I'm a librarian. Counting was not in my job description. BUT ... here we go!
2022 was a difficult year. YA Literature has become more and more about furthering political agendas and ideologies, and/or bringing forward the experiences of minority and diverse people groups of all kinds. I am against the former, firmly supportive of the latter, but in all cases, story should come first. Unfortunately, particularly with regards to books touting specific political narratives, the development of the story in YA literature is being considered only as a distant second to the furthering of the viewpoints desired by the authors or publishing companies. And while I strongly believe every person should be able to walk to the shelves and find a book in which they can see themselves, the trend toward stories of marginalized groups has become so strong that it is very difficult for those in a larger group, especially young men, to find books that interest them. I read some very good books about people very different from myself, but I also read an immense amount of mediocre, cookie-cutter books, both in fantasy and also in realistic writing. Pulling together a list of favorites was incredibly difficult, and I ended up leaning far more toward some of the better quality middle-grade reading and past award winners than I normally would. I also only read about half the number of books I usually consume so my pool was more limited. All that said, here, in no particular order, are my picks from the books I read in 2022. (Not that were published; I'm behind the times.)
The Bone Charmer by Breeana Shields
A read I crammed in at the last minute and surprised myself by really enjoying. Bone Charmer has a bit of a Divergent feel about it, but definitely falls into the fantasy category over science fiction. In a society where many are born with magic, and bones foretell everything from what you should do today to your future career and partner, Saskia lives in the fear that her powerful Bone Charmer mother will “foresee” a course that she prefers for Saskia, rather than allowing Saskia to follow her own heart. When this comes to pass, Saskia is so upset that she breaks one of the bones used in her reading, causing her life to split into two alternate paths. Readers follow both paths – the one Saskia’s mother wanted and the life Saskia wished for – until one must finally dominate or both will cease to exist. The alternate reality trope as well as a type of “sorting” are common to the genre, but the story itself was unique with some definite twists I wasn’t expecting. An additional worldbuilding point I particularly liked was the tattoos that appeared on people’s bodies as a reaction to strong emotional experiences. Definitely a fun fantasy read with a slight dystopian feel. I am looking forward to reading the sequel in January.
Beyond the Wand by Tom Felton
This wonderful memoir by the actor who grew up portraying Draco Malfoy should absolutely not be missed by any Harry Potter fan. Tom gives readers exactly what they wish for, reminiscing in-depth about his time on the Harry Potter sets, talking about working with each of the most well-loved and famous actors, and including those small funny moments from behind-the-scenes we all want to know about. He is intentional about addressing the fans’ most common questions, but is also honest about the effects growing up as a child star has on young adults and his own journey through addiction. A must-read for anyone wanting a glimpse backstage into this hugely popular fandom.
Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelson
This is an older book that has created a lot of controversy over the years. It is frequently accused of severe cultural appropriation and misrepresentation, both of which are true and must be considered by the reader. It also contains some rather graphic scenes not for those with sensitive stomachs. However, the true benefit of this book lies in its remarkable depiction of anger and learning to manage it. Cole is a juvenile offender whose anger has led him to violence, bullying and other offenses resulting in permanent injury to a schoolmate. He pretends to want change to stay out of prison and is sentenced to a year of survival in the Alaskan wilderness. MIkaelson’s ability to tell a gripping story and create an incredibly realistic portrayal of wrestling with anger and forgiveness make this a real must-read for younger teens, especially those who may struggle with similar emotions. Mikaelson does not offer easy answers or happily-ever-afters, and Cole’s progress has a far more powerful effect on the reader as a result.
From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks
A middle-grade story about a young girl who receives a letter from her imprisoned father, whom she has never had contact with, on her birthday. Upon investigation, Zoe discovers her father has been writing to her for years, but her family has prevented contact. And when her father declares that he is innocent of the crime that put him behind bars, Zoe must find the courage and the persistence to search out the truth in the face of overwhelming opposition. This story had so much heart. It unfolds naturally and beautifully, from Zoe’s wariness and anger at her father to her mother’s well-intentioned reasons for keeping them apart through to a satisfying end that examines the real issues affecting the justice system in a way that stays appropriate to the intended age group. A great look at racism in the justice system with a story that will stay with you a long time.
Just Harriet by Elana K. Arnold
A book intended for early chapter readers with an unreliable narrator. With a new baby in her family, Harriet is sent to stay with her grandmother for the summer on a small island. A situation which she may or may not be very happy about. Oh, and Harriet does not always tell the truth. During the first part of this book, I was unimpressed, particularly with the main character, but I am glad I pushed through that. Arnold creates a realistic, flawed character who wrestles with the very common theme of feeling unloved by her parents in the aftermath of a new sibling’s birth. Adults may find Harriet annoying and be unimpressed with her sassiness, but the story ends well with redemption and many children will be able to relate to her. A quirky mystery pervading Harriet’s time on the island keeps the pace up. A great book for parents and children to read together, particularly for fans of Ramona, Clementine and Junie B. Jones.
How Angel Peterson Got His Name by Gary Paulsen
This one is a reread and will continue to be a favorite. If you must read aloud to middle-school boys or need a book for a reluctant reader, THIS is the one. This memoir (exaggerated?) by Gary Paulsen tells of his misadventures growing up with a pack of boys in rural Minnesota in the years following WWII. It begs to be read aloud and has the feel of an old grandpa sitting on the porch spinning yarns for his grandchildren about his youth. Paulsen’s exploits will make you laugh until your sides hurt and you cry and wonder how in the world any preteen boy ever lives to see adulthood. Don’t miss this one.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Okay, this book was just fun. Seriously. Readers who expect to enjoy it must enter prepared for exactly what it is – a gigantic love letter to nerdy eighties culture. Throw in a huge virtual reality, a gigantic treasure hunt, and a pretty well-developed future society, and you’ve got this book. The movie was far more action-packed, but it had way less heart, especially for true eighties kids. Which, after all, was one of the BEST decades for great music and the explosion of gaming of all kinds.
Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
This is an old Newbery winner that I read years ago and really didn’t like. I reread it this past year and had no idea why I didn’t like it the first time around because it was a really fun read. So it deserves a spot here. Maniac Magee is an orphan who decided to take the “run” part of “run away” very seriously and proceeded to do just that, ending up on the wrong side of the tracks in a very small, very racially divided town. I ranked it high because I truly enjoyed it; however, being white, it is both possible and likely that it would have a very different impact on Black readers. I thought the friendship between Maniac and Amanda was well-built and loved his relationship with the old ball player. Written in the nineties, it’s definitely dated but still a sweet story.
Mystwick School of Musicraft by Jessica Khoury
So this is just my “Hey, this was a great kids’ fantasy read” addition to the list. Amelia has wanted to go to Mystwick School of Musicraft her whole life but a disastrous audition gets her placed on probation. While I’m not going to even suggest the writing is on par with Harry Potter, this is basically a fun take on Harry Potter if they were all musicians and their magic worked that way. The audiobook, which I listened to, was done exceptionally well. Overall, just a delight to read for middle-grade fantasy fans.
A Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi
This book was neck-and-neck with Red, White and Whole, which is also a wonderful touching read, but at the end of the year, I found Place at the Table stuck more strongly in my memory. Both are stories about minority families grappling with the issues of being different in America. Red, White and Whole adds a serious complication when Amma is diagnosed with leukemia, while Place at the Table touches on more subtle themes, including the path to immigration, culture (particularly food culture), depression and racism and bullying. Place at the Table is a great addition to the growing subgenre of literature that shows microaggressive racism and how to be a good ally. And it has GREAT food – seriously, anything that sounds interesting while you’re reading it, go and look up the recipe and try it. (This would work for both books by the way, I’m eating so much great stuff it’s insane :D)
The Lost Girl of Astor Street by Stephanie Morrill
A spooky little mystery set in the underbelly of Chicago in the Roaring Twenties. Piper’s best friend and neighbor, Lydia, has vanished without a trace, and Piper’s on the hunt for her. And yes, of course, there’s a handsome young detective involved! Mysteries tend to be written toward the fluffy side – we read them for fun – and this one delivers without devolving too much into an overly-teen story.
