Ursina's Shelf - Young Adult
Issue 56
Dear readers,
My love of reading started early with Swiss Young Adult author Federica de Cesca's stories often featuring impressive settings from Japan to Africa and important animal companions. I still enjoy reading YA novels today (I just finished A Fault in Our Stars this week) and today, I would like to share two YA books that are both touching and feature serious topics in an engaging way.
Young Adult
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (2007)
Description: 14-year old Arnold Spirit lives on the Spokane reservation with ihs family, while attending a mostly-white high school off the reservation. He faces the usual challenges of many teenagers—bullying, budding sexuality, etc.—and the difficulties of being Native American in a stacked system.
My take: I became aware of this book earlier this year as one of the most banned books (see my issue on Banned Books); it is frequently banned due to its (brief) mention of masturbation. Arnold and his family and friends immediately drew me in. They face poverty, alcoholism, death, and more, but this book is also full of love, friendship, perseverance, and hope. I was rooting for Arnold, shed tears more than once, and did not want the book to finish. (Buy here).
Bonus fact: The writing is interspersed with Arnold’s cartoon drawings by illustrator Ellen Forney.
The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (2015)
Description: Young Ada is born with a club foot to a mother confining her to their London apartment to cover her shame. When the Blitzkrieg breaks out, Ada and her younger brother travel to the countryside seeking safety and finding much more at the home of Susan Smith.
My take: This story is both heartwarming and full of tough truths about shame, loneliness, anxiety, depression, panic attacks, ableism, and more. I cried several times and repeatedly wanted to jump in and hug Ada and the characters she encounters, including the stubborn pony. (Buy here).
Bonus fact: I enjoyed the audio version narrated wonderfully by Jayne Entwistle.
Friendly recommendations
For more young adult, Aline recommends His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman.
Briana recommends Red Rising by Pierce Brown.
Selena enoyed Tokyo Ever After and the sequel Tokyo Dreaming.
Currently reading: Olympia, the eighth book in Volker Kutscher’s Gereon Rath series with the 1936 Olympic games as a focal point.
Do you have ideas for future newsletters and books to recommend? Please share them with me! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving .