Book Trailer

A “final girl” finds herself in a real-life thriller in which survival isn’t an option.

Seventeen-year-old Charity works at Camp Mirror Lake, a horror-simulation camp in the woods of upstate New York. She’s moved up to being manager as well as Final Girl, the most desirable role in their nightly performance, thanks to her lifelong horror fandom, her mastery of fake blood, and her ability to navigate co-workers with all-too-real murderous impulses. But her real commitment to the faux frights comes from not having much of a home to go back to when the dust clears each season. The camp, owned by a Mr. Lamont, is located on the site where a 1980s cult classic was filmed. When her co-workers mysteriously don’t show for their roles as victims, Charity reaches out to her friend Paige and her girlfriend, Bezi, inviting them to fill in. As an aficionado of the genre and one of the few Black staff members, Charity is well aware of the usual tropes; as Bezi reminds her, “You know what happens to Black folks in slasher movies,” (Charity reassures her, “I’m the final girl….Guaranteed to survive the night”). Unfortunately, the slowly paced story meanders toward a reveal that readers may themselves have already anticipated. Ultimately, the tropes of the final girl and Black people’s roles in horror are reconciled in an inexplicable hurry. Grades 9-12. Copyright 2023 Kirkus Reviews.

Book Trailer

chilling story collection following a sprawling Cherokee family through many generations.

Starting with Ama Wilson in 1839 and ending in 2039, this spooky speculative assortment features stories from times historical, present, and yet to come. Although each of Cherokee author Rogers’ stories could stand alone (and versions of some were previously published individually), placing them in chronological order and thus in dialogue with each other results in a thematically richer read and allows readers the delight of tracing the family trees in the frontmatter to situate the characters in relation to other protagonists. Ama’s opening story, set during a forcible relocation to Indian Territory, sets the tone: Ama thinks her family’s main worries are Texas Rangers and disease; she also faces a supernatural nightmare. The tight focus on families and the specificity of their experiences, along with the matter-of-fact text, directly address the way persecution of the Cherokee Nation morphs over the decades. Rogers’ grounded, smooth writing style—juggling first-, third-, and even second-person points of view—makes magical elements (from milder hauntings to monsters like vampires, werewolves, and zombies) as threatening as human villains. The stakes remain high: The short story format means any character one meets could later die. Exquisite white-on-black line art from Cherokee artist Edwards sets the eerie mood. The use of the Noto Sans Cherokee typeface and Edwards’ hand-drawn Cherokee syllabary beautifully integrates written language into the book’s design. Grades 7-12. Copyright 2022 Kirkus Reviews.

Book Trailer

Moth lost her entire family in a car crash last summer, leaving her feeling invisible and unwanted in her aunt’s home. But then she meets Sani, a half Navajo, half white boy with hair like a waterfall, struggling with a broken family, suppressed desires, and his mental health. Though no one else seems to pay Moth any attention, Sani sees her for what she is—beautiful, broken, and yet still so worthy of life’s offerings. Together, the two steal away on a summer road trip, sharing the dreams they keep hidden and the spiritual practices they have in common. But when they reach Sani’s motherland, the tribal lands of the Navajo Nation, a shocking yet obvious revelation rears its head. Though the traditions are distinct on their own, McBride artfully weaves Black Southern hoodoo traditions with those of the Navajo/Diné people, creating a beautiful and cross-cultural reverence for the earth, its inhabitants, and our ancestors. Readers will be consumed by the weight of McBride’s intentionality from road trip stops to the nuance of everything that goes unsaid. Written in verse, this debut novel is hauntingly romantic, refusing to be rushed or put down without deep contemplation of what it means to accept the tragedies of our lives and to reckon with the ways we metamorphosize as a result of them. An excellent choice for lovers of poetry and for those who see the beauty in sadness. Grades 9-12. Copyright 2021 Booklist Reviews.

Book Trailer

Principal Kenneth Moore has been murdered, and the authorities quickly zero in on three students as suspects—Trey, the superstar shooting guard; Ramón, who dreams of owning a restaurant; and J.B., a quiet kid trying to fit in. Each boy has found his way to Promise Prep through hardship; Principal Moore’s “tough love” was supposed to be a ticket to future success, even though his authoritarian approach was more vindictive than supportive. As the boys investigate the crime they’re accused of, they begin to uncover shadowy secrets kept by both students and adults at the school. Told through several POVs, but predominantly those of the three boys, this story stands out as an excellent exploration of the lives of marginalized youth. Many chapters are one-offs that feature insights from community members—teachers, students, parents, neighbors—thus weaving a complex world for the story. Brooks allows characters to be honest, showing their rough edges and not glossing over views that are shortsighted or even offensive. Consequently, the story gains a rare verisimilitude that refuses to demean its readers via simple moralization. But make no mistake, this story is also a top-notch page-turner and deep character study. The three protagonists and slow convergence of their investigations will grip readers, who won’t want to stop reading until the culprit is revealed. Grades 9-12 Copyright 2023 Booklist Reviews.

Book Trailer

Haunted by the specter of violence, two Bribri American brothers contend with their hang-ups and each other as their senior year of high school concludes.

Two weeks have passed since the incident in the Minnesotan woods when Indigenous Costa Rican brothers Jay and Max brutally beat up Luca, the school’s star soccer player, in defense of their cousin Nicole. The brothers are now social pariahs among their peers, enduring counseling sessions to get their lives back on track. At home, daily life remains the same under their father’s brutal hand, leading them to take shifts to ensure that their mother isn’t left unprotected. A rift soon festers between the brothers, who are only 11 months apart in age. Book-smart Jay rebuilds his friendship with Nicole, keeps a cautious eye on Luca, and tries to hold himself together for his mom, all to the detriment of his homework. Meanwhile, Max remains dedicated to securing a spot at his dream art school and embarking on a secret relationship with classmate Melody, consciously trying to avoid Jay’s dragging him down or problems at home from stunting the rest of his life. In this striking, assured debut exhibiting a measured pace and delicate writing, Tison (Bribri) probes the ties of adolescent brotherhood and ways the effects of violence can stall self-directed growth. The author peels apart each brother’s bruised psyche by ingeniously rotating among Jay’s tense vignettes, Max’s wistful verses, and Bribri cultural elements to underscore their anguished journey to reconciliation. Grades 9-12 Copyright 2023 Kirkus Review

Book Trailer

In Byron Graves’s (Ojibwe) compelling debut novel, Ojibwe basketball player Tre Brun is still grieving the death of his older brother when he is given a shot to take his place on his Red Lake Reservation’s varsity basketball team. But with so much to face down—racist cops, community expectations, social landmines, and Tre’s ongoing sense of loss—will he and the team make it to their first state championship? This compelling debut novel by new talent Byron Graves (Ojibwe) tells the relatable, high-stakes story of a young athlete determined to play like the hero his Ojibwe community needs him to be. These days, Tre Brun is happiest when he is playing basketball on the Red Lake Reservation high school team—even though he can’t help but be constantly gut-punched with memories of his big brother, Jaxon, who died in an accident. When Jaxon's former teammates on the varsity team offer to take Tre under their wing, he sees this as his shot to represent his Ojibwe reservation all the way to their first state championship. This is the first step toward his dream of playing in the NBA, no matter how much the odds are stacked against him. But stepping into his brother’s shoes as a star player means that Tre can’t mess up. Not on the court, not at school, and not with his new friend, gamer Khiana, who he is definitely not falling in love with. After decades of rez teams almost making it, Tre needs to take his team to state. Because if he can live up to Jaxon's dreams, their story isn’t over yet. Grades 9-12 Copyright 2023 Kirkus Review