Author: laemma

“The marrow thieves” by Cherie Dimaline is an award winning YA novel, which is set in a future dystopian world, devastated by environmental collapse, in which Indigenous people are being hunted for their bone marrow, which allows them to dream an ability that was seemingly lost by the other part of the population. Therefore the government shares the belief that this “dream-web-filled” bone will help the people regain what they have lost.

We experience this thrilling and adventurous story through the eyes of Frenchie, who has lost his family and is on the run from the government recruiters, who hunt him for his  “dream-web-filled” bone marrow and want to take him to the so called residential school, where their bone marrow is being harvested. While the main story is told in the present out of Frenchie’s perspective, there are also numerous parts that take place in the past, which helps the reader understand his story and why he is alone on the run. On his journey he meets a group of nomad people, who are also Indigenous and now, after failed attempts to cooperate with the government, trying to survive by themselves in the wilderness. These people start to become his new family as he also finds out more about his history and culture.

Although “The marrow thieves” is overall a pretty dark and dystopian novel, Dimaline also included strong moments of hope and love, as the story also covers topics like family and romance, in addition to the adventurous part.

Another remarkable element of the novel is the fact that it is (science) fiction, but still has a lot of history mixed into it, especially when it come to the story of the Indigenous people and how they were treated in the past, for example how kids were forced to unlearn their language and traditions in the residential schools.

In my opinion “The marrow thieves” is a beautifully written and truly powerful story, with great detail and messages and I enjoyed reading every single page. Therefore I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for and quick, but still thrilling and compelling read.

“We are Okay” is an incredibly written, Printz award-winning book by Nina LaCour. After a tragic loss, Marin has not spoken to anyone from her past life and is instead living at university in New York,  many miles away from home. However, since she has no family to return to, she is forced to spend her Christmas break alone on campus, or at least mostly alone. Her best friend from home visits her for a few days, but Marin doesn’t seem particularly thrilled about it, not because she doesn’t like her friend anymore, but because she is afraid to confront her past and the shocking discoveries she made before leaving. What Marin actually planned to be a quick, three day visit, becomes a conflicted, but also emotional journey for both of the two friends.

In these three days, Marin is forced to confront her fears and open up to the people she was once so close to. “We are Okay” tells a heart-wrenching yet realistic story of grief, heartbreak, and loneliness but conveys, as the title says, hope that everything will be “okay” even in the seemingly darkest moments. It shows that grief is just a point in the story and does not have to control one’s entire life.

“We Are Okay” is a brilliantly written book that excels at describing feelings and thoughts in a particularly authentic and raw way, allowing readers to truly empathize with the main character, making the book even more compelling. The story is written in the first person’s view from the perspective of the protagonist, Marin, and is narrated in two alternating timelines – one in the present and the other in the past before Marin’s tragic loss. This allows readers to understand Marin’s internal turmoil and helps them understand her actions. The main story unfolds within the few days when Mabel visits Marin, making the book special not necessarily for its “exciting plot” but for its sensitivity and the emotional journey of the characters.

Without spoiling the story, it’s worth mentioning that the book has a beautifully rounded ending, which is often a weak point in many books, as it can feel rushed and forced. However, Nina LaCour has excellently given the story a satisfying, but at the same time logical ending, which is indeed not an easy task.

For me, the story is like a little piece of art because the author has managed to write a profound and captivating book without relying too much on the action part of the plot. I highly recommend this book to any YA fan, although I would advise having a packet of tissues nearby while reading.

“Gather” by Kenneth M. Cadow is a touching YA book, which was also a finalist for the Printz Award in 2023. “Gather” explores complex themes of identity, family, and loss.

Ian, actually Doria Gray, is a teenage boy who lives with his mother in Vermont. His father abandoned him and his mother a long time ago, and has already started a new family. Unfortunately, that’s not the only problem in Ian’s life. His mother is struggling with a drug addiction and is currently unemployed. Ian’s best friend Drew seems to be on a downward spiral, which is causing him to worry. To make matters worse, Ian and his mother are struggling to pay their numerous bills, which forces Ian to give up his passion for basketball to support his mother financially. One day, Ian meets a stray dog that he names Gather. He takes the dog under his wing and begins to look after him, feeding and caring for him. While taking care of Gather, Ian also meets a girl with whom he develops feelings for. The two of them soon become close and start spending more time together. However, just when Ian’s life seems to be getting better, he suffers a tragic loss that pulls the rug out from under his feet. He seems to have lost everything, but Gather becomes like an anchor for him that he doesn’t want to give up under any circumstances. 

“Gather” is beautiful and heart-wrenching at the same time. Despite facing numerous challenges at such a young age, including poverty, addiction, and a dysfunctional family, Ian remains steadfast in his commitment to his mother, his home, and his dog. His unwavering sense of responsibility and dedication is truly remarkable and inspiring.

The book is a reminder of the harsh realities that many young people face every day. It highlights the struggles of those who are often overlooked and marginalized in society. The story is both touching and heartbreaking, and it should be recommended to have some tissues by your side. 

However, “Gather”  is not all sadness and despair. Amidst the struggles and hardships, there are moments of warmth and tenderness that shine through. Ian’s mother, despite her addiction, clearly loves her son deeply and will do anything to protect him. The first romances in the book are portrayed in a very beautiful way.. Ian’s story is one of resilience and perseverance, and he serves as a role model for anyone facing difficult circumstances in their life. The book takes readers on a rollercoaster of emotions, with many highs and lows. It is a captivating read that will keep you hooked until the very end, and will leave a lasting impact on anyone who reads it.

I recently finished reading a book that really impressed me. The story is written  from the first-person perspective of the main character, which really helped me connect with the story on a deeper level. I was able to see the events unfold through the eyes of the character and feel their emotions as if they were my own.. The first-person perspective really added personality to the story and gave it a unique depth that I haven’t found in many other books.

 Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA and coming of age stories. While it is emotionally heavy, it is also incredibly beautiful and heartwarming. The mix of emotions is what makes the book so fascinating and I found myself thinking about it long after I finished reading it.

“All My Rage” by Sahara Tahir is a heart-wrenching young adult novel that portrays the struggles of two teenagers or almost young adults – Salahudin and Noor. Salahudin, a 17-year-old boy with Pakistani roots, lives with his terminally ill mother and alcoholic father in Juniper, California. Noor’s living conditions don’t look any brighter; her parents passed away when she was young and still living in Pakistan, now she lives under her uncle’s, who she has moved to California with, controlling roof. Despite their difficult circumstances, Salahudin and Noor have always had a special bond and have been each other’s support system. Both of them are considered outcasts at school, but their friendship has always helped them through tough times. However, their relationship takes a hit when they have a big argument. 

Their lives turn upside down when Salahudin’s mother passes away, leaving him to deal with her failing motel and innumerable unpaid bills, which is not an easy task with a father who is constantly drunk. Meanwhile, Noor tries to plan a life for herself outside of Juniper, but her uncle, who does not want her to have an academic future, makes it quite challenging to apply for college. 

Throughout the story, the two teenagers try to navigate their friendship amidst all these difficulties and also explore their feelings for each other, which might even be more than just friendship. However, every time they think they’ve overcome a challenge, life throws another hurdle their way.

This book tells a very dark but also realistic form of life. It shows that not all people are lucky and often can’t even help their misfortune. It deals with themes like addiction, drugs, death and violence. But it also tells about friendship, love and the experience of growing up and finding one’s place in life..

“All my Rage” relentlessly shows the harsh side of life, and it is depressing to know that more than a few teenagers must grow up in similar or even worse circumstances.

The struggles faced by the main characters, Salahudin and Noor, are heartbreaking and yet so realistic. It is a powerful reminder that life is not always fair, and sometimes things happen that are out of our control. 

Despite the dark subject matter, the book is also a source of inspiration. Salahudin and Noor demonstrate incredible resilience in the face of adversity, and their friendship is truly heartwarming. The multiple points of view also add an interesting layer to the story, allowing the reader to gain a deeper understanding of the characters and their experiences.

“All My Rage”  is written out of three alternating points of view. Noor, Salahudin and his mother Misba. Noor and Salahudin tell their point of view from the present, while Misba’s story begins in her youth in Pakistan and continues until her death in California. The multiple perspectives add an interesting layer to the story, allowing the reader to gain a deeper understanding of the characters and their experiences.This makes the book more interesting and refreshing.

Overall, I highly recommend “All My Rage” to anyone looking for a compelling and emotional read. It’s a must-read for everyone who loves realistic young-adult fiction.