Woman on the Edge of Time

    

The Bookworm says… YES! Marge Piercy’s Woman on the Edge of Time follows Connie, a Mexican-American woman living on the streets of New York who lost her pickpocket husband to a hepatitis clinical trial when he was in prison and her daughter to the state after breaking her arm in a drug and alcohol fueled rage. After bashing in her niece’s pimp’s face with a wine bottle she is institutionalized in a state mental hospital. While in the hospital she is visited by Luciente, an inhabitant of Mattapoisett Village in the year 2137. Luciente and her community show Connie a potential future reality; a society of shared labor, gender equality, and environmental preservation. After becoming part of an experimental brain surgery trial, Connie also glimpses an alternative future, one where women exist as sex objects, waste is abundant, resources are scarce, and people are mere commodities. She realizes that only one of these futures can possibly exist, and that the burden of responsibility for the outcome may lie in her decisions. In Woman on the Edge of Time, Marge Piercy repurposes traditional tropes of science fiction and radically imagines a future utopia in which technological and scientific developments facilitate the elimination of gender as a distinction in order to highlight gender based discrimination and advocate for social change.

Time travel is an essential aspect of the narrative in Woman on the Edge of Time, as well as most science fiction novels of the twentieth century. In popular science fiction, traditionally men were the only characters who had supernatural powers; when women had these powers, they were passive and out of their control (Russ 83). However, in Woman on the Edge of Time, only women possess the power of time travel. When attempting to reach Luciente one night, Connie “called for [her]… Nothing happened. She tried again. She pushed blindly…”(Piercy 222). Not only are Connie and Luciente the only characters seen traveling through time throughout the novel, it is also clear from the diction in this narration that it requires a concerted effort. By bestowing this active power exclusively unto women, Piercy inverts another trope of popular twentieth century science fiction. In mainstream novels of the time, masculinity was associated with power while femininity was associated with powerlessness (Russ 84). In Woman on the Edge of Time, this gendered power dynamic is only seen in the contemporary depiction of society. The men with whom Connie interacts in her reality are powerful, and they use their power to ensure her continued oppression. The novel begins with Geraldo, Connie’s niece’s pimp, lying about her violent outburst to ensure her institutionalization (Piercy 14). While a patient at the hospital, a team of male doctors dictate Connie’s “treatment” and subject her to painful and degrading procedures and trials (Piercy 234). Throughout her stay, in spite of her attempts to escape, her brother Luis acts as her medical proxy and forces her continued stay at the hospital and participation in treatment (234). When she finally does escape from the hospital, the man working at the ticket counter at the bus station turns her in, resulting in her return to custody (Piercy 280). At every turn, Connie is rendered powerless while a man is powerful, yet only in her present reality, never the future. Connie’s continued and inescapable oppression at the hands of men imitates the oppression of women by gender inequality more broadly. By juxtaposing such extensive and abhorrent oppression by powerful men in Connie’s life with a future utopia lacking any gender based power imbalance, Piercy calls attention to the need for change and goes on to present a techno-futuristic model for achieving it.

This model is illustrated in Mattapoisett and is characterized by innovative technologies which eliminate the exclusive role of women in reproduction. In Mattapoisett, there is a building called “the brooder”  where “all in a sluggish row, babies bobbed. Mother the machine. Like fish in the aquarium at Coney Island”(Piercy 107). The futuristic technology Piercy imagines eliminates the intimate and emotional aspects of pregnancy, comparing fertilization and development to the scientific process of raising fish in an aquarium. By removing the human womb from fetal development, this model also eliminates gender from reproduction and motherhood in favor of the gender neutral machine; the maternal language used in reference to the machine highlights the importance of technology in a future of complete gender equality. Connie expresses extreme disgust after seeing the developing embryos, struggling to understand the use of ectogenesis; Luciente explains that in the fight for gender equality “there was that one thing we had to give up too, the only power we ever had, in return for no more power for anyone. The original production: the power to give birth. As long as we were biologically enchained, we’d never be equal”(Piercy 110). This echoes the work of Shulamith Firestone’s The Dialectic of Sex, published just years before Woman on the Edge of Time, in which she advocates for replacing female reproduction with artificial reproduction in order to eliminate the domestic division of labor and bring an end to “the tyranny of the biological family”(Firestone). Aligning herself with radical feminists of the time, Piercy advocates for artificial reproduction as a means of achieving gender equality. The incorporation of these radical ideals helps readers, especially skeptics, envision a future in which these ideals create a utopian reality. Once readers visualize the future that is possible, they are empowered to advocate for the change needed to achieve that reality. 

Building on Mattapoisett’s elimination of the division of labor in reproduction is the complete elimination of gender differentiation in all other aspects of life. Eliminating the burden of reproduction from women is followed by the elimination of the burden of motherhood. Luciente explains to Connie that when only women were mothers, men failed to develop important qualities of tenderness and children relied too heavily on women, so “every child has three [mothers]. To break the nuclear bonding”(Piercy 110).  Continuing the depersonalization of motherhood introduced with the concept of ectogenesis, the nature of having three mothers, male and female, strips motherhood of its inherent femininity. The tri-parent family structure inverts a trademark of mainstream twentieth century science-fiction writing, the preservation of traditional family dynamics in imaginative futures. Joanna Russ describes this phenomenon as “intergalactic suburbia”, in which the relationships between the sexes in most literary science fiction are those of “present-day, white, middle class suburbia”(Russ 81). By inverting this trope of popular science fiction and de-feminizing motherhood in her future utopia, Piercy suggests that eliminating the structure of the nuclear family is essential to achieving gender equality. Further, Piercy’s imagined tri-parent structure explicitly prevents the gender based division of labor in the parent-child relationship by redistributing traditionally gendered responsibilities, such as breastfeeding. In Mattapoisett, “at least two of the three mothers agree to breast-feed. The way we do it, no one has enough alone, but two or three together share breast-feeding”(Piercy 143). Breastfeeding ties the infant to the mother and demands labor of the mother throughout infancy; imagining future hormone technology which allows men to share the burden of this labor further de-feminizes motherhood and prevents the three parent family structure from mimicking traditional gender dynamics of the nuclear family. The technologies imagined in Marge Piercy’s future utopia allow her to invert common tropes of popular science fiction in order to suggest that eliminating the nuclear family structure is essential to eliminating gender inequality. 

In Mattapoisett, removing gender from reproduction, family, and finally sexuality facilitates the imagination of a society in which gender lacks cultural relevance. When Connie questions a sexual relationship between two male residents, another resident named Parra explains, “all coupling, all befriending goes on between biological males, biological females, or both. That’s not a useful set of categories. We tend to divvy up people by what they’re good at and bad at, strengths and weaknesses, gifts and failings”(Piercy 232). Since reproduction is not tied to sexual intercourse in this future utopia, there is no biological need demanding gendered sexual pairings; having sexual relationships between people of all genders allows the residents of Mattapoisett to move beyond using gender as a defining characteristic, as Connie learns from Parra. The alternative descriptive categories Parra offers suggest a society lacking gender distinction, supporting Shulamith Firestone’s radical argument that true gender equality means gender losing all cultural value as a differentiating factor (Firestone). Piercy’s support of Firestone’s emphasis on the elimination of cultural distinction is the lack of gendered pronouns used in her future utopia. Instead of using the traditional binary pronouns of she/her and he/him, in Mattapoisett people use the gender neutral “person” (personal) and “per” (possessive) (Piercy). Considering language as a form of technology, this system of neutral pronouns is one of the technologies Piercy imagines which is most essential to her future utopia. After breaking down the cultural value of gender in various sexual and familial structures, she offers this technology as a way to preserve and maintain genderless systems. This innovation and her alignment with radical feminist ideals prove that Piercy imagines the utopia of Mattapoisett as a model for her readers to strive for in their pursuit of feminist advocacy and social change. 

I recommend Marge Piercy’s Woman on the Edge of Time wholeheartedly. Her innovative depiction of a utopian society highly influenced by 1970s radical feminist thought provides a framework for her readers of ideals to strive for and models to accomplish them. She highlights the elimination of gender as a differentiating factor of cultural significance as the most important goal of the feminist revolution; while this is a radical goal, she provides strategies which make the radical concepts digestible to even the most skeptical of readers. The plot is engaging and the characters endearing; while it is a bit long and does drag a little bit around three-quarters of the way through, it takes very little convincing to persevere and see how things turn out for our dear protagonist, Connie. Generally I am not a fan of science fiction and tend to avoid that section of bookstores; as such, Woman on the Edge of Time was my first venture into the world of twentieth century feminist science fiction. But it certainly will not be my last. Woman on the Edge of Time is a speculative, thought-provoking, and overall highly enjoyable read for sci-fi junkies and feminist theorists alike. 

“The gift is growing to care, to connect, to cooperate. Everything we learn aims to make us feel strong in ourselves, connected to all living. At home”(271).

 Shulamith Firestone's The Dialectic of Sex (excerpt)

Joanna Russ's "The Image of Women in Science Fiction" (download)

The Hating Game

The Bookworm Says... Maybe. The Hating Game by Sally Thorne is a little bit outside of my wheelhouse- I'm not a big romance gal, but this was mailed to me by a friend to pass time during quarantine so I thought I'd give it a shot. If you have ever hated someone- really, truly hated someone- you know how all consuming hatred can be. Josh Templeman and Lucy Hutton are both consumed by their hatred for each other and they let it show every chance they get. They are assistants to former CEOs of rival publishing houses who became co-CEOs after an unfavorable merger and spend their days sitting across from each other and trying their best not to let their virile hatred distract them from their professional responsibilities. When a promotion comes along for which Josh and Lucy are the primary candidates, the additional competitive dynamic in their relationship drives their hatred to new levels. As their respective interviews for the promotion grow nearer, their relationship dynamic continues to grow more and more heated; however,  Lucy going on a date with another employee of their office brings this heat to a new level. Perhaps their all consuming hatred for each other was suppressing some other emotions all along...

As I mentioned before, this is definitely a little bit of a departure from what I usually read, but I wasn't totally disappointed. It's perfect for a quick guilty pleasure read. The plot lacks substance, the characters lack depth, and at many points it read like a Wattpad fanfiction, BUT I couldn't bring myself to put it down. I was frustrated by the lack of complexity in the characters and their misconstrued notions of love, but I still found myself picking up the book in my breaks between Zoom classes. I wouldn't recommend The Hating Game if you are looking for something profound or intellectually stimulating in any way, but if you're looking for the literary equivalent of a steamy romantic movie, this is the one for you. It isn't incredible by any means but it is certainly indulgent.

"I have a theory. Hating someone feels disturbingly similar to being in love with them. I've had a lot of time to compare love and hate, and these are my observations."

Becoming

The Bookworm says... Yes!! Becoming by Michelle Obama is one of the most heartfelt memoirs I have read lately. This memoir starts with Michelle's childhood in "Becoming Me". As a child growing up in the South Side of Chicago during the time of "white flight", Michelle Robinson watched her classrooms go from diverse to homogeneous over the course of a few short years. She highlights how important it was to have strong mentors who believed in her, drawing her to Chicago's first magnet school and eventually to Princeton University. In the next section, "Becoming Us", we learn about Michelle's journey through law school and the beginnings of a career in law; through her career she met Barack Obama, then a summer associate at her law firm while still in law school at Harvard. As she begins to fall for Barack, Michelle realizes that she is not fulfilled by a career in law and would be happier in a profession that allows her to feel more involved in helping people, and she transitions away from her career in law. Michelle begins a new career and not long after her husband begins a new career adventure as well, this one in politics. In her final section, "Becoming More", Michelle narrates her experience throughout her husband's political career and what it means to be a working mother, especially a working mother whose husband is rarely available due to his career.

This memoir was touching in many ways, not only due to the newly enhanced appreciation many of us have for the Obama family. What I found most inspiring about Becoming was not the story of Barack Obama's political ascent, nor was it the story of voter mobilization that led to his election (these things are inspirational in their own right but were not the focal points of this memoir, at least not for me). I was most inspired by Michelle Robinson's strength and flexibility throughout her lifetime. She pursued a career in law at a time when she would have been one of few women in any law office, not to mention one of very few women of color. When she was not happy and not being fulfilled she changed her path. She changed her path again and again, seeking what was best for her, best for her community, and best for her family. Michelle gave back to the community that raised her for the rest of her life, a display of the gratitude that so many of us should share for the communities that give so much to us at a young age. As a working mother she proved that women can be dedicated to their families and their work, that it doesn't have to be one or the other. She showed that it's important to ask for help when you need it. She was a fierce advocate for her daughters from the day they were born, she made her children and family a priority at times when the effort required was nearly herculean, and she made sure that being elevated to national political fame did not alter the things she cared most deeply about. In Becoming, Michelle Obama shares a story of resilience, compassion, and fearless advocacy, qualities I finished this book hoping to emulate in my own life.

"For me, becoming isn't about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn't end."

Sharks in the Time of Saviors

The Bookworm says... Yes! Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn is already one of my favorite reads of the year. When Nainoa Flores falls overboard into a throng of sharks in the Pacific Ocean off of the Hawaiian Coast, his family fears the worst; spared from tragedy, Noa is returned directly to his mother's arms by the sharks themselves. They view Noa's salvation as a gift from the Hawaiian Gods, a suspicion reinforced by Noa's newfound (strange) abilities following the accident. Noa's story is the stuff of legends, but the pressure to fulfill his god-given destiny eventually drives the Flores family apart. Years later, when all of the Flores children are living independently, nearly adults, the same supernatural influence that drove them apart revisits the members of the family still living on mainland Hawaii. The reappearance of this maybe divine influence forces the Flores family to reconsider what it means to family and what it takes to survive.

This is an incredible novel, with Washburn artfully weaving a heart-wrenching family saga together with detailed legends of the Hawaiian Gods and stories of Hawaiian tradition. It forces everyone who reads it to think deeply about salvation, about family, and about what it means to survive. From the moment I started reading I knew that the end was going to come too quickly; it has been a long time since I have read something so unique, something so refreshing, or something that made me reflect so deeply. I look forward with great anticipation to seeing what Kawai Strong Washburn does next.

"The figures of our bodies become shadows and warp and diminish into the paddies, the river, the bay, as if we are made of the same water, beating into the current with the same motion the sharks are making now, everything blending into the other, it all flows into me and I flow into it."

A Heart in a Body in the World

The Bookworm says... Definitely! A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti is wonderful and meaningful and heartbreaking and everything in between. Annabelle Agnelli, after a flashback inducing moment at a fast food restaurant, takes off running. She vows to run from Seattle to Washington D.C., and in doing so, she becomes a "reluctant activist". She runs from the tragedy left behind in Seattle, she runs from the memory of the boy she remembers only as "The Taker", she runs from the stares of her classmates in the hallways, she runs from the girl she was before. Above all else, Annabelle runs. Her Grandpa Ed follows her in his RV on her 2,700 mile journey across the country, where Annabelle sleeps after long days filled with running and endless thinking. As she runs for days through stretches of farmland, her memories haunt her and threaten to beat her, but she keeps running. With the help of her ever supportive brother Malcolm and two friends Zach and Olivia, Annabelle's run begins to attract attention from across the country; she is met at state lines by cheering crowds and greeted with free dinners other gifts in countless towns. People are listening and people want to believe in Annabelle, but she struggles to believe in herself. Still weighed down with guilt and shame about what happened in Seattle, Annabelle attempts to face her new reality and her new future, all while running forward.

From the first chapter, the reader understands that Annabelle once experienced a great tragedy that left her deeply traumatized. Then you discover that it was in the recent past. Then, Annabelle starts running. For me, one of the most amazing parts of this book is the way that you are taken on Annabelle's journey just by reading; as she crosses the United States on foot, discovering more and more about herself, the reader learns more and more about the tragedy that set her running in the first place. Integrated throughout the story are important passages that highlight the unique dangers of being a woman in today's society, and the novel as a whole does an excellent job examining the long lasting repercussions of these unique dangers, and all violence against women. Caletti's writing is impeccable, both in content and in style. The story is crafted to perfection, and I became truly engrossed in each and every character. I laughed, I cried, I shook my head, and I filled with rage. This book will make you feel, but it will also make you contemplate some very serious, very important issues. An incredible read, through and through.

"She survived something big, and when you survive something big, you are always, always aware that next time you might not."

DISCLAIMER: Review is based on an uncorrected proof. On-sale date is September 18th, 2018.

Between The World And Me

The Bookworm says... Yes. Between The World And Me  by Ta-Nehisi Coates is one of the most brilliant pieces of literature I have read in some time. Coates, in an open letter to his fifteen-year-old son Samori, examines the concept and history of race in America. In a thorough examination of events both during his lifetime and before, including the lives and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, his own time at Howard University, and the deaths of Mike Brown, Trayvon Martin, and of other black men near and dear to his heart, Coates presents a detailed analysis of the systemic oppression and destruction of black bodies throughout American history. He constantly poses questions, some rhetorical, and some that he goes on to answer through research and experience. Coates admits multiple times that he does not know the answers to many of the questions he has to ask, nor the answers to those that his son may go on to ask; however, he still leaves his son with some of the most poignant advice one could give.

Coates writes this short, magnificent collection of essays full of powerful advice as an open letter to his son, but this advice will guide all young people and adults in their understanding of race and racism in America. Those who experience racism firsthand and those who merely observe can benefit from reading Between The World And Me- as Coates writes, "The Dreamers will have to learn to struggle themselves, to understand that the field for their Dream, the stage where they have painted themselves white, is the deathbed of us all". Perhaps this can be the first step. 

"And so there was, all about her, a knowledge of cosmic injustices, the same knowledge I'd glimpsed all those years ago watching my father reach for his belt, watching the suburban dispatches in my living room, watching the golden-haired boys with their toy trucks and football cards, and dimly perceiving the great barrier between the world and me". 

Bad Girls With Perfect Faces

The Bookworm says... Yes! Bad Girls With Perfect Faces by Lynn Weingarten is twisted and sick in all the right ways.When Xavier dumps his cheating girlfriend, Ivy, Sasha is relieved that her best friend has finally seen the light; however, a few short weeks later, Ivy and Xavier are back together. Sasha feels the need to protect Xavier, whether it be out of platonic or romantic concern, and creates a fake online persona to trick Ivy. As Sasha poses as the confident, mysterious Jake behind a screen and begins messaging Ivy, she hopes that Ivy will be distracted from Xavier and that he will somehow realize Ivy is unfaithful and untrustworthy. The more Sasha pretends to be Jake, and the more she talks to Ivy, the more she realizes she is digging herself into a hole she won't be able to escape from. 

Much like in her novel Suicide Notes From Beautiful Girls, Lynn Weingarten creates a haunting plot line with twists and turns to keep even the most seasoned readers engaged. The most admirable quality of her writing is how genuine the stories are; all of her characters are real. Ivy is you, Sasha is me, Xavier is that boy who lives down the street... We can see ourselves in the characters, and as we watch them make wrong decision after wrong decision we wonder if we could ever do something like that. We wonder if we know ourselves as well as we think we do. When a book makes you question your moral standings, your character, your integrity, and your mental strength, you know the author is doing something right. How far would you go for someone you love? (If you think you know the answer to that question, read this book and then think again)

"When you are careening toward disaster, you never know it until it is way too late"

DISCLAIMER: Review is based on an advance uncorrected reader's proof. Tentative on-sale date is September 5th, 2017.

Previously reviewed by Lynn Weingarten: Suicide Notes From Beautiful Girls

Words on Bathroom Walls

The Bookworm says... Yes! Words on Bathroom Walls by Julia Walton follows a boy named Adam, who has schizophrenia. Adam begins a trial of a new drug that will ideally help him ignore his visions (such as Rebecca, Jason, and the Mob Boss, all of whom Adam sees and hears frequently), and it seems promising. Something else that seems promising is the prospect of a romantic relationship with Maya, a girl at his new school that he has become friendly with. His budding relationship with Maya makes Adam want to become someone he isn't- someone who doesn't struggle with seeing and hearing things that aren't really there. As his trial drug begins to fail, Adam does everything he can to make Maya believe that he is the "normal" guy she has grown to love.

Words on Bathroom Walls is composed completely in letters from Adam to his therapist, giving the whole narrative a much more personal tone. Against all odds, this book is hysterical, while also being touching and heartbreaking. Above all it is honest, both in terms of the experience of being a teenager and in terms of struggling for acceptance in the face of mental illness. From reading Words on Bathroom Walls, I am able to better understand my own struggles, and thereby the struggles of everyone around me (because, as Julia Walton reminds us, everyone struggles, whether they show it or not).

"If you can't trust your mind, trust your heart."

DISCLAIMER: Review is based on an uncorrected, advance proof. Tentative publication date is July 4th, 2017.

Reconstructing Amelia

The Bookworm says… Yes. A roller-coaster from beginning to end, Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight is a fantastic novel. Amelia Baron, sophomore at Grace Hall, is one of the top students and best athletes at the school and has a reputation as such. When her mother, Kate, a lawyer, receives a call at work saying Amelia has been suspended for cheating on an English paper, Kate is shocked; she’s even more surprised when she arrives at the school and her daughter is dead. She jumped off the roof- suicide. As a single mom dealing with the loss of her only child, weeks pass by and grieving still hasn’t gotten easier for Kate; neither has believing that her joyful, charismatic Amelia would commit suicide. When an anonymous text message encourages her suspicions, Kate devotes herself to finding out the truth about Amelia’s death, no matter what secrets of the past she digs up along the way.

Reconstructing Amelia is gripping, thrilling, hysterical, and heart-breaking, all at the same time. It’s the struggle of a woman to thrive in a professional environment dominated by men. It’s the toils of raising a child as a single mother. It’s the relationship between a teenage girl and her hardworking, often absent mother. It’s the pressure to fit in, to blend in, to be cool. It’s the desperate frenzy to learn the truth about those you love. Kimberly McCreight expertly develops characters that readers can connect to and sympathize with, making the ending especially unpredictable. I was kept guessing the whole time, reading along as love and jealousy took hearts hostage. I literally could not put it down and did in fact bring it with me to the gym to read while I was working out. For fans of Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train, or Shiny Broken Pieces, add this to your list.

“Sometimes I could barely feel my own heart beating beneath the weight of my hyperactive brain.”

A Tragic Kind of Wonderful

The Bookworm says... Definitely. A Tragic Kind of Wonderful by Eric Lindstrom is a new, YA novel that follows a young lady named Mel Hannigan. Mel is sixteen and she struggles with bipolar disorder. Between hiding her condition, dealing with the past, and friendship troubles (not unlike any other teenager), Mel is struggling to stay afloat. Her method of dealing with the past is pretty much ignoring it, until her once best friends raise questions about the way their friendship ended. When the past is smacking you in the face, it becomes pretty hard to ignore. As she becomes forced to confront the past, the barriers which Mel built so carefully begin to crumble.

"In the vein of It's Kind of a Funny Story and All the Bright Places comes a captivating, immersive exploration of life with mental illness." I read this, claiming similarity to two of my all time favorites, and my expectations were immediately high. After reading, I can confidently say that my expectations were well met, if not exceeded. Lindstrom deals with mental illness both gracefully and truthfully; he draws the important distinction between "You are bipolar" and "You are a person who has bipolar disorder", something that I feel is often overlooked. The system that Mel uses to describe her mental state, comparing parts of her body to animals whose emotions determine her state, is ingenious and incredibly effective; it allows the reader to empathize with someone struggling with bipolar disorder. The story is organized in such a way that the reader is forced to turn the pages as fast as they can, whether they want to know what happened or not. A truly wonderful sophomore novel for Eric Lindstrom; fans of Ned Vizzini, Jennifer Niven, and John Green will eat this up.

"I can't bear the thought of how they'd look at me, and treat me, if they knew how many pills I take every morning just to act more or less like everybody else."

DISCLAIMER: Review is based on an uncorrected proof, Tentative release date is January 2017.

A Boy Called Bat

The Bookworm says... Yes!! A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold wonderfully depicts the life of a young person with special needs, and it's written for those who need it most: young people. Bixby Alexander Tam, nicknamed Bat, lives with his sister and his mom (a veterinarian) and spends every other weekend with his father.When his mother brings home a baby skunk from work, Bat falls in love immediately. As soon as his mom tells him that they only get to keep the skunk for a month, until he's old enough to go to a wild animal shelter, Bat begins to brainstorm ways to keep him forever. Bat knows that the skunk is meant to be his, he just as to convince his mother.

This is exactly the sort of new middle grade that I LOVE to see. Middle Grade readers are at the perfect age to start learning about the world, and there's no better method of learning than a book. Through A Boy Called Bat, readers learn lessons of empathy, kindness, and perseverance; they also learn what it's like to be a child with autism, and to love someone with autism. All of the characters are lovable, but more importantly, they are authentic. The illustrations scattered throughout the novel are adorable and beautifully enhance the mood. I won't be forgetting about Bixby Alexander Tam anytime soon.

"He likes the parts of her that everyone else thinks are weird."

DISCLAIMER: Review is based on an advanced reading copy made from uncorrected proofs. Tentative on-sale date is March 14th, 2017.

Lily and Dunkin

The Bookworm says... Yes! Donna Gephart's Lily and Dunkin is a fantastic new piece of middle grade fiction. Tim McGrother- wait, scratch that- Lily Jo McGrother has always known she is a girl, but it's hard for her to show that because she looks like a boy. It's even harder because her dad is not supportive AND she's in eighth grade. Her only friends are her best friend Dare and her older sister,, Sarah. When a new boy named Norbert moves into Beckford Palm Estates, he and Lily are fast friends. She nicknames him Dunkin after he admits he is embarrassed by his given name. Dunkin just moved to Florida from his life-long home in New Jersey and is having a hard time adjusting to the heat in Florida, and all the changes brought by the move.  The adaptation process is even harder when coupled with the fact that Dunkin struggles with bipolar disorder. In an attempt to fit in at his new school, Dunkin befriends the group of jocks that run the eighth grade- the same boys that love to bully Lily. Lily and Dunkin are both trying to survive eighth grade, but with the baggage they each carry it's sure to be difficult.

I have one (and only one!) negative thing to say about this novel, so I'm going to write that first: one of the protagonists is named Norbert "Dunkin" Dorfman, and is referred to as Dunkin most of the time. From my perspective that's much too similar to The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman by Meg Wolitzer. Enough negativity!! This book is SO important- it's exactly what Middle Grade needs more of. It features a transgender child, a child with bipolar disorder, a lesbian couple, a peaceful protest to save wildlife, and more. Most importantly, it's written for Middle Grade readers!! There's a huge problem in society with inequality and injustice based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and luckily that is a widely recognized fault. A major part of this problem is our reluctance to have conversations with young people about different sexual orientations, and about the fact that there are more than two genders that one can identify as. That is why books like Lily and Dunkin are so important. They not only teach young readers important life lessons, they start conversations and open doors. Who knows- a child may read this book and realize that they feel exactly like Lily does, and then be comforted by the fact that they aren't alone. A child with bipolar disorder may read this book and feel less isolated when they see a character that struggles with the same things they do. Books can do amazing things, and I have a feeling this one will. Perfect for fans of Alex Gino's George. 

"A long time ago, Mom taught me that when someone makes you suffer, it's because his own pain is spilling over."

Shiny Broken Pieces

The Bookworm says... Yes!!! Shiny Broken Pieces, sequel to Tiny Pretty Things, by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton is a gripping story that exposes the nasty side of the ballet world. As they enter their senior year at the ABC Conservatory, June, Bette, and Gigi are competing for the two apprentice spots at the American Ballet Company. With their futures on the line, there's no room for playing nice. June has to choose between ballet and true love. Bette has to fight her way back into the conservatory after being suspended for harming her rival dancer. Gigi has to show all the girls that bullied her that she is resilient and they won't keep her down. Combining these struggles with the pressure of senior year at ABC Conservatory someone is destined to crack. Which two dancers will continue to work with ABC as apprentices, and which dancer will have to  sacrifice her dream?

Shiny Broken Pieces does a beautiful job exposing the ugly side of the ballet world: the eating disorders, drugs, gossip, bullying, sex, and scandal. The most meaningful praise I can give to this novel- I didn't even realize it was a sequel, nor had I read Tiny Pretty Things, but I still loved it. Aside from being slightly confused on several occasions, I still really enjoyed it. The narrator changes each chapter, alternating between the three girls. That switch helps the reader become more invested in each dancer, and allows them to choose one dancer to root for the whole time (team Gigi!). Perfect for fans of The Clique series by Lisi Harrison and for fans of Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard.

"You love to dance. You live to dance. But dying to dance? No... This I will not allow."

Thicker Than Water

The Bookworm says... Yes! A harrowing tale of drug addiction, Thicker Than Water by Kelly Fiore stands out from other YA fiction. After a knee injury forces Cyrus out of soccer, he falls into the grip of a painkiller addiction. As his drug habits overtake him, they overtake the whole family. Cece is at a loss, standing by and watching her brother waste away- her mom passed away and her dad turns a blind eye, so it's up to her to save Cyrus. It doesn't make sense that Cece would kill him, but that's what the police are saying: that Cecilia murdered her elder brother.

Thicker Than Water is terrifying, horrible, ugly, and above all, honest- all the things a story about drug addiction should be. Kelly Fiore experienced the effects of drug addiction on a family first hand, and she did a beautiful job of describing it in ways that YA readers can understand and relate to. Nothing was sugar coated or covered up, which I appreciated greatly. The brutal honesty in Cece's story sets Thicker Than Water apart from its YA counterparts.

"In the end, it's not about where you came from, but where you're going."

Places No One Knows

The Bookworm says... Yes! Places No One Knows by Brenna Yovanoff is a super unique, captivating piece of YA fiction. Waverly Camdenmar is a text-book definition perfect student. She takes AP classes, has the best GPA, runs cross-country (and wins most meets!), is part of student council, and has popular friends. Since she is such a perfect student, it's surprising that she falls for Marcus Holt. Marcus Holt is a text-book definition slacker. He parties all the time, smokes between classes, skips school, and almost never does homework. Waverly has one flaw that draws them together- she doesn't sleep for days at a time. One night when she finally hypnotizes herself into a deep sleep, she dreams herself into Marshall's bedroom. From that night on, she must decide if she can risk everything she stands for for a a boy she knows only in her dreams.

I really, truly loved Places No One Knows. I picked up an advance reader's copy at ALA Midwinter back in January, and I'm so happy I finally had a chance to read it. I think the main reason I enjoyed it so much is that I see myself in Waverly. Not  in the sense that I stay up all night and dream my way into the bedrooms of mysterious boys, but more in the sense that I understand the pressure Waverly puts herself under. Whether or not you consider that a bias is up to you, but I really love this book.

"The effectiveness of your persona is inversely proportional to what people know about you."

Replica

The Bookworm says... Maybe. Replica by Lauren Oliver is a very interesting read.
Gemma is a teenage girl who has been in and out of hospitals her entire life with a varying slew of illnesses. Gemma's parents are extremely protective, and as she grows older she begins to question her family's past. She also tries to understand her father's mysterious connection to the Haven center of research, something that is near impossible because of the high security surrounding the center.
Lyra, also known as 24, is an experimental subject at the Haven research center. After disaster strikes at Haven, she and a boy known only as 72 are left to fend for themselves in the real world.
When Gemma and Lyra cross paths, they each find answers to questions they didn't know they should be asking.

The concept behind Replica is very creative, and I found it very intriguing. The book has two sides- Gemma's story and Lyra's story. It can be read starting with Gemma's side, starting with Lyra's side, or alternating chapters. I opted to read Gemma's side first, and I thought it was excellent. But, when it was time to flip the book over and read from Lyra's point of view, I became very bored. I truly cannot see the appeal in re-reading the exact same story from another point of view, and I don't think that too much new information was revealed from the other side. This book would have been better if it was written with the chapters alternating point of view- it would be smoother and much more enjoyable. My boredom with the second side may also be a result of the incredible amount of other books I have to read, but I truly think that reading the second side was a colossal waste of time.

"A strange and baffling truth: that the people we're supposed to know best can turn out to be strangers, and that near strangers can feel so much like home."

Previously reviewed by Lauren Oliver: Before I Fall, Panic,

DISCLAIMER: Review is based on an advanced reading copy made from uncorrected proofs. Tentative release date is October 4th, 2016.

A Shadow Bright and Burning

The Bookworm says... ABSOLUTELY!!! A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess is one of the best things I have read recently, and maybe ever. Henrietta Howel is a teacher at Brimthorn School for Girls. She also happens to be the first female sorcerer in hundreds of years. She ALSO happens to have the ability to control flames. Henrietta is the one that the prophecy calls for to defeat the Ancients and save Europe from the hands of war. Is she really the young sorcerer they are looking for?

I kept this summary brief in order to avoid spoilers, so that does not (by any means) do this incredible book justice. The world that Jessica Cluess creates, a Victorian England with a society of sorcerers, is vivid and burning with detail. Each character is so poignantly developed that they honestly could have stepped right off the page and I wouldn't be surprised. The plot is gripping and exciting and I was hanging off the edge of my seat the whole time. It's been a while since I stayed up until three o'clock in the morning reading a book, but that's exactly what I did last night. I truly cannot convey how much I love this book, nor how excited I am for the rest of the world to feel the effects of it. A Shadow Bright and Burning is the YA Harry Potter of 2016, and I am ecstatic to see the world sway in wake of this incredible novel. The story telling exhibited is incomparable to that of any other novel published recently, and the romantic element is a well appreciated bonus feature. I don't know how I can possibly await the release of the next installment in the Kingdom on Fire series; I will await the continuation of Henrietta Howel's adventure with greatest anticipation.

"Knowledge is as powerful as fire. The brighter it burns, the more it devours."

DISCLAIMER: Review is based on an uncorrected proof. Tentative release date is September 20, 2016.

Every Single Second

The Bookworm says... Yes! Every Single Second by Tricia Springstubb is utterly fantastic! Nella is twelve years old, and she feels like her life is falling apart. Her once "secret sister", Angela, can barely be considered an acquaintance. Her new best friend, Clem, is completely focused on how to spend the "leap second"- a second that is being added to the official world clock. With her two closest friends feeling further and further away, Nella begins to feel truly alone. Angela's older brother makes a mistake that turns everything upside down, and forces Nella to make some choices. Stand up or stand by? She tries to act with Angela's interests in mind, but also following her heart. Can she really trust what her heart has to say?

Every Single Second, as I said above, is utterly fantastic. In a society where racial divides tear us apart, it is absolutely essential that we acknowledge this fatal flaw. Books are the perfect way to examine the problem and spread awareness, especially to middle grade readers. My only problem with this book is that I felt the first hundred or so pages were extremely confusing and I felt that the confusion lingered throughout most of the book. With that trivial detail set aside, I have nothing but pure admiration for this book. A must read for all children- the children who wonder why hate grips our nation so strongly. 

"Forward! That is the way of our cosmos. The future is urgent, irresistible, and majestic."

The Sun Is Also A Star

The Bookworm says... Yes! The Sun Is Also A Star is truly a shining sophomore novel for the lovely Nicola Yoon. Natasha and Daniel collide in a near fatal moment on a corner in Times Square. It is a big day for each- Natasha's family is being deported, and Daniel has an interview with a Yale alumnus. Natasha is a firm believer in science and the accuracy of the scientific method; her only mission is to reverse her father's mistakes and keep her family in America. Daniel is a poet, a dreamer, who is trying to be happy in his life while living up to his parents' expectations. Once Daniel sees Natasha, his interview immediately fades from his mind. All that matters is getting to know this intriguing, beautiful girl with the "DEUS EX MACHINA" jacket and the afro. Daniel invites Natasha to get coffee, and she obliges; his most pressing issue is no longer the Yale interview- it's making a girl who doesn't believe in love fall in love.

The Sun Is Also A Star proved itself to be an outstanding new YA romance that questions the power of fate and expectations, and what happens if you defy them. I'm not going to lie, the beginning of this book did not have me sold. I was unsure if I would finish the book pleased or disappointed. Just looking at the exposition, the cliche is undeniable- love at first sight in Times Square? Come on. But, as I continued to read, Daniel and Natasha drew me in, their different cultures (Korean American and Jamaican) providing something unique and interesting to the story. After around 100 pages, I could not deny the quality of this story. By the end, any hint of cliche that would take away from the reading experience was gone. Upon finishing the book, I was beyond crushed that the twenty-or-so pages I thought I had left was actually a preview of Everything, Everything, Nicola Yoon's first novel. I could have read another hundred pages of this book easily. This is an adorable YA that is sure to tug at your heart strings- don't miss out!

"The sun is also a star, and it's our most important one."

Previously reviewed by Nicola Yoon: Everything, Everything

DISCLAIMER: Review is based on an advance reader's copy. Tentative on-sale date is November 1, 2016.

History Is All You Left Me

The Bookworm says... Absolutely!!!!! History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera is easily my favorite read of the year (so far!). Even though Theo and Griffin broke up, Griffin still loves him... Even though Theo is away at college and dating someone else, Griffin still loves him... Even after Theo drowns, Griffin still loves him... In the wake of his ex-boyfriend's death, Griffin realizes two things to be true- One: losing people you love sucks. A lot. And, two: his OCD is getting increasingly worse as each day without Theo passes. When Theo's boyfriend from college, Jackson, comes to New York for the funeral, Griffin wants nothing to do with him. Once he realizes that Jackson is the only one who understands what he is going through, everything changes.

This book blew me away, so much so that I don't think any review I can write will do it justice. This is my best shot. Adam Silvera, author of More Happy Than Not, has managed to produce yet another outstanding young-adult novel. First of all, it is told from Griffin's  point of view, with Theo as the audience. The reader is often addressed as "you", referring to Theo. Silvera skillfully weaves through time, alternating chapters between "History" and "Today". Changing setting between chapters runs the risk of having a lost and confused reader, but I didn't feel lost in the slightest while reading this book. It's one of those books that makes you everything but lost- you find yourself in it. Love and loss, common themes in both of Silvera's novels, are driving forces of the plot. The characters experience love and loss, and so will the reader. I cannot tell you how many times I had to put this book down while reading during school so I wouldn't break out in tears in front of my classmates (mostly because it's an embarrassing number). Griffin's OCD is conveyed perfectly, truly showing what it is like to live with the disorder and how it takes control of your life. Anyone that has ever lost someone they love will find true meaning in this book. I found myself constantly writing down the numbers of pages that held passages I felt I truly connected with, or even pages that I just loved. From the artful setting changes, incredibly developed characters, themes that are easy to relate to, and emotional depth of the story to Adam Silvera's all around gorgeous writing, it is pretty much impossible not to love this book. I am heavily anticipating this release, because I know that it is going to change the entire YA world for the better. So now, I urge you, mark your calendars for January and run to get a copy of this astounding novel.

"I feel like a rock being skipped through the ocean- pain, relief, pain again, relief again, eventually destined to sink."

Previously reviewed by Adam Silvera: More Happy Than Not
More Happy Than Not was one of my top ten reads of 2015! See my top ten here!

DISCLAIMER: This review is based on an advance uncopyedited edition. Tentative release date is January 2017.