Dystopian fiction deals with the end of the world - the collapse of civilization as we know it due to war, plague, alien invasion or some other calamity. Well-known examples are The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, a war-torn society where children must battle to the death for an audience's amusement, or The Road by Cormac McCarthy, a dismal journey of a father and son through a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Teen readers are drawn to these stories for the action and excitement, but also for the echoes of the real-world problems they have to navigate. A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World by C.A. Fletcher is a gentler kind of dystopian story. Instead of focusing on how society falls apart, it explores what the world is like for the survivors decades after. The story is told by Griz, a teen whose family is immune to the condition that caused the human race to lose the ability to reproduce and die out. The family survives on a series of remote islands where they farm, fish, and occasionally go "a-Viking," exploring abandoned places for anything useful they can find. It's not an easy life, but despite some hardship, the family is somewhat content. When a trader comes by and steals one of the family dogs, valued as much for its companionship as for its hunting, Griz jumps in his boat and gives chase. The pursuit takes him and his remaining dog to the mainland, where he tries to reconcile what he’s read in old books with the ruins he sees. It's a contemplative adventure as the reader sees the remains of our society through Griz's eyes. Recounting the story in a journal at the lowest point in his life, Griz draws us in with his tales of danger and wonder; we want to know how he got into trouble, if he'll find a way out, and whether he will ever find his dog. When Griz finally catches up with the trader, the story enters more familiar dystopian territory, exploring issues of morality and individual freedoms with a few reveals I never expected. Griz is a compelling narrator, full of curiosity and honest about his shortcomings. His relationship with his dogs will resonate with anyone who's ever loved a pet. While this may not have the edge-of-your-seat thrills of some dystopian novels, there is plenty to move the story along. In fact, when it ended, I was left wanting to know more about the characters, and longing to accompany them on further adventures.
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In the mood for a good supernatural thriller? Check out The Honeys by Ryan La Sala. The fast-paced, action-packed story pulled me in from the first page and kept me guessing til the last. Mars, a gender fluid teen, always felt less than his twin sister Caroline, who seemed to have everything going for her. The past few years, Caroline spent all her free time at a ritzy nature camp, one Mars stopped attending after a traumatic event. When his sister dies attacking him - an event his parents try to cover up and blame on a brain tumor - Mars wants to return to the camp to figure out what really happened. What changed for his sister there? Who were her beautiful and strangely influential friends, a group called the "Honeys" because they tended the camp's bees? While searching for answers, Mars finds something even more sinister than the elitism and sexism that pervade the camp. Is there anyone he can trust? Is the "hive mind" of the Honeys more than just a metaphor? Can he escape the fate that doomed his sister? In addition to an engaging story, the book offers an interesting look at class and gender. Mars is a dynamic main character who is easy to root for, and a unique hero in young adult literature. As for the villains, they're not always who you think they are, and the final reveals may take you by surprise. Realistic fiction stories provide readers with "windows and mirrors," a look into others' lives and a reflection of their own. In addition to providing engaging stories, these books validate readers who see themselves and help us build empathy for others. Some of the library's newest realistic titles tackle illness, family secrets, going viral, healing and finding your place in the world.
Fear of Missing Out by Kate McGovern - When a teen learns her cancer has returned, she sets out on a road trip with her boyfriend and best friend to investigate a possible new technology that could freeze her body until a cure is found. If you liked The Fault in Our Stars by John Green or Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon, check this one out. The Silence that Binds Us by Joanna Ho - May’s brother seems to have everything going for him. So when he commits suicide, her family is turned upside down. Their pain is made worse when a local businessman blames the Asian-American family for the death and several other suicides, saying the culture puts too much pressure on teens to achieve. May strikes back with her writing, but speaking up has consequences she doesn't expect. It also makes her realize that the racism she’s struggling with is nothing new to her Black best friends. This is a sad story with a hopeful, empowering ending as May and her friends work to ensure everyone has a voice, no matter their background or struggle. The Kids are Gonna Ask by Gretchen Anthony - When Thomas and Savannah’s mom dies, they are desperate to learn who their biological father is. They decide a podcast could help them track down mom's friends and help tell their story. Their efforts go viral, and as they draw more listeners, they also draw controversy. Everyone from feminists to men's rights advocates to First Amendment activists begin to weigh in. Is finding their dad worth all the mayhem that comes with it? And will the guy be worth finding? A story of siblings, family secrets, finding yourself and growing up in a world when everything is shared on social media. The Words in My Hands by Asphyxia - This is one of several books we have that see Deafness as something to celebrate, not to pity or fix. The author uses a combination of text, paint, collage and drawings to tell the story of Piper, who is so busy trying to survive that she doesn’t know what it’s like to live. When she meets Marley, Piper begins to see her Deafness isn't something to hide, and she's determined to use her voice to help others. The story veers into the dystopian genre because it’s based in a world with environmental collapse and political corruption. If you're interested in this topic, you can also try True Biz by Sara Novic, The Silence Between Us by Alison Gervais and The Sign for Home by Blair Fell. An Appetite for Miracles by Laeken Zea Kemp - Danna struggles to reconnect with her ailing grandfather, hoping his favorite foods will ease his dementia and restore some of his memories. Raul has been lost since his mother went to jail for a wrongful conviction several years ago. When they meet at a nursing home, they feel an instant connection and team up on a journey to heal themselves and those they love. Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Reyes - Yamilet is one of the few Mexican-American students in her affluent religious school, but, she tells herself, at least no one knows she’s gay. She’s determined to keep it that way -- and protect her brother, make her mom proud and not fall in love. But it’s not so easy when the school’s only openly queer student catches her eye. A funny, honest story about growing up and finding yourself. Required Reading for the Disenfranchised Freshman by Kristen Lee - When Savannah gets a full scholarship to an ivy league school, she expects to meet other students who have worked just as hard as she has. She's dismayed to discover the racism, hypocrisy and entitlement on campus. When the statue of the school's first Black president is vandalized, she's outraged. But speaking up could put her scholarship and future at risk. Recommended for readers interested in social justice or anyone who's been torn about speaking out.
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AuthorMrs. McHugh is a librarian and instructional technology specialist. She loves talking books and pop culture with her students at Hanover High School. Archives
February 2024
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