June YA round-up of young adult books

Editor Intro: once a month, we will plan to have a roundup of reviews of a few books from small independent presses, and occasionally from the Big Five.

Written by Christina Duffy, former librarian, former bookseller

As far back as I can remember, I have been a voracious reader. I don't read books so much as consume them, as rapidly as possible. As a result, it didn't take long to make my way through an author's entire oeuvre, desperate for more. I was born in the early 80's and once I'd made my way through Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary, Ann M. Martin, Roald Dahl and their contemporaries, I found myself stuck. Unlike today's array of Young Adult (YA for ages 12-18) category, no such collection existed. Thankfully I had parents who not only supported my love of books, both through numerous library trips, as well as bookstores. (RIP Borders.) Not only did they encourage reading, they let me choose what I read, even when it was 'above my level.' 

Due to the lack of selection for those of us who had aged out of middle grade, the next logical step was adult books. For me specifically: Jack London, Charles Dickens, John Irving, Dorothy Allison, and John Grisham. With the exception of Allison, you may notice the list is predominately straight white men. It wasn't until many years later that I would be deliberate in seeking out authors whose experiences resonated with my own. It's reflecting on that segment of my reading journey that makes me so appreciative of the expansive genre of YA.

The existence of YA is an essential bridge for that age population because not only does it serve to provide narratives at a time when many teenagers are eschewing books, it offers stories they can relate to at a stage of life that's often lonely, confusing and difficult to navigate. I'd argue the insights these stories offer are essential more now than ever. 

Title: One of the Boys

Author: Victoria Zeller

Publisher: Levine Querido

ISBN: 9781646145027

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One of the Boys by Victoria Zeller

One of the Boys is Victoria Zeller's debut novel, a story of Grace Woodhouse, a trans girl struggling to find her place and voice as a high school senior. Her life is further complicated as she used to be the best kicker in the state, but gave up football when she began her transition. 

I'll admit: I love a debut. I relish the opportunity to stumble on a new author whose writing is unique and transformative, whose pages I can't stop turning because I'm engrossed in the world and the characters who inhabit it. Zeller delivers all this and more. Our protagonist, Grace, has had her entire life upended as the first out trans football player. Pre transition, she was the cool jock, sauntering around school, with plenty of friends, respect, and the perfect girlfriend, Zoe. Despite receiving overwhelming support from the community around her after coming out, Grace is struggling. Her identity has always been wrapped up in being an athlete, the camaraderie of being a part of a team, and football was her ticket to college. Without it, and her teammates she feel less than assured about the direction her life is headed. 

Forced to expand her friendships outside of football, Grace is relieved to find there are other queer students on whom she can rely on to support her journey. As these relationships grow, Grace is offered a proposition from her teammates: return to the team to help secure a win at STATE level. At first she isn't sure if she can manage to be the truest version of herself and play football, but the opportunity to return to the one place where Grace feels herself, despite her physical appearance tips the scales. Of course, her return to the team isn't welcomed by everyone, including transphobic opponents on and off the field, but supportive teammates and friends mount a campaign to bolster support for Grace at her lowest. 

Title: Road Home

Author: Rex Ogle

Publisher: Norton Young Readers

ISBN: 9781324019923

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Road Home by Rex Ogle

At its core, this is a book about belonging, and I can't think of anything more relatable. 

Road Home is a work of nonfiction by Rex Ogle. It's the last in a trilogy of memoirs Ogle has written; this one spanning the period of time when Ogle was thrown out of his home by his father for being gay. Be forewarned, this is an excruciating read at points, and the prologue features a note from the author including several content warnings. 

Having grown up in the South with a religious upbringing, Ogle has spent his childhood closeted and terrified anyone will discover his secret. Confronted by his military father at 17 years old, he's offered a choice: be straight or get out. With little more than $100 and a small duffel, Ogle leaves his hometown for New Orleans. I was immediately immersed in the narrative of Ogle's struggles and pained as he recounted the many traumas, assaults and struggles he endured to survive. 

I was struck by the shift in how Ogle viewed himself at the start of the story, and the shift that occurred the longer he experienced homelessness. The portrayal of humanity despite circumstances beyond our control provided a reminder of our privilege and the precariousness of our position. The author describes feeling equal parts invisible and shame as a person experiencing homelessness, especially when he is reliant on the kindness of strangers to provide money or food.

I had the pleasure of meeting Rex Ogle at a librarian's conference. He signed a copy of the book to me, along with the words: Keeping Reading. Stories Matter. Including Yours. Simple words with a powerful message. I could have only hoped to have found authors like that when I was younger, and I'm so glad readers today do.