First Chapter Fridays: Recent Episodes
Katie Leahy
“[this is a ] Powerful and timely debut novel. Oshiro deftly captures the simmering rage that ultimately transforms Moss from a quiet teenager to a committed activist against a brutal, menacing system,” (Publishers Weekly)
“I totally, untragically LOVE Hamlet. She deals with the insanity of her life in a way that is hilarious and painful...Huzzah for Hamlet Kennedy!”
“Brims with charm and compassion. Readers will immediately be rooting for G-Baby, a girl with the biggest heart trying to help everyone around her.”
“Cisneros draws in her rich [Latino] heritage...and seduces with precise, spare prose creating unforgettable characters we want to lift off the page.”
This novel in verse by Jason Reynolds is an excellent installment to our LitLiterature shelf. This book will “undoubtedly inspire, comfort, and validate anyone aspiring to make or do,” (SLF starred review).
A dystopian novel that I think you’ll all enjoy. “Powerful and endlessly smart, a crucial work of fiction,” Quill and Quire started review. “It’s about caring, about love, about how people can continue, and will continue...I highly recommend the Marrow Thieves,” Debbie Reese, American Indians in Children’s Literature.
This novel in verse is sure to leave you on the edge of your seat! Alexander’s words are music. And beautiful. And gripping. A downright BEAST of a book!
Come hear the super short, but full of amazing craft, first chapter of this story. A story about a young girl’s search for the truth in her unconventional life.
“I am Malala. This is my story.” Malala Yousafzai was a young girl, only a freshman in high school, living in Pakistan. She always dreamed of changing the world. And she did.
You can’t get more real, current, raw and gripping than Dear Martin. With ties between the history of racism and today, Nic Stone presents the story of Justyce McAllister. A story you should all read.
“A poignant and powerful exploration of a nightmare made real. It’s a testament to (the author’s) writing, then, that the heart of the story is one of hope. Read Internment by Samira Ahmed. Raise a fist.”
This is “a hope-filled story that doesn’t pander but instead peels back layers of culture and identity, fear and prejudice, exile and belonging, all wrapped around a young Syrian girl - Jude. Checked with equal parts fear and moxie, Jude is a heart trying to figure out how to beat outside the body. I ached first her, but simultaneously found that though our stories are different, I am her. This is a necessary story. We’re lucky to have it in the world.” - Jason Reynolds
This is the story of Emoni, a high school student with a talent in the kitchen. She’s also a teen mom and lives with her abuela (grandmother). This is “a dazzling story of a girl with talent, pride, and a drive to create that keeps her fire burning bright,” (Harper Teen).
NPR.org said, “This could be one of the most important pieces of fiction since to kill a Mockingbird...If you read only one book...let this be it.” “The Help is about something. That is, something real. Something that matters,” (Huffington Post).
This mystery is sure to be full of twists and turns! At the end of chapter one, I was left full of questions and begging for more!!!!
This adventure novel is such a great story and has some real “Alice In Wonderland” vibes. I know you’ll enjoy it and the author’s great sense of punny humor! A classic...Humorous, full of warmth and real invention.” - The New Yorker
I’m pumped to share this debut novel by Ann Braden with you all! “This is a compassionate look at poverty, hard choices, and defending one’s right to be treated humanely. A very fine first novel...” Karen Hesse
I’m so excited to share a non-fiction book with you! “Born into a life of slavery, Ona Judge grew up in the shadows, both at the Washingtons’ residence and in the first few decades of our new country...Readers will learn more about this little-known but powerful figure in history and Ona’s incredible journey to freedom.”