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Some Favorite Reads from 2018 - The Girl Who Drank the Moon and Amal Unbound

1/14/2019

This week on Unabridged, we're sharing some of our favorites reads from 2018. These were two of my favorite reads in 2018. Both are middle grade, though Barnhill’s book could be read by younger kids. They both feature strong women who stand against oppression and make courageous choices.

Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed, a global read aloud book of 2018, is a phenomenal story about Amal, a brave girl in Pakistan who has tremendous family responsibilities that pull her away from the education she treasures. Her situation goes from challenging to unbearable when she uncharacteristically speaks up for herself against a formidable landlord in the town, changing her life forever. It is a story of determination, perseverance, and hope. LOVED it!!!!

The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill is a lovely, whimsical story that includes dragons, swamp creatures, witches, and town elders. I love the way the story challenges stereotypes and highlights the importance of questioning traditions and accepting what is simply because it's what always has been. I listened to this one on @Scribd, and I loved it so much I also bought a copy! I can't wait to read it again and to read it aloud with my girls!

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Unabridged Podcast January 2019 Book Club - Justina Ireland's Dread Nation

1/6/2019

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Quick Summary: This is a novel set during the time period of the American civil war, but in the story, during the war, the soldiers become the undead, and through bites, they contaminated more people. In the years that follow, teens of color are put into combat schools to learn to be attendants for wealthy white people. Jane McKeene is a teen participating in the combat training program, but when she is abruptly shipped off to a settlement out west, she discovers even more challenges in their unstable world.
My Take: I loved this novel. I wasn't sure how I would feel about it because "zombie books" aren't typically my favorite, but I adored Jane's forthright, courageous character from the beginning, and I was captivated by the horrendous circumstances put in place by the white, privileged people in power in the society.
My conclusion: This is a powerful read - fast moving with rich characters and complex circumstances. Jane McKeene is one of my all-time favorite YA characters - she's clever, sassy, and determined. Most importantly, I love the way that Justina Ireland provides insightful commentary on the ways that American culture has systemically and mercilessly oppressed people groups in order to further the causes of the few privileged people within the society (who use their privilege to maintain the hegemonic social structure) and the fierce bravery of those who stand against that structure. 4/5 stars.
Favorite Quotes:

“It’s a cruel, cruel world. And the people are the worst part.” - While the society was being overtaken by the shamblers (their term for the undead), it's clear throughout the book that the evil and corruption plaguing them lies within those in power, not the undead.
“The day I came squealing and squalling into the world was the first time someone tried to kill me. I guess it should have been obvious to everyone right then that I wasn't going to have a normal life.” - I loved Jane's perspective and sense of humor throughout the novel. She understood the complexities and cruelties of the world around her, and while she did not sit passively by and accept the status quo, she also did not begrudge her life. She accepted it with courage, levity, and determination, and she forged onward toward a better future.

What I added to my TBR list: Jen talked about Patrick Ness’s The Knife of Never Letting Go, and that reminded me that all three of those books are on my shelf (thanks to Green Valley Book Fair!) and await my reading of them. Maybe I'll tackle them in 2019 - this year I'm really focusing on The Unread Shelf project and reading what I own.
Teaching Tips: This would be an awesome book to use for lit circles. It is a great read for teens and would work well in any class from grades 9-12 (and could be handled by some middle school students as well). As far as lit circles go, this book could be in a group with other books about the civil war era, but it could also fit nicely with books about oppression, justice, and the power of young people to change the world around them.
Podcast Highlights: I particularly loved the discussion about Jane as a protagonist who is more complex and real than many of the female teen protagonists we see in dystopian or apocalyptic YA novels. I think Sara was right that Jane is more real and richer in depth than many of the female protagonists in YA novels.

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