Nate Better than Ever by Tim Federle

Nate doesn’t feel like he fits in with his family in Janksburg, Pennsylvania. He’s too short, too round, has too many pimples, and he loves Broadway musicals more than anything else. It takes great courage for him to hatch a plan with his best friend to run away to New York City to audition for E.T (yes, the extraterrestrial) musical. He plans to escape when his parents go away on a romantic weekend trip and his all-start athlete brother goes on a track meet.

Things start off amazingly. The bus trip has no hiccups and New York City is everything Nate thought that it would be. Then it starts to rain and he has to find new clothes, things even too big for him. Things get more complicated at the audition, like the fact he doesn’t have a parent to sign the permission for his audition. He never expected his Aunt Helen to come to his rescue.

At the end of the first audition, Nate must get on the bus back home, but he gets a call back. Instead of letting his Aunt Helen know. Nate goes back to the audition and finds his way to the restaurant where she works. She is not thrilled, but takes him home with her where he finds out he isn’t getting another call back. And then his mother arrives, drunk and furious and worried about her son. In the morning when they are preparing to go home, Nate gets told he has been cast in E.T, not as Elliot, but as E.T. himself. Now, his family has to decide if he can be in the musical.

There is so much more going on for Nate than the audition. His best friend, a girl, tries to kiss him, and he’s horrified. Though he espouses he does not know who he likes, when meeting his Aunt Helen’s male roommate and Mark and Marc, the assistants at the audition, he begins to realize that he might be homosexual. This isn’t something he knows how to deal with, but the journey in New York and looking to get into a Broadway musical leads him on a positive self-discovery. Though the readers do not get to see all the revelations in this book, the story is continued in several other books about Nate.

Some parents may not be sure how to accept the awakening sexual identity of an 8^th grade boy. Or the strippers learning pole dancing in the audition hall. Or the homosexual roommate of Aunt Helen. Or a boy running around New York City on his own. However, the positive self-discovery that Nate goes through might help other young readers trying to find truths about themselves. Kirkus reviews felt that author Tim Fedrele handled the information well. They said, “Federle’s debut addresses–deftly–big and solemn issues in the second half of the novel, particularly with regard to family, sexuality and religion. Bravo, Nate!” (2014). A reviwer for School Library Journal agreed. “Federle’s semiautobiographical debut explores weighty issues such as sibling rivalry, bullying, religious parents, and gay or questioning teens with a remarkably lighthearted and humorous touch totally appropriate for young audiences” (McGillicuddy, 2014).

Awards:

Stonewall Book Award | Honor Book | Children/Young Adult | 2014 – 2014 ; Golden Kite | Winner | Fiction | 2014 – 2014 ; Lambda Literary Awards | Finalist | Children/Young Adult | 2014 – 2014 ; Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens | Recommended | Ten to Fourteen | 2014 – 2014 ; Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award | Nominee | Children’s | 2015 – 2015 ; Nutmeg Book Award | Nominee | Teen | 2016 – 2016

Federle, Tim (2013). Better Nate than Ever. New York: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Ingram (2014). [Awards – Better Nate than Ever]. Retrieved on November 30, 2018 from https://ipage.ingramcontent.com/ipage/servlet/ibg.common.titledetail.pd1000?ttl_id=20536632

Ingram (2013). [Digital Image – Better Nate than Ever]. Retrieved on November 30, 2018 from https://ipage.ingramcontent.com/ipage/servlet/ibg.common.titledetail.pd1000?ttl_id=20536632

Kirkus Reviews (2014). [Review – Better than Ever]. Retrieved on November 30, 2018 from https://ipage.ingramcontent.com/ipage/servlet/ibg.common.titledetail.pd1000?ttl_id=20536632

McGillicuddy, Madigan (2014). [Review – School Library Journal – Better Nate than Ever]. Retrieved on November 30, 2018 from https://ipage.ingramcontent.com/ipage/servlet/ibg.common.titledetail.pd1000?ttl_id=20536632

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin

Minli lives on the Fruitless Mountain with her family. Times are tough and her family is being worn down by exhausting work that yields them so little. When the Goldfish Man comes to her village, Minli uses one of the two coins she was given to buy a goldfish, and it does not go over well. Her parents stress how little food they have even as her father feeds the last tiny bit of his rice to the goldfish. Though it breaks her heart, Minli decides to set the goldfish free so it does not hurt her family by just being her pet. But before the fish swims free, she talks to Minli. Raised on her father’s stories, such as the Man in the Moon who has helped o hers change their fortunes. The fish knows how to find the Man in the Moon and tells Minli. The young girl embarks on the journey when her parents leave to work the fields, leaving them a note telling them what she intends.

Her journey is not an easy one. She saves a dragon. Meets a boy only a few years older than she has that has no family and lives in a destitute hut. A pair of twins trying to stop the evil Green Tiger from feeding on the children of their village. And so much more. Each encounter leads to a new fantastical story and each story plays an essential role in Minli’s journey to find the Man in the Moon. The Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books stated, “Readers will enjoy following the feisty heroine as she travels through this lush, mythical world; the episodic structure also lends itself easily to reading aloud, and listeners will be eager to share tales of their own journeys” (2009).

The author, Grace Lin, not only wrote this beautiful, fantastic book that embraces Chinese culture, history, and legends, but she drew the beautiful illustrations that can be found throughout the book and at the beginning of every chapter. The stories and the illustrations help shed light on an enchanting culture, time, and their myths and legends while a family tries to deal with their sorrows and complications. Kirkus believes “Minli emerges a stalwart female role model who learns the importance of family, friendship and faith during her amazing journey. Richly hued illustrations reinforce the Chinese folk theme” (2009).

Below is the extensive awards list taken from Ingram that Where the Mountains Meet the Moon earned:

 

Awards: Newbery Medal | Honor Book | Children’s | 2010 – 2010 ; Parents Choice Awards (Spring) (2008-Up) | Gold Medal Winner | Fiction | 2009 – 2009 ; Indies Choice Book Awards | Honor Book | Middle Readers | 2010 – 2010 ;Children’s Book Committee Award | Winner | Fiction | 2010 – 2010 ; Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award | Nominee | Children’s | 2011 – 2011 ; Massachusetts Book Award (MassBook) | Winner | Children/Young Adult | 2010 – 2010 ; Rhode Island Children’s Book Awards | Nominee | Grades 3-6 | 2011 – 2011 ; Beehive Awards | Winner | Fiction | 2011 – 2011 ; Nene Award | Nominee | Children’s Fiction | 2011 – 2011 ; Black-Eyed Susan Award | Nominee | Grades 4-6 | 2010 – 2011 ; Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens | Recommended | Seven to Ten | 2010 – 2010 ; E.B. White Read Aloud Award | Honor Book | Older Reader | 2010 – 2010 ; Cybils | Finalist | Fantasy/Sci-Fi/ELM/Midgr | 2009 – 2009 ; Georgia Children’s Book Award | Nominee | Children’s Book | 2012 – 2012 ; Massachusetts Children’s Book Award | Nominee | Children’s Book | 2011 – 2012 ; North Carolina Children’s Book Award | Nominee | Junior Book | 2011 – 2011 ; William Allen White Childens Book Award | Nominee | Grades 3-5 | 2012 – 2012 ; Sunshine State Young Reader’s Award | Nominee | Grades 3-5 | 2012 – 2012 ; Young Hoosier Book Award | Nominee | Intermediate | 2012 – 2012 ; Young Reader’s Choice Award | Nominee | Junior/Grades 4-6 | 2012 – 2012 ; Nene Award | Nominee | Children’s Fiction | 2012 – 2012 ; Nutmeg Book Award | Nominee | Intermediate | 2013 – 2013 ; California Young Reader Medal | Nominee | Intermediate | 2013 – 2013 ; Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award | Nominee | Grades 4-8 | 2012 – 2012 ; Nene Award | Nominee | Children’s Fiction | 2014 – 2014 ; Nene Award | Nominee | Children’s Fiction | 2013 – 2013

 

Lin, Grace (2009). Where the Mountain Meet the Moon. New York: Little Brown Books for Children.

Ingram (2009). {Awards – Where the Mountain Meet the Moon by Grace Lin}. Retrieved on November 14, 2018 from https://ipage.ingramcontent.com/ipage/servlet/ibg.common.titledetail.pd1000?queryString=H4sIAAAAAAAAAC3KsQqDQBCE4Vc5prbQdksJSAgJKbQSEcENSs5buVuRJOTds0K67x_mgzSCHoNPnCGJgDRuxlVBKEWeMKc3qMhzk7f1fKuuOM7me1Oe6iNWUNsWGcwXfu0Sx76e1bP1PnFkpxO7RbagwxzcwqzpP0lA131_C2lQ24gAAAA&R=9457222&dNo=6

 

Ingram (2009). {Digital Image – Where the Mountain Meet the Moon by Grace Lin}. Retrieved on November 14, 2018 from https://ipage.ingramcontent.com/ipage/servlet/ibg.common.titledetail.pd1000?queryString=H4sIAAAAAAAAAC3KsQqDQBCE4Vc5prbQdksJSAgJKbQSEcENSs5buVuRJOTds0K67x_mgzSCHoNPnCGJgDRuxlVBKEWeMKc3qMhzk7f1fKuuOM7me1Oe6iNWUNsWGcwXfu0Sx76e1bP1PnFkpxO7RbagwxzcwqzpP0lA131_C2lQ24gAAAA&R=9457222&dNo=6

Ingram (2009). {Book Reviews – Bulletin from the Center for Children’s Books  – Where the Mountain Meet the Moon by Grace Lin}. Retrieved on November 14, 2018 from https://ipage.ingramcontent.com/ipage/servlet/ibg.common.titledetail.pd1000?queryString=H4sIAAAAAAAAAC3KsQqDQBCE4Vc5prbQdksJSAgJKbQSEcENSs5buVuRJOTds0K67x_mgzSCHoNPnCGJgDRuxlVBKEWeMKc3qMhzk7f1fKuuOM7me1Oe6iNWUNsWGcwXfu0Sx76e1bP1PnFkpxO7RbagwxzcwqzpP0lA131_C2lQ24gAAAA&R=9457222&dNo=6

 

Ingram (2009). {Book Reviews – Kirkus Reviews – Where the Mountain Meet the Moon by Grace Lin}. Retrieved on November 14, 2018 from https://ipage.ingramcontent.com/ipage/servlet/ibg.common.titledetail.pd1000?queryString=H4sIAAAAAAAAAC3KsQqDQBCE4Vc5prbQdksJSAgJKbQSEcENSs5buVuRJOTds0K67x_mgzSCHoNPnCGJgDRuxlVBKEWeMKc3qMhzk7f1fKuuOM7me1Oe6iNWUNsWGcwXfu0Sx76e1bP1PnFkpxO7RbagwxzcwqzpP0lA131_C2lQ24gAAAA&R=9457222&dNo=6

The Shadow Hero by Gene Luen Yang

Gene Luen Yang wrote The Shadow Hero, a look at the origins of the Green Turtle super hero. The graphic noble starts with a meeting between the four elemental spirits of China. The turtle makes a deal with a Chinese man seeking to enter America. Mahnaz Dar from the School Library Journal says “A detail about the four spirits of China, one of whom allies himself with Hank’s father and then Hank, injects an element of magic and of Chinese history and mythology that made Yang’s American Born Chinese (First Second, 2001)) such a layered and complex work” (2014).

In this gripping and gritty super hero graphic novel, Lang presents clichés and stereotypes in an entertaining, humorous way. The actor hired to play the casino king appears to be an inspiration in Marvel’s portrayal of Mandarin in Iron Man 3. This character is one that is shown with the bright yellow skin that non-culturally sensitive and relevant works are sometimes shown. This is not the only way that Lang breaks the stereotypes. When Hank choses to be a hero, he finds a master to teach him to toughen up and fight. This master is not a martial artist but more of a street brawler which makes the Green Turtle different from the other enemies he faces – those with guns and some with martial arts.

The story unfolds following Hank who only wants to be a grocer like his father but succumbs to the machinations of his mother that wants him to be a super hero because she was saved by a man that could fly. She pushes him, but in the end,  Hank embraces the Green Turtle he becomes because his father is killed by the mob-like hitmen because Hank foiled one of their plans. The turtle spirit comes to Hank and grants him the ability to resist harm, such as the bullets that killed his father. With this power, Hank can now track down those that killed his father and rule the underbelly in his city.

Kirkus reviews felt that “Liew’s (the artists) playful illustrations, especially his characters’ cartoonishly exaggerated expressions, complement the story’s humor. The first issue of the original 1940 comic book is included in the backmatter. An entertaining and intelligent response to classic superhero stories” (2014).

Awards for The Shadow Hero taken from Ingram (2018):

Cyblis – Finalist – Graphic Novel YA – 2014

Black-Eyed Susan Award – Nominee – High School – 2015

Indies Choice Book Wards – Honor Book – Young Adult – 2014

 

Yang, Gene Luen (2014). The Shadow Hero. First Second.

Ingram (2018). [Awards – The Shadow Hero by Gene Luen Yang]. Retrieved on November 13, 2018 from https://ipage.ingramcontent.com/ipage/servlet/ibg.common.titledetail.pd1000?queryString=H4sIAAAAAAAAABXKsQqDQBCE4VeRqS203VICIsGQQiuRINzKBQ9Wbk8kiu-etfv-YU6oA81TUM6hIqAUN-OaQKhEFpj1AJVFYQq2Nq-6xX02v_vq0d2xgoahzGF-8m-X6D7dNwW2Tp4z9ZOTPfMcBeN4_QHnL4bvdgAAAA&R=25489343&dNo=14

Ingram (2018). [Book Review – Kirkus Reviews – The Shadow Hero by Gene Luen Yang]. Retrieved on November 13, 2018 from https://ipage.ingramcontent.com/ipage/servlet/ibg.common.titledetail.pd1000?queryString=H4sIAAAAAAAAABXKsQqDQBCE4VeRqS203VICIsGQQiuRINzKBQ9Wbk8kiu-etfv-YU6oA81TUM6hIqAUN-OaQKhEFpj1AJVFYQq2Nq-6xX02v_vq0d2xgoahzGF-8m-X6D7dNwW2Tp4z9ZOTPfMcBeN4_QHnL4bvdgAAAA&R=25489343&dNo=14

 

Dar, Mahnaz (2014) . [Book Review – School Library Journal – The Shadow Hero by Gene Luen Yang]. Ingram. Retrieved on November 13, 2018 from https://ipage.ingramcontent.com/ipage/servlet/ibg.common.titledetail.pd1000?queryString=H4sIAAAAAAAAABXKsQqDQBCE4VeRqS203VICIsGQQiuRINzKBQ9Wbk8kiu-etfv-YU6oA81TUM6hIqAUN-OaQKhEFpj1AJVFYQq2Nq-6xX02v_vq0d2xgoahzGF-8m-X6D7dNwW2Tp4z9ZOTPfMcBeN4_QHnL4bvdgAAAA&R=25489343&dNo=14

 

Ingram (2018). [Digital Image – The Shadow Hero by Gene Luen Yang]. Retrieved on November 13, 2018 from https://ipage.ingramcontent.com/ipage/servlet/ibg.common.titledetail.pd1000?queryString=H4sIAAAAAAAAABXKsQqDQBCE4VeRqS203VICIsGQQiuRINzKBQ9Wbk8kiu-etfv-YU6oA81TUM6hIqAUN-OaQKhEFpj1AJVFYQq2Nq-6xX02v_vq0d2xgoahzGF-8m-X6D7dNwW2Tp4z9ZOTPfMcBeN4_QHnL4bvdgAAAA&R=25489343&dNo=14

Drawing from Memory by Allan Say

Drawing from Memory is an autobiographical graphic novel by Allan Say, a celebrated author and illustrator for kids Asian literature. The story follows Allan from birth to fleeing the World War II bombings in Japan. His father separates from his family and Allen moves to Tokyo to an apartment of his own when he is only 12. His mother and grandmother, neither of which support his love for art and drawings, believe it will give Allan the chance to study. For him, however, the apartment is an artist’s studio and he apprentices himself to celebrated comic artist, Noro Shinpei.  The book follows Allan’s journey learning how to ink comics and studying other art forms under other artist’s. When Allan is a teenager, he chooses to move to America with his absent father where he continues to pursue his journey to become an artist and a writer.

The book is filled with black and white photos of Allan Say throughout his life, starting when he an infant, with his family and siblings, with Noro and his other apprentices. There are beautiful illustrations of Japan and recreations of Noro Shinpei’s comics and some originals that Allan gathered from Noro’s family. The illustrations are honest and beautifully rendered, giving glimpses of one young man’s fantasy and the work he did for a man that inspired him.

When looking at culturally appropriate books to offer children, this is an honest and true autobiographical recounting by a writer and artist. Getting glimpses of the family dynamics and their expectations blended with culture and the fallout of war will educate children on what the children of Japan lived through and how they sought their dreams despite cultural norms.

The Bulletin of the Center of  Children Books reflected “Caldecott-winning artist Allen Say has often drawn on his own family history in his books, but here for the first time he recounts his story directly, chronicling his youth in Japan and especially his artistic education both at school and in his apprenticeship with the noted cartoonist Noro Shinpei” (2011). And a reviewer from Kirkus felt “Shinpei’s original comics are reproduced here, harmonizing with Say’s own art from that time and the graphic-novel–style panels, drawings and paintings created for this book.

Aesthetically superb; this will fascinate comics readers and budding artists while creating new Say fans” (2011).

The list of awards won by Drawing from Memory were taken from Ingram and listed below:

 

Awards: Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award | Honor Book | Children’s Book | 2012 – 2012 ; Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens | Recommended | Ten to Fourteen | 2012 – 2012 ; Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award | Nominee | Children’s | 2013 – 2013 ; Keystone to Reading Book Award | Nominee | Middle School | 2013 – 2013 ; Oregon Book Awards | Winner | Children’s Literature | 2013 – 2013 ; William Allen White Childens Book Award | Nominee | Grades 6-8 | 2014 – 2014

 

Say, Allan (2011). Drawing from Memory. New York: Scholastic Press.

Ingram (2011). [Awards – Drawing from Memory]. Retrieved on November 13, 2018 from https://ipage.ingramcontent.com/ipage/servlet/ibg.common.titledetail.pd1000?queryString=H4sIAAAAAAAAABXKsQqDQBCE4VeRqS203VICIqKk0EpEhDtFvMvK3gUxIe-etfv-Yb4IBrTMLtgUgRkU5a08IggF8w51-IDyLFM5Xau2bHCf1c–eHR3HKBhyFOoa3udLGbqtuistpH53F5rsgj7xFvPcmEcf39xUgq3egAAAA&R=16285038&dNo=17

 

Ingram (2011). [Book Review – Bulletin of Center for Children’s Books – Drawing from Memory]. Retrieved on November 13, 2018 from https://ipage.ingramcontent.com/ipage/servlet/ibg.common.titledetail.pd1000?queryString=H4sIAAAAAAAAABXKsQqDQBCE4VeRqS203VICIqKk0EpEhDtFvMvK3gUxIe-etfv-Yb4IBrTMLtgUgRkU5a08IggF8w51-IDyLFM5Xau2bHCf1c–eHR3HKBhyFOoa3udLGbqtuistpH53F5rsgj7xFvPcmEcf39xUgq3egAAAA&R=16285038&dNo=17

 

Ingram (2011). [Book Review – Kirkus – Drawing from Memory]. Retrieved on November 13, 2018 from https://ipage.ingramcontent.com/ipage/servlet/ibg.common.titledetail.pd1000?queryString=H4sIAAAAAAAAABXKsQqDQBCE4VeRqS203VICIqKk0EpEhDtFvMvK3gUxIe-etfv-Yb4IBrTMLtgUgRkU5a08IggF8w51-IDyLFM5Xau2bHCf1c–eHR3HKBhyFOoa3udLGbqtuistpH53F5rsgj7xFvPcmEcf39xUgq3egAAAA&R=16285038&dNo=17

 

Ingram (2011). [Digital Image – Drawing from Memory]. Retrieved on November 13, 2018 from https://ipage.ingramcontent.com/ipage/servlet/ibg.common.titledetail.pd1000?queryString=H4sIAAAAAAAAABXKsQqDQBCE4VeRqS203VICIqKk0EpEhDtFvMvK3gUxIe-etfv-Yb4IBrTMLtgUgRkU5a08IggF8w51-IDyLFM5Xau2bHCf1c–eHR3HKBhyFOoa3udLGbqtuistpH53F5rsgj7xFvPcmEcf39xUgq3egAAAA&R=16285038&dNo=17