I thought about what it meant to read and review a new release that has gotten favorable early reviews. I’ve given this real thought and effort. I look forward to hearing if you find something useful in my review.

The Chosen One is a sympathetic tale. It’s about 13-year-old Kyra who has been told she must marry her 60-year-old uncle, an Apostle among the Chosen Ones. The story is the archetype of a clear victim and bus load of bad guys. In this case, they’re church leaders, nasty old men who want child brides. It’s about a practice that the majority of society frowns upon- polygamy. All this adds up to a pretty straightforward tale of personal courage, harrowing action and a hopeful ending. The expectations are formed before you even begin the read. While I expected a tearjerker I also hoped for depth, some layers or revelations about the faith and its members. What the author provides are secondary characters who add additional opportunities for the reader to sympathize: a budding romance busted up, a miscarriage and Kyra’s family threatened. Speaking of secondary characters, Kyra has two older brothers. Where are they in all this? Why introduce these characters but not give them roles in the novel?

The contemporary story mirrors what has been published already about fringe religious communities. While Kyra’s point-of-view is honest, she provides no insights or an intimate view of the faith which would help the reader understand why followers embrace the faith. The story never gets complicated. Kyra is a sympathetic character. You want her to escape and she does. But emotion alone cannot carry a novel. Not for this reader. Kyra can play Mozart, but this story fails to rise above more than a children’s song. There is no duplicity, no shades of good and evil. There is only a single note: root for Kyra. The entire novel focuses on how Kyra feels and how she escapes.

One reviewer commented that she doubted Kyra could have used a cell phone so easily, but we know that the sect did not shun technology. They had computers and wide screens in the offices. Families didn’t have access but it’s not far-fetched to think they’ve never used them. They weren’t always closed off. And Patrick, the driver who tries to help her gives Kyra pretty easy directions to how to use it. More troubling for me is the escape scene. We know from Kyra that the God Squad has killed members or run them off before, and being a closed community they could get away with it, but Patrick is an outsider, a man with a family. He is a county employee. His absence would draw attention from authorities. Why would the God Squad treat Kyra differently than Ellen the adulterer or the boys they’ve dropped off in the desert to die? Kyra has been warned, beaten and her family threatened. By the time she attempts the escape why isn’t she killed? Because not killing her means a happy ending and that feels grossly contrived to me.

Lastly, the transitions between scenes often felt stilted or abrupt. The additional white spacing was not an effective segue to new thoughts or scenes. At times I had to re-read the last line of preceding paragraphs to see if I missed a transition. Stylistically, the writing is competent but there aren’t any memorable lines and the construction is not impressive. The inner dialogue and brief accounts of past memories are either too brief or awkward. They add little. The Chosen One does tug your heartstrings. If you enjoy a tearjerker and emotion is enough, you’ll enjoy this. I had hoped for more.

In My Mailbox (4)

A light but good week. Okay, I know most bibliophiles will say this is blasphemy, but I really do have too many books physically piled up. And if we considered my virtual tbr, it would be even worse. To that end, I am glad that I got a single title in the mail, and I only picked up three books from the library. A FYI to authors, I cannot afford to buy every book I read, but that doesn't mean I don't actively promote your book and affect sales. We have a great library system. I regularly suggest and request new buys for our library. I haven't requested a purchase that hasn't been made. Looking at my last two mailbox posts, I discovered that six of the books I've checked out are new book purchases I requested the library make. In My Mailbox is hosted each week by Kristi at Story Siren and Mailbox Monday is hosted by Marcia at The Printed Page. Eva hosts Library Loot at A Striped Armchair. This week I added to my ever growing pile:

The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams. Received this for review. Read a review somewhere that I really enjoyed but of course now I can't remember where. I looked at some of the published reviews and most were over-the-top. This a story about one girl's experience in a polygamous community. I'm looking forward to it but I was turned off by some of the sensenationalized reviews. Williams’ portrayals of the family are sharp, but what’s most interesting about this book is how the yearnings and fears of a character so far from what most YAs know will still seem familiar and close. Grades 7-10. --Ilene Cooper

Say The Word by Jeannine Garsee. There was quite a bit of buzz around this one. Steph Su reviewed it and I value her opinion so I'm curious if we agree on most points or if there'll be key differences in our takes on this novel. Steph writes, Jeannine Garsee tackles the difficult subjects of homosexuality, homophobia, and family loyalty in SAY THE WORD. In particular, I found the family loyalty issue most striking.

Cuba 15 by Nancy Osa. May is Latin Book Month. I have picked this book a couple of times and have failed to get to it. That's the problem with having too many good reads at one time. Violet Paz has just turned 15, a pivotal birthday in the eyes of her Cuban grandmother. Fifteen is the age when a girl enters womanhood, traditionally celebrating the occasion with a quinceañero. But while Violet is half Cuban, she’s also half Polish, and more importantly, she feels 100% American.

Need by Carrie Jones. I've seen this everywhere on teen review sites. When I saw it in the library, I remembered I requested it. I'm not a big reader of the fantasy genre but I'll say this, this genre has some of the most striking covers I've ever seen. Diana at Stop, Drop and Read had mixed feelings about it. It's written in the present tense and first person. I'm really curious to see how well the author handles both a lesser used tense and point-of-view.

Meat On That Bone!

Down To The Bone
Mayra Lazara Dole
Harper Teens
2008

I just finished Down To The Bone, a wickedly funny and smart LBGT teen novel. It is a welcomed and needed addition to a genre that is sorely under represented in the media, libraries and book blogs. The issue of who we love is front and center here, and the writer doesn't deviate from the issue. That said this book isn't for gay teens only (I really wish we wouldn't overlook books just because they address a marginalized group). It is for everybody who knows and loves someone who is LBGT and I hope that people who judge members of this community will read it, too.

Okay, I don't want to preach here, but Laura's story, while fiction, is a reality for many teens and that reality is ugly and scary. The book opens with drama: Laura is reading a love letter from her girlfriend, Marlena in class. Not the smartest thing to do and she chides herself for it later. Her teacher snatches the note and proceeds to humiliate Laura. Now you would think a mature adult would stop when she realizes the consequences of finishing the letter aloud, but the teacher is cruel. Yes, I say cruel. Laura is expelled from school and then her mother kicks her out of their home, too. If you don't know, you cannot be Cuban and gay. The homophobia and gay bashing is vicious. Reminds me a lot of how intolerant the black community is. Still, I was surprised how intolerant the young people were. One of the things I think Dole does exceptionally well is to describe how a young person comes to term with her sexual orientation and the process of self-identifying. Laura does not call herself gay. She has loved only one girl and she is understandably afraid of associating with openly gay people. She wants a normal life even if it means not being completely honest with herself. She wants her life back. I appreciate that Dole doesn't make Laura a teen who is the exception. In other words, Laura has to figure out who she is and what she wants. She's not this super strong, assertive person who thinks she knows all the answers. Laura admits she's confused. She gets angry. She does all the things that make her believable.

The upside to Laura's story is that despite the trauma of being separated from her family (she is exceptionally close to her little brother, Pedri) she has an incredible support system. Here best friend, Soli and her mom, Viva take Laura and her dog in. She has a job and she meets new people in the gay community including Tazer, a boi. Laura makes a lot of mistakes including hurting someone in attempt to be what her mother wants her to be. In the end she does decide to live her life as who she really is. It is not the life she thought she'd have but it is a good life.

For a first book, Dole gets a lot right: pacing, crazy dialogue, you will be laughing a lot, and the language is authentic from the teens' vernacular to Viva's English. A personal plus for me was all the talk of food. I don't just love food, I love eating (all the foodies know what this means) and according to Laura, so do Cubans. Between the wicked dialogue and all the food, I could not get enough. Don't laugh. This book feeds a hunger that only a good book can. The book is huge and I wondered if that would put readers off. Not to worry, this is page turner, and while the book is thick, it's also shorter than a standard hardcover. I read the book straight through. There were only a couple of scenes I felt were heavy handed but I get the aim and the lessons won't be lost on anybody. I know most of us hate overt preaching, but this is one peer trying to let another peer know that it's okay to be who you are.

I highly recommend, Down To The Bone. May is Latin Book Month. If you haven't chosen a book to commemorate the month, pick up this one. It imparts what every parent wants for their children: love, self-acceptance, self-discovery and personal growth.

Read an interview with Mayra Lazara Dole at Lee Wind's.
Find a short list of recommended Latin books at Crazy Quilts.

Little Lovin' Monday

Little Lov'n Monday is a day we celebrate the work of fellow bloggers. Post a link to an article, contest, interview, poem- anything you think deserves a little lov'n. Get some lov'n back. Share some love and be entered in LLM Giveaway. Deadline is April 30. 1 winner will be chosen this week. Congratulations to Doret, winner (4/25)! Check her out at The HappyNappy Bookseller.

Okay, so some of you don't have links to share. The goal is to share some love. Commit to visiting 5 blogs and leaving comments. If you do that, let us know. You might not care about winning a book, but I'm thinking you're a cool person who cares. Tell us that you shared some lov'n. Thanks. Winner will choose a prize from the list:

Don't Get It Twisted by Paula Chase (YA)
Every Time A Rainbow Dies by Rita Williams-Garcia (YA)
Life Is Funny by E.R. Frank (YA)
Blue Hour Poems by Carolyn Forche
Stolen Lives by Malika Oufkir

Earn 1 entry for leaving a link to a post you think we should check out. Earn extra entries:

+5 for saying you visited folks and shared some love
+3 for posting LLM icon/link in your sidebar
+2 for writing a post about LLM
Leave a separate comment for each entry.

Check Out These Links, Leave Some Links.
Silver Phoenix Giveaway @ Ello 2
What's an ARC @ Shelf Space
4 Manuscripts and 73 rejection letters @ Naki
Adults Reading YA @ Reverie
Mothers' Day Booklist @ White Readers Meet Black Authors
Body Image Week@ My Favorite Author
The Eight Beatitudes For Authors @ Readers Room
"What Penn and Teller Can Teach Us" @ Geoffrey Philp's
"Color Up For Summer" @Crazy Quilts- Request for Recommended writers of color.
"Nikki Grimes: One Woman Hurricane" - Call for Book Donations at Readergrlz
Cartoonist, Jonathan Zapiro (C.O.R.A post) @ PopCulture Shock comic blog
"Poetry Is The Human Voice" at Afrogeek Mom and Dad

A Wish After Midnight Contest & Interview

Many of you may remember me promoting Zetta Elliott's book, A Wish After Midnight. Well, it's now available at Amazon! Buy one and win one by linking to this announcement about my upcoming interview with Zetta later this week. Link to this promotion, and your name will be entered in a drawing to win a signed copy. Come back and read the interview, and leave a question or comment, and you'll earn a second chance to win. Help me get this incredible read into the hands of young people, old people, educators and on library shelves and in classrooms. Enjoy the video and check out Edi's review at Crazy Quilts.

Interview will post Friday, March 20th.

Post your link here in the comment section. To be eligible to win, you must provide me with contact information. You can write me privately if you don't want your addy posted here. Contest for US residents only. 3 winners will be randomly chosen from entries here and Color Online. Deadline for entries is March 25th.