Douglas Stuart How Good Luck—And Great Talent—Produced His Extraordinary Debut, Shuggie Bain P

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KIRKUSVOL. LXXXVIII, NO. 3 | 1 FEBRUARY 2020 REVIEWS

Douglas Stuart How good luck—and great talent—produced his extraordinary debut, Shuggie Bain p. 14

Also in the issue: Emily Nemens, Sam Wasson, Tonya Bolden, Fred Aceves from the editor’s desk:

Chairman Literary valentines HERBERT SIMON President & Publisher MARC WINKELMAN BY TOM BEER #

Chief Executive Officer MEG LABORDE KUEHN [email protected] J ohn Paraskevas Sorry, but is there any holiday worse than Valentine’s Day? The saccharine cards, Editor-in-Chief TOM BEER the ridiculous bouquets, the overabundance of candy? (OK, maybe the candy isn’t [email protected] so bad.) If you’re coupled, there’s all that pressure to manufacture a romantic eve- Vice President of Marketing ning. If you’re single, well…you probably don’t feel like leaving the house. SARAH KALINA [email protected] But as I’ve watched the streaming series Modern Love in recent weeks—it’s Managing/Nonfiction Editor based on the long-running series of essays about relationships in the New York ERIC LIEBETRAU [email protected] Times, also collected in book form—I was reminded that love stories, when well Fiction Editor told, offer unique windows on to human behavior and psychology. Of course, LAURIE MUCHNICK there’s the whole genre of romance fiction, and Kirkus romance correspondent [email protected] Jennifer Prokop has already made a host of 2020 recommendations on our website. Children’s Editor VICKY SMITH As for me, here are some of my favorite literary novels, all published in recent years, [email protected] that depict love in all its complicated glory: Young Adult Editor Tom Beer LAURA SIMEON Normal People by Sally Rooney (2019): Rooney’s second novel is the story of Mari- [email protected] Editor at Large anne and Connell, two young people whom she follows from their adolescence in MEGAN LABRISE provincial western Ireland to university in Dublin. Their powerful connection— [email protected] Vice President of Kirkus Indie tested by personal growth and social circumstances—is scarily familiar and quietly KAREN SCHECHNER heartbreaking. Kirkus’ reviewer praised the book for its “bravura intelligence, wit, [email protected] and delicacy.” Senior Indie Editor DAVID RAPP Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl by Andrea Lawlor (2017): This wildly inven- [email protected] Indie Editor tive novel tackles issues of gender, sexuality, and intimacy by making its protago- MYRA FORSBERG nist a shape-shifting grad student in Iowa City in the mid-1990s. As Paul, they [email protected] Associate Manager of Indie cruise hungrily and have lots of sex with gay men, but after transforming into KATERINA PAPPAS Polly, they attend the Michigan Womyn’s Festival and fall hard for Diane, a vegan [email protected] lesbian. Our reviewer called it a “magical, sexual, and hopeful debut novel about Editorial Assistant JOHANNA ZWIRNER transcending boundaries of gender to pursue emotional connection.” [email protected]

Mysteries Editor Exit West by Mohsin Hamid (2017): I will never forget the love story of Nadia and THOMAS LEITCH

Saeed, conducted under cover of night in an unnamed Middle Eastern City ruled Contributing Editor by fundamentalists, in the grip of a civil war. Saeed sneaks into Nadia’s building GREGORY McNAMEE Copy Editor disguised in a burka; together they smoke pot and listen to forbidden records. BETSY JUDKINS Then they take a chance and seek asylum from their homeland—with devastating Designer consequences. Kirkus called it “one of the most bittersweet love stories in mod- ALEX HEAD ern memory and a book to savor even while despairing of its truths.” Director of Kirkus Editorial LAUREN BAILEY The Golden Age by Joan London (2016): This lovely novel [email protected] Production Editor from Australia depicts the tender relationship between CATHERINE BRESNER teenagers Frank and Elsa, both residents at a children’s [email protected] Website and Software Developer polio hospital outside Perth in the 1950s. Frank, who also PERCY PEREZ discovers poetry while at the clinic, is a Jewish refugee [email protected] from Hungary, and the novel evokes the powerful feeling both young people expe- Advertising Director MONIQUE STENSRUD rience of being uprooted from life. Kirkus’ reviewer called it “cleareyed, generous- [email protected]

hearted, never sentimental.” Advertising Associate TATIANA ARNOLD Americanah, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2013): Many readers remember [email protected] Graphic Designer Adichie’s third novel for its whip-smart social commentary, delivered through the LIANA WALKER vehicle of one character’s blog about being an African among African Americans. [email protected] But even more powerful, for me, was the sweet and sad love story between Ifemulu Controller MICHELLE GONZALES and Obinze, natives of Lagos, Nigeria, who can’t find their way back to one another after landing in the [email protected] United States and England, respectively. Kirkus deemed the novel “elegantly written” and “emotionally for customer service or subscription questions, believable.” please call 1-800-316-9361

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2 | 1 february 2020 | from the editor’s desk | kirkus.com | you can now purchase books online at kirkus.com contents fiction INDEX TO STARRED REVIEWS...... 4 The Kirkus Star is awarded REVIEWS...... 4 to books of remarkable EDITOR’S NOTE...... 6 ON THE COVER: DOUGLAS STUART...... 14 merit, as determined by the INTERVIEW: EMILY NEMENS...... 24 impartial editors of Kirkus. MYSTERY...... 43 SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY...... 50 ROMANCE...... 54 nonfiction INDEX TO STARRED REVIEWS...... 59 REVIEWS...... 59 EDITOR’S NOTE...... 60 INTERVIEW: SAM WASSON...... 74 INTERVIEW: P. CARL...... 80 children’s INDEX TO STARRED REVIEWS...... 107 REVIEWS...... 107 EDITOR’S NOTE...... 108 INTERVIEW: HANNAH SALYER...... 124 INTERVIEW: TONYA BOLDEN...... 128 EASTER & PASSOVER PICTURE BOOKS...... 153 young adult INDEX TO STARRED REVIEWS...... 158 REVIEWS...... 158 EDITOR’S NOTE...... 160 INTERVIEW: JULEAH DEL ROSARIO...... 164 Sayantani DasGupta triumphantly con- INTERVIEW: FRED ACEVES...... 168 cludes the adventures of Kiranmala and indie the Kingdom Beyond with a thoughtful, INDEX TO STARRED REVIEWS...... 176 passionate, and funny trilogy closer. Read REVIEWS...... 176 EDITOR’S NOTE...... 178 the review on p. 120. INTERVIEW: JUDITH MOFFETT...... 184 Don’t wait on the mail for reviews! You can read pre-publication reviews as they are released on kirkus.com even before they are published in the magazine...... 198 — SEEN & HEARD You can also access the current issue and back issues of Kirkus Reviews on our APPRECIATIONS: THOMAS PYNCHON’S VINELAND...... 199 website by logging in as a subscriber. If you do not have a username or password, please contact customer care to set up your account by calling 1.800.316.9361 or emailing [email protected].

| kirkus.com | contents | 1 february 2020 | 3 fiction These titles earned the Kirkus Star: AFTERLIFE Alvarez, Julia Algonquin (272 pp.) AFTERLIFE by Julia Alvarez...... 4 $25.95 | Apr. 7, 2020 978-1-64375-025-5 GODSHOT by Chelsea Bieker...... 7 STARLING DAYS by Rowan Hisayo Buchanan...... 10 One of the best chroniclers of sisterhood returns with a funny, moving novel JOURNEY OF THE PHARAOHS by Clive Cussler & of loss and love. Graham Brown...... 13 This is the first novel in 15 years THE FACELESS OLD WOMAN WHO SECRETLY LIVES IN YOUR from Alvarez (How the García Girls Lost HOME by Joseph Fink & Jeffrey Cranor...... 17 Their Accents, 1991, etc.), and she builds on one of her strengths, depicting the complex relationships among sisters. Her main THE OTHER NAME by Jon Fosse; trans. by Damion Searls...... 17 character is Antonia Vega, who, as the story begins, is stunned with grief. A year before, she and her husband, Sam, were driv- NORTHERNMOST by Peter Geye...... 18 ing separately to a restaurant dinner near their Vermont home A SHADOW INTELLIGENCE by Oliver Harris...... 21 to celebrate her retirement when he suffered a fatal aneurysm. THE SOUTHERN BOOK CLUB’S GUIDE TO SLAYING VAMPIRES Bereft of a beloved spouse and done with a rewarding career as a college professor and novelist, she’s adrift and “has with- by Grady Hendrix...... 21 drawn from every narrative, including the ones she makes up ST. IVO by Joanna Hershon...... 21 for sale.” Then need comes knocking in the form of an undocumented Mexican worker at her neighbor’s dairy farm. Antonia THE UNSEEN by Roy Jacobsen; trans. by Don Bartlett & emigrated long ago from the Dominican Republic, and young Don Shaw...... 27 Mario seeks her help (and translation skills) in reuniting with SIMON THE FIDDLER by Paulette Jiles...... 28 his fiancee, Estela, who is also undocumented and stranded in Colorado. Antonia is hesitant. Sam, a doctor who was widely WHEN I HIT YOU by Meena Kandasamy...... 30 beloved for his volunteer work and empathy, would have done all he could, she knows: “He was the bold one. She, the reluc- ABOVE US THE MILKY WAY by Fowzia Karimi...... 30 tant activist….” In the meantime, Antonia sets off to celebrate MARROW AND BONE by Walter Kempowski; her 66th birthday with her three sisters. The two younger ones, trans. by Charlotte Collins...... 31 Tilly and Mona, are as contentious and loving as ever, Tilly a CODE NAME HÉLÈNE font of oddly apropos malapropisms such as “That bitch was by Ariel Lawhon...... 32 like a wolf in cheap clothing!” But all of them are worried about HAMMER TO FALL by John Lawton...... 32 their oldest sister, Izzy, a retired therapist who recently has been behaving erratically. When her phone goes dead and she fails to THE LOVE STORY OF MISSY CARMICHAEL by Beth Morrey...... 35 arrive for the party, the other sisters swing into action. Izzy’s CROOKED RIVER by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child...... 37 fate will take surprising turns, as will the relationship between Mario and Estela, as Antonia tries to figure out what she can THE PRETTIEST STAR by A. Carter Sickels...... 39 do for all of them and for herself. Alvarez writes with know- MAN OF MY TIME ing warmth about how well sisters know how to push on each by Dalia Sofer...... 40 other’s bruises and how powerfully they can lift each other up. THE KNOCKOUT QUEEN by Rufi Thorpe...... 40 In this bighearted novel, family bonds heal a woman’s grief. HOW MUCH OF THESE HILLS IS GOLD by C Pam Zhang...... 43 THE POET KING by Ilana C. Myer...... 53 THE HAPPY EVER AFTER PLAYLIST by Abby Jimenez...... 55

4 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult The Life of Elves (2016) What starts as an elegiac meditation on fellowship who, in war, knew the peace come of Regrettably, encounter.” narration. Shared bottles of wine and pots of tea facilitate philo- facilitate tea of pots and wine of bottles Shared narration. it requires Alejandro and Jesús to decamp to Alejandro the to and it elves’ Jesús requires world of author Barbery’s sequel to mists. French is broken into three parts: “Alliances,” which encompasses in favor of opaque imagery and florid prose. sophical conversation; at its best, “this is the story of a few souls few a of story the is “this best, its at conversation; sophical them a fairy-tale air enhanced by the omniscient third-person climax, the Barberybook’s abandons nearly all pretense of plot devolves into an incoherent fever dream. foe, whose goal is domination through mass annihilation, but Jesús’ and Alejandro’s origin Alejandro’s and Jesús’ stories; “Genesis,” which provides Petrus’ Petrus’ history; and which “Ruin,” details their joint campaign. Barbery’s fondness for her characters—the bravely bumbling Petrus, in particular—suffuses the firsttwo sections, lending | 1 february 2020 | 5 | kirkus.com | fiction | 1 february Elves and humans unite to try to save try to to unite humans and Elves It’s 1938, and Europe It’s has been at war their respective realms. and Maj. Jesús Rocamora are holed up for six years. Gen. Alejandro de Yepes Barbery, Muriel Barbery, pp.) Europa Editions (336 $18.00 paper | Apr. 14, 2020 Apr. $18.00 paper | A STRANGE COUNTRY Trans. Alison by Anderson, Trans. 978-1-60945-585-9 - cel wine the to two other the Petrus—leads named redhead ble lar, where they proceed to get drunk. When Alejandro and Jesús Jesús and Alejandro When drunk. get to proceed they where lar, peoples. Petrus and company have a plan to defeat their mutual their defeat to plan havea company and Petrus peoples. ions, Marcus and Paulus, are elves and that a fellow elf named inside Alejandro’s Extremadura castillo when men appear inside the three grand hall. One of strange them—a - affa portly, - compan his and he that explains Petrus answers, seeking follow, Aelius Aelius is responsible for the conflicts plaguing both of their publishing’s shoulder season

Welcome to February, an in-be- “a riveting, potentially redemp- tween month for publishing: It isn’t tive story of modern American the fall season or the holiday season, suburbia that reads almost like and it’s not quite spring, either, and an ancient Greek tragedy.” beach season is still way in the dis- When I’m editing reviews, I tance. (I haven’t even gotten galleys often spend a lot of time with of this summer’s Elin Hilderbrand the novel under consideration, yet.) There are lots of great books though of course I don’t have coming out—I’ll get to those in a min- time to read the whole thing. ute—but why not take some time dur- One of the books I’ve been ing this short month of short days to read a long classic? most looking forward to get- My husband is reading War and Peace—I recommend the ting back to is Shuggie Bain by Everyman’s Library edition, translated by Louise and Douglas Stuart (Grove, Feb. 11), Aylmer Maude, because it comes in three handy volumes— about an alcoholic woman rais- and I’m in the middle of E.L. Doctorow’s Ragtime, reading ing three children (Shuggie is the youngest) in Glasgow along with my son’s high school English class. Every day’s in the 1980s. Our reviewer compares it to Trainspotting, mail brings more books I can’t wait to read, but some- and it also reminded me of a Roddy Doyle novel in the times it helps to take a step back and remind myself that way it evokes a late-20th-cen- great books don’t have an expiration date. tury working-class childhood. When I’m ready to turn to February books, I’m Our starred review says “You planning to read The Worst Best Man by Mia Sosa (Avon, will never forget Shuggie Bain. Feb. 4), a romance about a La- Scene by scene, this book is a tina wedding planner who falls masterpiece.” (Read an inter- in love with her former fiance’s view with Stuart on page 14.) brother. If you’re a romance Jenny Offill fans, of which I reader, you’ll have been follow- am one, have been waiting six ing along as the Romance Writ- years for her follow-up to Dept. ers of America imploded recent- of Speculation, and it’s finally ly—the situation is changing so here. In Weather (Knopf, Feb. quickly it’s almost impossible to 11), we’re invited into the lively write about—and even if you’re mind of a university librarian. not, I recommend checking out Our starred review says “The tension between mundane some of the stellar romances be- daily concerns and looming apocalypse, the ‘weather’ of ing written by writers of color, our days both real and metaphorical, is perfectly cap- who have been at the forefront tured in Offill’s brief, elegant paragraphs, filled with in- of the fight for a more inclusive RWA. Our starred re- sight and humor. Offill is good company for the end of view of Sosa’s book says “the plot is classic ‘enemies to the world.” Sounds like perfect reading for the shortest lovers’ and is executed perfectly….A captivating love sto- month of the year. —L.M. ry about two people who bring out the best in each other both professionally and personally.” Laurie Muchnick is the fiction editor. After that you might try Therese Anne Fowler’s A Good Neighborhood (St. Martin’s, Feb. 4): “When the Whitmans, a nouveau riche white family, move into a sprawling, newly built house next door to Valerie Alston- Holt, a black professor of forestry and ecology, and her musically gifted, biracial 18-year-old son, Xavier, in a modest, diverse North Carolina neighborhood of cozy ranch houses on wooded lots, it is clear from the outset things will not end well.” Our starred review calls it

6 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult - - Incendiaries The in exploring and R.O. Kwon’s Girls The and Kwon’s R.O. A dark, deft first novel about the trauma and resilience resilience trauma the and about novel first dark, deft A want to follow the breathless conclusion. allwant to threads to the mother Cherry, an exuberant follower of mother the Cherry, Gifts of the Spirit geoning sexuality, but geoning Bieker’s exploration sexuality, of the way that pov town town of Peaches. Bieker has written a debut that joins Emma the uneasy intersection of repressive religious belief and bur of bothof people and the land they inhabit. church. After After Lacey church. is finally given a horrific assignment of her own, she is determined to find out where her mother has gone erty and environmental ravishment also add to the subjugation of the female body adds more rich layers to this narrative. It’s and what she unsavoryknew plans about Vern’s for Pastor the a lot to juggle, but Lacey is May such a at strong once narrator, and leaves town, Lacey must go live with her eccentric grand- deeply insightful and painfully naïve, that readers will eagerly during the day and can’t seem to stay out of trouble with Pastor stay out of trouble with Pastor seem to during the day and can’t Cline’s Cline’s Vern. When Lacey’s When mother Lacey’s is banished from the congregation Vern. | 1 february 2020 | 7 | kirkus.com | fiction | 1 february Peaches Peaches is a small town near Fresno, A A young teen ensnared in a cult becomes becomes obsessed with finding her raisin capital of the world, now Peaches in California’s Once Central Valley. the exiled mother. GODSHOT Catapult (336 pp.) Catapult Bieker, Chelsea Bieker, $26.00 | Apr. 7, 2020 7, Apr. $26.00 | 978-1-948226-48-6 is; she only knows that she disappears somewhere unknown is drought-ridden, with empty canals and residents in perpetual in residents and canals empty with drought-ridden, is tized in cola.) Fourteen-year-old Lacey May, who lives tized with Lacey in her May, cola.) Fourteen-year-old thirst. Large numbers of townspeople have turned to Pastor on Peaches again. (In the meantime, the churchgoers get bap- alcoholic mother, doesn’t alcoholic know mother, doesn’t what her mother’s assignment follow him and their complete “assignments,” the rains will fall Vern, a Christ-like figurea whoChrist-like promisesVern, that, if hiscongregants THE HELIOS DISASTER takes her to turns out not to be speaking in tongues but Greek. Boström Knausgård, Linda Regardless of Anna’s provenance, her life is shot through with Trans. by Willson-Broyles, Rachel a profound sense of longing for her father and a host of failed World Editions (192 pp.) strategies to connect with him. Church only deepens her sense $15.99 paper | Apr. 7, 2020 of distance. The letters he writes her reveal frustratingly little. 978-1-64286-068-9 And channeling her inner Athena feels like a false front. (“I must become stronger. So strong that I won’t be the one who is alone, The myth of Athena inspires a deeply rather those who avoid me will.”) The somber, flat tone of the melancholy portrait of a fractured family narrative (ably maintained by translator Willson-Broyles) gives in the debut novel by Boström Knaus- the reader plenty of room to interpret Anna as mad or misun- gård (Welcome to America, 2019). derstood, and Boström Knausgård’s imagery is piercing (“My “I am born of a father. I split his head,” scream was like a storm. Like pouring rain. My scream was like says Anna, the novel’s young narrator, as if she’d sprung from a spear. Like a way out”). As she becomes increasingly desperate the head of Zeus. It’s a metaphor, of course: The split head of to escape the institutions that constrict her (churches, schools, the girl’s father evokes the schizophrenia that will send him to hospitals) and reconcile with her father, the latter pages of the an institution and her to a foster home. Yet Boström Knausgård narrative become mordant, a touch repetitively. But it’s a mov- brings the metaphor intriguingly close to reality. Though we’re ing trip to an emotional bottom. in the author’s native Sweden, Anna has an inherent connection A flinty, lyrical, and storm-clouded study of loss. to Greek roots: She obsesses over a map of the Mediterranean, and her prophetic babbling at the church her foster family

8 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult - -

boyfriend, Andrew Lancaster, and the likelihood that Paul’s beliefs often come into conflict, leadingto numerous barbed hail from a working-class community on the northwest coast plicating things is the presence of Emily’s public-intellectual pulls off the tricky feat of creating a protagonist who teeters work work that he interviews a somewhat reclusive novelist named also the of matter his There’s life is complicated: which Paul’s ing him unbearable. Along the way, ing Brown him Along ponders unbearable. the questions way, sister, Amy, who has been absent from his life since they had an an had they since life his from absent been has who Amy, sister, on books and one where through he this reviews haircuts. It’s that areas rural and urban between tension the and England, of came to the foreground in the Brexit vote is a very real for makes narration pres occasionally acerbic Paul’s life. his in ence on the border of misanthropic and self-loathing without mak of class and art, creating a memorable supporting cast whose exchanges. Looming over much of the novel are Paul and argument following the death of their Paul mother. and Amy 2014) Biggest Lie, (My Brown and voice, narrative memorable a feelings for Emily are That’s unrequited. not the only area in Emily Nardini, with whom Emilyhe quickly Nardini, Com- smitten. becomes | 1 february 2020 | 9 | kirkus.com | fiction | 1 february - - - pretty things pretty : White Jesus one cancer treatment with a revenge with treatment con. cancer Rich people suck, don’t they? Nina The daughter of a grifter plans to An emotionally complex story of When this comedy of manners in London, where he shares ment an with apart several friends. He works grief, desire, and Brexit. desire, grief, opens, it’s early 2016. Narrator Paul lives lives Paul Narrator 2016. early it’s opens, when her romance with Benny Liebling a revenge con. Brown, Luke fund her mother’s cancer treatment with treatment cancer mother’s her fund PRETTY THINGS $17.95 paper | Apr. 7, 2020 7, Apr. paper | $17.95 THEFT Brown, Janelle (496 pp.) House Random Ross found this out in her adolescence, $28.00 | Apr. 21, 2020 Apr. $28.00 | 978-1-911508-58-8 978-0-525-47912-3 And Other Stories (320 pp.) And Other Stories The daughter of a grifter plans to fund her mother’s fund to plans of a grifter The daughter Why you double-crossing little double crossers! Fiend So back to Lake Tahoe The it older is. Lieblings are dead, and Tahoe So back to Lake book. That Disappear, is Me 2017, etc.) surely Brown’s (Watch begin flown to Coachella on a private jet with four other social social other four with jet private a on Coachella to flown begin just so horrified by each other’s behavior. Definitely stayto have too much, and only people who deserve it.” Of course, he he course, Of deserveit.” who people only and much, too have part-time in part-time a and bookstore has a gig semisteady writing two ishly clever. was broken up by his status-obsessed, old-money who father, it’s it’s because they’re poisoning each other or because they’re intention as she’s the one making them natter on this way. She She way. this on natter them making one the she’s as intention media It Girls…”—but, in fact, you’ll hate everyone in this ing photos of your dog wearing sunglasses; and the next you’re you’re next the and sunglasses; wearing dog your of photos ing see how it all turns out. ground, Nina is usually able to target a few expensive antiques antiques fewexpensive a target usuallyto is able Nina ground, the help of a handsome blue-eyed Irish confederate named target of the complicated caper. Vanessa is a terribly annoying annoying is a terribly Vanessa caper. target of the complicated they can lift without the rich dopes even noticing they’re gone. gone. they’re noticing even dopes rich the without lift can they columns columns for a pop-culture magazine called character—“I couldn’t tell couldn’t character—“I you how I went from a few dozen out health insurance, she’s going after the $1 million in cash agrees. “We take only what we need.” With her art history back history art her With need.” we what only take “We agrees. also makes them vomit much more than is normal, whether found them screwing in the guest cottage Lake of the family’s followed her con-artist mother into the family business with Lachlan. “Here’s my rule,” Nina tells him. “Only people who Benny’s in the bin, so it’s his sister Vanessa Liebling who is the the is who Liebling Vanessa sister his it’s so bin, the in Benny’s But now that mother Nina’s is hovering at door death’s with- Benny mentioned was in his father’s safe all those years ago. Tahoe estate. Tahoe Back then, Nina had a future—but she’s since Instagram Instagram followers to a half-million. you’re One upload- day, Amy’s efforts to sell their late mother’s house, which connects six months ago, and while Mina’s academic career is flounder- them to a place about which they feel conflicted emotions. ing, he has a decent job working with his dad. What’s more, they With bleak humor and sharp details, Brown memora- have a nice-enough Manhattan apartment and plenty of friends. bly connects the personal and the political. Why, then, did Mina gulp a handful of pills on their wedding night? And why, barely six months later, did police remove her from a ledge on the George Washington Bridge? As Oscar grap- STARLING DAYS ples with his wife’s ostensible death wish, he is offered a chance Buchanan, Rowan Hisayo to work in London for a few months. Thinking that a change of Overlook (304 pp.) scene will benefit Mina, the pair upend their lives, sublet their $26.00 | Apr. 7, 2020 NYC apartment, and move. Not surprisingly, their troubles 978-1-4197-4359-7 follow them across the Atlantic, and when Oscar is summoned back to the U.S. for an emergency business meeting, he is forced Depression, like other psychiatric to leave Mina alone; although a phone app is supposed to track conditions, is often treated as a personal her movements, it doesn’t. What follows is a gripping, tender, failure, a refusal to pull oneself together and unsettling look at mental illness. Mina’s impulsiveness and and do what’s needed. obsessive behaviors, seemingly illogical, are sympathetically Oscar is at his wit’s end. Although drawn. So, too, is Oscar’s desire to run head-on into more stable he and Mina have been together for 10 surroundings, far from depressive disorders and suicidal ide- years, the deterioration of his wife’s mental health has left him ation. Poetic and understated, this nuanced work by Buchanan baffled. On the surface everything is fine: They finally married (Harmless Like You, 2017) also addresses adult-child relationships, the legacy of family trauma, and the challenge of offering unconditional love. Complex and resonant.

SIN EATER Campisi, Megan Atria (304 pp.) $27.00 | Apr. 7, 2020 978-1-9821-2410-6

A teenage girl defies the society that would make her an outcast in Campisi’s semihistorical, semidystopian debut novel. When 14-year-old May is caught stealing, the punishment dictated by the court is a grim mercy indeed: Instead of being hanged, she will instead become a sin eater, expected to move silently through the world, neither speaking nor being spoken to, and performing funeral rites that will allow the dead to leave behind their earthly sins as they move into the afterlife. Sin eaters hear a dying person’s last confession and then consume food in honor of the dead; each food symbolizes a particular sin, from disobedience to lust to betrayal. As they consume the food, sin eaters take each sin onto their own souls. When May attends the Eating for one of the queen’s ladies, she is disturbed to see a deer’s heart included in the spread, for animal hearts symbolize murder—and the deer’s heart, the murder of a child. May’s mentor refuses to consume the deer’s heart, as it wasn’t part of the original recitation of sins, and she is taken away and tortured to death. May becomes determined to get to the bottom of the mystery—what sin is in danger of being exposed, and who would kill to protect this secret? While the tradition of the sin eater is based on historical fact and the setting is clearly supposed to be inspired by Elizabethan England, Campisi deliberately creates an alter- nate world where Queen Bethany, daughter of King Harold

10 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult

Joo - Kim Jiyoung’s life is typical of a A A 33-year-old woman in Seoul slowly breaks under the burden of misogyny woman in South Korea. Born the second Born the second in South Korea. woman she’s been facing all her life. she’s KIM JIYOUNG, BORN 1982 KIM JIYOUNG, Norton (176 pp.) Norton Cho Nam $20.00 | Apr. 14, 2020 Apr. | $20.00 Trans. by Chang, Jamie by Chang, Trans. 978-1-63149-670-7 women are dehumanized, devalued, and objectified. The book’s book’s The objectified. and devalued, dehumanized, are women mother encourages and supports her in myriad ing making ways, sure includ- she goes to university and follows her heart, she’s she’s told that boys who bully her just like her. Though her gets preferential treatment and less At responsibility. school, of three siblings, with an older sister and younger her brother, experiences with patriarchy begin At home, early. her brother Jiyoung Jiyoung grows to realize that in every aspect of life and work, | 1 february 2020 | 11 | kirkus.com | fiction | 1 february kim jiyoung, born 1982 kim jiyoung, a deeply society. patriarchal A compelling story compelling in about a woman A . In this way, . it In this The transcends way, Tale Handmaid’s Richly imaginative and strikingly contemporary. reminiscent reminiscent of religious civil war. While her decision to build this world, a its historical roots to give us a modern heroine. roots to its historical thinly veiled version of true English history, is a curious one, it it one, curious a is history, trueEnglish of version veiled thinly the death of her half sister, Queen Maris, in the midst of a does add an element of fantasy to the novel that’s very much II and the Alys disgraced Bollings, has taken the throne after

strength lies in how succinctly Cho captures the relentless THE EYELID buildup of sexism and gender discrimination over the course Chrostowska, S.D. of one woman’s life. With clinical detachment, the book covers Coach House Books (144 pp.) Jiyoung’s childhood, adolescence, early adulthood, first job, and, $16.95 paper | Apr. 14, 2020 finally, marriage and motherhood. The pressure of the patriar- 978-1-55245-408-4 chy is so incessant that she starts to dissociate, transforming into other women she’s known, like her mother and her college In a dystopian near future where friend. The central critique of patriarchy is clearly—and nec- sleep is outlawed, an unemployed Every- essarily—tied in to that of capitalism. Jiyoung wonders, as she man meets a revolutionary dedicated to catalogs the ways in which the world is built to accommodate the subversive power of dreams. “maximum output with minimum input...who’ll be the last one Chrostowska (Permission, 2013, etc.) standing in a world with these priorities, and will they be happy?” is a fiercely intellectual writer, but in this To be clear, there’s nothing revolutionary here—it’s basically hallucinatory portrait of a world robbed of dreams, she’s con- feminism 101 but in novel form, complete with occasional foot- tent to let her surrealistic journey play out freely. Our narrator notes. There is not a single move to recognize anything outside subsists in an alternative version of Paris, one where dreams of a binary gender. But the story perfectly captures misogynies have been outlawed in the name of productivity and citizens large and small that will be recognizable to many. are forced to take a potent drug called Potium to keep them in A compelling story about a woman in a deeply patriar- a permanent state somewhere between slumber and the wak- chal society. ing world. His fortunes are altered drastically when he meets Chevauchet, a roving ambassador from the perplexing Free

12 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult During the waning months of World During the waning months World of A Jewish nuclear Jewish A physicist is accused bomb in Los Alamos. bomb in Los in a race to develop nuclear weapons; of spying while working on the nuclear HANNAH’S WAR HANNAH’S Back Bay/Little, Brown (320 pp.) Eliasberg, Jan Eliasberg, $16.99 paper | Mar. 3, 2020 $16.99 paper | Mar. 978-0-316-53744-5 War II, Americans the and War Germans are This is fast-paced, nonstop fun. Cussler fans will gobble have to climb over the dead series body hero’s first, which—no plot spoiler here—ain’t gonna happen. plot spoiler here—ain’t it up. the world has ever known,” brags the evil mastermind. But he’llbrags But has everknown,” evil mastermind. world the the “We’re going “We’re to steal the greatest deposit of Egyptian treasure | 1 february 2020 | 13 | kirkus.com | fiction | 1 february - journey of the pharaohs of journey paced, nonstop fun. Cussler fans will up. gobble it Cussler fun. nonstop paced, - Rumors Rumors of lost Egyptian treasure spark high adventure in this 17th in the NUMA NUMA series featuring oceanographer Cussler, Clive & Brown, Graham Cussler, Putnam (432 pp.) Kurt Austin and his crew , of Greed (Sea $29.00 | Mar. 10, 2020 10, $29.00 | Mar. THE PHARAOHS 978-0-593-08308-6 2018, etc.). JOURNEY OF universe. Sandman This is fastThis is Over 3,000 years ago, grave robbers sail away with loot from loot with away sail robbers grave ago, years 3,000 Over A slight but quick-witted and thoughtful philosophi becomes a “Merchant of Sleep,” treating refugees and lost souls lost and refugees treating Sleep,” of “Merchant a becomes like like a work in translation, with the avant-garde aesthetics and he will gladly leave the ancient riches wherever they are. Action Action are. they wherever riches ancient gladlywillleavethe he pear in his attempt at a trans-Atlantic flight. In the present day, pear Inin the his presentflight.at attempt day, a trans-Atlantic revolutionary dreaming can lead to true emancipation. Yes, interesting interesting idiosyncrasies found in European novels laden with it’s it’s a hallucinatory story, steeped in existentialist philosophy is a directly subversive action that gives people a notion of in neatly. Cussler and Brown concoct a nifty plot with disparate, disparate, with plot nifty a concoct Brown and Cussler neatly. in stream population. In the diplomat’s daydreaming worldview, sometimes over-the-top twists that will make even hardcore sibling assassins Such jointly are called the the Toymaker. foes selling death.” Perfectly willing to kill everyone in their way, scurvy! That must’ve been a lot of hard rowing!) The criminals stealing stealing antiquities. They are looking for a “treasure both vast sleep, and I their dreams.” to to the obvious form of resistance against the waking world: theory of utopia, a speculative philosophy that imagines that tor’s eyes, Chevauchet takes him “dream-hopping” through the eyes, him Chevauchet“dream-hopping” tor’s takes they are aided by mechanical crows and Fydor and Xandra, nasty Xandra, and Fydor and crows mechanical by aided are they cal parable that falls somewhere between Camus and existentialist themes and absurdist imagery. Ultimately, the stu- Ultimately, existentialist themes and absurdist imagery. coffinsof gold—and a vintage classic car, because why not? and delivered in poetic, classical language. The novel can read among other themes. It’s all part of the ambassador’s unified adventure fans say “Wow!” Expect claustrophobic a life-threatening aerial flood,combat, messages from the dead, gunfights, and Marine Agency. Of course, Austin has Of Austin no course, interest in profit; Agency. and Marine arrives early and often, and the failed pre-Lindbergh flight fits are known to MI5 as “very dangerous people” and “merchants and glorious” that hieroglyphics say was shipped down the Nile hieroglyphicsthat glorious” and Nile the wasdown say shipped and out of Egypt, perhaps even west across (Holy Atlantic. the a pharaoh’s a tomb. Melbourne pharaoh’s In Jake and 1927, his plane disap- to have Group taken arms merchants known as the Bloodstone dent becomes the teacher as Chevauchet fades and the narrator narrator the and fades Chevauchetas teacher the becomes dent dreams of and others, nightmares exploring love, dread, power, freedom, no matter how tenuous or fleeting. To open the narra- freedom, no matter how tenuous or fleeting. faced faced by Austin and his team from the National Underwater Gaiman’s Republic of Onirica, a city-state virtuallyRepublic the main- unknown to “With “With this our bargain was concluded; my dreamers got their

COVER STORY Douglas Stuart

THE STORY BEHIND HIS DEBUT NOVEL, SHUGGIE BAIN, IS EVERY BIT AS MIRACULOUS AS THE BOOK ITSELF By Marion Winik Clive Smith If the plot is so close to the truth, why not write a memoir? “I didn’t want to only inhabit the main character,” Stuart explains. “I wanted to show, within the house and across the city, the stories of many different people. I wanted you to feel like you’re in the room with the characters rather than me telling you what happened in the room.” At more than 400 pages, Shuggie Bain proceeds slowly, which Stuart says was necessary not only to create the immersive effect but to track the disintegra- tion of a woman and a family. “Alcoholism doesn’t have the bang, the explosion or implosion, of drug addiction,” he points out. “It’s a slow, corrosive disease.” When we leave him at the end of the book, Shug- gie is completely on his own in a rented bedsit—as was his creator at that point in life. But not long after that, Stuart’s luck changed. “I knew that I was queer,” he says, “and the violence from being different in that way was really intense. At 16, I felt I wouldn’t survive in the underclass. Though I wasn’t sure what school was supposed to do for me, and I had huge gaps in my education, I knew I had to Douglas Stuart’s debut novel, Shuggie Bain (Grove finish high school.” Press, Feb. 11), is a profoundly affecting tragedy about His instinct was right. Stuart’s teachers saw a cre- the love between an alcoholic mother and her young ative kid with no parents who was trying desperately son, followed from infancy to his early teens. Shug- to catch up, without support of any kind, and reached gie’s difficulties are compounded by his innately girl- out to help him succeed. But when he told them he ish manner, his father’s abandonment, and what is es- wanted to go on to study literature and writing, they sentially the collapse of the social order in the city took account of his precarious situation and nixed around him. the idea. He should learn a trade—perhaps textiles. “I Like Shuggie, Stuart, now 43, was born in the didn’t even know what textiles were,” he says. Glasgow of the 1970s, once the Second City of the Em- But as it turned out, the advice was inspired. Scot- pire but by then beset by floundering industries and land’s robust textile industry is dominated by wom- festering sectarianism, its populace shoved into poorly en; Stuart was the only boy in his year at school. “Af- built housing projects and crushed by poverty, disease, ter coming from such a masculine environment, to and alcoholism. be surrounded only by women was such a nourishing Also like Shuggie, the author doesn’t “have many thing,” he explains. “Such a safe space for a very con- memories of my mother sober.” fused young man.” He also felt nurtured by his govern-

14 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | ment’s policy of free education. “Working five nights a novel,’ I said, and of course, she flinched. She said, a week and all weekend just to pay my rent, I would ‘Sure, I’ll look at it for you, but you won’t hear from me never have made it otherwise. If I’d been an American for six months.’ ” kid, I wouldn’t be here.” Pohlman called him three hours later. “I’m on Page By the time he finished his degree, Stuart had be- 120,” she said. “You have a book.” gun to yearn for something bigger than designing fab- She advised him to pick five favorite novels and ric in a factory. He applied to the Royal College of Art reach out to their agents. Anna Stein, who represented in London and, three years later, earned a master’s de- Hanya Yanagihara’s A Little Life, quickly emailed that gree in menswear design. “On the day we graduated,” she was interested but warned him that she was a slow he recalls, “we had a catwalk show. The head of mens- reader. “Don’t go with anyone else. Wait for me!” He wear for Calvin Klein was in the audience, and he came did, and on the same day he signed with Grove Atlan- up and offered me a job in New York.” tic, he and his boyfriend of 22 years were married in a That stroke of luck came two decades ago: From ceremony at New York City Hall. Calvin Klein, he moved to Ralph Lauren and then to Because Stuart wrote a second novel during breaks The Gap/Banana Republic, where he remained for 15 between spates of Shuggie, he is already polishing a years. Though he loved his work, some part of him coming-of-age story set in the Scottish Highlands. We was creatively unfulfilled. Reflecting on his experienc- can hope to see that one soon, and he’s at work on a es, thinking about the man he was becoming, he felt third, which has recently revealed itself to be set in the haunted by characters from his past. In 2008, he sat Hebrides. This was supposed to be his New York fash- down to write. ion novel, which is now kicked to No. 4. For three years, he had no desire to show anyone His mother would be very proud of him. what he was doing. Then one day, he gave the pages to his boyfriend, Michael Cary, a modern art cura- Marion Winik is the author of The Big Book of the Dead

tor he’d met during a semester abroad in the States in and a regular reviewer for Kirkus, the Washington Post, young adult 1996. They were long-distance for four years before he and other publications. Shuggie Bain received a starred moved to New York. review in the Nov. 1, 2019, issue. Michael got a double shock, Stuart confesses. Not just because he loved the writing, but because “I’d never really told him about my past. This was how he found out, from the book.” He continued to work on the manuscript, picking it up, putting it down, writing swathes of it in the Hong Kong airport where he was often marooned while traveling. Whether in New York or Hong Kong, his head was always in Glasgow, writing what he considers a love letter to the city and to his mother. “It’s the Glaswegian approach,” he explains. “You tell it warts and all, or you don’t tell it.” Among the challenges was re-creating the poetry of the local dialect in the dialogue—Shuggie is “a wean who is no right”—a key element of the book’s spell. “I needed 10 years with this novel,” he says. “For one thing, as I became a man, as I got close to 40, I began to understand certain things about my mother—her sense of the flatness of life, that things haven’t turned out the way you wanted them to, the lifting your head and thinking, ‘Is this all there is?’ ” For Stuart it wasn’t, not at all. Because at a Christ- mas mixer in his apartment building in 2017, he was introduced to a woman named Tina Pohlman, now a literary agent, at the time an editor. “’Hi, I’ve written

| kirkus.com | fiction | 1 february 2020 | 15 whoever wins, wins the world. Many refugee European scien- ornamental. However, her characters lack interiority. Jack never tists are working for the U.S. nuclear effort, headed by American quite transcends the stereotype of the hard-boiled detective physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer. Among these refugees is Dr. with inner wounds to match his external ones: A bullet he took Hannah Weiss, loosely based on Dr. Lise Meitner, the unsung during the liberation of Paris is still lodged near his spine. Han- physicist who discovered nuclear fission. Maj. Jack Delaney nah is the beautiful ice queen who conceals a molten core of has come to Los Alamos to interrogate Hannah, suspected of passion. Far from delivering the intended frisson of growing being a Nazi mole. His suspicions are founded on a telegram she attraction, Jack and Hannah’s verbal sparring is too often ver- may have attempted to send overseas and a packet of postcards bose and didactic. The characters are so one-dimensional that gleaned from a search of her room. Flashbacks to 1938 Berlin readers won’t particularly care which side they’re on. are interspersed throughout. Hannah, a brilliant scientist, is A flawed novel which could, with the right cast to lend relegated to a basement lab of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute emotional depth, make very good TV. and treated as a “Jewish slave.” Her work on atom splitting is so valuable to the Reich, however, that what remains of her family—her Uncle Joshua and niece Sabine—have so far escaped THE FAMILIAR DARK the worst impacts of Nazi persecution. Her colleague Stefan, Engel, Amy whose playboy charm Hannah tries to resist, takes credit for her Dutton (256 pp.) work. But Stefan will eventually help Sabine, and then Hannah, $26.00 | Mar. 31, 2020 escape Germany, and love overcomes her distrust. But should it? 978-1-5247-4595-0 Screenwriter and TV director Eliasberg’s first novel effectively evokes the atmosphere; descriptions of setting are never merely A bleak drama of rural America that offers grim lessons but minimal hope. In a small-town park, Izzy and Junie, two 12-year-old girls, meet a grisly end. Junie’s fading consciousness sheds no light on the murderer’s identity. This is Engel’s second adult novel (after The Roanoke Girls, 2017) to unfold in a meth-ridden, dying town. The setting is somewhere in Missouri, but this could be any American town, in any area left behind by the concentration of wealth and the exodus of youth. In towns like the aptly christened Barren Springs, many young people never make it out, and Junie’s single mother, Eve Taggert, is one of these. The deck is stacked against Eve and her brother, Cal, from birth—in a trailer in a remote “holler” to a drug-addicted mother who starves them, abuses them, but manages to instill in them fierce family loyalty and an implacable eye-for-an-eye mentality. Now in their 30s, Cal and Eve have succeeded up to a point: Each has a small apartment in town; Cal is a cop, and Eve works as a waitress. Thanks to Eve’s efforts, Junie had a modicum of a normal life and a best friend, Izzy, daughter of Zach and Jenny, who by Barren Springs standards are middle class. Through a fog of grief, Eve vows to find the killer and begins tracking the short list of suspects. These include her violent ex-boyfriend, Jimmy Ray, and his meth- cooking sidekick, strip club bartender Matt. An unforeshad- owed revelation about Zach halfway through adds nothing to the suspense—instead, we are brought up short, wondering how a first-person narrator like Eve, blunt, plainspoken, and obsessed with the truth, could conceal this glaring fact from herself for half the book. In fact, her unerring instincts will lead to a completely unexpected conclusion. These pages are replete with lessons about the choices women have in such environments—that is to say, none, except to toughen up or give up. Readers craving some nod at redemption may have to be satisfied with rough justice.

16 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult

Fosse Fosse is often mentioned as a leading The first two sections ofNorwegian novelist Fosse’s , Evening and (Morning in a disaffecting world. in a disaffecting Fosse, Jon Fosse, $17.95 paper | Apr. 7, 2020 7, Apr. paper | $17.95 THE OTHER NAME THE OTHER Transit Books (336 pp.) Books (336 pp.) Transit Trans. by Searls, Damion by Searls, Trans. 2015, 2015, etc.) 1,250-page “septology” on life 978-1-945492-40-2 has a fittingly Joycean sweep, opening in medias “And,” res with painting doesn’t bring him much pleasure: “I think, it’s time to put to time pleasure:much it’s him think, bring “I doesn’t painting want to look at it any more, I think and I think today’s Monday it away, it I away, don’t want to stand here at the easel any more, I don’t that establishes him as a Asle contender. is a painter who lives in the small coastal village of Dylgja. He is widowed and and lonely, contender contender for the Nobel Prize in literature. The present book and I think I have to put this picture away with the other ones I’mones other the with away picture this put haveI to think I and | 1 february 2020 | 17 | kirkus.com | fiction | 1 february - - - ’s macabre history. macabre ’s Vale Night ’s ’s Vale most to Night Welcome the faceless old woman who secretly lives in your home lives who secretly woman old the faceless One of SECRETLY LIVES IN SECRETLY enigmatic and terrifying characters reveals WOMAN WHO WOMAN Perennial/HarperCollins Harper (352 pp.) Fink, Joseph & Cranor, Jeffrey & Cranor, Joseph Fink, $21.99 | Mar. 24, 2020 $21.99 | Mar. THE FACELESS OLD THE FACELESS 978-0-06-288900-3 YOUR HOME YOUR A funny, terrifying, and unpredictable slice of slice and unpredictable terrifying, funny, A The Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives in Your A funny, terrifying, and unpredictable slice of Night by a covert criminal ring called The Order of the Labyrinth, long, globe-spanning saga of adventure, betrayal, love, and fate fate and love, betrayal, adventure, of saga globe-spanning long, heavenly life to come—perhaps. How these stories converge hood with her beloved When father. her father is murdered how she came to be. how she came to present, the old woman adopts Craig, a struggling copywriter, with the living citizenry, town’s in all their homes simultane- ingenuity and immensely satisfying. As the tells Old Woman rator, rator, born in the Mediterranean in 1792 to an idyllic child- ship, with a crew that includes a master of disguise, a blood- she swears revenge and is recruited into a life of crime by her story. The story. book alternates between two timelines. The first sorts, visible only in glimpses, who takes great fun in toying this was that line.” thirsty neophyte, a rakish comrade, and a giantess, among tive portrayal. In Night Vale, the character is a specter of others. Robberies, schemes, battles, treachery, and a vicious conspiracy to destroy a rival ensue. the In storyline set in the concerns concerns the life, death, and afterlife of the unnamed nar ously. Here, ously. Fink and Cranor , Devours! (It 2017, etc.) diverge as her pet project. While she does leave him the occasional their in merciless immortal are becomes narrator the how and as she becomes the swashbuckling captain of her own pirate acters, acters, partially due to writer/actress Mara Wilson’s evoca- dismembered animal to him keep in line, she also pays off his debts and steers him toward his wife-to-be, Amaranta, and a from the style of their previous books craft a to chilling ghost Craig, Craig, “There’s a thin line separating humor and horror, and Home Home is one of the outlandish podcast’s most popular char Uncle Uncle Edmond, a ruthlessWhat follows outlaw. is a decades Vale’s macabreVale’s history. working on but am not done with.…” So Asle thinks, one onrush- ACCIDENTALS ing thought spilling into and fueling another one, in a narrative that Gaines, Susan M. is almost unbroken except for occasional bits of dialogue. “When Torrey House Press (342 pp.) I paint it’s always as if I’m trying to paint away the pictures stuck $18.95 paper | Mar. 10, 2020 inside me,” Asle reveals. But which Asle? There’s another one 978-1-948814-16-4 of him up the coast in the small city of Bjørgvin, where a gallery exhibits the work of the first Asle. The second is a true doppelgän- A son explores his family’s compli- ger save that his life choices were different: He took the roads that cated past and the natural beauty and the first Asle did not only to wind up in much the same place. Shiv- history of Uruguay, their homeland. ering, seemingly moribund, the second Asle is an object of pity and Gabriel doesn’t understand why, after concern for the first, who steals glimpses of him from time to time. more than 30 years in California, his Along the way, Fosse, who shifts between first- and third-person mother wants to move back to her native narration, meditates on religion (especially Catholicism, a minor- Uruguay. Her father died and left her a ranch, or estancia, that ity religion in Norway), art, the nature of life, and other weighty she wants to turn into an organic farm, and she wants Gabriel to topics: “to tell the truth there’s not much that makes me happy any come with her. Gabriel doesn’t want to disrupt his routine. He more,” the first Asle reveals, and we believe him. It’s a challenging has a boring job that pays well, and he likes to go bird-watching. read but an uncommonly rich one. Transit Books will publish the Accompanying his mother to Uruguay is supposed to be tem- final two volumes of the book in 2021 and 2022. porary. He’ll be there long enough to help her get the estancia A literary experiment that invites comparison to the mod- on its feet. However, he soon finds himself drawn in by the ernists of a century ago, poetic and charged with meaning. family members he doesn’t know, the beauty of the land, and a local biologist named Alejandra, who’s looking for undiscov- ered microbes near the family’s land. The longer Gabriel stays in Uruguay the more he’s drawn into the family’s squabbles over what to do with the land—follow his uncle’s plans to build a large rice plantation and sell into European markets or help his mother achieve her dream of growing organic produce for the local communities? The possible discovery of a new bird species on the family land brings Gabriel and Alejandra closer together and lays the groundwork for their burgeoning relationship. Gaines’ novel is deeply researched, and the reader will walk away with an understanding of not only Uruguay’s repressive regimes and the people killed by the government, but also biomes, bird preservation, rice cultivation, agricultural markets in South America, and more. The author loves Uruguay and desperately wants the reader to feel her same affection for the history, flora, fauna, politics, culture, and the people. Ultimately, her quest to make the reader care for Uruguay gets in the way of the storytelling. A noble attempt to unpack Uruguay’s complexities and one family’s navigation of politics, American meddling, and each other.

NORTHERNMOST Geye, Peter Knopf (352 pp.) $26.95 | Apr. 14, 2020 978-0-525-65575-6

A writer explores her family’s humble Norwegian roots. In 1897, Norwegian fisherman Odd Einar Eide sets sail hundreds of miles above the Arctic Circle on a seal hunt. When his companion is slaughtered by a polar bear, Odd Einar must survive alone in the “fine desolation” of ice and snow for two weeks, until he’s rescued by a passing

18 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult One man’s terrifying story of survival in an Arctic past or present. wastelandreverberates profoundly in the life his of distant marson when she impulsively travels to her ancestral home in maintains an elegant counterpoint between the two narratives so that the novel is equally satisfying whether it’s situated in the in situated it’s whether satisfying equally is novel the that so the remote village of Hammerfest is not without risk. But Geye But risk. without not is Hammerfest villageof remote the descendant. discovery of the possibility of new love with musician Stig Hjal- | 1 february 2020 | 19 | kirkus.com | fiction | 1 february - - home in the midst of his own funeral, forcing the impover her own marriage of 20 years implodes. Alternating between portrays Odd Einar’s dramatic confrontation with implacable where, despite her material comfort, loneliness is “the only nature while exploring the tension between terror and resigna- ished couple to face the challenge of restoring their already ship. Given up for dead by his wife, Odd Inger, Einar returns spans 120 years of the Eide equal With family’s story. skill, he years earlier for America and silent since that time. Odd Einar’s Einar’s Odd time. that since silent and America for earlier years tion that haunts the involuntary everyadventurer’s in step that the failed subdued marriagedomestic drama of Greta’s and her the “rocky shore of hardened, desperate people living in pov tale is framed by the story of his descendant Greta Nansen, a crisis. The choice to pair this pulsating adventure story with erty and gloom” in 19th-century rural Norway and Greta’s life, embarks on the project of reclaiming her family’s history as ache from the absence of their Thea, daughter, departed two feeling she had anymore,” Geye , (Wintering 2016, etc.) artfully freelance journalist living in present-day Minneapolis, who fragile relationship. That task is complicated by the lingering LAKEWOOD doctors. The historical underpinnings of Giddings’ premise Giddings, Megan are obvious. Lena follows in the footsteps of black men whose Amistad/HarperCollins (288 pp.) syphilis went untreated even though they were promised health $26.99 | Mar. 24, 2020 care for joining the Tuskegee syphilis experiment, and her expe- 978-0-06-291319-7 rience echoes that of the enslaved women James Marion Sims brutalized while testing new gynecological techniques. It might A first-time novelist offers medical seem that, unlike them, Lena has a choice, but does she? The horror with a political edge. position she finds herself in after her grandmother’s death is a Lena Johnson’s grandmother has just reminder that hundreds of years of structural racism have made died, leaving behind a staggering amount it difficult for black families to accumulate and pass on wealth. of debt. Lena’s mother is debilitated by But this novel isn’t just about Lena’s physical ordeal. The emo- an illness—or collection of illnesses— tional and mental strain of being black in an environment no one can diagnose or cure. When Lena is offered a position seemingly designed to punish blackness—and the necessity to that pays an incredible sum of money and full health-insurance pretend that everything is fine—are devastating, too. At the coverage for her mom, she feels that she has no choice but to novel’s beginning, Lena is in the habit of noting when a person leave college and become a research subject in a secret govern- she’s describing is white, a powerful rejoinder to the widespread ment project. Her participation requires her to lie to family and tendency to consider whiteness the default American identity. friends about what she’s doing, and she signs a nondisclosure Toward the end, she has to consciously remind herself that agreement that discourages her from ever revealing the torture she is still human. In terms of style and storytelling, Giddings she and other people of color will endure at the hands of white doesn’t always succeed, but there’s no denying the potency of her message. This is a thought-provoking debut, and Giddings is a young writer to watch.

THIS LOVELY CITY Hare, Louise Anansi Press (392 pp.) $17.95 paper | Apr. 7, 2020 978-1-4870-0705-8

In Hare’s engrossing debut, a young Jamaican man’s promising new life in post–World War II London threatens to unravel after he becomes a suspect in the death of a mixed-race infant. The lovely city that Lawrie Mat- thews expected when he arrived in 1948 onboard the Empire Windrush, along with several hundred other Caribbean immigrants responding to Britain’s call for labor, turned out to be a war-ravaged metropolis “still too poor to clean itself up.” But after two years, he is starting to feel at home despite the cold, gloomy atmosphere and humiliating racial slights. Renting a tiny room in Brixton, postman Lawrie moonlights as a jazz musician in Soho clubs, supplementing his income with black-market deliveries—rationing is still in effect—for his landlady’s son. He also loves the girl next door, 18-year-old Evie Coleridge, the biracial daughter of the embittered white Agnes and an unknown black father. Life is good until the March morning when Lawrie discovers the body of a black child in a pond in Clapham Common. While the police quickly dismiss the other witness, a white woman walking her dog, Lawrie is harshly interrogated by the openly racist DS Rathbone. “Between you and me, I don’t give two shits....Too many of you around here already, but the law is the law.” He’s determined to find the culprit, and whether it’s Lawrie or someone else in the growing West Indian community makes

20 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult - - - - James is no up good, to but knows James Things are about to get bloody for a In In 1988, the scariest thing in former A A woman whose life has been At first glance, Sarahwould seemto knocked knocked off balance by her daugh- nurse Patricia Campbell’s life is show group of Charleston housewives. group of Charleston VAMPIRES SLAYING IVO ST. ter’s ter’s absence struggles to regain her equilibrium. GUIDE TO CLUB’S Quirk Books (400 pp.) Quirk Books (400 pp.) Straus and Giroux Farrar, (224 pp.) Hershon, Joanna Hershon, Hendrix, Grady Hendrix, $21.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 7, Apr. $21.99 | $25.00 | Apr. 14, 2020 Apr. | $25.00 THE SOUTHERN BOOK THE SOUTHERN 978-1-68369-143-3 978-0-374-26814-5 Fans smart of horror will sink their teeth into this one. but Patricia values her new friendships and still longs for a bit just a housewife. Hendrix juxtaposes the hypnotic mundanity gratifying to see her lar grow neighborhood. fromIt’s someone low book-club low member book-club Kitty gives Patricia a gloriously trashy have it all: a devoted husband, a Brooklyn brownstone, money, what is his best book yet. picking up a after her psychiatrist, husband, and Carter, taking who apologizes for apologizing a to fiercely bravewoman deter why does Miss Mary insist that she series knows A of him? hor rific nerves eventsPatricia’s stretches and her Southern civility mined to do the right thing—hopefully with the help of her in nods to well-established vampire lore, and the fact that he’s ing up to book hard club, read to since the she book. hasn’t It’s getting anyone believe to her all,is After a Sisypheanshe’s feat. get any reading done between raising two kids, Blue and Korey, good looks (attracting attention even in her late 40s), privilege, to to the breaking skin-crawling point. scene involving (A a horde the women are intrigued. Who is this handsome night owl, and are the intrigued. women true-crime novel, Patricia is instantly hooked, and soon she’s of rats is a standout.) She just of suburbia (which has a few dark underpinnings of its own) of excitement. When James Harris moves in down the street, care of her live-in mother-in-law, Miss Mary, who seems to have to seems who Mary, Miss mother-in-law, live-in her of care a master at conjuring heady 1990s nostalgia is just the icing on against an insidious evil that has taken root in Patricia’s insu- , 2018, etc.) cleverly sprinkles cleverly etc.) 2018, , Our Souls Sold (We Hendrix friends. ary Guild of Mt. Pleasant are just plain boring. But when fel- a attending very different kind of book club with Kitty and her friends Grace, Slick, and Maryellen. She has a full plate at home, at plate full a has She Maryellen. and Slick, Grace, friends dementia. It doesn’t help that the books chosen by the Liter | 1 february 2020 | 21 | kirkus.com | fiction | 1 february - - st. ivo st. of Fame The House and finding a way to move on after a loss. after to move on a way and finding When his lover and fellow spy her, unaware her, of new dangers in the post- INTELLIGENCE away from his MI6 bosses to go after free-floating operative ElliotKane slips Joanna Joanna Lake disappears in Kazakhstan, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (368 pp.) Harcourt Mifflin Houghton Harris, Oliver Harris, $25.00 | Apr. 14, 2020 Apr. | $25.00 A SHADOW 978-0-358-20665-1 (2011) and Man The Hollow This graceful story offers insights into family, friendship, story family, This graceful into offers insights Kane Kane hasn’t seen Joanna in six months when he receives a A must-read for fans Zadie of Smith and Midwife. the Call An absorbing, superbly written novel likely to stand as Soviet republic. blooded campaign for control of Kazakhstan’s vast quantity journalist under A man McDonald. the of name Vanessa many profound way, profound never way, more than when Kane is speeding across want them. Lawrie and Evie are so moving in their tender love no difference to between him. Toggling 1948 and 1950, Hare’s nationalists and citizens under the sway of a sophisticated Rus many heart-wrenching plot twists. plot many heart-wrenching new world of dark web intelligence and cellphone surveillance ing information from intelligence sources and corporate and struggling to belong to a country that needs but reallydoesn’t sian disinformation campaign. Harris, acclaimed for detective government connections. At the core of the story is the - cold the reader’s commitment is amply commitment rewarded.the reader’s the salt flats on his wayto theworst possible There’s dead end. thrillers including the deepest a contemporary spy novel has penetrated the cold one the of best spy novels the of year. coded coded warning from her. She had been working on psy-ops in out for troubling reasons. She was last seen in the Kazakhstan rights human a as active be to said was she where Astana, of city of natural oil. Another battle is being fought between Kazakh existed because of the things the government wasn’t allowed to allowed to because of the things the governmentexisted wasn’t absorbing narrative builds a compelling portrait of immigrants an ultrasecret intelligence division in England but was eased aliases, Kane slips into several of them in the process of collect a lot to absorb in this book of many names and associations, but associations, and names many of book this in absorb to lot a and the intellectual as well as pragmatic life of a spook “who for each other that readers will root for them to overcome the do.” At do.” At the same time, the frozen landscape asserts itself in a (2016), makes a masterful entry into spy fiction. This may be the dregs of a successful career as a filmmaker, an agent wait- relationships, derail pursuits, and erode lives when they are held ing to support her next project. However, as Hershon’s novel inside and in isolation can resolve when shared; that sometimes unspools over the course of a long weekend, in which Sarah and finding a way back to one another is the best way to find a way her husband, Matthew, are violently mugged in Prospect Park forward. and then travel upstate to reconnect with old friends—a couple This graceful story offers insights into family, friend- named Kiki and Arman—we learn that Sarah’s life is far from ship, and finding a way to move on after a loss. perfect. Sarah and Matthew’s troubled 24-year-old daughter, Leda, has vanished from their lives; the stress caused by her yearslong absence has nearly cost Sarah her marriage (she and ROUGH JUSTICE Matthew have reconciled after a two-year separation) and her Hilton, Matt career (she can’t write about Leda, yet neither can she write Severn House (240 pp.) about anything else). Kiki and Arman, too, have their problems $28.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 as well as a new baby daughter who stirs memories—both pleas- 978-0-7278-8978-2 ant and painful—for Sarah. In clear, compassionate prose, Her- shon (A Dual Inheritance, 2013, etc.) conjures characters readers In their sixth adventure, Portland pri- may initially assume they know and then gently and gradually vate eyes Tess Grey and Nicolas “Po” Vil- subverts those assumptions, revealing the emotions and dif- lere (False Move, 2019, etc.) head to upstate ficulties with which these nuanced characters are grappling. Maine to investigate a rumor about the Ultimately the author offers notes of hope—that the secrets recent crash of a small aircraft and find and sadnesses, disappointments and distress that can damage that the woods are alive with killers. Field biologists Jonathan Laird and Elsa Carmichael, who heard the Cessna 172 Skyhawk come down half a mile from their camp in Aroostook County, agree that both the pilot and co-pilot were killed, but Grant McNeill, the undergrad student assisting them, let something slip about a female survivor, and Emma Clancy, who works with the Portland DA’s Office, has dispatched Tess and Po to see if there’s any truth to that story. And of course there is. Drug Enforcement Administration agent Alicia Coleman, who’d succeeded in infiltrating an international narcotics smuggling crew, has walked away from an accident that should have killed her and has rescued a bag full of evidence as well. As Tess and Po, joined by their unlikely friend Jerome “Pinky” Leclerc, a Cajun dealer of illegal arms who did time in Louisiana before he saw the light, search for the biologists so that they can ask them the obvious question and then judge whether they’re lying, the rumor that Alicia is still alive has attracted the attention of the very criminals she was intent in bringing down, and they’ve dispatched a team of five assassins headed by dead-eyed Virginia Locke, another DEA agent who’s left the straight and narrow for real. Hilton, not one to shy away from violent complications, sets yet another hired murderer and his amateurish cousin on the trail of Pinky just to keep things interesting. After a shootout halfway through the story reduces the numbers on both sides, Locke calls for rein- forcements, and half a dozen nameless new killers show up to take down the good guys just as they’re limping toward Brayton Lake, where the assassins have taken the entire town hostage. Guess what happens next. Crack! Pow! Ouch! Repeat as needed.

22 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult

| kirkus.com | fiction | 1 february 2020 | 23 INTERVIEWS & PROFILES Emily Nemens

IN HER SPARE TIME, THE EDITOR OF THE PARIS REVIEW WROTE THE CACTUS LEAGUE, A BASEBALL NOVEL ABOUT A LOT MORE THAN JUST AMERICA’S PASTIME By Mark Athitakis James EmmermanJames In time, Nemens began to consider the universe of people beyond the field—the scouts, owners, hardcore fans, and others populating the stands. The idea that baseball serves as a microcosm of the American experience informs Nemens’ debut novel, The Cactus League (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Feb. 4), a linked- story tale constructed of snapshots of characters in Scottsdale, the Phoenix suburb where the mythical Los Angeles Lions are preparing for opening day. At the center of the novel is Jason Goodyear, a star veteran who’s extravagantly paid but suspicious- ly low on funds. Numerous people orbit around him: his agent, his ex-wife, the woman who tries to seduce him, the team owner, the veteran pitcher in denial about his physical decline, the ill-paid stadium or- ganist, and the impoverished family that squats in a coach’s home. “No team ever stays on top of the standings,” one character intones, and every character is desperate to maintain their position. “I think every tagline for the novel will say that this is a baseball novel, but I think it’s a novel about class,” Nemens says. “What does celebrity impose on everyone else that the celebrity touches—whether The early ’90s were a great time for Emily Nemens it’s consumers buying magazines at the grocery store to grow up a Seattle Mariners fan. Though the team or people that cleaned that person’s house or other missed the World Series, Ken Griffey Jr. and Randy economically vulnerable people? That’s heightened Johnson were thrilling superstars on a consistent- and accentuated in the baseball economy in a way ly winning club. Less thrilling: damp Seattle in the that’s unfortunate, but it felt like a compelling thing offseason. So Nemens’ father began planning family to examine.” trips to spring training in Arizona, where vets shook Nemens’ work on the novel experienced a high- off rust and prospects strove to prove themselves. profile interruption in 2018 when she was hired away “March is a dark and wet and cold time in Seattle, from the Southern Review to edit the Paris Review. and to go to Arizona was a really exciting thing, even Completing a manuscript and settling into a high- if the baseball was kind of sloppy,” she says. profile job meant a lot more working weekends, she

24 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | says. But Nemens adds that the experience was to the novel’s benefit. three baseball “I’ve always had a cadence in my work where I books that inspired work on other people’s writing, then press pause and transition back to my own,” she says. “That can be the cactus league frustrating, but that can also be a gift. Identifying strengths and correcting for weaknesses in a whole Don DeLillo, Pafko at the Wall: The pro- manner of literary situations gives me a new set of logue to DeLillo’s century-hoovering 1997 skills and a new eye every time I go back to my manu- novel, , follows intersecting script. That’s how I make lemonade out of having a Underworld lives at the moment of Bobby Thompson’s busy job.” “shot heard ’round the world” in 1951. It was The editing process involved a lot of winnowing. published as a stand-alone novella in 2001. The finished novel focuses on a small group of char- “I’ve always had an understanding of sports acters across—of course—nine chapters. But during as a unifying cultural moment, and pieces of the eight years she was working on The Cactus League, Nemens imagined a platoon of spring training den- literature like Pafko at the Wall embody that, izens. “At one point, I had not just a 25-man roster, where everyone’s coming together and but a 40-person roster,” she says. Among the darlings there’s all these different narratives gather- killed were “a really wonderful owner of a nightclub ing around a game,” Nemens says. called the Desert Oasis and his twin boys. I hope they’re resting comfortably somewhere.” David James Duncan, The Brothers K: Duncan’s 1992 family saga interweaves young adult Mark Athitakis is the author of The New Midwest and baseball with religion and the social fer- a regular contributor to Kirkus. The Cactus League was ment of the Vietnam era. “There’s baseball reviewed in the Dec. 1, 2019, issue. in it, but it’s really more about one family as a microcosm during times of conflict,” she says. “It’s a baseball book that’s not about baseball, in a way that was a helpful guide for me.”

Chad Harbach, The Art of Fielding: Har- bach’s 2011 debut, centering on a star player at a small Midwestern university, harks back to the days when baseball novels like The Natural and Shoeless Joe spoke to Amer- ican culture at large. “It’s such a retro thing to write about baseball,” she says. “The sport is suffering a minor obsolescence, for better or worse, and baseball narrative is a very 20th-century thing on a certain level. I was interested and excited to see how Chad Harbach revived the form, and I wanted to try something similar—to take this subgenre that maybe has seen its prime and revive it.”—M.A.

| kirkus.com | fiction | 1 february 2020 | 25 YOU DESERVE EACH OTHER dentist who nevertheless cowers in the shadow of his mother’s Hogle, Sarah expectations, responds by buying a house in the woods. He is Putnam (368 pp.) convinced the move will save their relationship, but Naomi is $16.00 paper | Apr. 7, 2020 dubious. At this point it’s clear that the novel would be greatly 978-0-593-08542-4 improved by a dual narrative—Naomi is so utterly convinced of Nicholas’ hatred and lack of interest (despite all evidence Naomi Westfield and her perfect to the contrary), and responds so cruelly based on her convic- fiance, Nicholas Rose, are just a few tions, that it’s difficult to understand why Nicholas would want short months away from walking down to marry her at all. Although self-centered Naomi eventually the aisle. But there’s one big flaw in their comes to the realization that she has been ignoring the realities seemingly idyllic relationship: She hates of her relationship, it’s a revelation that arrives far too late—all him. the romance in this overlong rom-com is relegated to the last Naomi is an underachiever who works at a local junk store few pages. There are glimmers of important discussions about that’s on its last legs. She isn’t close to her family, her only friends mental illnesses like anxiety and depersonalization, but they are her ragtag bunch of co-workers, and she is so run down by never go past surface level, a lost opportunity to elevate the text. her fiance’s overbearing mother that she has all but checked out A page-turning premise that gets overshadowed by its of her own life. But when she discovers that Nicholas is just as unlikable heroine. tired of her as she is of him, Naomi decides to wage a war in the form of petty pranks, mind games, and general sabotage to get Nicholas to call off the wedding. Nicholas, the upstanding MISS AUSTEN Hornby, Gill Flatiron Books (288 pp.) $26.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 978-1-250-25220-3

Sister of the more famous Jane, Cas- sandra Austen emerges as a figure in her own right, a woman who, although disappointed in love, finds fulfillment in her devotion to her sister, both in her lifetime and beyond. “Poor, beautiful Miss Austen, condemned to eke out a sad life with nothing to do but care for others and control the temperament of her difficult sister” is the comical opinion of Jane Austen herself on her sister, Cassy, at least according to Hornby (All Together Now, 2015, etc.), whose animation of the close relationship between the siblings is the driving force of her new novel. Denied marriage and children after the death of her fiance, Cassandra becomes a model of duty and self- sacrifice, watching over her family generally and Jane- inpar ticular as keeper of the flame and guardian of her reputation. This role will include destroying any evidence detrimental to Jane’s future status, such as letters revealing a fragile, depressive side to her character. It’s on this mission that Cassy, in 1840, decades after her sister’s death, visits the Kintbury vicarage to sift through a stash of Jane’s correspondence. As Cassy reviews these letters, so the story flashes back to earlier episodes—of sisterly delight; of anxiety about the future when the Austens must leave their home after Mr. Austen’s retirement; of trips to Bath and the English coast; of meetings with potential suitors. All this offers Hornby the opportunity to observe the marriage market, women’s lot, and men’s dominion—though with a heavier satirical hand than Jane Austen’s—and also to suggest that members of Austen’s own circle might have inspired some of her characters. Cassy herself never quite convinces and the business of the book can seem scattered, but the evocation of the sisters’ closeness is solid.

26 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult -

From From his new home in the Polish A A young gay man enters into a clan- SWIMMING IN THE DARK SWIMMING IN THE climate of communist Poland in the early the in Poland communist of climate community of Greenpoint, Brooklyn, destine affair in the repressive political 1980s. Morrow/HarperCollins (208 pp.) Morrow/HarperCollins $26.99 | Apr. 28, 2020 Apr. $26.99 | Jedrowski, Tomasz Jedrowski, 978-0-06-289000-9 versity student he met at an agricultural “work education” camp education” “work agricultural an at met he student versity read.” Their read.” summer romance, initiated during a hiking trip to my thoughts jumbled like a ball of string….It waspres asyour if ballstring….It a of like jumbled thoughts my terms: “A flash of heat traveled from myto stomach my terms: cheeks, “A ence ence already overpowered me, like a prophecy I was unable to outside Warsaw outside Warsaw in the summer of 1980. His first sighting of Janusz Janusz is a pure coup de foudre, described in typically swoony Ludwik addresses this narrative to Janusz, the handsome uni- | 1 february 2020 | 27 | kirkus.com | fiction | 1 february - the unseen vivid and remarkablyvivid poignant. Norwegian Norwegian novelist Jacobsen folds A deeply novel, satisfying sensuously both A into into a rendition of daily life on one of a quietly powerful coming-of-age story Norway’s Norway’s rural islands a hundred years Biblioasis (272 pp.) Don $15.95 paper | Apr. 7, 2020 7, Apr. paper | $15.95 Jacobsen, Roy Jacobsen, THE UNSEEN 978-1-77196-319-0 Trans. by Bartlett, Don & Shaw, Don & Shaw, by Bartlett, Trans. Ingrid Ingrid Barrøy, her father, Hans, mother, Maria, grandfa- A nicely judged fictional resurrection joins the tribute A deeply satisfying novel, both sensuously vivid and library accumulating around a literary icon. but ends up drawing readers more deeply into the world of Bar by who gets a literal chair to sit on at meals, while world crises— world while meals, at on sit to chair literal a gets who by his romantic nature. He adores Maria, despite what he callshe what her despite Maria, adores He nature. romantic his he brings her home both times. Rooted to the land where he remarkably poignant. remarkably røy and its prickly, intensely alive inhabitants. intensely røy and its prickly, ration of her father, whose sense of responsibility conflicts with conflicts responsibility of sense whose father, her of ration maintain his family’s hardscrabble existence on an island where existence hardscrabble maintain his family’s she must make difficult choices. Readers will share Ingrid’s ado- Ingrid’s Readers will share difficult choices. she must make sures, and unquestioned familial love her into more ambivalent translated translated phrases in conversation—i.e., “Tha’s goen’ nohvar” the mainland for his sister, Barbro, but, afraid she’ll be unhappy, afraid but, she’llBarbro, unhappy, be sister, his for mainland the the outside world. The novelfrom followsthe outside age Ingrid world. 3 through ther Martin, and slightly addled aunt Barbro are the owners of joy and deep sorrow. The translator’s The decision translator’s to use roughly of joy and deep sorrow. every repair is a struggle against the elements. But his efforts of the outside then world, finallywomanhood young when into a war, Sweden’s financialtroubles—have unexpected impact. are Sisyphean. Life as a Barrøy on Barrøy remains precarious. adolescence attending school off the island and becoming aware becoming and island the off school attending adolescence a carefree early childhood of endless small chores, simple plea- and sole inhabitants of Barrøy Island, one of numerous small ago in a novel that was shortlisted for the 2017 Man Booker for “You’re for going “You’re nowhere”)—slows the reading down at first following nature’s rhythm through deaths and births, moments following nature’s farms and tied to the sea where he fishes, Hans struggles to family-owned islands in an area of Norway barely touched by Changes do occur in men’s and women’s Changes roles, do reflectedand occur inwomen’s in part men’s International Prize. International Yet the drama here occurs in small increments, season by season, by season increments, small in occurs here drama the Yet “la-di-da” ways, and is devoted to Ingrid. Twice he workfinds on Twice “la-di-da” ways, and Ingrid. is devoted to the lake district, is an idyll that cannot last; the gray realities of menacing moments, but clever plotting has laid the groundwork Warsaw life—food and medicine shortages, tight party control for a happy ending with just enough hints of potential troubles over university advancement, an emerging protest movement ahead to remain true to Jiles’ loving but cleareyed portrait of subject to crackdown—will come between the lovers. While Texas’ vibrant, violent frontier culture. Ludwik imagines leaving the country to escape its oppressions Vividly evocative and steeped in American folkways: (James Baldwin’s novel of gay expatriate life in Paris, Giovanni’s more great work from a master storyteller. Room, is a touchstone), Janusz dates Hania, the daughter of an apparatchik, in order to enjoy special privileges. “Everyone is leading someone on,” Janusz explains. “So what’s wrong with THE KING OF NOTHING MUCH taking things into your own hands and not letting yourself go A Novella under?” Their conflict comes to a head during a debauched Johnson, Jesse Edward weekend at the country estate of Hania’s family, leading Lud- Paul Dry Books (121 pp.) wik toward his eventual fate. Debut novelist Jedrowski, born $12.95 paper | Apr. 7, 2020 to Polish parents in Germany and now living in France, writes 978-1-58988-144-0 confidently in English—though his prose can turn overripe and his characters feel undernourished. A stay-at-home father considers his A broody tale of gay love and life behind the Iron past and future, influenced by events Curtain. during one weekend at the family cabin. Subtitled A Novella, this latest work from Johnson (Yearbook, 2017) offers a SIMON THE FIDDLER brief comic portrait of one version of Jiles, Paulette middle-class 21st-century manhood that’s built around a more Morrow/HarperCollins (352 pp.) serious, emotionally intense core. The house-spouse in ques- $27.99 | Apr. 14, 2020 tion is Weldon Tines, whose inner monologue fills the book’s 978-0-06-296674-2 pages, not only charting developments, but also delivering jokes, musings, and the mantras of his life. “I am over halfway Jiles follows up National Book Award done” is one of them, marking Weldon’s acknowledgement finalistNews of the World (2016, etc.) with of a kind of midlife crisis. Was his wife, Deb, right to marry another atmospheric adventure in post– him? Is he a good-enough parent to daughter Presley and Civil War Texas. twins Danny and Reese? (Reese, who likes to wander, is the During his few reluctant months in subject of another mantra: “I am here to protect you.”) What the Confederate Army, Simon Boudlin’s is his purpose now that the children are in decreasing need main concerns are staying alive and protecting his precious of him? The story opens at a boy’s birthday party, where Wel- fiddle so that after the war he can make enough money to buy don, horsing around with the youngsters, accidentally injures some land and settle down with the right woman. He sees her Perry Glazier, the indulged son of a wealthy father named after his unit surrenders, at a dinner for the officers: Doris Dil- Pike. Instead of suing, Pike extorts a price from Weldon: He lon is an Irish indentured servant to Yankee Col. Webb, and by must take Perry along on a family weekend trip to the Tines’ the time Simon learns her name he already knows that Webb is lakeside cabin. The short vacation offers insights, revelations, an arrogant SOB who mistreats the help and is nasty to musi- and confessions by several characters alongside a continuous cians. That’s the last Simon sees of Doris for more than a year, stream of provocation by difficult-to-please Perry, culminat- as he forms a band with fellow veterans (three of the novel’s ing in an act of disobedience, a heroic response, and more many deft characterizations) and they play their way across physical damage. Weldon emerges from it all more open to Texas, technically under military rule but mostly in a state of the idea of change and readier to accept that parenting means near anarchy; the musicians’ gigs, brilliantly captured in Jiles’ accommodating the trajectory of his children, “streaming quiet but resonant prose, are as likely to end in a brawl as with away.” A late, surprise encounter with Pike delivers a closing applause. Simon and his mates bunk down in stolen boats and note of moral superiority to add to the self-satisfaction and shelled-out buildings that make visible the cost of war, but mag- general quirkiness. nificent descriptions of their travels make palpable the varied A funny, tender, but indulgent study in modern beauty of the landscape, from East Texas pines to the banks masculinity. of the Nueces River, where Simon plays at a wild Tejano wedding and finally has enough money to buy his dreamed-of land. He’s been in touch with Doris via letters supposedly from his Irish-American drummer, Patrick, who helpfully invents some shared relatives, and is making his way toward San Antonio to rescue his beloved, who’s finding it increasingly difficult to evade Webb’s determined advances. The pace picks up and tension rises after Simon reaches San Antonio; there are some

28 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult

| kirkus.com | fiction | 1 february 2020 | 29 WHEN I HIT YOU through her emotional journey, from confident college student Or, A Portrait of the then published writer to battered wife. She details the unhappy Writer as a Young Wife affair that led her to take refuge in her husband’s arms and then Kandasamy, Meena step by step reveals how he managed to isolate her from friends Europa Editions (224 pp.) and family, taking control of a joint email account, managing $17.00 paper | Mar. 17, 2020 all social activities. Most damning of all, the woman shows how 978-1-60945-599-6 everyone from the woman’s parents to her friends and her doctors either looked the other way or urged her to give her hus- A novel about contemporary Indian band another chance. This is a story that could take place in any intellectuals highlights an age-old problem. culture at any time period. What makes this novel unique is the The unnamed protagonist escaped feisty voice of the narrator and the rich details of her intellec- from her abusive husband five years ago tual interests and her husband’s leftist politics in contemporary when this powerful novel opens, so the suspense is not whether India. Kandasamy (The Gypsy Goddess, 2014, etc.) divides her she’ll survive but whether she’ll be allowed to tell her own time between Chennai and London, and the novel was short- story. The woman’s mother has been telling the story to rela- listed for the Women’s Prize for Fiction and the Jhalak Prize tives, neighbors, and circles of friends, focusing on the physi- and longlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize. cal signs of her daughter’s abuse and escape—her thinning hair, So long as society does not listen to women, this novel her cracked heels. But the survivor has decided to tell the story shows, no woman will truly be safe. herself, which then becomes the novel at hand. Kandasamy’s brilliant and at times brutally funny narrator leads the reader ABOVE US THE MILKY WAY Karimi, Fowzia Illus. by the author Deep Vellum (440 pp.) $28.00 | Apr. 7, 2020 978-1-64605-002-4

A semiautobiographical debut by author/illustrator Karimi offers the illuminated fragments of one family’s memories as they emigrate from Afghanistan to the United States. “In the beginning,” Karimi states in the early pages of this saturated, elliptical novel, “the taking and the killing was not particular, not honed. They took those who did not look right, who walked askew, who spoke the wrong words in the wrong place to the wrong individual….Later, they had names, they had addresses.” It is 1980, and the Soviet army has invaded Afghani- stan, ushering in an era of paranoia, reprisal, state-sponsored torture, and bloodshed. A man has been denounced by a colleague, or perhaps total stranger, forced to recite a list of “fellow collaborators” on live television. The patriarch of the family at the center of this book’s spiral constellation of memories, fables, illustrations, and evidence is on the list. Facing almost certain detention, and probable death, the father, mother, and five daughters flee the country, knowing they will likely never see either their homeland or their beloved extended family again. In America, the five sisters form a new life—one demarcated by before and after—as their father and mother find new work, new friendships, new lives, and new ways of defining themselves both as victims and survivors. Meanwhile, the gruesome harvest of war continues, shivering along the connecting cords of cultural and personal memory to touch every part of the sisters’ world. Structured as an illuminated alphabet, Karimi’s startling debut pieces together a pastiche of memory, folklore, and multilayered sense impressions with photographs from Karimi’s

30 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult - - The glamorous and fraught life of a This massive novel, based on the The boy, Woody, hasn’t spoken a When he and his widowed mother lution, and several difficult relationships. liant 11-year-old boy on the autism spec human intelligence to fight off evil. to human intelligence trum teams with an orphaned dog with are threatened by a freakish a killer, bril- DEVOTED Russian aristocrat who survives war, revo- surviveswho war, aristocrat Russian Lapierre, Alexandra Lapierre, Koontz, Dean Koontz, $30.00 | Mar. 31, 2020 | Mar. $30.00 $28.99 | Apr. 1, 2020 Apr. $28.99 | THE WOMAN OF A THE WOMAN NAMES THOUSAND Thomas & Mercer (380 pp.) Thomas & Mercer Trans. by Zuckerman, Jeffrey Trans. 978-1-5011-9791-8 978-1542019507 Atria (640 pp.) Atria The worst fear raised by this odd creature feature is blend of genres. life of a real woman, represents a huge amount of research by her first husband, Ivan “Djon”Benckendorff, a Russian Esto- wits, prodigious her by survive to manages She ruins. in lies knew that it will spawn a sequel. nian nobleman, she follows him to Berlin, where she becomes word word in his life but has created a sophisticated virtual world to substantial bibliography. Maria Ignatievna Benckendorff nee young doyenne of When imperial she Russian society. marries investigator Jane Hawk. It just takes a certain kind of reader to... reader of kind certain a takes just It Hawk. Jane investigator man who once worked father with Woody’s and briefly dated swallow the plot. Depending on one’s susceptibility to heart- the belle of the czar’s diplomatic corps. Then, after the Great ten ten a young woman to death. There is certainly no lack of raw tugging boy-and-dog tales, the novel will either be dismissed as escape to and can hack the most complex dark web networks. - geneti similarlyadvanced, other many boasting network canine cally engineered dogs. (These dogs, who call themselves the Zakrevskaya, known as Moura, is precociously intellectual, a action in the book, Koontz’s first following five novels featuring novels five following first Koontz’s book, the in action a work of cloying commercial calculation or enjoyed as a crafty a suspicious helicopter crash. The dog, Kipp, orphaned by the death of his aged, loving caretaker, is part of an underground from the library and reading them at night.) Out of the blue, a , 2012, etc.), as in her recorded Lapierre (Between Love and Honor He’s He’s determined to avenge his researcher father, who died in Mysterium, Mysterium, are capable of such miracles as retrieving books mother, propositions Megan, Woody’s and then threatens her. War and the BolshevikWar Revolution, the glittering world Moura “I am becoming the king of beasts,” he boasts, after having bit | 1 february 2020 | 31 | kirkus.com | fiction | 1 february - - - - marrow and bone marrow It’s It’s 1988. Journalist Jonathan - Fab A A West German writer takes an was released in English in English in released was for Nothing All rizius is living in Hamburg, in an apart ment that survived War World II, but of lingering war trauma. assignment in Poland that exposes layers exposes that assignmentPoland in MARROW AND BONE MARROW New York Review Books (224 pp.) Books (224 Review York New Kempowski, Walter Kempowski, $16.95 paper | Mar. 24, 2020 $16.95 paper | Mar. Trans. by Collins, Charlotte by Collins, Trans. 978-1-68137-435-2 reveals the guns fall the damage how silent. on long after goes Probing a part of WWII that few Americans know, A novel powerful in both its beauty and its uncompro Probing a part of WWII that few Americans know, Kempowski Kempowski know, Americans that fewWWII a part of Probing both as the bombs strike and as they reverberate down through down reverberate they as and strike bombs the as both looks for answers to big questions about war and suffering. to looks for answers last” giving birth to him. “As far as suffering was concerned, this concerned, was suffering as far “As him. to birth giving last” just as a reader is settling in for a long, coldhearted meditation hotel’s hotel’s scrambled eggs and sweet rolls. First published in Ger his father was killed in combat and his mother “breathed her humor so biting it’s usually more shocking than Then, funny. (who Kempowski unfolds. significance emotional and historical his relationship with his girlfriend, Ulla, is crumbling. While misinghorror whose themes are as sadly timely as they are place place is like a wound in all,” and what else but the letters of an were so friendly. To us Germans! After what To were we so did friendly. to them. A ing a perhaps unavoidable comparison to Proust—which sets itself the monumental task of exploring the atrocity of war ies destroyed!” and in the next breath is complaining about the man in 1992, this is a time capsule that feels contemporary as it sharply etched treatise on the objects of memory—encourag- she works on an art exhibition about cruelty, he prepares for guaranteed guaranteed him an unparalleled advantage over his friends,” he their fixed positions—for who could reorder the sequence of an an of sequence the reorder could who positions—for fixed their the generations. Because, as Karimi concludes, a “war in one tour tour through Poland. That’s where, in the war’s waning days, thinks. He has a pretty easy life, but his outlook is morbid, his third of the population exterminated and all the towns and cit guns fall silent. eternal. childhood and illustrations of her own making. The result is a on irony, the road trip across Poland begins, and a novel of broad of novel a and begins, Poland across trip road the irony, on alphabet?—and leaving their posts to form this…word.” form this…word.” alphabet?—and leaving their posts to alphabet, or perhaps sisters, could, “give positive form to the an assignment to help a luxury carmaker chart a promotional formless” by being “forever in two places at once: bound to died in 2007 but whose but 2007 in died darkly engaging prose. One traveler marvels “that all the Poles Kempowski reveals how the damage goes long on after the 2018) captures the zeitgeist of pre-unification Germany in sharp, in Germany pre-unification of zeitgeist the captures 2018) her fluency in several languages, and her appeal to men. Scrab- the hunky Marseille-based industrialist Henri Fiocca, whose bling in Saint Petersberg, Moura is separated from her children, dashing courtship involves French 75 cocktails, unexpected who are consigned to what’s left of Djon’s Estonian estate after appearances, and a drawn-out seduction. As always when going his assassination. Among her conquests are Robert Lockhart, a into battle, even the ones with guns and grenades, Nancy says “I British agent implicated in a plot against Lenin; Maxim Gorky, wear my favorite armor…red lipstick.” Both strands offer plenty the writer who narrowly escaped several purges; and H.G. Wells. of fireworks and heroism as they converge to explain all. The The novel has all the earmarks of an exhaustive biography, with author begs forgiveness in an informative afterword for all the quotations from original sources—correspondence, diaries, drinking and swearing. Hey! No apologies necessary! and press clippings—often taking over the narration. The real A compulsively readable account of a little-known yet Moura kept much close to the vest, including the details of an extraordinary historical figure—Lawhon’s best book to ordeal in a Bolshevik prison. Lapierre respects Moura’s privacy date. by not imagining the experience—but shouldn’t fiction free an author from such scruples? Likewise, on the “hypothetical” question of whether Moura was a Soviet spy, a British spy, or HAMMER TO FALL both, Lapierre lets the truth interfere with a good story—fic- Lawton, John tional Moura never acknowledges, not even to herself, that she’s Atlantic Monthly (400 pp.) an informant. Nevertheless, as history brought to life through $26.00 | Mar. 10, 2020 the eyes of one woman whose fortunes took her through two 978-0-8021-4812-4 wars and tumultuous regime changes, this account is engrossing, especially as to the particulars of existence in a paranoid, post- The adventures of Joe Wilderness revolutionary state with a bureaucratic machine as deadly as it across Cold War Europe. is dysfunctional. From Berlin, surviving on airlift sup- Although too long and overly slavish to the record, this port, to Finland, England, and, ultimately, multifaceted portrait rescues its heroine from undeserved Prague in the spring of 1968, MI6 spy obscurity. Joe Holderness, aka Wilderness, gets into and out of a number of compelling spots of trouble in this installment of his story (The Unfortunate Englishman, 2016, etc.). CODE NAME HÉLÈNE At first, and only for a short while, Wilderness and a loose gang of Lawhon, Ariel smugglers sell coffee and later peanut butter across the sectors Doubleday (464 pp.) of divided Berlin. Frank, the irritating American, Swift Eddie $27.95 | Mar. 31, 2020 the driver, the Russians Yuri and Kostya, and Nell Burkhardt, 978-0-38-554468-9 Wilderness’ lover, are all complete and compelling creations, and each member of the group reappears in more grown-up A historical novel explores the inter- political costume later. Except for small digressions, the action section of love and war in the life of jumps to 1966 Finland, where Kostya and Wilderness establish Australian-born World War II heroine a nice black-market enterprise and Wilderness exposes an ugly Nancy Grace Augusta Wake. plot involving clandestine cobalt and dirty bombs. Unfortu- Lawhon’s (I Was Anastasia, 2018, etc.) nately, the end user of the cobalt is not the USSR, as Wilderness carefully researched, lively historical had assumed, but the U.K., and though his efforts result in the novels tend to be founded on a strategic chronological gambit, abandonment of an ill-advised weapons program, Wilderness is whether it’s the suspenseful countdown to the landing of the not everywhere in good odor, hence his assignment to Prague, Hindenberg or the tale of a Romanov princess told backward and where all the old conspirators come together in surprising and forward at once. In her fourth novel, she splits the story of the satisfying ways. But a cursory plot summary does the novel amazing Nancy Wake, woman of many aliases, into two inter- little justice. By turns witty, erudite, and exciting and support- woven strands, both told in first-person present. One begins on ing a host of interesting characters, imaginary and historical Feb. 29th, 1944, when Wake, code-named Hélène by the Brit- (for example Willy Brandt, Miloš Forman, and Václav Havel), ish Special Operations Executive, parachutes into Vichy-con- the story admirably captures the spirit of post–World War II trolled France to aid the troops of the Resistance, working with espionage. With the possible exception of “Wilderness,” a not- comrades “Hubert” and “Denden”—two of many vividly drawn unreasonable distortion of “Holderness” which might seem less supporting characters. “I wake just before dawn with a full blad- disruptive to British ears than American ones, there’s not one der and the uncomfortable realization that I am surrounded on sour note. all sides by two hundred sex-starved Frenchmen,” she says. The A terrific thriller: fun, satisfying, and humane. second strand starts eight years earlier in Paris, where Wake is launching a career as a freelance journalist, covering early stories of the Nazi rise and learning to drink with the hardcore journos, her purse-pooch Picon in her lap. Though she claims the dog “will be the great love of [her] life,” she is about to meet

32 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult - - - - A A series of mostly undelivered let “Dear Everett, Perhaps I’ve invited Simon & Schuster (320 pp.) Simon & Schuster you to move into my spare bedroom ters from a vegan Whole Foods deli maid deli Foods Whole vegan a from ters ex-boyfriend. and Goddess worshiper to her slacker Lowry, Mary Pauline Mary Lowry, $26.00 | Apr. 7, 2020 7, Apr. $26.00 | THE ROXY LETTERS THE ROXY 978-1-9821-2143-3 Where the sun always shines, dark shadows will follow. Sugar, Sugar, and to this Roxy, means organizing a campaign to take before Roxy before wasRoxy born. Only animal rights is a stronger motiva- been at this job, slinging the same old drinks, same old bar talk, ling of the late-1990s underground party scene in San Francisco, Francisco, San in scene party underground late-1990s the of ling honing that skill, but now, honing at that 45 skill,years of but age,now, realizing she’s she has a long way to go. Lisick’s stringent humor is what makes this makes what is humor stringent Lisick’s go. to way long a has pant in her hometown. Ironically, though, Edie’s been though, avoidingEdie’s pant in her hometown. Ironically, with your life is tackle the motherfucking shit out of it,” says business, local funky a be to used it Well, 1980. in opened it when nist Dear Sugar for advice. “The best thing you can possibly do is not a funky local business. Meanwhile, she’s right across the ing a bout with chickenpox. Feeling adrift, she turns to - colum street at the behemoth Whole Foods flagshipstore, which should’ve probably been sharpening others—like learning how she stubbornly stayed put in her sketchy Mission warehouse tor tor for Roxy than confused anti-corporate nostalgia. “Thank that Starbucks stores have spread through the city faster than to to use a better cellphone yet, or, the An internet. erstwhile dar go over things to well “adulting,” don’t sulky for protagLisick’s - pleasur It’s film). Baumbach Noah a watching of experience the tale worth reading, but the scant growth her character makes feel warranted. end just doesn’t the book’s toward occupied by her beloved Waterloo Video—because Lululemon Video—because occupied by her belovedWaterloo erased the character of this supposedly historic intersection onist. Tedious as it is to read about Edie’s self-inflicted struggles,self-inflicted Edie’s about read to is it as Tedious onist. even if the guide is kind of a drag. Oscillating between booze clichés for so long that she’s inevitably become one. self-awareness She her but does web, the navigate to how learneventually an STD in a retirement home.” A clitoral masturbation cult, against my better judgment.” Judgment is not the long suit of all her friends moved away and got jobs after the dot-com boom, dot-com the after jobs got and away moved friends her all Silicon her put to left Edie’s dies, mother her When apartment. Area, through the Bay winding tour tagable to along on Lisick’s and boredom, Edie salts her wounds while bemoaning the “self- affirming inspirational platitude graffiti” that’s become ram- down the Lululemon store that is moving into the space once Goddess that Spider House is still going strong, despite the fact the despite strong, going still is House Spider that Goddess Poxy Roxy—so Poxy dubbed by her evil supervisor, Dirty Steve, dur Lisick’s languid prose has a magnetic pull to it (not dissimilar to to dissimilar (not it magneticto a pullhas prose languid Lisick’s Edie made bucking conformity her thing, so much so that when that so much so thing, her conformity bucking made Edie Valley ranch house on the market. As someone with an aversionan with someone As market. the on house ranch Valley “not doing shit,” really, for decades. She’s spent many a late night late a many spent She’s decades. for really, shit,” doing “not | 1 february 2020 | 33 | kirkus.com | fiction | 1 february the roxy letters the roxy Her Her name is Edie. Or is it? The regu- Levin turns in a big, futuristic shaggyfuturistic big, a Levinturnsin The past isn’t even past—but the one the past—but even isn’t past The Yokohama Threeway: And And Threeway: In Lisick’s (Yokohama Kablankey, the name given I’d it, at my postmodern fictionalist Levin imagines novel, a former indie it girl comes to is stranger than most. shaggy. shaggy. In fact, it’s a rather lovable tidy, ger, in fact, it. ger, terms terms with the reality that she is no lon- dog tale, except that the dog isn’t so EDIE ON THE GREEN SCREEN BUBBLEGUM , Shames Small Other 2013, etc.) debut Doubleday (784 pp.) Lisick, Beth Levin, Adam $19.99 paper | Mar. 26, 2020 $19.99 paper | Mar. $28.95 | Apr. 14, 2020 Apr. $28.95 | 7.13 Books (244 pp.) 7.13 978-1-7333672-0-2 978-0-385-54496-2 Bursts with quirky spirit and gleeful comic energy. gleeful comic spirit and with quirky Bursts A pleasingly dystopian exercise in building a world Says a guy named Triple-J, brightly, “Let’s use Says brightly, those a Band-Aids guy named Triple-J, between between the early 1980s and the early 2010s—the - technologi little critter called a Curio, or “cure,” a sort of emotional sup- lars at the bar think they know her, though they don’t. Edie’s matter. put in their hands, he proves it again and again. port animal that lends itself to all kinds of bad treatment. In without social media—and without social graces, for that name Blank, “short for rocks at it from a distance, and see if something revolutionary nae would make people feel but happy, instead strange forms in overload, and that we never would have expected to enjoy.” If If enjoy.” to expected have would never we that and overload, in iPhones, no internet, no Facebook. You’d think iPhones, that no such internet, lacu- no You’d Facebook. mother’s suggestion, for the sound of its sneeze.” By the end this overlong but amusing story is an alienated memoirist with the science-fictional name of Belt Magnet. But then, every- to Band-Aid a cure to the slide at the playground, throw some thing, the reader will care for him/it just as much as Belt does— of the traits the humans around them possess. Levin’s hero in one in this story has an unusual moniker: Lotta Hogg, Jonboat them. among things lab-born and inanimate the to do characters of life have been concocted, with inanimate objects capable of of the even story, though Blank is a mass-produced laboratory cal advances we’ve become used to are absent: There are no and will certainly be shocked by the horrible things some of the of some things horrible the by shocked certainlybe will and develops—some new kind of Curio interaction that doesn’t end doesn’t that interaction Curio of kind develops—somenew feeling and voicing discontent and pain as well as acquiring some acquiring as well as pain and discontent voicing and feeling Levin’s point is that humans are rotten no matter what tools you tools what matter no rotten are humans that is point Levin’s Pellmore-Jason, Blackie Buxman, and so forth. His cure hasthe cure forth.His so and Buxman, Blackie Pellmore-Jason, Levin’s future—or past, Levin’s that is, since most of the action ranges romantic liaisons with a skateboarder and a drummer, a feud AND THEIR CHILDREN with her meth-head neighbors, the near death of her weiner dog AFTER THEM due to choking on the crotch of her pleather underpants—the Mathieu, Nicolas predicaments never stop for our millennial heroine. Lowry is Trans. by Rodarmor, William the heir apparent to Sarah Bird, whose comic novels Alamo Other Press (432 pp.) House and The Boyfriend School perfectly captured the Austin of $17.99 paper | Apr. 7, 2020 the 1980s. Roxy would love them. We will always remember this 978-1-89274-677-1 as the book that taught us the word “kyriarchy.” Look it up. Bursts with quirky spirit and gleeful comic energy. Winner of the Prix Goncourt in France, Mathieu’s first novel to be translated into English follows three teenagers A REASONABLE DOUBT and their families through four summers Margolin, Phillip in an economically depressed valley far removed from Paris. Minotaur (304 pp.) It’s 1992, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is the song of the moment, $27.99 | Mar. 10, 2020 and 14-year-old Anthony Casati is obsessed with the thought of 978-1-250-11754-0 topless girls. He and his cousin steal a canoe and paddle to the fabled nude beach across the local lake. His chance encounter A magician’s greatest illusion becomes there has far-reaching consequences for him, a wealthy girl named even more dramatic when he’s killed Stéphanie Chaussoy, and an immigrant boy named Hacine Bouali. onstage in front of 3,000 witnesses. Told in four sections, each unfolding over another summer, the Lord Robert Chesterfield (don’t look novel details the torpor and hopelessness of a deindustrialized too closely at that presumably self-con- valley where children deal hashish and shoot their BB guns at the ferred title) has finally perfected his ulti- rusting carcasses of blast furnaces. Mathieu captures the vulner- mate magic trick: the Chamber of Death, which involves his escape ability and awkwardness of adolescence with painful acuity as the from a bolted sarcophagus filled with scorpions, snakes, and him. teenagers struggle to find their ways in the world. But his interest Since Chesterfield’s only public rehearsal for the illusion ended extends further, to their families and the place itself; characters with his vanishing from both the sarcophagus and the face of the and setting are inextricable, as the book’s best writing reveals. Earth for three years, expectations are running high, and the tick- “In midafternoon, a diffuse numbness took hold of the projects.... ets for his performance at the Babylon Casino all seem to have The towers themselves seemed ready to collapse, swaying in the been reserved for everyone the performer has ever crossed. His waves of heat. Every so often, the howl of a tricked-out motor- estranged second wife, Claire Madison, is there, along with her bike would slash through the silence....The boys felt sluggish and lover, rival magician David Turner, whose professional life took hateful.” In the bar that Anthony’s alcoholic father frequents: a nose dive when Chesterfield told the world the secret behind “People drank in silence until 5 o’clock, and more energetically Turner’s own trademark illusion. Joe Samuels, one of Chester- afterward. Depending on their temperament, they then got sick, field’s many creditors, is on hand, and although Augustine Mon- funny, or mean.” The conflict between Anthony and Hacine tenegro, a harder-edged creditor, couldn’t make it, he’s sent two has its roots in the valley’s poverty and racism. In one of several of his enforcers. Iris Hitchens, who’s never stopped believing vicious attacks, a punch “carried ancient pains and frustrations. that Chesterfield killed her mother, Lily Dowd, the grocery heir- It was a fist heavy with misery and missed chances, a ton of mis- ess who was his first wife, is watching in rapt attention. So are spent living.” Mathieu’s sympathy for his characters is cleareyed detectives Tamara Robinson and Lou Fletcher, who’ve come to and generous, and the final section—showing the entire valley arrest the magician for theft. There’s hardly room in the crowd caught up in World Cup soccer fever as the French team com- for young attorney Robin Lockwood (The Perfect Alibi, 2019, etc.), petes for a place in the finals—is surprisingly moving. whose firm defended Chesterfield years ago against the charge A gritty, expansive coming-of-age novel filled with sex of poisoning Sophie Randall, the secretary to Westmont Coun- and violence that manages to be tender, even wryly hopeful. try Club manager Samuel Moser, who’d accused Chesterfield of cheating at cards and coming on to Sophie and others—and yes, Moser’s in the audience too. It’s clear from the opening pages THE AGE OF WITCHES that the Chamber of Death will be Chesterfield’s last perfor- Morgan, Louisa mance; the pages that follow are devoted to filling in the layers Orbit (448 pp.) upon layers of dubious backstory and multiplying the suspects $28.00 | Apr. 7, 2020 even further before the guilty party is plucked from thin air. 978-0-316-41950-5 Lots of tricks up Margolin’s sleeve. Just don’t expect the denouement to bring down the house. Three witches attempt to magically alter their futures at the end of the 19th century in this historical fantasy novel. The third entry in Morgan’s (The Witch’s Kind, 2019, etc.) thematically

34 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult - A familyA begins to come apart at the Young Young Ada Bloom, a dreamy child prone to “looking deeply into things seams over the course of a summer in a in the early 1980s. town Australian small $15.95 paper | Apr. 7, 2020 7, Apr. paper | $15.95 THE LAST SUMMER OF BLOOM ADA Tin House (312 pp.) (312 House Tin 978-1-947793-61-3 Murray, Martine Murray, Pain, grief, and hurt are all part of life in this moving An empathetic family story that works best when illu brusque neighbor Angela—journalist, friend of Sylvie, and - sin be, the self that had tottered forward.” Ada’s disillusionment larly of childhood. While Murray’s adult characters can feel her first novel for adults,Murray, and Me (Marsh 2019) paints minating the inner lives its of young female protagonists. portrayalthe of many forms love can take. which she often isn’t able to verbalize; and her growing niche in niche growing her and verbalize; to able isn’t often she which with her father is similarly balanced by a stubborn belief in the world’s beauty and her own force of will; Mike despairs at his when she stumbles upon her father, Mike, in flagrante delicto with family friend Susie Layton. But secret, Mike’s which Ada nor feels capable of taking care of. Debut author Morrey has ion and confidant—introduces herto during their daily walks. immediately immediately gripping. Murray deftly illustrates Tilly’s internal ing her own dark desperate to secret. Tilly, escape her mother, in the foundation of the Bloom family. Self-absorbed matriarch Self-absorbed family. Bloom the of foundation the in static, her younger protagonists, Tilly and Ada in particular, are in particular, Ada and Tilly static, her younger protagonists, struggles to be a loving mother to her children while - conceal shares with her beloved older sister, Tilly, only widens the cracks the widens only Tilly, sister, older beloved her with shares gle mother to Otis. And toso aMissy tending viva- finds herself gle Otis. mother to told in snippets through time: Missy’s undying Leo, devotion to in snippets through time: Missy’s told the community that Bob—her Bobby, her the unexpected - community compan that Bob—her Bobby, that she hopes to leave her small hometown. Her spontaneous the plot loses steam instead of building to a satisfying climax. cious dog of indeterminate breed, Bob, that she neither wanted wanted neither she that Bob, breed, indeterminate of dog cious contradictions; contradictions; at once a rebellious teenager and a young girl cynicism in the face “own of Ada’s raw little love.” Regrettably, announcement announcement feels “like a reach for the self she wanted to a vivid picture of the complications of family life and particu- and making up mysteries,” finds herworld turned upside down deftly created a series of love stories, interwoven together and children, her to devotion her flaws; his—andher—many despite frightened frightened of the future, she is startled by her own declaration dreams of Melbourne and her dreamy crush, Raff Cavallo. In Nevertheless, there is much here to admire. there is much here to Nevertheless, Martha Martha favors cricket-star son Ben at the expense of Tilly and There are no saccharine moments to mar this tale. There are no saccharine moments to | 1 february 2020 | 35 | kirkus.com | fiction | 1 february - - - - the love story of missy carmichael of story the love Millicent Carmichael—Missy—mar An isolated, prickly septuagenarian portrayal love many forms of the can take. works works to overcome her fears that she is in London who has lost her husband a burden to those around her. a burden to MISSY CARMICHAEL MISSY Putnam (352 pp.) $26.00 | Feb. 4, 2020 $26.00 | Feb. THE LOVE STORY OF STORY THE LOVE 978-0-525-54244-5 Morrey, Beth Morrey, Pain, grief, and hurt and are all part moving of life in this grief, Pain, An underwhelming novel that often gets too heavy- handed with its theme. between between voices—conversations between Annis and Frances are like like a filly at the failureto horse Morgan’s differentiate market.” happen in quick succession: She faints in the park and meets his mother in both subject matter and vocabulary—makes it dif- unnecessary attempted rape scene caused by black magic pro- person with sharp edges—she knows this, her Leo knew this— place in New York society. Harriet has devoted her life society. and craft York place in New vides the story’s only truevides the story’s moment of suspense. neighbor Sylvie, who kindly sits with her for a bit; her home is robbed while she feigns sleep; and she agrees to do a favor for ried the man she loved, Leo, in 1959. But after a half-century novel’s novel’s heavy-handed treatment makes this message more bur nates between point-of-view characters nates and between point-of-view pauses several times nearly indistinguishable from those between the marquess and racehorses, Annis racehorses, melodramatically laments that she is “for sale, miles away in Australia, and she is recently estranged from her into into a loveless union with a British marquess to secure her own in 1890, distant cousins Harriet and Frances trace their ances marriage is set to shatter her dream of breeding her own line of socialite Frances intends to socialite use Frances Annis, to force her stepdaughter, grandson, both of whom she dotes on, live more than 9,000 this time without getting to know anyone because she held so familynow, her But else. tightlyanyone for time no made she to the loneliness is crushing her. A few life-changing moments to to control their own destinies is clearly a theme here, but the to to helping women in need, so when she plans overhears Frances’ try back to Bridget’s two daughters. ancestor Frances’ inherited of living, loving, and growing older in a huge house in Stoke connected connected series of witch novels centers of on real-life Salem two witch descendants Bridget Byshop who wage magical over war the fate of a City headstrong Living teenager. in York New and she is at loose ends, having lived in a community for all at the novel’s climax, as does a jarring opening that quickly alter daughter, daughter, who lives nearby in Cambridge. Missy is a difficult for Annis—who is also Harriet’s great-niece Annis—who and for is one great-niece also of Harriet’s Bridget’s descendants—she follows them to England. inability Women’s all dealings For of in for Frances’ darkness, lengthy anbackstory. densome than enlightening. When she realizes that a forced Newington, London, he Newington, is gone, and she is bereft. son Her and ficult for theto readerconnect with the plights, characters’ even Bridget’s Bridget’s “maleficia,” booka of black magic, would-bewhich BEHELD He give you a black eye? True love in your tail....He put you in Nesbit, TaraShea hospital for a week? Love will stay the course. He take the knife Bloomsbury (288 pp.) and stab your leg? Until death do us part.” Years later, Betty $26.00 | Mar. 17, 2020 invites her colleague Mr. Chetan to live with her and Solo, her 978-1-63557-322-0 adolescent son, as a platonic lodger. As the three of them get to know each other, they create a stable and loving household. Ten years after founding the first Pil- After Mr. Chetan shares his deepest secret with Betty, she grim settlement, the colonists are forced decides to confess her own—only to realize Solo has overheard to address the strife that roils beneath the devastating details. The moment upends their family and their utopian dreams. changes their lives forever. To put space between himself and It’s an August morning in the Plym- his mother, Solo embarks on a trip to New York to stay with outh colony, the year 1630. It’s been 10 his paternal uncle. Back in Trinidad, Betty tries to fix the rela- years since a group arrived on the Mayflower to start life afresh, tionship with her son while also finding herself as an individual. and today is a day of great anticipation: A fresh wave of people Eventually, Mr. Chetan moves out and attempts to live his truth, is expected to arrive. Alice Bradford, wife of the colony’s gov- which puts him in great danger. As the years pass, the three of ernor, William, is especially anxious. On this new ship will be them grapple with the literal and figurative distance between her stepson, the child left behind by William and his first wife, them. Broken into three parts, the novel oscillates among the Dorothy, when they undertook the perilous Mayflower journey. three characters’ points of view. Writing in vibrant Trinidadian Alice remains haunted by Dorothy’s death, which occurred dialect, Persaud renders her characters with great empathy and under mysterious circumstances, and feels guilt for having care. If the novel’s structure feels a bit uneven (with the second usurped her childhood companion for the powerful role of Wil- section dragging a bit), the ending gives readers some much- liam Bradford’s wife. But the day is full of anticipation in other needed relief. ways, too. Nesbit (The Wives of Los Alamos, 2014) uses alternat- A harrowing domestic drama full of heart. ing narrators, chiefly Alice Bradford and Eleanor Billington, the wife of a disgruntled, disillusioned colonist, to show the tension and unrest building among those in charge of the fledg- THE UNSUITABLE ling settlement and those who are chafing against the powerful. Pohlig, Molly A murder will be committed by the time this August day has Henry Holt (288 pp.) come to a close, and by the time it does, the settlers will ques- $27.00 | Apr. 14, 2020 tion whether or not they are truly “fashioned in God’s favor,” as 978-1-250-24628-8 they once believed. Although the pacing here can be off-putting (the buildup to the promised disaster is long; the climax, too A young Victorian woman avoids short) and the sensitively rendered but still peripheral role that marriage at all costs—while being the Wampanoag Tribe plays could have used more development, haunted by her dead mother. Nesbit’s novel has all the juicy sex, lies, and violence of a pres- “You killed me, remember that.” tige Netflix drama and shines surprising light on the earliest Pohlig’s debut novel opens with a con- years of America, massive warts and all. versation between Iseult Wince and her A dramatic look at the Pilgrims as seen through wom- mother, who died giving birth to her. The midwife had to pull en’s eyes. her out, leaving Iseult with a neck scar—which is where she believes her mother’s ghost lives. At 28 years old, she is nearing spinsterhood, and Mr. Wince, her father, desperately wants LOVE AFTER LOVE to marry her off. The idea of marriage terrifies Iseult; she sab- Persaud, Ingrid otages nearly every setup and keeps a little black book called One World/Random House (336 pp.) “The Unsuitables,” where she details her failed suitors. Mr. $26.00 | Apr. 14, 2020 Wince is ruthlessly cruel to his daughter. His emotional abuse 978-0-593-15756-5 is unending to the point that even Iseult hopes he will hit her: “She wished he would, so their mutual hatred could at least be A found family attempts to mend tangible instead of just another ghost in the house.” Luckily, she their individual and shared wounds. has Mrs. Pennington, her housekeeper and surrogate mother, This novel by Trinidadian author Per- who provides some of the kindness and emotional nurturing saud (If I Never Went Home, 2013), winner Iseult has been deprived of. Eventually, Mr. Wince finds a will- of the 2017 Commonwealth Short Story ing admirer in Jacob—a kind fellow outcast with a unique con- Prize, explores self-harm, sexuality, dition: His skin is silver. The forced engagement and impending trauma, loneliness, and the idea of home. In the opening chap- wedding sends Iseult into further free fall. Her mother’s voice ter, Betty, a young mother, is being physically abused by her hus- gets stronger and more cruel. Whether it’s with sewing scis- band. After his abrupt death pages later, she says: “That man sors or pins, Iseult’s way of coping with her mother’s voice is only gave love you could feel. He cuff you down? Honeymoon. self-harm and mutilation. Unfortunately, the novel is bloody

36 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult - Private Private Investigator Russell Avery Inferno with rocket launchers and An investigation into the death of You’re You’re making a mistake if you pending every ounce of disbelief that man” for the Newark police, fixingpolice, a vari- for the Newark man” generally makes his living as a “handy- takes his readers to hell. his readers to takes conspiracy. a drug dealer uncovers an ugly police astrolabes: Rollins (Crucible , 2019, etc.) approach a Rollins novel without sus LINE OF SIGHT Queally, James Queally, Polis Books (320 pp.) Polis Rollins, James Rollins, Morrow/HarperCollins (464 pp.) Morrow/HarperCollins $26.00 | Mar. 10, 2020 10, $26.00 | Mar. $28.99 | Mar. 24, 2020 24, $28.99 | Mar. THE LAST ODYSSEY 978-1-947993-89-1 978-0-06-289291-1 A creditable debut thriller, if a little too neat. because, well, drug dealers get shot. But Avery learns Mathis loyalties and friendships within the police department are lack authenticity and their dialogue all sounds Avery’s similar, jihadists are on the verge of leveraging the supernatural powers lethal special-ops division of the Defense Advanced Research his ex-girlfriend Dina, who is a reporter, wants to run a story had a cellphone with a video of the police shooting of his friend his of shooting police the of video a with cellphone a had police police seeking to suppress the recording, and though justice voices in the broader discussion of crime and responsibility, and responsibility, and crime of discussion broader the in voices which, as Pope Leo X tells Leonardo that da Vinci—yes, Leon- ries are real and immediate. strations, Avery is pulled in several directions: Police officials strained. Overall, the various factions neatly represent public you hold. Otherwise, who would swallow a hook baited with tell tell him he is following false leads and threaten his PI license; that may be incomplete; Keyonna sees the shootings as symp- own Avery’s regardless of of social the injustice, facts; and toms to that degree the novel is formulaic. If the minor characters the premise that, by way of the ancient Homeric epics, modernepics, Homeric ancient the of way by that, premise the ety of complaints and When misunderstandings. social activist of Kevin Mathis, a teenage street-level dealer, he is reluctant of the underworld, following the footsteps of a shadowy cabal, and becomes the cause of enduring Black Lives demon- Matter ardo da Vinci—once upon a time “found the entrance Vinci—once to Hell”? ardo da for Mathis might for involve Mathis investigating the hands that feed him, first-person voice is strong and distinct, and his moral quanda- Luis Becerra, raising the possibility that Mathis was killed by Keyonna Keyonna Jackson asks him to look into the shooting death It’s up It’s to the good guys of Sigma Force, the secret and highly Avery Avery decides to take the case. After the video is made public | 1 february 2020 | 37 | kirkus.com | fiction | 1 february - - crooked river crooked make this a winner for adventure fans. adventure winner for this a make FBI Special Agent Aloysius Pender Imagine Florida beachcombers’ shock beachcombers’ Florida Imagine gast finds evil afoot in his latest action- etc.). CROOKED RIVER CROOKED Central Publishing Grand , Dead the for 2018, filled adventure (Verses (368 pp.) Preston, Douglas & Child, Lincoln $29.00 | Feb. 4, 2020 $29.00 | Feb. 978-1-5387-4725-4 Great storytelling,Great plot a quirkier hero, and a quirky Great storytelling, a quirky hero, and a quirkier plot Bloody and bizarre. baffling case indeed” for the brilliantPendergast, but it’s the beach. Police and beach. FBI Police ultimately count more than a hundred of has too much narrative fluff. has too hat, and his legendary insistence on working alone—until now. homicide? Analysts examine chemical residues and pollen, even pollen, and residues chemical examine Analysts homicide? make this a winner for adventure fans. plenty of suspense, and the action gets bloody. plenty of suspense, and the action gets bloody. when they discover a shoe with a severed foot inside. Soon they moderately moderately privileged Victorian woman—that is to none.” say, moment is when Iseult wonders what may be expected of her nothing.” Coldmoon is more down to earth: part Lakota, part reptile. But equally odd is Constance Greene, narily his beautiful,” - “extraordi smart, and sarcastic young “ward” who has rible was happening” in front of a coastal prison, and on China, see dozens more feet, all in identical shoes, bobbing toward the you have a thoroughly entertaining cast of There characters. is there are moments of humor and levity, they are rare. Once such Once rare. are they levity, and humor of moments are there they dumped off a ship or an island? Does each one represent a the angle of each foot’s amputation, but the puzzle defies all the apparent source of the shoes. The clever plot is “a most type of problem he thrives on. hardly He’s a stereotypical FBI them washing up on Sanibel and Captiva islands’ tranquil shores. tranquil islands’ Captiva and Sanibel on up washing them ers, an intrepid newspaper reporter, coyotes crossing the U.S.– ographers use a supercomputer to analyze Gulf currents and focuses Attention on explanation. Cuba, where “something ter after after marriage: “She had received the usual sex education of a and graphic in a way that sometimes feels gratuitous. Though agent, given for example his lemon-colored silk suit, his Panama Panama his suit, silk lemon-colored his example for given agent, attempt attempt to determine where the feet entered the ocean. Were Coldmoon to investigate this strange phenomenon. - Ocean Despite a pitch-perfect final scene, the strange, grotesque novel grotesque strange, the scene, final pitch-perfect a Despite Pendergast rarely blinks—perhaps, someone surmises, he’s part he’s surmises, rarelyblinks—perhaps,someone Pendergast Pendergast Pendergast teams up with the junior Special Agent Armstrong Mexico border, and Mexico border, a pissed-off wannabe graphic novelist, and Italian, Italian, and “every inch a Fed.” Add in murderous drug deal- “eyes that had seen everythingseen had that by surprised were asresult, and, a “eyes Projects Agency, to save the world from such malign possibili- A mother and her child-prodigy daughter struggle to ties. As always, Cmdr. Gray Pierce and company perform super- survive the Holocaust by telling stories and remembering human feats in the service of truth, justice, and the American the power of music. way, with some sympathetic and highly capable civilian in tow. In this case, it’s a scholar named Elena Cargill, who, apart from holding “dual PhDs in paleoanthropology and archaeology,” is TRUST ME also the daughter of the chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Santos, Richard Z. Foreign Relations, making her an attractive target indeed. As Arte Público (312 pp.) we meet her, Elena is working through an archaeological puzzle: $17.95 paper | Mar. 31, 2020 How did the Arabian super-dhow that she’s discovered under 978-1-55885-904-3 hundreds of feet of Greenlandic ice get there? It might just have something to do with a clockwork mechanism that steers inter- Charles O’Connell, a disgraced polit- ested parties toward the flaming depths of Tartarus and its resi- ical consultant on the cusp of a busted dent demons, titans, metal mastiffs, and their ilk. You’d think marriage, and Gabriel Luna, a laborer it no place to visit, but it’d be handy to have such tools in one’s at the end of his rope, invest their last kit if one were bent on world conquest. So it is that Elena and hopes in a controversial airport project the DARPAnauts go up against a nefarious band of terrorists, being built on purchased Indian land in one a James Bond–worthy giant and the other, this being equal- New Mexico. opportunity evil, a smart and ever so ill-tempered woman who Construction has stalled after a bulldozer digs up a skeleton “savor[s] the kill to come” and wreaks an awful lot of damage, as and a previously unheard-from Apache tribe claims the land is supervillains will. Mayhem ensues. sacred ground where Geronimo is buried. The unscrupulous Improbable and sometimes silly, but Rollins spins an developer, who secretly plans on adding a casino to the proj- entertaining thriller out of a long string of what-ifs. ect, has hired Charles as a PR man to assuage his opponents. Charles, slow to realize he is being used, must decide if the money he stands to make is worth the ethical breaches he must THE YELLOW BIRD SINGS commit. Gabe, who has been told he has bone cancer by a post- Rosner, Jennifer hippie shaman who dispenses medical mushrooms, is desperate Flatiron Books (304 pp.) to reconnect with his teenage son, having been abandoned by $25.99 | Mar. 3, 2020 his own mother when he was a boy. While waiting for his job 978-1-250-17977-7 driving a dump truck on the airport site to resume, he deals marijuana to pay his ex-wife what he owes her while promis- Rosner’s debut novel is a World War ing he will reform. Boasting a nicely understated comedic tone, II story with a Room-like twist, one that Santos’ first novel deftly draws the reader into the machina- also deftly examines the ways in which tions of its plot. Though the paths of the woebegone protago- art and imagination can sustain us. nists never cross, denying the novel some rich possibilities, the Five-year-old Shira is a prodigy. She book boasts other rewarding mismatches. In its depictions of hears entire musical passages in her head, backroom dealing, it reflects the author’s early experience as a which “take shape and pulse through her, quiet at first, then political campaign worker. building in intensity and growing louder.” But making sounds A compulsively readable debut by a Texas writer who is something Shira is not permitted to do. She and her mother, knows his New Mexico. Róża, are Jews who are hiding in a barn in German-occupied Poland. Soldiers have shot Róża’s husband and dragged her parents away, and after a narrow escape, mother and daughter THE DOMINANT ANIMAL cower in a hayloft day and night, relying on the farmer and his Scanlan, Kathryn wife to keep them safe from neighbors and passing patrols. The MCD/Farrar, Straus and Giroux wife sneaks Shira outside for fresh air; the husband visits Róża (160 pp.) late at night in the hayloft to exact his price. To keep Shira occu- $15.00 paper | Apr. 7, 2020 pied and quiet the rest of the time, Róża spins tales of a little 978-0-374-53829-3 girl and a yellow bird in an enchanted but silent garden men- aced by giants; only the bird is allowed to sing. But when Róża is Microstories offer glances of the offered a chance to hide Shira in an orphanage, she must weigh unsettling power dynamics at the heart her daughter’s safety against her desire to keep the girl close. of every relationship. Rosner builds the tension as the novel progresses, wisely mov- In “The First Whiffs of Spring,” the ing the action out of the barn before the premise grows tired or opening story of this experimental col- repetitive. This is a Holocaust novel, but it’s also an effective lection, the narrator, riding a public bus on her way to a get- work of suspense, and Rosner’s understanding of how art plays together, spots a sign featuring a cartoon cow, lipsticked and a role in our lives, even at the worst of times, is impressive. bonneted. The image echoes in the human performances of

38 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult - -

Brian left Chester when he was 18, A A young man dying of AIDS returns seeking freedom to be who he was in to to his Ohio hometown, where think homosexuality is a people sin and the dis ease is divine punishment. Sickels, Carter Sickels, Hub City Press (288 pp.) (288 City Press Hub $26.00 | Apr. 14, 2020 Apr. $26.00 | THE PRETTIEST STAR 978-1-938235-62-7 Powerfully affecting and disturbing. An unusual and stylish story of love and murder—less a late late stages. “He turned his back on his family to live a life of him service. Younger sister Jess, taunted him at service.school, Younger wishes he’d keep Brian’s illness keep Brian’s and sexuality a secret; he makes Sharon set hate mail to the local newspapers, graffition the family garage, mystery than a study emotions of and cultural mores. prose, makes for a memorable and unsettling novel. prose, makes what people are capable of when gripped by ignorance and fear , Hour (The Evening wash gloves. them separately wearing Sickels never come home and tells him so. This unvarnished portrait of portraitunvarnished This so. him tells and home come never nonetheless she says yes when Brian asks if he can come home is relieved slightly by a few cracks in the facade of the intolerance, some moments town’s of kindness or at least faint regret mother Lettie is Brian’s only open defender, refusing to speak to to speak to refusing defender, open only Brian’s is Lettie mother she makes some amends while he can only grieve. Sickels’ char sin and he’s sick because of it,” thinks his mother, Sharon; gets out. Brian’s ejection from the local swimming pool is the the sensational details in the first pages.the sensational details enough new information to maintain the level of interest set by set levelinterest the of maintain newto enough information acters are painfully flawed and wholly, believably human in their in believably human wholly, and painfullyflawed are acters as Brian’s health worsens asover Brian’s the summer and fall. Sharon and after years of estrangement. His father, Travis, insists they must they insists Travis, father, His estrangement. of years after aside tableware and bedclothes exclusively for their son and astonishing cruelty of their friends and neighbors when word a gunshot through the windshield of his father’s car. - Grand all of their friends are dead, and he’s moving into the disease’s failings. This unflinching honesty, conveyed in finely crafted details of landscape Japanese and food but perhaps not adding friends who ostracize him and boycotting the diner that denied that diner the boycotting and him ostracize who friends New York City. Now, in 1986, Now, he’s 24, City. his partner York New and virtually first in a series of increasingly ugly incidents: vicious phone calls, phone vicious incidents: ugly increasingly of series a in first Travis both eventuallyTravis acknowledge they have failed their son; 2012) doesn’t gloss over the shame Brian’s family feels nor the | 1 february 2020 | 39 | kirkus.com | fiction | 1 february - - what’s left of me is yours of left what’s passion that took her mother’s life. mother’s her passion took that Sumiko Sumiko was just 7 when her mother In In Japan, a daughter explores the In Japan, a daughter explores the crime of the crime explores daughter a Japan, In life. was raised by her grandfather, who has crime of passion that took her mother’s WHAT’S LEFT OF ME IS YOURS WHAT’S died and her father moved away; she Scott, Stephanie Scott, Doubleday (352 pp.) $26.95 | Apr. 21, 2020 Apr. $26.95 | 978-0-385-54470-2 , 2019) book as a whole: a quick glimpse of a weird weird a of as glimpse book quick 2019) a , whole: a Fog — Readers with a high tolerance for ambiguity will find Aug 9 Aug Singaporean British writer born and raised in Southeast Asia; by her husband’s constipation. by her husband’s her debut is inspired by a 2010 case in Tokyo and based on years on based and Tokyo in case 2010 a by inspired is debut her len face, its stories the are unseeing rest eyes.” of (If Scanlan’s hands over all her files and videotaped interviews with her client. her with interviews videotaped and files her all over hands had fallen in love and were about to start a new life together. leaving us to ponder what it might mean. This lightning-fast lan’s stories focus on couples floating through often grotesque grotesque often through floating couples on focus stories lan’s her day: She recalls it at the celebration she attends where she she where attends she celebration the at recallsit She day: her herself is dressed up, in the overdecorated house, and in the helpless baby, “the cause of our celebration,” with “its - swol much admire to in these fleeting pieces. was hired by her father to seduce her mother in order to provide to order in mother her seduce to father her by hired was vision means that Scanlan jettisons traditional story elements world, world, with the readers as passengers just catching a startling market market and moving inexorably to the murder scene. Scott is a she hangs up. With just she this hangs detail, With up. begins Sumiko an obsessive in favor of tone and image, which are almost always disquiet ing. In “Mother’s Teeth,” a ing. daughter Teeth,” In spends “Mother’s the day with her stint as a dog owner. In an “Vagrants,” impoverished couple grounds for divorce. Nakamura claims that he and her mother good first story should be, this one is emblematic of Scanlan’s tions of her childhood is the story of her mother and her lover, tableau only to find it vanished whenwe turnto see it closer, of research. The book proceeds lingering slowly, on enjoyable circumstances, circumstances, as in “Please,” in which a woman is tormented cancer-riddled mother and reflects on their bitter relationship. relationship. bitter their on reflects and mother cancer-riddled always maintained that her mother was killed in a car accident. a prison administrator with information about inmate ō Kaitar anything to go by, that baby is lucky it can’t see much yet.) As a a As yet.) much see can’t it lucky is baby that by, go to anything from the moment meet he to her pretended accidentally at the quest. She turns up an article headlined “WAKARESASEYA drives through wealthy neighborhoods; indeed, many of Scan- door and his dogs prompt her recollection of her own ill-fated ill-fated own her of recollection her prompt dogs his and door Nakamura was an agent in the “marriage breakup” industry. He He was agentan “marriagethe in Nakamura industry. breakup” Nakamura; when Nakamura; the caller realizes whom she is speaking with, ( Twenty years later, she answers a phone call meant for him from him for meant call phone a answers she later, years Twenty In In the the title narrator’s story, observations of the man next ō Kaitar that learns she which from FAR?” TOO GOES AGENT Weaving through the story Weaving of search Sumiko’s and her recollec When Sumiko visits defense Nakamura’s the attorney, woman Brilliantly off-kilter and vibrating with life. the knockout queen

MAN OF MY TIME between the tricks he is pulling and the magic act that is the Sofer, Dalia ostensible subject of his novel. Or is it? As Swift writes of a Farrar, Straus and Giroux magician and the assistant to whom he is betrothed, “The act (384 pp.) had become a fluid phenomenon, yet full of a thrilling tension. $27.00 | Apr. 14, 2020 You never knew what might happen next. This in itself became 978-0-374-11006-2 part of the attraction.” And so it is with this slight but charming novel, which opens with two men and a woman, introducing a Iran’s brutal and tragic years of triangle. The woman is Evie (“first of women”), and the names upheaval are evoked through a one-time of the two men keep shifting, as the novel suggests that identi- revolutionary’s rueful reflections. ties tend to do. One is Jack, the emcee of the show, a song-and- Hamid Mozaffarian has arrived in dance man in charge of the pacing of the production. The other New York City at a cold and lonely phase is magician Ronnie, who becomes “the Great Pablo” at Jack’s of his life. Having served almost three decades interrogating behest. Though the novel seems to introduce Jack as the pro- those considered enemies of the Iranian government, he is now tagonist, it is Ronnie’s backstory that dominates. Where Jack helping his country’s minister for foreign affairs deal with “a and Evie had both been pushed toward the stage by showbiz tiff” between their navy and the Americans in the Persian Gulf. mothers, “Ronnie Deane was a different kettle of fish and as Hamid’s diplomatic mission enables him to reestablish contact Evie, but only with some persistence, would find out, had had with his mother and brother, from whom he’d been estranged a different introduction to the world of entertainment, and a since they exiled themselves to America after the 1979 Islamic different kind of mother.” Two of them, in fact, or maybe two Revolution. He agrees to their request to carry, in a mint candy different childhoods, as he had been sent to safety during the tin, the ashes of his father, who’d died two weeks earlier, so they World War II bombings by an impoverished mother to a more can be scattered back in Iran. In the meantime, while in New privileged home in the countryside. There, Ronnie became a York, Hamid struggles to come to grips with choices he’s made different boy, with a different destiny, one that would lead him that have also left him alienated from his wife and daughter first to Jack and then, at Jack’s behest, to Evie. The bare bones back home. A sensitive, artistic boy fascinated by the vulner- of the plot don’t have much more flesh on them, but the hocus ability of glass objects, Hamid grew up bewildered by his schol- pocus of identity and destiny, how we become who we are and arly father’s distant, sometimes severe behavior toward him. make the choices we do, offers plenty of surprise as well as Young Hamid was likewise bemused by his father’s shift from revelation. opposing the shah to working for him. His father explained: A novel that agrees with Shakespeare that all the “Slowly, slowly I became the system.” Ironically, the same world’s a stage. became true for Hamid, as he reached his young manhood as an idealistic revolutionary seeking the shah’s overthrow. Soon he proved himself dedicated to the Ayatollah Khomeini’s republic THE KNOCKOUT QUEEN by carrying out an appalling act of betrayal against his father, Thorpe, Rufi and over the succeeding decades he became deeply entrenched Knopf (288 pp.) in his country’s draconian system of dispensing justice. One is $26.95 | Apr. 28, 2020 often tempted while reading this novel to think of Hamid as 978-0-525-65678-4 little more than an introspective species of monster. But Sofer (The Septembers of Shiraz, 2007) brings compassion, insight, and Thorpe (Dear Fang, With Love, 2016) acerbic humor to her depiction of a man at once too intelligent takes a familiar plotline—a pair of teen to altogether ignore the consequences of his behavior yet help- misfits form an unlikely but life-altering less to withstand the turbulent momentum of history. friendship—and turns it into an arrest- A perceptive, humane inquiry into Iran’s history and ingly original, darkly comic meditation soul. on moral ambiguity. After his mother goes to prison for stabbing his violent father with a fruit knife, Michael moves in with his aunt in HERE WE ARE the idyllic Southern California suburb of North Shore, and Swift, Graham it is there he meets Bunny Lampert. “She was the princess of Knopf (208 pp.) North Shore,” he recalls, from the vantage of adulthood, “and $22.95 | Apr. 21, 2020 somehow, almost against my will, I became her friend.” Bunny 978-0-525-65805-4 is a somewhat unlikely princess: a tall, tall volleyball star with a dead mother, an affably sleazy father, and the overdeveloped A sleight-of-hand novel about a abs of a Ninja Turtle. Michael, meanwhile, is a gay, long-haired, seaside British revue in the late 1950s, septum-pierced high achiever with a secret relationship with before everything changed. a much older man and an after-school job at Rite Aid. What Master novelist Swift (Last Orders, they have in common, besides geographic proximity, traumatic 1996, etc.) invites readers to see parallels childhoods, and a general lack of adult supervision, is a failure

40 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult - - - - Being a woman is no walk in the park the in walk no is woman a Being The Wheeler third (Kings book from Women Women suffer, Wallman suggests, Sometimes men are the source of this plotted, sometimes fabulist stories. plotted, of , Broken Things etc.) 2017, has the form whether because they’re concerned in this debut collection of intricately ies that surveillance can’t lay bare, that mothers, jealous lovers, or dieting wives. sleuthing can’t solve or pin down? solve sleuthing can’t IN OUR OTHER LIVES IN OUR OTHER SENSELESS WOMEN of a post–9/11 thriller, but it’s really but of a it’s a psy- post–9/11 thriller, chological novel: What are the myster Little A (292 pp.) A Little Univ. of Massachusetts (208 pp.) of Massachusetts Univ. $19.95 paper | Feb. 17, 2020 17, $19.95 paper | Feb. 3, 2020 $24.95 | Mar. 978-1-62534-518-9 978-1-5420-1651-3 Wheeler, Theodore Wheeler, Wallman, Sarah Harris Sarah Wallman, Imaginative work that shows how much women It’s It’s 2008. Ahls, Tyler a former ROTC cadet and Christian however, however, a plot swerve cheapens an otherwise shrewd explora- pain, but often women are to blame. In “The Dead Girls Show,” put on a ghastly show where men can come and ogle their emaci- who see the dead girls as a threat and beat them up. Competition up. them beat and threat a as girls dead the see who which moves between the story of a runaway teenager and that rorist propaganda video, startling Elisabeth his Holland, sister, an named Miriam becomes obsessed with a patient who speaks ratives come together with a satisfying pop. In “Only Children,” night with her ailing newborn, the protagonist“She did reckons, not wish she was She in did Italy. not unwish the She baby. was missionary from Wisconsin who disappeared months earlier on incessantly even though she has lost her As mind. their histories merge, it fallen becomes clear prey that to jealousy Miriam’s and ism, she shows off her considerable talent for expressing things the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, appears in a ter tion of stepparenting. Indeed, when Wallman hews real- closer to Wallman when Indeed, tion of stepparenting. of these pieces, sometimes as successfully, in “The Malanesian,” of an affluent couple and their foreign maid until the two nar caught in the suffering of wanting to wish these things, wanting even to remember them and clearly, running up against a block deserve better plots. ated bodies and broken necks. But it’s the no-nonsense strippersnecks. But bodies ated it’s and broken nurse A Women.” “Senseless heartof the at also is women among the spending mother a than less nothing and more nothing about age from love of pain knitted and hormones.” dead women (like the Hanged Girl and Arabella, the anorexic) Plot twists and aha moments drive many fromdrifted her family. dangerously thorny and fiercely true.In “JunkFood,” which is | 1 february 2020 | 41 | kirkus.com | fiction | 1 february - - Scientific speculation seeps into the Alberta Monte, known to all as tress, 2016, etc.) lush thriller. world world of the eerie (The For in Trussoni’s recently separated from her husband Bert, is mourning a miscarriage and has Morrow/HarperCollins (400 pp.) (400 pp.) Morrow/HarperCollins $27.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 7, Apr. | $27.99 THE ANCESTOR Trussoni, Danielle Trussoni, 978-0-06-291275-6 Passion trumps reason in this gothic extravaganza. Brilliantly off-kilter and vibrating with life. both shocking and predestined, forever changing both their both nauseatingly brutal and radically kind. bloodline of the mysterious however, Montebiancos. are Few, lives. But there are no victims here and no heroes, either. In likely likely to read the novel for its insights into genetics and biol- her off by private jet first to a luxury hotel in Turin andher thenoff by by private jet firstto a luxury hotelin helicopter to Montebianco Castle in the remote, snowbound her that she has been identified as the last living descendant of kinship. As kinship. she discovers her links with those inside the castle pleasing in a young woman.” And it is exactly these qualities plucky, if not always sensible, heroine who discovers plucky, she is part when she receives a letter at her Hudson Valley home informing home Valley Hudson her at letter a receives she when was failing to pass as a straight boy…Bunny was failing to pass world at large. world with whom, she comes to understand, she shares a surprising with the contemporary obsession with using DNA to uncover inheritance inheritance has its minuses as well as its pluses. Life inside the slithering up my spine,” Bert allows the estate’s lawyer to sweep sweep to lawyer estate’s the allowsBert spine,” my up slithering side the castle live blue-eyed, white-haired, big-footed monsters monsters big-footed white-haired, blue-eyed, live castle the side guard dogs, and a madwoman in the attic, is hard enough. Out gradually realizes are somehow connected to the complicated the House of Montebianco. Despite a “creeping sense of danger of sense “creeping a Despite Montebianco. of House the to to fit into the prescribed roles ofgender “as identity: often as I that will do Bunny in, in a single moment of violence that feels the past and employs some far-fetched scientific theories to castle, which comes complete with eccentric caretakers, vicious caretakers, eccentric with complete comes which castle, one is culpable and no one is absolved, and the result is a novel of a family whose dark secrets have been sheltered from the explain the nature and existence of the humanoids that Bert a with tale, horror romantic opulently an is this heart, its At ogy. access, access, and observing that the helicopter pilot doesn’t return as a girl.” This is not only because she is big—6-feet-3-inches and 200 pounds by senior year—but also happy and confident, a “combination of qualities,” Michael notes, people found “dis and outside it, her sense of danger grows. plays Trussoni here for her at the promised time, Bert begins to suspect that her Thorpe’s Technicolor world, everyone is an innocent and everyTechnicolor - Thorpe’s Italian Italian Alps. Finding herself without cellphone or internet Omaha nurse. Elisabeth is no stranger to tragedy; three years ear- Her most trusted ally, showman P.T. Barnum, helps her develop lier, her husband abruptly drove away from their Chicago apart- confidence and public speaking skills but also seems intent ment, disappearing without a trace; soon after, their infant son on drawing her into a dangerous flirtation. Clad in a bloomer died suddenly. Now, after the propaganda video, FBI Special Agent work costume designed and executed by Wash, whose sewing Frank Schwaller—who, thanks to a Foreign Intelligence Surveil- prowess far exceeds her own, Emily gradually overcomes gen- lance Act warrant and a resulting mass of surveillance data, knows der prejudice and wins over her bitterest opponents, although much, much more than Elisabeth does about both brother and her people-pleasing is itself gender-stereotypical. The writing husband—comes to Omaha to see if he can unravel the knot of meticulously evokes the sights, sounds, and smells of 1870s connections between and among these three. The novel’s strength New York—if, at times, Wood seems to embrace the Barbara is in its portrait of the stoic, tough, but uncynical Elisabeth. Her Taylor Bradford school of décor-forward description. Dialogue coping mechanism through all the trials of her life—overbearing is inconsistent, ranging from glib to stilted. and hyperreligious evangelical Christian parents, a private-college Wood spares no detail in showing us what led up to that experience curtailed by an injury that took away her athletic schol- first stroll across the great bridge—by a woman. arship, runaway husband, the shocking death of her child—has been to move briskly along and then shelter in place, not delving too deeply into her own motives or anyone else’s. It’s not that she’s THE COYOTES OF CARTHAGE incurious; it’s that she knows that investigating the whereabouts Wright, Steven or motives of those who’ve left her will avail her nothing. That Ecco/HarperCollins (320 pp.) attitude makes her a subject of fascination for Schwaller. Other $26.99 | Apr. 14, 2020 elements of the book don’t quite coalesce, and sometimes details, 978-0-06-295166-3 especially those about federal law enforcement and surveillance, don’t quite ring true, but Elisabeth fascinates. This dark comedy about dark money A compelling portrait wrapped inside a less compelling confirms one’s worst suspicions about international plot. the political process while constantly confounding one’s presumptions about human behavior. THE ENGINEER’S WIFE Once an up-and-coming operative Wood, Tracey Enerson for a prestigious K Street political consulting firm, Andre Sourcebooks Landmark (352 pp.) “Dre” Ross now finds himself on thin ice for having gone over- $26.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 board on a gubernatorial campaign. His boss offers him what 978-1-4926-9813-5 seems to be one last chance for advancement: the opportunity to supervise a ballot initiative that would enable a metals When the chief engineer falls ill, his conglomerate to mine gold from a thousand-acre Appalachian wife steps up to direct the construction rainforest in Carthage County, South Carolina, that local offi- of the Brooklyn Bridge. cials refuse to sell. Making the county’s predominantly white Wood’s debut novel fictionalizes the and mostly conservative electorate willing to part with such story of Emily and Washington Roebling, fertile land shouldn’t require much more than ramping up anti- the real couple who took on the immense government, don’t-tread-on-me emotions. But because Dre is Brooklyn Bridge construction project. Emily’s involvement was African American and has a criminal record in his youthful not intentional. For a respectable lady in 1870, it was frowned past, he may be the least likely public face to put before pre- upon to leave the house without a chaperone, much less manage sumptive voters. So he assembles a team co-led by a strapping an all-male crew of foulmouthed laborers. However, Emily is 20-something Irish American assistant named Brendan and a determined to resist domestic constraints, especially since, due lead spokesman named Tyler Lee, who owns a bar called the to complications attending the birth of son Johnny, the Roe- Gray Wolf and flies both the American and Confederate flags. bling family will remain small. She intends to join the suffragist An even bigger asset to the campaign turns out to be Tyler’s movement, but a series of tragedies besetting the bridge project pregnant, God-fearing wife, Chalene, whose fragile, self-effac- interferes. Her father-in-law dies of tetanus following a working demeanor belies her natural magnetism as a public speaker. site crash, necessitating that Wash take over as chief engineer. Pulling strings on this movement takes an emotional toll on One of the main virtues here is Wood’s grasp of the logistics Dre, who is capable of orchestrating all manner of dirty tricks of construction without today’s heavy equipment. Underwa- to fulfill his client’s mandate. Yet he is pummeled by so much ter caissons had to be seated on the bedrock at both ends of self-loathing that he alienates everybody on his team with the the bridge to anchor the towers. The caisson-sinking process, possible exception of Chalene, the least cynical person in the involving significant pressure issues and the need to provide novel. “Aren’t elections about getting people to like you?” she oxygen to men working underwater, causes many cases of “cais- asks Dre at one point. “That’s a common misconception,” he son disease,” i.e., the bends. Wash himself is afflicted, and during replies. “Elections are about getting voters to hate others.” his extended recovery, Emily must act as his intermediary with That this debut novel is written by an attorney whose spe- a fractious group of workers, investors, and corrupt politicians. cialties include criminal justice and election law adds doleful,

42 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult - - Free spirit Amy Caprese is verymuch is Caprese Amy spirit Free Maggy Thorsen , à la Mocha (Murder The populace in the Preston area, A A coroner finds himself in hot water Severn House (208 pp.) Severn House her own woman. It surprised her boss, murder charge. Severn House (288 pp.) Severn House between Jacobite between supporters Jacobite of the Bon- land in 1745. DEATH OF A BEAN COUNTER OF DEATH when the forces of Charles Edward Stu- where coroner Titus Cragg lives, is split art, pretender to the throne, invade Eng- Balzo, Sandra Balzo, DEATH AND THE CHEVALIER DEATH Maggy, Maggy, and Maggy’s business partner, $28.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 7, Apr. $28.99 | Blake, Robin Blake, $28.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 7, Apr. $28.99 | 2019, etc.) must save her barista from a 978-0-7278-8946-1 978-0-7278-8920-1 mystery Not Not an espresso or a caramel latte—just a regular Sarah Amy Kingston, to see date staid attorney and Kip Fargo, been found shot to death in his bed. It’s a long, strange jour but both are fearful of being caught up in a war. A constable calls constable A war. a in up caught being of fearful are both but housekeeper housekeeper straight out of Daphne she du has Maurier, more posal from the much older financial adviser. But it’s Amy’s turn Amy’s posal from Butthe it’s much older financial adviser. police bear down on the one person they know quarreled with ney from there, with Maggy walking a fine line betweenbreak no reason to want to kill Kip; it’s the murdered Kip who was reason to believe that Kip is not the solid financial citizen he nie Prince and Hanoverians who support the German George, it surprises them again to hear that Amy turned down a pro- into Uncommon Grounds to tell the three women that Kip’s ing faith with Pavlik by sharing too much information about seemed to be. seemed to to to be shocked when Maggy’s fiance,Pavlik,Jake Sheriff comes the investigation with Amy and letting her employee down by charge that even doesn’t make that much sense Amy since had old flameJacque Oui looks although sketchy, again, not really allowing her to be railroaded into a possible murder charge—a angry But with Amy. the absence of other suspects makes the a motive for murder. As Maggy pokes more deeply into the and Jayden, frog-obsessed gardener Rafael, and Mrs. a Gilroy, Kip right before his death. And Amy’s sudden reunion with her Amy’s And Kip right before his death. Fargo Fargo household, which includes Kip’s grown children, Jason American cuppa Joe. | 1 february 2020 | 43 | 1 february | kirkus.com | mystery - - how much of these hills is gold these of much how Even now, when most of what used to to used what of most when now, Even A A first-time novelist explores timely magined American West. American magined a story set during the gold rush in a rei- questions about home and belonging in MUCH OF THESE HOW HILLS IS GOLD Zhang, C Pam Zhang, Riverhead (288 pp.) $26.00 | Apr. 7, 2020 7, Apr. $26.00 | 978-0-525-53720-5 A vital contribution to America’s conversation about itself. conversation America’s to vital contribution A Politics can be cruel and heartbreaking—and even Aesthetically arresting and a vital contribution to because they lack the means to give it the burial that will let his willlet that burial the it give to means the lack they because be the Wild West has begun to look like everywhere else—a feweverywhere else—a like look to begun has West Wild the be big cities spread out among sprawling suburbs full of chain res left China for North America with the idea that their father, Ba, Ba, father, their that idea the with America North for China left more complicated than it seems. polarizing of situations. with the bones of tigers and buffalo, Lucy and Sam meet arche- village after their father’s death, taking his corpse with them would would become The a gold prospector. rush is over before they we we don’t hear much about the experiences of people of color stories stories of their parents—force us to confront just how white ghost rest. As they travel through desiccated landscapes littered littered landscapes desiccated through travel they As rest. ghost get there, though; he ends up mining coal instead. Sam’s day- to to the possibility of redemption and change even in the most types we think we but know they from Westerns, are stripped true when Lucy and Sam are forced to flee their small mining the stories Americans love to tell ourselves. Zhang plays with this duality in her brutally lyrical debut. Lucy and family Sam’s taurants and strip malls, connected by interstate highways and the history we’ve been taught is. Aside from fictions—some of romance. The journey of these two children—and the back endures alongside the That reality. there is a place where anyone can strike it rich failing or, that, at least live free is one of acerbic authenticity to his scenario. Yet there is also alertness Yet acerbic authenticity his to scenario. and immigrants in shaping the creating West. by Zhang ignore to taught been have we legacy a acknowledge asks readers to a new and spellbinding mythology of her own. dreams of being a cowboy exist alongside the naked racism his family endures, but the romantic wish to be an outlaw comes digital networks—a mythic version of this part of the country fanciful inventions, some hateful lies—about Native Americans, Native lies—about hateful some inventions, fanciful America’s conversation about itself. Cragg and his friend Dr. Luke Fidelis (Rough Music, 2019, etc.) him from a killer who regards Nate’s arrest as an unwelcome to a rural area where a naked headless body has been discovered. complication. That’s quite a tall order for someone who can’t Soon enough, they find a head, but it doesn’t go with the body. shoot straight, who keeps wrecking his state-issued vehicles, After discovering a second head and body, Fidelis deduces that and whose appalling mother-in-law, Missy Vankeuren Hand, the men were Highlanders, perhaps advance scouts. It’s a tick- has returned from her latest European jaunt to suck up all the lish case in which the law is murky and their only clue a bit of oxygen in Twelve Sleep County to hustle some illegal drugs for a tartan. The dead men may have been visiting Barrowclough her cancer-stricken sixth husband. But fans of this outstanding Hall, home to a father and son with violently opposed politi- series will know better than to place their money against Joe. cal views. After the younger Barrowclough and his servant, Abel One protest from an outraged innocent says it all: “This Grant, deny any knowledge of the incident, the jury reaches a is America. This is Wyoming.” verdict of death by an unknown hand. The discovery by one of Cragg’s law clients of a purse filled with gold coins involves Cragg in a dangerous situation when the client is killed and his MURDER AT THE TAFFY SHOP housekeeper accuses the Scots. Then the arrival of the rebel Day, Maddie army forces Cragg to house some of the leaders, including the Kensington (304 pp.) Marquis d’Éguilles, whom Cragg catches trying to rape his wife, $7.99 paper | Mar. 31, 2020 Elizabeth. Cragg’s problems grow as he’s arrested for killing the 978-1-4967-1508-1 headless Highlanders, escapes with Fidelis’ help, and becomes embroiled with a famous highwayman who claims that the A bike shop owner and her book purse full of gold coins is his. It will take all of Cragg’s skills and club pals keep solving mysteries in ways a bit of luck to uncover the links among all these mysteries and that somehow don’t endear them to the save himself and his family from disaster. police (Murder on Cape Cod, 2018, etc.). Blake effortlessly combines a complex puzzle with Mackenzie Almeida, the propri- some fascinating, little-known historical facts. etor of Mac’s Bikes in the touristy Cape Cod town of Westham, is dating Tim Brunelle, the caring and handsome owner of an artisanal bak- LONG RANGE ery, who wants to get married and start a family. That’s not Box, C.J. something independent neat freak Mac is ready to do. She Putnam (368 pp.) enjoys living in her tiny house with Belle, her talkative parrot, $28.00 | Mar. 3, 2020 for company. When Mac and her best friend, Gin, come across 978-0-525-53823-3 the dead body of wealthy Beverly Ruchart outside Gin’s taffy shop, Mac’s romantic problems get put on the back burner, Once again, Wyoming game warden especially since Gin is a suspect. She and her date, Eli Tubin, the Joe Pickett gets mixed up in a killing widower of Beverly’s daughter, had attended a party at Beverly’s whose principal suspect is his old friend home only the night before. Beverly seems to have died from a Nate Romanowski, whose attempts to heart attack, but an autopsy finds that she was poisoned with live off the grid keep breaking down in a antifreeze, some of which has been planted in Gin’s garage. Of series of felony charges. course Mac and her cohorts at the book club can’t resist a little If Judge Hewitt hadn’t bent over to pick up a spoon that had sleuthing. They uncover several other plausible suspects: Bev- fallen from his dinner table, the sniper set up nearly a mile from erly’s ne’er-do-well grandson, Ron, his Russian girlfriend, and his house in the gated community of the Eagle Mountain Club his long-absent father, who has a police record. Although Bev- would have ended his life. As it was, the victim was Sue Hewitt, erly could be generous, she had a sharp tongue that made her leaving the judge alive and free to rail and threaten anyone he plenty of enemies. Her interest in genealogy and reuniting long- suspected of the shooting. Incoming Twelve Sleep County Sher- lost parents and children endeared her to Wesley Farnham, for iff Brendan Kapelow’s interest in using the case to promote his whom she found a son, but not so much to Farnham’s daughter, political ambitions and the judge’s inability to see further than who misses being an only child. Although Mac turns her find- his nose make them the perfect targets for a frame-up of Nate, ings over to the police, she still attracts the killer’s notice and who just wants to be left alone in the middle of nowhere to train ends up owing her life to Belle. his falcons and help his bride, Liv Brannon, raise their baby, The romantic doings of the likable characters are more Kestrel. Nor are the sniper, the sheriff, and the judge Nate’s interesting than the mediocre mystery. only enemies. Orlando Panfile has been sent to Wyoming by the Sinaloan drug cartel to avenge the deaths of the four assassins whose careers Nate and Joe ended last time out (Wolf Pack, 2019). So it’s up to Joe, with some timely data from his librarian wife, Marybeth, to hire a lawyer for Nate, make sure he doesn’t bust out of jail before his trial, identify the real sniper, who continues to take an active role in the proceedings, and somehow protect

44 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult - Serial robbers turn to murder when a when murder to turn robbers Serial Recovered Recovered as much as he can from town of Lafferton. town the loss of his arm, Detective Chief cop cop just returned from leave keeps their early strikes under wraps in the English Overlook (304 pp.) Hill, Susan Hill, $27.00 | Apr. 7, 2020 7, Apr. | $27.00 THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT 978-1-4197-4358-0 The fey main event couldn’t be more different from Sir Percy Feltham, who topped himself over a family financial blackmailingon intent seems cousin, Hilary’s Feltham, Ralph Sir Superintendent Superintendent Simon Serrailler has achieved enough profi- budget comes in the form of a new van donated by Declan has become engaged to Arthur Dennis, of the Foreign Office. house robbed, Declan hurt, and Cindy killed. Simon struggles his team to alert the neighbors of potential danger might take up take might danger potential of neighbors the alert to team his fans rejoice. pounds her father salvaged from the general wreck of his estate. pair of short stories from 1939 that show how much sharper the whodunit on steroids, with hyperextended expository para- valuable resources, and Simon’s supervisor and brother-in-law, robbery seems so carefully planned that Simon is sure the bur marrying Sir James Nunn. And it old suits school Tony’s friend ing And Ralph. when Ralph fails to turn up at it’s Hilary’s party, ical professionals persist in diagnosing as though anxiety, he’s scandal back in 1917, leaving her to rescue her own fortunes by so he orders his officers to keep the caseso tohe quiet. orders Besides,his getting officers graphs, gossip on tap 24/7, endless blather, and a meticulously glars will againstrike as long as they think no on one’s to them, to to balance his professional insights with his newfound health the gift and honor the donors, Simon watches as Cat his sister, elbow this interloper Dennis aside, and sweep Hilary off her of their own. Sir James and Lady Eleanor want to throw a party everyoneArthur Dennis rather winninglyhe meets. suggests kill- concerns. He keeps having heartand dizziness events med- that keeps He concerns. meanwhile is Cat ills. his all cure will coffee of cup a that certain ever possible. An especially timely infusion to the department’s department’s the especially An to timelyinfusion everpossible. ciency with his prosthetic arm to feel ready for his next A case. author’s voice became in the interval. voice author’s and new patient of the private medical practice Cat’s working feet once more. Other interested parties turn out to have plans 10,000 the into come to due she’s when birthday, 21st Hilary’s for for the best reason in the world. The result is a country-house detailed explanation at the end. As a bonus, readers can enjoy a for. But when Cat goes to visit Cindy the next day, she finds the finds she day, next the Cindy visit to goes Cat when But for. Gilbert’s tales of scalawag solicitor Arthur Crook. Retro Jeremy Freyne, who’s just learned that Hilary, the woman he loves, he woman the Hilary, that learned just who’s Freyne, Jeremy Kieron Bright, has emphasized the need to economize when- Deerbon, who’s a doctor, chats up Cindy as a possible friend McDermid McDermid and his wife, At the Cindy. reception to celebrate While Tony looks While Tony for signs of the Spider, Jeremy will tag along, | 1 february 2020 | 45 | 1 february | kirkus.com | mystery - - - Did your New Eve Year’s leave you Much as Much she enjoys working for New The pseudonymous Gilbert—real A A lady’s maid searches for a vicious killer. reprint from 1933 whose centerpiece is going nature allows a certain degree of everything a corpse. from to costumes a country-house party complete with feeling underwhelmed? Tuck into this DEATH IN FANCY DRESS IN FANCY DEATH DEATH OF AN OF DEATH Gilbert, Anthony Gilbert, Poisoned Pen (272 pp.) Pen Poisoned Fredericks, Mariah Fredericks, Minotaur (288 pp.) $14.99 paper | Apr. 14, 2020 14, Apr. $14.99 paper | $26.99 | Apr. 14, 2020 Apr. $26.99 | AMERICAN BEAUTY 978-1-4642-1225-3 978-1-250-21088-3 York York socialite Louise whose Tyler, easy - A welcome addition the to lady’s-maid-cozy corner. Spider, Spider, a well-placed blackmailer he suspects is behind a recent band to Louise’s good friend and fellow socialite Dolly, is imper is Dolly, friendfellowsocialite good and Louise’s to band be spending time with her only living relative, her sometimes- brisk timing even leaves room for a budding romance between lucid prose, handles Jane each crisis with The aplomb. author’s he runs for former prostitutes. But her holiday is interrupted by interrupted is holiday her But prostitutes. former for runs he urgency. Mrs. Tyler calls Mrs. Jane Tyler in urgency. a panic because the American , American 2019, of a New etc.) is looking forward to her week rash of upper-class suicides. So he’s eager to have solicitor Tony name Lucy Beatrice Malleson (1899-1973)—spins a web whose relationship with a married journalist, some hijinks at the Acme Acme the at hijinks some journalist, married a with relationship mailing victim. That suits Tony, who’s received a frantic summons frantic a received who’s Tony, suits That victim. mailing iled by the abrupt departure of its seamstress. And the police suspect Jane’s uncle of involvement in the murder of Sadie Ellis,Sadie of murder the in involvement of uncle Jane’s suspect to to Feltham by Lady Eleanor Nunn, the widow of Hilary’s father, the palace of consumption owned by George Rutherford, hus two two crises of unequal proportions, although pressed with equal center, according to Edward Philpotts of the Home Office, is the is Office, Home the of Philpotts Edward to according center, ous exhibition of cubist evenartShe’s happy at Armory. to the off. She wants to enjoy some of the cultural delights Gilded Age Gilded delights cultural the of some enjoy to wants She off. a serious look at race relations in early-20th-century America. relations in early-20th-centurya serious look at race a resident of the refuge. Buoyed by Fredericks’ deft plotting and plotting deft Fredericks’ by Buoyed refuge. the of resident a amity between employer and employee, Jane Prescott (Death distant and prickly uncle, the Rev. Tewin Prescott, at the refuge refuge the at Prescott, Tewin Rev. pricklythe and uncle, distant New York has to offer—particularly the new, reputedly - scandal has the to offer—particularly new, York New Café, Café, a dance hall owned by local and gangster Chick Tricker, Jane and a pianist with an eye for the ladies, a more complicated complicated more a ladies, the for eye an with pianist a and Jane Keith Keith root around in his where relatives’ home, Abbey, Feltham cousin Hilary is Feltham Philpotts the Tony’s thinks latest black Beauty pageant sponsored by Rutherford’s department store, absorbed by pregnant Carrie Pegwell, a new patient convinced A DEATHLY SILENCE there’s something wrong with her unborn baby despite medi- Isaac, Jane cal evidence that prompts Cat to guarantee a healthy birth and Legend Press (288 pp.) child. As Simon and Cat each wrap up their stories, they com- $15.95 paper | Mar. 1, 2020 pare notes about how hindsight would have been helpful, then 978-1-78955-071-9 shrug it off in a way that might have readers wondering what it’s all been for. DCI Helen Lavery, back together Death, death, death, and more death. Kind of a bum- with Hamptonshire’s Homicide and mer, really. Major Incidents Squad after a job-related injury sidelined her for eight weeks, is welcomed back in the worst possible DEATH OF A BLUEBERRY TART way: by the torture/murder of a fellow Hollis, Lee officer. Kensington (320 pp.) Everybody loved DC Sinead O’Donnell, from her husband $7.99 paper | Mar. 31, 2020 and colleague, training officer Blane O’Donnell, and their two 978-1-4967-2493-9 young children to the locals she kept in line with a firm but gentle hand. So who handcuffed her to a pipe in an abandoned Two groups of besties a generation building, burned her arms, chopped off her fingers, and cut her apart vie for the honor of being Bar Har- throat? And why, to turn to a question that’s less consequential bor’s top sleuths. but equally vexing, did she make no attempt to fix or report Divorced mother of two Hayley the flat tire on her car on the morning of her murder? The dog Powell has recently married Bruce Lin- walker who reported finding the dead body and seeing two live ney after years of a contentious relation- schoolboys fleeing the scene can tell Helen nothing, and the ship dating back to high school. Both two boys, when she finally tracks them down, have precious work for the Island Times, she as a food columnist and he as a little to add. Yvette Edwards, the neighbor Helen took it upon crime reporter. Six days before they’re to leave on their honey- herself to interview, is shortly drowned in her bath, though moon cruise, their dream is interrupted by the sudden arrival of it looked like a suicide, and the very real possibility that her Hayley’s mother, Sheila, following a breakup with her longtime murder might be connected to a similar killing more than 20 boyfriend. Dismayed by the sudden addition to their tiny house years ago of office clerk Evelyn Ferguson by Gordon Turner is even though Sheila volunteers to petsit while they’re away, Hay- seriously undermined by Turner’s fatal overdose. Is it possible ley is upset by Sheila’s criticism of her clothes and her clean- that Sinead’s death was the work of crime lord Chilli Franks, ing and cooking skills. Hayley’s best friends, Liddy and Mona whom Helen’s tangled with before to both of their costs? Or is (Death of a Wedding Cake Baker, 2019, etc.), are the daughters of the killer someone closer to home, as the leaking of privileged Sheila’s high school buddies Jane and Celeste, who are appalled information from the investigation to the public uncomfort- when they attend a barbecue where their old school enemy ably suggests? Isaac goes to such lengths to conceal the culprit’s Caskie Lemon-Hogg shows up with a homemade blueberry pie. identity that most readers will be caught off guard, though Caskie’s hobbies are blueberry picking, making and selling deli- some may cry foul. cious treats, and flirting with other women’s husbands and boy- A sturdy English procedural with modest but mostly friends. So Hayley’s brainstorm for an impromptu class reunion unfulfilled aspirations to be something more. for her mom’s friends ends in a nasty confrontation. Caskie takes out a restraining order against her former classmates, and Sheila moves to an inn after a fight with Hayley and badmouths YOUR TURN, MR. MOTO Caskie all over town. When she finds Caskie dead in the room Marquand, John P. next to hers, Sheila’s naturally a suspect. Both sets of friends Penzler Publishers (288 pp.) are determined to find the real killer even after Caskie’s closest $15.95 paper | Mar. 3, 2020 friend, Regina Knoxville, verbally abuses them at the funeral. 978-1-61316-157-9 There are enough other suspects to put the inexperienced sleuths in danger of attracting attention from a determined A reprint of the novel that launched killer. the Japanese agent Mr. Moto, originally A humorous tale filled with recipes for blueberry lovers, published under the title No Hero in 1935. high school angst, and a few tricks up its mysterious sleeve. The earlier title is not only more epi- grammatic, but more precise, since the book’s narrator and protagonist, Ken- neth C. Lee, the flier who served during the Great War and then became a stunt pilot, is certainly not a hero. When the tobacco company funding his experimental trans-Pacific flight from Japan to the U.S. suddenly changes its mind, Casey, stranded in

46 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult

By 1769, Scottish exile Duncan As the fate of the American - Revolu has become an increasingly important intercontinental mission is launched. intercontinental tion hangs in the balance, a dangerous Counterpoint (432 pp.) Counterpoint Pattison, Eliot Pattison, McCallum McCallum , (Blood of the Oak 2018, etc.) $17.95 paper | Apr. 7, 2020 7, Apr. paper | $17.95 THE KING’S BEAST THE KING’S 978-1-64009-318-8 Pattison’s sixth Revolutionary mystery has a strong A double-barreled tale that’s sprawling, shape-shifting, Sarah Ramsey. Patriot Charles Thomson Sarah at Ramsey. first agreesto help but a bright light is cast by his brief reunion with his beloved, beside him. The imprisonment of his best friend, Conawago, period feel and abundant historical detail. player in the Colonial struggle for liberty. He’s gone to the with Duncan’s passage to London but loses his resolve when wilderness of Kentucky at the behest who of sent him Benjamin a letter Franklin, asking him to dig up some valuable rel- revenge for his rescue of painter Élodie Lecompte, then by his in a shattering climax. in a shattering investigation moves haltingly forward, Meyer keeps cutting self-sacrifice, and entangle him in the death of Johnson Johnson Johnson of death the in him entangle and self-sacrifice, it can’t immediately be determined whether his death was an ics and bring them him can to in Duncan London. refuse? How mission. fact, In everyone who helps him seems to become the several members of his family have also been killed. Duncan and, in the end, deeply satisfying. that will stretch his loyalties to their limit, require of him heroic him of require limit, their to loyalties his stretch will that the company, insists that Ezra was attacked, a foreshadowing of foreshadowing a attacked, was Ezra that insists company, the the danger (and the historical cameos) Duncan will encounter target of ruthless killers. On the eve of his departure, Duncan old comrades in arms who want him to volunteer for a mission on his mission. Duncan’s friend Chief Catchoka reports that encounters many obstacles on his odyssey to the eastern coast, against emerges of a much larger conspiracy evidence Duncan’s complete his mission as Franklin himself takes center stage in away to away followto Daniel Darret, a soldier of fortune self-exiled to accidental drowning or a murder. Daniel Boone, who’s among awakens to find one of his closest allies and confidants dead at Bedlam asylum in London enrages Duncan and spurs him to assisting his new friend. Bordeaux, who’s targeted first by some youngtoughs seeking When Duncan’s friend Ezra dies in the midst of When the Duncan’s excavation, | 1 february 2020 | 47 | 1 february | kirkus.com | mystery - - - - the king’s beast the king’s A A man who fell, or jumped, or was South African Police Service—a prob- pushed, off a fast-moving car of “the most luxurious train in the world” poses sel and Capt. Vaughn Cupido of the a knotty problem for Capt. Benny Gries $27.00 | Apr. 7, 2020 7, Apr. | $27.00 THE LAST HUNT 978-0-8021-5692-1 Meyer, Deon Meyer, Atlantic Monthly (384 pp.) (384 pp.) Monthly Atlantic a dangerous intercontinental mission is launched. mission is intercontinental a dangerous As the fate of the American Revolution hangs in the balance, hangs in Revolution American the of fate As the Since Since leaving the SAPS himself, Johnson Johnson has Elementary, badly dated international intrigue star booked booked for him on a ship bound for China and then realizes lem that keeps getting worse the more closely they look into it. the more closely getting worse they look into lem that keeps has been captured. But increasinglyit becomes clear that other location and contents of a secret message vitally important ring an impossibly naïve hero who needs all the help he can who informs them of the is body, the unmistakable signs of a worked worked as a private bodyguard. He did an exemplary job pro- wings of the mysterious Mr. Moto, the questionable scion of in the Great Karoo. What disturbs Griessel and Cupido (The much less well by himself. Eight days after vanishing from the replacement for Charlie Chan after the death of Chan’s creator, creator, for replacement the Charlie death Chan of after Chan’s spiracies, and they’re both happy that although their boss, Col. more different from the cheerfully domesticated Chan, or the gers his life when he finds a corpse in the stateroom that’s been gers his life when that’s he corpsefinds in a the stateroom the obtuseness of the DS Aubrey BeaufortVerwey, cop West train, he’s found with his head crushedtrain, he’s along a stretch deserted tecting tecting Dutch tourist Thilini Scherpenzeel, his client aboard the exclusive Rovos Rail train bound for Pretoria, but did tunate tunate accident are motivated by more sinister forces. As the that well-connected Shanghai merchant Wu Lai-fu is certain that Casey knows something he absolutely doesn’t know: the to the world’s naval forces. Lawrence Block’s chatty introduc tion aptly observes that Marquand developed Mr. Moto as a get. coverup. Both Griessel and Cupido are sensitive to “the state- capture mess,” the rampant signs that particular government officials and institutions have beencorrupted by criminalcon- of obvious clues, the looming jurisdictional squabbles, and of them press him into a shadowy scheme that quickly endan- of world the from him surrounds that intrigue cloak-and-dagger agencies determined to dismiss Johnson’s death as an unfor an audience of barflies, rips his passport in half in front of Cmdr. Cmdr. of front in half in passport his rips barflies, of audience an alone. While he’s at his most vulnerable, he’s taken under the Chan’s placid Honolulu. Chan’s James Driscoll of Naval Intelligence, and suddenly finds himself finds suddenly and Intelligence, Naval of Driscoll James Japanese and nobility, Sonya Karaloff, a The Russian spy. two Earl Derr Biggers, but go doesn’t on to note that the shadowy Mbali Kaleni, may have her issues, neither she nor their unit Mr. Mr. Moto, who plays only a supporting role here, couldn’t be Tokyo, drunkenly curses the company and his nation in frontof in nation his and company the curses drunkenly Tokyo, Woman in the Blue Cloak, 2019, etc.) even more than the absence Woman THE SECRETS THEY local hairdresser Mario Garcia is thrilled at the chance to work LEFT BEHIND similar magic on her blonde locks. He even talks his good Redmond, Lissa Marie friend Angela Richman (Ice Blonde, 2018, etc.) into coming to Crooked Lane (304 pp.) the show and traveling with the star’s entourage. Although she $26.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 marvels at Jessica’s stunning face and figure, Angela is horrified 978-1-64385-299-7 by her act, which includes merciless mockery of three homeless women. And riding with Jessica’s roadies puts Angela right in A Buffalo cop who’s gone undercover the limo when the star goes into respiratory distress and dies. for the FBI finds herself in a world of hurt. Now Angela’s in a bind. As death investigator for Chouteau Shea O’Connor is 23 but looks 18. County, it’s her job to take charge of the body and perform the That’s why the FBI used her to pose as tests required by the medical examiner. But she’s also a witness a high school student to catch a serial to a death that’s looking more suspicious by the minute. Worst killer, a case that left her scarred both physically and emotion- of all, the police zero in on her pal Mario as the prime suspect. ally. The case is still under a gag order and Shea is back on bor- Angela’s outraged. Mario, who thinks the world of Jessica, has ing patrol duty when FBI Agent Bill Walters asks her to work no motive at all. Jessica’s makeup artist, Will; her understudy, another case for him. Three freshmen college friends all went Tawnee Simms; and her assistant, Stu Milano, all hate her. And missing the same night in the little town of Kelly’s Falls, New the three women she’s humiliated aren’t her biggest fans either. York. Against her better judgment, Shea accepts and is set up as Despite a whopping big clue, Angela takes her sweet time solv- Shea Anderson, a transfer to Harris Community College whose ing the case, rescuing her friend Mario by a hair. parents were killed in a car accident and whose uncle is the Needless complications are likely to try the reader’s town police chief, Roy Bishop. Since her fake uncle is young- patience. ish, unmarried, and unhappy she’s interfering in his case, she’s put up in a boardinghouse. Emma Lansing and Olivia Stans- field, two of the missing girls, came from a nice area; the wilder THE PANDA OF DEATH Skyler Santana lived in a trailer park with her alcoholic mother Webb, Betty while her drug-dealing boyfriend, Joe Styles, worked on a GED Poisoned Pen (288 pp.) at Harris. Shea immediately becomes friends with the missing $15.99 paper | Mar. 3, 2020 girls’ buds, Kayla, Jenna, and Maddie. She fends off passes from 978-1-4926-9914-9 Joe while recognizing his bad-boy appeal to young girls. Shea has no trouble fitting in and easily gains her new friends’ con- A DNA test has disquieting and dan- fidence. But she still suspects that they’re hiding information gerous consequences. that could be the key to breaking the case. Even worse, she and With the popularity of DNA test- Nick Stansfield, the brother who refuses to go back toRIT ing, many a family has found itself with until Olivia’s found, fall for each other, and she hates herself for members they never knew existed. So it’s deceiving him. Redmond (A Means to an End, 2019, etc.) shows a shock but not a total surprise for Cali- tensions mounting as Shea struggles for answers along with a fornia zookeeper Theodora “Teddy” Bentley-Rejas (The Otter of town united in its resolve to find the missing girls. Death, 2018, etc.), already the stepmother of two, to discover A page-turner whose puzzling mystery and psychologi- that her husband, Joe, has another son. Her mother-in-law, mys- cal drama are rooted in plausible descriptions of teenage tery writer Colleen Rejas, has been hiding Dylan Ellis, Teddy’s angst. newfound stepson, in her cottage while waiting to disclose the relationship that was revealed when they both took a DNA test. After Teddy’s snobbish mother shipped her off to board- A STAR IS DEAD ing school, Joe, her high school squeeze, had a drunken one- Viets, Elaine night stand with Lauren, whose parents kicked her out when Severn House (224 pp.) she wanted to keep her baby. Joe married someone else, had $28.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 two children, was widowed, and then married Teddy. Unfortu- 978-0-7278-9016-0 nately, Dylan’s suddenly become a suspect in the murder of Cliff Flaherty, a writer for local TV puppet show Tippy-Toe & Tin- A plethora of suspects emerges when ker, who was found floating in the harbor next to Teddy’s boat. a fading star flames out. Even though he’s the sheriff, Joe has to recuse himself from Jessica Gray is a diva to the core. the case because Dylan’s his son. But that doesn’t stop Teddy More than 50 years ago, she ruled Holly- and Colleen from investigating. Since Poonya, the zoo’s red wood, dancing naked in Eternally Groovy panda, one of her charges, has recently been written into the and partying till the wee hours at Whis- TV program’s script, Teddy’s gotten to know all the puppeteers, key a GoGo. Now in her 70s, she still captivates audiences, her most of whom had good reason to hate Flaherty. When Dylan age carefully concealed by makeup artist Will London. When is arrested, Teddy redoubles her efforts. Her access to Colleen’s her one-woman tour takes her to Chouteau County, Missouri, search engine, PlatoSchmato, allows her to dig up dirt on the

48 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult -

Crispin Crispin Guest and his apprentice, In 1396, a of famous men In tracker and Severn House (224 pp.) Severn House meet by chance with Carantok Teague, SWORD OF SHADOWS SWORD objects leaves London for the wilds of Cornwall in search of a fabulous treasure. fabulous a of search Cornwallin Jack Tucker Codex, Jack Tucker (Traitor’s 2019, etc.), $28.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 7, Apr. $28.99 | 978-0-7278-8921-8 Westerson, Jeri Westerson, History, mythology, and mystery mix in a rollicking barely guarded, and Bennet had a reputation as a womanizer letter letter from King Edward III allowing him to search for trea- who had earned the enmity of many a maiden. While Crispin who should Among know the better. suspects are the villagers, investigates the murder, Jack helps Teague search for the sword, sword, the for search Teague helps Jack murder, the investigates illegal treasure hunting, it’s fortunate that Teague has an old in the past. Crispin also meets the scholarly Marzhin Gwyls, a Teaguemen at movesarms and a constable. On their first visit, sures only to find the body of a man atstable asks arms. The Crispin to castlefindRogercon- Bennet’s The killer. castle is sure. A sure. A group of traveling players they encounter includes Kat graced graced but honorable former knight, refuses to participate in adventure that offers a fresh perspective on the famous the search looks to be successful if they’re not all killed off left by and arms at man another killed who’s person mysterious the the sword exists, they leave immediately on the long trip to the heavy stone over the hole where he stores some of his trea- caretaker caretaker Tintagel at Castle, a crumpled ruin guarded by a few and Kat, always interested in items of value, seduces Crispin, a Cornishman who offers them a large sum to help him track down the mythical Excalibur. Although neither is convinced Bennet’s Bennet’s fellows at Tintagel, and hostile pagans living nearby. the blame. take to Kat Pyke, a former lover, burglar, and swindler who’s bested Crispin Crispin bested who’s swindler and burglar, lover, former a Pyke, Teague, it turns Teague, out, does indeed have a nose for treasure, and Treknow, the Treknow, closest village to Tintagel. Since Crispin, a dis Arthurian legend. | 1 february 2020 | 49 | 1 february | kirkus.com | mystery - sword of shadows sword , Detective Year 2018, etc.) for help. - His His third case pulls former Chicago The people who knew old Henry a - his old stomping grounds and far beyond. far and grounds stomping old his cop Jack Starkey, cop mostlyJack Starkey, retired to Fort DETECTIVE Permanent Press (214 pp.) Press Permanent Myers, out of the Sunshine back Myers, State to $29.95 | Mar. 31, 2020 $29.95 | Mar. THE NOW-AND-THEN THE NOW-AND-THEN 978-1-57962-588-7 Wells, William Wells, for the wilds of Cornwall wilds of for the treasure. of a fabulous in search In 1396, a famous tracker of men and objects leaves objects of men and London tracker a famous 1396, In It’s It’s hard to imagine a more routine case. Only Jack’s Jealousy, crafty zoo critters, and unintended conse So he starts all over again, not by casting a wider net, but by because he was murdered as he slept in his winter home in leaves her in danger. him about as eagerly as you’d welcome most uninvited and he zeroes in on one of them, baits a trap with a young police unexpected unexpected guests. findsJack their behavior so suspicious that worthwhile. realtor realtor Marisa Fernandez de Lopez and stopping off in the nephew in Santa Monica; his socialite nieces, June Dumont and Dumont June nieces, socialite his Monica; Santa in nephew making another round of trips to the relatives, who welcome ington ington attorney Alan Dumont and Boston developer Stewart years is not only dead, but murdered. Spoiler alert: He doesn’t. sometimes-amusing, often rambling narration makes it trap springs shut. Finis. tite tite for the local sandwiches, and get the non-heirs’ addresses, that he’ll learn something important from the looks in the rela- in seen haven’t they uncle the that them tells he when eyes tives’ the prime suspects are Nelson “Scooter” his Lowry, trust-fund crew and cast but not in time to prevent a second murder that officer hungry for promotion, and watches in satisfaction as the as satisfaction in watches and promotion, hungry for officer out to Jack (The Dollar at supermarkets for strangers and still talked to his dog years after he’d died. But someone must have had it in for Henry, quences wrapped in an oftenquirky characters. humorous mystery full of Naples. Naples. Naturally, Naples police chief Tom Sullivan reaches firm billionaire but as a generous, lovable oddball who shopped Jack Jack fliesto D.C., LA, and Boston on the improbable grounds Leverton. So after taking his affectionate leave of Fort Myers Libby Leverton; and their well-connected husbands, - Wash Even Even though Henry’s left all his money to his charitable trust, Windy City Windy just long enough to eye refreshthe snow, his appe- Wilberforce Wilberforce back in Chicago didn’t think of him as a grocery- CRUSH THE KING science fiction Estep, Jennifer Harper Voyager (432 pp.) $17.99 paper | Mar. 17, 2020 and fantasy 978-0-06-279769-8

Estep concludes her Crown of Shards THE BOOK OF KOLI trilogy (Protect the Prince, 2019, etc.) with Carey, M.R. a young warrior queen’s long-delayed Orbit/Little, Brown (416 pp.) vengeance. $16.99 paper | Apr. 14, 2020 When the murder of Bellona’s royal 978-0-316-47753-6 family set Evie on the path to claim the throne herself, she swore to kill the man responsible: evil King The first volume in Carey’s Ram- Maximus, of neighboring Morta. Now, after forming some alli- part trilogy is set centuries into a future ances, she’s ready for the task, as well as ready to keep fending shaped by war and climate change, where off yet more attempts on her life. As in the previous books, the scant remains of humankind are the task of fighting magical assassins is made easier by Evie’s threatened by genetically modified trees unbeatable secret power of simply being immune to magic. Evie and plants. and her friends, the members of her former gladiator troupe, Teenager Koli Woodsmith lives in Mythen Rood, a village travel to the Regalia, a tournament of skill, with plans to use of about 200 people in a place called Ingland, which has other the festivities to confront and defeat Maximus—a villain so names such as “Briton and Albion and Yewkay.” He was raised over-the-top in his sadism and arrogance that he’s hard to take to cultivate, and kill, the wood from the dangerous trees beyond seriously. It’s hard to take any of the threats Evie faces seriously Mythen Rood’s protective walls. Mythen Rood is governed either: Whether it’s hordes of assassins, a magical tidal wave, by the Ramparts (made up entirely of members of one fam- or the supposed unmatched arcane power of Maximus himself, ily—what a coincidence), who protect the village with ancient, Evie’s trump card—her magical immunity—continues to save solar-powered tech. After the Waiting, a time in which each the day. It’s sadly predictable, as is the plot itself; the finale is child, upon turning 15, must decide their future, Koli takes the telegraphed early on, and a supposed twist at the end is non- Rampart test: He must “awaken” a piece of old tech. After he sensical. The supporting cast suffers, too: Lucas Sullivan, Evie’s inevitably fails, he steals a music player which houses a charm- lover who drove much of Book 2, does nothing here but gaze at ing “manic pixie dream girl” AI named Monono, who reveals a Evie with alternating lust or worry; Paloma, Evie’s bodyguard, universe of knowledge. Of course, a little bit of knowledge can gets a potentially interesting subplot...that is resolved com- threaten entire societies or, in Koli’s case, a village held in thrall pletely off-page. The endless descriptions of parties, dresses, to a family with unfettered access to powerful weapons. Koli attractive people—and the constant narrative claims that our attempts to use the device to become a Rampart, he becomes heroine is supposedly good at intrigue—just add to the sense their greatest threat, and he’s exiled to the world beyond Mythen that we’ve been here before. Rood. Luckily, the pragmatic Koli has his wits, Monono, and an A disappointing conclusion to a series that certainly ally in Ursala, a traveling doctor who strives to usher in a healthy wants to be epic and edgy but only manages to settle into new generation of babies before humanity dies out for good. its own ruts. Koli will need all the help he can get, especially when he’s captured by a fearsome group ruled by a mad messianic figure who claims to have psychic abilities. Narrator Koli’s inquisitive mind QUEEN OF THE UNWANTED and kind heart make him the perfect guide to Carey’s (Someone Glass, Jenna Like Me, 2018, etc.) immersive, impeccably rendered world, and Del Rey (592 pp.) his speech and way of life are different enough to imagine the $28.00 | Mar. 17, 2020 weight of what was lost but still achingly familiar, and as always, 978-0-525-61837-9 Carey leavens his often bleak scenarios with empathy and hope. Readers will be thrilled to know the next two books will be pub- In this sequel to The Women’s War lished in short order. (2019), Glass continues to explore the A captivating start to what promises to be an epic post- question of what happens when women apocalyptic fable. wield power. When last we left our two heroines, Alys and Ellin, both were exploring their power as sovereign rulers, and their journeys continue in this volume. Alys is going to have to overcome a terrible loss if she’s going to lead the citizens of Women’s Well, a newly founded colony in which men and women are equal. And Ellin must fight

50 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult - Mage The Silver The first in a new Celtic-flavored SWORD OF FIRE SWORD tangled fates, reincarnation, wars, and the relationships among humans, elves, a previous 15-book series concerning fantasy set trilogy, a few centuries after dwarves, dragons, and other beings. DAW/Berkley (384 pp.) DAW/Berkley Kerr, Katharine Kerr, $27.00 | Feb. 18, 2020 | Feb. $27.00 978-0-7564-1367-5 The land of Deverry againonce the faces threat of civil war. A thoughtful debut with ample scope for reader by hereditary judges who tend to favor the noble and the wealthy wealthy the and noble the favor to tend who judges hereditary by beginning. The book serves as a pointed rebuke to other high- lessly materialistic nature her To Mars of now, society. Terran have pulled strings to include her? How did her parents really people, aided by the bards and progressive scholars, cry out political commentary addresses Luoying’s emotional progress with the book, they discover that their troubles are only just read the previous 15 books (concluding with intriguing way, with its university system, controversy regarding controversy system, university its with way, intriguing in 2009) will probably be able to jump in here and enjoy the system. system. Protecting (and, developing naturally, feelings for) her struggle for rights for the common people. who People haven’t ing, enjoyed her time on Earth without fully grasping the ruth- mentary rather than criticism; one could wish for the author she suspects that she wasn’t really qualified to make the trip. the hear level,readers intimate more a On nearlyseems asslow. gwerbrets and the priests of Bel, who profit by the existing legal existing the by profit who Bel, of priests the and gwerbrets the rule of the Prince Marked Gwardon, who serves as regent through dissatisfaction and disillusionment toward enlight to occasionally pick up a scalpel and dissect. Often immersive, the story accretes grain by grain, like sedimentary rock forma- tion, rather than as an orthodox narrative, and it sometimes don’t but emotions their feel and heads people’s inside thoughts over the principles Alyssaof justice. Scholar vairc Sirra goes on judges, pursued by killers for hired elected by the cal precedent cultural delegation of prominent One Terrans. student, Luoy- enment. Sophisticated all this might be, but it remains - com dust under their fingernails. away with Martian come engagement. against the corrupt Deverry legal system, currently dominated a mission to retrieve an ancient text that would provide - histori along the way is Cavan, a disgraced nobleman–turned–silver and prejudice against increased possibilities for women, and a appears dull, its As society anrigidly averagestratified. student, dagger, dagger, a kind of mercenary But soldier. once they’ve returned for his ailing father, the High King. Meanwhile, the common existed has society feudal same the that posit that series fantasy Deverry centuries; unchanging for and evolvingplausible is a in die, and how was her grandfather involved? Hao’s intricate Could her grandfather Hans Sloan, currently the consul of Mars, Mars, of consul the currently Sloan, Hans grandfather her Could Restive gwerbrets (Deverry’s equivalent to dukes) chafe againstchafe gwerbrets (Deverry’s equivalent dukes) to Restive - - - - | 1 february 2020 | 51 | 1 february | kirkus.com | science fiction & fantasy Social science fiction: a debut novel The year is over2201. Just a hundred Saga/Simon (640 pp.) & Schuster Folding Beijing. with Folding from the Chinese author who won the Hao Jingfang Hao $27.99 | Apr. 14, 2020 14, Apr. | $27.99 VAGABONDS 2016 Hugo Award for Best Novelette Trans. by Liu, Ken Trans. 978-1-5344-2208-7 An assured second volume in this feminism-inflected book; this one moves at a slightly faster clip. But one aspect of but…they just kind of Of aren’t. course, there are readers who patriarchy, but it also reveals that women’s magic but might it well also be reveals that women’s patriarchy, possible for women to decide whether or not they conceive and conceive they not or whether decide to women for possible pendence pendence against Earth, and since then, the two planets have when it comes to character development and emotional rich- national alliances and trade agreements and interpersonal rela- ness, especially with female characters; such readers might in their world. After centuries in which men ruled both state might argue that traditional sword-and-sorcery epics often fail surfeit of scene-setting detail often slowed the narrative in that slowed surfeit of scene-setting detail often should enjoy the second, and people who wanted to like it but mutual suspicion and resentment bordering on outright hos saga. sez faire capitalism driven by the internet’s savagely - competi years ago, the Martian colonies fought and won a war of inde- got discouraged by the slow pace might want to give Glass trilogy and beyond—that’s missing trilogy here and is beyond—that’s a sense of existential tionships—all of which seem to go on much as they always have. always they as much on go to seem which tionships—allof than it was in the first installmentof this three-part series.A to to keep her crown in a country not quite to ready reign for supreme. a Both woman women are adjusting to a new reality tinies and the discovery that magicwomen’s is more powerful than anyone imagined feel like they should be world-changing, tility dominate the Earth-Mars relationship. To counter this trend, five years ago a group to Earth. Now of Martianthey have studentsreturned to Mars accompanied by were sent a tive social media. Mars, technologically much more advanced carry children. Not only does this present a grave challenge to extrapolation, Earth embodies the triumph of Western lais cautiously—persuasively represents what benevolent Chinese might communo-capitalism possibly evolve Consequently, into. as strong as The that writing of here men. is a bit more assured another chance. and religion, a spell cast by Alys’ mother, Brynna, has made it appreciate Glass’ more intimate, approach character-driven to and apparently utopian—and here the author treads more drama. Glass spends a lot of time on court intrigue and inter fantasy—present from The Lord of the Rings to the Earthsea fantasy. People who fantasy. enjoyed the first installment in this series diverged sociologically. In Hao’s incisive and all-too-plausible The fact that women are in control of their reproductive des experience, but they will definitely miss various nuances, refer- THE QUEEN OF RAIDERS ences, and cameos from several long-lived characters and their Kozloff, Sarah descendants that devoted fans will just love, especially those Tor (512 pp.) linked to Rhodry Maelwaedd, a main protagonist from the $16.99 paper | Feb. 18, 2020 original series. The first, century-spanning series also included 978-1-250-16856-6 many incarnations of the same set of characters, and it seems likely that several of them have reincarnated appearances here Cerúlia must grow up and learn to as well. fight for her destiny in Kozloff’s A( Queen Covers all the bases: a welcome return to a long-beloved in Hiding, 2020) second Nine Realms world that also takes the story in a fresh direction. novel. Her mother, the Queen of Weiran- dale, is dead, and Cerúlia isn’t a child any OTAKU more. She’s left her adoptive peasant family in order to escape Kluwe, Chris evil Lord Matwyck’s clutches and eventually escapes Weiran- Tor (352 pp.) dale altogether. Using her ability to talk to animals and several $26.99 | Mar. 3, 2020 bird-related aliases, Cerúlia manages to trek her way over the 978-1-250-20393-9 mountains and into the nation of Oromondo. Cerúlia knows that the Oros killed her mother, and she wants to avenge her In this cyberpunk fiction debut, a death. She’s heard of a group of raiders who work to disrupt massively popular online game has real- the Oros as they invade and pillage neighboring nations. When world consequences. Cerúlia finally manages to find them and convince them to let Ashley Akachi is a mixed-race woman her join up, she discovers not only new friends, but a newfound who’s known as “Ashura the Terrible” to sense of purpose. But is any of that enough to win back her millions of fans of Infinite Game, which throne or even save herself from the Oro army? Interspersed is watched around the world. In a near-future Florida that’s half with Cerúlia’s plotline are various threads centering on the Oro drowned by rising sea levels, she sits inside a haptic chamber army and people, Lord Matwyck’s kindhearted son, and the that converts her movements into gameplay in the ultraviolent raiders themselves. This is the second of a four-part series, and, competition. Former NFL player Kluwe (Beautifully Unique as such, it falls into the expected pitfalls. The self-contained Sparkleponies, 2013) describes the game’s mechanics at length, at plot works, but it inevitably feels more like a buildup to fur- times giving the book the feel of watching someone else play a ther books in the series than its own story. It rises above filler, video game. (The game’s racist and misogynist online message though, and Kozloff is clearly laying the groundwork for some- boards also feature prominently.) Eventually, Ash uncovers a thing good, particularly with the very last chapter. vast conspiracy involving not only Infinite Game, but also her Perfectly fine despite second-book syndrome. love interest, Hamlin, who’s hiding a secret of his own. Unfortu- nately, there’s not enough space in this brief review to examine everything that’s obnoxious or distasteful in this novel, from its A BROKEN QUEEN opening bullet-point infodump, lazily passed off as worldbuild- Kozloff, Sarah ing, to its eye-rolling last line. One may wonder if any women Tor (448 pp.) were involved in this book’s publication in any meaningful way. $16.99 paper | Mar. 24, 2020 Only a male author could believe a woman thinks about “dicks” 978-1-250-16866-5 this often; when facing gender inequality, Ash huffs, “Must be nice to have a dick”; before castrating a would-be rapist, she Cerúlia recovers from her wounds scoffs, “You thought your dick made you a man? You’ll never be and decides it’s finally time to take back a man again.” Characters’ attacks on Ash are all viciously gender- her throne in Kozloff’s (The Queen of specific; in addition to being threatened with rape throughout, Raiders, 2020, etc.) penultimate Nine she’s repeatedly called “slut,” “whore,” and “cunt.” Meanwhile, Realms novel. Ash herself reads like an unintentional parody of an empowered Badly burned and laid up in a Heal- woman; she leers suggestively at a woman’s behind and then ing Center, Cerúlia is losing faith in herself. She misses the vari- laments her small bust size, at length, before deciding “boobs ous friends she’s made along her journey, misses her home, and are overrated.” At the book’s climax, Ash thinks that she’s “so resents her limitations as she heals from injuries sustained in tired of shitty men and their shitty dreams.” After reading this, the previous novel. In the past, her magical “Talent” for talk- readers will surely feel the same. ing to animals has helped her make friends with local creatures, Irredeemable in any world, real or virtual. but she’s worried that something has happened to her ability and fears using it. As she slowly recuperates and learns from the fellow residents in the healing center, Cerúlia comes to understand that she must face her responsibility to her people and find a way to become the Queen of Weirandale. To that end, she

52 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult -

Town planning hasplanning never so... seemed Town Iona Iona is the city’s leading architect. She has a comfortable life: She teaches, sinister. she likes her work, and her house, at so much bigger than she needs that she the planning department’s insistence, is HEARTS OF OAK HEARTS Robson, Eddie Robson, $14.99 paper | Mar. 17, 2020 17, $14.99 paper | Mar. Tor (272 pp.) Tor 978-1-250-26053-6 Strange, charming, unpredictable, and full of unusual A fitting end to a gorgeous experiment in art, world building, and character, growing in strength from book to to book from strength in growing character, and building, book. have a vague, nagging sense that something is a bit off about unexplored depths and considerable strengths might be poised pleasant but not-quite-right life. Meanwhile, up in his tower, images, this is an off-the-wall delight. rarely visits its upper stories. But when a young woman named made of something she thinks is called felt—a “dream-word.” no need says for there’s that sort of thing, and Clarence is prob- surface-level mildness and niceness of this world underscore send her on a quest to uncover the truth about her perfectly the king wonders if he ought to have gone to the funerals for the victims of a building-site collapse. But his cat, Clarence, lives. purposeful busy, their in missing is something that city, this the sense of mystery and offer plenty of opportunities for - com to strike against those very strike to same people at the top. either of them could have imagined. The deep sense of puzzling of sense deep The imagined.have could them of either The captivating. totally is book this of beginning the in oddness Once edy. the reason for all the oddness is revealed, the story ably right. Still, the king Both feels—lonely. and Iona the king Tomorrow Never Knows, Never (Tomorrow Robson But drive. its of some lose does didn’t exist didn’t but that somehow meant a lot to will her anyway,” But what Iona eventually discovers is much, much stranger than stranger much much, is discovers eventually Iona what But This strange intrusion of dreams into her reality, of “things that “things of reality, her intrusionstrange This into dreams of Iona findsIona herself movedto tears by the hat,woman’s which is 2015) manages for its final push. rekindle the suspense to Alyssa appears in her office asking for one-on-one instruction, - - the poet king the poet | 1 february 2020 | 53 | 1 february | kirkus.com | science fiction & fantasy The common thread of Myer’s pre- beings—expresses itself in new and sur prising ways in this conclusion to a tril- vious two books—don’t bargain with ogy melding music, enchantment, and dangerous extradimensional magical $28.99 | Mar. 24, 2020 $28.99 | Mar. THE POET KING Tor (320 pp.) Tor 978-0-7653-7834-7 Myer, Ilana C. Ilana Myer, and character, growing in strength from book to book. from in strength growing to book and character, A fitting end to a gorgeous experiment in art,gorgeous experiment to a worldbuilding, end fitting A Having Having employed such bargains to take over the Poets’ Imperfect, but well constructed and engrossing but Kozloff uses these pages to make Cerúlia a more complex by an Ifreet; and two previously ignored and despised Academy Academy and previouslytwo ignored and by despised an Ifreet; both Kahishi and Eivar depend on former Court Poet Lin Ama- Lin and Eivar depend on former Courtboth Kahishi Poet hiding under aliases and disguises. But with no army to sup- kindly son of the maniacal and power-hungry Regent Matwyck, kindly Matwyck, son of the maniacal Regent and power-hungry nonetheless. port her, how is she supposed to save herself from Matwyck’s power power to take the throne But of his Eivar. magics have opened with her beloved foster family, Cerúlia decides it is time to stop stop to time is it decides Cerúlia family, belovedfoster her with world, world, but as of now they still feel a bit too detached from the with prophetic magic, and Dorn Arrin, whose unwilling part returns home to her capital, nation’s Cascada, only to discover ristoth; ristoth; Syme Oleir, a young man possessed and driven insane main plotline. idea of monarchy at all? Kozloff finally brings the action back to back action the brings finally Kozloff all? at monarchy of idea in a sacrificial ritualcould mean his doom. And somewhere in stands the lives of regular people, does she even believe in the sociopathic. These fully drawn characters negotiate - compli students: Julien Imara, a shy young woman unexpectedly Imara, gifted students: Julien that her long-lost foster sister, Percia, is about to marry the the very person keeping Cerúlia from her throne. Reunited throughline of theme that condemns the heedless and selfish the mix there is Etherell Lyr, a beautiful man of the uncertain mix loyal- there is Etherell Lyr, decidedlyties and unrequited love,Dorn’s whose tortured past clutches? And now that she’s seen And more now of that the she’s world clutches? and under choices choices of the powerful and pointedly of underscores the ignoring folly the quiet, seemingly insignificant people whose cated cated choices in a world that intriguingly intermingles Middle own ideas about what Diar is entitled and to. stability Peace in and compelling Threads character. following other characters a complex, ever shifting plot while maintaining a consistent as a sexual abuse victim has left him mercurial, vengeful, and a portal for the White Queen, an icy, bloody being who a hasportal White her Queen, for an the icy, from other nations are easy follow to and add the dimension to dark ambition. Jewish Diaspora. Myer delicately threads a steady path through path steady a threads delicately Diaspora. Myer Jewish Like Like Book 2, this one struggles a bit with standing on its own, Eastern and Celtic folklore as well as a fantasy equivalent of the of equivalent fantasy a as well as folklore Celtic and Eastern , Dance (Fire 2017, etc.), Archmaster Elissan Diar now uses his Academy Academy and foment civil war in the distant land of Kahishi Weirandale in a compelling setup to Weirandale the last novel in her series. NOW, THEN, AND spectacle even attracts the very curious Sunshine Valley Wid- EVERYWHEN ows Club, who soon adopt the mission to get the two unlucky- Walker, Rysa in-love people together. Lola gave up her dreams and lucrative 47North (528 pp.) career in New York City to move to her husband Randy’s small $14.95 paper | Apr. 7, 2020 hometown of Sunshine, Colorado. It’s only after his death 978-1-61218-919-2 that she discovers he was quite the philanderer. Meanwhile, Drew’s wife had no problem leaving him and their daughter It’s a race against—and through— high and dry. It’s understandable why both Lola and Drew time to keep history from going wrong. would feel jaded and cynical at the prospect of dating, espe- For Tyson Reyes and his friends, time cially since the small-town atmosphere lends itself to plenty of travel is just another day at the office. gossip. Lola’s discoveries about her husband, though, are just He’s a historian in 2304 working on his the tip of the iceberg, and it’s Drew to whom she turns to find first big research trip, to the segregated South in 1963. But he out more about Randy’s double life. Despite the heaviness of has no idea that the project his friend Richard is proposing, a a spouse’s death and the bitterness that may come with such study of the KKK’s protests against the Beatles, is about to get intense heartbreaks suffered by both main characters, there’s him embroiled in a massive time shift that could erase most warm and pleasant goofiness to the town of Sunshine and the of history as he knows it. Meanwhile, 168 years in Tyson’s past gentle romance between Drew and Lola. The Sunshine Valley and 170 years in the Beatles’ future, Madison Grace has just dis- Widows Club probably deserves most of the credit. They steal covered a device that allows her to travel through time—and every scene and have perfect timing with comedic relief or a a book from the future that claims that she’s about to invent meaningful word. The biggest hurdles for readers’ patience will time travel. When the time shift hits, Madi assumes she’s be Lola’s constant doubting of her own agency, even when it caused it by blundering about in the past. But who are the five means admitting she made bad decisions, and how the slow- extra time travelers Tyson spots in 1963 just before history goes burn romance truly stretches the definition and nearly puts this haywire? And how can Madi and Tyson fix history if they don’t into cozy women’s fiction territory. even know what game they’re playing or who the players are? An average romance that makes up for it with a lively, There’s more than enough time-travel paradoxes in this story comedic cast. to give you a headache, but the captivating mystery plot—who set history wrong, and why?—moves along briskly enough that these conundrums just feel like part of the entertainment. And BEARS BEHAVING BADLY the 1960s setting, with the fates of the Beatles and Dr. Martin Davidson, Mary Janice Luther King Jr. riding in the balance, sets the stakes appealingly Sourcebooks Casablanca (416 pp.) high. Fans of Walker’s (Courier to the Stars, 2019, etc.) CHRO- $7.99 paper | Mar. 31, 2020 NOS Files series will enjoy seeing the pieces of that mythology 978-1-4926-9701-5 falling into place here, but new readers can easily jump in to this origin story with no prior knowledge. Bear shifters battle their attraction An enjoyable, mind-bending time-travel adventure. and awkward flirtations while trying to stop a criminal focused on terrorizing young shifters. Annette Garsea is one of the hard- est and most dedicated caseworkers at romance the Interspecies Placement Agency of Minnesota, a foster care system for shifter species. It’s her job to find homes and resources for at-risk shifter youth and children. At times, her work brings her within close proximity of CAN’T HURRY LOVE private investigator David Auberon. Both are bear shifters with Curtis, Melinda an obvious connection, but Annette thinks she’s too busy for a Forever (512 pp.) relationship, and David can’t seem to say more than five words $7.99 paper | Mar. 31, 2020 to Annette before getting tongue-tied. It takes a shifter baby in 978-1-5387-3341-7 grave danger to give the two bears the nudge they need to graduate from strictly business to something way more than friends. A widow burned by love gets tangled Davidson’s (Deja New, 2017, etc.) trademark goofiness, over- up with a small-town sheriff in this con- the-top action scenes, and fierce heroines are all accounted for temporary romance series starter. along with a memorable cast of characters, though her books Lola Williams’ first real encounter can be an acquired taste for readers who prefer their shifters with Sheriff Drew Taylor is when he growly and full of angst. David is a sweetheart with a long- catches her burning her late husband’s standing crush on Annette; in his mind, she’s way out of his underwear in a front-yard bonfire. The league. He’s also supportive and completely comfortable letting

54 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult -

Sloan Monroe is on her way to the Sara Ryan Sara needs Ryan a change. She loves Two Two years after the tragic death of A A downtrodden nanny sends off a her fiance, an artist begins to heal thanks heal to begins artist an fiance, her her niece, Kaylee, but being the girl’s when it lands on desk, a it major’s sparks grave of her late fiance, who was killed to a rock star and his dog. to complicated once he’s back on U.S. soil. back on U.S. he’s once complicated an unexpected romance, but things get quick note of appreciation to a soldier; FROM ALASKA WITH LOVE ALASKA WITH FROM Jove/Penguin (304 pp.) Jove/Penguin Forever (400 pp.) Forever $15.99 paper | Apr. 14, 2020 Apr. paper | $15.99 $7.99 paper | Mar. 3, 2020 paper | Mar. $7.99 Jimenez, Abby Jimenez, James, Ally James, THE HAPPY EVER AFTER PLAYLIST 978-1-5387-1564-2 978-1-9848-0695-6 An entertaining, affecting romance. by a drunk when driver, she nearly hits a dog who dashed into brother and sister-in-law to duck their parenting - responsibili line ticket to Alaska line to for ticket Sara to spend time with Gabriel at the lished author Sydney Landon) takes on a kind of mashup of keep keep him. Jason Larsen, the dog’s owner, is backpacking off how everyone else solves her problems, but the ultimate mesh- understanding that that’s supposed to be her growth arc—and nanny for the past three years has made it too easy for her ing of two lonely souls through a seemingly fated letter makes silence, silence, creating confusion and turmoil when events force her years taking care of they’ve her become family, dependent and the road. When she stops to check on him, he jumps into her voicemails finallyhe when and Sloan’s gets Australia, in grid the ties while taking advantage of her time and kindness. Sara’s wid- Sara’s kindness. and time advantageher taking of while ties life. her into comes Randall Gabriel servingtroops Maj. abroad, to to leave for Alaska grows closer, she continues to keep her to face her choices head-on. James (a new pen name for estab- car through the sunroof, and when she doesn’t hear from owner his after calling the number on his collar, she decides to owed owed mother too, and depends now on that her, Sara has spent entitled while continually chipping away at her self-esteem. end of his deployment. But Sara has confidedto no onesupposed butshe’s day the a as and correspondence, the about cousin for a tender, satisfying love story overall. for a tender, He He responds to her letter with an email, which leads to texts, FaceTime, and a FaceTime, full-blown emotional finallyaffair—and an air Then, when she hears a radio story about sending letters to It It is frustrating how reactive Sara is until the very end—even “Cinderella” and soldier pen-pal fantasy, in a sweet, touching way. way. touching sweet, a in fantasy, pen-pal soldier and “Cinderella” | 1 february 2020 | 55 | 1 february | kirkus.com | romance - - - . Sapphire She the happy ever after playlist the happy Two Two thespians strut and fret and The Honorable Miss Fenella Grant ley knows she should be grateful for her life of ease and privilege, but every- stage together. SEDUCE ME WITH SAPPHIRES thing feels unrelentingly gloomy to her. argue throughout their hour upon the Zebra/Kensington (304 pp.) Zebra/Kensington Feather, Jane Feather, $7.99 paper | Jan. 28, 2020 paper | Jan. $7.99 978-1-4201-4362-1 begins to heal thanks to a rock star and his dog. star and his a rock thanks to heal to begins and insistence that Fenella perform that Fenella and insistence Sapphire Two years after the tragic artist an her fiance, death of years after Two A comic-book thrill ride with the added appeal of bear bear of appeal added the with ride thrill comic-book A An Edwardian theater love story that tests the bound like like homelessness, kidnapping, and violence, it’s very much a book, second in a series but able to stand alone, may appeal to become become intimate, and a few days later, they’ve not only slept his nerves and attraction to modern her, sensibilities may find Additionally, him creepy and overbearing charming. rather than his obsession with her role in exactly the way he’s imagined it is an unfortunately hero. For her part, Fenella is pleasingly independent, which his rudeness. And despite the fact that the two can’t go more unkind to Fenella, and although this is supposedly because of wood banter in how they speak and what they say—except they say—except they what and speak they how in banter wood playwright Edward Tremayne, by-blow of the Earl of Pendleton, Pendleton, of Earl the of by-blow Tremayne, Edward playwright none of the detailed, gruesomenone of the detailed, bloodshed. shifters falling in love. it will be hard for many readers to look forward to this happy makes her attraction to Edward all the more confusing. The misunderstandings, but they are continually drawn back to each to back drawn continually are they but misunderstandings, survive the tumult of these continuous conflicts. Unfortunately, Unfortunately, surviveconflicts. continuous these of tumult the spend the night at his lodgings. Both are prickly and prone to aries just of how unlikable a romance hero can be. the midst of danger or being two utter cornballs once they let their feelings There’s some show. of the cadence of old - Holly timeless example of a male artist who puts his ego before all takes takes an immediate dislike to Edward and his “arrogance and than a few sentences at a time without bickering, they soon together, but Fenella is also concocting elaborate excuses to can both shift into huge bears. Despite more serious themes comes comes to class with a draft of his newest work, ending. From their first meeting, Edward seems unnecessarily other and have to decide whether their chemistry can or should or chemistrycan their whether decide to have and other others—not exactly the swoon-inspiring stuff of a romance contempt,” contempt,” so he takes her for hot chocolate to apologize for fully matched, whether they’re watching each other’s backs in acting classes. Those classes get even more interesting when give her the benefit of the doubt. to already inclined aren’t Except, Except, that is, when she sneaks out to Bloomsbury for her longtime fans Feather’s but is unlikely to work for readers who Marvel movie–type paranormal romance with all the action and action the all with romance movie–typeparanormal Marvel Annette shine as the fearsome mama bear. The pair are wonder shine Annette as the fearsome mama bear. nearly two weeks later, he calls her and is astonished to discover ends the MacKilligan sisters trilogy with a flourish, blending that she’s had Tucker, his dog, for so long; his quasi-girlfriend humor, action, and romance in her own inimitable and fabulous was supposed to be watching Tucker but it turns out she had fashion, and she reminds us that family can be blood or choice basically abandoned him. Since he’s still in Australia for a few and that different races (Max is half Chinese; Charlie is African weeks, Jason arranges for Sloan to keep Tucker, and through American; Zé is Latino) and species can get along when they it all they text and talk and plant the seeds for a friendship, if decide to, aided at times by baked goods. A sprawling cast of not more. Sloan is slow and wary, even before she discovers shifters combined with an intricate, complex plot can occasion- that Jason is a musician on the cusp of star status. Still, she’s ally be confusing, but everything comes together in the end, and charmed by his patience and talent, and when he returns to LA, the characters, worldbuilding, and storytelling are vivid, inven- she quickly falls in love with him, his dog, and his family. Just tive, and completely entertaining. as they’re admitting to deep feelings, he’s embarking on a long A wild, brilliant ride. musical tour and wants her with him. It’s a grind, which she isn’t expecting, and the relationship is at odds with his label’s publicity plans, which are complicated. Plus, it keeps Sloan from TEMPORARY WIFE pursuing her art, which she wants to explore again. Following TEMPTATION her exceptional debut (The Friend Zone, 2019), author Jimenez Lee, Jayci has written Sloan’s story with elegant, compassionate success, Harlequin Desire (224 pp.) showcasing a romance that navigates deep grief and healing $5.25 paper | Feb. 4, 2020 while exploring the unexpected stressors placed on a celebrity 978-1-335-20894-1 relationship. Fans of The Friend Zone will be happy to see Kris- ten and Josh as Sloan’s main support system and will be touched An executive needs a wife to gain his by Jimenez’s note in the acknowledgements about her inspira- grandmother’s blessing to become CEO tion for the book. of the family business. A perfect blend of smart, heart-wrenching, and fun. Garrett Song is one step away from achieving his lifelong dream of heading his family’s Los Angeles fashion empire. Shocked at his grand- BADGER TO THE BONE mother’s announcement that she’s chosen a Korean heiress Laurenston, Shelly for him to marry and that he must marry her if he wants to be Kensington (400 pp.) promoted, Garrett lies and tells her that he’s already engaged. $15.95 paper | Mar. 31, 2020 Garrett has given his entire life to the company, but he refuses 978-1-4967-1440-4 to let his family dictate whom he’ll marry, even if the marriage would allow the Songs to enter into the jae-bul, the wealthy, The final segment of the Honey Bad- entitled echelon of Korean society. Enter Natalie Sobol, an up- ger Chronicles pairs middle sister Max and-coming HR professional in his firm. Natalie is attempting MacKilligan with an oblivious jaguar to gain custody of her 6-month-old niece after her sister and shifter who attempts to save her and brother-in-law died in a car accident. When Garrett asks Nata- winds up finding himself. lie to agree to a fake marriage to thwart his grandmother’s plan, When an attempted kidnapping Natalie realizes the appearance of being happily married might of honey badger shifter Max goes south, ZeZé Vargas, one of sway the court to rule in her favor. Lee’s debut novel succeeds the kidnappers who’s a shifter though he doesn’t know it, tries as a category romance (belonging to the branded lines of shorter to protect her and is injured. After Max takes ZeZé home to Harlequin romances published every month), as the book is New York and he heals, she’s prepared to turn him loose, but jammed with popular romance tropes such as familial duty, fake her older sister, Charlie, demands she take some responsibil- engagement, and corporate espionage. Natalie and Garrett are ity and help Zé navigate his new reality. “You brought him here, likable characters who want to achieve their goals on their own Max. You told him the truth. Now you need to deal with the terms, and when they team up as husband and wife, they dis- repercussions of those actions.” Zé soon learns how unique the cover they make each other stronger both professionally and MacKilligan half sisters are. Fiercely loyal and superlethal when personally. It’s especially poignant that Natalie, who is mostly they choose to be, they mostly want to be left in peace. How- unfamiliar with her own Korean heritage, mends the discord ever, thanks to their idiot father and Max’s criminal mother, between Garrett and his old-fashioned grandmother. Some of who’s recently escaped from prison, everyone wants something the plot twists seem contrived or underdeveloped, and Nata- from them—information, money, or skills, for instance—pit- lie’s urgency to adopt her niece doesn’t feel convincing since the ting them against mercenaries, hostile family members, and baby spends most of the time off-page with the grandparents even law enforcement. In the midst of the chaos, Zé begins to who also want custody. Nevertheless, it’s a quick, enjoyable read. make sense of the sisters’ odd relationships with each other and A competent debut from an up-and-coming author. the vast, unexpected network of friends and allies around them, and for the first time, he feels at home in his own skin and right where he’s supposed to be, with Max by his side. Laurenston

56 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | young adult - - - - Coming off a cruise-ship gig, Fern Private Private Investigator Nicole - Gray Returning Returning to the town Texas where Two Two wolf shifters must catch a Sourcebooks Casablanca (384 pp.) Casablanca Sourcebooks Sourcebooks Casablanca (352 pp.) Casablanca (352 Sourcebooks hall, a singer learns she now co-owns the venue with her old flame. romance romance kick off a new series by Spear son has an edge that some of her - col she and her sister bought a historic music historic a bought sister her and she small Texas small town Texas where she and her sis ter ter weather: Action, adventure, and criminal in the midst of hazardous win- COWBOY FIREFIGHTER HEAT COWBOY Spear, Terry Spear, Bryant is ready to settle back into the , 2019, etc.). for the Cougar (Falling Redford, Kim Redford, $7.99 paper | Feb. 25, 2020 25, paper | Feb. $7.99 $7.99 paper | Mar. 31, 2020 paper | Mar. $7.99 978-1-4926-9775-6 978-1-4926-9502-8 YOU HAD ME AT WOLF HAD ME AT YOU A lively contemporary romance with touches of She’s excited to raise the profile of the hall by bringing in bigger in bringing by hall the of profile the raise to excited She’s buildup to the next book. buildup to leagues don’t. She’s a gray wolf shifter, and her heightened look up for Fern and Craig, an obsessive fan of Fern’s emerges to to emerges Fern’s of fan obsessive an Craig, and Fern for up look length, she’s back length, in she’s his arms soon enough and refinds her foot without saying anything), but it’s generally an entertaining, sexy entertaining, generallyan it’s but anything), saying without volunteer volunteer firefighter, and musician when she who captured moved to town, though her heart things fell apart when she read. Cowboy romance fans will find a lot to love,to the including will fans lot a find romance Cowboy read. now they’re partners. At first determined to keep Craig at arm’s arm’s at Craig keep to determined first At partners.they’re now ing in the which community, is chock full of interesting char sense of smell makes for excellent tracking abilities. When suspense. sizzling, the conflict sputters outpretty replaced early, by the shadowy menacing villain’s actions. At times, some of the char sold her share in the dance hall to Craig without telling Fern, so Fern, telling without Craig to hall dance the in share her sold threaten threaten their happiness. The latest title in Redford’s Smokin’ ter movedthey ter bought after a halldance historic from a cousin. community; community; fans will especially enjoy Fernando the Wonder acters’ acters’ responses feel unrealistic (for example, Fern never - con acters, acters, including two town matriarchs who convince Fern and acts as well as local talent. However, when she gets back, she fronts her sister for selling her share of the dance hall to Craig discovers Craig Thorne in her cabin. Craig is the area rancher, sister her out Turns cruisethe job. took and feelings her ducked Craig to co-chair the annual Wild West Days festival. As things Days festival. West Wild co-chair Craig the to annual Hot Cowboys series revisits Wildcat Bluff County and its quirky its and County Bluff Wildcat revisits series Cowboys Hot Bull’s heroic efforts. While Fern and Craig’s reconciliation is | 1 february 2020 | 57 | 1 february | kirkus.com | romance lord holt takes a bride takes lord holt A runaway a runaway bride meets lord. A A A runaway bride meets a runaway Winnifred Winnifred Humphries can’t bring lord. herself to marry the awful man her father father her man awful marrythe to herself has selected for so her, she leaves him at the altar and climbs into a carriage with a man she believes to be her friend Jane’s be her frienda man she believes to Jane’s LORD HOLT TAKES A BRIDE TAKES HOLT LORD Lorret, Vivienne Lorret, $7.99 paper | Mar. 31, 2020 paper | Mar. $7.99 978-0-06-297659-8 Avon/HarperCollins (384 pp.) Avon/HarperCollins A solid Regency romance and promising start to a new between Winn’s between Winn’s parents, adds a pleasing depth to the story, before. Asher just wants his money back so he can finally get he’s he’s actually Lord Asher Holt, whom her friends acciden- pose as a married couple. After they finally admit that they reminiscent of Eloisa James. Readers will also be grateful for the for grateful be also will Readers James. Eloisa of reminiscent nate for their purposes, but that’s a fairly minor subplot anyway. fairlya anyway. subplot minor that’s but purposes, their for nate nently—unless Asher can get one more chance to talk to Winn. Asher nently—unlesscan get one more Winn. chance to talk to installments. , 2019, etc.) does etc.) 2019, , Ruin To (The Rogue Lorret story, the in surprises scoundrels—hence scoundrels—hence the accidental kidnapping—this is unfortu- series. to to learning friendsmore about Jane Winn’s and Ellie in future to dry off and get close to stay warm. Though there aren’t many aren’t there Though dry warm. stay to to close get and off that Asher is less of a scoundrel than he initiallyhe than scoundrel a of less is Given Asher appears. that and that Winn her friends are ostensibly writing a book about they expect to be parted after just a few days, when they reach tally kidnapped and robbed in the name of research the week execute a historical romance well, and readers will look forwardlook will readers and well, romance historical a execute constant constant rain showers of England, which create several steamy opportunities for and Winn Asher to get out of their clothing ogy is convoluted at times, but readers will be pleased to see ciousness on Asher’s ciousness Asher’s father’s on part threaten to part them perma- chemistry, chemistry, and it’s strong enough that they are easily able to of them need to leave London as quickly as possible. Though cousin. cousin. But, as discovers Winn too late, he’s not cousin; Jane’s away from but his the greedy situation father, spirals, and both don’t want to be want parted, a to series of misunderstandings and mali- don’t The first book in Lorret’s The Mating Habits of tril- Scoundrels Mating The The first book in Lorret’s A A more charming subplot, a possible second-chance romance Winn’s aunt’s house, aunt’s the intimacy of their travel ignites a Winn’s fierce her latest assignment, investigating a fraudulent life insurance one-upmanship, but readers might lose patience as James’ and claim, leads her to an isolated ski lodge inhabited by a group Violet’s immature antics drag on. It’s difficult to root for charac- of shifter brothers, Nicole realizes that this particular mission ters so committed to nursing their feelings of resentment, ani- is different. Blake Wolff has finally found peace and quiet, as mosity, and persecution. he and his brothers have turned their land into a sanctuary Most likely to appeal to readers looking to see just how for wolf shifters like themselves. When Nicole turns up at the far the “enemies to lovers” trope can be stretched before lodge, sniffing around and looking for answers, Blake volunteers it snaps. to help. The sooner she wraps up her investigation, the sooner Blake can return to maintaining the calm community the Wolff siblings have built. The suspense never fully delivers despite A COWBOY TO REMEMBER the setup of dangerous situations and the characters’ ability to Weatherspoon, Rebekah shift into wolves. Of course, the bad guys get caught and the Dafina/Kensington (320 pp.) good guys prevail, but the stakes never seem terribly high. With $7.99 paper | Feb. 25, 2020 corny, on-the-nose details such as having Wolff and Grayson as 978-1-4967-2540-0 surnames for gray wolf shifters, it’s hard to tell if Spear is in on the joke or if some things sounded better in theory than reality. First in the Cowboys of California The brightest spot here, as in most of Spears’ books, is her dedi- series, about brothers who run a luxury cation to writing strong heroines with interesting professions, dude ranch. and Nicole fits perfectly into that box. She’s capable, compe- Celebrity chef Evie Buchanan was tent, and a force to be reckoned with in a difficult situation. raised on the Pleasant family’s luxury Blake is happy to let her take the lead without any egos getting dude ranch in Charming, California, by in the way, which is something all readers will appreciate. her grandmother, a renowned horse Like a popcorn action flick: fun but lacking in trainer, after her parents were killed in a car accident. In the substance. decade since her grandmother died, Evie has been working her way up the culinary ladder in New York City. She has found success co-hosting a television show, but she has never met a man TO HAVE AND TO HOAX quite like the cowboy who broke her heart. Zach Pleasant, gor- Waters, Martha geous, charming, and laser focused on work, is now co-owner of Atria (368 pp.) Big Rock Ranch with his brother, Jesse. When Evie sustains a $17.00 paper | Apr. 7, 2020 traumatic brain injury at an industry party and loses her mem- 978-1-9821-3611-6 ory, she needs a quiet place, away from Manhattan, to recover. The Pleasant family takes her in, and Evie slowly begins to A married couple’s long years of feud- regain some of her cooking skills and memories. She’s attracted ing come to an end in this romance debut. to Zach, but trying to come to terms with how he hurt her in In her first season, Lady Violet Grey the past without remembering it proves a challenge. Evie is a was caught unchaperoned on a balcony heroine to root for—resilient, brave, honest, funny, and humble. with Lord James Audley. Although they Her struggles, not only to recover, but to reinvent herself, are only engaged in mild flirting and friendly movingly portrayed: “I want to feel loved, like really loved. I banter, he immediately offers to marry her rather than see her want to feel that I have something that is mine for as long as I ruined. The timeline jumps forward five years to a couple in can hold on to it.” The romance competes with a very large cast great distress. Even though they were celebrated as a great love of characters in both New York and California, and a suspense match, a year into the marriage they had a bitter fight that nei- subplot fizzles out, but Zach is a good man and a fitting match. ther could forgive or forget. The chilly, uncomfortable silence An amnesia plot done right and a fantastic heroine lasts for four years, only breaking when Violet receives a note mark a strong series debut. informing her that James was knocked unconscious after falling from his horse. She realizes she still loves him and rushes to his bedside, but he’s fully recovered by the time she arrives. Furious and convinced he played her for a fool, she decides to fake an illness of her own to show him how it feels. Their friends and family encourage them to talk to each other rather than plot and plan, but they are too afraid to trust each other after all the years of discord. Waters is a gifted writer. She deploys sharp, incisive prose to describe each character’s inner world, showing how each is a product of their upbringing and class. James resents being the neglected second son while Violet chafes at the bounds of feminine propriety. It’s clear the novel is attempting to create a comedic War of the Roses–style game of

58 | 1 february 2020 | fiction | kirkus.com | nonfiction JOHN ADAMS UNDER FIRE These titles earned the Kirkus Star: The Founding Father’s Fight for Justice in the Boston FINAL DRAFT by David Carr...... 67 Massacre Murder Trial Abrams, Dan & Fisher, David THE HOT HAND by Ben Cohen...... 68 Hanover Square Press (320 pp.) $28.99 | Mar. 3, 2020 CHOICE WORDS by Annie Finch...... 76 978-1-335-01592-1

THE INEVITABILITY OF TRAGEDY by Barry Gewen...... 78 The first shots in the American Rev- olution occurred during the Boston Mas- THE SPLENDID AND THE VILE by Erik Larson...... 86 sacre, and this history describes the trial

that followed, certainly “the most important case in American young adult THE ADDRESS BOOK by Deirdre Mask...... 88 colonial history.” On March 5, 1770, British soldiers, harassed by a mob CALDER by Jed Perl...... 91 throwing snowballs and rocks, fired into the crowd, killing five and injuring six. Abrams, the chief legal affairs correspondent BECOMING WILD by Carl Safina...... 97 for ABC News, and prolific author Fisher (co-authors: Lincoln’s Last Trial: The Murder Case That Propelled Him to the Presidency, SIGH, GONE by Phuc Tran...... 102 2018) write that the 34-year-old Adams, a successful lawyer who was sympathetic to the protestors, agreed to defend the HEAVEN by Emerson Whitney...... 104 officer and eight soldiers accused of murder. He would later write, “Counsel ought to be the very last thing an accused per- AFROPESSIMISM by Frank B. Wilderson III...... 104 son should want in a free country….” This was a moderately courageous act that did his growing law practice no good. To DISUNITED NATIONS by Peter Zeihan...... 105 his dying day, Adams grumbled that opponents used the trial to impugn his patriotism. This may have been true, but since BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE by Julian E. Zelizer...... 106 then, historians have given him high marks. There were two trials. In the first, the defense had little trouble convincing the jury that Thomas Preston, the officer in charge, did not order BECOMING WILD his men to fire. In the second, Adams and colleagues strived to How Animal Cultures Raise show that the soldiers feared for their lives, thus giving them Families, Create Beauty, the right to kill in self-defense. They largely succeeded. The and Achieve Peace jury exonerated six and convicted two of the lesser charge of Safina, Carl manslaughter. The letter “m” was burned onto their thumbs as Henry Holt (384 pp.) punishment. A transcript exists of the soldiers’ trial, which is $29.99 | Apr. 14, 2020 perhaps too much of a good thing, as the authors quote liberally 978-1-250-17333-1 from it. Despite variations, readers will encounter perhaps 100 pages of witnesses’ descriptions of the same event followed by several lawyers’ careful reviews of those that support the case. Many readers will feel the urge to skim these parts, but on the whole, the narrative is engaging. An expert, extremely detailed account of John Adams’ finest hour.

| kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february 2020 | 59 literary february Leah Overstreet Since most Kirkus readers are book of presidential history, Fehrman emerg- nerds, I thought it would be appropri- es with a trove of material that will ap- ate to recommend five books about lit- peal to any book lover. “Overall,” writes erature and writers to get you through our reviewer, “the author covers a great the dark days of February. deal of ground that even major biog- Martha Ackmann, These Fevered raphers have skipped over in favor of Days (Norton, Feb. 25): Widely consid- “sexier” storylines, yet to the book lov- ered one of America’s most significant er, these stories will be unquestionably poets, Emily Dickinson is also some- enticing. Even the footnotes, appendix, thing of a shadow, what our reviewer and sources offer bookish gems.” calls a “shy wraith, dressed in white, re- Vivian Gornick, Unfinished Busi- fusing to allow publication of her po- ness (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Feb. 4): For more than five ems—nearly 2,000, discovered after her death.” Ackmann, decades, Gornick has been a consistently illuminating a Guggenheim fellow who taught a presence in the literary world, from her days at the Village Dickinson seminar for two decades Voice in the 1970s through her tenure (in the poet’s Amherst, Massachu- teaching writing at the New School. setts, house), takes a novel approach Indeed, our reviewer notes, “litera- to this enigmatic artist, presenting ture knows few champions as ardent 10 moments from Dickinson’s life and insightful—or as uncompromis- that demonstrate her character and ing—as Gornick.” Fresh off the pub- the mechanics of her creativity. It’s lication of her well-received memoir, a refreshingly unique treatment of a The Odd Woman and the City, Gornick much-discussed literary subject, char- offers this collection of essays fo- acterized by “radiant prose, palpable cused on the virtues of rereading and descriptions, and deep empathy for the fresh insight that can be gleaned the poet’s sensibility.” from revisiting a favorite work of lit- Julian Barnes, The Man in the Red Coat (Knopf, Feb. erature. “For those willing to relin- 18): Though the primary subject of the award-winning novel- quish treasured but outmoded interpretations,” writes our ist’s latest book of nonfiction is Samu- reviewer, “rereading over a span of decades can be a journey, el Pozzi, a 19th-century French doctor sometimes unsettling, toward richer meanings of books considered the “father of gynecology,” that are touchstones of one’s life.” Barnes’ palette expands to encompass Jenn Shapland, My Autobiography of Carson McCullers many other aspects of the fascinating (Tin House, Feb. 4): In this elegant work of literary and bio- belle epoque, including delightful cul- graphical excavation, Shapland brings tural and social details and a cast of to light numerous elements of McCull- characters that includes not only the ers’ life, especially her sexuality. Shap- doctor (whom some accused of sex ad- land embarked on her journey while diction) and some of his patients, but she was an intern at the University of also Oscar Wilde, Proust, Henry James, Texas’ Harry Ransom Center, where and Sarah Bernhardt. As our reviewer notes in a starred re- she discovered some love letters to view, “finely honed biographical intuition and a novelist’s the author from Swiss writer and pho- sensibility make for a stylish, engrossing narrative.” One tographer Annemarie Schwarzenbach. would expect nothing less from the Booker Prize winner, The discovery came at a turning point and he delivers yet again. in Shapland’s own life; inspired by Mc- Craig Fehrman, Author in Chief (Avid Reader Press, Cullers, she writes, “within a year, I Feb. 11): From the memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant through would be more or less comfortably Barack Obama’s Dreams of My Father, many presidents have calling myself a lesbian for the first time.” In this impressive demonstrated literary talent and ambitions. (I will ignore debut, Shapland delivers “a sensitive chronicle of a biogra- the current occupant of the White House, whose execrable pher’s search for truth.” —E.L. “business” and political books are worth far less than the paper they’re printed on.) Digging into this little-covered niche Eric Liebetrau is the managing editor and nonfiction editor.

60 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | young adult late, late, even elitist foundation, but anyone who peruses today’s unscrupulous tycoon, [and] tax cheat.” The book is arranged public life, isolationism versus intervention, regional rights, and rights, regional intervention, versus isolationism life, public while race is a significant issue in America, it is not nearly as bad as nearly not is it America, in issue significant a is race while news knows that this has evanesced. Also present throughout many pieces is that conservatism once had a articuscholarly, - thematically, thematically, and each section comprises pieces organized ter Lippmann, Whittaker Chambers, Zora Reinhold Niebuhr, the book are in religion themes anti-communism, war, and power that American thought: have long occupied conservative calling the president a “sleaze, narcissist, chronic dissembler, drawn from of the a contributors, variety Most chronologically. - Wal Buckley of Jr., disciplines and F. eras, are William familiar: as it would be under a totalitarian regime. Unfortunately, as many it would be under a totalitarian regime. Unfortunately, doesn’t include any of his own work in this wide-ranging volume. wide-ranging this in work own his of any include doesn’t that argues Burnham James from1947, essay an In freemarkets. Neale Hurston, John Crowe Ransom, Wendell Berry, Theodore Berry, Wendell Ransom, Crowe John Hurston, Neale Roosevelt, Roosevelt, Henry Cabot Lodge, Joan Didion, Antonin Scalia, Milton Milton Friedman, and Shelby Steele. The unspoken theme of In In the introduction, he makes patent attitude, his anti-Trump | 1 february 2020 | 61 | kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february A collection A of essays and speeches— A A gorilla keeper’s memoir about her Armstrong began her career when needs an intellectual reboot. needs an intellectual mostly from the 20th century—that mission and their responsibilities regarding the animals in their care. It was a years (1982-1996) Zoo. at the Columbus zoos were on the cusp of rethinking their argue tacitly that today’s conservatism Reclaiming an Intellectual Reclaiming Library of America (500 pp.) Library of Ed. by Bacevich, Andrew J. Andrew Ed. by Bacevich, $29.95 | Apr. 7, 2020 7, Apr. $29.95 | $19.95 paper | Mar. 10, 2020 10, $19.95 paper | Mar. AMERICAN CONSERVATISM VOICES FROM THE APE HOUSE FROM VOICES Trillium/Ohio State Univ. Press (312 pp.) Press Univ. State Trillium/Ohio 978-1-59853-656-0 978-0-8142-5571-1 Tradition Armstrong, Beth Armstrong, The Age of Illusions: How America Squandered Its Its Squandered America Bacevich How of Illusions: Age (The A pleasing gathering of distinct personalities and unique stories from the ape house.2 tables) photos; (35 bring your presumption to the fore as that will predictably get heart-touching material is found in the profiles of the gorillas. material heart-touching her encounters her with encounters the great apes. She eschews the chart, table, which the apes could thrive rather than just survive. Armstrong was in the forefront of exchanging experiences with other zoos versational writing style, she composes short, crisp stories about right reasons,” guided by insights from the ape house: “Never roiling time in the zoo with community, new ideas challenging ment. The zoo’s philosophy became “Do the right thing for the someone hurt, either a gorilla Though or the a author’s keeper.” spread advances made in gorilla husbandry and zoo manage- gorillas. One of her first lessons was that keepers serve as the their apes, these elemental changes may they were the seem first steps negligible, in fashioning suitable but environments in the processes of introducing hay for nesting and providing play- things for entertainment and structures to climb on and swing traditional practices. Early on, the author found her niche in the zoo’s ape zoo’s house, where even the simple chores gave her pleasure ever presume anything; the gorillas will tell you through obvious and not so obvious ways what they want, what they need. Never around the world, developing a network of relationships that as they brought her close to the gorillas. In a comfortable, - con and figure approach of behavioral research, insteada relying purely on anecdotal telling of her real-life experiences with the discussions of zoo management are mostly engaging, the most from. Today, when from. Today, many zoos have created entire habitats for , 2020, etc.), who served as an officer in the Army, Army, the in officer an as served who etc.), 2020, , Victory Cold War first advocates Armstrong for chronicles the gorillas in captivity. A pleasure for thoughtful fans of Old West history, revisionist without being iconoclastic. ride the devil’s herd

of the Southern writers ignore slavery and Jim Crow in their dis- RED SEA SPIES cussions of liberty. Also troubling: A number of writers urge the The True Story of Mossad’s reining in of what they see as hurried social changes, a position Fake Holiday Resort that seems to suggest a desire to maintain the status quo. Bacev- Berg, Raffi ich acknowledges that most of his contributors are white males, Icon Books (320 pp.) but he doesn’t want to “falsify history” by including minority $27.95 | Apr. 14, 2020 voices that were not prominent thinkers during their eras. 978-1-78578-600-6 Eloquent if tendentious historical snapshots of the conservative tradition in American thought. The secret history of how Israel spirited thousands of Ethiopian Jews out of their war-torn country well before it BE MY GUEST became known in the world press. Reflections on Food, Despite the vague and misleading Community, and the Meaning title of this well-crafted investigative report, Berg, the Middle of Generosity East editor of the BBC News website, tells an amazing story of Basil, Priya the dogged behind-the-scenes workings of the Mossad, Israel’s Knopf (144 pp.) foreign intelligence agency, from the late 1970s to the ’90s. $20.00 | Apr. 21, 2020 Largely ignored until Menachem Begin, a refugee of Nazi per- 978-0-525-65785-9 secution, became prime minister of Israel in 1977, the Ethiopian Jews were a devout minority community whom some considered The roles food and hospitality play the descendants of the lost Tribe of Dan. They regarded Jerusa- in a woman’s personal life and in the lem as their spiritual home and followed the tenets of Judaism, broader world. such as circumcision, keeping kosher, and observing the Sab- “Who are we becoming? Who do we want to be?” asks bath—although they still believed the Holy Land was occupied Basil, the Berlin-based co-founder of Authors for Peace. “Can by the Romans. When their security was threatened by the the answer lie in a sausage? Perhaps only insofar as one never outbreak of wars with Ethiopia’s insurgent neighbors, the Jews exactly knows—or wants to!—all the contents within the became a political pawn between Ethiopia and Israel—the latter casing. Identity, too, is a mince of sorts.” In these short and spurred by the determined Begin administration to get the lost sometimes meandering musings, in which the author enlists Jews safely to Israel, by land, air, or sea, from 1979 onward. Led by the wisdom of Plato, Kant, Hannah Arendt, Peter Singer, and Mossad and a team that included Ethiopian Jew Ferede Aklum, other thinkers, Basil explores what it means to be a woman, an the Jews, often traded for arms, were spirited through the Arous immigrant, a host, and a guest through the backdrop of food, Village “resort” in Sudan, which the Israelis essentially bought specifically the Indian food that reflects her Sikh background. and reconfigured as a ruse for their efforts in the early 1980s. The Although born in London to Indian parents, Basil has also lived careful duplicity with which the Mossad agents acted is a marvel in Kenya, Britain, and Germany, giving her exposure to unique to read, and Berg meticulously re-creates the detail and dialogue. experiences that have shaped her ways of thinking about what Eventually, the U.S. became involved when the refugee crisis it means to belong. Physical and emotional sustenance via food worsened in the mid-1980s. From the first secret airlift until 1991, are the main themes that move through Basil’s ruminations writes the author, who includes helpful maps and a list of the sig- about integration, hospitality, the necessity of the European nificant characters, 28,695 Ethiopian Jews were transported to Union, altruism, and her insecurities about her relationships Israel, “about 80 percent of their entire community.” with others and with food itself. She shares her obsession with Berg’s account of the operation—remarkable due to its her mother’s kadhi, a curry made with graham flour and yogurt, duration, execution, and success—reads like a spy novel. describes a langar (a free meal at a Sikh temple, regardless of the (16-page b/w photo insert; maps) guest’s religion or ethnicity), and chronicles her difficulties in maintaining a healthy weight. Pungent details help bring readers into the moment—e.g., Basil’s observations of the variety of RIDE THE DEVIL’S HERD bare feet she encountered at the langar. The tone is conversa- Wyatt Earp’s Epic Battle tional, but the author also touches on deep subjects such as rac- Against the West’s Biggest ism, food waste, and how food can be healing, seductive, or even Outlaw Gang used as a weapon. Although a quick read, the book offers plenty Boessenecker, John of room for contemplation. Hanover Square Press (352 pp.) Careful considerations of the wide world of food and $29.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 “the life-play of hospitality.” 978-1-335-01585-3

A ripsnortin’ ramble across the bloodstained Arizona desert with Wyatt Earp and company.

62 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | young adult A pleasure for thoughtful fans of Old West history, look tranquil by was comparison. It made all the nastier by the the shooting stopped. after Tombstone law and get out of revisionist without being iconoclastic. (b/w illustrations) in dark-side activities such as gambling “were inflammatory assuch activities “were gambling but dark-side in to do to drink except and brawl. Charges that the Earps parttook good reasonahead stay of a the step to true,” the author, writes for the niceties of a fair warning. Throughout, displays Boessenecker a fine eyefor period detail:He notes that much Old West violence West had a political dimension that makes our time “entertainment vacuum” that existed on a frontier without much without frontier a on existed that vacuum” “entertainment - | 1 february 2020 | 63 | kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and the may like Earp, be Doc best Holliday, Wyatt known Some of it traces back to points east, where ruffians known history, as does that of Earp hard-drink history, paterfamilias Nicholas, was an Irish New Englander who joined the Army and found would would be havingin trouble gunned with the Wyatt authorities, named Curly Bill Brocius, they were vigilantes who themselves murdered with abandon. The presiding genius of one band ing, opinionated, and sometimes in trouble with the law. Indeed, Indeed, law. the with trouble in sometimes and opinionated, ing, that was but one episode in a drama with many moving parts. track of which side of the and law Wyatt company were on at ous business, including cattle rustling, horse thievery, and other and thievery, rustling,horse cattle including business, ous onymous with desperado, bandit, and cutthroat”—robbed and affronts to public order. The story of Billy the Kid figures in this in figures Kid the Billy of story The order. public to affronts as “Cowboys”—not at all an admiring term in those days, “syn- as trial lawyer and popular historian Boessenecker ably shows, any given time. By the time they went to war with a Cowboy at points in this narrative, readers may need a score card to keep keep to card score a need may readers narrative, this in points at frontier New Mexico a congenial place to conduct his nefari- for the famous but, shootout at the Corral O.K. Tombstone, in down a quarry on the streets of without Tucson much regard An evenhanded, accessible, and pertinent work of Asian history and current affairs. three tigers, one mountain

FROM HERE TO THERE Booth, long fascinated by the region, intriguingly com- The Art and Science of pares the long-simmering resentment among China, Korea, Finding and Losing Our Way and Japan to an ongoing family feud. Looking at the arrival of Bond, Michael Matthew Galbraith Perry’s ships in Tokyo in 1853, the author Belknap/Harvard Univ. (272 pp.) writes, “China had been the Middle Kingdom, font of all $29.95 | May 12, 2020 knowledge, technology, and civilization; Korea was the primary 978-0-674-24457-3 tributary land, the middle sibling, and Japan the vaguely bar- baric little brother, but the trauma of the [ships’] arrival lit the A scientifically rich look at how fuse for a quasi-revolution in Japan,” which ultimately led “to a humans manage to get around in the catastrophic attempt to build an empire based on the Western world. model.” Via a systematic journey through these countries (first The ability of the human species to Japan, then China, then Korea), the author, employing a jocular, construct and file away mental maps of the world, writes former tongue-in-cheek, nondidactic tone, underscores how the bad New Scientist senior editor Bond, allowed our highly social kind blood—both popular feeling and political leaning—customar- to find its way out of Africa, spread all over the world, and estab- ily emanates from Japan’s strong-arm tactics and perceived lack lish and maintain contacts and trade with faraway populations of reckoning toward the other two brothers. As Booth points in a comparatively short amount of time. Those whose busi- out, the hundreds of thousands of Koreans living in Japan after ness it is to know many ways of getting around—taxi drivers, World War II, descendants of Japan’s shameful annexation of say, famously those negotiating the fabulously illogical plan of Korea between 1910 and 1945, “faced heavy discrimination in London—have more “gray matter” and better developed hypo- the postwar employment market,” and they still endure stiff thalamuses than those who stay at home. On that note, adds biases regarding citizenship and identity. In addition to land the author, we are creating whole generations of geographically disputes, the unresolved wounds of the Chinese and Korean stunted children by not giving them room to roam and oppor- “comfort women”—enslaved by the Japanese military during tunities to get lost. “Free play,” he writes, “makes us less likely WWII—continue to rankle relations. Chronicling his visits to to suffer from spatial anxiety and more proficient in wayfind- museums and shrines in all three countries, the author gives an ing,” and one of the crueler aspects of dementia disorders such excellent sense of how each views itself in relation to the oth- as Alzheimer’s disease is their way of robbing victims of their ers—through what they teach (or fail to teach) to their own peo- sense of where they are in the world. Bond consults psycholo- ple. Booth’s simple yet ingenious thesis encapsulates so much of gists, neuroscientists, geographers, and other specialists in what is still going wrong there, with an ancient rivalry not likely building his narrative of our kind’s devotion to “learning about to be resolved soon. the space around us and how we fit into it.” M.R. O’Connor’s An evenhanded, accessible, and pertinent work of standout 2019 book Wayfinding covers much of the same ground, Asian history and current affairs. (3 maps) but Bond offers a solid contribution that complements rather than competes with its predecessor. Of particular interest is Bond’s look at gender differentiation in how people perceive GOOD BOY the world. Men, he writes, are likelier to use cardinal directions My Life in Seven Dogs and distances in describing a route; conversely, “ask a woman Boylan, Jennifer Finney and you’re more likely to get a rich description of the things Celadon Books (288 pp.) you’ll pass along the way.” $26.99 | Apr. 21, 2020 Just the book for students of the human mind as well as 978-1-250-26187-8 geography and travel buffs. (26 illustrations) A memoir told through the lens of seven canine companions. THREE TIGERS, Often, it’s difficult to remember all ONE MOUNTAIN the details of our lives and the people we A Journey Through the Bitter once were. “But I remember the dogs,” History and Current Conflicts writes New York Times columnist and LGBTQ activist Boylan, of China, Korea, and Japan who is on the PEN America board of trustees and serves as the Booth, Michael inaugural Anna Quindlen writer in residence at Barnard Col- St. Martin’s (336 pp.) lege. In her latest, the author ties each of the seven chapters $28.99 | Apr. 14, 2020 to a phase of her life and a dog she has loved. The narrative is 978-1-250-11406-8 somewhat chronological, but the dog stories and timelines also skip around a lot, which occasionally becomes disorienting. As A British journalist’s tenacious, on- in her previous books, Boylan’s wry wit, wicked sense of humor, the-ground reporting of the continued and unique way of turning phrases shine through, and her can- “sibling rivalry” among the three major East Asian economies, dor is powerfully therapeutic. Particularly stunning is the sec- who “ought to be the firmest of allies.” tion in which she describes her initial reactions when a close

64 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | young adult How Cities Cities How According According to this precise academic “Changes in the ability to - commu progressive social movements. study, advances study, in communication drive How Technology Shapes Shapes Technology How Cornell Univ. (240 pp.) Cornell Univ. Social Revolutions Social Brescia, Raymond H. Brescia, $28.95 | Apr. 15, 2020 15, Apr. $28.95 | THE FUTURE OF CHANGE THE FUTURE OF 978-1-5017-4811-0 nicate nicate seem to create an environment in which social move - ments can emerge, embrace the new technology, ments and can use emerge, it embrace the to new technology, things. First, they harness the latest means of communications communications of means latest the harness they First, things. emphasizing that successful movements accomplish three advance advance the change they wish to see in the world.” So writes Brescia (Law Law and School; Technology/Albany , Inequality Economic and Change Climate Flows, 2016) early on, Will Save the World: Urban Innovation in the Face of Population of Population in the Face Innovation Urban World: the Save Will - | 1 february 2020 | 65 | kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february She’s She’s opinion column, in which she wrote about wrote she which in column, opinion Times Intimate and insightful glimpses into Boylan’s life and and life Boylan’s into glimpses insightful and Intimate the dogs that have helped her learn more about love. her dog Indigo, that went viral in 2017. Boylan’s stories about well”)—range from sidesplitting to downright profound, and not a Boylan primer. Readers who have not encountered induce a sudden urge to drive to the local animal shelter. drive to a sudden urge to induce sometimes skims over major life events she has written about tions between the dogs and life Boylan’s aren’t always obvious, these tales will entertain, endear, and—fair warning—possibly the author a makes convincing argument for the inherent need to to female, may long for more detail in this book; the author elsewhere. But this is about the dogs, a from and emerged the canine theme each dog—from Playboy to Sausage to Matt the Mutt to Ranger Ranger to Mutt the Matt to Sausage to Playboy dog—from each for all creatures to be who they truly are. Though the connec family member also came out as trans. However, this book is Not There Not (2003), her memoir about her transition from male (whose frequent interactions with porcupines “never ended With useful maps and stories within stories, this is an ingenious look at an often misunderstood country. great state

to further their goals. The postal service and the steam-pow- on to something, but he lays out his ideas in dense prose more ered printing press, which reduced newspaper printing costs acceptable to a scholarly audience. from 6 cents to 1 during the 1830s, allowed the abolitionist An insightful but prolix analysis of how social move- movement to flood the nation with its literature. In the 1950s ments take advantage of media technology. and ’60s, TV spread support of the civil rights movement, delivering vivid scenes of violence to a white America largely neutral at the beginning. Second, movements form “trans- GREAT STATE local, grassroots networks” connected to larger, often nation- China and the World wide organizations. Local bonds facilitate the coordination of Brook, Timothy action at the local, state, and national levels to promote social Harper/HarperCollins (464 pp.) change. Brescia describes the passage of the GI Bill of 1944, $32.50 | Mar. 17, 2020 the result of a massive nationwide campaign. Third, they unite 978-0-06-295098-7 members through positive, inclusive, optimistic “messages” that stress common interests. The author works hard, with A Canadian scholar of Chinese some success, to find a silver lining in the explosive communi- history offers a fresh look at China’s cations revolution that began with computer-generated mail- engagement with the outside world over ing lists in the 1960s and continues with the pervasive internet, centuries in the form of 13 illustrative mobile devices, and social media, which both unite and isolate stories. individuals and vastly increase the exchange of information, In this academic yet mostly accessible work, Brook makes not all of it accurate. Most readers will agree that Brescia is two significant revisionist arguments about China and its history. First, he moves up China’s sense of being a unified state from the third century B.C.E., when it developed “dispersed kingdoms,” to the 13th century, when its occupation by the Mongol armies imbued it with a sense of military domination exercised through conquest. This was the self-important “Mon- gol Great State,” and every ruler since then has declared his regime to be a “Great State,” according to Brook. Second, the author argues that, contrary to the myth of Chinese isolation from the world, the nation was very much aware of the “10,000 countries” that lay outside it, as the author relays through fascinating stories of contact. These involve a wide variety of protagonists that may be unfamiliar to many readers, including the “Persian Blue Princess” whom Khubilai Khan recruited for the Mongol throne; Korean emissaries who blew off course and landed in China; the Italian Jesuit missionaries who spread Renaissance ideas; and the droves of European traders descend- ing on ports such as Canton. Indeed, Brook reminds us, China has frequently endured waves of conquest and occupation by “foreign” armies, from the marauding Mongol hordes led by Khan, who established the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), to the subsequent rise of the Ming Dynasty until 1644, when the Manchus swept through and established the Qing Great State, which col- lapsed in 1911. Brook then takes us all the way up to the early 21st century, noting how “China’s relationship with the world will continue to change.” The author also turns up intriguing new DNA evidence that the plague had likely emerged from Central Asia and devastated Chinese cities far earlier than it arrived in Europe. With useful maps and stories within stories, this is an ingenious look at an often misunderstood country. (16-page color insert; 6 maps)

66 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | young adult - Washing Times (aFamily , Cities Reader Twin New York , Magazine and the York New A A collection of key pieces of the renowned journalist, who died unexpect edly at 58 in 2015. FINAL DRAFT David Carr Carr, David Carr, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (400 pp.) Harcourt Mifflin Houghton Ed. by Carr, Jill Rooney Jill Ed. by Carr, $28.00 | Apr. 7, 2020 7, Apr. $28.00 | 978-0-358-20668-2 The Collected Work of Work Collected The , Monthly Atlantic Arranged more or less chronologically, these pieces , ton City Paper monthly local in the Twin Cities), Twin the in local monthly commence commence in the 1980s, when Carr of the Gun: (The Night Gradually, we Gradually, move through his other gigs: , where Times he died in the newsroom.The York earlier New 2008), a Minnesota native, was a freelancer in his home state. state. home his in freelancer a was native, Minnesota a 2008), A Reporter Investigates the Darkest Story of His Life, His Own, His Life, of His Story the Darkest Investigates Reporter A | 1 february 2020 | 67 | kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february (45 b/w Carlisle, Carlisle, a London-based professor of The 19th-century thinker who inspired who thinker 19th-century The individual experience. existentialists existentialists grounded his philosophy in PHILOSOPHER OF THE HEART OF THE PHILOSOPHER Kierkegaard Carlisle, Clare Carlisle, Farrar, Straus and Giroux (368 pp.) Straus and Giroux Farrar, $28.00 | May 5, 2020 5, $28.00 | May 978-0-374-23118-7 The Restless Life of Søren Life of Søren Restless The A perceptive portrait of an enigmatic thinker. being completely open with another person. Once engaged to be married, he ended the relationship rather than reveal to his betrothed the “melancholy, the eternal night brooding,” and biography of the Danish philosopher, andprolific “spiri- author, philosopher, Danish the of biography have churches become the least truthful places in - Christen his ability to express his spiritual life. In addition, he feared him suspicious of marriage, the customs, expectations” “duties, philosophy and theology, offers an empathetic, well-grounded illustrations) whose religious ideas became antithetical to those of his son. refuge. “Does he find any more truth there,” he asked himself, renouncement renouncement haunted him for the rest of his life, as relationship did his with his father, a “forbidding, complex” man required of a husband that might constrain him and impede - con and works Kierkegaard’s judiciouslymines asshe us” inside movements—the deep longing for God, the anxious struggle individual life.” His conviction about personal evolution made siderable scholarship to elucidate the philosopher’s life, mind, to to understand his vocation, the search for an tual path—that authentic shaped his spiri- own inner life.” Rather than create the “desires and excesses” that caused him great The anxiety. tual seeker” Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855). His overarching existentialists, was: “How can I be a human being in the world?” was: “How existentialists, essence, nor a but biological a necessity, creative task for each and struggles. a conventional chronological narrative, Carlisle moves back and back moves Carlisle narrative, chronological conventional a and down became Moriah Mount emblematic of “the religious forth in time to underscore how “past and future are vibrant dom?” For Kierkegaard, the story of Abraham’s journey up question, posed by Socrates and later taken question, up posed by by 20th-centuryand taken Socrates later Human Human nature, Kierkegaard argued, “is not a fixed, timeless The Lutheran Church failed to offer Kierkegaard a sacred “than in the theatre, or the lecture hall, or the marketplace—or Sports fans and science geeks alike will enjoy these travels in the world where numbers, luck, and superstardom meet. the hot hand

pieces include some very personal ones about his substance Carr’s wife, Jill, served as the editor for the book, and Ta- abuse and struggles with cancer, but there are also investiga- Nehisi Coates, who worked for Carr at Washington City Paper, tive pieces about other assorted topics, including hungover provides the foreword. airline pilots and a gay political candidate. Throughout are a A revelatory collection reminding us of what journal- number of celebrity profiles: Tom Arnold, Sally Quinn, Neil ism used to be—and what it ought to be. Young, Bill Cosby, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Robert Downey Jr. (In the Cosby piece, Carr chides himself for not pursuing the rape allegations about the now-incarcerated comedian.) THE HOT HAND The author also provides coverage of Bill Clinton’s impeach- The Mystery and ment, 9/11, and the journalism profession (plagiarism, Fox Science of Streaks News, the toxic effects of Ann Coulter). Related to all of Cohen, Ben this is an 11-page copy of a journalism syllabus for a course Custom House/Morrow (352 pp.) he taught at Boston University. Sometimes the pieces are $28.99 | Mar. 10, 2020 thematically arranged. Near the end are two separated by 978-0-06-282072-3 12 years; both deal with the view as drivers approach New York City (the author was commuting from New Jersey at Wall Street Journal sports reporter the time). Throughout the book, Carr displays profound Cohen looks into the odd “science of care about his craft, flashes of humor, and, when necessary, streaks.” genuine fangs: See his 2015 piece about a neighbor’s cat, and Is there a “hot hand,” the term bas- witness the gleam of his verbal scalpel that vivisects Coulter. ketball players use to describe that magical, endorphin-induc- ing moment when you can’t miss a shot and “achieve some elevated state of ability in which you feel briefly superhuman”? It’s one of the finest of psychological states, and if most of us don’t land in it regularly, there are people like Steph Curry to study, as the author does. By the numbers, Curry shouldn’t be the superstar shooter that he is—even though he’s 6-feet-3 he’s still smaller than most of the players he goes up against, a key datum point. What changed him was a summer spent teaching himself to shoot all over again: lifting the ball over his head and releasing it as he was jumping up, essentially making himself as tall as the defenders who would otherwise block his shots. That summer involved thousands of shots, and in the end, it made Curry “the best shooter the sport of basketball had ever seen.” This case study provides a springboard for Cohen to look at such things as the construction of data sets. One of the cardinal sins involving data is to make conclusions with numbers that are too small to support them—whence the “law of small numbers,” proposed by the Israeli psychologists Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, who themselves have written an improbably brilliant hot streak of scholarly papers. Cohen examines the use of those data sets to crunch all sorts of perhaps unlikely problems: Is a supposed lost masterpiece by Vincent van Gogh the real deal? Did Raoul Wallenberg, the Swedish diplomat, really die of a heart attack, as the Soviets proclaimed, or did he die in the gulag? Cohen returns, always, to the game of basketball, but he pauses along the way to provide fascinating looks at coin tosses, investments, farm yields, and other real-world instances of how probability plays out in the world. Sports fans and science geeks alike will enjoy these travels in the world where numbers, luck, and superstardom meet.

68 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | young adult - A A strong and unusually - comprehen rations to African Americans for the sive case for making economic repa- FROM HERE TO EQUALITY HERE TO FROM Reparations for Black for Black Reparations First Century Univ. of North Carolina (416 pp.) (416 Carolina of North Univ. Darity Jr., William A. & Mullen, A. Kirsten A. & Mullen, William Jr., Darity $28.00 | Apr. 20, 2020 20, Apr. $28.00 | 978-1-4696-5497-3 Americans in the Twenty- Americans In In this thoughtful scholarly assessment of a controversial whelming evidence of “the pernicious impact of white - suprem injustices injustices of slavery as well as legal segregation Crow) (Jim and issue, economist Darity and folklorist Mullen provide over to to be paid by Congress, to perhaps 40 million black - descen acy” and propose a detailed program of monetary reparations, dants of slavery. “For black reparations to become a reality,” they reality,” a become to reparations black “For slavery. of dants “ongoing discrimination and stigmatization.” - - - - | 1 february 2020 | 69 | kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february How Jane Austen’s How novelsJane Austen’s can guide “Criticism “Criticism and memoir have always been near neighbors,” writes essayist readers through joy and grief. readers through joy and and biographer Cohen (Creative Writ Cohen, Rachel Farrar, Straus and Giroux (304 pp.) Straus and Giroux Farrar, $28.00 | May 12, 2020 $28.00 | May AUSTEN YEARS AUSTEN 978-0-374-10703-1 A Memoir in Five Novels in Five A Memoir , Trade Life in the Picture A Berenson: Bernard A nuanced portrait a writer of and reader. help her to contextualize the novels, which she analyzes with had just been born, and where parents had breathed their last.” her reading during years when her life altered dramatically: Her dramatically: Her altered life her when years during reading her her father, a kind, imaginative man “full of wit” and generos her reading. profound experiences made her vibrantly alert to Austen’s place place of tenderness”—though it was not without mysteries with her critics and biographers, including the “restrained but not forget that her books would be read in rooms where babies ries and life. Cohen brings to her analysis a thorough familiar ing/Univ. of Chicago; ing/Univ. ity not only with Austen’s unforgettable characters, but also insightful” memoir written by These Austen’s nephew. works idly than many individuals from Cohen’s own life. Except for ity, others remain ity, shadowy: her a mother, theater director and go back over what we have lived, and whether we can hand it to to deeper readings, and to new ones.” In a thoughtful meditation on the interweaving of literature and life, Cohen recounts we how friendshipshistory, and changing “families and themes: together.” together.” The author remembers him laughing “with delight teacher; Cohen’s teacher; husband—their Cohen’s convoluted 15-year courtship, on.” Although Austen never married or had children, she “did example) that, along with treasured memories, came to shape astute sensitivity. Austen’s characters, in Austen’s fact, emerge astute more sensitivity. viv and with surprise,” and she portrays the family’s home as “a a friend remarked, seemed “very Jane Austen”; her sister, son, and daughter. Cohen’s father was a professor whose research father died, she married, and her two children were born. Those born. were children two her and married, she died, father focused on organizations “and the ways people work and play Rooms, and Rooms, the objects within them, reverberated with memo- (her father’s sudden decision to give all their books for away, 2013, etc.); “the gift of a pronounced personal point of view leads view of point personal pronounced a of gift “the etc.); 2013, A spirited history of urban unrest that laid the groundwork and inspiration for future activists and reformers. set the night on fire

write early on, “a dramatic change in who serves as the nation’s that energy came from civil rights activists, with LA serving as elected officials must take place, both in Congress and in the “a major laboratory for the Black Power experiment.” Building White House.” By chronicling racial injustices since the nation’s on “the template of Black nationalism,” Mexican Americans founding, the authors hope to “rejuvenate” discussions of the redefined themselves as Chicanas/os, fashioning their own need for action to reverse “gross inequalities between blacks ideology and identity, as did Asian Americans, who lobbied for and whites.” Slavery’s “hothouse effect,” they write, created ethnic studies programs and, at UCLA, published a monthly “vast national wealth.” It spurred shipbuilding and other indus- newspaper that publicized the Asian American movement. tries, created the need to feed and clothe millions of enslaved Feminist groups—liberal, radical, and socialist—burgeoned, blacks, and provided laborers to work plantations and help as well. Because the Los Angeles Times “was firmly and loudly build railways and subsidize universities. After slavery, blacks right-wing,” the LA Free Press emerged as the nation’s first continued to experience job discrimination, attenuated wealth, and most influential underground paper, disseminating news confinement to unsafe and undesirable neighborhoods, inferior about racial unrest (such as the Watts uprising of 1965), gay schooling, dangerous encounters with the police and criminal rights (such as the founding, in 1966, of a group calling itself justice system, and a social disdain for the value of their lives. “A Personal Rights in Defense and Education, or PRIDE), and variety of metrics indicate that, even after the end of Jim Crow, the repressive actions of the police department, mayor, and black lives are routinely assigned a worth approximately 30 per- the state’s governor, Ronald Reagan. cent that of white lives,” write the authors,” who also detail the A spirited history of urban unrest that laid the ground- negative impacts on black lives of federal highway construction, work and inspiration for future activists and reformers. urban renewal, and gentrification. They consider arguments for and against reparations and examine complex possible methods of financing and making reparations (from lump sums to pay- UN-AMERICAN ments over time) that might, at the outside, cost trillions of A Soldier’s Reckoning of Our dollars. Though academic in tone and approach, and therefore Longest War unlikely to reach a large audience of general readers, the authors Edstrom, Erik are convincing in their arguments. Bloomsbury (288 pp.) Essential to any debate over the need for and way to $28.00 | May 19, 2020 achieve meaningful large-scale reparations. 978-1-63557-374-9

An Afghanistan veteran assails war SET THE NIGHT ON FIRE and the military. L.A. in the Sixties In his debut book, Edstrom makes it Davis, Mike & Wiener, Jon abundantly clear that he hates war, espe- Verso (800 pp.) cially America’s “two illegal wars of aggression” in Afghanistan $34.95 | Apr. 14, 2020 and Iraq and the “sensationalized” war on terror. The author also 978-1-78478-022-7 has little positive to relate about West Point, military training, military spending, the military’s refusal to let people in uniform A vivid portrait of Los Angeles dur- opt out of wars they oppose on moral grounds, and the govern- ing a turbulent decade. ments that lead us into these wars. Throughout, Edstrom is MacArthur fellow Davis (Old Gods, unrelenting in his criticism. “The U.S. military, as it is currently New Enigmas: Marx’s Lost Theory, 2018, used,” he writes, “is not a wholesome institution: it escalates etc.) and Start Making Sense podcast violence around the world, and inculcates a pro-nationalism, host Wiener (Emeritus, History/Univ. of California, Irvine; pro-militarism dogma that is hard to shake.” Edstrom cer- How We Forgot the Cold War: A Historical Journey Across America, tainly has the credentials to speak his mind on this topic: He 2012, etc.) experienced firsthand the political, cultural, and is a graduate of West Point and the U.S. Army Rangers School, social upheavals that roiled LA in the 1960s. Davis was the was selected for the U.S. Special Forces, received a Bronze Star, Los Angeles regional organizer for Students for a Democratic and served as an infantry platoon leader in the toughest parts of Society and a member of the Southern California branch of Afghanistan. His story, part memoir and part manifesto, runs the Communist Party. Wiener, who had participated in anti- from his late high school days through West Point and the war war and civil rights activism from the time he was in high in Afghanistan to 2019. He opens by asking his readers to con- school, arrived in LA in 1969, quickly becoming a reporter for sider three visions: their own death in war, how they would feel Liberation News Service, which provided to underground and if another nation invaded the U.S. to protect us from an unpop- college papers around the country reports about strikes, anti- ular president, and what the world would be like if there had war protests, and incendiary events such as the efforts of the been no war. Then he divides the book into three parts, each California regents to fire philosophy professor Angela Davis. part examining one of the visions. Edstrom does not shy away In addition to their own recollections, the authors mine abun- from recounting the gruesome conditions and challenges he dant archival sources and interviews to create a richly detailed faced during his deployment, including watching his friends portrait of a city that seethed with rebellious energy. Much of being blown apart by roadside bombs. While he does express

70 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | young adult - let drop to one-third of their value between 2004 and 2009.” aIn how the literary economy that allowed her to establish her career has become atomized and unstable: “Though I didn’t see it at nalization inexorably impoverishes them”), the absurdities of the is sprawling, into packed sections such as “Haves and Have-Nots,” pervasiveand system, health mental gen- about misunderstandings sense, Ehrenreich’s work has always been mournful,mostlythebeen has for always work Ehrenreich’s sense, collection this and success, hardcover her after even prolific stayed style. Prominent topics include the brutalization of poor people traditions of social justice and collective organizing so ruthlessly vs. Slaves,” Extremes: CEOs provocative (“Going to titles are often crumble around me….I saw my own fees at one major news out as a freelancer. In the introduction, she reflects on this, noting attacked attacked since the Ronald Reagan administration. The author and her significant research isconveyed in a wry, taut polemical der and power (on Abu Ghraib: “I never believed that women were women that believednever “I Ghraib: Abu (on power and der first, theworld of journalism as I had known it was beginningto (“if poverty tends to criminalize people, it is also true that crimi- “Bourgeois Blunders,” and “God, Science, and The Joy.” chapter “S&M as Public “The Policy,” Unbearable Being of Whiteness”),

- | 1 february 2020 | 71 | kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february The author is well known for her A A compilation of the polemics and barbed magazine pieces and bestselling journalism of Ehrenreich, showcasing her stylistic evolution and social prescience. HAD I KNOWN Collected Essays Collected Ehrenreich, Barbara Ehrenreich, $28.00 | Mar. 24, 2020 $28.00 | Mar. Twelve (384 pp.) Twelve 978-1-4555-4367-0 Nickel and Dimed), Nickel but she earned her chops An insider’s you-are-there look at modern war. Veter books (most notably, books (most notably, some hope, he believes peace will happen only if Americans all ans will love it or hate it, but there will be few in between. demand an end to war. demand an end to (b/w images) innately gentler and less aggressive than men”). While some earlier GIRL DECODED work may seem dated—e.g., essays on the grating 1980s yuppie A Scientist’s Quest To ethos—others chillingly foresaw the devastation of labor and the Reclaim Our Humanity middle class, the privatization of social services, and the increased by Bringing Emotional cruelty of law enforcement toward the vulnerable. Memorably, Intelligence to Technology Ehrenreich reflects on her own working-class roots as the “source el Kaliouby, Rana with Colman, Carol of much of my radicalism, feminism, and, by the standards of the Currency/Doubleday (352 pp.) eighties, all-around bad attitude.” $28.00 | Apr. 21, 2020 With such relevance to fractured late-capitalist Amer- 978-1-9848-2476-9 ica, Ehrenreich’s work warrants renewed attention. An innovative scientist’s memoir explores her quest to humanize technology. WANDERING DIXIE El Kaliouby, who grew up in Egypt and Kuwait in a con- Dispatches From the Lost servative family, is the co-founder and CEO of Affectiva, an Jewish South “AI startup spun off from the MIT Media Lab.” Tracing her Eisenfeld, Sue journey from academic to global industry leader, the author Mad Creek/Ohio State Univ. Press describes her creation of a new realm of computer science, (292 pp.) one that integrates artificial intelligence with emotional intel- $19.95 paper | Apr. 2, 2020 ligence (EI). The author, “a child of the computer age,” charts 978-0-8142-5581-0 an impressive research path from her doctoral studies at Cam- bridge University to postdoctoral work at MIT to the private A nonobservant Jewish woman chron- sector. El Kaliouby, a self-described nice Egyptian girl, can- icles her journey to investigate the inter- didly shares her successes and challenges alongside passionate woven histories of the South’s Jews and insights about gender and culture. She also unpacks how drive African Americans. and determination can stretch imagination, documenting how In a series of brief excursions, Eisenfeld, a communications she helped to design and build facial detection elements to consultant who teaches science writing in the Johns Hopkins Uni- enhance the mechanics of AI with emotion. Based on existing versity MA in Science Writing program, recounts her travels from digital connectivity, the author sees AI–EI integration as an Virginia to Mississippi in search of the South’s lost Jewish commu- inevitability rather than an option. However, she doesn’t make nities. The further she traveled, the more she was convinced that a case so much as explain how the ghost may fit in the machine. the histories of Southern Jews and African Americans were inex- The narrative is a fairly one-sided, optimistic view that may tricable. The trip forced her to reevaluate stereotypes about Jews not convince critics or digital minimalists, but it should also and the South as well as her own “unexamined belief that I was help inspire like-minded thinkers to continue to innovate. a non-racist, open-minded, ‘color blind’ person with progressive Citing numerous potential benefits that include responding views about acceptance, cultural sensitivity, and everything else to declining empathy rates and prospective medical applica- that’s politically correct, or as I like to see it: respectful.” Eisenfeld tions, el Kaliouby outlines her company’s emphasis on uphold- visited the few remaining descendants of once-thriving Jewish ing high ethical standards and protecting privacy. The author communities and traversed cemeteries and converted synagogues. misses a few opportunities for deep reflection on nuanced She toured former Jewish-owned slave plantations and schools concerns such as technology addiction, potential conflicts built by Sears, Roebuck, and Company president Julius Rosen- between corporate interests and public trust, and the impli- wald, “a Jewish Yankee who came down South to do good.” As the cations of expecting machines to respond rather than just author notes, the complex role that Jews have played in Southern compute. Though somewhat unbalanced, the book effectively race relations has inspired conflicted emotions. Some owned conveys her goal of improving people’s lives through technol- slaves and fought for the Confederacy, some died in defense of ogy that is sensitive to human sentiment. civil rights, and many were simply bystanders more concerned A decent encapsulation of the early stages of a possible with their own peace and prosperity than with taking a political visionary path forward with AI. stance. The bystander’s legacy is the one with which Eisenfeld was surprised to find herself identified as a Northerner. As a result, she made a private commitment to increase her anti-racist political activities. Written in friendly, accessible, occasionally clunky prose—the author is a fan of extended compound adjectives such as “could-be-in-any-Jewish-home”—the book is geared toward an audience of readers much like Eisenfeld before she took her journey: curious, open-minded, and ready for an introductory plunge into more profound racial consciousness. A digestible introduction to a specific piece of the history of the South’s racial politics.

72 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | young adult - Figueres, a baby boomer, is a of daughter a three-time a baby presi- boomer, Figueres, human extinction.” The psychological dislocation caused by planet, and no doubt we are slowly but surely heading toward who descends from a head of the British East India Company. “we write, were born in two They different geological periods.” mental records of any in the world; Rivett-Carnac is Xer a Gen might be paraphrased by the old labor motto “Don’t mourn, this realization could be enough to send people into basements send people into be enough to this realization could to to overcome the worst of climate change—one that might be to rise. The authors challenge each individual to do what gov ernments and corporations cannot or will not do. One plank organize,” save that the authors do save room for mourning: concrete actions and tenets: “Let go of counsel, the and old acknowledge world,” that they some of the old ways of the are united, both organizationally and in intellectually, a quest dent of Costa Rica, a country that has one of the best environ- for the rest of their lives, but the authors propose a series of futile given that the rates of greenhouse gas emissions continue continue gasemissions greenhouse of rates the that given futile The difference in age and circumstance is enough for them to “There is no chance of stopping the runaway warming of our - - - | 1 february 2020 | 73 | kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february (16 pages of the back roads to march roads the back Carnac, Tom Carnac, A Good Walk A Good Walk - A A practically minded manifesto for A A rousing account of the 2018-2019 A Season on the Brink Season A and personal action in the face of climate tions at the 2015 Paris Agreement. tions at the 2015 Paris and Unknown Heroes of a and Unknown Heroes change from the leaders of the negotia- prises and rising stars. Surviving the Climate Crisis the Climate Surviving college basketball season, a time of sur Knopf (240 pp.) Figueres, Christiana & Rivett Figueres, $23.00 | Feb. 25, 2020 25, $23.00 | Feb. College Basketball Season Basketball College THE FUTURE WE CHOOSE Doubleday (416 pp.) Feinstein, John Feinstein, $28.95 | Mar. 3, 2020 $28.95 | Mar. 978-0-525-65835-1 THE BACK ROADS TO MARCH TO ROADS THE BACK 978-0-385-54448-1 The Unsung, Unheralded,The beloved sport will a book that in grab any fan. Feinstein writes with warmth and enthusiasm with warmth of a writes Feinstein Post sportswriter author Feinstein, of Washington Feinstein writes with warmth and enthusiasm of a Longtime beloved sport in a book that will grab any fan. boards. “There were no Spike Lee seats in those days,” he writes, writes, he days,” those in seats Lee Spike no were “There boards. become become an assistant basketball coach for $32,000 a year—and level of play; an episode involving and a game between Howard pathetic observer, and fan, scholar reporter, all at once, and he who “gave up an $800,000-a-year job as a lawyer and CEO to withstanding such giants as Mike Krzyzewski, Izzo, Tom and in the decades since he his notes, childhood. there Today, are more than 350 teams in Division 1 college basketball, with the madness.” The best parts madness.” of this book focus on the people who such sports classics as defeat the and (Virginia) championship national a enjoyed never son could ever hope to comprehend, all on the path to “March games at Madison Square Garden, seated a few yards from the sym- a is author The got.” it as good as about was this “so gamely, every at season the throughout represented well are that schools were kids—heads down, tears of shock in their eyes, after the couldn’t couldn’t be happier.” Among Feinstein’s other subjects—not of Feinstein’s alma mater: “I watched the kids—andDuke of they Feinstein’s are involved in shaping the young players, such as the fellow color photos) delivers reams of information about how the game has evolved first game of the seasonthe of game first per one any than action more involving final buzzer on the last day ofMarch and felt badly for them. , Spoiled comes by his indefatigable love of basketball honestly: Jim Jim Calhoun—are coaches from historically black institutions, But, being honest, not that badly.” Harvard reveals coaching worthy of a championship NBA team. team. NBA championship a of worthy coaching reveals Harvard The narrative closes steadily in on victory by a school that had In In the late 1960s, his father took him to NIT championship INTERVIEWS & PROFILES Sam Wasson

IN THE BIG GOODBYE, THE AUTHOR CHRONICLES THE MAKING OF ROMAN POLANSKI’S DOWNBEAT 1974 MASTERPIECE, CHINATOWN By Lawrence Levi Gary Copeland Gary ron Tate, in 1969; Robert Evans, the film’s rakish producer, who hired Polanski; Jack Nicholson, in the lead role as detective Jake Gittes; and Nicholson’s old friend Rob- ert Towne, whose original screenplay won an Oscar and is widely considered one of the best ever written. Wasson answered some questions about the book.

It’s long been known that Polanski heavily revised Towne’s script and invented Chinatown’s shocking ending, but you reveal that Towne, throughout his career, had an uncredited writing partner—one neither Polan- ski nor Evans knew about. Yes. Edward Taylor. Towne referred to him once in print as far as I could find: “since college my Jiminy -Crick et, Mycroft Holmes, and Edmund Wilson.” But he was much more than that. I discovered a whole cache of Ed- ward Taylor’s notes in his hand, including scene synop- ses and long swaths of dialogue and extensive notes and several outlines that suggest an influence beyond Jiminy Cricket—more of a Geppetto, maybe.

Did your feelings about Towne change after your research? What about your impressions of Polanski, Ev- ans, and Nicholson? My respect and admiration for those three deepened. For Sam Wasson’s cultural histories—among them Fosse, Towne, it lessened. Bob Evans’ love of his movies, and his his expansive 2013 biography of filmmaker and choreog- unceasing efforts to bring quality to the screen, is often rapher Bob Fosse—delve into the lives and processes of obscured by his glamorous playboy image. I was delight- talented, complicated artists. In his latest book, The Big ed to see that he is a producer to his heart and more pro- Goodbye: Chinatown and the Last Years of Hollywood (Flat- ducer than playboy. iron Books, Feb. 4), Wasson examines the creation of Ro- man Polanski’s 1974 masterpiece of downbeat American And Polanski? cinema, focusing on the four luminaries at the creation’s I’ve seen his work over the course of my life and I’ve been core: Polanski, the director, working in Los Angeles for an admirer, but to go back and watch everything again— the first time since the murder of his wife, actress Sha- he’s our greatest living director.

74 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | In November, a French photographer became the sixth The book’s title bids farewell to the era of Hollywood woman to publicly accuse Polanski of raping or sexu- filmmaking that produced movies like Chinatown, The ally abusing her decades ago. His latest movie, which Godfather, and Taxi Driver. What else is The Big Good- recently opened in France, has been met with both bye saying goodbye to? protests and award nominations. Greatest living film- The America before Vietnam. That Los Angeles, that maker, rapist—how do we grapple with these seeming- Hollywood, that America, and the innocence we all lose ly antithetical characterizations? once we encounter our own psychological Chinatowns. Both are true. To deny one would be inaccurate. Once we hit the wall of “Forget it, Jake,” we can never go back—and that’s, on the emotional level, the biggest What about Nicholson? goodbye. I was very moved by the person Jack is. We think of Jack as the joker or the cad, and he’s all of that, too, but there’s Lawrence Levi is a senior editor with the New York Times this other thing, this integrity. A real thinker. Licensing Group and a co-author of The Film Snob*s Dic- tionary. The Big Goodbye was reviewed in the Dec. 1, 2019, You quote Towne as saying he learned to write by issue. watching Nicholson act. How do you interpret that? I’m pretty sure he meant something like: People in life don’t say what they mean. They say around. They say underneath. And I think Towne saw in improvisations that an actor brings an underneath. As Miles Davis said, they “play what isn’t there.” And Jack, in those improvisations in Jeff Corey’s class where he and Towne met, played young adult what isn’t there.

You also say about Nicholson, “The ensemble’s regen- erative feed was his first priority.” Yes. The collaboration. Making movies is about being together. A film crew is a community. We’re talking about hundreds of people you work very closely with—and in a very deep way, if you’re doing it right. That’s what I think Jack loves and something that, if you look back in his biography, he always did.

You write admiringly of lesser-known Chinatown crew members, like art director Richard Sylbert. These are artists for whom there is no accident, and the glory of Chinatown is unthinkable without their influence—that’s the case with any masterpiece. There’s a story that Sylbert had personally selected every book on George and Martha’s bookshelf in [Mike Nichols’ film] Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, which shows a level of obsessive dedication that is absolutely required for art and is not customary in Hollywood today, because obsession is expensive.

| kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february 2020 | 75 Eloquent contributions to the literature on a deeply contested issue. choice words

past can never be recaptured again, even as nostalgia proves an TALES OF TWO PLANETS enemy that “can distract us from the urgent work ahead.” Just Stories of Climate Change so, they urge, “Defend the truth.” When populist and national- and Inequality in a Divided ist leaders seek out scapegoats, be prepared to fight back with World science to replace the pseudoscience. The authors close with a Ed. by Freeman, John timetable for personal actions that contribute to a “regenera- Penguin (320 pp.) tive world,” from abjuring the consumerist politics of old right $18.00 paper | Apr. 21, 2020 now to cutting your emissions in half by 2030. 978-0-14-313392-6 At once depressing and inspiring: We may be doomed, but this book urges us to at least try to do something about The founder of Freeman’s and execu- our demise. tive editor of Literary Hub gathers poems, essays, and short stories about global warming and inequality penned by writers from around the world. CHOICE WORDS Climate change is the most urgent crisis now facing human- Writers on Abortion ity. But as Freeman (Dictionary of the Undoing, 2019, etc.) notes Ed. by Finch, Annie in his introduction, “large numbers of the world’s most pow- Haymarket (420 pp.) erful residents cannot grasp what it means.” Assembling the $28.95 | Apr. 7, 2020 creative work of respected writers from both the developed 978-1-64259-148-4 and developing world, Freeman offers a sobering meditation on the future challenges that everyone will face. In her bleakly A powerful collection of poems, fic- stark poem “Tracking the Rain,” Margaret Atwood reflects on tion, and essays on the reality of abortion. how extreme drought is making itself felt in rich countries like “Every abortion is a story,” writes Cait- her native Canada and how predictive technologies have been lin McDonnell in her moving essay, “The rendered useless by the randomness associated with climate Abortion I Didn’t Want,” one of nearly 150 change. In “Machandiz,” Edwidge Danticat takes up the theme pieces by a diversity of women (and a few men) that address what of planetary overheating. With the devastating clarity that Katha Pollitt calls the “bloody realism and emotional and social has become her literary hallmark, she observes the struggle of complexity” of ending a pregnancy. Finch (Measure for Measure: people from her native Haiti to survive political and economic An Anthology of Poetic Meters, 2015, etc.) has drawn together writ- problems now compounded by the brutal onslaughts of nature. ers across time (from the 16th century to the present), place, race, “The Well,” a short story by Indonesian novelist Eka Kurniawan, ethnicity, gender, age, and culture who offer stark, often wrench- tells the tragic story of how drought and floods destroyed posing revelations. She organizes the book into five sections: “Mind,” sibilities for union between a boy and a girl from a tiny Indone- focusing on making the decision to abort; “Body,” on the physical sian village. Had nature been “kinder,” none of the losses that experience; “Heart,” on the depth of emotions; “Will,” on the rela- make their love impossible would have occurred. South Korean tionship of abortion to personal and political power; and “Spirit,” writer Krys Lee offers a thought-provoking fictional take on on the connection of abortion to a woman’s spiritual framework. the consequences of living in a damaged environment. Citizens For many contributors, the experience of abortion reverberated of an unnamed Asian city live with the ever present knowledge forever after. Writes Desiree Cooper, “we were pregnant with that the poisoned air they breathe through purifying masks and memory for the rest of our lives.” Among the more well-known indoor filters may one day kill them. Fierce and provocative, contributors are Margaret Atwood, Ursula K. Le Guin, Amy Tan, this diverse collection shows that climate change is not just a Audre Lorde, Leslie Marmon Silko, Joyce Carol Oates, Anne Sex- problem for developing nations. One day, it will become a mat- ton, and Gloria Steinem, who admits feeling no regret about her ter of life and death for rich and poor alike. Other contributors decision. Having an abortion, she writes, “was the first time I had include Lauren Groff (U.S.), Aminatta Forna (Sierra Leone), and taken responsibility for my own life.” The empowerment she felt, Sjón (Iceland). however, was not shared by many others, who faced contempt, A powerful and timely collection on a topic that cannot blame, and shame. Argentine writer Mariana Enriquez portrays be ignored. the anguish and fear of teenage girls who live “in a country where abortion is illegal” and where they take place in “ghost houses, anonymous houses.” Novelist Soniah Kamal gathers stories from three Pakistani women who had abortions in 1990 in a country where premarital sex remains a crime punishable by five years in prison. Particularly heartbreaking pieces recount the decision to abort a severely malformed fetus—one, a baby with no brain, whose parents, wracked with grief, were forced to travel from Bel- fast, where abortion is a crime, to Liverpool. Eloquent contributions to the literature on a deeply contested issue.

76 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | young adult Mona Mona The evolution of the Louvre reflects “Before the Louvre was a museum,” history of France. the political, intellectual, and aesthetic Most Famous Museum Famous Most Gardner, James Gardner, $30.00 | May 5, 2020 5, | May $30.00 THE LOUVRE 978-0-8021-4877-3 The Many Lives of the World’s World’s Lives of the Many The Atlantic Monthly (416 pp.) Monthly Atlantic (b/w illustrations) A richly detailed journey through a palimpsest of the raphy of a City, raphy 2015, etc.), “it was a palace, and before that a Histoire du Louvre, the author offers a vivid Histoire lished three-volume lections purchased or purloined over the course of centuries.” past. process process that would result in the Louvre as we know it today.” who brought the Italian Renaissance across the Alps as a patron a as Alps the across Renaissance Italian the brought who writes writes art and literary critic Gardner The (Buenos Aires: Biog- modern iteration. in the present grand architectural complex, comprising nearly the including paintings, trunksthree his in had he 1516, in interested in art or architecture, assigned the renowned architect tect Jacques Lemercier to enact significant changes. As farunappeasableappe- “an with as XIV, Louis itself, art collection the treasures priceless with Louvre filled the masterpieces,” for tite the court to Versailles in 1682, the Louvre fell into disrepair. chronicle of strife, wars, rivalries, and aspirations culminating of modernizing the royal residence, beginning “the 350-year Gardner cites Napoleon III, of who Terror. ruled from France of the arts shaped the future of the museum—e.g., Francois I, as well as quadrupling its size. But when Louis decided to move asasto well decided quadrupling Louis when But size. its and collector of works by Raphael, Michelangelo, Titian, and fortress, and before that a plot of earth, much like any other.” debt to funded France considerable repair and reconstruction. Gardner Gardner focuses on several of France’s rulers whose embrace Leonardo, whom he lured When from Leonardo Italy. arrived Drawing on scholarly sources that include the recently pub- Lisa, which has become the Louvre’s most coveted attraction. 1848 to 1870, as decisive in transforming the Louvre into its Musée Central des Arts—only in 1793, in the midst of the Reign Reign the of midst the in Arts—only1793, in des Central Musée The 17th-century XIII, monarch though Louis not particularly In In addition to collecting art, Francois took up the challenge After After the American Revolution, repayment of the Colonies’ small A portion of the palace opened as a public museum—the 400,000 objects, “a vast, indiscriminate cocktail of - princely vast,cocktail col indiscriminate objects, “a 400,000 - - | 1 february 2020 | 77 | kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february A well-paced tale of outdoor adventure. outdoor of tale well-paced A “We “We are all, I suppose, confined to Facing Fears, Chasing Chasing Fears, Facing and My Quest To Dreams, From River the Largest Kayak Source to Sea Source Gaechter, Darcy Gaechter, Pegasus (304 pp.) Pegasus $27.95 | Mar. 3, 2020 | Mar. $27.95 AMAZON WOMAN AMAZON 978-1-64313-314-0 Daring readers will be inspired to overcome similar between between North Americans and Peruvians,” making an impor like-minded like-minded Brit, she tackled the project, emerging - Atlan Andes the to America from 148 the crossing South after later days happen in remote jungle areas and involve the lucrative drug had been known to do it before, and there’s no time like the present. Still, in the company of her longtime partner and a were were plenty of opportunities to exercise that skill, for on top writes, “I’d invested writes, a “I’d lot of time reason and suffering already,” writes Gaechter, who decided writes to Gaechter, mark her 35th birthday—mak more dangerous denizens of the rainforest, including illegal log- in kayaking, though by far the most There difficultto master.” includes a glossary of kayak terms. ing her ancient, by competitive kayaking standards—by travel- Why outlet. to fromRiver source Amazon the of length the ing specific destinies and mine seems to be chasing rivers.” So ger finger. Then therewereger thefinger. more quotidian culture clashes, gers, Shining Path guerrillas whose “primary operations…now trade,” and soldiers of fortune who could be quick with the trig- the with quick be fortuneof soldiers could and who trade,” tic. The physical challenges were extraordinary, although, the tant rendezvous all the more difficult to schedule. Was it worthWas it schedule. to difficult allmore rendezvous the tant challenges—and armchair disappointed. be won’t travelers of the churning whitewater rapids and odd critters were the enough to press on to the next canyon, rapid, anaconda, sulk, author notes, “keeping a cool head is the most important skill argument, and bad feeling (“I didn’t want the person acting I like lovedan asshole and lunatic, and that’s what I often felt for, as for, Gaechter patiently notes, “time is a point of contention do such a thing? Because it’s there, of course, and no woman dying in that jungle war zone in order to exercise her coveted freedom, she asks? The answer was no—but then again, as she Don was doing”) while vanquishing inner doubts. The author (16 pages of color photos) Gewen has used the distance from events to refine his research into an elegant, elucidating study of comparative statecraft. the inevitability of tragedy

THE CLUB KING Which Germans turned out to be Nazis between 1920 and My Rise, Reign, and Fall in 1945? By the author’s account, just about all of them, eventu- New York Nightlife ally, despite protestations of ignorance by many postwar Ger- Gatien, Peter mans. In fact, as he writes, 57% of Germans answered yes when Little A (280 pp.) asked in 1948, “Do you consider National Socialism to be a good $24.95 | Apr. 1, 2020 idea that was poorly implemented?” Hitler, Gellately reminds 978-1-5420-1531-8 us, assumed power with the narrowest of margins, supported by people already in power whose aim was to rid Germany of A memoir from a giant of the 1970s democracy. He also notes that in the January 1933 election, “no through 1990s New York City club scene. less than 71.6 percent of the vote went to parties with ‘social- Pilloried in the press and portrayed ist’ or ‘communist’ in their titles,” making it incumbent on by U.S. prosecutors as a diabolical drug the Nazis to deliver on the “socialist” in the party name while lord, Gatien argues that he was just a hardworking entrepreneur remaining right-wing in orientation. They did so by offering from the backwoods of Canada who happened to fall prey to an a big tent for “the broadest possible constituency,” building unscrupulous big-city careerist named Rudolph Giuliani. At one on three tenets: nationalism, anti-Semitism, and socialism of time in the 1990s, Gatien—the poor kid from Cornwall, Ontario, a particularly German variety that was of and for “racially fit” who began his career by selling blue jeans—owned and operated citizens. Protestants responded favorably, Catholics less so; four of the hottest dance clubs in NYC history: Club USA, Pal- rural people favored the Nazis, city people the left. Although ladium, the Tunnel, and Limelight. The author paints a picture of Hitler talked a good game about abolishing the stock market a simple guy with big dreams who was always vulnerable to out- and reining in business, in the end, he capitulated to the capi- side speculation and conjecture. Before delving into the sordid talists, mostly abandoning the socialist premise. “No single goings-on that led to his eventual downfall—illicit drug use and factor,” writes Gellately, “can account for why ordinary people grisly club deaths—Gatien employs crisp, vivid prose to recount began opting for the National Socialist Party, though any who a warm tale of a local boy making good on the other side of the did at the very least knew in broad terms what it stood for.” The border. Readers will learn that the impetus behind his success in author ventures that economic insecurity and fear of the other the nightclub business originated with the heartwarming holiday were powerful motives—and that Hitler drew heavily on them gatherings that the author lovingly recounts from his disadvan- in transforming a civil society into a dictatorship with astonish- taged childhood. According to Gatien, he is guilty of both being ing speed. an inattentive father who often confused material support for A thoughtful, timely study of how Nazism moved from affection and, at one point, becoming a drug abuser. However, the political fringe to the heart of German life. he insists that he never operated the “drug supermarkets” he was accused of running. “A ridiculous concept,” he writes after recounting a police raid on the Limelight. “Especially when the THE INEVITABILITY raid had actually turned up only a paltry amount of weed. But OF TRAGEDY police, prosecutors, and the media fastened upon the term, as Henry Kissinger and though Limelight operated some sort of illicit Duane Reade….A His World Big Lie was born and took on a life of its own. ‘Drug supermarket’ Gewen, Barry became a convenient catchphrase, a two-word package tied up in Norton (448 pp.) a neat bow and used to sway public opinion.” Sixteen years after $30.00 | Apr. 28, 2020 his deportation back to Canada, Gatien tells his side of the story. 978-1-324-00405-9 An arresting and provocative narrative. Masterly work on the making of Henry Kissinger—and what American HITLER’S TRUE BELIEVERS foreign policy can learn from his dark How Ordinary People Became experience and pessimistic outlook. Nazis In this deeply thoughtful, meticulously researched work, Gellately, Robert longtime New York Times Book Review editor Gewen looks at Oxford Univ. (448 pp.) both Kissinger’s life experiences—e.g., his teen years as a Jew in $34.95 | Jun. 1, 2020 Bavaria living under Nazi persecution—and his assimilation of 978-0-19-068990-2 the academic work of fellow German Jewish intellectuals Leo Strauss, Hannah Arendt, and Hans Morgenthau as he steered It’s tempting to draw parallels American statecraft in the 1970s. While Kissinger is considered between the Hitler era and the present by some as criminal, even evil, for his advocating for the over- age of ascendant nationalism, and Gel- throw of Salvador Allende, the democratically elected leader of lately (History/Florida State Univ.; The Chile, and other dispassionate realpolitik decisions as secretary Oxford Illustrated History of the Third Reich, 2018, etc.) offers rea- of state under Richard Nixon, Gewen takes a more philosophi- sons to do so. cal approach to his subject, delving into the reasons behind

78 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | young adult - - - - - The Way To To The Way A A chef and food writer debuts with UNDER CONTROL moments from her past through tightly composed vignettes. composed a lean memoir that revisits seminal EVERYTHING IS EVERYTHING Grant, Phyllis Grant, Farrar, Straus and Giroux (256 pp.) Straus and Giroux Farrar, $25.00 | Apr. 21, 2020 Apr. | $25.00 978-0-374-15014-3 A Memoir With Recipes A Memoir Beginning with her arrival in New York City from the West City West from the York Beginning with her arrival in New A lively biography of an opportunist,anpatriot. livelybiographyand of traitor, A bumbling—characters. brief lines, as in her summary of her early apprenticeship: “Six her life. Her husband, actor/director Matt Ross, is referenced he realized that many relatives had been killed by the secret his relief, that the agency instead invited him to switch sides. her weight as well as attempts to establish her identity in the police, police, Morros resolved to get revenge. In July 1947, he called weaving in personal memories and confident advice and further and advice confident and memories personal in weaving we we follow her through two difficult pregnancies and excruciat witnessed the fire hazards, rampant drug use, and misogynistic victim, in fact he bargained with his handlers to seek protec way through notable cookbooks such as Julia Child’s Child’s Julia as such cookbooks notable through way ried author moved back to the West Coast. In rapid succession, Coast. In West ried author moved the back to ing childbirths as well as by post-partum depression. However, space, space, serves to showcase her writing style and inventive skills months in and I have experienced the obscenely long hours and hours long obscenely the experienced have I and in months story to the agency that had been on his trail since the mid- lot. a sneeze I pastryroom. the in constant is which air, the in it’s ing to becoming a self-trained professional chef. She cooked her cooked She chef. professional self-trained a becoming to ing struggles with demanding instructors and insecurities about the end, we’ve gleaned little about the important individuals in tion for family members still in the Soviet Union. Finally, when tion for family members still in Finally, the Soviet Union. the FBI. During a week of questioning, he revealed his life ticularly adept at packing a lot of emotion and detail a into few the kitchens of top-notch restaurants in the Grant city. is par only as “M,” present throughout but peripheral to her story. confirming her talent as a her food memoir, Ultimately, writer. of brief paragraphscomposed within ample white and chapters espionage thriller, Gill follows his subject’s peripatetic travels everything. I have also learned that I am allergic to flour when elsewhere.Although he later portrayed himself as a frightened city. Parallel moments city. reflect onher mother’s and grandmoth- appreciation an acquired Grant influence, their Under lives. er’s and interactions with malevolent, powerful—and sometimes for cooking and good food, which inspired her shift from danc Coast as a young dance student at Juilliard, we follow Grant’s Cook and volunteered at eventually a bakery, landing French in 1930s. Hoping to avoid execution as a traitor, Morros found, to avoidto 1930s. Morros Hoping execution as a traitor, In In the last section, Grant offers a selection of favorite recipes, I still want this more than 9/11, Following ever.” the newly mar “When do I start?” he answered. In a narrative that reads like an an like reads that narrative a In start?”answered. I he do “When - - - - | 1 february 2020 | 79 | kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february A Hollywood mover and shaker takes takes shaker and mover Hollywood A center center stage in a brisk tale of spies and counterspies. HOLLYWOOD DOUBLE AGENT HOLLYWOOD Film Producer Turned Cold Cold Turned Film Producer Gill, Jonathan Gill, War Spy War $27.00 | Apr. 7, 2020 7, Apr. | $27.00 978-1-4197-4009-1 The True Tale of Boris Morros, Tale True The Abrams (336 pp.) (336 Abrams (8 pages of illustrations) Gewen has used the distance from events to refine his Russian-born Boris Morros (1891-1963) arrived in the U.S. in U.S. the in arrived (1891-1963) Morros Boris Russian-born Soviet microphones.” Morros was tasked with providing cover Soviet politics. In midcentury, Gill discovered, the U.S. was be swayed by “high moral principles like self-determination or jobs for Soviet agents, in Hollywood or with business associates associates business with or Hollywood agents,in Soviet for jobs justice,” justice,” and “the less bad rather than the unqualified good.” his choice of “less bad” became his modus operandi—e.g., the research into an elegant, elucidating study of comparative comparative of study elucidating elegant, an into research virtually every federal including agency,” the White House; in nursed a deep suspicion of democracy and majoritarian pro- national sovereignty.” Because he was hounded by the Nazis ing Hanoi to the negotiating table—ultimately tarnishing his in his adopted home. By the 1930s, despite the exigencies of statecraft. spy. spy. Morros, writes the author, “was ideologically uncommit traditional moralistic certainties for an approach based more that “weakness…was synonymous with death” (as he wrote near (aswrote he death” with synonymous “weakness…was that the II). War end Kissinger of was World deeply influenced by the work of Strauss and Arendt, who “opposed tyranny but the Great Depression, he rose to become the musical director and constitutionallyted, fame discreet, to and addicted money, that enabled him to survive purges, betrayals, and precarious cesses,” and cesses,” who became escheweda colleague Morgenthau, to on “incrementalism and perfectionism,” “stability rather than oughly considers each facet of Kissinger’s evolution and how elusive, urbane legacy. of a man who was an unlikely spy and, later, an FBI counter of Paramount Studios, socializing with movie moguls—most of whom, like him, were Jewish émigrés—and Hollywood roy- oblivious to the distinction between truth and fiction,” traits a handful of agents in the Soviet Union, Soviet spies “infiltrated “infiltrated spies Soviet Union, Soviet the agentsin of handful a addition, the Embassy U.S. in Moscow “contained 120 hidden and, through his own father’s “powerlessness,” began to believe began to and, “powerlessness,” through his own father’s alty. Gill (American alty. History of Amsterdam; and Culture; Univ. during his youth, Kissinger recognized the “realities of power” , America Capital of Black 2011) creates a well-rounded portrait Kissinger’s Kissinger’s coolheaded “assessment of power” and refusal to Harlem: The Four Hundred Year History From Dutch Village to Village Dutch From History Year Hundred The Four Harlem: 1922, determined to hone his musical background into a career In In this well-measured, beautifully written book, Gewen thor “thoroughly penetrated by foreign spies.” Although America had America Although spies.” foreign by penetrated “thoroughly “Christmas bombing” of North Vietnam at the end of 1972, forc Vietnam “Christmas bombing” of North INTERVIEWS & PROFILES P. Carl

THE AUTHOR OF BECOMING A MAN WRITES ABOUT THE CHALLENGES— AND REWARDS—OF TRANSITIONING AFTER THE AGE OF 50. By Bethany Schneider Asia KepkaAsia ly written, often painful, never glib—a terrific and mature addition to the canon of transition memoirs. Carl, who lives in Boston and is a distinguished artist-in-residence at Emerson College, lost friends—and almost lost his wife—even as he gained a fierce, happy completion in his masculinity. “A friend called,” Carl explains. “There’s a lot in the book about my enjoyment of masculinity. I was worried she’d hate it. She said, ‘This is like a feminist manifesto.’ That’s the best compliment I’ve gotten. I wanted to explain what it was to be totally estranged from being a woman and to be living it simultaneously.” He continues, “Before my transition I led parallel lives. I was feeling one thing and thinking another thing. The intellectual project—gender theory, radical politics— was everything. My head could absolutely outrun my body. The big arc of the book is learning that bodies have much more power and velocity than the mind. I’ve always been all head, and what I’ve learned is that as much as the head is very useful, the body wins most of the arguments.” P. Carl began his transition in his early 50s. His But if he is now complete within his body, the world memoir, Becoming a Man: The Story of a Transition (Simon around him vibrates differently, especially in this politi- & Schuster, Jan. 28), is as much a portrait of the female fa- cal moment. “I’ve always felt and acted like a man, so I cade, the name and body he inhabited for decades, as it is don’t feel different in that way. But behaviors look dif- a portrait of the man he was and is. And, because the last ferent from the outside. What a woman does and a man 50 years have seen such massive change around the poli- does are understood differently, and you can’t know what tics and experience of gender and sexuality in the Unit- that’s like until you’re in the other body. You can’t know ed States, it is also the portrait of an era. Back when he that when you walk to the park, a woman is looking at presented as a butch lesbian, however false that was, Carl you like you might assault her. I recognize that look on could never hide. Now he is a straight white man, and ev- a woman’s face. I was going through the early stages of eryone sees him that way. He therefore has the capacity transition right when the Bret Kavanaugh horror was go- to fade into the fabric of an increasingly sexist, white-suing down. In the wake of that, in the wake of so much that premacist mainstream. Indeed, he must now choose ev- has recently happened, how do I deal with my own reality ery day whether to step aside from his new, and extreme, of being a white man, of wanting to find more complexity privilege. The book is honest, bracingly intelligent, plain- in masculinity?”

80 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | young adult - - senior editor of media and media of editor senior Forbes The and Athletes Hacked Silicon Silicon Hacked and Athletes show business–based entrepreneurship. entertainment entertainment takes a look at modern How a Band of Actors, Artists, Artists, a BandHow of Actors, Greenburg, Zack O’Malley Greenburg, Little, Brown (288 pp.) $28.00 | Mar. 10, 2020 10, $28.00 | Mar. A-LIST ANGELS A-LIST Valley 978-0-316-48508-1 color insert) - page 4 - (8 Solid business writing that will interest budding Hollywood Hollywood has always had its business–minded celebrities: A promising yet excessively sparse publishing debut. based “company that makes companies,” software that rounds bit for cows” that tracks a bovine critter’s reproductive health business. With a partner, Kutcher founded an Kutcher investment a fund partner, With business. helps, but the companies Greenburg profiles are absolutely on up purchases and invests the change in index funds, and a “Fit moguls. problems that most of us don’t have—e.g., how to snag a seat on seat a snag to how have—e.g., don’t us of most that problems popular series on TV, earning him the highest salary in the who built a considerable fortune playing film characters such worth $30 million in 2010 that soon grew to more than $250 rideshare driver. Though at heart his book magais an extended - rideshare driver. million. The million. author credits him with doing his own homework in the kitchen. While she fearlessly lays bare many of her per solving a real problem…and consider unglamorous sectors.” It’s solving a real problem…and unglamorous It’s consider sectors.” sonal experiences, the end result feels somewhat the end result insubstantial. sonal experiences, to to following. Examples include investment in a Los Angeles– track in solving real problems, even if they are sometimes real to to invest in intangibles and speculative tech-based ventures. zine article, plenty there’s of interest here, especially when the chain in his The name. new breed, writes Greenburg, is likelier and other issues. Having celebrity spokespeople and investors a summons travelerearthbound an way same the in jet charter a as, fittingly enough,Jobs Steve and starring in one of the most and following an investment philosophy: “look for companies a philosophy that other celebrities, from Shaquille O’Neal to author looks at inventive philanthropy such as Matt Damon’s also works “to create venture funds that generate low single- digit returns by giving cheap microloans.” California real estate, or Roy Rogers, who built a restaurant One to whom he pays particular attention is Ashton Kutcher, Jennifer Jennifer Lopez and a small army of hip-hop stars, have taken Think of who Fess Parker, bought up vast swaths of Southern Water.org, which Water.org, brings plumbing to poor communities but - - - - | 1 february 2020 | 81 | kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february was reviewed in the Oct. 15, 15, was reviewed in the Oct. Man a Becoming is Carl’s marriage, Not Not long after his transition, Carl’s wife was diag- At At the heart of book about in me, everyshe’s I feel… line of that journey. bian wouldn’t have wanted to be married to a man. It’s so It’s man. a to married be to have wanted wouldn’t bian between my transition and her cancer. The way I sur she knew as much as I that I was not The a deci- woman. sion I made to choose me and this journey and to risk ev suicide several times. would Oth- haveIt ended that way. letter letter with her everywhere. I was naïve—of course a les photos. photos. Now that’s different. She’s in every line of that obvious, yet I think I thought that after 20 years together, together, years 20 after that thought I think I yet obvious, erything was a choice between life or death. I attempted erwise I would never have done anything to risk our mar and every part of my life was about finding other ways riage.The letter is really an exploration of what love can important How enough? be itself love Can mean. actually nosed with cancer. “The relationship was stripped bare about the only thing I did not revise….She carries that gratitude. We both survived.” We gratitude. making theater, and reading books, and seeing movies, is sexual identity and gender in a situation like that?” like is sexual identity and gender in a situation my wife at the most painful moment, has changed. It’s to find myselfto because I was not in the mirror or my own the letter at the center of the memoir, the one I wrote to the to one I wrote of the memoir, at the the center letter vived to 50 was by inhabiting other people’s stories, and which has survived the transition—but only just. He is fearlessly honest about “Not one that word difficulty. of Bethany Schneider is an associate professor of English at Bryn Schneider is an Bethany Becoming Becoming a College. Man Mawr 2019, issue. 2019, A witty trip through a unique life in the theater. this is not my memoir

THIS IS NOT MY MEMOIR What does reading and translating Don Quixote, published Gregory, André & London, Todd in the early 17th century, have to do with modern-day life for Farrar, Straus and Giroux (224 pp.) immigrant children in Bushwick, Brooklyn? Quite a lot, accord- $26.00 | May 5, 2020 ing to Haff, a theater director and former high school English 978-0-374-29854-8 teacher, who set up Still Waters in a Storm for children of undocumented immigrants. As he writes, the author chose Cervantes’ Reminiscences by one of the pio- work because “that book is everything human—it is funny and neers of American avant-garde theater. tragic and beautiful and disgusting and smart and stupid—and Few artists’ lives have been as col- because it was written in Spanish, the native language of my stu- orful as that of Gregory. Born in Paris dents and their families.” By reading the quirky tale of a man in 1934 to Russian Jewish parents, he who never gave up his dreams, Haff’s students have found new lived a privileged life of “private clubs, meaning in their own lives despite the constant fear of deporta- private schools, debutante balls” once the family left wartime tion amid the current toxic landscape surrounding immigration, Europe for New York. They spent summers in a California an atmosphere inflamed by the current presidential adminis- house Thomas Mann rented to them, where they socialized tration. Not only did the students read the book and translate with celebrities like Errol Flynn, with whom his mother had it out loud; they also adapted it into a series of musicals that an affair. He discovered a passion for acting when he attended they wrote. They became Kid Quixotes, acting out their own a New York private school “established to train repressed, versions of the story, which they performed in multiple venues. polite, withdrawn little WASPs.” Much of this book, co-writ- Haff also includes his own story of being an educator suffering ten by London (An Ideal Theater: Founding Visions for a New from bipolar depression and how this project has positively American Art, 2013, etc.), is a series of vignettes, some more impacted his life as well. This is a decidedly upbeat book full of entertaining than others, about Gregory’s artistic and spiri- compassion and an attentiveness to language, and Haff imparts tual journey: stage manager jobs at regional theaters, lessons pertinent lessons regarding truth, hope, thoughtfulness, aware- at Lee Strasberg’s Actors Studio, pilgrimages to ashrams in ness, friendships, and what it means to be genuine. The narra- India, and outrageous flourishes in the plays he directed, such tive also carries the weight of what each child must endure as an as a production of Max Frisch’s Firebugs that featured an actual immigrant, including racism, distrust, and fear, and shows how fire engine onstage and scenes from Hiroshima projected onto they have worked to overcome these obstacles via songs, acting, a trampoline—a gig that got him fired. The narrative is filled drawings, and imaginative retellings of their lives. with anecdotes about such luminaries as fellow director Jerzy A kindhearted, engaging story of helping modern Grotowski, who had a profound influence on Gregory’s work, immigrant children via a 400-year-old classic text. and Gregory Peck, who “slugged” him during an argument during the filming of Tartuffe. The highlight for many readers will likely be details of his long collaboration—“forty-five THE YEAR 1000 years and only one fight”—with Wallace Shawn and the mak- When Explorers Connected ing of their art-house hit My Dinner With André. These sec- the World—and tions chronicle the duo’s struggles to make the picture, from Globalization Began Gregory’s memorizing hundreds of pages of dialogue for “the Hansen, Valerie longest speaking role in the history of film” to his wearing long Scribner (320 pp.) johns during the shoot because they couldn’t afford to heat $30.00 | Apr. 14, 2020 the hotel where the restaurant scenes were staged. 978-1-5011-9410-8 A witty trip through a unique life in the theater. (two 8-page photo inserts) If any reader still believes that the year 1000 marked the Dark Ages, this insightful history will set them right. KID QUIXOTES Though Hansen (Chinese and World History/Yale Univ.; A Group of Students, Their The Silk Road: A New History With Documents, 2016, etc.) pays Teacher, and the One-Room some attention to the politics, religion, and culture of the era, School Where Everything Is she focuses on commerce, making a convincing case that this Possible date “marked the start of globalization…when trade routes Haff, Stephen took shape all around the world that allowed goods, technolo- HarperOne (304 pp.) gies, religions, and people to leave home and go somewhere $27.99 | Apr. 21, 2020 new.” For commerce to circle the globe, traders had to reach 978-0-06-293406-2 the New World, which happened around 1000, although no one knew it at the time. As befits that era’s greatest explorers, The story of an after-school program Hansen begins with the Norse, who, after centuries of raiding that helps immigrant children adjust to around Europe and the Mediterranean, sailed to Iceland, then their new American life. Greenland, then North America, where later chroniclers and

82 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | young adult - A A sobering study of the collapse of SHOOT YOURSELF” SHOOT the Third Reich and the wavesuicides the of and Reich Third the Germans in 1945 Little, Brown Spark (304 pp.) Huber, Florian Huber, $29.00 | Mar. 10, 2020 10, $29.00 | Mar. Trans. by Taylor, Imogen Taylor, by Trans. 978-0-316-53430-7 The Mass Suicide of Ordinary of Ordinary Suicide Mass The ME YOU’LL “PROMISE Scienceandpsychology inform engagingthe memoirof Hitler famouslyHitler shot himself rather than fallthe hands into An illuminating examination of a little-known aspect be laid at their door. The wave of suicide began earlier than book is a touch too narrow. The author not only covers suicides, onlycovers not author The narrow. too touch a is book but also those who defiantly refused eitherto kill themselves had lived through combat were more inclined to withdraw into had withdraw more lived into inclined were through to combat victimhood that “freed the Germans from the need to examine “freed that victimhood fromGermans the to need the writes writes German historian and documentary filmmaker Huber, were surprised to find among civilian survivors civilian orderli- among of find kind a to surprised were wartime, seeing them “as henchmen of the occupying pow writes, “I am much less afraidof fear itself.” writes, response to an explosion in demand.” The Nazi regime began to to began regime Nazi The demand.” in explosion an to response ness and calm—though, as the author notes, many soldiers who soldiers many notes, author calm—though,the asand ness more destruction. Drawing on existing records, Huber reckons reckons more destruction. Huber Drawing on existing records, suppress the statistics related to suicide lest they prompt even self-preservation, but to put it into perspective. By the end, she end, the By perspective. into it put self-preservation, to but their own consciences.” an author on a self-help mission. that in Berlin alone, the suicide rate was five times higher than that accompanied its fall. that accompanied the spring of 1945, as Huber grimly documents, “large quanti- in ties of cyanide and prussic acid were circulating in Germany, themselves, none quite “ready for The reality.” subtitle of the of World War II. (9 b/w photos) War World of ers, accusing her not of any crime, but of fighting for acal ideal.” politi- Such repudiation joined with a widespread sense of of the Red Army, and many of his closest associates—e.g., of my despair is Still, the beginning hopelessness in of victory.” or to acknowledge any wrongdoing, such as a officialNazi who did countless “ordinary” Germans, despair or certainty that whether the crimes of the Nazi regime out would of simple disputed disputed the right of a German court to judge her actions in German defeat at Stalingrad in 1943, “the first and last cause Joseph Joseph Goebbels and his entire family—followed suit. So, too, 1945; the author quotes a schoolteacher who wrote after the “normal” in April 1945, when the city fell. The Alliesvictorious - - - - | 1 february 2020 | 83 | kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february Outside correspondent Holland Her Her mother’s unexpected death In In a harmonious blend of mem- of Fear inspires a Territory–based Yukon adven- turer and travel journalist to face her fears. her face to journalisttravel and turer NERVE Holland, Eva Holland, $24.95 | Apr. 14, 2020 Apr. $24.95 | The Experiment (256 pp.) 978-1-61519-600-5 in the Science Adventures (maps and illustrations) A thoroughlyA satisfying history distanta of era and peo ple. her challenges through both exposure therapy and - pharmaceu unable to work or deal with people and falling into free-floating into falling and people with deal or work to unable with superpower China, the of center a massive trading system recent recent archaeological evidence (plus the usual fakes) indicated whose fears are serious enough to benefit from treatment but a responsive whose chord should condition in strike many read- making for a welcome contribution to the popular literature on literature popular the to contribution welcome a for making stretching from the Indies to Arabia and Africa. The author settlement. Less known but far more significant, the Norse might be genetic in origin) and lingering PTSD from a series of ing on a three-year project of research and ing the devastating treatment death of mother Her her had mother. been follow sal: “An sal: irony: “An fear is an experience that unites us, even as, in they found complex cultures with well-established trade routes. with well-established cultures trade routes. they found complex their arrival around 1000 and some trading but no permanent the fore of her consciousness—e.g., a fear of heights from a the author anticipating her mother’s death more fearfully than the moment, it makes us feel very much alone.” Holland faced tical applications, and she traces the theories of fear and how to treat electroshock it, lobotomy, including therapy, Freudian treatment, and other more modern approaches. Through- early global trade and geopolitics. covers a vast amount of territory in a concise, readable manner, cally advanced Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia, ending car crashes. The book is most compelling at its most personal, childhood escalator mishap (though she later learned that her oir and science reporting, ers. Her goal is not to eliminate which fear, serves as a tool for out the narrative, the author develops herself as a protagonist and laid the foundation Despite the of nearlyRussia. complete absence of writing, when Columbus reached America in 1492 and Islamic slave traders penetrated Africa well before 1000, also battled their way east. Known by the locals as “Rus,” by as the author makes her story seem both specific and univer anything else. When Holland’s fears were realized, she fell apart, fell she realized, were fears Holland’s When else. anything anxiety and the occasional panic attack. Other fears came to an orphan, shaken by the death of her own which mother, left father had suffered from something similar and that such fears describes her attempts to “learn to master my fear,” embark Hansen Hansen then moves on to the flourishing, prosperous,techni- 1000, 1000, they had reached the Caspian Sea, adopted Christianity, A concise and personal yet universally applicable examination of a problem that affects everyone on planet Earth. the story of more

WOW, NO THANK YOU. (Geosciences/Univ. of Oslo) uses it to show how issues that are Essays clearly important to her are crucial to all of humanity and the sur- Irby, Samantha vival of the world as we know it. She doesn’t use scare tactics or Vintage (336 pp.) shrill warnings; unfortunately, “we kind of stopped listening. By $15.95 paper | Mar. 31, 2020 now we’re quite practiced at not listening to things scientists say 978-0-525-56348-8 over and over again.” The author cites warnings about the dangers of fossil fuels dating to the 1950s and the linking of fossil fuels and More humorous life reflections from the threat of global warming “as early as 1856.” Few listened then, a seasoned raconteur. and now the crisis is urgent. In matter-of-fact detail and con- In this third volume of essays (this versational prose, Jahren interweaves biographical information one “dedicated to Wellbutrin”), out- about her Midwestern girlhood and takes readers on a journey spoken blogger and essayist Irby offers with her to her current home in Oslo, where she moved in 2016 opinions and reactions to many of life’s more uncomfortable “because I am worried about the future of science in America.” and inconvenient episodes. Among countless other topics, the She methodically takes us through discussions of food, especially author discusses her confusion about health bloggers’ obsessions regarding changes in production and consumption, and energy with “adaptogens and other beneficial herbs,” her “hostile, elu- and the planet as a whole, emphasizing one central point: “What sive, disrespectful” menstrual cycle, and her body. “I have been was only a faint drumbeat as I began to research this book now stuck with a smelly, actively decaying body that I never asked for,” rings in my head like a mantra: Use Less and Share More.” Over and she writes, “and am constantly on the receiving end of confus- over, the author shows how the world divides between those who ing, overwhelming messages for how to properly care for and consume and waste more and those who live on much less. She feed it.” A linear timeline chronicling Irby’s attempt at partying explores not only food scarcity, but also lack of electricity and while “staring middle age right in its sensible orthopedic inserts” sanitary water conditions. She clearly shows how the amount of is particularly hilarious and relatable for readers of a certain age. waste created by the privileged could provide plenty for those Even when the author describes pitching show concepts to Net- less privileged. “The earth is sick,” she writes, “and we suspect flix or battling Crohn’s disease, her one-liners and comic timing that it’s something bad,” and a cure begins with individual action remain intact. A lot of the best anecdotal material springs forth but will require significant shifts in values and practices. from the more embarrassing and cringeworthy moments of A concise and personal yet universally applicable exam- the author’s life. She envies those who can go out on the town ination of a problem that affects everyone on planet Earth. and not become hindered with bathroom issues or people who effortlessly manage a household. Regarding children, she writes, “I jump away from children the way most people jump away from BETSEY. a hot stove—though she doesn’t “dislike them.” Some of the A Memoir material in this latest collection has been covered in her previous Johnson, Betsey & Vitulano, Mark two books, but Irby’s devotees won’t mind because her personal Viking (288 pp.) hyperawareness, brazen attitude, and raunchy sense of humor $28.00 | Apr. 7, 2020 are in fine form, even when the writing is haphazard and frenetic. 978-0-525-56141-5 Ultimately, though, the author manages to shake things up and keep most of her observances fresh and funny, and she also incor- An iconic fashion designer tells the porates more details of life with her wife. story of how she left behind a Rockwell- There’s lots to chuckle at here, as Irby remains a win- ian New England youth to become an ning, personality-driven, self-deprecating essayist. eccentric fashion superstar. Johnson grew up in a picture-perfect Connecticut family during the 1940s and ’50s. The second of THE STORY OF MORE three children, she learned early on to rely on her “bubbly, odd- How We Got to Climate ball personality to make my way in the world.” Her first dream Change and Where To Go was to become a dancer with the Rockettes in New York City, From Here but by the time she was in college, she gravitated toward art. Jahren, Hope An admirer of Mademoiselle layouts, she entered the magazine’s Vintage (224 pp.) fashion guest editing contest and won; a senior editor then hired $15.00 paper | Mar. 3, 2020 her in the art department. To make ends meet, Johnson began 978-0-525-56338-9 making simple, striking clothes that quickly became popular among other women, including actress Kim Novak. She then Following a critically and popular began designing clothes full-time for Paraphernalia, a clothing debut, the lab girl turns teacher in a boutique that became home to other 1960s avant-garde fash- course on climate change. ion designers such as Daniel Hechter and Paco Rabanne. Her As most readers know, a bestseller gives a fledgling author a unique creations caught the eyes of celebrities like Julie Christie bigger megaphone. In her follow-up to Lab Girl (2016), Jahren and the Velvet Underground, a band for whom she became the

84 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | young adult - - , Camp Marmalade 2018, etc.) , and elsewhere, cover cover elsewhere, and , House Tin Writer, musician, Writer, and cultural critic Believer, Soft Skull Press (288 pp.) Soft Skull Press offers up another batch of personal ate ate Center; FIGURE IT OUT Essays Comparative Literature/CUNY - Gradu Koestenbaum Koestenbaum (English, French, and Koestenbaum, Wayne Koestenbaum, $16.95 paper | May 5, 2020 5, $16.95 paper | May 978-1-59376-595-8 ,” by Tendencies queer theorist Eve Kosofsky Sedg- , the Bookforum, These forays into the author’s extravagant imagination, pub- imagination,extravagant author’s the into forays These A passionate call for immediate action against the A little Koestenbaum goes a long way—best taken in both new and familiar territory: art, film, sex, autobiography, body.” This kind of prose could be overly chaotic in the hands of hands the in chaotic overly be could prose of kind This body.” lished in lished how Barth the teacher influenced andKoestenbaum’s inspired writing. “Composed in ‘crots,’ a rare term I learned from Barth,”from learned I term rare a ‘crots,’ in “Composed writing. industry upset social peers. reluctant to for elites” wick. The author argues that Adrienne Rich “should have won a won have “should Rich Adrienne that argues author The wick. ing things together with sincerity, surprises, and wit. with sincerity, ing things together sequence sequence of largely unconnected thoughts, the author hints sometimes repetitive, but through accumulation, the whole ship with John Barth,” an enjoyable, admiring assessment of start reading small bites. tion in the age of X tion is in play to the with ageplaying X words and with keep of them.” In the rambling “Beauty Parlor at Hotel Dada,” a long this essay and others “leap from crot to crot, at liberty; connec statement direct through not juxtaposition, through arise tions tuation and style with sidebar examples from a wide array of essays published in a variety of venues. celebrity (“I’m a lifelong student of star culture”), French author French culture”), star of student lifelong a (“I’m celebrity or overt linkage.” The author offers sly ruminations on punc at his methodology: “Individual sentences may be choppy and the inevitability—evenamid and momentum strange a acquires artists and writers. For example, Marguerite Duras’ sentences a lesser but writer, Koestenbaum has a knack for mostly - keep - Apprentice also Brief deadness.” chronicles Koestenbaum “My Nobel.” She had “an ear for the music that politics makes in the in makes politics that music the for ear “an had She Nobel.” U.S. government. U.S. Hervé Guibert, and Picasso’s lines (“perfect, impossible”). In Mueller investigation as well as the mainstream news media, “an “an media, news mainstream the as well as investigation Mueller “No More Tasks,” Koestenbaum writes Koestenbaum that the “writer’s Tasks,” obliga- More “No “tear themselves apart before they can Eve,” he “Riding implores, With the “please Escalator everyone achieve assembly.” In “transnational crime syndicate” that has supplanted the - | 1 february 2020 | 85 | kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february A A scathing indictment of Donald white white supremacists and international HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT Flatiron Books (288 pp.) Kendzior, Sarah Kendzior, $27.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 7, Apr. | $27.99 Trump Trump and the “wider movement of 978-1-250-21071-5 America The Invention of Donald The of and the Erosion Trump The View From Flyover Country Flyover From (2018), View St. The Globe and Mail op-ed columnist Kendzior elabo- (b/w photos) Entertainingreading fashionistasfor and Johnson fans In In a follow-up to She explores White House nepotism, including the rise of the bankruptcies. Kendzior also blames the “timid and plodding” bought out by designer Steve Madden in 2010. This This candid book bought out in by 2010. designer Steve Madden American original, illus by a pioneering female entrepreneur and lie, threaten, sue, and never back down.” For decades, Trump long afterward, she became a single mother and embraced an kleptocrats seeking to dismantle Western democracy.” Western dismantle seeking to kleptocrats port” after being blacklisted by Wall Street following port”his 1990s after being Wall blacklisted by persecuted persecuted marginalized groups, and abused executive power points made by David Cay Johnston and others, Kendzior offers Kendzior others, and Johnston Cay David by made points who, since the early 1970s, taught Trump to “counterattack, with Paraphernalia colleagues and also did freelance work, which work, freelance did also colleaguesand Paraphernalia with researcher studying dictatorships in the former Soviet Union. rates rates on her argument that a decadeslong “erosion of Ameri- motherhood, marriages to drug addicts and control freaks, and social and economic conditions from 2008 onward, foreshad- alike. to to enhance his personal wealth. Given those perspectives, the the owner of a successful chain of stores, until her company was the obstacles one faces when battling breast cancer. the obstacles one faces tarist John Cale, she opened a “designer collective” clothing store store clothing collective” “designer a opened she Cale, John tarist trated with photos and quirky doodles, also offers details about owing national decline; in Uzbekistan, she witnessed the rise of rise the witnessed she Uzbekistan, in decline; national owing can institutions and social trust” paved the way for the present economy of the Midwest and on observations as an academic eventually in won her 1971. Award the Not Critics’ Coty Fashion edgier aesthetic, which included clothing lines done in Lycra, a chief clothing designer. After marrying and then divorcing gui- and his close relationship to political operative Roy Cohn, author has been tireless in sounding her dark alarm over the again,” called independent media “the enemy of the people,” down for parts and selling those parts to the highest bidder”; dictator Islam Karimov, who sought to “make Uzbekistan great Uzbekistan who sought “make to Karimov, Islam dictator fresh views based on her experiences living in the declining fabric then used only for athletic wear. By the 1980s, Johnson was Johnson 1980s, the By wear. athletic for only used then fabric Louis–based Trump presidency, in both presidency, her Trump writing and public appearances. In In St. Louis, she watched the growth of increasingly harsh “rich, connected and Trump’s “strippingunqualified”; America sup- for USSR former the from mobsters and oligarchs on “relied “autocracy, wrapped in a tabloid veneer.” Although she reiterates reiterates she Although veneer.” tabloid a in wrapped “autocracy, A captivating history of Churchill’s heroic year, with more than the usual emphasis on his intimates. the splendid and the vile

HOW TO MAKE LOVE TO THE GAMING MIND A DESPOT A New Psychology of An Alternative Foreign Policy Videogames and the Power for the Twenty-First Century of Play Krasner, Steve D. Kriss, Alexander Liveright/Norton (320 pp.) The Experiment (288 pp.) $28.95 | Apr. 7, 2020 $15.95 paper | Apr. 1, 2020 978-1-63149-659-2 978-1-61519-681-4

The American project to spread Psychotherapist Kriss debuts with democracy is a failure—and so it’s time an unusual case for the benefits of play- for some realpolitik instead. ing video games. Krasner (International Relations/Stanford Univ.; Power, “Games,” writes the author, “are here and growing; they are a the State, and Sovereignty: Essays on International Relations, 2009, way for us to learn more about who we are or make contact with etc.) offers the rather dispiriting observation that popular self- parts of ourselves we didn’t know existed.” A gamer from the age governance is not part of the natural order and that because of 5 and now the go-to guy for colleagues who don’t know how to “despotism is much more likely than consolidated democracy,” help “gamer kids,” the New York–based author draws on personal it makes good sense to adjust foreign policy goals to recognize and patient experiences to explore the “nuance and complexity” of that we’re likely to be dealing with tyrants wherever we turn. video games. “Not all games are violent, or sexualized,” writes Kriss, Certainly, this has been the case with the current presidential nor is there scientific agreement about whether they are addictive, administration, which would seem to have despotic tendencies as societal stigma would have it. For many of his patients, games itself. Elites hold power, and they will do what they can to main- are a way to explore parts of themselves they “feel harder to access tain it, which means that injecting power-sharing values into in the physical world.” One client, an aspiring model assaulted by a any discussion of political reforms in exchange for foreign aid is photographer, turned herself into an ugly, unappealing man in the likely to be a nonstarter. Krasner serves up numerous examples post-apocalyptic game “Fallout 4”; another, a 21-year-old man liv- from Afghanistan, a failed state into which America has poured ing a chaotic family life, relished the “knowable” world of “Mass buckets of blood and dollars. Attempted institutional reforms, Effect.” Others found “new ways to connect, self-reflect, and feel such as tying aid to educating women to become voting, equal known,” even entering pathways to future growth. Such patients citizens, have largely been rejected. Just so, Krasner notes, civil discover a “sense of safety” in games, a protected space where they rights standards that give equality to LGBTQ citizens are also can “explore unconscious fears and desires.” The author’s own likely to be rejected by many societies around the world. Our experiences playing “Silent Hill 2,” a game of psychological horror, demand for “good governance,” which would establish such helped him, at age 14, deal with a friend’s death. He discusses con- things as inalienable rights, is too often overlooked or subverted, flicting research findings on games addiction. He prefers to call the which means that we need to lower our expectations to what latter “compulsive play,” in which the individual is not “beholden the author calls “good enough governance.” This is better than to an ‘addictive’ game but is in fact in control of and responsible poor governance, he argues, which is responsible for numerous for herself and her behavior and is therefore free to change.” He ills that affect the developed world—e.g., setting in motion stresses that “we are all entitled to play. We need to play in order to armies of refugees and migrants and increasing the chances that fully discover and live as ourselves.” “some new communicable disease will not be detected at an A thoughtful contribution to an ongoing debate that early stage.” Krasner often resorts to professional jargon (“path- would have benefited from a more thorough look at harm- dependent,” “open access order,” “clientelism,” “prebendalism,” ful effects. and the like), and his argument is both accessible and open to criticism since it goes against—or used to, anyway—the Ameri- can grain to cozy up to monsters. THE SPLENDID AND Much food for thought for policymakers, if with a dis- THE VILE agreeably Machiavellian tang. A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz Larson, Erik Crown (608 pp.) $32.00 | Feb. 25, 2020 978-0-385-34871-3

The bestselling author deals with one of the most satisfying good-vs.-evil battles in history, the year (May 1940 to May 1941) during which Churchill and Britain held off Hitler.

86 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | young adult - - Unspoken host Lind- A A speaker and podcast host chronicles her excruciating battles with chronic with battles excruciating her cles Hopelessness to Healing:Hopelessness Gallery & Schuster Books/Simon (288 pp.) Lindsey, Ruthie Lindsey, $26.00 | Apr. 21, 2020 Apr. $26.00 | THERE I AM 978-1-9821-0791-8 A Memoir The Journey From Journey From The In In the first few chapters of her debut, A usefulA stepping-off pointrelevant a for thattopic will She stood apart from her peers in several ways: her stature (at 13, (at stature her ways: several in peers her from apart stood She lifestyle brand, Goop; and Whole Foods Market for its “unit require further study and debate. pain—and the inability of doctors to properly address it. to pain—and the inability of doctors vide context. He quotes pointedly, but when advancing his own his advancing when but pointedly, quotes He context. vide was a well-loved The principal. chief attraction of the opening per the passengerand her Though accident. car serious a wasin rubric of what’s natural.” Indeed, shopping at Whole Foods nature’s intended rhythms; Gwyneth Paltrow for her expensive rhythms; Gwyneth Paltrow intended nature’s natural childbirth, artificial flavorings, the close-to-nature life- ing claims about material quality and ethical quality under the interracial sex, which have been regarded as having deleterious multimillion-dollar condos promise to align the buyer with mythic binaries.” Levinovitz tackles an array of subjects—e.g., shopping becomes a kind of spiritualized retail therapy dedi- style of early humans, natural healing, women in social Darwinism—and sports, usually and offers helpful examples to pro- son driving the other vehicle emerged mostly unscathed, Lind- sey suffered a crushed spleen as well as a broken neck and ribs sey explores her childhood and adolescence as part of a loving she was “six feet tall and barely a hundred pounds”), - determina transforms into consumption, “consecrated in which the ritual of tions of so-called natural among law, them homosexuality and - con birth regarding stances controversial Church’s Catholic the problem is the core view, Levinovitz’s trol and reproduction. In the confirmedcertainty about the goodness of nature when in that punctured her lungs. At the hospital, doctors estimated a tion to remain until celibate marriage, abstinence from alcohol she school, high in year senior her During youth. carefree of tive cated cated to nature.” The author also examines myths about viola- effects on society and hence have been legislated against; and experiences experiences are interesting enough to keep the pages turning. chapters derives from the author’s pleasing sentences, evoca- arguments, he mince doesn’t words. Levinovitz assails Deepak allow us to seek complicated truths instead of being tied to and drugs, and massive popularity at school, where her father fact, “our relationship to nature is paradoxical and uncertain.” is paradoxical nature fact, “our relationship to feeding our children the occasional non-organic snack. It will Chopra for his involvement Real with Estate, Wellness whose Christian family in Louisiana. Though largely undramatic, her 5% chance of survival and 1% chance of walking again. But the | 1 february 2020 | 87 | kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february A A religious scholar warns against nature worship in all its forms in this NATURAL How Faith in Nature’s in Nature’s Faith How and Unjust Laws, Fads, Science Flawed Goodness Leads to Harmful to Harmful Goodness Leads Beacon (256 pp.) Beacon Levinovitz, Alan $28.95 | Apr. 7, 2020 7, Apr. $28.95 | 978-0-8070-1087-7 Bookshelves groan with histories of Britain’s finest hour, Levinovitz, who teaches religious studies at James Madison Levinovitz, Madison who religious teaches studies at James A captivating history of Churchill’s heroic year, with but that day may also the have peak of the marked Blitz, which Dead Wake: The LastThe of the CrossingLusitania, 2015, but Larson Wake: (Dead become become synonyms for “God” - consum and Accordingly, “holy.” land and engage in a wacky attempt (planned since the previ- lic persona, table talk, quirks, and sybaritic lifestyle retain their kept journalskept and wrote letters, the author fulltakes advantage his family, his two family, of his officials (Frederick Lindemann, who was more than the usual emphasis on his intimates. with a particularly destructive raid on London, but that day with American representative Averell American with Harriman, which Averell representative was no readers. Churchill remains figure;the hiscentral charisma, pub- rior and that natural laws correctly dictate human behavior. rior and that natural laws correctly dictate minating), but even history buffs will welcome Larson’s - atten ister ister of air production), and staff, including private secretary soon diminished as Germany concentrated its forces against suffering wife, Pamela, finally consoled herself with a long affair long a with herself consoled finally Pamela, wife, suffering secret to the family and was entirely approved. Britain’s isola- the Soviet Union. tion ended when Germany invaded the Soviet Union on June tion to their four children, a especially perky Mary, adolescent the author, “will be liberating—and not just from the guilt of ous autumn) to negotiate peace. came Nothing of action, Hess’ only son, Randolph, a heavy-drinking spendthrift whose long- of an avalanche of material, much of which will be unfamiliar to to unfamiliar be will which of much material, avalancheof an of etc.) employs a mildly unique combining strategy, an intense, ers today often think that whatever is promoted as natural environment. But nature’s goodness should not be taken on examination of the belief that natural products are always supe- also saw Rudolf Hess, Hitler’s second in command, flyto Eng- and his favorite. He makes no attempt to rehabilitate Winston’s Winston’s rehabilitate to attempt no makes He favorite. his and almost day-to-day account of Churchill’s actions with those of automatically has positive values for one’s health and for the fascination. Authors have not ignored his indispensable wife, doubted they doubted lived in extraordinary times and almost everyone faith. “Unlearning the orthodoxies of nature worship,” writes Clementine (Sonia Purnell’s 2015 biography is particularly illu - Churchill’s Churchill’s prime science adviser, and Lord Beaverbrook, min- Jock Jock Colville and Thompson. bodyguard Walter Since no one University, believes that “nature” and “natural” have mistakenly University, 22, 1941, but Larson ends on May 10. The Blitz was in full swing, 10. 22, 1941, but Larson ends on May A standout book of sociological history and current affairs. the address book

author overcame the odds after spinal surgery. Less than a year attack by Indigenous tribes seemed probable. Because he had later, she graduated on time and left home for college. However, advocated for diplomacy with Natives in Jamestown—where both the physical and psychological pain were relentless—and he had met Pocahontas—Hopkins, “a cool thinker,” pressed for amply described by Lindsey, which sometimes makes for diffi- conciliation and peace. His success in developing rapport and cult reading. After years of pain management suggested by phy- forging bonds between Pilgrims and Natives opened “the door sicians, pharmacists, dear friends, and always compassionate to the prospect of prosperity that came with peace.” family members, the author finally learned the primary medi- Deftly crafted history illuminates the nation’s earliest cal reason for the unrelenting pain. But the apparent corrective days. (15 b/w illustrations) barely helped. For the remainder of the memoir, consistently readable and inspirational, Lindsey keeps readers in suspense about whether she will be able to fully enjoy her life. At the end, THE ADDRESS BOOK the author addresses readers directly and asks them to focus on What Street Addresses healing what is broken in their own lives. Reveal About Identity, Illness memoirs from noncelebrities often get lost in Race, Wealth, and Power the stacks. This one deserves greater attention. Mask, Deirdre St. Martin’s (336 pp.) $26.99 | Apr. 14, 2020 A STRANGER AMONG SAINTS 978-1-250-13476-9 Stephen Hopkins, the Man Who Survived Jamestown An impressive book-length answer to and Saved Plymouth a question few of us consider: “Why do Mack, Jonathan street addresses matter?” Chicago Review Press (272 pp.) In her first book, Mask, a North Carolina–born, London- $30.00 | Apr. 7, 2020 based lawyer-turned-writer who has taught at Harvard and the 978-1-64160-090-3 London School of Economics—combines deep research with skillfully written, memorable anecdotes to illuminate the vast How a little-known member of the influence of street addresses as well as the negative consequences Plymouth settlement made a significant of not having a fixed address. Many readers probably assume that impact on its success. a street address exists primarily to receive mail from the postal Attorney Mack, a member of the General Society of May- office, FedEx, UPS, and other carriers. Throughout this eye-open- flower Descendants, makes his book debut with an absorbing, ing book, the author clearly demonstrates that package deliveries perceptive biography of Stephen Hopkins (1581-1644), who constitute a minuscule part of the significance of addresses—not made two voyages from England to the New World. As the only today, but throughout human history. Venturing as far back author argues convincingly, he proved to be “a key figure in as ancient times, Mask explores how the Romans navigated their the Pilgrims’ struggles and triumphs.” Hopkins sailed first to cities and towns. She describes the many challenges of naming Jamestown in 1609, remaining there for a few years. In 1620, streets in modern-day Kolkata (Calcutta), India, where count- he joined the passengers of the Mayflower: the Saints, bound less mazes of squalid alleys lack formal addresses. “The lack of by religious covenant, and the dissident Strangers, Hopkins addresses,” writes the author, “was depriving those living in the among them. Because he left no diary or journal, Hopkins slums a chance to get out of them. Without an address, it’s nearly has been neglected by historians, overshadowed by his con- impossible to get a bank account”—and the obstacles compound temporaries Myles Standish and William Bradford. But Mack from there. Mask also delves into the controversies in South makes judicious use of evidence to create a nuanced portrait Africa regarding addresses, issues exacerbated by apartheid and of a complex man—independent, intelligent, “stubborn when its aftermath. In the U.S., one can track racist undertones via he felt wronged”—who took an influential role, bringing to streets named for Confederate icons such as Robert E. Lee and decisions wisdom gleaned from his earlier experiences. Those Stonewall Jackson. The author offers insightful commentary experiences were dire: Shipwrecked off the coast of Bermuda regarding the fact that U.S. roadways named for Martin Luther in 1609, Hopkins became mired in scandal, accused of mutiny, King Jr. are usually found in poverty-stricken urban areas, and and sentenced to death. He escaped to Jamestown, where he she addresses the many problems associated with homelessness. found himself “on the doorstep of hell”: The town was in ruins, She also explores the dark period of Nazi Germany when street the population decimated by starvation, and relationships with names identified where concentrations of Jews lived, making it Native peoples were tense. The author creates a visceral sense of easier for them to be rounded up and sent to the death camps. In the hardship of settlement and of trans-Atlantic crossing, when a chapter prominently featuring Donald Trump, Mask explains ships were at the mercy of doldrums or tempests. “The wooden the monetary and prestige values of specific addresses in New ship groaned and creaked,” he writes, and in the dark living area, York City. Other stops on the author’s tour include Haiti, Lon- “the smells of 150 unwashed people and rotting food intensified.” don, Vienna, Korea, Japan, Iran, and Berlin. Many died during the voyage. The survivors, their food stores A standout book of sociological history and current perilously diminished, landed on cold, inhospitable terrain, and affairs. (20 b/w illustrations and maps)

88 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | young adult - - Admiring Admiring biographies of a scientist, and a War Hero Made the Made Hero and a War two surgeons, and several patients whose patients several and surgeons, two BORROWING LIFE BORROWING How Scientists, Surgeons, Surgeons, Scientists, How Organ First Successful $24.99 | Apr. 14, 2020 Apr. $24.99 | Imagine Publishing (304 pp.) Imagine 978-1-62354-539-0 Mickle, Shelley Fraser Shelley Mickle, Transplant a Reality Transplant Award-winning Award-winning novelist Mickle Eliza of Occupation (The An irresistible if often gruesome account of a great lives came together in a 1954 kidney transplant, the first that husband trained under Moore includes and a Murray, chronol- medical struggle that featured a happy ending. would not reject a foreign tissue; and Francis Moore (1913-2001), Moore Francis and tissue; foreign a reject not would went went years of many surgery, by to Dr. restore Murray, his face ing generous use of her storytelling skills. heroes Her are Peter immunological tolerance—conditions under which the body ing those of Joseph Murray (1919-2012), who performed the courtships, their of accounts generous offers also she and neers, succeeded, succeeded, heralding a medical revolution that continues to whose Mickle, book, the of end the At offspring. and marriages, losing it.” gift of retrieving for one so close to life mate surgery,’ surgery,’ or borrowing life, which in no way belittled the ulti- transplantation, who discovered the phenomenon of acquired this day. the youngest chairman of surgery in Harvard’s history, who that foreign skin transplants lasted much longer on the debili- Readers tated will Woods. enjoy the author’s lucid account of the history of transplants and the difficulties faced by the pio- catastrophic burns in a II War World plane crash and under ogy and instructions on becoming a kidney donor. “Over a attention attention to patients, especially who Charles Woods, suffered aggressively supported many breakthrough techniques, includ- and hands. During his later experiments, Murray remembered and taking of organs that one of the surgeons called ‘spare-parts called surgeons the of one that organs of taking and donor in 1962. In her enthusiastic narrative, Mickle pays close decade,” writes the author, her subjects “pioneered the giving first successful transplant, a kidney, between identicalfirst twins, successful in transplant, a kidney, Goode, 2013, etc.) turns her attention to nonfiction while mak 1954. More significantly, Murray did the same with an unrelated unrelated an with same the did Murray significantly, More 1954. Medawar (1915-1987), a British scientist considered the father of father the considered scientist British a (1915-1987), Medawar | 1 february 2020 | 89 | kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february A A walk in the woods with an envi- writer writer reveals that the forested world is ronmental journalist and natural-history Counterpoint (256 pp.) Counterpoint Climate Change Hit the West Change Climate Wildfires, Infestations, and Infestations, and Wildfires, $26.00 | Apr. 7, 2020 7, Apr. $26.00 | TREES IN TROUBLE Illus. by Strieby, Matt by Strieby, Illus. 978-1-64009-135-1 Mathews, Daniel Mathews, Thoughtful environmental reportage suggesting that Natural History of the History As Oregon-based naturalist (Natural Mathews the fate trees of is the fate all of life. just fineto make studs.In many places, the destruction of fire he writes; “the cone scales open over several days or weeks, pales next to that of pine borer beetles, both a harbinger and an and harbinger a both beetles, borer pine of that to next pales do self-preservation fromto apart motivation little have people warning to pay more heed to the health of the woodlands. to pay more heed warning to isn’t isn’t a motivation, what would be?” His book sounds a timely instance, instance, is impressive: cone Its carries a resin that melts at 113 in grave danger. self-fulfilling prophecy in the regime—i.e., fire the kinds of shedding seeds upon a wide-open seedbed.” Massive fires being fires Massive seedbed.” wide-open a upon seeds shedding scientific literature to examine the many threats that pines face face pines that threats many the examine to literature scientific ging trucks seem somehow incomplete without their loads of giant trees, after all, whereas European foresters favor smaller genus. All are in trouble to one extent or another because of that necessaryAnd, asks“if work. self-preservationthe author, trees that wouldn’t make for make ship maststrees that or wouldn’t I-beams but that do the Egyptian pyramids.” The author roams the world and the effect of climate change. difficultIt’s to control both, though, observes, many forest scientists believe that there’s a kind of climate climate change, from saplings to “living pine trees older than cies of pine tree, the most abundant and various of any conifer as Mathews writes; the cost of protecting homes in forests by an increasingly common phenomenon, particularly in the and their previous adaptations. The logic of the lodgepole, for doing such things as burying power lines is often so high that dense forests we cultivate demand huge fires. American log- degrees Fahrenheit, degrees protecting Fahrenheit, the seeds inside the cone from fire. “The fire kills the pines butmelts their cone-sealingresin,” Pacific Northwest Mountains, Pacific etc.) 2017, writes, there are 113 spe - West, this West, adaptation is highly useful. On that note, Mathews A quirky wonder of a book. why fish don’t exist

WHY FISH DON’T EXIST THE BETTER HALF A Story of Loss, Love, and the An Argument for the Genetic Hidden Order of Life Superiority of Women Miller, Lulu Moalem, Sharon Illus. by Samworth, Kate Farrar, Straus and Giroux (288 pp.) Simon & Schuster (224 pp.) $27.00 | Apr. 7, 2020 $23.00 | Apr. 14, 2020 978-1-250-17478-9 978-1-5011-6027-1 A male physician and scientist argues A Peabody Award–winning NPR that “women are simply stronger than science reporter chronicles the life of a men at every stage of life.” turn-of-the-century scientist and how Moalem (The DNA Restart: Unlock her quest led to significant revelations about the meaning of Your Personal Genetic Code To Eat for Your Genes, Lose Weight, and order, chaos, and her own existence. Reverse Aging, 2016, etc.) attributes female superiority largely to Miller began doing research on David Starr Jordan (1851- the two X chromosomes that determine female sex in humans, 1931) to understand how he had managed to carry on after as opposed to the single X and much smaller Y chromosome the 1906 San Francisco earthquake destroyed his work. A tax- that determines maleness. The two X’s vary—one inherited onomist who is credited with discovering “a full fifth of fish from the father and one from the mother—so they enrich the known to man in his day,” Jordan had amassed an unparal- genetic library women can draw upon. The conventional wis- leled collection of ichthyological specimens. Gathering up all dom is that one of a woman’s X’s is silenced in each of her cells the fish he could save, Jordan sewed the nameplates that had and that this happens randomly, so that, say in the kidney, one been on the destroyed jars directly onto the fish. His persever- cell may have the mother’s X silenced and be next to a cell that ance intrigued the author, who also discusses the struggles she has the father’s X silenced. This means that even if there is a underwent after her affair with a woman ended a heterosexual bad gene on one of the X’s, the other X will be present in suf- relationship. Born into an upstate New York farm family, Jor- ficient numbers to compensate. Now, however, that conven- dan attended Cornell and then became an itinerant scholar and tional wisdom may need amending. There is evidence that some field researcher until he landed at Indiana University, where his genes on the silenced X chromosome are functional, adding first ichthyological collection was destroyed by lightning. In extra genetic power to females. Further, as Moalem accessibly between this catastrophe and others involving family members’ explains, female cells can cooperate. For example, one female deaths, he reconstructed his collection. Later, he was appointed cell can generate an enzyme sorely needed by another female as the founding president of Stanford, where he evolved into a cell whose X has a mutation in the necessary gene. All this Machiavellian figure who trampled on colleagues and sang the genetic endowment also leads to a more potent immune system, praises of eugenics. Miller concludes that Jordan displayed the which is one of the reasons women generally outlive men; they characteristics of someone who relied on “positive illusions” are better survivors of infection and disease across the life span. to rebound from disaster and that his stand on eugenics came There is a downside, however: Having a finely tuned immune from a belief in “a divine hierarchy from bacteria to humans system also leads to higher prevalence of autoimmune diseases that point[ed]…toward better.” Considering recent research in women. Ischemic stroke and Alzheimer’s are also more com- that negates biological hierarchies, the author then suggests mon in women, for unknown reasons. that Jordan’s beloved taxonomic category—fish—does not Moalem’s sharp text serves as a challenge to explore exist. Part biography, part science report, and part meditation the vast unknown territory of chromosomal differences in on how the chaos that caused Miller’s existential misery could men and women. also bring self-acceptance and a loving wife, this unique book is an ingenious celebration of diversity and the mysterious order that underlies all existence. AMERICAN HARVEST A quirky wonder of a book. (b/w illustrations) God, Country, and Farming in the Heartland Mockett, Marie Mutsuki Graywolf (416 pp.) $28.00 | Apr. 7, 2020 978-1-64445-017-8

Literate travels in the forgotten American hinterlands. Mockett (Where the Dead Pause, and the Japanese Say Goodbye, 2015, etc.) is a child of “the coasts: seventeen years in California, four years of college in New York City, more years of ping-ponging between

90 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | young adult - - - (377 photos in color and b/w) Lorenzo Pietro Berra (1925-2015), A A vigorous biography of the New posed to be a baseball star. His father, an father, His be a baseballposed to star. first nicknamed “Lawdie,”wasn’t sup- Little, Brown (576 pp.) Pessah, Jon Pessah, $30.00 | Mar. 24, 2020 | Mar. $30.00 978-0-316-31099-4 A Life YOGI York Yankees legend. Yankees York , ESPN the Magazine writes, Lawdie shook A towering A achievement. Steinbrenner Steinbrenner in his later career as a coach and manager. The bury, bury, Connecticut, and his studio in rural France, Perl traces boy’s boy’s game. Branch Rickey shook his head at the young man’s hold and his uneasy relationship with school.” as Yet, Pessah, He well. servedhim which worked, baseball of business the how pulsed with Between “muscular Calder’s energy.” home in Rox acknowledges He criticism. from away shy doesn’t he but piece, painting or a sculpture what really mattered,” he writes. “Now point. He brings in Yankee Phil point. Rizzuto He brings to in play Yankee shortstop and prospects. He wasprospects. He goofy looking and odd, speaking a “mangled was conquering space as he created abstract sculptures of a size a of sculptures abstract as created he space wasconquering what mattered was of art the life of the work itself.” what mattered was especially well served by a mistrust of management early rhapsodic historian, Perl presents each sculpture as a master into into “a new kind of urban landmark,” massive artworks that mercial collaborations. Cumulatively, these episodes form a narrative often takes a play-by-play flavor (“Bodie doesn’t disap- a play-by-play flavor takes (“Bodienarrative doesn’t often man center field”) that suits the story just fine. Yogi emerges as man field”)center that suits the story just fine. ing that it wasn’t seemly for a man to make a living playing a started started racking up admirable statistics—and a solid sense of that some considered Calder’s work “too easy” or “chic throw to to recognize the power of his work to animate contemporary them off. them Soon off. given the new for nickname his of habit “Yogi” complete picture complete of an exceptional artist and all the significant conquering conquering time as he made sculptures move, in the 1960s he even if he may have often played the rube—when told he was at was he rube—whentold the played haveoften may he if even of sitting cross-legged while waiting to bat or the take field, he George like executives of hands the at ill fare would Yogi for on, artist and his many creations. longer “No were the figures in a architectural spaces.” As Perl writes, “if in wasthe 1930s Calder writes, As Perl spaces.” architectural and an impact seldom seen before.” Delicate mobiles evolved a steady sequence of major exhibitions and projects, from aways,” and he details the artist’s occasionally awkward - com a man who was more thoughtful than many give him credit for, hell the “What replied, he contract, a negotiating in impasse an a founding editor of developments of his oeuvre. Perl finds a vivacity between the Calder’s MoMA debut Calder’s MoMA in 1943 to his Whitney retrospective in Red Red Sox star Dom DiMaggio—Joe D’s younger brother—to English [that was] the product of his Italian-language house- 1976, which was on view the year he died of a heart attack. A Italian Italian immigrant to St. Louis, discouraged his ambitions, say- - - - | 1 february 2020 | 91 | kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february The monumental conclusion to a two-part biography of Alexander Calder CALDER Knopf (688 pp.) Perl, Jed Perl, 1940-1976 $60.00 | Apr. 14, 2020 Apr. | $60.00 978-0-451-49411-5 The Conquest of Space: Conquest The Years: Later The Republic New for 20 years, has constructed an In In this masterfully researched work, art historian Perl, a A revealing, richly textured portrait of the lives of by a series of outdoor commissions, as “people were beginning those who put food on our tables. (b/w photos) lessly educating his audience; his text is at once erudite and per the wascontemplating artistasCalder established an of life hand, some farmers and harvesters spend their off time at the people praise as progress. Throughout, Mockett’s portrait is well, having spent summers on a family farm that spilled over nuanced, nuanced, revealing those overlooked people in counties likely manence of his objects and his legacy. His career was catapulted catapulted was career His legacy. his and objects his of manence impressive monument that should raise the standards for future for standards the raise should that monument impressive sculpture. some city sophisticates dismiss as monoculture, many country some hold education and the “uncharted world” in our minds in minds our in world” “uncharted the and education hold some - atten worth paying be to president sitting the for have voted to tion to. the genesis of Calder’s formal concepts, this one explores the to to make of someone who believes the “that time of man the was dinosaur”? the Refreshingly, author around finds at that ter ter of analyzes Mockett the the country, divides between rural the East Coasts,” and West the kind of person likely to think the work of itinerant contract or “custom” harvesters whose critic for the esteem esteem while others hold the Bible to be the sole truth. What ences ences were profound, but what is a bicoastal, educated person conversation is just the thing; with it, some stereotypes shade of the territory in between asYet, withflyover acountry. Jap- accessible accessible and achieves an exquisite balance between historical chronicled volume previous the While readings. theoretical and art biographies. The author celebrates his subject while effort away or at least become more complicated, as with that young and urban, religious and apathetic or and atheistic, liberal. conservative Even in her own family, she writes, those differ anese mother and High Plains father, she knows that ground fundamentalist who also maintained that if someone is pro-life, down their itineraries to their sons, and harvesting became with one such a familyfamily Traveling across business.” the - cen from into Nebraska The Colorado. author returned to explore Omniplex, a sprawling and science museum in Oklahoma City, New York Review of Books Review contributor York New who served as the art (1898-1976), one of the most important figures in 20th-century “they would help children, not just abandon them.” On the other the On them.” abandon just not children, help would “they “routes “routes across state lines were established by men, who handed An inspirational and refreshing book for anyone seeking to get out of their cycle of hatred and anger. breaking hate

is an impasse?” Of course, as any baseball fan knows, he was no UN-TRUMPING AMERICA slouch on the field, known far and wide for hammering pitches A Plan To Make America a into the parking lot and giving teammate Mickey Mantle a run Democracy Again for his money as a slugger. Pfeiffer, Dan A welcome life of the Yankees icon and worthwhile Twelve (304 pp.) reading for any baseball buff. $28.00 | Feb. 18, 2020 978-1-5387-3355-4

THE HEART Democrats must get it together if Frida Kahlo in Paris they hope to win in 2020 and reverse what Petitjean, Marc the author sees as the anti-democratic Trans. by Hunter, Adriana current dominating American politics. Other Press (176 pp.) In a natural follow-up to his bestselling Yes We (Still) Can $25.00 | Apr. 28, 2020 (2018), Pfeiffer, a former senior adviser to President Barack 978-1-59051-990-5 Obama and co-host of Pod Save America, combines an unrelenting assault on Donald Trump and the GOP with outlines of a A breezy bit of art history about a plan for Democrats to win elections and reverse the current 1939 affair between the author’s father course of the country. He begins with an analysis of how the and Frida Kahlo in Paris. GOP has accomplished what it has—virtually all of which he Combining both research and con- despises and derides. Among his principal villains are Fox News, jecture, photographer and documentary filmmaker Petitjean the Koch brothers, Mitch McConnell, and Paul Ryan, whom he attempts to retrace the circumstances of this underdocumented ridicules in a final section titled “Bonus Content: A Paul Ryan romance. Frida visited Paris in 1939; she left an adulterous Rant for the People in the Back.” Pfeiffer aligns the GOP with Diego Rivera back in Mexico and found herself on an emo- racism and with cynical appeals to white voters; he condemns tional threshold before her European debut in André Breton’s gerrymandering, voter purges, and the Citizens United decision; exhibition of Mexican art. While Breton and other surrealists he declares that the GOP puts winning and party above country. fetishized her foreignness, Michel Petitjean, the author’s father To remedy all this, the author offers dozens of pages of sugges- and local gallerist, saw beyond that surface impression. Michel tions for Democrats—e.g., change the media strategy (go more and Frida had a short affair, during which she gave him a small for social media), diminish the role of big money in campaigns, painting called The Heart, which was a fitting token for the man expand voter registration and turnout, make major changes in who, for once, saw all of her. The painting, writes the author is the Senate (eliminate the filibuster), and reform the design of “a concentration of the key characteristics in [her] art and her the Supreme Court. He ends each of the later chapters with biography: intimacy, identity, physical and psychological suf- suggestions for “What You Can Do To Help.” Of course, the fering, references to Mexican culture, and references to art his- author realizes that none of these reforms can occur without tory.” While the story is transportive and dreamy, the author’s big Democratic victories in the House, Senate, and White awkward sequencing of facts and loose creative license muddle House. Throughout, Pfeiffer pulls no punches. He blasts Fox the scholarly authority. For example, Petitjean doesn’t explain News for “pure partisan propaganda,” labels Brett Kavanaugh until near the end of the narrative that his father studied Mexi- “a moral travesty,” and calls the National Rifle Association “one can civilizations at the Museum of Ethnography. Stylistically, of the most evil and effective forces in politics.” he often embellishes: He remarks on the subtle implications An admonitory and heavily—unsurprisingly—partisan of Breton’s “tone of voice” and, elsewhere, imagines mental book that offers gleams of hope to those feeling hopeless. pictures in his father’s mind. He also writes that, one morning during a pain spell, Frida “contemplates each of her organs in turn.” Petitjean is undeterred by a lack of concrete sources: “I BREAKING HATE do not have any information to know for sure…but by cross- Confronting the New Culture checking the whereabouts, circumstances, and personalities of Extremism of the protagonists I will attempt to reconstruct the scene.” Picciolini, Christian While prefacing another tangent, he writes, “I imagine, but I Hachette (272 pp.) may be wrong.” While his heart’s in the right place, the author’s $28.00 | Feb. 25, 2020 penchant for stylized prose often overwhelms the book’s more 978-0-316-52293-9 academic qualities. A lightly investigative biography about a painting’s A former white supremacist leader provenance and its hidden romantic history. examines the sinister nature of organized hate-fueled violence. “The delicate fibers of America’s fabric have been ripped to shreds by extremism,” writes Picciolini, who recounted his personal transformation in White American

92 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | young adult

- Of nightmare germs, sleazy dealings, Investigative journalist Posner writes writes Posner journalist Investigative and the big money that fuels the (legal) drug trade. PHARMA Poisoning of America Poisoning Greed, Lies, and the Posner, Gerald Posner, $35.00 | Mar. 10, 2020 10, | Mar. $35.00 978-1-5011-5189-7 Avid Reader Press (848 pp.) Press Reader Avid An impressive rendering of the disturbing history of human tinkering with nature. battling AZT, “the highest priced drug on the planet.” This barren countryside genuine to wilderness and the rescue of the had unfettered discretion to set prices.” Moving on to the fam- up 60% of the planet’s large land animals. Humans come next at uplifting note, Pilcher recounts successful efforts to restore physician Arthur physician Sackler came onboard, Pfizer had just a hand- prescribing the products,firm’s including OxyContin.Even in writing, and what went on behind closed doors were all sorts waiting audience. In time, Sackler came under federal scrutiny, ily-owned Purdue Pharma, Sackler and kin refinedtechniques many multiples more profit than other sectors of the economy, strains of epidemic diseases such as yellow fever and cholera. In In cholera. and feveryellow as such diseases epidemic of strains that big pharma “resides at the intersection of public health and health public of intersection the at “resides pharma big that earlycertainthe broadly on lock a had firms days, medi- applied those in other parts of the world. This was true of the AIDS– today, there today, is enough food to feed the world—a goal widely to grow food mostly intended to feed livestock, which make century with the need to care for wounded soldiers and new when century later, A Pfizer. of case the in caments—morphine, of secrecy and underreporting. As Posner notes, it was a firing offense for a salesperson to make notes on visits to doctors in of spoken inducements and rewards for prescribing and over ered by an industry where only sales and a few firms dominated charging far American more consumers and to insurers than to century, genetic century, modificationworked itswonders sowell that considered impossible 50 years ago. Readers who forget the each year, and their massive bone remains willontologists to lead future believe pale- that chickens were the 21st-century’s New Zealand kakapo from extinction. flightless cute, an agent of unbridled The greed. industry emerged in the 19th a bête noire of crusading Sen. Estes who Kefauver, “was both- as Pilcher chronicles how the world’s jungles are being cleared are by far the most eat common more bird. We than 65 billion (!) free enterprise,” sometimes capable of lifesaving acts but often them, of thousands of army an forged Sackler salespeople; of ful a to fanning out sellto drugs he had developed,Valium, such as downside to ordering the Earth for our convenience will squirm squirm will convenience our for Earth the ordering to downside dominant life form. Concluding on an upbeat but only mildly Kefauver’s Kefauver’s time, the pharmaceutical U.S. industry was making 36%. Wildlife 36%. Wildlife brings up the rear, at 4% and dwindling. Chickens After After scientists learned the secrets of DNA in the mid-20th - - - | 1 february 2020 | 93 | kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february Transforming plants Transforming and animals for An exploration of humans’ role as to dominate.” to our own benefit began in prehistoric LIFE CHANGING How Humans Are Altering Altering Humans Are How Life on Earth Bloomsbury Sigma (384 pp.) Pilcher, Helen Pilcher, $28.00 | Apr. 7, 2020 7, Apr. $28.00 | 978-1-4729-5671-2 “curators of the planet that we have come have come we that planet the of “curators An inspirational and refreshing book for anyone seek began with the dog, domesticated tens of thousands of years humans, produced far more offspring than their unfriendly harm I once caused,” Picciolini sets an instructive example for ing get to out their of cycle hatred of and anger. peers, and they now vastly outnumber them. Similarly, by people who have fallen prey the to same net of and hate radical whose previous book was about de-extinction, writes that it with radical extremist groups. The author explores the violence integrates ways itself into personal histories of bigotry or who felt lost as a young immersed teenager, himself in the neo- racism that had ensnared him as a Picciolini, In teenager. 1987, is my testament to how important compassion, empathy, and ized by her virtual “online boyfriend,” Nazi a case that became intolerance intolerance and calls out racists by exposing their “protective is partly autobiographical yet also drawn from the profiles of self-reflection are.” supremacist punk bands. He openly confesses that once he met he once that openlyconfesses He bands. punk supremacist selecting only desirable qualities, our ancestors converted other converted ancestors our qualities, desirable only selecting times, according to this expert, often unsettling account of this of account unsettling expert,often this to according times, transformation’s progress, which accelerated War after World to build on those from the past decade. Science writer Pilcher, tion: The most amiable wolves prospered by associating with those questioning their own extremism. As he notes, “this book “this notes, he As extremism. own their questioning those the stories of Daniel, a child born into poverty and emotional the movement. This lesson is just one of several approaches the approaches several of one just is lesson This movement. the one of the most challenging also the tells author ever He faced. evolution of several former extremists he has counselled—e.g., couldn’t justify or reconcile that hate any longer and denounced denounced and longer any hate that reconcile or justify couldn’t ago.This was accomplished by simple Darwinian natural selec ans who fell “into the insidious arms As of an hate.” outspoken the “repair to resolved and racism denounced has who advocate abuse, and several post-combat, trauma-addled military veter author believes are proven deterrents against indoctrination beneath which lies and insecurity, shame, fear, armor” of agony, a “fractured human.” Delving Picciolini deeper, chronicles the and engaged with the actual objects of his hate and rage, he Nazi Nazi white supremacy movement and helped found two white flora and fauna to more productive crops and domestic animals. domestic and crops productive more to fauna and flora Kassandra, Kassandra, a former white nationalist kidnapped and radical- II and will soon reach warp speed with advances that continue (2017). His road to reform informs his Youth latest book, which Impassioned testimony of a fight for health. the lady’s handbook for her mysterious illness

remains true today, even as Purdue, heavily fined for its role in ISLAND STORIES an epidemic of opioid-overdose deaths, tiptoes into bankruptcy, An Unconventional History one ploy in the “complex corporate chess game in which Arthur of Britain Sackler excelled.” Reynolds, David A shocking, rousing condemnation of an industry Basic (304 pp.) clearly in need of better policing. $30.00 | Mar. 24, 2020 978-1-5416-4692-6

THE LADY’S HANDBOOK FOR A British historian takes a long view HER MYSTERIOUS ILLNESS of events that are now rattling the Isles. A Memoir “The British…seem like a people who Ramey, Sarah have done things the same way for centu- Doubleday (432 pp.) ries and can be relied on for stability and common sense,” writes $27.95 | Mar. 17, 2020 Reynolds (International History/Christ’s Coll., Cambridge; The 978-0-385-53407-9 Long Shadow: The Legacies of the Great War in the Twentieth Century, 2015, etc.), which explains why Brexit has seemed so inexplicable A memoir that explores the idea that to so many people. In many ways, however, it is of a piece with women with chronic illnesses need to previous episodes that stretch back at least 1,000 years, not sim- rally for appropriate medical care. ply in tensions between the U.K. and European alliances, but also Making her book debut, Ramey, a in Britain’s relationships with the principalities of old. The isola- writer and musician (known as Wolf Larsen), recounts, with tion that logically results from living on an island was reinforced captivating zest, a sorry tale of suffering from a cluster of when Britain had to go it alone after the fall of France in 1940 symptoms that defied diagnosis. “I thought I was the strangest until forging alliances with the U.S. and the Soviet Union, which medical case on the East Coast,” she writes, only to discover Reynolds provocatively writes, “such was the extent of Germa- many others like herself. She was “a woman with a mysterious ny’s early success in 1940 that the Führer had, in effect, called illness,” a WOMI, chronically exhausted, aching, “likely in the superpowers into existence to redress the balance of the Old possession of at least one autoimmune disease,” and likely to World.” The U.K. was not among these superpowers, leading to go from physician to physician in search of understanding. The a sense of “declinism” that became a powerful counterargument daughter of physicians, Ramey began her quest for help believ- to Britain’s previous championing of what the author deems an ing unquestioningly in “Magical Pillthink,” the notion “that “ideology of freedom [that] was real at the time and has exerted if something is wrong, there is always a quick fix.” She visited a lasting influence.” With declinism, marked by episodes such as countless specialists and was treated with a host of medica- Margaret Thatcher’s being outplayed by continental colleagues tions that sometimes temporarily relieved symptoms, but more such as François Mitterrand and Helmut Kohl, has come another often not. She experienced “extremely bad—and often explic- spate of that going-it-alone resignation. Reynolds peppers an itly abusive—medical care,” including botched surgeries. The always interesting text with side notes on things such as the rela- author began to research her condition on her own, making tive lack of much of a dent, in terms of DNA, of the Norman con- some startling discoveries: the rise of autoimmune diseases in quest on the British Isles. He also offers some nice snark about the last 30 years; the significance of the intestinal microbiome some of the current players on the historical stage, among them to digestive health and fatigue, aching, and “brain fog”; the role Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn, who “seemed even less quali- of antigens in producing an overactive immune response; physi- fied for his job than May was for hers.” cal and emotional traumas that can trigger WOMI symptoms; A witty and revealing look at long-term patterns in and microglia, tiny immune cells that protect the brain and ner- British history. vous system that can become inflamed in response to a variety of stressors. Repeatedly prescribed antidepressants from frustrated doctors, Ramey indicts the medical establishment for its HOW THE SOUTH WON THE “contempt for women, and for the feminine,” and recommends CIVIL WAR the new approach of functional medicine, which holds that Oligarchy, Democracy, and “diet, lifestyle, and attitude are the cornerstones of health” and the Continuing Fight for the incorporates “testing, treating, and stabilizing” the four systems Soul of America involved in “modern chronic illnesses:” the gut, liver, immune Richardson, Heather Cox system, and endocrine system. Finally, her condition improved Oxford Univ. (256 pp.) through common-sense changes: “Sleep, movement, a nontoxic $27.95 | Apr. 1, 2020 environment, and a well-nourished psyche,” Ramey concludes, 978-0-19-090090-8 are the basic needs for recovery. Impassioned testimony of a fight for health. A thought-provoking study of the centuries-spanning battle between oligarchy and equality in America.

94 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | young adult - - - - Manhattan Manhattan denizen Rips shares his passion for the Chelsea Flea Market, which used to be “one of the largest flea markets in America.” in markets Norton (240 pp.) Norton Collecting Rips, Michael Rips, $26.95 | Apr. 21, 2020 Apr. $26.95 | THE GOLDEN FLEA 978-1-324-00407-3 A Story of Obsession and A Story of Obsession At At its zenith, the market thrived on the west side of - Man A denseA highly but relevant and useful especially study, before its reunification with West Germany. The chronological West Germany. before its reunification with because every extended case study requires separating partial less campaigns to harm so-called communist nations, especiallynations, communist so-called harm to campaigns less lots, old office buildings, and sidewalk stands. In his third book, third his In sidewalk stands. and buildings, office old lots, his daughter and their trips together to the flea. She seemedto has extended into the present, with labyrinthine government hattan, mostly on Saturdays and Sundays, with buyers and sell- his compact yet detailed narrative of oddball possessions and politics, Rid offers expert opinion that Russia is actively work profit, and buyers whocould beconsidered hoarders.In addi- prit. The third wave encompassed the 1970s, with a massively narrative will demand significant effort from lay readers—not necessarily part of the mix. For readers interested in current ing from the Soviet Union/Russia as well as fromasGermany East well as Union/Russia Sovietfrom the ing democracy. of U.S. erode the foundation ing to in particular have altered the tactics of government spy agencies, spy government of tactics the altered have particular in spy bureaucracies losing ground to renegade computer hackers searching for underpriced treasures that could be resold for as we approach the 2020 election. (76 b/w illustrations) truths told by the spy agency from the vast untruths that are tion to chronicling the goings-on of the many eccentric char technology technology for enemy governments hoping to influence- listen destabiliza- massivesuch in how detail demonstrates author the The tion has flowed in multiple directions for the pastcentury. tive director of the Art Students focuses League of York, New emphasizes the relentless disinformation campaigns emanat enjoy herself, and many of the vendors enjoyed entertaining her. her. entertaining enjoyed vendors the of many and herself, enjoy ers to revolt against their own governments. The second wave occurred during the with Cold War, the CIA as the main cul- While the digital era in general and the internet operating 24/7. ers coming and going from abandoned parking garages, open-air garages, parking abandoned from going and coming ers acters that acters the frequented author the also market, about writes during the post–World War II era. On side, the Rid communist War during the post–World whose style is engaging, but lack of clarity due by to the author, funded Soviet bureaucracy as the main culprit. The fourth wavefourth The culprit. main the as bureaucracy Soviet funded quirky humans on a parking garage that offered merchandise from dozens of vendors. Their customers included native New Yorkers seeking bargains, tourists Yorkers New “pickers” wandering by, Rips, who lives in the Chelsea Hotel and serves as the execu- U.S. government, mostly through the U.S. CIA, has mounted count Throughout the book, Rips muses, often entertainingly, on the Throughout the book, Rips muses, often entertainingly, - - - | 1 february 2020 | 95 | kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february To Make Make To , Rise of the Machines focused on A A Johns Hopkins professor of stra- tory—and current pervasiveness—of tegic tegic studies delves into the murky his Disinformation and Political Disinformation and Political Farrar, Straus and Giroux (528 pp.) Straus and Giroux Farrar, Rid, Thomas Warfare $30.00 | Apr. 21, 2020 Apr. | $30.00 ACTIVE MEASURES ACTIVE 978-0-374-28726-9 The Secret History of Secret The Rid, whose previous book, In In 1860, writes Richardson (History/Boston Coll.; A powerfulA viewingcasefor unfinishedthe War Civilas big waves, each a generation apart.” The first wave occurred beginning in the 1920s. “This modern era of disinformation,” he disinformation,” of era modern “This 1920s. the in beginning because you choose to be. Nixon’s “Southern strategy” did much did strategy” “Southern Nixon’s be. to choose you because lican Party took pains in its platform to remind audiences of the of audiences remind to platform its in pains took Party lican held that a small elite formed a proper polity all their own, slave own, their all polity proper a formed elite small a that held laws that “were designed to put the American government at lazy poor.” In their view, a corrupt aristocracy was fine as long as long as fine was aristocracy corrupt a view, their In poor.” lazy writes, “began in the early 1920s, and the art and science of what of science and art the and 1920s, early the in “began writes, roles having reversed polarity a century later, distinguishes rejection of a founding premise, however imperfectly applied, ing of women, who would not gain the right to vote for another vote not gain the right to who would ing of women, inequality by placing “tax cuts at the center of Republican policy” and reducing by political changing interference lawmaking it did not have to share spoils or power; of course, the common it did not the havecommon of share course, spoils or power; to sess “the language they and need to undermine our democracy, so that lobbyists—not representatives—wrote regulations and a Confederate victory after all. (b/w illustrations) that distinguished Republicans and Southern Democrats. By three generations. Still, the Republicans opposed a slave system system slave a opposed Republicans the Still, generations. three that they regarded as despotic while Southern true believers the CIA once called ‘political warfare’ grew and changed in four in changed and grew warfare’ ‘political called once CIA the tion, and then moves back in time to offer a well-packed history well-packed a offer to time in back moves then and tion, to replace it with an oligarchy.” Furthermore, they believed that believed they Furthermore, oligarchy.” an with it replace to the service of democracy.” trope among Republicans these days is that if you’re poor, it’s to propel neo-Confederate values into the modern Republican owners who “would resolve the American paradox by shearing off the portion of it wasIt that this endorsed radical equality.” created created equal.” All men were not equal, of course, to say noth- cybernetics, opens in 2016, as the Russians were employing as the widespread access to radio offered an effective new disinformation to influence the American presidential elec disinformation. Richardson’s account, it Richardson’s is this radical rejection that, the party Republicans from Democrats, the former of whom now pos Declaration of Independence and its assertion that “all men are men “all assertion that its and Independence of Declaration Party. Party. Later, Newt Gingrich enshrined them, fortifying class - Repub the etc.), 2014, , Party Republican the of History A Free: Men World, which World, was split between a corrupt aristocracy and the “their new system made their nation different from the Old A vivid history of passionate protest. mayday 1971

people he met during his forays in this unique environment, but on government and private archives, news articles, and many few of his portraits feel more substantial than sketches. While interviews with participants, Roberts creates a tense, brisk he is to be commended for diligently listening to them spin narrative covering 10 weeks that began in March with a bomb their background stories—many of them likely embellished— explosion in the U.S. Capitol and ended with lawyers’ efforts Rips rarely verified the facts of these sagas, preferring to hear to free the thousands arrested. He offers sharply drawn por- without judgment. Because the author identifies the characters traits of key White House personnel and of many protestors, only by first names and nicknames, readers may need to take including Yippies Stew Albert and his girlfriend, Judy Gumbo; the findings with a grain of salt. There’s a sometimes-pleasing activists Rennie Davis and David Dellinger; and John Kerry, a surreal quality to this journey that fits the idiosyncratic land- prominent member of VVAW. scape—in which sellers hawked everything from “paintings, A vivid history of passionate protest. (8-page b/w insert; lithographs and photographs” to “canes, vintage clothes, cos- map) tume jewelry, tools, Asian scrolls, screens, and jade, sports mem- orabilia, and African art,” not to mention “stacks of crumbling newspapers and magazines”—but one wonders if Rips could EMPIRES OF THE SKY have dug even deeper to produce a fuller picture of this world of Zeppelins, Airplanes, and lost and forgotten treasures. Two Men’s Epic Duel To Rule An intriguing but slight sociological snapshot. the World Rose, Alexander Random House (608 pp.) MAYDAY 1971 $30.00 | Apr. 28, 2020 A White House at War, a 978-0-8129-8997-7 Revolt in the Streets, and the Untold History of America’s A history of the obsessive pioneers of Biggest Mass Arrest flight. Roberts, Lawrence Bestselling historian Rose (Men of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (464 pp.) War: The American Soldier in Combat at Bunker Hill, Gettysburg, $28.00 | Apr. 28, 2020 and Iwo Jima, 2015) emphasizes that when the Wright broth- 978-1-328-76672-4 ers made the first heavier-than-air flight in 1903, airships had been carrying passengers since the Montgolfier brothers first A participant in a crucial anti-war launched their balloon in 1783. Until well into the 1930s, many demonstration recalls the tension and entrepreneurs believed that dirigibles—spacious, quiet, capa- peril of the moment. ble of flying long distances—were the wave of the future com- In May 1971, investigative editor Roberts, then a 19-year-old pared with cramped, noisy, accident-prone propeller-driven college student, joined in a huge protest against the Vietnam craft. After a brief account of a successful 1936 flight of the War that resulted in the arrest of more than 12,000 people, the Hindenburg, “the ultimate transoceanic cruiser” that would be author included. Making his book debut, Roberts offers a per- destroyed in a spectacular crash just a year later, Rose rewinds ceptive, thoroughly researched accounting of the intense, often the clock to 1863, when German Count Ferdinand von Zep- divisive movement that led to an event marking 10 years from pelin (1838-1917) first flew in a balloon and was inspired. After the time John F. Kennedy sent “a few hundred soldiers and advis- retirement, he devoted himself to building powered airships, ers to South Vietnam.” By the time of the protest, more than 2 immense craft lifted by flammable hydrogen (helium, much million Americans had served, and 275,000 still were deployed. safer, was wildly expensive). He created the world’s first com- Lyndon Johnson expanded the war, costing him the presidency, mercial airline in 1909. The difficulty of control in bad weather and Richard Nixon inherited the conflict, advised by his hawk- and the danger of hydrogen proved to be insoluble problems. ish national security chief, Henry Kissinger. Protests, begun in Airships suffered a dismal safety record, although Zeppelin’s 1965 with a teach-in at the University of Michigan, had grown passenger airline, under his successor, led a charmed life until year by year. By spring 1971, several organizations worked to the Hindenburg disaster. Rose’s intriguing second subject does strategize for “ambitious antiwar demonstrations”: the People’s not appear until the author reaches the 1920s, when Juan Trippe Coalition for Peace and Justice, the Mayday Tribe, the National (1889-1981) joined other businessmen investing in the first air- Peace Action Coalition, and Vietnam Veterans Against the lines. As the author shows, the competition in the U.S. was War. The Nixon White House, the FBI, and Washington, D.C., already cutthroat, but few airlines existed south of the border, police also needed to strategize, confronted with a conglomera- and he began acquiring exclusive rights to fly to the Caribbean tion of “1930s-style radicals, back-to-the-land hippies, campus and later South America. Flush with profits—from airmail con- intellectuals, would-be revolutionaries, middle-class liberals, tracts; passengers came later—he persuaded Boeing to develop black-power evangelists,” and young radicals known as Yippies. a flying boat capable of crossing the ocean. The resulting “clip- Because the groups had no designated leader, law enforcement pers” became the epitome of glamorous air travel during the agencies found it difficult to keep track of who was who, where 1930s. By 1940, when the book ends, Trippe’s Pan American they were, and what level of violence they endorsed. Drawing World Airways was the world’s largest international carrier, and

96 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | the Zeppelin was history. Technical and business details domi- STRANGE SITUATION nate the narrative, but the primary story is often riveting. A Mother’s Journey Into the An overlong but still worthy aviation history. Science of Attachment Saltman, Bethany Ballantine (384 pp.) BECOMING WILD $27.00 | Apr. 21, 2020 How Animal Cultures 978-0-399-18144-3 Raise Families, Create Beauty, and Achieve Peace An examination of the psychological Safina, Carl attachment between parent and child Henry Holt (384 pp.) from both personal and more detached $29.99 | Apr. 14, 2020 points of view. 978-1-250-17333-1 In her first book, Saltman, a Zen practitioner, writes about how she was prompted to look into the research surrounding Humans possess culture, but so do attachment due to her own ambivalence about life with her young animals according to this compelling daughter, Azalea. Concerned that her experience with a chilly account of three nonhuman societies: mother whom the author felt didn’t adequately nurture her would sperm whales, scarlet macaws, and chimpanzees. prevent her from bonding with the baby, the author began to inves- Nature writer, activist, TV host, and founder of the Safina tigate what she could do to strengthen the mother-daughter bond Center, the author notes that animals learn from their elders and be a “warmer, more present, and more loving mom than mine

how to fit in, communicate, search for food, and identify friends had been.” Saltman’s search led her to the psychological study of young adult and strangers. This is culture, and it’s not inherited. “An indi- attachment theory, including the experiment that gives the book vidual receives genes only from its parents,” writes the author, its name. In the clinical research procedure called “Strange Situ- “but can receive culture from anyone and everyone in the social ation,” a mother and baby are brought into a room; the mother group…and because culture improves survival, culture can lead leaves and is replaced by a stranger, and then the mother returns. where genes must follow and adapt.” During the 1950s, Navy The baby’s reaction to the mother’s return is used to gauge the personnel listening for Russian submarines were astonished to attachment style between the two. Saltman grew so fascinated hear elaborate, beautiful songs that turned out to come from with this tool that she learned how to administer it herself and whales. As a result of the bestselling recording, “whales went underwent its adult equivalent, discovering that in fact she was less from being ingredients of margarine in the 1960s to spiritual damaged than she had assumed she was. As she pored over the sci- icons of the 1970s emerging environmental movement.” Safina’s entific literature, she became intrigued by the biography of Mary lovely account of his travels with researchers studying sperm Ainsworth, considered by many to be the mother of attachment whales reveals a majestic, closely knit community. Turning to theory. Throughout the narrative, the author weaves Ainsworth’s scarlet macaws, every one of which knows its friends and avoids story into her own. As Saltman analyzed her personal history with macaws that don’t belong, the author wonders what happens the help of professionals, she began to understand her early life to a social organism after a few thousand generations. In tra- differently and to forgive and find a greater appreciation for her ditional evolution, new species appear when isolation (due to mother. While some might be concerned that the author accepts a river, mountain range, etc.) allows the changes of Darwinian the tenets of attachment theory uncritically, she conveys them natural selection to spread throughout one group but not oth- clearly, and her personal account is both honest and complex. ers. Don’t animal cultures produce a similar reproductive iso- A thoughtful engagement with a topic that affects all lation? In fact, cultural selection, although controversial, may parents. act as another engine of evolution. Our closest relatives, chimpanzees, share 98% of our genes as well as many cultural traits, especially a fractious social system in which macho males com- REPROGRAMMING THE pete for leadership with more violence than seems reasonable. AMERICAN DREAM Most books on natural history include pleas for preservation of From Rural America to the wild, and Safina’s is no exception. Sadly, none of his subjects Silicon Valley—Making AI are thriving, and few readers will doubt that these magnificent Serve Us All creatures need urgent attention. Scott, Kevin with Shaw, Greg Enthralling accounts of three animals that lead com- Harper Business (304 pp.) plex social lives and deserve to continue living. (16-page photo $29.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 insert) 978-0-06-287987-5

The chief technology officer at Microsoft joins a long line of experts describing how artificial intelligence and automation will make our lives better, provided we avoid the pitfalls.

| kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february 2020 | 97 Part survivor’s tale and part exposé of intimate violence, the book offers a candid, often frightening exploration of the diabolically schizophrenic ways that the patriarchy conspires to disempower women. assume nothing

Scott opens with a general assessment of the AI landscape: percentage of the country’s arable land. All of this was done in “There are two prevailing stories about AI: “for low- and mid- concert with American markets, with the timing just right for dle-skill workers, we hear a grim tale of steadily increasing job the arrival of immigrants to the U.S. who came from coffee- destruction; for knowledge workers and the professional class, drinking Mediterranean societies. It also appealed to a change we hear an idyllic tale of enhanced productivity and conve- of tastes that, in its day, had children both drinking and grow- nience.” After an autobiographical section—poor but brilliant ing the stuff, with Danish immigrant Jacob Riis observing in country boy leaves his beloved Virginia, succeeds dramatically in New York “men and boys of all ages crowded around one-cent Silicon Valley, and vows to give back—the author discusses how coffee stalls on the street.” Sedgewick casts a wide net in his he and others are trying to do just that. The brutal fact is that capably written book, observing, for instance, that liberals in San Francisco, New York, Boston, and Southern California lead newly independent El Salvador had once made advances to the America in job creation, and the runners-up are all urban, as well. U.S. to be incorporated as a state. Moreover, he links the rise Rural America is entering its second generation of depression, of the coffee monoculture to the development of an enriched with businesses closing, unemployment rising, and the usual ruling class in that country but also an immiseration of the peas- ills of crime, drug abuse, and infrastructure that’s crumbling antry: “The transformation of the volcanic highlands into a cof- or, in the case of broadband, inadequate. Scott clearly describes fee monoculture transformed the diet of El Salvador’s working efforts to bring in high-tech jobs that fail because locals lack the people into a flat, featureless landscape of tortillas and beans.” education to qualify. He excels in describing the problem and Meanwhile, workers in the U.S. became so dependent on coffee, makes a convincing case that AI, a rare “platform technology” and so powerful in times of labor shortage, that the coffee break with positive feedback loops that “get better faster over time,” will was enshrined in the nation’s culture and remains so today. continue to change our lives. Though the author’s heart is in the An intriguing account that darkens the depths of that right place, his solutions, reasonable and presented with enthu- daily cup of joe. siasm, break little new ground. Scott has no doubt that returning prosperity to America’s heartland requires improving its quality of life by improving infrastructure, failing schools, and ASSUME NOTHING deficient health care and housing. That would seem to require A Memoir of Intimate government action, but, except for generous tax breaks, Scott Violence focuses on entrepreneurship and local action, illustrating with Selvaratnam, Tanya stories of individuals and organizations who have taken matters Henry Holt (272 pp.) into their own hands and succeeded. $27.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 Another thoughtful technocrat worries about AI and 978-1-250-21424-9 concludes that things will work out. A writer and award-winning filmmaker’s account of how she fell into—and COFFEELAND later escaped—an abusive relationship One Man’s Dark Empire with the charismatic former attorney and the Making of Our general of New York state. Favorite Drug When Selvaratnam met rising Democratic political star Sedgewick, Augustine Eric Schneiderman in 2016, the attraction was immediate, and Penguin Press (448 pp.) the texts and emails they exchanged in the weeks that followed $30.00 | Apr. 7, 2020 became the prelude to a fairy-tale romance. At first, the author 978-1-59420-615-3 thought she had found a man whose transformational feminist values not only aligned with hers, but who seemed committed A broad-ranging, often surprising to defending the nation against what he knew would be Don- study of the economics and political ald Trump’s inevitable “attacks on civil liberties and vulnerable ecology of coffee. communities.” However, the closer she became to Schneider- Drawing alongside such studies as Stanley Mintz’s Sweetness man, whose circle of acquaintances included Harvey Weinstein, and Power and Tom Standage’s A History of the World in Six Glasses, the more he revealed his misogyny. An alcoholic who also com- Sedgewick, a professor of history and American studies, debuts bined Ambien and lorazepam, Schneiderman tried to control with an examination of the intersection of people from differ- Selvaratnam and make himself the center of her life. His abuse ent parts of the world in forging an extractive colonial economy. also included nonconsensual, sexually sadistic behaviors such One was a Brazilian immigrant to El Salvador who arrived in the as spitting, slapping, choking, and calling her his “brown girl” mid-1800s and set to work nudging the agricultural economy slave. Terrified that “he and his people [would] try to crush me” away from indigo and toward coffee. That deal was sealed with if she spoke out, the author quietly confided in friends and her the arrival, decades later, of another immigrant, this one from therapist. A domestic violence expert finally helped Selvarat- England. James Hill, writes the author, oversaw the conversion nam, who struggled against crippling anxiety and memories of that agricultural economy to the monocultural production of of her father’s violence toward her mother, make a safe plan to coffee, with coffee plantations that eventually took up a huge leave. In the process, the author learned that the United States

98 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | was “the tenth most dangerous place in the world for women” RIVERS OF POWER and discovered that many of Schneiderman’s associates knew How a Natural Force Raised about—and dismissed—his brutality. Selvaratnam then made Kingdoms, Destroyed the decision to go public with her story in the New Yorker, find- Civilizations, and Shapes ing strength in the global chorus of voices that emerged as part Our World of the #MeToo movement. Part survivor’s tale and part exposé Smith, Laurence C. of intimate violence, the book offers a candid, often frighten- Little, Brown Spark (368 pp.) ing exploration of the diabolically schizophrenic ways that the $29.00 | Apr. 21, 2020 patriarchy conspires to disempower women. 978-0-316-41200-1 A courageous and compelling example of an author writing her “way out of the darkness.” An exploration of the role of rivers in sustaining humankind. Rivers, writes environmental scientist Smith, are in the eye WENDY CARLOS of the beholder. Their value is often not evident to us except A Biography in the biggest of pictures, which is why the current genera- Sewell, Amanda tions of humans continue to dam them, fill them with pollut- Oxford Univ. (272 pp.) ants and plastic bottles, and otherwise mistreat them. “Only $34.95 | Apr. 2, 2020 by taking the long view is their deeply foundational impor- 978-0-19-005346-8 tance to human civilization revealed,” writes the author. This book takes that long view while also pointing to a few encour-

A pioneering musical artist belatedly aging trends (and some discouraging ones as well). On the young adult receives her first biography. positive side is the increasing tendency of city governments In 1968, the release of Switched-On to undertake projects of riverfront renewal, making parks and Bach blew the doors open for the accep- refuges where docks and warehouses used to stand—a good tance of synthesizers in music. That thing given, as Smith points out, that sometime in 2008, the album was created by Wendy Carlos (b. 1939), who was born majority of the human population shifted, for the first time, Walter Carlos before transitioning to Wendy. Though she from the countryside to the city. Still, notes the author, riv- wouldn’t undergo “gender confirmation surgery” until 1972 and ers remain underappreciated, shaping us in ways that are not wouldn’t go public with her gender identity until the end of that always easy to discern. For example, they help form cultural decade, the artist the public knew as Walter was deeply closeted and ethnic borders that in turn define nations, and they pro- and “nowhere to be found” as the album became a critical and vide avenues of conquest, exploration, and migration: “Riv- commercial success. Sewell, music director of Interlochen Pub- ers, and physical geography more generally, contribute to the lic Radio, focuses more on Carlos’ music than on her personal size and shapes of nations and thus the geospatial pattern of life, as Carlos would clearly wish, though she didn’t participate economic and military power around the world.” When rivers in this book or consent to an interview. Nonetheless, the author play out, as in the case of ancient Uruk and the urban civiliza- demonstrates that she was as important to the success of the tions of the pre-European American Southwest, then cultures Moog synthesizer as the Moog was for her, that she was a pio- collapse, something to think about given the increasingly neering artist in ambient music as well, and that she dismissed evident effects of worldwide climate change on the world’s being pigeonholed for her synthesized Bach. Sewell shows that rivers—some of which will dry up, others of which will flood she is a difficult woman who has fallen out with friends and col- as weather patterns change. Smith examines historical prec- laborators, filed suit against those who attempt to stream or sell edents along the Nile, Yangtze, and other rivers to project how her music—currently unavailable except through back chan- these drivers of history, “supercharged fuel lines” of planetary nels and secondary sources—and accused the “New York musi- energy, will affect the future. cal mafia” of killing her career by ignoring her. Her unexpected A valuable, well-observed work of history and geogra- initial success, writes the author, was “both a dream come true phy. (8-page color insert; 22 b/w illustrations) and an absolute nightmare come to life,” and she continued to shrink from public view just as public interest hit its peak. Subsequently, it became increasingly challenging to promote an artist who wouldn’t perform or appear in public, resisted being photographed, and wanted absolute control over everything, from her rare interviews to the way her music was sold. Sewell, who does solid excavation work, includes a discography and vid- eography as well as a glossary of “terms and concepts related to gender identity.” A balanced biography that gives credit where it is due. (b/w photos)

| kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february 2020 | 99 A spirited, entertaining collection of stories and traditions that bear emulating in other regions of the country. foxfire story

FOXFIRE STORY After a gunman massacred more than 50 worshippers at a Oral Tradition in Southern mosque and Muslim community center in Christchurch, New Appalachia Zealand, government officials and media combined to deprive Ed. by Smith, T.J. the perpetrator of whatever notoriety and dark glory he had Anchor (336 pp.) sought. They refused to reveal his name or quote from the $19.95 paper | Apr. 28, 2020 73-page manifesto he wrote to justify his mass murdering. Later, 978-0-525-43631-7 the Columbia Journalism Review would analyze the media coverage and agree that the “ ‘best practice’ for the media included A book of Southern folklore and not publishing the shooter’s name, the title or contents of his yarn-spinning from the long-running manifesto, the name of the forum on which he posted his docu- Foxfire franchise. ment, or any specific memes he deployed.” Guardian columnist The Foxfire organization, as execu- Sparrow (No Way But This: In Search of Paul Robeson, 2018, etc.) tive director and president Smith notes, now dates back more maintains that all of this was widely shared among the fascist than half a century. It was the brainchild of a teacher who put fringes from which the killer arose and that the context could his English class to work collecting stories from their home be crucial for the general public as we attempt to prevent in “extreme northeast Georgia,” their mandate being to “talk repeated occurrences. Instead of further marginalizing the to people about life and survival in the Southern Appalachian killer as a lone-wolf psychopath, the context provided here mountains.” The current volume ably extends that tradition, places him within a fascist lineage, suggesting that his writings taking readers to the heart of the place while anthologizing are both coherent and consistent with an evil ideology. Further- pieces that stretch across centuries. The opening tale, for more, the widespread pervasiveness of Islamophobia has made instance, recalls a bank robbery of 1936 in the county seat of the unthinkable somehow acceptable in the same way that anti- Clayton: “Just one man, and he had a gun on her, and when he Semitism led to the Holocaust. “The alleged perpetrator of the called for the money she screamed and run out at the back of Christchurch massacre might have entered…by himself but, the bank like a bullet—just went a-flyin’.” It took the sheriff, politically, he was never alone,” writes the author. He shows who tells the tale, a while to bust up the ring, for there was how and where fellow fascists form shadowy internet communi- more than one bad guy involved, and he was nice enough not ties to foment violence against immigrants and minorities and to put the leader, with the resonant name of Zade Sprinkle, spur dialogue on the “Optics War,” “ecofascism,” and “accelera- in leg irons as he drove him off to jail. Smith serves up yarns tionism,” terms that are much more common among this fringe aplenty, from tall tales to etiological myths and collections of than they are within the general public. folk beliefs (“If you drop a dishrag, someone is going to come Sparrow convincingly argues that the more we under- visit you that is dirtier than you are”). Readers will learn that stand about the last terrorist, the better we can prevent the the local way of saying insomnia is “big eye,” that something next one. “catty-whompus” is lopsided, that working people wear clod- hoppers while someone in an office wears a “choke-rag,” or necktie. A special pleasure is a set of ghost stories, for the THE FIRSTS densely wooded mountains make a fittingly spooky back- The Inside Story of the ground, and a howling “panther,” or mountain lion, naturally Women Reshaping Congress just has to be a shape-shifting woman. “I’ve never seen a big Steinhauer, Jennifer cat back in the mountains,” the storyteller allows, “but one Algonquin (272 pp.) time when I was digging up some Christmas trees…a cat came $27.95 | Mar. 10, 2020 down and walked around my truck in the snow.” 978-1-61620-999-5 A spirited, entertaining collection of stories and traditions that bear emulating in other regions of the country. The 2018 electoral cycle was a good one for women—well, at least some women, as New York Times reporter FASCISTS AMONG US Steinhauer shows. Online Hate and the In the wake of the “blue wave” anti-Trump backlash of 2018, Christchurch Massacre the largest number of women ever elected to Congress took Sparrow, Jeff the oath of office. Some of them have since become household Scribe (160 pp.) names—e.g., Rashida Tlaib, a daughter of Palestinian immi- $15.00 paper | Apr. 7, 2020 grants who set off shock waves when she pledged about Trump 978-1-950354-09-2 that she was going to “impeach the motherfucker,” forcing an issue that the Democratic leadership had been trying to keep An Australian editor and journalist under wraps. The class of 2018 found 106 women in the House argues that we need more information, and 25 in the Senate, and of the 35 newcomers that year, all but rather than information blackouts, in one was a Democrat. As for the Republican women, Steinhauer response to fascist terrorism. writes, “their numbers in the House fell from twenty-three to

100 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | thirteen, the biggest percentage drop ever and the lowest num- and Scott and their relationship. The most moving part of the ber overall in a generation.” There are numerous reasons for that book, divided into chapters such as “Grief Cake,” “Healing: fall, she ventures, including both revulsion among women for the It’s Like Putting Eyeliner on a Baby,” and “You’re Gonna Make sitting president and the lack of an effort among Republicans to it After All,” concerns the author’s continued hopes and fears recruit women to their cause. Instead, the Capitol now includes regarding the final adoption of their son, a narrative thread women such as Kyrsten Sinema, who immediately tested the that culminates in a heartwarming verdict by the judge. Her Senate’s dress code by wearing a sleeveless outfit instead of the resilience in the face of devastating loss is commendable, and usual business suit. That example seems trivial compared to while the book isn’t a top-shelf memoir about grief, Streeter’s the weightier intentions of the incoming class, who, by Stein- candid exploration will resonate with those who have dealt hauer’s reckoning, were fueled by Trump to run for Congress with similar circumstances. just as other Americans rushed to enlist in the service following A love-filled eulogy to a beloved husband and the spe- 9/11, “as part of a larger national emergency response.” The anal- cial times the couple shared before he died. ogy won’t please the likes of Joni Ernst and Martha McSally, but the larger point is that women hitherto excluded from the system—Arab Americans from Michigan, Native Americans from HOW TO FEED A DICTATOR Kansas and New Mexico, African Americans and Latinas and Saddam Hussein, Idi Amin, members of other underserved populations—are now actively Enver Hoxha, Fidel Castro, involved and pressing for accelerated reforms, to say nothing of and Pol Pot Through the Eyes the chance to influence the entrenched leadership. of Their Cooks A fine lesson in civics and political journalism and must Szablowski, Witold reading for anyone contemplating working in electoral Trans. by Lloyd-Jones, Antonia young adult politics. Penguin (288 pp.) $17.00 paper | Apr. 28, 2020 978-0-14-312975-2 BLACK WIDOW A Sad-Funny Journey A Polish journalist’s account of his Through Grief for People Who conversations with the personal chefs of five notorious dictators. Normally Avoid Books With Szablowski (Dancing Bears: True Stories of People Nostalgic for Words Like “Journey” in Life Under Tyranny, 2016, etc.) became fascinated by the rela- the Title tionship between dictators and their cooks after watching a Streeter, Leslie Gray film featuring Yugoslavian dictator Tito’s personal chef. In a Little, Brown (272 pp.) project that took several years to complete, the author trav- $27.00 | Mar. 10, 2020 eled the world to interview the people who had cooked for 978-0-316-49071-9 Saddam Hussein, Idi Amin, Enver Hoxha, Fidel Castro, and Pol Pot. Alternating between third-person reports of Szablow- A memoir about how the author ski’s interviews and first-person accounts from interviewees, coped with her husband’s sudden death. the author shares intimate historical insights into the meaning In her seriocomic debut, Palm Beach Post entertainment of life under dictatorship. Szablowski begins with—and peri- columnist Streeter pays tribute to her husband, Scott, by shar- odically revisits—a section called “Snack,” which deals with ing detailed stories about their life together and her many Young Moeun’s memories of a youth spent cooking for Pol Pot, struggles dealing with his death. Because Scott was white and whom she remembered chiefly for his good looks and gentle- Jewish and the author is black and Baptist, religion, racism, ness. The next section, “Breakfast,” recounts conversations integration, and acceptance are significant topics throughout with Hussein’s cook, Abu Ali, who recalled his employer’s the narrative. For the first few months after his death, Streeter generosity and fondness for “bastirma” (dried beef). “Lunch” was overcome by grief as she had to pick Scott’s coffin (a presents the story of Amin’s cook, Otonde Odera, who made “lovely, Jewish-law-compliant pine box”), choose the appropri- “nutritious pilafs [and] baked fish” while also managing to sur- ate spot to bury him and which dress to wear to the funeral, vive the political intrigue that nearly cost him his life. “Din- and, most importantly, figure out how to tell their son, almost- ner” focuses on Hoxha’s cook, Mr. K., who had to “cope with 2-year-old Brooks, whose adoption was nearly complete, that deficit items, unavailable in [Stalinist] Albania” while cooking “Daddy’s not actually working late.” The author also shares her meals to soothe his “agitated” boss. “Supper” deals with two insecurities about weight and overeating, the intense exercise of Castro’s chefs. One, Erasmo, thrived under the dictator program she endured to get back in shape after binging, how and became a prosperous restaurateur while the other, Flores, she drank to avoid the pain, and the necessity of relying on lost his mind and ended up living in poverty. The final section, her mother, who had also recently lost her husband. Although “Dessert,” continues Moeun’s complimentary musings on Pol Streeter’s humor occasionally feels forced, her grief, lucidly Pot, which she intersperses with recollections of life as a mem- portrayed, is tangible, and it’s clear writing about her difficult ber of the Cambodian Communist Party. Two strengths of experiences proved cathartic to her and to those who know her Szablowski’s book are its originality and topicality in a world

| kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february 2020 | 101 A highly witty and topical read—an impressive debut. sigh, gone

increasingly governed by political strongmen. However, the WHY WE SWIM complex, fractured structure creates an uneven narrative that Tsui, Bonnie is sometimes difficult to follow. Algonquin (288 pp.) A flawed but intriguing project. $26.95 | Apr. 14, 2020 978-1-61620-786-1

SIGH, GONE A study of swimming as sport, sur- A Misfit’s Memoir of vival method, basis for community, and Great Books, Punk route to physical and mental well-being. Rock, and the Fight To Fit In For Bay Area writer Tsui (Ameri Tran, Phuc can Chinatown: A People’s History of Five Flatiron Books (320 pp.) Neighborhoods, 2009), swimming is in $27.99 | Apr. 21, 2020 her blood. As she recounts, her parents met in a Hong Kong 978-1-250-19471-8 swimming pool, and she often visited the beach as a child and competed on a swim team in high school. Midway through the A high school Latin teacher and tat- engaging narrative, the author explains how she rejoined the too artist’s memoir about immigrating to team at age 40, just as her 6-year-old was signing up for the first small-town America from Vietnam and time. Chronicling her interviews with scientists and swimmers learning to fit in through reading, skateboarding, and punk rock. alike, Tsui notes the many health benefits of swimming, some Tran and his parents fled Saigon as war refugees in 1975, and of which are mental. Swimmers often achieve the “flow” state they eventually settled in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. There, they and get their best ideas while in the water. Her travels took her became the lone Asians in a town that “offered all the rainbows from the California coast, where she dove for abalone and swam of Caucasia.” Local children taunted Tran throughout child- from Alcatraz back to San Francisco, to Tokyo, where she heard hood while neighbors and co-workers saw his parents as amus- about the “samurai swimming” martial arts tradition. In Iceland, ing curiosities or “symbols of a painful and confusing war…of she met Guðlaugur Friðþórsson, a local celebrity who, in 1984, the people who had shot at them and killed their friends, broth- survived six hours in a winter sea after his fishing vessel cap- ers, and sons.” As he neared adolescence, Tran decided that he sized, earning him the nickname “the human seal.” Although could solve his problems by trying to “be less Asian.” First, he humans are generally adapted to life on land, the author discov- developed “social Teflon” by earning top grades in all his classes, ered that some have extra advantages in the water. The Bajau deciding that he “would take nerd props over no props at all.” people of Indonesia, for instance, can do 10-minute free dives He further learned to deemphasize his otherness by joining the while hunting because their spleens are 50% larger than average. skateboarding subculture as a young teen and adopting a punk For most, though, it’s simply a matter of practice. Tsui discussed persona. Even though he was a good student, however, the swimming with Dara Torres, who became the oldest Olympic author sometimes came up short of parental expectations for swimmer at age 41, and swam with Kim Chambers, one of the perfection, with excruciatingly painful results. During his junior few people to complete the daunting Oceans Seven marathon year of high school, he stumbled across a guide to classic liter- swim challenge. Drawing on personal experience, history, biol- ary texts touted as “the foundation for being ‘all-American.’ ” ogy, and social science, the author conveys the appeal of “an Eager to assimilate, Tran immersed himself in works like The unflinching giving-over to an element” and makes a convincing Metamorphosis and The Importance of Being Earnest. He became case for broader access to swimming education (372,000 people more self-reflective and developed an unexpected passion for still drown annually). books, which he highlights by naming each chapter after a An absorbing, wide-ranging story of humans’ relation- favorite work of literature (Madame Bovary, Pygmalion, etc.). At ship with the water. the suggestion of a history teacher, Tran read The Autobiography of Malcolm X, which heightened his awareness of white racism toward Asians and of the racism he saw in his own father toward NOBODY’S CHILD blacks. Funny, poignant, and unsparing, Tran’s sharp, sensitive, A Tragedy, a Trial, and punk-inflected memoir presents one immigrant’s quest for self- a History of the Insanity acceptance through the lens of American and European literary Defense classics. Vinocour, Susan Nordin A highly witty and topical read—an impressive debut. Norton (336 pp.) $28.95 | Mar. 24, 2020 978-0-393-65192-8

A mentally ill grandmother’s desperate plight exposes a deep gulf between science and the law when it comes to the insanity defense.

102 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | For two days after her 3-year-old grandson died, Dorothy today. The author combines a journalist’s eye for detail with a Dunn (a pseudonym) slept with the boy’s corpse, moving it on storyteller’s sense of humanity to chronicle all the incredible and off a heating grate hoping to maintain a lifelike body tem- highs and lows, both public and private. The dissolution of her perature. That and other unfathomable actions factored into parents’ relationship dovetails with San Francisco’s more pub- the insanity defense Dunn’s public defender built after a pros- lic trauma, including the Jonestown Massacre, the assassina- ecutor charged the “compliant and meek,” impoverished, black tion of Harvey Milk, and the outbreak of AIDS. “Faced with mother of five with second-degree murder. Debut author Vino- bureaucratic rigidity, people with AIDS broke the law to self- cour—a clinical and forensic psychologist who had earlier prac- medicate with cannabis,” writes Volz. “Dealers became healers.” ticed law and later served as an expert witness in Dunn’s trial Sticky Fingers may have started off as a goofy piece of psyche- before a largely white jury—evaluated the defendant and found delia wrapped up in tight, little squares, but the business soon her to be mentally ill. The author reconstructs the case in a became indispensable in providing necessary relief for stricken chilling book that interpolates into Dunn’s tragic story a history young men who were inexplicably wasting away from a little- of the insanity defense and famous related events, including the understood disease while still only in their 20s and 30s. The attempted assassinations of James Garfield and Ronald Rea- author’s firsthand depiction of AIDS and its devastating ini- gan and the 1999 massacre at Columbine High School. Insan- tial impact on San Francisco’s residents rings with epic tragedy. ity defense laws vary by state, but Vinocour argues persuasively Thankfully, there are plenty of triumphs in the Sticky Fingers that the law overall lags far behind scientific research on mental saga as well, and Volz herself embodies just one of them. illness. A widely used legal test of insanity is whether someone A sometimes-sad yet stirring love letter to San Fran- knows “right” from “wrong,” but mental illness is too complex cisco filled with profundity and pride. (18 photos; b/w chapter- for that standard, which implies falsely that “an intelligent or opener images)

educated person can never be, legally, insane.” Though the young adult author has changed many “identifying details,” making it uncertain that the events unfolded, as she writes, in Rochester, New FOR JOSHUA York, and other pertinent facts, the story is unquestionably a An Ojibwe Father Teaches page-turner, and revealing the ending would be a spoiler. It’s fair His Son to say, however, that in this case, nobody wins—except perhaps Wagamese, Richard for a prosecutor later elected judge after unironically billing Milkweed (240 pp.) himself as a defender of “the highest standards of the criminal $24.00 | Apr. 14, 2020 justice system.” 978-1-57131-389-8 A satisfying courtroom drama that hits the sweet spot between good storytelling and sharp legal analysis. An Ojibwa author fulfills his obliga- tion by passing down his life’s wisdom to his son. HOME BAKED Before his death in 2017, Wagamese My Mom, Marijuana, and the (Starlight, 2018, etc.) had earned renown in his native Canada for Stoning of San Francisco his memoirs and novels. He had also completed this book for his Volz, Alia son, then 6 years old. As he explains to the son who barely knew Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (432 pp.) him, “drinking is why we are separated. That’s the plain and $27.00 | Apr. 20, 2020 simple truth of it. I was a drunk and never faced the truth about 978-0-358-00609-1 myself—that I was a drunk. Booze owned me.” The author then proceeds to revisit a childhood of foster homes and adoption, of The unheralded story of San Fran- feeling like he never fit in or belonged, and of running away to cisco’s trailblazing “Brownie Lady” plays find comfort in transient street life and a community of sorts out across more than 20 tumultuous among others who lived a life of petty crime to subsidize their years of the city’s often tragic history. various addictions. He writes about his search for identity in Volz’s mother, Meridy, and father, Doug, may have been Ojibwa traditions and what he later considered the misguided complicated people, attempting to build a family during chaotic “influence of militant Native groups like the American Indian times in the Bay Area, but they were especially well suited to Movement.” “I became racist in my thinking,” he writes, “and it create and dispense delicious baked goodies heavily laced with was easy to blame the white man and society for my ordeals. In palliative marijuana. By simple virtue of her birth, the author fact, it made more sense than anything I’d thought of or heard became an “accomplice” in Sticky Fingers Brownies, the family before.” Much of the narrative follows Wagamese’s three days in business that at one time was cranking out more than 10,000 the wilderness, with only a blanket, at the behest of a recovering brownies per month. The experience of accompanying Meridy alcoholic who thought Ojibwa teachings could help his friend on perilous brownie runs throughout the city in the 1970s and in recovery. Only after he finished was the author told that this ’80s, when growing a single marijuana plant was a felony offense had been his “Vision Quest.” The author mixes reflections on in California, made Volz an eyewitness to an unprecedented the course of his life with dreams he had during those three revolution in American culture that continues to reverberate nights along with Native legends and traditions, illuminating

| kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february 2020 | 103 An essential contribution to any discussion of race and likely to be a standard text in cultural studies for years to come. afropessimism

the significance of the pipe and the drum. “As Ojibway men, we HEAVEN are taught that it is the father’s responsibility to introduce our Whitney, Emerson children to the world,” he writes to his son, and this posthu- McSweeney’s (200 pp.) mous publication is part of the legacy he passes along. $24.00 | Apr. 14, 2020 A sturdy book of traditional wisdom and prescriptions 978-1-944211-76-9 for recovery. A searing, deeply personal story about the author’s emotional journey of CODING DEMOCRACY self-discovery. How Hackers Are Disrupting “This is the question of my body and Power, Surveillance, and my story about it: is it just mine?” So Authoritarianism writes Whitney (Creative Writing/God- Webb, Maureen dard Coll.; Ghost Box, 2014) early on in the narrative, which is MIT Press (400 pp.) fragmented, elliptical, and consistently provocative. The author $29.95 | Apr. 7, 2020 tells their story in three parts, each beautifully poised and 978-0-262-04355-7 composed of brief paragraphs, some only one short sentence. Piecemeal, like snapshots, Whitney slowly reveals an early life Facebook and Amazon may be in the of uncertainty, pain, and suffering: “I grew up knowing fear as business of selling us to the highest bid- an inheritance of femininity.” The story washes back and forth der, but not without good guys fighting in time as the author reflects on their sexuality and family: to keep the internet free and safe. Mom and Hank, two brothers, Tye and Gunnar; and Grammy. Webb, a Vancouver-based labor attorney and activist, once Along the way, Whitney interjects bits of literature and psy- hoped that democratic constitutions around the world would chology, wisdom gleaned from a variety of sources, including roll back the wave of governmental and corporate intrusions on Freud, Lacan, Allen Ginsberg, Johanna Hedva, Robert J. Stoller, privacy. Unfortunately, “when you take stock of the pervasive Luce Irigaray, and Eli Clare. Mom is the key to this story. “As illegality states and corporations are engaged in with their uses a kid,” writes Whitney, “I was a flame in the corner lighting of digital tech, it is manifest that the law is collapsing.” Leave up all of Mom’s mistakes.” Chronicling their mother’s drink- it, then, to the white-hat hackers of the world to deliver us ing, being physically abused, splitting with her husband, and from technological evil. The author traces the hacker ethic to moving around as she tried to raise her family, Whitney does MIT programmers in the late 1950s who stole mainframe time a fine job uncovering their complex relationship. “This book,” when the authorities weren’t looking, then to the Bay Area lib- they write, “isn’t about individuation or even coming of age… ertarians who would launch the computing revolution. Valuably, it’s about ways to find a response, to respond to her.” About Webb ranges far beyond that American-centric story—even as, Grammy, the author writes, “I love this woman for throwing she notes, most internet traffic passes through and most of the me into deep water….My heritage is her hopefulness and the internet’s backbone resides in the U.S.—to examine the long complexity of a body that looks, in parts, like hers.” The author history of hacking in Europe, courtesy especially of the Berlin- recounts adolescent years filled with questions, fears, drinking, born Chaos Computer Club and a tech culture “aligned more drugs, cutting, boys, girls, and homelessness—as well as a bad with the advent of personal computing than with the develop- reaction to testosterone. Upon meeting other trans kids, writes ment of early mainframe computing.” The CCC gave rise to Whitney, “I was the happiest around them I’d ever been.” In other hacking movements, such as the Spanish ensemble of 2011, the author underwent breast removal surgery: “I’ve edited coders who linked the financial collapse of 2008 as it played out my body, mixed my skin around with some money.” in their country with misdoings on the parts of bankers and gov- An incisive, nuanced inquiry into gender and body. ernment officials, and the Five Star Movement in Italy, with its hearty mistrust of the status quo. While making allowances for black-hatters such as Julian Assange, Webb asserts that the goal AFROPESSIMISM of hackers and “hacktivists” is profoundly on the side of ordi- Wilderson III, Frank B. nary people. “The goal they share,” she writes, “is to distribute Liveright/Norton (352 pp.) power to the people, to put the people’s hands on matters as $29.95 | Apr. 7, 2020 local, national, and global citizens.” And the overarching task, 978-1-63149-614-1 she concludes, is no less daunting—namely, to “build a new condition of freedom.” A compelling, profoundly unsettling Coders seeking to do good in the world will find much blend of memoir and manifesto that inspiration here. proposes that—by design—matters will never improve for African Americans. To be black, writes Wilderson III, who chairs the African American Stud- ies program at the University of California, Irvine, is not just

104 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | likely to descend from slaves, but to be forever condemned to plumbing, the Energizer Bunny, grenades, condoms, poisonous the existential condition of a slave. As he writes, “slavery did potatoes, and NASA ice cream.” Readers who accept Zaidan’s not end in 1865. It is a relational dynamic…[that] can continue chosen mode of communication will be motivated to continue to exist once the settler has left or ceded governmental power.” and will learn about a variety of relevant issues, including the No other ethnic group—not Native Americans, Asian Ameri- promotion of products, the misinformation contained in head- cans, Arab Americans, or Hispanic Americans—in the U.S. suf- lines about food and health, flaws in scientific testing, and how fers the same institutional violence, and, Wilderson suggests, to interpret statistics. Throughout, the author sprinkles black- all others are more structurally aligned with the white oppres- and-white drawings illustrating chemical reactions, some verbal sor than with the oppressed African American in a system that equations, and his own interpretations of research findings and hinges on violence. Blending affecting memoir that touches flaws. For those looking for advice, the last chapter contains a on such matters as mental illness, alienation, exile, and a tran- few ordinary tips: Don’t worry about sensationalized health and scendent maternal love with brittle condemnation of a condi- food news stories, don’t smoke, be physically active, and stick tion of unfreedom and relentless othering, the author delivers to a healthy diet. In the appendix, Zaidan’s tone changes, as he a difficult but necessary argument. It is difficult because it describes a study undertaken at San Francisco General Medi- demands that readers of any ethnicity confront hard truths and cal Center in which coronary care patients were split into two also because it is densely written, with thickets of postmodern groups: The members of one group were prayed for by born- tropes to work through (“blackness is a locus of abjection to be again Christians while the other group received no prayers. Here, instrumentalized on a whim…a disfigured and disfiguring pho- the author provides a restrained, thoughtful, and eye-opening bic phenomenon”). The book is deeply pessimistic indeed, as analysis of the findings and their possible interpretations. Wilderson rejects any possibility of racial reconciliation in these There is good information to be found in this book; just

two-steps-backward times. Perhaps the greatest value of the look past Zaidan’s heavy-handed efforts to be accessibly young adult book is in its posing of questions that may seem rhetorical but amusing. in fact probe at interethnic conflicts that are hundreds, even thousands of years old. Wilderson advances a growing body of theory that must be reckoned with and that “has secured a man- DISUNITED NATIONS date from Black people at their best; which is to say, a mandate to The Scramble for Power speak the analysis and rage that most Black people are free only in an Ungoverned to whisper.” World An essential contribution to any discussion of race and Zeihan, Peter likely to be a standard text in cultural studies for years to Harper Business (464 pp.) come. $35.00 | Mar. 3, 2020 978-0-06-291368-5

INGREDIENTS Geopolitical strategist Zeihan (The The Strange Chemistry of Absent Superpower: The Shale Revolution What We Put in Us and on Us and a World Without America, 2017, etc.) Zaidan, George delivers his latest unsettling prognostication. Dutton (352 pp.) The author begins after World War II, when the U.S. $27.00 | Apr. 14, 2020 reigned supreme. Ramping up anti-communism efforts, the U.S. 978-1-5247-4427-4 led an alliance of nations that were either like-minded or happy to go along in exchange for protection and aid. Protection took Answers to questions about what is the form of a nuclear standoff, which produced a remarkably in the stuff we eat, drink, inhale, smear war-free era, and for the first time in history, the Navy freed sea on our bodies, or immerse ourselves in. lanes for unfettered worldwide trade. The result was an explo- Zaidan, an MIT–trained chemist sion of prosperity that continued until recently. In his earlier and former TV co-host (CNBC’s Make Me a Millionaire Inven book, The Accidental Superpower (2014), Zeihan concluded that tor) who is currently an executive producer at the American “2020 would look a lot like 1950, albeit without the whole fear- Chemical Society, talks directly to readers in earthy, conversa- of-nuclear-war-thing.” He has changed his mind. No alliance tional, sometimes overly cute language that will appeal to some lasts without a common threat, he admits, and this disappeared readers and turn others off. Following each chapter’s catchy with the collapse of the Soviet Union. At the time, George title—e.g., “What’s That Public Pool Smell Made Of?”—is an H.W. Bush (the last president the author admired) launched a explanatory sentence clearly designed to pique readers’ interest. national conversation on what might come next. “So of course For example, in the chapter titled “Processed Food Is Bad for the Americans voted him out of office….Bill Clinton found You, Right?” the author begins, “this chapter is about ingredi- foreign policy boring and did his best to avoid it,” writes Zei- ent labels, diabetes, uninhabited islands, porn, and homemade han. No Bush successor has provided “the necessary guidance Cheetos.” Or consider “Plants Are Trying To Kill You,” which to American military, intelligence, and diplomatic staff as to opens with, “this chapter is about carbon dioxide, pooping, what America’s goals actually are.” Consequently, nations are

| kirkus.com | nonfiction | 1 february 2020 | 105 A masterfully written political road map for anyone wondering how we got to where we are, a bad place indeed. burning down the house

beginning to look after their own interests. As a result, writes the boundaries of what was permissible in the arena of con- the author, the U.S. will turn inward, and post-Brexit Britain gressional warfare.” In the bargain, writes Zelizer in this sharp, will shrink to a U.S. client state. Russia’s demographic collapse lucid portrait, he drew people even more radical than he into is well under way. Zeihan’s more controversial projections will the party; in the end, they overthrew him, too. keep readers squirming, usually with pleasure, at his expert, A masterfully written political road map for anyone often cynical insights. France, self-contained and with a far wondering how we got to where we are, a bad place indeed. more “expeditionary-themed military,” will dominate a declining Germany. Absent U.S. love of its oil, Saudi Arabia (essentially a gangster state) will duke it out with Iran unless an expansive Turkey becomes the dominant local power. Hypertechnology will return Japan to preeminence in Asia when China’s unsus- tainable bubble economy collapses. Another masterful, often counterintuitive, relentlessly entertaining geopolitical thrill ride. (43 maps and charts; first printing of 25,000)

BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE Newt Gingrich, the Fall of a Speaker, and the Rise of the New Republican Party Zelizer, Julian E. Penguin Press (368 pp.) $30.00 | Apr. 28, 2020 978-1-59420-665-8

Politics is war without blood, said Mao, but Newt Gingrich emerges as red in tooth and fang in this thoughtful study of his politics in action. According to Zelizer’s (History and Public Affairs/Princ- eton Univ.; The Fierce Urgency of Now: Lyndon Johnson, Congress, and the Battle for the Great Society, 2015, etc.) account, Gin- grich had acquired a thirst for political power by high school, announcing to a teacher that he intended to move to Georgia “to create a Republican Party.” That there was already such a party didn’t matter: He wasn’t in charge of it, and that was his first aim, certain as ever of the correctness of his views and the wrongness of his opponents. It took a few failed runs, but Gingrich rose steadily through the ranks of the Republican Party in Congress, undercutting his allies while waging ugly, unforgiving battles against his enemies. Gingrich, writes Zel- izer, learned valuable lessons in leadership style and strategy alike from Richard Nixon, whom he credits with having gone after the overlooked blue-collar (and traditionally Demo- cratic) vote shunned by the liberal/moderate wing of the GOP; he also changed the terms of the argument from “establishment versus outsider, not liberal versus conservative.” There are few admiring moments in the book since Gingrich is not an admirable man, but the author does give him points for chutzpah. After all, Gingrich based his empire-building campaigns in Congress on a war against corruption even as he was as guilty of it as anyone. Still, building much of his power on a concerted action to remove Speaker of the House Jim Wright from his post, he “made his biggest impact on the GOP by defining what partisanship should look like and by expanding

106 | 1 february 2020 | nonfiction | kirkus.com | children’s These titles earned the Kirkus Star: YUSRA SWIMS Abery, Julie UNDER THE GREAT PLUM TREE by Sufiya Ahmed; Illus. by Deng, Sally Creative Editions/Creative Company illus. by Reza Dalvand...... 110 (32 pp.) THE WATER BEARS by Kim Baker...... 110 $19.99 | Feb. 25, 2020 A IS FOR ANOTHER RABBIT by Hannah Batsel...... 111 978-1-56846-329-2 THIS LITTLE PUP by Laura J. Bryant...... 114 Yusra, a young Syrian woman, travels CAT DOG DOG by Nelly Buchet; illus. by Andrea Zuill...... 114 at the age of 17 with her older sister to THE BOREAL FOREST by L.E. Carmichael; escape the war in her country. illus. by Josée Bisaillon...... 116 Having trained since childhood, Yusra dreams of swimming

at the Olympics. The sisters, now refugees, pay smugglers and young adult SORRY (REALLY SORRY) by Joanna Cotler; illus. by Harry Bliss....119 end up on a small inflatable loaded with people and headed to THE CHAOS CURSE by Sayantani DasGupta; Greece. Shortly after the boat takes off from the Turkish shore, illus. by Vivienne To...... 120 the engine fails. However, Yusra and her sister jump into the water and help guide it to safety despite the rough sea. They LETTERS FROM BEAR by Gauthier David; illus. by Marie Caudry; arrive on the shore tired and cold. Strangers stare at them with trans. by Sarah Ardizzone...... 120 accusing looks, but there is also “sudden kindness” when a child THE WORLD OF WHALES by Darcy Dobell; gives Yusra shoes. They walk for miles on rough terrain, then take illus. by Becky Thorns...... 121 buses and trains until reaching safety in Germany. There, Yusra HOW TO TIE A SHOE & OTHER BIG ADVENTURES starts training to swim again, eventually achieving her dream. illus. by Skip Hill...... 127 In clipped quatrains—no line exceeds four syllables—the story THE CAT MAN OF ALEPPO relates Yusra Mardini’s journey from Syria in 2015, culminating in by Irene Latham & her participation in the 2016 Olympics as part of a team of refu- Karim Shamsi-Basha; illus. by Yuko Shimizu...... 134 gees. Abery’s choice of spare, rhythmic verse gives the narrative a THE HIPS ON THE DRAG QUEEN GO SWISH, SWISH, SWISH gripping and dramatic feel while Deng’s illustrations convey the by Lil Miss Hot Mess; illus. by Olga de Dios...... 134 struggles of war and displacement. Yusra is portrayed through- MY MASTODON by Barbara Lowell; illus. by Antonio Marinoni..... 135 out as a strong and resilient young woman, determined and full of courage. A note from the author provides additional information ON THE HORIZON by Lois Lowry; illus. by Kenard Pak...... 135 about Yusra’s journey, including her becoming a goodwill ambas- MY MINDFUL WALK WITH GRANDMA by Sheri Mabry; sador for the U.N. refugee agency. illus. by Wazza Pink...... 135 A true and inspiring story of a refugee hero. (Informa DARING DARLEEN, QUEEN OF THE SCREEN by Anne Nesbet...... 139 tional picture book. 6-10) WINGED WONDERS by Meeg Pincus; illus. by Yasmin Imamura.....143 NERP! by Sarah Lynne Reul...... 144 SILVERWORLD CASTLE OF BOOKS Abu-Jaber, Diana by Alessandro Sanna...... 146 Crown (304 pp.) SEAGULLS SOAR by April Pulley Sayre; illus. by Kasia Bogdaska...... 147 $16.99 | $19.99 PLB | Mar. 17, 2020 THE LIST OF THINGS THAT WILL NOT CHANGE 978-0-553-50967-0 by Rebecca Stead...... 148 978-0-553-50968-7 PLB I AM JAX, PROTECTOR OF THE RANCH by Catherine Stier; A girl struggling with change finds illus. by Francesca Rosa...... 149 herself swept into a fantasy “world next OUTSIDE IN by Deborah Underwood; illus. by Cindy Derby...... 150 door” heavily informed by her Lebanese- ECHO MOUNTAIN immigrant grandmother’s stories. by Lauren Wolk...... 152 Samara Washington lives in Coco- THE PASSOVER MOUSE by Joy Nelkin Wieder; nut Shores, Florida, with her mother, Alia; brother, Tony; and illus. by Shahar Kober...... 154

| kirkus.com | children’s | 1 february 2020 | 107 finding inspiration in struggle

Leah Overstreet Those of us who work with chil- such as Ashley Bryan’s retelling of the West Indian tale dren and with children’s books are The Cat’s Purr (Atheneum, 1985), and historical stories, certain that what we do changes such as Patricia McKissack and Jerry Pinkney’s Mirandy lives, but it’s always nice to hear and Brother Wind (Knopf, 1988), but picture books on Afri- confirmation. In a recent interview can American history were thin on the ground. Had Leg- with Sam Sanders on NPR’s It’s Been end’s mother wanted to introduce some into her home- a Minute, award-winning performer schooling curriculum, she would have been hard-pressed and producer John Legend talked to find them easily. about the roots of his passion for so- Oh, how times have changed. In this year’s Black cial justice, evident in both his pro- History Month roundup, the John Legends of the fu- fessional and personal lives. “I’ve ture will learn about the Queen of Soul in A Voice Named always thought of myself as a very political person, even Aretha, by Katheryn Russell-Brown as a child,” he reminisced. “When I would go to the li- and illustrated by Laura Freeman brary, I would choose to read about Dr. King. I would choose (Bloomsbury, Jan. 7), and pioneer- to read about the struggle. I would choose to read about ing gospel songwriter Charles Al- people who fought for justice.” This statement, interest- bert Tindley in By and By, by Carole ing to many listeners, made me acutely happy, as it must Boston Weatherford and illustrated Valery Hache - AFP via Getty Images have done for the countless by Bryan Collier (Atheneum, Jan. authors, illustrators, publish- 14). They’ll ride on the Overground ers, and librarians—also edu- Railroad, by Lesa Cline-Ransome cators and booksellers—who and illustrated by James E. Ransome (Holiday House, work to ensure that those kids Jan. 7), and fly with the Freedom Bird, by Jerdine Nolen like Legend get the books and also illustrated by Ransome (Paula Wiseman/Simon they need. & Schuster, Jan. 14). In two stories that encapsulate the John Legend But it also got me wonder- importance of literacy to independence and empowering: Legend is 41; what would he have found in the stacks ment, they’ll meet Cheryl Wills as he looked for inspiration some 30 to 35 years ago? and Sue Cornelison’s Emma (Light- An 11-year-old Legend would have found Virginia switch Learning, Feb. 1), a woman Hamilton’s African American folktale collection The People denied literacy by enslavement who Could Fly, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon (Knopf, 1985), successfully won her deceased hus- and her innovative fiction/nonfiction account of the life band’s Union Army pension from of Anthony Burns (Knopf, 1988), who escaped slavery and a reluctant U.S. government, and then was recaptured under the Fugitive Slave Law. Mil- Mary Walker, who learned to read dred D. Taylor’s Newbery-winning Roll of Thunder, Hear at 116, in Rita Lorraine Hubbard My Cry (Dial, 1976) would already have achieved classic and Oge Mora’s The Oldest Student status by 1990, when The Road to Memphis (Dial) contin- (Schwartz & Wade/Random, Jan. ued its story into 1941—and if young Legend loved that 7). (For more, see our list of 8 Stellar Picture Books for series, as an adult, he might be excited to learn about its Black History Month 2020.) newly published, long-awaited conclusion, All the Days So maybe not all the kids who read these books will Past, All the Days To Come (Dial, Jan. 7). Walter Dean My- grow up to become EGOT winners. But they’ll have ers was a year away from publishing his landmark history learned critical pieces of our country’s history and have of the African American experience, Now Is Your Time! seen the resilience and determination of the African (HarperCollins, 1991). American people in overcoming everything that this But unless Legend’s local library went out of its way country has thrown in their way. Here’s hoping today’s to collect small-press picture books that specifically readers can take these and turn them into their own kind delved into African American history, before he reached of brilliance.—V.S. the middle grades he probably wouldn’t have found very many new books to choose from that would scratch his Vicky Smith is the children’s editor. itch to learn about the struggle. There were folktales,

108 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | Very silly and very smart, this distinctive find is worth checking out. pierre & paul avalanche!

maternal grandmother, whom they call Teta. Her American-born BOUNDLESS SKY father passed away when she was young. Although it’s been about Addison, Amanda a year since they moved from Ithaca, New York, she has not made Illus. by Adreani, Manuela “real friend-friends” like the ones she left behind. Worse, Teta’s Lantana (40 pp.) changed, speaking gibberish to everyone except Sami, when $17.99 | Mar. 3, 2020 they are alone. Alia is thinking about moving Teta to a nursing 978-1-911373-67-4 home, something Sami energetically opposes. Teta’s told Sami stories about the magic in their family—stories about another A bird and a young girl travel across the world, meeting at world with magical sprites called Ifrit and air and light beings the common end of their journeys. called Flickers. Convinced that Teta is under a spell, Sami finds On a crisp autumn morning in the north of England, Alfie, her grandmother’s charm book and uses it, entering Silverworld, a young white boy, greets a bird in his garden. She flies away a parallel world that, like Teta, is in terrible danger. Sami must and begins her journey across fields, seas, and mountains. In decide whether she will confront the force that threatens Silver- the desert, when the bird is exhausted, she comes to an oasis world or go back home. In the tradition of epic fantasy, Sami will where a brown-skinned girl named Leila, dressed in a headscarf be tested and face her greatest fears. In her first novel for children, and flowing dress, offers her some water. The bird then contin- Abu-Jaber (Life Without a Recipe, 2016, etc.) includes pieces of Bei- ues her journey above the jungle and across a river, until finally rut that were part of Alia’s and Teta’s lives in Lebanon—meals she crosses the plains and grasslands to the place that she will they prepared together like kibbee, bamia, and tabbouleh; the stay during the cold European winter. At the end of the sea- adthan, or call to prayer—evoking a powerful image of that place son—which, in southern Africa, is summer—the bird retraces while acknowledging Sami’s bicultural American experience. her journey back to England. But when she stops at the desert

An exciting fantasy with familiar elements—magical oasis, as she always does, she finds Leila’s house abandoned, and young adult creatures, high stakes, and courage—rich with Lebanese Leila is nowhere to be found. The bird calls for Leila, but the texture. (Fantasy. 8-12) girl doesn’t answer, and the bird flies on. At the end of the bird’s journey, she returns to Alfie only to find that he has a new neighbor: Leila, the bird’s missing friend. Addison’s poetic text ren- PIERRE & PAUL AVALANCHE! ders the bird’s journey fascinating and awe-inspiring. However, Adderson, Caroline Leila’s parallel migration story lacks the same detail and care as Illus. by Carter, Alice the bird’s: Other than a hint in the illustration in the form of a Owlkids Books (32 pp.) picture of dark bodies huddled in a boat on a stormy sea, read- $16.95 | Mar. 15, 2020 ers are given no sense of what Leila has been through or where 978-1-77147-327-9 she has gone. The result is a tenuous association that makes the book’s ending fall flat. Two friends take a break from explor- This attempt at a parallel-migration narrative doesn’t ing to have a big snack in this story told quite cohere. (Picture book. 3-6) in a mixture of English and French. “Paul and Pierre are great explorers. Ils sont aussi des amis. Friends and explorers.” Instead of present- WAY PAST MAD ing a bilingual story with line-by-line translation, this book alter- Adelman, Hallee nates entire sentences in each language for a unique structure Illus. by de la Prada, Sandra that keeps readers on their toes. When Paul gets hungry, they Whitman (32 pp.) leave their (imagined) Himalayan trek to see what’s in Pierre’s $16.99 | Mar. 1, 2020 kitchen, where they begin stacking all sorts of ingredients into a 978-0-8075-8685-3 tall sandwich: “Ham, cheese, mayonnaise. Du beurre, de la laitue, un concombre.” Between the illustrations and the English clues, Anger at a sibling gets taken out on English-speaking readers are bound to pick up a few words and a friend. phrases in French, but only the very curious will be up for the Protagonist Keya fumes when younger multiple readings that will truly bear fruit in that regard. Paul, a brother Nate gives Keya’s cereal to the dog and cuts holes in Keya’s pale boy with red hair and freckles, speaks English, while Pierre favorite hat. Keya stomps outside. Hooper, Keya’s friend, offers and his mother, both black, speak French—but all characters a cheerful greeting, but Keya darts away. A fantasy race ensues, understand one another. The childlike illustrations combine the briefly cathartic, but Keya’s temper explodes after a knee-scrap- boys’ imaginations with their real world: The sandwich becomes ing tumble. Keya bursts out, “I don’t like you, Hooper.” It’s not a mountain, which finally topples in the titular avalanche, becom- true, of course, and they make up after a sweetly responsible ing Paul’s least favorite meal (salad!). While the correspondence apology. Aside from twice waxing poetic (“The kind of mad that between pictured items and their words is not always perfectly starts / and swells / and spreads like a rash”), Adelman’s prose obvious, the goal here prioritizes fun over explicit instruction. is dull and declarative (“Then we joked and laughed. I was so Very silly and very smart, this distinctive find is worth happy”). Keya and her family present white and Hooper, black. checking out. (Picture book. 4-9) Keya’s glorious, lively black curls are de la Prada’s best visual.

| kirkus.com | children’s | 1 february 2020 | 109 Ahmed and Dalvand develop a cast of quirky, fascinating characters using simple language, innovative text placement, and lavish, intricately detailed illustrations. under the great plum tree

Many illustrations are too uniformly saturated, with the com- WHAT GREW IN position offering no clear place to focus. A “gold medal like LARRY’S GARDEN sunshine” that Keya wins in the imagined race is barely visible. Alary, Laura In a critical misstep for a book for fostering emotional literacy, Illus. by Reich, Kass narrator Keya says Hooper looks “way past mad”—echoing an Kids Can (32 pp.) earlier description of Keya—while the illustrations clearly show $17.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 him as hurt, not angry. Choose Tameka Fryer Brown and Shane 978-1-5253-0108-7 Evans’ My Cold Plum Lemon Pie Bluesy Mood (2013) or Judith Viorst and Ray Cruz’s classic Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, Young Grace, the titular Larry’s neighbor, learns that a gar- No Good, Very Bad Day (1972) instead. den is more than the sum of its produce. In a crowded subgenre, this offering is unnecessary. Larry, white-haired, bearded, and bespectacled, grows rain- (Picture book. 4-8) bow chard, zebra-striped tomatoes, and purple potatoes in his garden, where Grace helps plant, prune, hoe, and harvest. When problems arise—bugs in the carrots, for instance—Larry’s phi- UNDER THE GREAT losophy is summed up in what he says first: “We can figure this PLUM TREE out.” He and Grace (both appear white) plant marigolds to dis- Ahmed, Sufiya courage bugs and build wire cages to protect tomatoes from Illus. by Dalvand, Reza squirrels. Alary’s unfussy narrative and Reich’s cheery, bright Tiny Owl (32 pp.) art create a welcoming and friendly feel for the neighborhood $17.95 | Apr. 7, 2020 and the garden. “We’re not just growing vegetables,” Larry tells 978-1-910328-46-0 Grace. The tomato seedlings that he and Grace start over the winter have sprouted from seeds they gathered. Larry, a teacher, A kindhearted monkey and an elderly takes the tomato seedlings to school, where each is nurtured crocodile forge an unlikely bond. by a student, then given with a note of explanation to a neigh- Miss Bandari is a monkey who’s known for her bighearted bor the student selects. An author’s note explains that the story kindness. One day, while sitting in a plum tree, she meets Mr. was inspired by a real-life teacher who created this project as Magarmach, an elderly crocodile whose aging body makes a way to build community. In the story, when Grace and Larry it impossible for him to hunt. Hearing him groan with hun- encounter a problem caused by a neighbor’s fence, it is Grace ger, Miss Bandari throws Mr. Magarmach a sweet plum. Thus who takes what she has learned from gardening with Larry and begins a friendship between the aged reptile and the sweet helps to create a positive solution. simian, who enjoys hearing her new friend’s tales of adventure A warmhearted lesson in community and creative and bravery. One day, hoping to repay Miss Bandari’s generos- thinking, delivered simply. (Picture book. 4-8) ity, Mr. Magarmach invites her to lunch. Luckily, on the way, they run into Dame Hati the elephant, who warns Miss Ban- dari that King Crocodile lives in Mr. Magarmach’s swamp and THE WATER BEARS surely wants to have Miss Bandari for his own lunch! Thanks Baker, Kim to Dame Hati’s intervention, Miss Bandari invents a quick lie Wendy Lamb/Random (272 pp.) that saves her life but breaks her heart: After this betrayal, she $16.99 | $19.99 PLB | Apr. 21, 2020 doesn’t know if she’ll ever trust Mr. Magarmach again. In this 978-1-9848-5220-5 innovative reimagining of a classic narrative from the Indian 978-1-9848-5221-2 PLB folktale collection known as the Panchatantra, Ahmed and Dal- vand develop a cast of quirky, fascinating characters using sim- Healing comes from unexpected ple language, innovative text placement, and lavish, intricately places in this new middle-grade read. detailed illustrations. The exact plot uses the original folktale as It’s hard to stand out in an offbeat a jumping-off point rather than a template, and the twists and island community known for monster turns, both visual and literary, will keep readers old and young sightings and an eccentric artists col- engaged. ony, but a year after he was mauled by a bear, Newton “Newt” An originally designed, gorgeously illustrated new Gomez feels like an outsider on his island home. As friends and vision of an old tale. (Picture book. 3-6) family try to support him in the best ways they know how, Newt just wants to escape the island and the nightmares he endures every night. Plans to transfer to middle school on the mainland, where nobody knows the story behind his scarred leg and limp, are met with disapproval, but Newt feels certain that leaving the island will give him a much-needed fresh start. His plans are complicated, however, when he befriends a mysterious newcomer and becomes embroiled in an intriguing mystery involving a taco truck and beach flotsam that might grant wishes.

110 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | Further complexity is added to Newt’s story by the fact that his protagonist—presumably the co-creator of the book—points out is the only Mexican American family living in his island town, a that “rabbit” begins with “R.” “Yes, but “a rabbit” starts with A,” fact that adds to his feelings of difference and fuels his desire says the narrator, before moving on to “B is for bunny,” which, as to leave. Other characters are assumed white. Rich character the owl points out, is just another name for rabbit. Despite the building, tender relationships, and a vibrant setting tingling owl’s mounting frustration, the narrator genially narrates several with magical possibility combine for a satisfying tale. rabbits into existence on almost every single page, rendered with Both a whimsy-soaked journey of self-discovery and a such variety that readers will find their proliferation endlessly successful exploration of the tough reality of recovering amusing. The letter D, for instance, introduces readers to “delight- from trauma. (Fiction. 9-13) ful, dynamic, daredevil RABBITS!” (a herd of biker rabbits), and although the narrator says “E is for Elephant” (which momentarily satisfies the owl), the image depicts several rabbits poorly- dis PAOLO, EMPEROR OF ROME guised as an elephant. Much to the owl’s chagrin and, ultimately, Barnett, Mac exhaustion, the narrator grows more and more creative in their Illus. by Keane, Claire presentation of their favorite animal as the picture book proceeds Abrams (48 pp.) down a rabbit hole of…well, rabbits! Batsel’s debut picture book $17.99 | Mar. 31, 2020 for readers already familiar with the English alphabet is funny 978-1-4197-4109-8 and highly entertaining. The whimsical narrative and the colorful images make this an excellent elementary-age read-aloud. A canine escapee gets his own Roman Creative, comedic, and carrot-loads of fun. (Picture book. holiday. 4-8)

Paolo, a dachshund, would rather young adult explore the streets of Rome than lie around inside his hair-salon home. Every time he dares to make an escape out the door, his owner, Signora Pianostrada, blocks her “Lazy Paolo” with her foot. But one day, Signora Pianostrada starts putting curlers in a client’s hair before remembering to close the door, and off Paolo goes. The pup’s newfound freedom takes him all over Rome—for, as he says, unlike the statues he sees, “I am made of muscles, and can go wherever I please.” He stares down cats in a field full of ruins. He becomes leader of a pack of dogs. He even tries his hand at heroics. Above all else, he conquers the city, proving that he’s more imperial than lazy. Barnett’s theatrical narrator works in tandem with the hilariously pompous pooch to carry this rib-tickling romp with infectious bravado. Keane’s illustrations feature thick black outlines and an earthy, Mediterranean color palette applied with the look of oil pastels. The beautifully textured architecture and action sequences harken back to classic picture-book artists like Ludwig Bemelmans, Dr. Seuss, and H.A. Rey. A pair of wordless spreads even gives the pup a wild rumpus. Though it’s mostly an animal story, the human characters are racially diverse. Endpapers depict a small map of Rome with Italian labels. Molto bene! (Picture book. 4-8)

A IS FOR ANOTHER RABBIT Batsel, Hannah Illus. by the author Carolrhoda (32 pp.) $17.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 978-1-5415-2950-2

An obsessed narrator creates an alphabet book overrun with rabbits, much to the chagrin of an owl who wants to create a “proper, respectable” alphabet book. The picture book begins, “A is for A rabbit,” an illustration of a large brown rabbit taking up most of the recto. The owl

| kirkus.com | children’s | 1 february 2020 | 111 CAMP AVERAGE explains, “they call it a gadget or say that it is something they Double Foul really need.” Evidence of inner children abounds: “Nasty adults” Battle, Craig have nasty kids inside (a secondary character whose interior Owlkids Books (272 pp.) child has a loaded diaper represents these unpleasant people); $16.95 | Apr. 15, 2020 people in love speaking baby talk (“I wub you!” “I wub you too”); 978-1-77147-309-5 and sometimes grown-ups just have to cut loose and dance or play in some other way. He goes on to warn young readers that A year after Camp Average’s surprise there will still be things that scare, annoy, or anger them when baseball-tournament win, Mack—out- they’re older too. The author’s closing claim that inner children raged at hypercompetitive camp direc- should be encouraged because they “make being an adult…SO tor Winston’s wily manipulations—leads MUCH FUN!” won’t lighten the gloom much for children who another rebellion; the battlefield this time is basketball. were actually hoping that adulthood would be better, or at least To boost competitive sports, the camp’s now coed, draw- different. On the other hand, children, or anyone, puzzled by ing talented athletes in search of opportunities unavailable at the strange things grown-ups do may appreciate the insight. local girls’ camps. Frustrated that his makeover hasn’t netted Sketchy and reductive but probably, alas, fairly valid. significant wins, Winston announces he’s entered the camp in (Picture book. 6-8) a prestigious basketball tournament, and the boys’ and girls’ teams will play each other to determine which enters the tournament. Mack likes basketball but resists joining the team until WHERE’S MY TURTLE? his preferred activities are mysteriously banned. Given proof of Bottner, Barbara foul play (and responding to a request), Mack decides to sabo- Illus. by Hughes, Brooke Boynton tage Winston’s efforts, recruiting helpers to undermine both Random House (40 pp.) basketball teams’ series performances. Planting a rumor that a $17.99 | $20.99 PLB | Apr. 28, 2020 college scout is watching proves wildly successful: Players aban- 978-1-5247-1805-3 don teamwork to focus on showcasing their individual prow- 978-1-5247-1806-0 PLB ess. Performance suffers, both teams are dispirited, and after Mack’s role is revealed, he’s shunned. It’s bad when Mack’s plans Poor Archer can’t find his pet turtle! don’t work, Miles tells him, but “somehow even worse” when Endpapers show toys, books, and they do. Watching the events unfurl in this sequel is rewarding other odds and ends, hinting at the and entertaining. While Winston’s villainy can seem cartoonish, protagonist’s disorganized ways. A title-page illustration then the girls—like the boys—are amiably convincing. Names and depicts these same items strewn on the floor like a path that descriptions for both imply racial and cultural diversity; Mack leads to an open terrarium. The titular turtle is seen in the act seems to be default white. Intergender relations among these of crawling out of the tank, which may leave readers wondering middle schoolers are strictly platonic. A final twist forecasts why there’s no lid. A child appears on the dedication page, look- further adventures. ing for something, and the turtle isn’t visible. The text begins A funny, satisfying exploration of the thematically rich on the next spread with the statement that “Archer lost things,” territory between winning and losing. (Fiction. 8-13) so apparently having his pet turtle, Kevin, go missing isn’t an uncommon occurrence in his life. Luckily, his patient, tidy mom is there to encourage him and help him find his beloved pet. As THE INNER CHILD he searches indoors and out for Kevin, Archer follows his moth- Blackshaw, Henry er’s sage advice that there’s “a place for everything, and every- Illus. by the author thing in its place.” He finds various and sundry lost items, then Cicada Books (36 pp.) tries to think like Kevin in order to create an inviting space for $10.95 paper | Apr. 7, 2020 the turtle to return to. Hughes’ illustrations change perspective 978-1-908714-68-8 and shift from full-room vistas to spot illustrations to support visual interest and entice readers with an I-spy sort of experi- An earnest message for (mostly) ence as they join Archer in his search for Kevin. Both Archer young readers: Adults may look grown and his mom have light beige skin and brown hair. up, but they don’t leave the children they Here’s a book that will find its way into readers’ hearts. were behind. (Picture book. 3-6) In block-lettered lines fitted in around the cartoon figures that populate his pages, Blackshaw casts typical adult behavior in a juvenile light with help from four grown-ups, three white people in street clothes and a black man in tight-fitting work- out clothes. Superimposed within each full-color character is an interior black-and-white mini-me that mirrors every ges- ture and mood. When grown-ups “want a new toy,” the author

112 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | young adult

| kirkus.com | children’s | 1 february 2020 | 113 Pace, rhythm, and layout work together to clearly depict poignant moments of isolation, tension, and togetherness. cat dog dog

THE WOLF OF CAPE FEN holding the ball out to the child for another toss. Charming Brandt, Juliana illustrations are filled with expressive animals in motion, with Sourcebooks Young Readers (304 pp.) black, segmented motion lines indicating the bouncing action $16.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 of the blue ball. A large trim size and double-page-spread for- 978-1-7282-0961-6 mat make this a fine choice for reading aloud to a group, but the opportunity to count up all those adorable animals will reward Eliza Serling embarks on a transfor- perusal by lapsitters as well. mative quest when a strange wolf attacks This little pup knows how to stand up and be counted. her younger sister. (Picture book. 3-6) Eliza, nearly 12, lives on Cape Fen with Pa and Winnie, her sister. After her mother’s mysterious disappearance four CAT DOG DOG years ago, Eliza stopped dreaming about a future away from The Story of a Blended Cape Fen and tries to be a sister and mother to Winnie. Baron Family Dire, descendent of the first Dire Witch, who arrived on Cape Buchet, Nelly Fen in 1811, controls the island, imprisoning its inhabitants for Illus. by Zuill, Andrea the magic their dreams provide. When the baron’s Wolf com- Schwartz & Wade/Random (40 pp.) panion unexpectedly lunges at Winnie, Eliza’s stunned: Dire $17.99 | $20.99 PLB | Apr. 28, 2020 and his Wolf cannot hurt someone unless they have bargained 978-1-9848-4899-4 with him, and neither Eliza nor Winnie has ever bargained. 978-1-9848-4900-7 PLB Determined to protect Winnie, Eliza searches for clues explaining the Wolf’s attack. Did Pa bargain with Dire? Did Aunt Zil- A couple moves in together. But can their pets handle the pha? Could her missing mother have bargained with Dire to big change? escape Cape Fen? With the Wolf lurking, Eliza discovers sur- A scruffy white dog lives alone with her human father. She prising things about her origins and her family and eventually loves her toys, her royal dog bed, and lying at her dad’s feet at realizes she, too, must bargain with Dire if she hopes to save night. Elsewhere, a large houndlike dog and an orange tabby Winnie and herself. Unfolding gradually as Eliza relentlessly live together with their mother. The dog loves playing. The cat pieces the past together, this intriguing mystery culminates in a doesn’t seem to love anything—except, perhaps, sleeping in the startling, literally transforming climax. Black-and-white chapter dog’s bed. A moving van unites the two families under one roof, heads echo the dream theme. forcing the new pet stepsiblings to get to know one another. Laced with dreams, this perplexing fantasy rewards Faces are swatted. Clothing is eaten. Things just aren’t as comfy persistent readers. (map) (Fantasy. 8-12) as they used to be. Gradually, the pets start to warm up to one another—that is, until the family adds yet another member to the mix. Buchet’s debut picture book primarily uses the two titu- THIS LITTLE PUP lar nouns—cat and dog—in various patterns (“Dog Cat” or “Dog Bryant, Laura J. Cat Dog”). The minimalist text relies on Zuill’s expressive, funny Illus. by the author cartoon illustrations to fill in necessary context. The words and Whitman (32 pp.) pictures harmonize as pace, rhythm, and layout work together $16.99 | Apr. 1, 2020 to clearly depict poignant moments of isolation, tension, and 978-0-8075-7865-0 togetherness. New words added into the rhythm, such as “Frog” when the animals stare down an amphibian, create laugh-out- An innovative counting book presents a spunky, gray puppy loud silliness. The humans, one white-presenting and the other following a blue ball as it bounces past all sorts of animals on a brown-skinned, diversify this beautiful, blended family. family farm. A clever, winning read-aloud for modern families. (Pic The story begins with a wordless view of all the inhabitants ture book. 4-8) of the farm, a traditional mix of animals and a human mother, father, and child, who all present white. The child holds a huge, blue ball, ready to toss it for the waiting puppy. The bouncing MY SISTER IS SLEEPING ball and the leaping puppy then lead readers through the brief, Busheri, Devora patterned text, bounding past two cows, three frogs, four pigs, Illus. by Kichka, Michel and on in sequential fashion up to 10 chicks. Each group of ani- Trans. by Atik, Shira mals appears on the following spread, linked by the text and Kar-Ben (24 pp.) interacting with the next set in some humorous way: “One blue $17.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 ball… / bounced past two brown cows. Two brown cows… / 978-1-5415-4244-0 spied three green frogs.” The whole gang of animals and people end up in the barnyard, where the ball is at last caught by the A young girl anticipates all the fun she will have when baby persistent pup. A satisfying concluding page shows the puppy sister wakes up from her nap.

114 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | There will be giggles and cuddles, a chance to feed the baby, KING & KAYLA AND THE CASE and a walk with her in the stroller. This baby is endlessly fascinat- OF THE UNHAPPY NEIGHBOR ing, with feathery eyelashes, fists that open like fans, and straw- Butler, Dori Hillestad berry lips. The protagonist is patient and reminds herself again Illus. by Meyers, Nancy and again, “Soon she will wake up.” As narrator she describes all Peachtree (48 pp.) these attributes and plans in simple, brief sentences as if she is $14.99 | Mar. 1, 2020 speaking directly to her readers. Originally written in Hebrew 978-1-68263-055-6 and translated into English, the tale is made all the richer by the smooth, contextually clear incorporation of Hebrew words into King and Kayla’s newest adventure the narration. “She smells clean like milk, halav.” Kichka’s softly involves digging into…mistaken identity! hued illustrations add a great deal of clever and amusing details, Many young readers have begun to depicting big sister in different rooms of a comfortable home, grasp the unfortunate truth that some- drawing bright pictures with colored pencils and paint to while times you can show up in the wrong place at the wrong time, like away the time. She draws at and under the kitchen table, on the Jillian’s puppy, Thor, and be blamed for something you didn’t do. floor close by baby’s crib with stuffed animals seemingly watch- It seems Thor likes to dig and wrecked Mr. Gary’s yard when he ing her progress, on a porch, and in the backyard. But this big got loose, but Thor tells King he did no such thing. When King girl can wait no longer and falls asleep, carried off by Ima for her puts the clues together with Kayla, they realize that Thor would own nap. All members of the family present white. not have eaten all the fruits and vegetables consumed and is not A lovely, sweet treat for big siblings everywhere. (Picture big enough to knock over a trash can. King decides to investi- book. 3-8) gate with all the animals in the nieghborhood while, together, young adult RAD! Bustard, Anne Illus. by Wiseman, Daniel Abrams (32 pp.) $16.99 | May 5, 2020 978-1-4197-4101-2

With moral support and practice, anything is possible! “Skate! says Esther. / Stoked? says Chester. / Totally! say Hes- ter and Sylvester. / Never, says Lester.” At the Beachside Skate Park, four cats are excited to use their skateboards, but one gray kitty is not. It seems Lester thinks skateboarding is “scary.” The other kitties gently cajole Lester to give it a try and practice. They pop a helmet on their reluctant companion’s head and say, “Please”—but when Lester says, “no” again, they roll into the park and have a “RAD!” time while Lester peers over the wall at them. When Lester concedes, “Maybe,” the others enthusiastically respond with “awesome,” “gnarly,” and “cool!” Lester doesn’t succeed the first time, but the four skateboarding veterans encourage the wobbly cat, and they all celebrate when Les- ter finally prevails. Everyone has a great time. Then Lester sees some surfers and suggests they try that tomorrow—but: “No, no, no, no way! say Esther, Chester, Hester, and Sylvester.” Bustard’s story is told entirely in her characters’ one-word exclamations and dialogue tags, using type style rather than quotation marks to denote their speech. It’s easy to follow, as Wiseman’s cartoons supply an unmistakable visual narrative. Cartoon kitties of various colors in helmets and streetwear skate in a park decorated in bright graffiti. Young listeners will identify with Lester’s fears and will soon be able to read the story on their own; as Chester says: “Righteous!” Bright in mood, message, and hue, this is a winner. (Pic ture book. 3-7)

| kirkus.com | children’s | 1 february 2020 | 115 Kayla and Jillian create case details. It’s a whodunit mystery that WHAT IF SOLDIERS FOUGHT dogs, cats, and owners come together to solve. Meyers invests WITH PILLOWS? all her characters with lots of personality, particularly shrewd True Stories of Imagination King and eager Thor; crabby Mr. Gary looks like a terrible pill. and Courage (He and Jillian present white; Kayla presents black.) Beginning Camlot, Heather readers will like the spacious typeset and thought bubbles that Illus. by Bloch, Serge clue readers in to King’s thinking. This is a great story to help Owlkids Books (40 pp.) emerging readers strengthen their comprehension skills, and $18.95 | Mar. 15, 2020 caregivers can easily discuss what young readers already know 978-1-77147-362-0 and what they are discovering along the way to piece together a final conclusion—that, happily, will clear Thor’s name. Fifteen quirky, thoughtful what-if statements trace the his- Entertaining reading for the newest generation of tory of lesser-known social activists and organizations. detectives. (Early reader. 6-9) Taking inspiration from J.K. Rowling—“We do not need magic to change the world. We carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better”— WHAT IF BUNNY’S NOT Camlot ponders the power of imagination. Some people were A BULLY? not only able to envision a better world, they put their thoughts Button, Lana into action. Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector in World Illus. by Battuz, Christine War II, carried a Bible instead of a weapon into battle. It’s not Kids Can (32 pp.) quite the pillows of the titular question, but it does paint the $17.99 | Mar. 3, 2020 picture of a peaceful way to fight. “What if battlegrounds were 978-1-5253-0055-4 soccer fields and spectators cheered for every team?” Les Élé- phants of Ivory Coast brought their warring nation together A pointed invitation to consider the notion that people when they qualified for the World Cup. “What if everybody deserve second chances. showed up to a political party with their dancing shoes on?” A Led by an elephant who could stand in for the sizable and young Palestinian who dared to dance in spite of strict militant undisguised agenda as well as a child in Battuz’s cast of clothed restrictions now shares his story to promote peace. Bloch’s car- young animals, everyone on the playground ostracizes the flop- toons extend the theme, depicting, for instance, the power of eared supposed offender: “There’s Bunny! There’s the bully! / music to effect change with a picture of airlifted refugees cling- She looks extra mean today. / Stick together, everyone. / Make ing to a musical staff dangling from a helicopter. The unclut- sure she stays away.” A little kitten is curious about how bullies tered design—display type for the leading question, Bloch’s happen (“Did she pass a bully test / at a Be a Bully School?”) fanciful sketches, and one page of text per topic—make this an or what Bunny actually did to earn her reputation. Receiving accessible, bite-sized look at powerful change. no answers, Kitty frets about coming down with “The Bullies,” Inspiring and hopeful. (glossary, endnotes, sources) like a contagious disease that would result in being similarly (Nonfiction. -8 12) shunned for life. Kitty’s fears make other animals protest that they’d never do that to one of their own because it would be mean—which causes the penny to drop (in a pregnant wordless THE BOREAL FOREST spread) and opens the door for a general apology from Bunny A Year in the World’s that leads to a reconciliation. “ ‘I think friends can / make mis- Largest Land Biome takes… / every now and then.’ / ‘Want to see what happens… / Carmichael, L.E. if we all just try again?’ ” As Bunny never looks or acts the bully, Illus. by Bisaillon, Josée she’s the one who comes off as the victim here…a reversal that Kids Can (48 pp.) real-life victims may find implausible. $18.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 Flimsy and message driven. (Picture book. 6-9) 978-1-5253-0044-8 Carmichael offers explanations and illuminations about the planet’s largest land biome while Bisaillon supplies collage-style art in muted tones. Poetic language in large print, set against the backdrop of a snowy woodland scene, begins a book with thoughtful text, art, and layout: “Glaciers melt, soil breathes, seeds fly on a warming breeze. Trees creep ever, ever north.” Every double-page spread reveals germane science and geography or presents an appealing landscape showing an aspect of seasonal changes in the boreal forest. A winter-scarf motif acts as a unifying design element,

116 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | Churnin tells the story in a spare and lively text beautifully complemented by double-page spreads highlighting Baumert’s gorgeous panoramic illustrations. for spacious skies

serving as background to the names of countries whose flora JUST A KID and fauna are highlighted on various pages. Fascinating facts Charles, Rie emerge from two sources: the lyrical language that describes Red Deer Press (96 pp.) a day for animals in a particular place and season and sidebars $12.95 paper | Mar. 1, 2020 with pure scientific facts. The chosen facts are current, and the 978-0-88995-582-0 text carefully notes when scientists are still testing hypotheses about such ideas as how birds seem to use an organ called the When a new development threatens Vitali to sense pressure changes before storms. Gentle humor a beloved field, a young girl finds herself is interspersed throughout. Climate change is frequently men- acting as a community organizer. tioned, both in terms of its effect on the boreal forest and on Nine-year-old Meerin Hoy gets a the ways in which this biome slows down global warming, and rude awakening when she spots new Indigenous peoples’ roles as participants in the boreal forest’s signs on Carson’s Field across the street. ecosystems are not ignored. The accessible text proves its point One is a “for sale” sign, and her father explains that the other that the boreal forest is both vast and vital. is a zoning notice declaring the field to be developed for new Excellent for the natural history and science shelves. construction. Meerin worries what this means. “So we won’t (glossary, resources, index) (Informational picture book. 8-12) be able to play here?…And Mr. Bothwell won’t be able to take Tamara and Melissa fishing in the creek?” Incensed, Meerin notices comments can be made to the town clerk. The straight- LITTLE MONSTER TRUCKS GO! forward text narrates as Meerin writes a petition and collects a Cenko, Doug significant number of signatures from the community. After a

Illus. by the author discouraging initial interaction with the mayor, Meerin’s activ- young adult blue manatee press (32 pp.) ism grows. Prompted by supportive adults, she writes a letter to $17.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 the editor in the paper, speaks at a town meeting, and arranges 978-1-936669-83-7 a meeting with the mayor. The narrative is repetitious at times, and there are slight hiccups in the pacing. While the story pro- What starts as a standard auto race vides a good model of community organizing, it resolves with- evolves (quite literally) into a cooperative lesson. out the messiness of real life. Some readers may also puzzle over Primed and pumped to conquer, five “scrappy little monster Meerin’s case of chicken pox, no longer a childhood inevitabil- trucks” (resembling a cat, wedge of Swiss cheese, knight, shark, ity in many regions. Meerin is described as having black hair and and unicorn) race one another along a twisty, turny obstacle is depicted with light skin on the cover; names suggest a diverse course. Fortunately, every problem they encounter has a solu- neighborhood. tion, as the trucks use their special features to escape muck and An approachable if uneven fictional introduction to leap over gaps. But what’s this? A humongous boulder stumps activism. (Fiction. 7-10) the intrepid racers such that none can beat it separately. Then, in a singularly Voltron-esque move, the trucks shift their parts and combine to form a single “Monster Bot” capable of stomp- FOR SPACIOUS SKIES ing the stony impediment to bits. The result? A five-way tie, Katharine Lee Bates and the naturally. Unexciting art gets the job done, not impressing with Inspiration for “America the style so much as with mild ingenuity. As these are little trucks, Beautiful” it seems fitting that it’s the book’s little touches (such as the Churnin, Nancy cheese truck’s grater mode or the cat truck’s extendable claws) Illus. by Baumert, Olga that are the most droll. Alas, what it lacks in looks it does not Whitman (32 pp.) quite make up for in writing. Perfunctory rhymes occasionally $16.99 | Apr. 1, 2020 give way to soft ones (“A MONSTER leap with mid-air flips / 978-0-8075-2530-2 The gap’s TOO BIG! They’ll DROP LIKE BRICKS!”). Adult Series: She Made History readers may twitch, but the young and vehicularly obsessed probably won’t mind. The story behind one of America’s iconic songs. Monster mehs. (Picture book. 3-6) Katharine Lee Bates grew up in Falmouth, Massachusetts, during the Civil War, so she knew about living in a divided country and experienced the unfairness of being a girl: “The boys she knew grew up to be fishermen or studied to become doctors or lawyers or businessmen. Girls learned to mend and cook.” But she went to Wellesley College, helped to start a settlement house for immigrants, spoke out for world peace and women’s suffrage, and became a college professor. On a train trip across the country in 1893, she marveled at Niagara Falls, the World’s Fair in Chicago, and the endless fields of wheat in Kansas, but

| kirkus.com | children’s | 1 february 2020 | 117 While there’s plenty of slapstick, the physical comedy is surrounded by wordplay, a good balance of sophisticated and silly. what we found in the corn maze and how it saved a dragon

she also was aware of the plights of workers in mines, fields, and I AM THE TREE OF LIFE factories during the economic depression. When she saw grand My Jewish Yoga Book vistas from the summit of Pikes Peak, she was inspired to write Copeland, Mychal the first lines of a poem expressing her vision of a united nation, Illus. by Ceolin, André a land shared by all. Nowadays, most people singing “America Apples & Honey Press (32 pp.) the Beautiful” (melody by composer Samuel A. Ward) have no $17.95 | Apr. 1, 2020 idea of the political and social context behind the poem Bates 978-1-68115-552-4 wrote. Churnin tells that story in a spare and lively text beautifully complemented by double-page spreads highlighting Bau- This Jewish yoga guide is filled with mert’s gorgeous panoramic illustrations. Almost all characters animals. are white. The text of a revised version of the poem concludes If children had to list their favorite the volume. Biblical characters, they might not mention “the snake that A handsome volume befitting its subject. (author’s note, slithered in front of Pharaoh” or “the giant fish that swallowed timeline, sources, acknowledgments) (Picture book/biography. Jonah” or “a thirsty camel that drank from Rebekah’s water 4-8) pitcher,” but all of those animals are featured in this picture book—possibly because they match up perfectly with yoga positions. Children may find the snake appealing, because it WHAT WE FOUND IN THE ate up all the other snakes in the palace, but many would rather CORN MAZE AND HOW IT be Rebekah—who offered water to needy travelers—than the SAVED A DRAGON camel she fed. Each page of the book showcases a character Clark, Henry or object from the Bible—like Noah’s Ark or David fighting Little, Brown (352 pp.) Goliath—along with an illustrated lesson in yoga. The poses are $16.99 | May 5, 2020 acted out in the pictures by two vacant-eyed children—a black 978-0-316-49231-7 boy and a white girl—with small, blank smiles on their faces. (The skin tones of the Biblical figures range from pale khaki to Magic works? Can it save Cal’s fam- pale amber.) If the choice of subjects is slightly haphazard, some ily’s farm? of the figures are genuinely inspiring, like Sarah and Abraham, Twelve-year-old Cal and his best whose tent (downward dog) sheltered wanderers in the barren friend, Drew, are momentarily distracted desert. A book that combines yoga instruction with the Bible is from Cal’s family’s problems—caused in no small part by Cal probably aimed at a niche audience, but even that audience may when he accidentally started a fire in the harvester—when feel a little befuddled. they learn that classmate Modesty can practice magic. She’s This guide works better as a bestiary than as a picture found a binder of magic spells, but they work only for a min- book. (Informational picture book. 5-8) ute and only at certain times of the day, and most of the spells are 800-word tongue twisters that can’t be said in under one minute. In puzzling this out, they end up discovering that in IT’S IMPOSSIBLE! a parallel world called Congroo, magic is imperiled because its Corderoy, Tracey dragons are dying. With the help of Preface Arrowshot, a young, Illus. by Neal, Tony green-skinned Congruent librarian, the kids discover that the Tiger Tales (32 pp.) local entrepreneur who’s got his eyes on Cal’s family’s farm may $17.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 be at the root of the problem. Stopping him could save Con- 978-1-68010-191-1 groo and the dragons, and it also might save the farm. Unre- lated to the similarly titled What We Found in the Sofa and How Nothing’s impossible unless you say It Saved the World (2013), this is a good choice for fans of The it is. Phantom Tollbooth and The Westing Game and Chris Grabenstein’s Dog runs a laundry business in the city, and he longs to see Mr. Lemoncello books. While there’s plenty of slapstick, the the ocean. Then he finds a box of new detergent called Ocean physical comedy is surrounded by wordplay, a good balance of Magic, not only promising “seaside freshness with every wash!” sophisticated and silly. Subtle jabs at climate change deniers and but also, apparently, bearing a passenger. After Dog uses the unqualified wannabe world leaders add layers to Clark’s newest. detergent, what should emerge from the washing machine but Cal presents white; Drew and Modesty both have brown skin. a dizzy crab? Crab must return home—but how? Bicycling and A smart kid’s goofball adventure. (Fantasy. 8-14) mailing aren’t options. Consulting a map, Dog realizes “it’s impossible” to drive to the ocean, but Crab coaxes him into making the trip together. Even though he keeps repeating “it’s impossible,” Dog sets out with Crab. They explore varied terrain, visit natural wonders, take selfies, and meet other travelers overcoming personal impossible challenges. Finally arriving at their destination, Dog’s in ocean heaven. Dejectedly

118 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | acknowledging staying is not, well, possible, Dog backtracks WHY DO DOGS SNIFF BUTTS? when he realizes remaining in seaside paradise is “only impos- Curious Questions About sible if I SAY it is.” The satisfying conclusion shows Dog and Your Favorite Pets Crab operating a bustling beach cafe. This lighthearted but Crumpton, Nick single-purpose tale posits that goals one thinks are impossible Illus. by Snowden-Fine, Lily may not be. This is a good message for youngsters, and Crab’s Thames & Hudson (48 pp.) gusto might encourage kids to work to make their dreams real. $16.95 | Mar. 17, 2020 The colorful, lively illustrations lend humor and feature plenty 978-0-500-65223-7 of details for children to savor. Endpapers depict colorful, smiling fish. Bits and bites about our canine It’s not at all impossible for readers to enjoy this perky co-dependents, from lore to behavior, story. (Picture book. 4-7) breeds, and care. Loosely following a Q&A format, zoologist Crumpton scat- ters blocks of pithy comments about why dogs do what they do SORRY (REALLY SORRY) on broadly thematic spreads amid winsome painted portraits by Cotler, Joanna Snowden-Fine of diverse official breeds, mostly drawn to scale, Illus. by Bliss, Harry at work or play. Along with explaining what the titular sniffing Philomel (32 pp.) as well as tail-wagging and yelps (“a canine version of texting”) $17.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 communicate, the author introduces famous dogs from Cer- 978-1-984-81247-6 berus and Rin Tin Tin to internet celebrity Boo the Pomera-

nian, tucks in perfunctory notes on proper diet and care, and young adult A chain reaction of spiteful words mentions dozens of breeds. Most of these are depicted nearby, and actions ricochets across a farmyard though sometimes in distant or indistinct views. Readers with until an act of kindness turns things around. vision issues will also struggle with passages of narrative that are It all starts with Cow. Cross because she’s hoof deep in printed on dark green or other low-contrast backdrops. Some- mud, the usually placid Holstein flicks mud onto Duck. Cranky times Crumpton rambles, as when he follows up “Why does dog because of Cow’s actions and unwillingness to apologize, Duck poop smell so bad?” with three feces-related factoids (including insults her friend Frog and proffers only an insincere apology. the importance of scooping) before answering, kind of. Andy Frog criticizes Bird and refuses to feel remorse. Bird chases Hirsch’s entry in the graphic Science Comics series, Dogs: From Goat from a space they normally share, then Goat butts Pig. Predator to Protector (2017), digs deeper into the topic, but this Tenderhearted Pig, in turn, cries her eyes out. When Dog comes once-over has plenty to chew on. Occasional human figures in along to find out what’s the matter, Pig passes on the pique, but the art display a range of skin color and style of dress. Dog refuses to bite. He patiently waits through Pig’s emotional Not particularly systematic, but young dog lovers will storm, then reminds her of their long-standing friendship. wolf it down. (glossary, index of breeds) (Informational picture Dog’s compassion prompts a sincere apology, which then boo- book. 7-9) merangs back through the other animals. The entertaining text moves briskly, filled with interactions that will be amusingly familiar to both readers and listeners. Although they possess HUNGER WINTER the power of speech, the animals are portrayed relatively real- A WWII Novel istically in Bliss’ expressive ink-and-watercolor cartoons. The Currie, Rob farm setting includes enough detail to ground the story with- Tyndale House (272 pp.) out distraction from the action while the simply drawn faces, $14.99 | Mar. 3, 2020 particularly the animals’ eyes, convey an impressive range of 978-1-4964-4034-1 emotions. An exploration of the repercussions of a bad mood could have turned into a pedantic moral tale, but Cotler and Set in the Netherlands, 1944, this Bliss’ light touch and humorous approach offer insight without wartime drama opens with a “Bam! Bam! judgment. Bam!” on a farmhouse door. Clever, funny, and true—really. (Picture book. 4-8) Thirteen-year-old Dirk, alone with his little sister, Anna, is afraid it is the Gestapo. It is almost as bad: A neighbor tells him the Gestapo has picked up his older sister, Els, and will come for Dirk next. Dirk takes Anna and flees, knowing the Gestapo may imprison them or worse in their effort to smoke out Papa, a leader in the Dutch Resistance. Chapter-ending cliffhangers punctuate the children’s treacherous journey, which readers can trace on a frontmatter map. Even after arriving safely at Tante Cora’s home, the children must go out to obtain desperately needed

| kirkus.com | children’s | 1 february 2020 | 119 food and are captured and imprisoned in a munitions factory. THE CHAOS CURSE Their ordeals are interspersed with chapters focusing on Els’ DasGupta, Sayantani suffering at the hands of the Gestapo. Dirk’s quick-thinking Illus. by To, Vivienne inventiveness and indulgence of Anna’s chirpy exhortations to Scholastic (400 pp.) pray keep the tale grounded in the children’s perspectives, and a $17.99 | Mar. 3, 2020 light hand with gruesome details marks this for a middle-grade 978-1-338-35589-5 audience. Although the aid the children receive from a deserter Series: Kiranmala and the Kingdom from the German army feels like a contrivance—he knew their Beyond, 3 father in school—the episode illustrates that the neighboring countries had not always been enemies. The family’s reunion is In the third installment of DasGup- an example of resilience despite the upheaval of war. Dirk and ta’s bestselling series, 12-year-old demon his family are white Christians; the Jewish experience is ancil- slayer Kiranmala and her friends must lary to the plot. stop her father, the Serpent King, from collapsing the paral- A gritty but hopeful wartime thriller. (maps, historical lel dimensions of the multiverse into one in a nefarious plot to note, author Q&A, discussion questions, timeline) (Histori destroy its diversity. cal fiction. -8 12) Having saved Prince Neelkamal from her father at the end of Game of Stars (2019), Kiran must now save Prince Lalkamal, Neel’s brother, trapped in a New Jersey tree. But as Kiran tra- A FOREST IN THE CITY verses the multiverse, things get strange(r): When her auto- Curtis, Andrea rickshaw collides with a pumpkin, the old woman who tumbles Illus. by Pratt, Pierre out turns from the woman from a well-loved folktale into the Groundwood (40 pp.) story’s ferocious tiger. The “story-smushing thing” keeps hap- $19.95 | Apr. 1, 2020 pening, and when a wormhole lands Kiran back in New Jersey, 978-1-77306-142-9 she returns to parents who are “colonized beyond repair”—they keep referring to her as “Karen” and rejecting her bicultural Trees are beneficial for city dwellers’ Bengali American identity. In line with its predecessors, this health and survival. adventure is characteristically action-packed and funny: Das- Curtis inundates readers with seem- Gupta riddles the text with in-jokes and puns, and her verbal ingly every possible fact about trees in urban areas. Many Indig- gymnastics are wink-winks to readers who are fluent in Bengali enous peoples made their homes in forests; later, settlers cleared or Hindi and/or familiar with South Asian culture. But this trees to make homes and roads and buildings. Trees were rel- book is also the most ambitious of the trilogy. Not only does it egated to the outskirts of towns and cities or to the private gar- draw inspiration from Bengali folklore, South Asian and Ameri- dens of the rich. Industrialization caused urban populations to can pop culture, and metaphysics, it also reinforces seamlessly explode, and trees were further crowded out. Parks were estab- and with righteousness the series’ central themes: that stories lished in some cities so their inhabitants could enjoy a bit of are powerful, and that many stories are necessary to imagine a fresh air and space. More details are introduced: the ravages of just future. Dutch elm disease, the structure of a tree and the urban forest, An eminently satisfying closer to a thoughtful, com- the impacts of insects and other pests, and current methods of plex, and very funny adventure series. (Fantasy. 10-14) planting and maintaining city trees. The many health and economic benefits trees provide for urban populations are heavily stressed. Also in the mix are exhortations advocating for urban LETTERS FROM BEAR forests in the face of climate change and pollution. The infor- David, Gauthier mation is fascinating, but the lengthy, densely set, and compre- Illus. by Caudry, Marie hensive text is overwhelming. The language and vocabulary are Trans. by Ardizzone, Sarah of a very high level and read as a lecture or convention speech. Eerdmans (56 pp.) Pratt’s bright green trees stand out in the cityscapes, but the $17.99 | Mar. 24, 2020 people are cartoony, and there is a madcap, hasty quality to 978-0-8028-5536-7 many of the scenes, belying the seriousness of the subject. Fodder for future arborists but probably not casual tree When migratory Bird wings off for lovers. (glossary, sources) (Informational picture book. 9-14) the winter, devoted Bear undertakes a long and perilous journey to follow. In a series of letters entrusted to the wind, Bear records each stage of the trek. It begins with a venture into scary, dark woods, then goes on to record: Bear’s rescue from a fisherman’s net by a mermaid, the ursine’s narrow escape from a battle between two mounted armies, a desert crossing, an odd but pleasant respite at a squirrel’s 100th birthday party, and other

120 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | This handsome and generous pictorial introduction to cetaceans demonstrates both the variety and the value of this group. the world of whales

experiences. These culminate in an ocean crossing and landfall IMMIGRANT ARCHITECT at last on a tropical island—where Bear discovers that Bird has Rafael Guastavino and the already flown off northward. Caudry’s illustrations actually pre- American Dream ceded and inspired the storyline. In them she depicts an animis- de Miguel, Berta & Diebolt, Kent tic landscape in which cliff faces in one scene are actually faces, Illus. by Lorente, Virginia ocean waves become whales at second glance, and creatures Tilbury House (60 pp.) met along the way are often extravagantly costumed or sport $19.95 | Apr. 7, 2020 chimerical features. For all its simple phrasing, the epistolary 978-0-88448-812-5 narrative is infused with longing (“I’m so excited at the idea of being near you. / It fills me with courage. / Your Bear isn’t very If you build it, they will marvel. far away now!”). By leaving both the relationship and the gen- In 1881, architect Rafael Guastavino Moreno emigrated ders of the two principals unspecified, the narrative allows for a from Spain to New York City with his 8-year-old son, Rafael broad range of readings. Occasional human figures among the Guastavino Expósito. In time Guastavino Moreno patented largely animal cast are uniformly light skinned. an innovative construction system he had also brought with Readers will find this journey poignant, strange, atmo- him: Vaulted and domed roofs and ceilings built with tiles were spheric, and, ultimately, joyful. (Picture book. 6-8) strong and fireproof. Eventually, illustration work led to the father’s first major project: designing the ceilings for the Boston Public Library. More tiled vaulted ceilings followed, including SAMUEL DREW in NYC’s first subway station. When the elder Guastavino died HASN’T A CLUE in 1908, his son succeeded him, designing famed NYC spaces

Dawnay, Gabby including the Bronx Zoo’s domed elephant house, the main young adult Illus. by Barrow, Alex hall at Ellis Island, and many others. This charming homage is Tate/Abrams (32 pp.) a resounding tribute to immigrants’ contributions. The text is $16.99 | Mar. 31, 2020 narrated by the younger Rafael in a proud, awestruck voice that 978-1-84976-642-5 makes both characters and their work come alive. A pictorial guide to the important architectural terms readers will encoun- The mystery box that young Samuel pulls behind him draws ter prefaces the book. Many of the lively, colorful, appealing a growing queue of curious creatures in its wake. What’s inside? illustrations prominently display tiled arches and depict father The blond, doll-like white urchin in floppy pants and a rib- and son with tan skin; other persons are shown with diverse boned cap might not have a clue, but there are visual hints in skin tones. Most verso pages feature a timeline; a map with every picture—as Dawnay rather unfairly waits until near the NYC routes along which one can still see “Guastavino tiles” is end to announce. Meanwhile, though, a speculative flock of included. Brief biographies of the duo are appended. pigeons, a fox, and other animals fall in behind Samuel, and the A firm foundation for building interest in architecture suspense heightens thanks to a deft and rhythmic narrative: “A and a solid STEM resource. (Informational picture book/biogra pigeon spies it from a tree, / ‘Hey, what’s in there? Do let me phy. 7-10) see!’ / The paper package bumps and shakes, / The pigeon cries, ‘Could it be…cakes…?’ ” Samuel trundles the carton past a row of shops, into a park, and finally up to his birthday picnic. There, THE WORLD ta-da!—its contents are revealed at last to be the wooden toy OF WHALES pooch he had unflappably wheeled through a previous appear- Get To Know the Giants ance in A Possum’s Tail (2014). Barrow’s informally drawn illustra- of the Ocean tions add considerable charm and subtext to the trek, as Samuel Dobell, Darcy passes mixed-race and same-sex couples at cafe tables, a news Illus. by Thorns, Becky vendor in a turban, and shopkeepers and pedestrians of diverse Little Gestalten (72 pp.) skin color…all clad in antique, mid-20th-century styles. $24.95 | Apr. 14, 2020 Young audiences will be drawn along, eager to chime in 978-3-89955-830-2 with their own guesses. (Picture book. 3-6) Fascinating facts about whales, dolphins, and porpoises, presented from an underwater perspective. This handsome and generous pictorial introduction to cetaceans demonstrates both the variety and the value of this group of ocean dwellers in an engaging way. What’s striking is the amount of information conveyed. An illustrated table of contents, organized into three sections—baleen whales, toothed whales, and the world of whales—is followed by two spreads describing the evolution of these aquatic mammals from a four-legged “cat-sized plant-eater.” The thoughtful design

| kirkus.com | children’s | 1 february 2020 | 121 The authors elegantly interweave issues of racism, financial insecurity, and mental illness into a familiar middle school narrative. a place at the table

intersperses spreads about whale life among spreads about indi- I GOT YOU A PRESENT! vidual species: fin, humpback, bowhead, blue, gray, minke, and Erskine-Kellie, Mike & McLennan, Susan right whales; Cuvier’s beaked, beluga, and sperm whales; orcas, Illus. by Atkinson, Cale porpoises, dolphins, and narwhals. Short paragraphs, many Kids Can (32 pp.) with descriptive titles, are set against relevant, realistic illus- $16.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 trations. The backgrounds of these pages are all shades of blue. 978-1-5253-0009-7 Most depictions of specific species include a measuring stick in 3-foot segments (metric equivalents are provided), a tiny silhou- The perfect birthday present is not ette of a scuba diver to compare relative size, and car and bus easy for this duck to find, but it is - cer icons (explained in the glossary) to indicate their weight. The tainly a good one. blue whale segment folds out, reflecting its tremendous size. A cheerful group of animal friends Most spreads include an inviting “Did you know?” fact, noted adorned with party hats and led by an exuberant duck are all with a sea star. Finally, the author offers some facts about the ready to celebrate a birthday. The cake is sliced, the balloons are ocean in general, some ways that whales are threatened, and in place, and the presents are piled up. Only duck does not have how humans can help. one in hand. As told by the duck, it was to be the very best, “the A pleasing and informative package with surprising greatest present ever.” This is, unfortunately, not an easy assign- depth. (glossary) (Nonfiction. -8 12) ment. Knitting socks is too difficult, carrying a really big ice cream cone is too awkward, composing music too challenging, and performing magical tricks too daunting—the whole pack- SOLAR STORY age disappeared. Children can’t drive race cars, the dinosaurs How One Community Lives are gone, and the Martians needed the rocket ship to get back Alongside the World’s home. Though endlessly inventive, this duck keeps coming up Biggest Solar Plant empty. Then the duck finally finds inspiration with a gift that Drummond, Allan should bring a smile to book lovers everywhere. Hopefully, the Illus. by the author message will resonate with toy-, doll-, and gadget-focused gift Farrar, Straus and Giroux (40 pp.) givers and receivers. The colorfully busy and page-filling illus- $18.99 | Mar. 17, 2020 trations were created in Photoshop with “cake icing and gorilla 978-0-374-30899-5 vanilla ice cream.” Little listeners may need to be persuaded, but adults Having examined aspects of sustainable living in Pedal Power can be pleased with the solution. (Picture book. 4-7) (2017) and earlier titles, Drummond now turns to the world’s largest solar power plant. Every day, Nadia, Jasmine, and their classmates walk under A PLACE AT THE TABLE the Moroccan sun to their school on the edge of the Sahara. A Faruqi, Saadia & Shovan, Laura class field trip to the Noor power plant gives the kids the oppor- Clarion (320 pp.) tunity to think about both global sustainability and “what…the $16.99 | May 12, 2020 solar plant [is] doing for us, right here, in our village.” Loose 978-0-358-11668-4 lines and cheery watercolors are equally deft at describing energetic, ebullient kids and the vast power plant, “the size of An after-school South Asian cooking 3,500 soccer fields.” Jasmine, who wears a yellow hijab, narrates, class sparks an unlikely friendship. her clear, convincing voice evincing curiosity and enthusiasm, Pakistani American sixth grader Sara while speech balloons allow her classmates to interject: “Look! is sick of cooking. It’s bad enough that There’s Naima’s mom,” one says, spotting a classmate’s mother the demands of her mother’s catering in the power-plant control room. Jasmine notes that the plant business fill Sara’s free time. But when has brought benefits to her community, but in fits and starts: her mother starts teaching a South Asian cuisine class at Poplar Construction workers now put skills to use as entrepreneurs, Springs Middle School, the school Sara transfers to from her but the school doesn’t have internet yet. Sidebars provide fur- beloved Islamic school, Iqra Academy, she’s forced not only to ther information on the region, the plant, and sustainability, watch her mother cook, but also to watch her new, xenophobic ably complementing the text. In his author’s note, Drummond classmates balk at Sara’s favorite spices. Elizabeth, on the other confesses that his “surprise” at learning that the world’s biggest hand, loves cooking—perhaps because her English-immigrant power plant is not “in a highly developed country” is “evidence mother, who suffers from depression, and her American-born of my own cultural shortsightedness,” but he’s rallied to pro- father, who is always traveling, never seem to find the time to duce a surprisingly complex yet accessible exploration. make proper meals. When Elizabeth is paired with Sara, the A valuable look at sustainability and development. (bib- two of them form a friendship—until Elizabeth’s best friend’s liography) (Picture book. 5-10) racism threatens to separate them just when they need each other most. Writing in alternating voices, the authors elegantly interweave issues of racism, financial insecurity, and mental

122 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | illness into a familiar middle school narrative of identity forma- DON’T LET THE DOLL IN tion. Sara’s character is particularly well drawn: Her affection- Ford, Mike ate family, her insistence on Elizabeth’s responsibility to stand Scholastic (128 pp.) up to her white, racist friends, and her love of her culture and $5.99 paper | Apr. 21, 2020 religion are refreshingly authentic. Elizabeth’s mostly secular 978-1-338-36009-7 Jewish family life will also ring familiar to many readers. At Series: Frightville, 1 times, however, the narration verges on preachy, and the dialogue feels more mature than the average sixth grade banter. In this series opener, Mara and her This tale of a diverse friendship tackles hard topics. little brother, Jesse, pay a visit to the (Fiction. 10-14) strange novelty shop Frightville, where the fifth grader decides to purchase an antique doll for her dollhouse. FOLLOW THAT CAR In the doll’s dress pocket, Mara discovers a tiny letter Feather, Lucy addressed to a mysterious Charlotte, the name Mara decides Illus. by Lomp, Stephan to give her. But after Mara forgets to recite a ghost-prevention HMH Books (32 pp.) spell that the storekeeper urged her to pronounce before put- $12.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 ting the doll to bed, strange things begin to happen. During a 978-0-358-21220-1 sleepover, Mara’s best friend tells her about dolls people used to have made in the likenesses of deceased loved ones. Things Mouse needs to catch Gorilla! Can get worse when Mara wakes up and finds herself trapped in the

readers help to get him through the maze dollhouse and Charlotte outside, now human-sized and alive. young adult of streets in time? Can Mara find her way out of this dilemma? This early-middle- Gorilla drives fast through the busy marketplaces, construc- grade horror tale sacrifices detail to plot and pacing. Setting is tion sites, farmland, mountains, and more, but Mouse and his given short shrift, for instance, and readers learn only halfway motorcycle are persistent. Bright, busy, Richard Scarry–like through that Mara has brown skin, depriving readers of color of compositions create mazes of roads, cars, and critters that lead a potential mirror character for much of the story. Nevertheless, from page to page as readers are given clues—abetted by strate- the mystery draws readers along, ending on a truly chilling note. gically placed arrows—as to how Mouse can catch up to Gorilla. The series’ second installment, Curse of the Wish Eater, publishes Multiple members of a cartoon menagerie reappear throughout simultaneously but does not continue Mara’s story, instead but not on every page, making for a fun scavenger hunt as big- focusing on Max and his purchase at Frightville. eared Mouse chases the fedora-clad Gorilla, whose light beige If readers didn’t think old dolls were creepy before this, face, broad chin, and lack of neck are evocative of characters they surely will after. (Horror. 7-10) (Curse of the Wish Eater: from Family Guy and American Dad. The white arrows are some- 978-1-338-36011-0) times necessary, as in a very complicated market scene, but at other times they don’t make much sense. In one river scene, for instance, they plot the path on planks of wood laid between CAT AND DOG’S ALPHABET boats; here the path is obvious, but readers may be more con- Fox, Diane & Fox, Christyan cerned at the notion of motoring over boaters than delighted. Illus. by the authors Just why is Mouse in pursuit of Gorilla? That’s benign, but a Whitman (32 pp.) visual subplot involving a different gorilla seen lurking with a $16.99 | Mar. 1, 2020 bag of cash on many spreads before being cuffed by turtle cops 978-0-8075-1096-4 disappointingly plays into negative stereotypes surrounding black people, apes, and criminality. When Dog spots the letters of the There are roadblocks aplenty, but this still could please alphabet floating overhead and is not hardcore seek-and-find fans.(Picture book. 5-8) sure what they might be, Cat interrupts a bath to explain what the letters are for and how they are used. With a certain sardonic wit, knowledgeable Cat demonstrates to the less-informed Dog how letters are rearranged to make words. Cat begins to poke the letters with a stick, and after they come crashing down, some on Dog’s head (“Ouch! You did that on purpose”), Dog begins to sweep them away. “These things are dangerous.” Cat quickly interrupts to show how they can begin to put the letters together. “Let’s try spelling our names.” This results in a cheeky, literal “our names,” which prompts Dog to attempt a version with “dat and cog.” Cat then creates a long affirmative statement: “letters can make words that are brilliant and awesome or dark and scary or sunny

| kirkus.com | children’s | 1 february 2020 | 123 INTERVIEWS & PROFILES Hannah Salyer

THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR USES HER DEBUT PICTURE BOOK, PACKS, TO DEMONSTRATE THE INTERDEPENDENCE OF ALL ANIMAL LIFE By Megan Labrise Rafaella Castagnola Rafaella So why does Packs get the title? The story came about from a one-off piece I’d done my senior year of art school, a really tight composition of wolves running with each other, [their bodies] kind of weaving in and out….“Pack” is a common term when referring to wolves, and [my agent] Kirsten [Hall] suggested it. As I wrote the book and produced the rest of the art, it felt more and more fitting….We felt like we had to add the subtitle “Strength in Numbers” because “Packs” on its own can feel vague and can also be confused with “Pax,” P-A-X. So, “Packs: Strength in Numbers” felt like a good description of what you’d find when you opened the Hannah Salyer’s “uplifting, lively,” and majestically book—a very simple, clear way to introduce the concept illustrated debut, Packs: Strength in Numbers (Houghton of animals [of the same species] working together. Mifflin Harcourt, Jan. 28), examines the form and function of nearly two dozen single-species animal groups, How did you conceive of the rest of the illustrations? from a cloud of bats to a pod of dolphins. Highlighting of- I watched a ton of wildlife footage because I wanted to ten unexpected attributes of each community, the Pratt- convey the power and beauty of groups and felt like mo- educated author/illustrator celebrates their individuality tion was a really big part of that. So I focused heavily on while acknowledging their interdependence with one an- how these groups move together or how they exist to- other and humankind. gether in a space. Granted, these pieces aren’t hyperre- Salyer spoke with Kirkus from her studio in Brooklyn, alistic—they’ve got some imagination, they’ve got some New York. The following interview has been lightly ed- play on colors—but I wanted to present these tight, over- ited and condensed. flowing compositions that just make you feel like,Wow! This group is so vibrant and powerful and impactful, no mat- First of all, are there any vocabulary words more fun ter what the group was doing or how it functions. than nouns of assembly? You’ve got a “mob” of mon- gooses, a “flamboyance” of flamingos, an “implausibil- Some of the distinguishing group characteristics you ity” of wildebeest, etc. highlight in Packs are pretty surprising. For example, I know, they’re wonderful. I’m blanking on the title but the quality you feature in a pride of lions is nurtur- there’s a book completely dedicated to the group names ance. The quality you feature in a school of fish is their of species. There are so many interesting and unexpected dogged pursuit of their prey. The fish are the hunters. ones! I still have many questions about who came up with Yes, that was very intentional. The fish I chose is the gold- them, and why, but incorporating them was a fun aspect saddle goatfish. They’re these vicious hunters in the reef. of the book. You wouldn’t normally associate a group of fish with vi-

124 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | ciousness—it just sounds so wild—but I read a NatGeo article about them and one of the marine biologists described them as a “pack of lions.” So I thought, all right, these are going to be the creatures who do the hunting here. I wanted to flip the script, to subvert those typical associations. Creatures can always surprise you. Humans can surprise you, and other species can surprise you, too. and happy or rainy and sad.” (The arrangement of these block letters on a double-page spread may require a moment or two to Why was it important to you to emphasize these spe- parse.) Dog complains, weeping and pounding the floor: “BUT cies’ interdependence? IT’S ALL SO COMPLICATED!” Yet Cat, armed with a stack of books, asserts the best thing to be done with letters is to make Many of these species are being threatened; they’re en- lots of words. Black-and-white cartoon art against a very stark dangered. Unfortunately, that’s part of our reality right white backdrop extends this duo’s banter. Splashes of color add now, that’s part of the time that we’re in. There’s a term emphasis, such as Cat’s large stack of colorfully covered books. A clever, humorous approach to the world of letters, that I think is becoming more popular, the Anthropo- words, and literacy. (Picture book. 4-6) cene, which refers to this epoch of a deeply ingrained human effect on every part of the world and every type of REWRITTEN species on the planet. Gilboy, Tara As a children’s book writer and illustrator, especially, Jolly Fish Press (192 pp.) $11.99 paper | Apr. 7, 2020 I feel it’s my duty to acknowledge what’s going on in our 978-1-63163-433-8 environment. Kids are growing up and, in different ways, Series: Unwritten, 2 witnessing these effects, whether it’s via shows and news, A fictional character in the real world whether it’s in their own backyards. It was really impor- hasn’t escaped her origins. young adult tant to me to end Packs with a note acknowledging cli- Rewriting the end of her own story in Unwritten (2018) was supposed to make mate change and habitat loss. everything better for 12-year-old Gracie. We’re also living in a time where people like to draw But the real world is no picnic: The former residents of fictional lines in the sand and put up walls, and that’s not what Bondoff are hungry and cranky, living in cramped quarters with their author, Gertrude. Gracie’s friend Walter’s parents hold Gra- this book is about at all. I wanted to make that clear. The cie’s past as an author-controlled villain against her. Walter’s folks more we find out about our Earth, the more it becomes aren’t alone in thinking Gracie might be wicked, as Cassandra, the evident how interdependent we are in every way. evil stepmother from Bondoff, thinks she can reclaim Gracie’s love. In Cassandra’s clutches, without even the privacy of her thoughts to call her own, all Gracie can do is escape into a different story, Editor at large Megan Labrise hosts Kirkus’ weekly podcast, one of Gertrude’s half-finished, abandoned manuscripts. Gracie and Walter are trapped in a feminist gothic horror—“It was sup- Fully Booked. Packs received a starred review in the Sept. 15, posed to be a metaphor,” Gertrude had explained—but not much 2019, issue. emerges from this clash of tropes. Gracie and Walter, like all of Gertrude’s other (apparently all white) characters, were written as Gertrude worked out her personal psychodramas, and all of them are based on aspects of the writer and her family. Though that framing should allow for compelling character building, the result is disappointingly simplistic and flat. Magical metafiction doesn’t live up to its premise. (Fan tasy. 9-11)

RAIN BOY Glynn, Dylan Illus. by the author Chronicle (40 pp.) $16.99 | Apr. 21, 2020 978-1-4521-7280-4

Glynn introduces Rain Boy and Sun Kidd—and then presents children’s contrasting reactions to their essences. The young people are glum or angry when Rain Boy, depicted as a puffy, blue cloud, drips on their outdoor play. Sun,

| kirkus.com | children’s | 1 february 2020 | 125 Another charming entry in a delightful natural-science series. plants

a glowing girl of color, is welcomed happily, however. The ten- ARLO, MRS. OGG, AND THE sion between the two climaxes during her birthday, when Rain DINOSAUR ZOO Boy’s presence floods the basement, threatening the cake and Hemming, Alice presents. The guests encircle the cloud, crying: “Rain, Rain, go Illus. by Durst, Kathryn away!” Sun escapes to her room. Glynn’s watercolor, cut-paper, Maverick Publishing (144 pp.) pastel, and colored-pencil caricatures and tableaux channel $15.99 PLB | Apr. 7, 2020 both a delightfully childlike aesthetic and emotionally charged 978-1-84886-468-9 expressionism. Sun’s bed is draped in golden curtains in the Series: Class X, 1 upper corner of a space defined by the strong diagonals ofa wrought-iron balcony and foreshortened ladder. A black, starry The students of class 4X have a repu- sky frames the yellow/orange interior, which is dominated by a tation for being rowdy and unteachable— Calder-esque mobile. After Rain Boy storms off, the downpour hence their nickname, class X—but continues until the children start appreciating both one another maybe their newest sub has just the grit they need. and puddles. This coaxes the celestial protagonists outside, When 4X drives yet another teacher away with their antics, where a rainbow appears: “So next time you’re feeling down Mrs. Ogg is sent in to teach this difficult class. Mrs. Ogg isn’t and your world is dark and gray…just look up.” As convenient like other teachers 4X has met—her guttural, monosyllabic and lovely as this spread is, the message does not quite apply way of communicating and her fur and bone outfits make the to Rain Boy, nor is it completely transferable to an ostracized parents and students wonder where she came from. With the reader, thus sapping the book of some of its logic and power. end-of-the-year party on the line, the 4X crew have just one Captivating visuals will prompt conversations about more chance to prove that they can stay out of trouble, during a the feelings and choices of victim, friend, and community. field trip to the zoo. It’s quickly revealed that this is not a typi- (Picture book. 3-6) cal zoo visit, however, when the class encounters prehistoric creatures! Class statistics, dinosaur facts, and cute illustrations are sprinkled into the text in the form of excerpts from Arlo’s THE ELEPHANTS’ GUIDE TO meticulously kept notebook. There are no sources cited for the HIDE-AND-SEEK dinosaur trivia in the book, which may leave readers wondering Hayes, Kjersten about the information and where they can learn more. The stu- Illus. by Jose, Gladys dents and other characters are described and drawn with a wide Sourcebooks Jabberwocky (32 pp.) range of skin tones, from light pink to dark brown, and they $17.99 | Apr. 1, 2020 also include a student who is learning English and a student who 978-1-4926-7846-5 is largely nonverbal. Protagonist Arlo is white and has a stutter. Troublingly, the two black students in the book are described in Elephants can do lots of stuff; they never forget, for instance. stereotypical ways. But play hide-and-seek? Not so much. A typical tough-class story is enlivened with dino- Face it: Whenever elephants play this game with child saurs but marred by stereotypes and missing information. friends, guess who inevitably gets found first? These giants’ girth (author interview) (Fantasy. 7-10) and height, not to mention trunks, account for their consistent failure to hide successfully. Now the Elephant Hobby and Sport League comes to the rescue with The Elephants’ Guide to Hide- PLANTS and-Seek, which features crafty ploys to help level playing fields. Hickman, Pamela Wise pachyderms would do well to bring their vaunted memo- Illus. by Gavin, Carolyn ries to bear on its pages. Sample tips: hiding in a large bathtub Kids Can (32 pp.) with shower curtains and standing behind a humongous pile of $18.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 unsorted laundry (the kind found in a typical kid’s bedroom). 978-1-77138-819-1 Some don’ts? Cramming into too-small spaces, like doghouses, Series: Nature All Around or pretending to be a lump in a bed. If nothing works, the guide also advises that elephants just be “it”—or simply accept the fun The Nature All Around team offers of being found. After all, “you love those kids!” This cute but facts about plants: specifically, flowering slight tale mines humor from its snarky narration, voiced in the plants in Canada and the United States. cheesy tone of a TV commercial. Cheery, energetic, expressive The text follows the conversational pattern established in cartoons depict kids with varied skin tones and hairstyles play- earlier series outings and includes quirky, original metaphors, ing in the park with their blue, bespectacled elephant pal as the such as “A seed is like a tiny picnic basket full of food that the latter demonstrates various tips outlined in the guide. plant uses when it starts to grow.” The art complements it by Lively fun. Readers may pick up some pointers for their avoiding gimmicks and using stylized, but usually appropriately own games of hide-and-seek. (Picture book. 4-7) detailed, watercolors to show the science. For example, there’s no cartoonish picnic basket here; instead, watercolor diagrams differentiate the sprouting of a monocot wheat versus a dicot

126 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | bean seed. The layout offers plenty of variety without over- THE GREAT BIG BRAIN BOOK stimulating browsing, but economical captioning demands that Hoffman, Mary readers glean most of the book’s informational content from Illus. by Asquith, Ros the text. Some readers may wish for slightly more detail in the Frances Lincoln (40 pp.) illustrations on a spread about identifying plant components by $19.99 | Mar. 3, 2020 type. The page that gives step-by-step directions for growing 978-0-7112-4154-1 microgreens, however, is a perfect example of excellent collaboration among writer, illustrator, and designer, from its italicized The creators of The Great Big Body definition at the start to a colorful plate of raw veggies scattered Book (2016) pay tribute to the organ “in with sprouts at the end. The pollination page is likewise a ter- charge of every single thing our bod- rific addition to early sex education. ies can do.” (Though look what’s telling Another charming entry in a delightful natural-science them that.) series. (glossary, index) (Informational picture book. 7-10) That’s just the first of several simplistic or downright wrong claims in an otherwise perceptive and lighthearted overview that covers the brain’s growth and general structure, its role in HOW TO TIE A perception as well as cognition and communication, emotions, SHOE & OTHER BIG learning and memory (including amnesia and Alzheimer’s), ADVENTURES developmental differences, sleep, and dreams—all in nontech- Illus. by Hill, Skip nical language. Along with throwing out tantalizing statements Penny Candy (40 pp.) like the brain “changes again a lot during the teenage years”

$16.95 | Mar. 10, 2020 without elaboration and that dreaming may help in “getting rid young adult 978-0-9996584-8-2 of things we don’t need,” Hoffman misses opportunities to, for Series: Penny Candy instance, mention more than the traditional five senses. She also muddles her own more accurate account of how the ner- A how-to book that isn’t. vous system works with a line about how neurons “head back to This whimsical, poetic instruction manual for how to tie your brain” with sensory messages, and, in what comes off as a a shoe mentions eating spaghetti, finding birds’ nests, comb- weak attempt to reassure readers anxious about being replaced ing hair, and staring at patterns in a rug, assuming children by robots, abruptly switches tracks to close with dismissive (probably) can figure out how to tie their own shoes. Sketchy, views about the current state of artificial intelligence. Asquith black-and-white pen-and-ink illustrations portray children mixes a satisfyingly inclusive crowd of expressive human figures from many different backgrounds doing everyday activities in active poses with bright cartoon diagrams and anatomical like playing outside in a sprinkler, greeting buddies, and hug- views…but she includes a long-debunked “map” of where taste ging good friends after summer break. Hill illustrates a black buds are located on the tongue that doesn’t include “umami” in girl peeking out from inside a tent on her first camping trip and the labeling. a girl hugging a boy (both are white) in a wheelchair—normal- Bright and lively—but saddled with misses both near izing portrayals that still rarely appear in picture books. Styl- and wide. (glossary) (Informational picture book. 6-8) ized, hand-drawn text blurs the boundaries between words and pictures and emphasizes that words can morph into art and vice versa—or that words are art, and art evokes language. Perspec- DIRT CHEAP tives vary in each scene: Some children look directly out at the Hoffmann, Mark audience; sometimes readers gaze into a scene past the child Illus. by the author character’s back; sometimes readers see only a child’s hands Knopf (32 pp.) or legs. Emotions vary too, including joy, contemplation, and $17.99 | $20.99 PLB | Apr. 21, 2020 sadness, offering a range of vicarious experiences for readers. 978-1-5247-1994-4 Ultimately, this book uses learning to tie a shoe as a metaphor 978-1-5247-1995-1 PLB for personal growth and experiential learning—with the beauty and challenges that accompany both. A kid entrepreneur sells dirt to finance a snazzy new soccer A quirky picture book that respects the intelligence of ball. children. (Picture book. 7-11) An interactive narrator introduces and talks with Birdie, a youngster peering at a newspaper through oversized yellow spectacles. When the narrator asks what Birdie is looking at, the kid flips the paper around to show an ad for the XR1000 Super Extreme Soccer Ball. Short the $24.95 needed to purchase the “beautiful” ball, Birdie takes the narrator’s recommendation that a yard sale may garner the necessary funds. The yard sale turns out to be a bad business model (low market demand) so Birdie brainstorms something else: a literal yard sale. Birdie

| kirkus.com | children’s | 1 february 2020 | 127 INTERVIEWS & PROFILES Tonya Bolden

HER NEW BOOK, STRONG VOICES, INTRODUCES YOUNG READERS TO 15 GREAT SPEECHES FROM AMERICAN HISTORY By Kate Tuttle Hayden Celestin R. Strong Voices is a picture book, yet many of the speeches are pretty complex for children—some might seem to require an adult understanding. How do you see the book being used? I think it’s perfect for family reading and also in the classroom. One of the things I believe in is that books for young readers need to challenge them. Books for young readers need to kindle curiosity. I want to send kids to the dictionary; I want to send kids to parents and librarians and teachers with questions. The other thing in terms of using it, it’s such a jumping-off point for deeper learning about so many subjects, from the Revolutionary War, civil rights movement, women’s rights movement, space exploration.

Were any of the speeches more difficult for you to provide the introductions for? Did you struggle with any of them? I struggled with all of them. I always have a lot more to say, and my wise editor has to cut them down. I think probably Abraham Lin- coln’s Gettysburg Address had me most worried. Because it’s so iconic? Yes! I thought, oh my goodness, how do I do this justice? But then I just settled in and did the research. When an editor at HarperCollins asked Tonya Bolden (Facing Frederick, Pathfinders) to write introductions for a book of What do you hope that kids get from this book? great American speeches, the veteran children’s nonfiction au- I think the late Cokie Roberts said it best [in the book’s foreword], thor asked what texts were going to be included. “When I saw the “You can hear the sounds of our timeless struggle to fulfill the prom- lineup, I was all in,” Bolden says. “The diversity—of length, of peo- ise of America, to form a more perfect union.” I also think the book ple—it was just a nice blend, a good balance.” Strong Voices: Fifteen provides comfort at this time of so much chaos and uncertainty, so American Speeches Worth Knowing (Harper/HarperCollins, Jan. 21) much hyperpartisanship, so much confusion, so much cynicism. I includes political speeches from Patrick Henry and Fannie Lou hope that it will give our young people hope, as it calls them to Hamer; Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and Martin Luther King’s “I action to deal with things that still trouble and plague our nation. Have a Dream” speech; Lou Gehrig’s farewell to the sport he loved and Hillary Clinton’s proclamation that women’s rights are human It sounds like you really enjoyed working on this project. rights. They’re all accompanied by Eric Velasquez’s striking illus- Did it bring up personal feelings as you read and wrote trations. Bolden spoke with Kirkus about the book by phone. about these speeches?

128 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | You know, it did. Because it’s this sweep of history. Some of the speeches are challenging, but they’re also so moving. I love them all, each for a different reason. But another standout for me is Teddy Roosevelt’s speech about the man in the arena. I mean, here’s this privileged man celebrating everyday people. And talking about, you know, the ones who roll up their sleeves and try to right wrongs or the people who simply do their jobs to the starts selling dirt from the yard for 25 bucks a sack. Still no cus- best of their ability—for him to elevate everyday people is just tomers. When Birdie marks down the price to 25 cents—and so fantastic. I think in different ways each of the 15 speeches in starts advertising “dirt cheap cheap dirt”—the coins finally roll Strong Voices sort of grounds us and reminds our young people in. Birdie uses the hard-earned money to buy the soccer ball. But what use is the ball if there is no longer a lawn to play soc- about what’s important. cer on? Hoffmann cleverly intertwines early math skills with messages of working toward goals and problem-solving. Read- You’ve been writing for children for a long time. What ers will learn alongside Birdie different ways to add up change. Birdie’s approachable, can-do attitude plays well off the narra- do you think about the kids of today? Are they the same tor-knows-best tone to create some genuine comedy. The gently as children in earlier generations? absurd illustrations offer a lush suburban landscape, expressive scenes, and racially diverse neighbors; Birdie has pale skin and I came of age during the ’60s, so there was civil rights, Black black pigtails. Power, Vietnam, women’s liberation. We get through. And I Worth it, dirt and all. (Picture book. 4-8) want young people to know we will get through this time. People thought we wouldn’t make it through the Civil War or through THE CASE OF THE Watergate. But we human beings have this amazing ability to MISSING AUNTIE carry on. Hutchinson, Michael Second Story Press (168 pp.) I think they are very hungry for answers; they are hungry for $10.95 paper | Mar. 17, 2020 young adult us adults to do better, in terms of the world. We are besotted 978-1-77-260117-6 Series: Mighty Muskrat Mystery, 2 with entertainment. It’s a challenge for them to focus. It’s almost like being distracted has become the norm. I think a book like The Mighty Muskrats, four mystery- solving cousins from Windy Lake First Strong Voices calls you to focus. Sit with the book, visit with it, dig Nation in Canada, find themselves in the deep, think deep, and ask questions. big city searching for a relative who went missing decades ago. Tech-savvy Chickadee and her cousins—muscled Atim, bookworm Samuel, and guitar-strumming Otter—travel to the Kate Tuttle, a former president of the National Book Critics Circle, city for a week of fun at the Exhibition Fair. When Chickadee writes about books and authors for the Boston Globe. Strong Voices tells them about Great-Auntie Charlotte, Grandpa’s little sister who was “scooped” to a residential school before being adopted received a starred review in the Oct. 15, 2019, issue. out by the government, the group decides to make finding her their next mission. But the lure of the fair, an opportunity to see a favorite rock star in concert, and a chance encounter with an old friend from the rez split the team’s priorities, taking them in different directions and threatening the case. Unless they regroup, they may never cut through the red tape and uncover what happened to Charlotte. Though the harsh realities of Can- ada’s historical treatment of First Nations are central to the plot, the complexities of the subject matter are age-appropriate and easily digestible. Fans of Hutchinson’s (Misipawistik Cree) first entry in his Mighty Muskrats Mystery Series, The Case of Windy Lake (2019), will eagerly join the crew once again, and all the twists and turns one expects from a good mystery will quickly hook new readers. A compelling “urban bush” adventure that offers light and reconciliation to dark truths. (Mystery. 9-12)

| kirkus.com | children’s | 1 february 2020 | 129 An amuse-bouche look at a zookeeper’s day. what do you do if you work at the zoo?

WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU “can really be put to good use.” A frustrated Izzy’s impatience WORK AT THE ZOO? with a friend almost foils her chance at the prize, but all’s well Jenkins, Steve & Page, Robin that ends well. There’s much to like: Brown-skinned inventor Illus. by Jenkins, Steve girl Izzy is an appealing character, it’s great to see a nurturing HMH Books (40 pp.) brown-skinned male caregiver, the idea of an “Invention Con- $17.99 | Apr. 28, 2020 vention” is fun, and a sustainable-energy invention is laudable. 978-0-544-38759-1 However, these elements don’t make up for rhymes that often feel forced and a lackluster story. A menagerie of facts about the many jobs to do at the zoo. A disappointing follow-up. (Picture book. 3-6) Jenkins and Page present readers with an amuse-bouche look at a zookeeper’s day in this informational picture book. The premise greatly simplifies the many roles of a zoo’s staff FOREVERLAND under the rubric “zookeeper” and follows several humans Kear, Nicole C. (depicted mostly as disembodied hands in a variety of skin Imprint (256 pp.) tones) as they perform unusual tasks for birds, mammals, and $16.99 | Apr. 21, 2020 reptiles. Each fact alone is fodder for a picture book. In short, 978-1-250-21983-1 second-person paragraphs, readers learn that joeys that must be raised without their mothers are carried in cloth pouches that When growing up becomes too over- emulate those of a kangaroo; that aardvark ears are sensitive to whelming, escape to a place where trou- the sun and may require the application of sunscreen; and that bles don’t exist…. hyenas enjoy frozen bloodsicles on hot days. The backmatter Or where you can pretend they don’t. includes a brief timeline of zoo history, locations of and facts Margaret has run away to Foreverland, about notable zoos, pros and cons of keeping animals captive, an amusement park in full summer splen- and an additional paragraph of information about each animal dor. She plans to hide out after closing, gorging on junk food discussed. Jenkins’ collage illustrations will be familiar to fans, and evading park security. Complicating this brilliant scheme is and the balance of image to white space is visually well suited the tanned, black-haired, Spanish-speaking “Mystery Boy” she for classroom or group readers. The facts are intriguing enough keeps seeing and who appears totally at home in the park. But to prompt new animal enthusiasms among young readers, so what’s his story? For a severely anxious girl with an affinity for educators and caregivers should be prepared to use this book as acrostic poetry, this is an extreme rebellion. It goes to show how a springboard for further exploration. intense the changes have recently been in Margaret’s life, par- Delightful fare for animal lovers. (Informational picture ticularly an ominous red suitcase by the front door: Her parents book. 6-10) are on the brink of divorce. Kear depicts this already-sensitive white preteen in a light that validates all her feelings; similarly, the emotional struggles of the Puerto Rican boy, Jaime, are sym- IZZY GIZMO AND THE pathetically rendered. Margaret’s observational distance from INVENTION CONVENTION others, a product of her need to go unnoticed as well as her Jones, Pip personal inclinations, means readers spend a lot of time in her Illus. by Ogilvie, Sara head. The stable but widely varied landscape of the amusement Peachtree (32 pp.) park banishes any danger of dullness. Foreverland “isn’t a theme $17.99 | Mar. 1, 2020 park like Disneyland or whatever,” but it nevertheless has sev- 978-1-68263-164-5 eral Disney-esque features, like the word “magic” splashed Series: Izzy Gizmo everywhere. The carnival atmosphere, however, evokes more of a Coney Island feel appropriate to the location just outside of Inventor Izzy Gizmo is back in this sequel to her epony- New York City. Kear includes gently placed Peter Pan references mous debut (2017). for those familiar with the tale. While busily inventing one day, Izzy receives an invitation This alternatingly touching and suspenseful adventure from the Genius Guild to their annual convention. Though captures some real-life magic. (Fiction. 9-12) Izzy’s “inventions…don’t always work,” Grandpa (apparently her sole caregiver) encourages her to go. The next day they undertake a long journey “over fields, hills, and waves” and “mile after mile” to isolated Technoff Isle. There, Izzy finds she must compete against four other kids to create the most impressive machine. The colorful, detail-rich illustrations chronicle how poor Izzy is thwarted at every turn by Abi von Lavish, a Ver- uca Salt–esque character who takes all the supplies for herself. But when Abi abandons her project, Izzy salvages the pieces and decides to take Grandpa’s advice to create a machine that

130 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | AMERICAN AS PANEER PIE his uncle, Adam’s suspended from his new school on his first Kelkar, Supriya day for fighting about the newspaper article. He finds reports Aladdin (320 pp.) online of other sightings, one fairly close by, and hikes overnight $17.99 | May 12, 2020 to learn more from the man who spied it. The man’s intensity 978-1-5344-3938-2 scares Adam off, but Adam’s a hunter and comfortable in the outdoors, so he equips himself and heads into the wilderness to After years of keeping silent in the find answers. After a harrowing trek and near starvation, Adam face of hate, Indian American Lekha discovers the terrifying truth behind the legends. Readers will Divekar finds her voice. identify with Everykid Adam, who finds he can’t trust what he’s For all her 11 years, Lekha’s strategy always been told about the world. Walking a fine line between for surviving her mostly white Detroit the fantastic and the realistic, Key creates a scary, page-turn- suburb has been to keep quiet and avoid ing adventure spun from his own experience (set forth in an standing out. Not that it’s done her much good; when her racist author’s note). Characters are assumed white. classmates aren’t harassing her, they pepper her with questions This compelling cryptid fantasy has its big feet planted about her family’s heritage. When a new Indian-immigrant firmly in realistic survival fiction.(Fantasy. 8-14) family moves in across the street, Lekha assumes that their daughter, Avantika, will be ill-equipped to cope with the town’s xenophobia. But Lekha couldn’t have been more wrong: Unlike LIKE THE MOON LOVES Lekha, Avantika isn’t afraid to stick up for herself. The more THE SKY Lekha gets to know Avantika, the more she admires her con- Khan, Hena fidence—and the more determined Lekha becomes to find her Illus. by Khan, Saffa young adult own voice. Kelkar masterfully develops Lekha’s voice, infusing Chronicle (40 pp.) the protagonist with the perfect balance of curiosity, wit, and $17.99 | Mar. 10, 2020 insight. Furthermore, she roots the novel in the present by jux- 978-1-4521-8019-9 taposing Lekha’s school troubles with local hate crimes and a local congressional election dominated by a far-right candidate. Punctuating the narrative with rep- Unfortunately, Lekha does most of her character development etitions of “inshallah,” a mother lists the hopes she has for her in the last third of the book, making the first two-thirds feel child in this celebration of unconditional love. more like an increasingly monotonous catalog of complaints Simple and lyrical verse expresses a parent’s wish of safety, than a plot arc. Furthermore, at times, the author’s view can be love, happiness, and so much more for her child. “Inshallah you Hindu-centric, as when she refers to Marathi New Year as an are kind to those most in need. / Inshallah you seek knowledge, Indian, rather than Hindu, holiday. Overall, though, the book reflect, and read.” Saffa Khan’s illustrations complement Hena addresses important issues of racism, colorism, and xenophobia Khan’s text, bringing to it a sense of movement, change, and through a well-drawn narrator whose political evolution is fas- liveliness as she ages the child from babe in arms to preschooler. cinating to watch. The clear and short sentences deliver a straightforward message Tackles important issues with nuance—but pacing lags. of parental love. Using a vibrant, bright, bold palette dominated (Fiction. 10-14) by orange, blue, and yellow, the illustrations capture this family’s feelings, including such details as Arabic words in the background and an older figure wearing hijab to demonstrate that BEAST this is a Muslim family. Family members all have black hair, the Face-to-Face With the brown of their skin varying slightly individual by individual. An Florida Bigfoot author’s note before the title page explains the meaning of the Key, Watt phrase “inshallah,” noting that it is spoken by Muslims world- Farrar, Straus and Giroux (224 pp.) wide and expresses a “common theme found in other languages $16.99 | Apr. 14, 2020 and cultures.” This is a lovely addition to the growing collection 978-0-374-31369-2 of diverse books focusing on a family’s unconditional love and addresses the dearth of children’s books inspired by the Quran. Thirteen-year-old Adam feels com- This beautiful, sweet, heartfelt message of love and pelled to uncover the mystery of his hope for a child will resonate with many. (Picture book. 3-7) parents’ disappearance, even if it means facing a monster. An accident on a forested Florida road late at night leaves Adam in the hospital and his parents missing. Adam saw what his father swerved to avoid but can’t believe it: a massive, man- like beast. He tells the police, which leads to a newspaper article, but the official search for his parents is fruitless. Still, Adam can’t stop thinking about both accident and beast. Taken in by

| kirkus.com | children’s | 1 february 2020 | 131 PLASTIC Bat hides, Sloth falls asleep before he can count to 10 and begin Past, Present, and Future seeking. In Chapter 3, each of the new friends saves the other Kim, Eun-ju from calamity and is a hero. The final chapter features an acci- Illus. by Lee, Ji Won dent, some reluctant apologizing, and forgiveness. The Level 2 Trans. by Comfort, Joungmin Lee reader uses brief chapters, short sentences, easy words, and a Scribble (36 pp.) bit of repetition to strengthen beginning readers’ skills. Braun’s $17.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 illustrations focus on the branch the new friends share, a soft 978-1-950354-06-1 blue sky and deep green in the trees highlighting the fact that the animals are nocturnal. The book’s weak spot is character This Korean import explores a prev- development. In both the pictures and the text Sloth seems alent material in our daily lives. adorable and sweet while Bat comes off as a rather brash friend. Author Kim and illustrator Lee offer scenes to help kids Readers may not want to spend more time with him. digest the complex story of plastics. Plentiful illustrations A rough start to both a friendship and a series. (Early describe production flows or act as seek-and-find challenges reader. 4-7) with examples of plastic objects around the home. For younger or emergent readers, many objects in the home scene are labeled to help build vocabulary or reinforce sight words. While WORSE AND WORSE ON the text explores some of the reasons plastic has become so NOAH’S ARK enmeshed in our world, it does not fully confront the power of Kimmelman, Leslie multinational oil companies or the international components Illus. by Mineker, Vivian of plastics recycling that evolve with each news cycle. How- Apples & Honey Press (32 pp.) ever, refreshingly, plastics recycling is not presented as a catch- $17.95 | Apr. 1, 2020 all solution for single-use plastics. Readers are encouraged to 978-1-68115-554-8 reduce single-use plastic consumption, to learn about innovative solutions from scientists and activists, and to acknowledge Life on the ark wasn’t always a lark. that eliminating plastics use is unlikely. Illustrations of people Noah follows God’s commandment throughout show varied skin tones consistent with the bold to build a really big ark with the help of style used by the illustrator. The narrative format of the text, his wife and his sons. In a bit of linguistic license, Mrs. Noah with three to five short paragraphs per page, and absence of turns to Yiddish to complain, as do the sons. What with the table of contents, index, or cited backmatter make this more constant rain, things just get “WORSE and WORSE and of a jumping-off point than a reference text. Open-ended ques- WORSE.” The animals arrive, and the ark gets crowded, dirty, tions throughout create natural breaks for discussion. and throwing-up smelly. Yes, it keeps getting worse. Then the This valiant attempt to storify and simplify a complex critters begin to argue among themselves and eye one another topic for elementary-aged children mostly succeeds. (Infor hungrily. The smells increase, and the Noah family wonders mational picture book. 7-10) one more time, “Could things get any worse?” They do when the ark springs a leak, but Noah has a solution: cooperation. Tranquility and a good-neighbor policy result. The flood ends, BAT AND SLOTH and the Noah family and the animals all happily disembark. In HANG AROUND her notes, the author states that she has told her tale following Kimmelman, Leslie the Judaic tradition of midrash, stories that elucidate Biblical Illus. by Braun, Seb text. She also hopes that readers of her book will learn to live Whitman (32 pp.) in “harmony,” with “empathy,” and “peacefully.” Mineker’s illus- $12.99 | Apr. 1, 2020 trations against a white background provide amusing views of 978-0-8075-0585-4 the animals; readers will chuckle at details such as the blissfully Series: Bat and Sloth sleeping sloths and sneezing squirrels. The humans are depicted with white and brown faces. A fruit bat and a two-toed sloth The story of Noah and the Ark provides a lesson in liv- slowly make friends in this opening vol- ing together in peace. (Picture book. 4-6) ume in an early reader series. As the sun sets, readers meet Bat, who is sleeping upside down in a rainforest. When he awakens, he’s unpleasantly surprised to find another animal in his tree: “This is my branch!” The newcomer is in favor of sharing, though, and Sloth introduces himself—slowly, of course. Sloth sees the two as similar, but Bat points out all their differences. In the next chapter, the two enjoy fruit together before unsuccessfully playing some games. Tag clearly is not a game in Sloth’s wheelhouse, and when

132 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | Readers enter a space where homosexuality and bisexuality are thoughtfully discussed and traditional ideas of masculinity are explored and challenged. second dad summer

A LITTLE BIT BRAVE urban smells of a big city and the spirit of a Pride festival to Kinnear, Nicola Jeremiah’s angst over Michael’s use of nicknames reserved for Illus. by the author his parents. Arroyo’s black-and-white cartoon illustrations give Orchard/Scholastic (32 pp.) further texture to the story. Through Klas’ eminently likable $17.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 young protagonist, readers enter a space where homosexual- 978-1-338-56327-6 ity and bisexuality are thoughtfully discussed and traditional ideas of masculinity are explored and challenged. The cast is A bunny overcomes his fear of the default white, but the diversity within the LGBTQ community outside world and sets off on his first is thoughtfully presented, including in the persons of Sage and adventure. her mother Lisa, who are Hmong (Sage was conceived via arti- Bunny friends Logan and Luna couldn’t be more differ- ficial insemination). ent. Logan is a “stay-at-home-bunny.” Luna is daring and has Touching and unforgettable. (Fiction. 9-13) “new adventures every day.” Luna invites Logan to join in her adventures, but he is too scared. One day, fed up with Logan’s timorousness, Luna stomps off in frustration. Logan feels PARK HERE awful and realizes he must make up with her immediately to Lakin, Patricia save their friendship. There’s only one problem—she’s “OUT- Illus. by Tarrant, Daniel SIDE!” Reluctantly, he packs a higgledy-piggledy assemblage of Whitman (32 pp.) items and heads out the door. The outside world is scary, but $12.99 | Mar. 1, 2020 thankfully Logan meets some helpful forest friends. As Logan 978-0-8075-6366-3

searches for Luna, he discovers whole new worlds and creatures: young adult underwater, among the trees, and deep inside a dark cave. He Carl the car and a passel of automo- kind of likes it. When he stops to rest, he hears a cry of dis- bile friends look forward to some fun tress. Luna is in trouble! Logan must summon all his courage in an outdoor park until they are misdi- to save her, rising magnificently to the occasion using a surpris- rected up the ramp of a parking structure ing secret weapon. Kinnear illustrates Logan’s romp through by a sign that reads “PARK HERE.” the autumnal woods and beyond with a touch of whimsy. The Carl ascends the ramp and becomes confused as to why rich, vibrant palette—swirling waters in cool shades of blue and there are no birds, trees, or grass—not to mention friends. glowing woodlands drenched in warm, earthy hues—paired When Carl reaches the top level, there are the other cars, all with a lighthearted text makes for a charming story. equally upset. This supposed Level 1 early reader has a rhyming A sweet addition to the “you’re braver than you think” narrative and short sentences but very little vocabulary repeti- shelf. (Picture book. 4-8) tion to facilitate learning, introducing new words on each page of text. The storyline itself is intriguing enough; although the initial wordplay may be immediately appreciated by adults, kids SECOND DAD SUMMER may miss the double meaning. Cartoon art of boxy cars in bold Klas, Benjamin colors with large googly eyes for headlights above large smiles Illus. by Arroyo, Fian or frowns develops the characters. Carl and friends eventually Red Chair Press (224 pp.) descend the long ramp and arrive at the park they know and $16.99 | May 1, 2020 love, complete with speed bumps along their racetrack. Young 978-1-947159-242 readers might think the parking garage looks like an awful lot of fun and that the mix-up didn’t need any fixing, but kids who A young man learns about Pride, love cars as characters should be happy to take this for a spin. tolerance, and acceptance in this heart- A wayward trip righted, though beginning readers may warming debut. need some assistance to figure it out.(Early reader. 6-8) Iowan Jeremiah usually enjoys spending summers with his father, Al, a construction worker who lives in Minneapolis. Except now those summers include Al’s new LOST CITIES boyfriend, Michael, a man with highlighted hair who drinks Laroche, Giles organic teas, rides around on a unicorn-themed bicycle, and Illus. by the author comes across as way too gay for Jeremiah’s taste. As the summer HMH Books (40 pp.) progresses, Jeremiah’s friendships with Sage, a girl who lives $17.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 close by with her moms, and Mr. Keeler, an older, gay next-door 978-1-328-75364-9 neighbor who shares his love of gardening, help him rethink his view of Michael and his beliefs about masculinity. Klas’ novel Profiles of ancient cities from around the world, intricately is a timely salute to the evolving picture of a traditional Ameri- illustrated, highlight their mysteries. can family. The author’s mastery of this subject matter is evi- In Laroche’s latest work of nonfiction for kids, settlements dent in the smallest details of the world he creates, from the “lost” to time or conquest or that have unknown histories are

| kirkus.com | children’s | 1 february 2020 | 133 The often-dramatic images offer a glimpse of the city prior to the conflict and a window on the real people who experience war. the cat man of aleppo

described, each profile hitting on “Location,” “Who lived here,” THE CAT MAN “Why was it lost,” “How was it found,” and “What’s mysterious.” OF ALEPPO Cities such as Babylon (in present-day Iraq), Angkor Wat (in Cam- Latham, Irene & bodia), and Rapa Nui (now called Easter Island) are represented Shamsi-Basha, Karim in impressive detail thanks to Laroche’s signature paper-relief art. Illus. by Shimizu, Yuko Backmatter includes a timeline, placing each city in chronological Putnam (40 pp.) order of its construction, as well as an overview of Laroche’s artistic $17.99 | Apr. 14, 2020 process. Young readers who are fascinated by historical mysteries 978-1-9848-1378-7 may find this an interesting jumping-off point for deeper exploration of the featured settlements; none of the profiles are extensive When the war comes to Syria, many enough to satisfy research-project requirements or the curiosity of flee, but Alaa stays in his beloved city, Aleppo, where he con- true history nerds. Readers will encounter language that normal- tinues to work as an ambulance driver and helps the wounded izes colonization: For example, much of the information listed to safety. under Laroche’s “How was it found?” sections describe European Day after day, he misses his family and friends who have “explorers” and archaeologists who “rediscovered” or “visited” set- left, wondering where they are and how they are doing. His tlements built by the Indigenous peoples of the various continents. neighborhood empties—except for cats! However, these cats Additionally, the profile on Angkor Wat sets a peculiarly exocitiz- are affected by the conflict too; they’re left behind with shel- ing scene: “If you had lived in this city…you would have encounters destroyed and food and water stringently limited. Alaa, tered bizarre creatures, such as monkey-like wild macaques, flying who has a big heart, starts taking care of them using the little wingless snakes, as well as people perched on elephants or dressed money he has. The love between man and cats multiplies, and in colored silk sarongs.” many people from around the world step up to help. Soon, the Stunning visuals paired with some disappointing con- cats of Aleppo get a pleasant shelter set in a courtyard. How- tent. (Nonfiction. -5 10) ever, Alaa does not stop there and goes on to help other animals and more people, spreading joy, love, and hope. Based on a true story, this picture book is distinctive for its engaging narrative GROW KIND and impeccable illustrations. It is also enriched with notes from Lasser, Jon & Foster-Lasser, Sage Alaa himself (the real one) as well as the authors and illustrator. Illus. by Lyles, Christopher The often-dramatic images offer a glimpse of the city prior to Magination/American Psychological the conflict and a window on the real people who experience Association (32 pp.) war and try to survive and help others around them. $16.99 | Mar. 3, 2020 A beautifully told and illustrated story that offers a 978-1-4338-3050-1 unique perspective on both war and humanity. (Picture book. 6-9) An uplifting book about how to show kindness through abundant giving. Kiko wakes up in the morning eager to discover what deli- THE HIPS ON THE DRAG cious food the garden has to offer, beginning the narrative by QUEEN GO SWISH, asking readers who helps them wake up. This immediately SWISH, SWISH invites readers into the story on a personal level. Kiko and older Lil Miss Hot Mess sister Annie begin giving away their harvest, and throughout Illus. by de Dios, Olga all of Kiko’s sharing, readers will find diversity among those in Running Press (40 pp.) Kiko’s life. Through the inclusion of children of color, a same- $17.99 | May 5, 2020 sex brown-skinned neighbor couple, a hungry white woman 978-0-7624-6765-5 who appears homeless, an elderly white woman with a disability, and a white man who struggles with sadness and anger, read- This book’s gonna werk, werk, werk all through Pride ers will be exposed to a variety of accurately represented people. Month and beyond. Kiko and Annie present Asian and their parents, white, suggest- Drag persona Lil Miss Hot Mess rewrites “The Wheels ing interracial adoption. Kiko’s gentle adventures encourage on the Bus” to create a fun, movement-filled, family-friendly children to think of others’ needs and feelings. Kiko ends this celebration of drag. The text opens with the titular verse to story of giving generously by asking readers to think about how establish the familiar song’s formulaic pattern: “The hips on the they might “grow kind.” Lyles’ colorful, collagelike illustrations drag queen go SWISH, SWISH, SWISH… / ALL THROUGH are as inviting and charming as Kiko’s narration. The final pages THE TOWN!” Along the way, more and more drag queens join include a “Note to Parents and Other Caregivers” section that in the celebration. The unnamed queens proudly display a range provides education and guidance regarding encouraging empa- of skin tones, sizes, and body modifications to create a diverse thy in young children and how to use this book to do so. cast of realistic characters that could easily be spotted at a Pride This positive, diverse book about kindness can be used event or on RuPaul’s Drag Race. The palette of both costumes in a variety of teaching and learning spaces. (Picture book. 3-6) and backgrounds is appropriately psychedelic, and there are

134 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | plenty of jewels going “BLING, BLING, BLING.” Don’t tell ON THE HORIZON the queens, but the flow is the book’s real star, because it encour- Lowry, Lois ages natural kinetic participation that will have groups of young Illus. by Pak, Kenard readers giggling and miming along with the story. Libraries and HMH Books (80 pp.) bookshops hosting drag-queen storytimes will find this a popu- $16.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 lar choice, and those celebrating LGBTQ heritage will also find 978-0-358-12940-0 this a useful book for the pre-K crowd. Curious children unfamiliar with a drag queen may require a brief explanation, but In spare verse, Lowry reflects on the spectacle stands up just fine on its own platforms. moments in her childhood, includ- Fun, fun, fun all through the town! (Picture book. 4-6) ing the bombings of Pearl Harbor and Hiroshima. When she was a child, Lowry played MY MASTODON at Waikiki Beach with her grandmother while her father filmed. Lowell, Barbara In the old home movie, the USS Arizona appears through the Illus. by Marinoni, Antonio mist on the horizon. Looking back at her childhood in Hawaii Creative Editions/Creative Company and then Japan, Lowry reflects on the bombings that began (32 pp.) and ended a war and how they affected and connected every- $19.99 | Feb. 25, 2020 one involved. In Part 1, she shares the lives and actions of sail- 978-1-56846-327-8 ors at Pearl Harbor. Part 2 is stories of civilians in Hiroshima affected by the bombing. Part 3 presents her own experience as

Crisis looms when young Sybilla an American in Japan shortly after the war ended. The poems young adult Peale learns that big brother Rembrandt bring the haunting human scale of war to the forefront, like the is taking a beloved fossil for a tour of England. Christmas cards a sailor sent days before he died or the 4-year- Sybilla is accustomed to living among the wildlife exhib- old who was buried with his red tricycle after Hiroshima. All the its (“They are very well behaved. They’re stuffed”) that fill the personal stories—of sailors, civilians, and Lowry herself—are natural history museum set up in their home by Rembrandt and grounding. There is heartbreak and hope, reminding readers to their father, Charles Willson Peale. She is understandably infu- reflect on the past to create a more peaceful future. Lowry uses riated at the news that the “magnificent!” fossil skeleton beneath a variety of poetry styles, identifying some, such as triolet and which she holds her doll tea parties will be leaving. Her rebel- haiku. Pak’s graphite illustrations are like still shots of history, lion melts away, though, when Rembrandt actually bows to her adding to the emotion and somber feeling. He includes some wishes. “Even if he is bossy, he is my brother,” she reflects, and sailors of color among the mostly white U.S. forces; Lowry is rather than force him to leave the mastodon behind she lets white. the bones themselves decide. Marinoni illustrates this fictional A beautiful, powerful reflection on a tragic history. episode in the life of the multitalented Peales with painterly (author’s note, bibliography) (Memoir/poetry. 10-14) views of a small, blonde spark plug confidently at home amid her all-white clan, exactly rendered early-American art and fur- nishings…not to mention all sorts of birds, insects, fossils, and MY MINDFUL WALK other specimens. The scale of the mastodon skeleton relative to WITH GRANDMA Sybilla is jaw-dropping, emphasized in image after image. Occa- Mabry, Sheri sional outbreaks of elegantly set italics add an appropriately Illus. by Pink, Wazza antique flavor to Sybilla’s narrative, and the author adds a pair Whitman (32 pp.) of well-chosen period illustrations to an admiring explanatory $16.99 | Apr. 1, 2020 afterword. 978-0-8075-7072-2 Accomplished illustrations further elevate this engaging introduction to America’s first family of science. (Pic A young girl is so excited to share a ture book. 7-9) surprise with her grandmother that she begins their hike together in a distracted rush. Spending time with Grandma is clearly a joy for the young child. The girl enthusiastically hurries along through the woods, hoping to catch a glimpse of the loons on the lake, but Grandma takes the time to notice the sights and sounds of the forest. She gently reminds her granddaughter that “if we keep looking for there, we will miss what is right here.” The child accepts this invitation to pause. She closes her eyes, stills her body, connects with her breath, and then is able to notice the tiny treasures the forest has to share, like the rustle of leaves and the colorful pop of spring flowers. The quality of this title’s narrative sets it apart

| kirkus.com | children’s | 1 february 2020 | 135 in the growing mindfulness-for-children genre. The depiction DIABETES DOESN’T of a special intergenerational relationship is the clear priority STOP MADDIE! of the story. Rather than using the narrative to instruct read- Marsh, Sarah Glenn ers in mindfulness (this is saved for the backmatter), mindful- Illus. by Di Gravio, Maria Luisa ness practice is authentically embedded into the interaction Whitman (32 pp.) between the two characters. The illustrations, awash in green $16.99 | Apr. 1, 2020 and somewhat nostalgic in styling, complement the narrative 978-0-8075-4703-8 and successfully transport readers to a lush forest brimming with life. Both narrator and Grandma present white. Follow along on Maddie’s first day Clearly demonstrates the sense of connectedness—to back at school after a diagnosis of Type nature, others, and self—that mindfulness practice can 1 diabetes. bring. (Picture book. 4-8) Maddie is understandably nervous; she’s had a lot to learn and process. The very first page explains Type 1 diabetes: “Her body stopped making insulin, which turns sugar in food into TOO STICKY! energy.” And on the next spread, readers see Maddie using her Sensory Issues With Autism insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor and explaining Malia, Jen them (in fairly adult language) to her younger brother. Packing Illus. by Lew-Vriethoff, Joanne for school is a bit complicated, what with the extra snacks and Whitman (32 pp.) juice and backups for her monitor. Being prepared for her class- $16.99 | Apr. 1, 2020 mates’ questions is another matter. Her friend Brianna’s sister 978-0-8075-8026-4 has diabetes, so she can answer many of the kids’ questions, much to Maddie’s relief. And Luis, whose grandfather has the A young girl with autism and sensory disease, stands up for her when she needs a juice in art class and issues dreads slime day at school. prompts her to cover up her CGM at a soccer game to avoid Holly’s science class is making slime, but she’s not excited more questions. Di Gravio’s illustrations capture emotions one bit. In fact, Holly is rather anxious at the thought of mak- clearly, from Maddie’s uncertainty and Brianna’s matter-of-fact ing slime, because it’s made with sticky glue, and just syrup is support to the curiosity, jealousy, and tendency to think the enough to make her squirm in distress. Holly’s sensory issues worst displayed by some of Maddie’s diverse classmates. Mad- are depicted via her dislike of sticky things, loud noises that die and her family are light skinned, Brianna has dark skin, and hurt her ears, and her discomfort with making eye contact. Luis is Latinx. Marsh’s note describes her own connection to Readers quickly grasp how Holly experiences the world differ- diabetes and her wish that no one should feel as though they are ently compared to neurotypical children through Holly’s use of dealing with it alone. coping methods such as breathing exercises and using a stress Both reassuring for those with diabetes and educa- ball in class. Throughout the story, Holly’s family, teacher, and tional for those around them. (Picture book. 4-8) classmates are shown to be understanding and helpful. They demonstrate their support and care by making small accommo- dations, such as speaking up or apologizing for making a loud HAVE YOU EVER ZEEN A ZIZ? noise. Indeed, the #ownvoices author’s debut picture book Marshall, Linda Elovitz showcases the world as it should be, one in which people are Illus. by Reed, Kyle aware of Holly’s autism and sensory issues and act accordingly. Whitman (32 pp.) This story is a great conversation starter to help children under- $16.99 | Apr. 1, 2020 stand that not everyone experiences the world the same. Lew- 978-0-8075-3173-0 Vriethoff’s lively illustrations capture the emotions of the story, complementing Malia’s simple storytelling. Holly is depicted What in the world is a ziz? with fair skin and light brown hair while other characters are It is an extraordinary, amazing bird. illustrated with various skin tones and hair colors. She has a wingspan that can block the sky, Charming, inclusive, and grounded in real-life experi- but she’s gentle and sweet, with kindness for all, playing with ences. (author’s note, slime recipe) (Picture book. 6-8) children and guarding farmers’ crops. Oh yes, she also sings from morning to night, when she’s alone or at play with friends or in her nest on high. The songs can be happy or sad, but they are always loud. When she takes “a little shluffy,” incorporating a Yiddish word for a child’s nap, the singing ends, only to be replaced by even louder snores. Marshall tells this very slight tale in lilting, vaguely Seussian singsong rhymes that fly across the pages along with the mysterious ziz. In a note Marshall cites biblical Jewish writings naming this bird that inspired her to bring it to life. Reed’s brightly hued illustrations interpret

136 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | As befitting the creator of the beloved Narnia books, this illustrated biography maintains the sense of a story unfolding. through the wardrobe

Marshall’s vision of the ziz and are designed with unfettered IVY BIRD imagination and verve. When the bird stands on her yellow McCartney, Tania feet on land, her orange crown and yellow beak reach through Illus. by Racklyeft, Jess the clouds. Her huge orange wings are in perfect proportion to Blue Dot Kids Press (32 pp.) her very long neck and flexible body. The work begs to be read $17.95 | Apr. 7, 2020 aloud—or, better yet, together—and the large print with a smat- 978-1-7331212-1-7 tering of italics provides cues for fun-filled interpretations. Sweet and delightful and totally charming. (Picture book. From sunup until bedtime, Ivy imi- 3-9) tates the birds she loves. She wakes to the “tweets and cheeps” of her canary and spends the day being a bird: pecking at her breakfast, warbling, THROUGH THE WARDROBE drinking “sweet nectar” from a play tea set, posing like a fla- How C.S. Lewis mingo statue, lunching on berries, smelling flowers, collecting Created Narnia “shiny bits and pieces” like a bower bird, splashing in the tub, and Maslo, Lina finally hooting like an owl when it’s time to “settle in her nest.” Illus. by the author Each page turn reveals a different activity. Racklyeft digitally Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins (48 pp.) combines watercolor images with printed textures to create $17.99 | May 5, 2020 colorful illustrations showing the imaginative redhead and her 978-0-06-279856-5 family: mum, bearded dad, and twin baby sibs. Ivy changes her costume to fit her activities and her mood—at one point sport-

The story of C.S. Lewis and how Nar- ing heart-shaped dark glasses. This Australian import features young adult nia came to be. birds of that country as well as those that are more widespread; From a young age, books and imagi- the 12 shown on the cover are described in the backmatter. nation were enormously important to young Clive Staples Most can be found in the pages of the text, and there are even Lewis—or Jack, as he preferred to be called—and here, the more. North American children may also recognize the cocka- warm, folkloric text and colorful, detailed ink-and-acrylic pic- too and the domestic chicken who join in her birdsong, though tures invite readers and listeners to consider how, through dark the kookaburra may be more obscure. Happily, the activity of moments, he created his own stories as a bright refuge. Lewis pretending to be a bird is universal. Who hasn’t tried flapping had a close relationship with his brother, developed a love of their wings as Ivy does, as she waves a rainbow cloak and chases religion, and found happiness with an American wife, but he five bright rosellas? also withstood the early death of his mother, isolation and bul- This simply written celebration of the natural world lying in boarding school, and the horrors of World War I in may prompt kids to “trill and chirp” as well. (Picture book. 3-7) part through his creativity and storytelling. As befitting the creator of the beloved Narnia books, this illustrated biography maintains the sense of a story unfolding, leading up to the FUN FUN FUN WORLD moments when the iconic stories came to be while simultane- Mercado, Yehudi ously explaining Lewis’ background, experiences, and some of Illus. by the author his likely inspirations. Though Lewis dealt with much difficulty, Oni Press (176 pp.) the emphasis is on how he coped and, throughout his life, read, $12.99 paper | Apr. 21, 2020 imagined, dreamed, pondered, and created. The endnotes pro- 978-1-62010-732-4 vide a plethora of facts and additional information, nicely organized for potential research; these will likely elicit additional A human boy and an extraterres- questions about his life and may lead readers to explore further. trial team up in this zany theme-park This engaging and affectionate re-creation of Lewis’ adventure. life highlights resilience, creativity, and inspiration. (Pic “Boy weirdo” Javi loves scary rides ture book/biography. 6-10) and amusement-park games. It’s perfect, then, that his dad is a “theme parkitect” who’s been working to reopen the shuttered Fun Fun Fun World. When real live ET’s crash-land at Fun Fun Fun World, Javi sees this as an unprecedented opportunity to harness their technology. For his part, Minky, Devastorm 5’s captain, is full of bravado, eager to conquer Earth for the Gonzol Imperium. With the theme park’s slogan, “it’s not a dream if you believe it,” as their motto, the unlikely allies team up to turn their dreams into reality. The twisty plot brings together plenty of churros, deception, sabotage, feral cats, augmented reality, jokes, and lessons learned. The ET’s are primarily turquoise; both ET’s and humans with feminine

| kirkus.com | children’s | 1 february 2020 | 137 The luscious, intricately detailed illustrations are rendered in an unearthly palette of blacks, blues, and golds. how the stars came to be

pronouns are endowed with noticeable eyelashes. Brown- MY BROTHER THE DUCK skinned Javi and his father are Latinx while theme-park visitors Miller, Pat Zietlow have a diversity of skin tones, and some present as queer. Mer- Illus. by Wiseman, Daniel cado’s art is dynamic, full of energy and bright colors that burst Chronicle (40 pp.) off the page. With some suspension of disbelief required (would $16.99 | Apr. 21, 2020 Javi’s dad really leave Javi alone at the park for a week?), this is a 978-1-4521-4283-8 great choice for fans of James Burks’ Bird & Squirrel and J. Tor- res and Sean Dove’s BroBots. Quirky new-baby storytime fun to A silly and surprisingly heartwarming alien invasion. quack readers up. (Graphic science fiction. 7-10) Protagonist Stella Wells, “fledgling scientist,” has a new baby brother. She also has the distinctly peculiar notion that he may be a duckling. In a matter-of-fact narration, Stella notes THE NEXT PRESIDENT that her suspicions began when her mother was pregnant and The Unexpected Beginnings her father joked “You’re waddling. We must be having a duck.” and Unwritten Future of When the baby comes home, illustrations clearly depict him America’s Presidents as a human infant (white-appearing like Stella and her parents), Messner, Kate but inquisitive, observant Stella takes notes that support her Illus. by Rex, Adam hypothesis about his potential duck nature: He is “scrawny” Chronicle (48 pp.) and “yellow” (wrapped in a yellow receiving blanket), and he has $18.99 | Mar. 24, 2020 a “flat, broad nose” (which Wiseman represents as a large paci- 978-1-4521-7488-4 fier). Then Mom announces the baby’s name: Drake. This is just one instance where Miller’s wordplay ratchets up the humor of What did presidents do before being elected? Tour a gallery this offbeak, er, offbeat new-baby book. Wiseman’s accompany- of presidential portraits and find out! ing cartoon art is reminiscent of Zachariah OHora’s style, and There is always just one president at a time, but the presi- it capitalizes on the text’s silly premise as Stella investigates her dents to come—maybe 10 or more—will be out there some- brother’s status with the help of her friend Carla Martinez (who, where. When John F. Kennedy was elected as the 35th president like many others at Stella’s school, is depicted as a kid of color). in 1961, the next 10 presidents were alive. What were they Just ducky. (Picture book. 4-7) doing? Lyndon Baines Johnson was Kennedy’s vice president. Jimmy Carter was a peanut farmer. George H.W. Bush was president of an oil exploration company. Donald Trump was HOW THE STARS CAME TO BE attending a military academy, “where his father had hoped he Mistry, Poonam would learn some discipline.” In his painterly art, Rex depicts Illus. by the author a diverse group of people touring a gallery of presidential por- Tate/Abrams (32 pp.) traits. The tourists are multiracial and multiethnic, young and $17.95 | Mar. 27, 2020 old. There’s a woman wearing a hijab pushing a stroller and 978-1-84976-663-0 a woman using a wheelchair. But the faces on the wall are all of white men until No. 44, President Barack Obama. There An anxious fisherman’s daughter and is no portrait of President Trump, but there is one of Hillary a mischievous monkey fill the sky with Clinton, “a woman nominated by a major party for the highest stars. office of the land”—which, though true, is misleading in this At the beginning of time, only the sun and the moon light context. Follow her gaze to an empty frame, No. 46, where the the world. The fisherman’s daughter loves the light, not only next portrait of a future president will be included. What are because of the way it feels on her skin, but also because it safely future presidents doing right now? The extensive backmatter is guides her father home every night. On nights when the moon accessible and informative, and it includes reading suggestions is absent, though, the fisherman’s daughter weeps until her for young readers. father returns. Noticing the girl’s distress, the sun throws the Clear, engaging, and fun (and just a little iconoclastic). girl a ray of light, which shatters into millions of tiny, glimmer- (presidential birthplaces, presidential requirements, bibli- ing pieces that the sun calls stars. Delighted, she starts making ography) (Informational picture book. 8-12) careful patterns in the sky, but eventually, she grows tired and overwhelmed. She lets down her guard just long enough for a mischievous monkey to steal her sack of stars—and to create the universe we know today. The luscious, intricately detailed illustrations are rendered in an unearthly palette of blacks, blues, and golds, perfect for the mood and content of the story. The protagonist is a feisty and resourceful girl of color. Unfortunately, the design and the prose are not equal to the pictures. While the story is clever and imaginative, the prose

138 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | can be clumsy, particularly when it slips into passive voice. The typewriter belongs to a Russian writer, and the two create stories indigo type is small, making it difficult to distinguish from the together. Everything changes, however, when the writer decides black background and detracting from the attractiveness of the to start a new life in America. Being able to bring only “the most artwork. necessary things,” he chooses the typewriter, for “how else can The illustrations of this imaginative modern myth [he] write in America?” The new land brings new challenges, compensate for its flaws.(Picture book. 3-5) and the typewriter soon finds itself neglected, abandoned for newer technologies. Worse yet, in typical Russian-novel fashion, it begins to rain. But a new day brings an inquisitive little I DREAM OF A JOURNEY girl to the typewriter; although she doesn’t know Russian, she Miyakoshi, Akiko cajoles her father into bringing it home. The typewriter, over- Illus. by the author joyed, shows her its keys, convinced that “we will make beauti- Trans. by Hirano, Cathy ful sounds together.” Simple language, the detached yet tender Kids Can (32 pp.) narrative voice, and wonderfully stylized, almost jazzlike illus- $16.99 | Mar. 3, 2020 trations in muted colors give this story its charm. Human fig- 978-1-5253-0478-1 ures throughout are diverse, and the father-and-daughter pair who rescue the typewriter present black. Readers familiar with The owner of the Solitude Hotel Russian and the Cyrillic alphabet may enjoy trying to decipher dreams of being the traveler in this Japa- the printed scraps of the writer’s work scattered throughout. nese import. A gentle, unusual take on the immigration story. The squat, furry, animal standing behind the registration (author’s note) (Picture book. 6-10)

desk assisting a rabbit guest is hard to identify. When the pro- young adult tagonist also appears among an assortment of other characters—all are anthropomorphic creatures—it is also sometimes DARING DARLEEN, difficult to determine which one is the hotelier, although the QUEEN OF THE SCREEN first-person narration compels one to try. While the estab- Nesbet, Anne lishment is cozy and full of mutual storytelling, the innkeeper Candlewick (368 pp.) yearns for adventure too. The hotel scenes are in black and $18.99 | Apr. 14, 2020 white, but as the narrator drifts off to sleep, the softly textured 978-1-5362-0619-7 lithographs appear in color. In the dream, a bicycle, plane, and car transport the protagonist to a sunny beach, a picnic with Child actor Darleen’s reality begins former customers, and an encounter with a rainbow. The inn- to resemble her weekly silent-film keeper awakens to the original palette only to study colorful adventures. postcards from guests in the evening. Close observers will rec- The once-beloved young “Darling ognize some of the images. Still awake, the protagonist imag- Darleen” is now, in 1914, grown up at 12 and rebranded as “Dar- ines setting off on a journey, although this time it is rendered in ing Darleen,” starring in weekly adventurous serial silent films. black and white—optimists and pessimists will draw different Despite an absent mother, Darleen’s life has become routine at conclusions from this decision. While some children may relate Matchless, her family’s struggling film studio in Fort Lee, New to these longings, this title feels more adult in perspective than Jersey, the early hub of American filmmaking. When her fam- Miyakoshi’s previous stories, which, while equally evocative and ily learns of the upcoming debut of the Strand Theatre in Man- dreamlike, are grounded in matters more closely connected to hattan, they contrive a fake kidnapping of Darleen on opening childhood: parties, storms, bedtime. night to draw publicity to her film series. When the stunt turns Visually arresting but melancholy. (Picture book. 5-7) into not only a real kidnapping, but the abduction of Victorine Berryman, “the Poor Little Rich Girl herself, orphaned scion of the Berryman railroad empire,” real adventures begin. In TYPEWRITER fittingly episodic chapters packed with smart dialogue, plucky Nayberg, Yevgenia characters, and dastardly villains, the girls must continuously Illus. by the author save themselves from kidnappers out to steal Victorine’s for- Creative Editions/Creative Company tune at any cost. As Darleen continues to uphold her acting (32 pp.) duties throughout the shenanigans, readers learn early tricks $19.99 | Feb. 25, 2020 of the trade, with an appearance by groundbreaking filmmaker 978-1-56846-344-5 Alice Guy Blaché adding to the fun; the apparently all-white cast underscores the deep roots of #OscarsSoWhite. True to Though accustomed to making stories with others, an “old Darleen’s work, the story leaves an open ending for a sequel. Russian typewriter” now spins a tale of its own. The concluding author’s note offers even more facts about the This quirky tale begins with the typewriter, painted lov- silent-film age. ingly in exquisite detail, presenting itself and its 33 Cyrillic let- Just like Darleen—a spunky blend of darling and dar- ters, with which it makes “beautiful sounds.” At the outset, the ing. (Historical fiction. -8 12)

| kirkus.com | children’s | 1 february 2020 | 139 REMEMBERING ETHAN imagination, enjoys testing her limits, and doesn’t usually fore- Newman, Lesléa see or understand the consequences of impulsivity. Still, when Illus. by Bishop, Tracy events don’t conclude the way she’d hoped or planned, Hattie Magination/American Psychological gets sad, angry, or annoyed with herself, learning lessons prob- Association (40 pp.) ably no grown-ups could teach better. Readers will note Hat- $16.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 tie’s rarely scolded; however, adults are often oblivious to her 978-1-4338-3113-3 activities, and she does chide herself. This fast-paced, amusing charmer, with clipped sentences that promote quick reading, is A family begins healing following a a Swedish import via New Zealand and offers interesting insight devastating loss. into some Nordic customs. Loose black-line illustrations add Sarah lovingly remembers big brother Ethan, who has died. humor and suggest that all characters are white. An interview Mommy and Daddy won’t talk or reminisce about him; neither with the author appears in the backmatter. wants to hear his name. Small acts offer solace: saying Ethan’s Readers will appreciate getting to know Hattie. (Fiction. name aloud, writing his name, drawing his picture. When Sarah 7-10) hangs the drawing on the refrigerator, Mommy and Daddy, dis- traught, leave the room. When Sarah angrily shouts that no one else seems to miss or remember Ethan, Mommy and Daddy MOMMY, CAN YOU STOP must finally confront their pain. In doing so, they rehang the THE RAIN? drawing in a more prominent location and gently explain that Novick, Rona Milch it’s grief that’s made them seem unfeeling. Poring over a family Illus. by Kubaszewska, Anna album allows everyone to openly share happy memories. The Apples & Honey Press (32 pp.) upbeat ending of this well-written, reassuring tale feels a tad $17.95 | Apr. 1, 2020 rushed, and there’s no sense of how much time has elapsed since 978-1-68115-555-5 Ethan’s death. However, the author gets two important plot points just right. The circumstances surrounding Ethan’s death Distraction, reassurance, and lots of aren’t mentioned, suggesting the family (all depicted with pale love from attentive parents help a young skin and dark hair) is heartbroken simply because Ethan has child feel comfortable and safe during a died; as in real life, one cause is no less wrenching than another. thunderstorm. Furthermore, the child has real agency; Sarah effects change in Patient parents answer each simple, innocent question the the family dynamic that leads to cathartic healing. The delicate child poses honestly and with a plausible response for creating illustrations are expressive and effective. Useful psychologist’s a consoling solution. Though Mommy “cannot stop the rain,” tips in the backmatter guide adults in helping children discuss eating sprinkled cookies while wrapped in a warm, dry towel the death of a family member. should make the child feel better. Though Daddy cannot “shush Gentle, comforting bibliotherapy. (Picture book. 4-8) the thunder,” marching around the table drumming a soup pot with a spoon should mask the scary noise. And while they cannot “turn off the lightning,” “quiet the wind,” or “send away the HATTIE storm,” they can all be close and stay cozy and warm until the Nilsson, Frida sun shines again. Illustrations washed with purple and lavender Illus. by Wirsén, Stina depict a dark, gloomy, stormy day and include details that indi- Trans. by Marshall, Julia cate this white family is Jewish. There is a tzedakah box on the Gecko Press (160 pp.) table to collect money for charity, Hebrew alphabet letters on $17.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 the refrigerator and on the building blocks, and a Shabbat can- 978-1-776572-70-0 dle scene in a child’s drawing on the wall. The text also uses the Yiddish “Zayde” and “Bubbe” when referencing grandparents. A young mischief-maker manages to Beyond the visually Judaic atmosphere, the realistic strategies get herself out of mishaps. demonstrated can be applied to every young family dealing with Six-year-old Hattie lives with her lov- a frightened child during a loud, turbulent weather episode. ing parents in a red house in Sweden. Their town is “far out in the This calming, credible approach to diverting children middle of nowhere.” Hattie loves that she’s started school. She from the anxiety of volatile storms is a winner. (Picture book. rides on the bus, does well, and makes friends. Each brief chap- 3-6) ter in this gently comical novel describes various escapades Hat- tie gets up to, often alone, sometimes with her best pal. Readers will be intrigued by Hattie’s adventures and will note that each one offers a glimpse into her conscience and lively, persevering personality. Not coincidentally, the incidents advance Hattie’s character development, though she remains a child her age. Like most kids, Hattie can be peevish, has a playful, creative

140 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | Cheery comics-style illustrations with their big-eyed characters will capture readers’ attention. dewdrop

DEWDROP than on Russia’s own rich folklore. As a result, the two salient O’Neill, Katie aspects of the story—the Stalinist-era purges and prison camps Illus. by the author and the magic—never fully cohere, and small gaps in believabil- Oni Press (40 pp.) ity tarnish what could have been a fascinating story. Although $16.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 the story is rife with interesting personalities, Orton does little 978-1-62010-689-1 to flesh them out, and the limited third-person narration does little to advance the development of characters other than Lina. The axolotl-cheerleader picture book The story is largely redeemed, however, by some truly beautiful you didn’t know you were waiting for. images and relationships; the warm friendship between Bogdan Dewdrop is an anthropomorphic axolotl whose friends and Lina is a particular delight. Lina is literally Caucasian; Bog- are preparing for an underwater “sports festival.” Only Mia, dan is Tuvan. Cai’s scratchy, flowing chapter heads enhance the “a weightlifting turtle,” seems involved in any sportsmanship, fantastical atmosphere. though, preparing rigorously for a “pebble-throwing contest.” A subtle, haunting debut. (Historical fantasy. 9-12) Newman, a newt, is writing “a song to cheer everyone on,” and three minnows are “in charge of food.” As for Dewdrop, the pink, frilled amphibian is “working hard on a cheerleading ESCAPE GOAT routine.” While the routine may be intended for contenders Patchett, Ann in the sports festival, Dewdrop ends up cheering on the other Illus. by Preiss Glasser, Robin characters as they engage in their own preparations. Dewdrop’s Harper/HarperCollins (32 pp.) encouraging presence helps them fend off worries and self- $18.99 | Apr. 14, 2020

doubts. The text in this graphic-novel picture book is delivered 978-0-06-288339-1 young adult via speech balloons, and the cheery comics-style illustrations with their big-eyed characters will capture readers’ attention; The members of the Farmer family Dewdrop is adorable (almost) to the point of twee. Though keep blaming their problems on their goat. anthropomorphic, these characters go largely unclothed save When the goat escapes from his pen, he gets into mis- Mia’s flower-bedecked sweatband. The underwater setting is chief—but is it he who tramples Mrs. Farmer’s petunias? Did mostly cued by gently waving lake plants, though the postures the goat eat Andrew’s homework? Did he really knock over the of the minnows as they cook (in impossible cauldrons, but no paint can? Eat all the cupcakes for Archer’s birthday party? And matter) do give a sense of buoyancy. Although axolotls occur how about the gum on Mr. Farmer’s seat? Mr. Farmer correctly only in Mexico, characterizations are generically normative, observes that “Goats don’t chew gum.” Andrew retorts: “Escape with no sense of ethnic distinctiveness. Goat does.” It takes honest Nicolette to finally get to the truth. Playful, friendly, goodhearted fun. (Picture book. 4-7) She has to shout: “You’re punishing the goat for things he didn’t do.” The other family members don’t want to admit their own foibles, but in a slapstick scene Andrew throws a ball that hits NEVERTELL the water pitcher carried by Mrs. Farmer; the water spills onto Orton, Katharine Uncle Nathan, who’s carrying a basket of muffins; the muffins Illus. by Cai, Rovina are hurled at Mr. Farmer who drops a huge salad. In the midst Walker US/Candlewick (336 pp.) of this great ado, Nicolette sensibly points out the goat graz- $18.99 | Apr. 14, 2020 ing nearby and says: “The goat didn’t do anything.” The story 978-1-5362-0712-5 itself lacks real substance and the wordplay on “scapegoat” will almost certainly elude young readers, but they will get the visual Born in a gulag, 12-year-old Lina has jokes, made evident in Glasser’s exuberant ink-and-watercolor known only deprivation, pain, and cold, cartoons. The humans (white-presenting save Archer, who has but a daring escape proves that the out- beige skin), the animals, and the farm itself are delightfully side world holds more mystery than she represented. could have ever imagined. Humorous, engaging illustrations support a slight but Everyone inside the wire knows that the chances of surviv- amusing tale. (Picture book. 4-7) ing an escape are minimal. But when plucky Lina is drawn into a madcap breakout scheme, she agrees to help; her best friend, Bogdan, determined to protect Lina, follows. Both children are desperate to reconnect with lost family and forge new lives outside. Their escape is thwarted at every turn, however, by mythic elements from forbidden tales that turn out to be frighteningly real: hidden powers, ghost hounds, and a preternaturally omni- present sorceress possessing both a fanatical vendetta and a heart-wrenching secret. Orton weaves a somewhat far-fetched tale, seemingly drawing more on fantasy of her own devising

| kirkus.com | children’s | 1 february 2020 | 141 The gallery of photos gives readers seats at a powwow. powwow

ROCK MAMMOTH Truffle a chance at life. In the simultaneously publishing sequel, Payette, Eveline A Duckling Called Button, Jasmine rescues orphaned eggs. Jas- Illus. by Perreault, Guillaume mine’s sparkling personality, no-nonsense resourcefulness, and Trans. by Simon, Karen fiery commitment to wildlife make her a compelling heroine. Orca (48 pp.) The well-paced plot intertwined with unusual facts about ani- $12.95 paper | Apr. 21, 2020 mals and farms makes for a page-turning read. Jasmine’s bira- 978-1-4598-2426-3 cial background, however, is slightly puzzling. Her father seems to be white, and her mother’s identity is implied by a curious Louis’ class report on his favorite pet combination of a Muslim given name (Nadia) and Sikh surname surprises everyone. (Singh), making her identity difficult to pin down. Aside from Enthusiastically launching his pre- Jasmine’s complexion and a passing reference to kati rolls, the sentation on Mammuthus rockus, the rock mammoth, Louis South Asian part of her identity is never explored. provides background on prehistoric mammoths, digressing to This fast-paced series outing has a spunky, likable her- the Icelandic researcher Voïvoden Mamouten, who discovered oine but suffers from authenticity issues. (Fiction. 7-10) (A the species. Telling his classmates rock mammoths disappeared Duckling Called Button: 978-1-5362-1025-5) mysteriously, he goes into a lengthy definition of what consti- tutes a mystery and a hypothesis, frustrating his teacher, who urges him to get back to his report. Louis then reviews various POWWOW hypotheses on why rock mammoths disappeared, culminating A Celebration Through Song with his own that they simply went into hiding. Explaining he’s and Dance read every library book on mammoths and including a selected Pheasant-Neganigwane, Karen bibliography, Louis describes in detail his scientific expedition Orca (88 pp.) in search of a rock mammoth. Recess comes and goes, with $24.95 | Apr. 21, 2020 the class amazed and teacher incredulous. When Louis finally 978-1-4598-1234-5 announces his discovery, the teacher demands proof. Does Series: Orca Origins Louis have a real rock mammoth or just a great imagination? While the amusing text offers scientific data about mammoths The modern powwow has been unit- as well as a playful introduction to the scientific method, Mam ing Indigenous peoples in joyous celebration of culture for muthus rockus appears to be a phantom species. Using the format decades, but its roots are far older. of a school notebook containing Louis’ hilarious marginal notes Anishninaabe author and educator Pheasant-Neganigwane and diagrams reinforces the classroom venue and enhances the has crafted a narrative that tells the history of the powwow, a comic visual presentation of unflappable Louis and his very cool celebration of Indigenous culture that occurs throughout rock mammoth. North America. She describes the history of colonization and Whimsical, imaginative, and highly entertaining. (Fic Indigenous resistance that culminated in the 19th century—a tion. 7-10) time when song and dance gatherings also were restricted by both the governments of Canada and the U.S. Holding stead- fast to traditional culture and expressing it in the unlikeliest A PIGLET CALLED TRUFFLE of places—the so-called “wild west shows” and harvest fairs— Peters, Helen Indigenous peoples gradually developed these gatherings of Illus. by Snowdon, Ellie song and dance into what are now vibrant celebrations that Walker US/Candlewick (160 pp.) occur across the continent all year long. The powwow includes $14.99 | $6.99 paper | Mar. 17, 2020 many aspects of Indigenous culture: rodeos, fashion shows, and 978-1-5362-1024-8 even music awards. The gallery of photos throughout the book 978-1-5362-1459-8 paper gives readers seats at a powwow, an event that is described as Series: Jasmine Green, 1 a continual space to restore kinship and preserve Indigenous identity. Weaving her own powwow experiences into her narra- Plucky Jasmine Green will do any- tive, the author describes the formal elements of a powwow as thing to save a helpless animal. well as regional variations. Sidebars look at related topics such Jasmine is the daughter of a veteri- as fry bread and victory songs, and the book ends with a brief narian mother and farmer father. Jasmine loves the animals on primer of powwow etiquette and glossary of cultural vocabulary. Oak Tree Farm, where the family lives, and dreams of growing An enriching, information-rich resource that centers up and starting her own animal-rescue center. In this series an Indigenous perspective. (resources) (Nonfiction. -8 14) opener, Jasmine accompanies her mother on a medical visit to a neighboring farm, where she discovers a baby pig on the verge of death. The runt of the litter, the piglet is so small and weak that the farmer doesn’t think she’s worth rescuing. Outraged, Jasmine sneaks the piglet out in her coat, determined to give

142 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | WINGED WONDERS his teeth unnaturally protruding over opposite corners of his Solving the Monarch top and bottom lips. His parents (also people of color) try to fix Migration Mystery his face with a rolling pin and a screwdriver, to no avail. In fact, Pincus, Meeg nothing can seem to thaw his face, and his speech is comically Illus. by Imamura, Yasmin distorted for several pages. Ultimately, it’s his own acceptance Sleeping Bear Press (40 pp.) of his state and his parents’ unconditional love that cause him $17.99 | Mar. 15, 2020 to transform: “We love you…Just the way you are,” they say, and: 978-1-53411-040-3 “PF-F-F-F-F-F-F-F-F-F-F-F-T!…The pressure Wendell felt to be perfect and to follow the rules all the time—it let go.” With So, who solved the mystery of the this letting go, Wendell’s face transforms back to his original monarch butterfly migration? appearance. The resolution is both heavy-handed and at odds Was it white Canadian scientist Fred, or was it the Indig- with his parents’ easy acceptance—why did he feel so much enous people of the Sierra Madre mountains in central Mexico pressure in the first place? who had known for centuries about the monarchs’ “secret” A funny-enough joke doesn’t make a story that sticks. winter roosting place? This lively account relates the 30-year (Picture book. 4-7) efforts of thousands of volunteers of all ages to piece together clues. From tagging the fragile wings of the intrepid butterflies to physically tracking their flight, people across the North CHEMICAL WORLD American countries of Canada, the United States, and Mexico Science in Our Daily Lives joined together to decipher the puzzle of “one of the longest Rae, Rowena

known insect migrations on Earth.” The chained answers to Orca (48 pp.) young adult Pincus’ question “Where do they go?” guide readers along the $19.95 | May 12, 2020 riveting path of scientific discovery that finally culminated in 978-1-4598-2157-6 1976 in the oyamel fir groves of Mexico. Imamura’s colorful illustrations successfully capture the multiracial and multina- Simple explanations of what chemi- tional throng that was instrumental in unraveling the mystery cals are and why some (but not all) of the monarchs’ epic journey. The butterflies flutter gracefully deserve a bad rap. over almost every page, sometimes singly and sometimes in Starting out with the observation that “everything on our joyous festoons. The backmatter gives a more detailed history planet is made of chemicals,” Rae first looks at her own morn- and suggested projects to help sustain the majestic monarchs. ing routine. She invites readers to wonder along with her what Although the then-billions of monarchs have now dwindled to all those ingredients in her shampoo and toothpaste are as well millions since 1976 because of insecticides and habitat destruc- what the environmental costs of growing and processing her tion, Pincus ends the book on an optimistic note, encouraging breakfast food, or throwing away that teabag and milk con- the participation of us all in helping these “winged wonders” to tainer, might be. She then goes on to explain some differences not only survive, but thrive. between natural and synthetic chemicals, with special refer- A fascinating and inspiring STEAM-driven tale. (Infor ences to plastic and DDT, and to trace the course of contami- mational picture book. 5-11) nants up the food chain. She briefly mentions disasters such as the Love Canal and Bhopal, along with more-insidious dangers like lead poisoning, before closing on a relatively upbeat note THE BOY WHOSE FACE FROZE with general advice about “greener” practices and attitudes. LIKE THAT Though her presentation is simple enough that the only for- Plourde, Lynn mulas in sight are decorative elements in the margins, she does Illus. by Cox, Russ define significant terms like “chemical reaction” and also gives Running Press (32 pp.) young eco-activists a leg up on the uses and dangers of classes $17.99 | Mar. 10, 2020 of chemicals from parabens to PCBs. Family groups and smil- 978-0-7624-9347-0 ing children of diverse nationality and ethnicity feature prominently in the cramped but colorful photos along with glimpses An oft-heard cautionary statement comes true. of idyllic natural scenes and wildlife. Wendell, who’s depicted with brown skin and straight black This consciousness-raiser downplays the more fright- hair in the rather garish art, is a rule follower. “He never once ening prospects in favor of a mildly cautionary message. disobeyed his parents,” reads the text that introduces the pro- (glossary, index, resources) (Nonfiction. -8 10) tagonist. The accompanying picture shows him equipped with every imaginable type of protective gear as he uses a skateboard to walk his dog. In an uncharacteristic moment of incredibly mild mischief-making, Wendell makes a silly face in the mirror, and (you guessed it) his “face froze like THAT!” Cox’s illustration shows Wendell facing readers, one eye screwed shut and

| kirkus.com | children’s | 1 february 2020 | 143 NERP! stop, and “crabbird!” becomes “craburtlebird!” and “birdrab- Reul, Sarah Lynne urtlebear!” as they pick up a turtle and a bear to become even Illus. by the author more “UNSTOPPABLE!” Or so they think—until they spy Sterling (32 pp.) bulldozers clearing their forest home for a shopping mall. Fear $16.95 | Mar. 3, 2020 not! The power of cooperation reaches its zenith in a satisfying, 978-1-4549-3402-8 high-spirited conclusion (that includes illustrated human diversity, most notably in the form of a president who’s a woman of A tyrant in a footed, mustard-colored color and a vigorously multiracial Congress). onesie proves that no household is safe The power of teamwork becomes the people’s power, from the squeamishly finicky toddler. all wrapped in a cheerful romp. (Picture book. 3-8) Once solid food is introduced, it’s an uphill battle for supremacy. The tot or the caregivers—who will reign supreme? A parade of gourmet delectables is presented with fanfare, amid THE HOTEL WHODUNIT appreciative tongue swipes from the equally finicky family Rivera, Lilliam pet. Does it matter that the child presents as a green, bipedal Illus. by Power, Elle iguana or that the pet resembles a reptilian anteater? No! “Nerp” Little, Brown (256 pp.) means “NERP!” no matter the species. Who cares that these $14.99 | Mar. 17, 2020 caregivers have clearly toiled at cooking for hours? Garble snarfy 978-0-316-45664-7 barflecrunch elicits a definitive “NERPITY NERPITY NER- Series: Goldie Vance PITY NERP!” The surprise payoff will wrinkle a few faces in delighted disgust, but the toddler is happy—“Blurp”—and the Girl detective Goldie Vance moves caregivers are…resigned. Reul’s clever use of nonsensical mon- from graphic novels to middle-grade ster vocabulary plays very well against the expressive green and prose. yellow countenances of her charming and sympathetic charac- Crossed Palms Resort valet and per- ters. Even the scaly pet’s personality pops, especially when eying manent resident Goldie Vance is a hopeful apprentice detec- the foul contents of its food bowl. The creativity of the menu— tive waiting for a big break. When movie star Delphine “the both the names and the neon images—is half the fun of this Temptress of the Ocean” Lucerne comes to Goldie’s decid- homage to dinnertime chaos. edly unglamorous Florida town to shoot a film, her arrival is Will persnickety children drool after their own soon followed by a theft—the 10-pound, diamond-laden swim “squishalicious” masterpieces? “Yerpetty yerpetty yerpy cap made for Delphine’s character in the film. What makes yerp!” (Picture book. 2-7) this complicated for Goldie is that clues seem to be pointing toward her mother as the culprit. But that can’t be true. Now Goldie has two tasks, not just one: find the swim cap and clear UNSTOPPABLE her mother’s name. Rivera’s novel for teens Dealing in Dreams Rex, Adam (2019) was filled with creative, believable, and consistent slang Illus. by Park, Laura and jargon; here she shows herself to be skilled at combining Chronicle (56 pp.) noir language conventions with contemporary sensibilities in a $16.99 | May 5, 2020 way that doesn’t feel anachronistic but is just a gas! Like Nancy 978-1-4521-6504-2 Drew, brown-skinned Goldie is a teen girl, but her adventure really is entertaining and accessible for all ages—without the Collaboration is the key to success in wooden characters or racism of the Carolyn Keene classics and this picture book. with a little insertion of comics courtesy of Power to remind us The story enticingly begins with where she came from. five double-page spreads, wordless except for onomatopoeia, This biracial, LGBTQ protagonist seamlessly shifts as a cat leaps at a big-eyed crab sitting on a rock and the crab from comics to prose in a winner of a series opener. (Mystery. pinches back. The cat flees and leaps after a small bird next, who 10-16) flies away with a startled “AAAH!” The illustrations, done in a collagelike style that combines simple shapes, deftly play with visual sequencing and wonderfully expressive characters to cleverly set up the story. After the bird lands near the crab, the text begins, with the crab waxing poetic: “Oh! If only I might escape this life of muddy scuttling and fly.” To which the bird replies, in a surfer-dude tone (the distinct voices of each character are a joy), that it wishes for “big, snapping claws” in order to “pinch that cat on the nose.” The two have an epiphany: combine forces and become “crabbird!” The illustration shows the bird clutch- ing the crab as they fly through the air. The combinations don’t

144 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | The humorous, brief text offers clever rhymes and plenty of action and melodrama. hound won’t go

HOUND WON’T GO transparent hues with stylized, geometric faces, come across Rogers, Lisa as more pretty than dangerous looking, and the fold-out world Illus. by Ishihara, Meg “Monster Map” at the end conveys a misleading impression that Whitman (32 pp.) they are mostly localized threats rather than ubiquitous ones. $16.99 | Apr. 1, 2020 Still, even younger readers will understand that each poses a 978-0-8075-3408-3 real danger. Challenges galore for young eco-crusaders, presented A stubborn basset hound plunks in an inventive format. (glossary, source list, index) (Infor- down in the middle of a street and mational picture book. 8-10) refuses to budge until a clap of thunder sends him running toward home. Rhyming couplets tell the tale of this obstinate pooch, who BOATS WILL FLOAT is out walking with his owner, a young woman with pale skin and Rosenbaum, Andria Warmflash dark hair. Other characters include people with varied racial Illus. by Curzon, Brett presentations. The dog, called Hound in the story, decides to Sleeping Bear Press (32 pp.) lie down in a crosswalk right in front of a car, and he will not $16.99 | Mar. 15, 2020 be moved. Hound rolls on his back, scratches, and even takes 978-1-53411-041-0 a little nap as traffic stops, horns honk, and his owner grows increasingly frustrated. A flash of lightning and accompanying Many types of working and pleasure thunderclap abruptly change the plot trajectory, and Hound craft are depicted in this humorous, straightforward picture

races home with the owner trailing behind. The humorous, book. young adult brief text offers clever rhymes with just a few words in each line Curzon’s vibrantly colored illustrations bubble with plenty and plenty of action and melodrama to advance the simple but of detail, enough to help children recognize different boat types effective story: “Splashing feet / pound the street.” Bold, car- they may encounter on a trip to the ocean or harbor. The story- toon-style illustrations give Hound plenty of personality, with line progresses more or less through the day in different marine amusing expressions and funny eyeball effects. Hound’s humor- locations, from early morning, when fishing boats are start- ous tale will work for canine-themed storytimes as well as give a ing out and dragon boats are “flying by,” to a gentle nighttime boost to new or struggling readers. sailing scene. The view changes as the boats change, cycling This funny hound should stick around. (Picture book. 3-7) through rolling waves, a festive beach tableau, underwater scenes as studied by divers from a research vessel and the crew of a submarine before culminating in the family depicted in the PLANET SOS opening illustration, going to bed in their houseboat. This fam- Rohde, Marie G. ily is white; the crews of the various boats include some people Illus. by the author of color. Rosenbaum’s text consists of easy, rolling rhymes, with What on Earth Books (60 pp.) plenty of descriptive language to conjure up the scene: “Sunlight $24.00 | Apr. 7, 2020 sizzles, hot and bright”; boats “rise and fall in liquid motion”; 978-1-912920-22-8 Salty breezes. / Seagulls squalling.” There’s plenty of engaging visual detail, including a spread in which the signal flag alphabet A gallery of civilization-threatening is shown and the flags on two boats spell out the book’s title. “modern monsters,” from Smogosaurus A buoyant introduction to many different maritime and the forest-chewing Logre to Acid pursuits. (picture glossary) (Picture book. 4-6) Rain Spirits and Nuclear Jinns. These menaces are modeled on or at least inspired by creatures from pop culture or world folklore—Trash Kong, IT’S A MOOSE! for instance, is joined by the Noisybird, loosely related to the Rosoff, Meg similarly nine-headed Jiu Tou Niao of Chinese tradition, and Illus. by Ercolini, David the E-Waste Golem. Each one steps up in turn to boast of its Putnam (40 pp.) destructive habits and potential and comes with an inset “Mon- $17.99 | Apr. 14, 2020 ster Card” featuring arrays of icons (interpreted on a key that 978-0-399-16664-8 can be folded out for ready reference) indicating activities that will promote, or hinder, further damage to our planet. The Moose in the forest or moose in the monsters are all created or (more commonly) abetted by human zoo are OK, but a moose in the house? agency, and though many acknowledge anxiously that efforts Baby’s room is all ready for the new are being made to check their depredations, Rohde urgently sibling, but, as Sis tells the story, the baby has a few differences makes the case at beginning and end that there is still plenty of from other newborns in the hospital. He has “velvety soft skin work to be done. The monsters themselves, which are largely and big brown eyes.” His diet is a little different, his nose is rendered as diaphanous or semi-abstract shapes in various a lot bigger, and so are his feet. Nonetheless, he is loved and

| kirkus.com | children’s | 1 february 2020 | 145 The riotous actions of the books—tumbling off shelves, flying through the air, teetering in rickety towers— are nicely balanced by the soft palette. castle of books

nurtured. Neighbors are jealous, and classmates all want “a THE STRAY moose baby.” As happens with babies, this one grows, but his Ruttan, Molly growth is astonishing. Toys, bathtubs, and finally the house Illus. by the author itself shrink in size by comparison. Reluctantly, the family maps Nancy Paulsen Books (32 pp.) out a trip to a forest where their (enormous) baby moose finds $17.99 | May 19, 2020 an inviting environment and new friends of his own sort. He 978-0-525-51446-6 does send his love in a postcard. Rosoff’s little tale of interspecies family love should bring a laugh or two to young readers, Challenges both unique and familiar juxtaposing as it does the absurdity of a very large member of await a family that takes in a (literally) otherworldly stray. the deer family residing in a human abode. Ercolini’s cartoon For her first solo outing, Ruttan unspools a narrative that illustrations convey this quite aptly with their emphasis on could apply to any terrestrial animal: “He didn’t have a collar, height and an elongated perspective. The softly hued colors and he didn’t have a tag…so we brought him home.” She pairs are inviting and feature people of various shades and a moose it with sprightly views of a human family laying out bowls and of brown hide and yellow antlers (the human members of the bedding on the kitchen floor for Grub,” a doglike (if stalk-eyed) moose’s family of origin are white). creature pulled from a crashed flying saucer. At first Grub exu- A lesson in animal care told with love and humor. (Pic berantly emits anti-gravity waves that create glorious chaos ture book. 3-6) (“He wasn’t even housebroken”), but when, rather than settle in, he turns mopey, the family puts out “Found” posters. Soon a larger saucer swoops down to beam him back aboard. “We were WHAT’S THE WEATHER? sad Grub had to leave, but it felt good to know he was happy Rotner, Shelley and was back with his family.” His rescuers are never seen aside Photos by the author from similar eyes on stalks viewed through windows. Read one Holiday House (32 pp.) way this makes a droll and cozy tale…but if seen as a riff on E.T. $18.99 | Mar. 17, 2020 (“Grub” evidently piloted his own saucer), it’s discomfiting to 978-0-8234-4349-9 see a stranded, sapient stranger treated as a pet, kitted with a cute name, given a bone to chew, and leashed for a walk outside. Full-color photographs accompany large-print text about Subtle differences in the features and skin color of the human weather and climate change. family’s two parents hint that they might be an interracial cou- As with Rotner’s other books, the layout and photography ple, though that too is left ambiguous. will draw viewers in. However, the diverse children in the pho- A buoyant authorial debut spoiled by some unexamined tos lack the spontaneity of previous titles, too often looking assumptions. (Picture book. 6-8) like posed models rather than ordinary children experiencing different kinds of weather. There are some striking photographs of cloud formations and other phenomena (many from CASTLE OF BOOKS stock sources). The text vacillates, offering in turn simplistic Sanna, Alessandro two- or three-word statements regarding weather, well-formu- Illus. by the author lated compound sentences with easily digested information, Tate/Abrams (48 pp.) and complex, clumsy sentences such as: “It snows when the $17.95 | Mar. 31, 2020 temperature is low and clouds get heavy and fill with drops of 978-1-84976-668-5 water that freeze and fall to the ground.” It is also unfortunate that, after mentioning that seasonal changes are dependent on Two children discover why we need “where you live,” the text launches into sentences that describe books. specifically the seasons in temperate climates—without speci- The question is posed on the first, otherwise-blank double- fying that this is the case. This is at least as important as the page spread: “Why do we need books?” On the next spread, later introduction of the North and South poles or the word two white children gaze up at a wall of books, rendered in swift “meteorologist.” After giving some basic facts about such things watercolor strokes of reds, yellows, and blues. When a book as the difference between sleet and hail, there is a rudimentary falls off of the shelf and hits one in the head—“Thunk!”—the explanation of global warming and climate change. Credit is due children get to take a look at the mysterious red object. “Blah for including this. However, both in this section and earlier in Blah Blah,” it reads. Then, in a celebration of books (and of the book, there are awkward sentences that almost defy mean- infinitives), the children find out just why we need books: “to ing. In short, neither text nor art measures up to, for example, play”; “to understand one another”; “to invent.” The children, Hello Summer! (2019) and its seasonal companions. accompanied by a black cat and a brown dog, read, build book Intermittent fog obscures introductory meteorology towers, travel, and fly. A scribbly whale even leaps from an open and climatology. (glossary, note from climatologist) (Infor book on verso across the gutter to amaze the children; the mational picture book. 3-6) next double-page spread depicts a brown-skinned Pinocchio (a nod to Sanna’s Pinocchio: The Origin Story, 2016). The riotous actions of the books—tumbling off shelves, flying through the

146 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | air, teetering in rickety towers— are nicely balanced by the soft old dhoti, and a red turban to keep the birds away. Jiva’s neigh- palette of sunshine and golden yellows, watery blues, bold reds, bor, Rujvi, is mighty interested in Jiva’s pea harvest: “Jiva, some and greens, with black waves that look like cursive writing. The of your peas look plump,” he says. Jiva assures Rujvi that he will children’s adventures with the books lead to the conclusion, pick them the next morning, but when he goes to do so, they which mirrors the opening in design: “Now I understand.” are gone! Rujvi suggests the rabbits might have eaten the peas, A visual feast. (Picture book. 3-7) so Jiva builds a fence. When the same thing happens again a few days later, Rujvi suggests that a ghost might have eaten the peas. Jiva is perplexed: Neither a scarecrow nor a fence will keep out SEAGULLS SOAR a ghost. Jiva finally realizes he has been tricked by Rujvi and Sayre, April Pulley concocts an elaborate ruse to catch him in the act. After a mad Illus. by Bogdańska, Kasia dash through the village, Rujvi apologizes and makes a feast Boyds Mills (32 pp.) of peas—“peas with rice and spice, peas wrapped in mashed $17.99 | Apr. 14, 2020 potato pockets, and peas swimming in soup”—for Jiva. Sheth’s 978-1-68437-197-6 use of language (poetry and repetition) is a singular delight. Equally charming are Ebbeler’s illustrations, which include lots Ballad stanzas celebrate gulls who of funny details, with exaggerated and elongated cartoon-style flourish both near and far from the sea. figures that make the most of the story’s humor. Sayre, who has introduced all kinds of animals with clever Delicious! (Picture book. 4-8) rhymes and rhythms designed for reading aloud, turns to the gull family. While readers and listeners may know that gulls fol-

low boats and frequent sandy shores, they may be surprised to THIEVES OF WEIRDWOOD young adult learn that they fly into deserts, forage in garbage dumps, pur- Shivering, William sue plowing tractors and feeding whales, and use human-paved Illus. by Earley, Anna roads to open clams shells. After a series of action examples, Henry Holt (352 pp.) one stanza to a spread, comes a change of pace, stretching out $16.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 a reveal over a page turn: “Seagulls nest, / gather sticks. / Spot- 978-1-250-30288-5 ted eggs, then… // …spotted chicks!” The narrative pauses with Series: Thieves of Weirdwood, 1 a note about the curious way these birds move: “Left wing, left leg, / stretch as one.” With time, the chicks grow, fledge and Two young thieves break into a der- become adults, circling “from ship to shore” all over again. elict house and discover a mirror world While Sayre’s books are often illustrated with her own photo- of magic. graphs, the choice not to try to photograph the confusing gull When Wally Cooper’s older brother, family is sensible. From the laughing gulls on the title page to Graham, decides to use the side of one of Kingsport’s pub- the California gull on the final, dedication page, first-time pic- lic buildings for his “otherworldly” landscapes, he’s quickly ture-book illustrator Bogdańska’s digital images are reasonably arrested. And then his rants about “Rifts” and “Fae-born” con- recognizable (though never identified) and convey something spiracies land him in Greyridge Mental Hospital. Wally must of the range of gull appearances and the wide variety of their come up with a way to pay the hospital bills fast; although he habitats. The backmatter adds additional interesting informa- is a member of the thieving Black Feathers, most of the money tion about gulls’ feeding habits, their varied and varying plum- he steals is kept by the Rook, the notorious gang’s leader. When age, and their common name. he hears about a secret job his friend and fellow thief Arthur Another deceptively simple, soaringly successful flight. Benton is planning, he convinces Arthur to let him in on the (acknowledgments) (Informational picture book. 3-8) con. The mark is the ruins of a house called Hazelrigg that Arthur swears is more than it seems after he saw a girl in golden robes carrying swords enter the house. The two break in, find FEAST OF PEAS a treasure—and then become tangled up in a mystery made Sheth, Kashmira of nightmares. This series opener’s both funny and well paced, Illus. by Ebbeler, Jeffrey and the worldbuilding is fantastic, with information emerging Peachtree (32 pp.) about Mirror Kingsport at the same time new oddities arise. $17.99 | Mar. 1, 2020 Even with so much happening, character development is splen- 978-1-68263-135-5 did: Arthur stands out as both flawed and heroic. Wally and his brother are black, Arthur is white. Jiva, a hardworking gardener in India, A funny, unusual adventure with enough unanswered eagerly anticipates his peas. questions to have readers eager for Book 2. (Fantasy. 9-12) “Plump peas, sweet peas, / Lined-up-in-the-shell peas. / Peas to munch, peas to crunch, / I want a feast of peas for lunch.” He hoes, he waters, he weeds—and he waits. As his pea blossoms become pods, he builds a scarecrow from sugar cane stalks, an

| kirkus.com | children’s | 1 february 2020 | 147 BECOMING KID QUIXOTE Thailand, all characters are presumed Thai, and Thai life and A True Story of Belonging in culture permeate the story in everything from the mangoes America Pong eats in prison to the monks he meets beyond the prison’s Sierra, Sarah & Haff, Stephen walls. It’s also a retelling of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables, and Harper/HarperCollins (208 pp.) Soontornvat has maintained the themes of the original while $16.99 | Apr. 21, 2020 making the plot and the characters utterly her own. Pong’s and 978-0-06-294326-2 Nok’s narratives are drawn together by common threads of family, loyalty, and a quest to define right and wrong, twining to cre- A shy girl takes on the world through ate a single, satisfying tale. her acting. A complex, hopeful, fresh retelling. (Fantasy. 9-12) For Sarah Sierra, a 10-year-old Mexi- can American girl from Brooklyn, her after-school program Still Waters in a Storm is the perfect haven. THE LIST OF THINGS Though she considers herself a shy person, at Still Waters Sarah THAT WILL NOT sings, writes, and acts along with other children and teenagers. CHANGE To Sarah’s surprise she is also able to easily identify with her Stead, Rebecca character, Kid Quixote, as they adapt and update Miguel de Wendy Lamb/Random (224 pp.) Cervantes’ 400-year-old novel, Don Quixote de la Mancha. The $16.99 | $19.99 PLB | Apr. 7, 2020 adapted play is then performed in a serialized format through- 978-1-101-93809-6 out New York and the country. Inspired by their pen pals from 978-1-101-93810-2 PLB Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, the actors at Still Waters often include immigration in their work. For exam- Bea, 12, reflects on life since her par- ple, Sarah uses a stuffed horse as Rocinante, Quixote’s faith- ents’ divorce when she was 8. ful steed, to rescue an undocumented farm worker who hasn’t Bea, who is white, tells her story in been paid fair wages. In this young reader’s companion to Kid a direct, conversational tone, with age-appropriate insights. Quixotes (2020) by Stephen Haff (creator and director at Still Mostly she describes interactions with family members near Waters), Sarah recounts, with help from Haff, her creative and far, including her parents and her father’s partner, the process and how she uses her experiences at Still Waters to aunt, uncle, and cousins with whom she and her parents spend decipher and overcome real-world challenges. Through this an annual two-week summer vacation, and the new sister by empathetic and inspiring account of the imagination, triumphs, marriage whose visit she eagerly anticipates. Glimpses of her and worries of a child of immigrants, readers will be constantly school experiences focus on frustrations or antagonisms, like reminded of the importance of stories to the triumph over and her struggle with spelling or the times that she allows her anger processing of difficult experiences. to spill out and cause (minor) injury to others. Stead packs in A tender, inspiring, and courageous true story. (Memoir. plenty of issues—divorce, therapy, a gay parent, homophobia, 7-12) and a painful case of eczema—but her prose never descends to moralizing or moaning. Instead, Bea’s authentic, accessible voice and smooth interweaving of anecdotes keep the tone A WISH IN THE DARK relatively light and make for a sometimes-amusing, sometimes- Soontornvat, Christina poignant exploration of realistic contemporary experiences and Candlewick (384 pp.) concerns. The acknowledgements that not every problem can $17.99 | Mar. 24, 2020 be solved and that doing a bad thing does not necessarily make 978-1-5362-0494-0 someone a bad person will reassure readers that they too can find balance and comfort in complicated circumstances. Sup- A fugitive from prison must evade ported by multidimensional, sympathetic family and friends, his pursuer, the prison warden’s daughter, Bea ultimately finds that her list of certainties provides the nec- while potentially joining a revolution. essary foundation for personal growth—and change. Pong has lived his whole life in Nam- Uplifting without sentimentality, timely not trendy, won Prison until a chance escape leaves and utterly engaging. (Fiction. 8-12) him free in the city of Chattana. Pong quickly finds that freedom does not come so easily: Since the Great Fire, Chattana is under the strict control of the Governor, who creates the magical lights that run the city and that are the only lights allowed. Marked as a prisoner, Pong has nowhere to turn. Worse, the prison warden’s daughter Nok is on his trail, intent on proving both her worth and that of her family with his capture. Mean- while, larger forces in Chattana are stirring, as not everyone is happy with the Governor’s rule. Set in a fantasy analogue of

148 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | An outstanding effort, packed with interesting information but also too engrossing to put down. i am jax, protector of the ranch

KARATE KIDS a riveting step-by-step account of how livestock guardians are Sterling, Holly trained and how they do their work. Never lost in that enlight- Illus. by the author ening presentation is the rising suspense generated by the large Candlewick (32 pp.) cat threatening the sheep—and the dogs. Rosa’s illustrations, a $16.99 | May 5, 2020 few for each short chapter, nicely enhance the text (and depict 978-1-5362-1457-4 Jax’s human family as white). Considering that all of this is packaged in a slender volume intended for readers newly tran- Aspiring “karate kid” Maya leads sitioned to chapter books, this is an outstanding effort, packed readers through a typical Shotokan class. with interesting information but also too engrossing to put The story starts with the day, as Maya rises “bright and early” down. I Am Ava, Seeker in the Snow, about a chocolate Lab who to go to Saturday-morning karate class. A series of comics-style does avalanche rescue, publishes simultaneously. panels details preparations for the class, done with Dad’s help: A thrilling and very worthwhile choice for emer- donning gi and belt, then walking to class, stuffed tiger in tow. gent readers. (Adventure. 6-9) (I Am Ava, Seeker in the Snow: A class of diverse children (Maya is white), all of varying ranks, 978-0-8075-1664-5) are greeted by a sensei, a beige-skinned woman who bears an uncanny resemblance to the biracial, British author/illustrator. The breakdown of the class covers all of the bases—bowing KNOT CANNOT in, warming up, practicing basics (blocks, here), running kata Stone, Tiffany (sequences of movements that represent a choreographed fight), Illus. by Lowery, Mike and ending mokuso (meditation)—swiftly, devoting only one or Dial (32 pp.)

two double-page spreads to each segment. Several essential seg- $17.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 young adult ments of a typical karate class in the U.S., including the begin- 978-0-7352-3080-4 ning mokuso and the ending bows, are missing; Sterling does, however, illustrate the multiple levels within the technique seg- Knot is a short length of rope who ments, as students move from demonstrating the techniques in wishes he were more like Snake, but…he’s knot. the air to practicing them with one another. The delicate car- Thus begins a zany exploration of all the things Snake can toons are dynamic and lively, doing much to enhance text that do (slither, hiss, swallow) that Knot cannot. Lowery’s signa- feels a bit lifeless at times. The spreads proclaiming “Look, I’m ture madcap cartoons and hand lettering depict a smug snake a karate kid! // We all are!” and showing a collective kiai (shout to and a surprisingly expressive knot with bug eyes and emotive release energy) and jumping kick, seems a bit forced, although stripes who produces long-suffering sighs in speech bubbles. the ending is, admittedly, empowering. Meanwhile, Stone’s text is both funny and punny: “Snake can Enthusiastic—but not quite a winning strike. (Picture even shed her skin. Snake looks brand-new. Can Knot look book. 3-7) brand-new? No, he’s a frayed knot.” Additionally, rhyme-y knot/ not combinations and jokes fill the pages. “Can Knot do this? Knot can…not. What can Knot do? Not a lot.” When danger I AM JAX, PROTECTOR approaches, however, Knot’s signature ability (“Knot can… OF THE RANCH knot!”) finally comes in handy to save his friend. Yes, it’s essen- Stier, Catherine tially a one-trick pony, but Stone and Lowery’s collaboration is Illus. by Rosa, Francesca a fun vehicle for important learning, ably illustrating the futil- Whitman (96 pp.) ity of comparing yourself to others while celebrating each indi- $12.99 | Apr. 1, 2020 vidual’s strengths. As a bonus, it also sneakily includes actual 978-0-8075-1663-8 information about several different types of knots that Knot Series: Dog’s Day can make. Clever wordplay and an unlikely (and adorable) pro- In the first of a new series about tagonist make this book knot to be missed. (Picture book. 3-7) working dogs, Jax, a Great Pyrenees, describes his efforts to protect his flock of sheep through a long, scary night. When the lead livestock guardian dog, Bev, is injured in a coy- ote attack, only Jax and a very youthful novice dog, Stormy, are left to protect their owner’s flock. After one of the ewes delivers a new lamb, things get even more complicated. Jax, brave and pragmatic, must try to keep a close eye on the defenseless pair while still making sure the flock is safe, never certain that he can rely on Stormy’s unproven judgment. Then a mountain lion begins to menace the sheep.…Jax’s matter-of-fact voice is both believable and highly informative, providing readers with

| kirkus.com | children’s | 1 february 2020 | 149 Bits of dense color saturation and keen, crisp, sometimes prickly edges pierce, delineate, and offset the bountiful, wet, organic swaths. outside in

SUMMER AT MEADOW WOOD the castle, gazing out windows that vividly show the real ocean Tan, Amy Rebecca outside. Kings and queens arrive to feast and dance. Every- Harper/HarperCollins (384 pp.) thing’s glamorous and copacetic until, suddenly, the sand itself $16.99 | May 19, 2020 is a problem. It’s in the royal almond strudel. It’s in the armor of 978-0-06-279545-8 sobbing knights. It’s in a king’s fig-milk bath. Everyone’s angry. So the calm builder takes rambunctious action, bringing sand, Eleanor Roosevelt and gardening water, and mood dramatically full circle. Tsarfati’s huge cast is both prove to be unexpected sources of happily multiracial and multinational (the protagonist is paper- inspiration for 13-year-old Vic, who finds white), but some of the diverse portrayals unfortunately rely on herself reluctantly back at the summer cultural stereotypes. camp she’s attended for years after she Delightfully fanciful, with copious funny details to learns her parents are having marriage pore over. (Picture book. 3-8) difficulties. Despite the friends Vic has made over the years at Meadow Wood, she’d hoped to spend a laid-back summer at home with OUTSIDE IN her bestie, Jamie (whose story is told in A Kind of Paradise, 2019, Underwood, Deborah which is not a prerequisite for this stand-alone), and is furious Illus. by Derby, Cindy that she and her brother were shipped off as a matter of con- HMH Books (40 pp.) venience for her mom. Slowly, with the help of her curmud- $17.99 | Apr. 14, 2020 geonly but caring counselor Chieko, who is brooding over her 978-1-328-86682-0 own recent breakup with her girlfriend, and the mentoring of diligent camp co-director Earl, Vic begins to see a way through Outdoors is part of people all the time, even when they’re her struggles. If at times these worthwhile life lessons are a bit indoors. heavy-handed, many other elements in this warmhearted novel “Once we were part of Outside and Outside was part of us,” are likely to charm middle-grade readers, including the quirk- opens the text. The premise that nowadays humans sometimes ily funny, brainy younger camper Vera whom Vic takes under forget about Outside is belied so thoroughly and passionately her wing and a kind Latinx boy named Angel, who becomes a by the illustrations that it barely registers—which works just sweet first love interest when she meets him at the local farm- fine in this love letter to nature. From opening spread to closing, ers market. Vic and Vera are white, and there is some realistic nature is all-encompassing. Derby uses watercolors, powdered ethnic diversity represented in secondary characters, conveyed graphite, and thread or flower stems soaked in ink to paint both via description and naming convention (Chieko is likely of full-bleed scenes bursting with dampness and leaves, branches Japanese heritage, for instance). and sticks, and qualities of light so various that they evoke dif- A gentle novel perfect for middle graders looking for a ferent seasons and different weathers all at once. Outdoors, summer read. (Fiction. 10-13) watery paint describes hanging branches or rain; leaves look liquid; large orange patches are treetops but evoke flower pet- als. Indoors, sunlight beams through glass panes to set a watery, SANDCASTLE purple-black hallway quietly aglow. Bits of dense color satura- Tsarfati, Einat tion and keen, crisp, sometimes prickly edges pierce, delineate, Illus. by the author and offset the bountiful, wet, organic swaths. Outside “sings to Candlewick (48 pp.) us with chirps and rustles and tap-taps on the roof”; it “beckons $17.99 | May 5, 2020 with smells: sunbaked, fresh, and mysterious”; we feel it “in the 978-1-5362-1143-6 warm weight of our cats and the rough fur of our dogs.” The child character embraced by Outside (when both outdoors and Imagine a sandcastle big enough to in) has peach skin and long, straight, dark hair. hold an ice-skating rink, a greenhouse, Lushness without sweetness—wild, darkly romantic, a dinosaur skeleton, and galas for kings and exquisite. (Picture book. 3-9) and queens. A small child at the edge of the ocean begins a project. “I love building castles in the sand. So I built a sandcastle,” explains the narrator. The visual story frame of an outing to a jam-packed beach doesn’t quite offer a nonfantasy opening: Careful perusal reveals a bed, an elephant, a mummy, and an igloo among the multitudinous, tiny-figured human beachgoers. Soon the quiet child’s golden sandcastle rises up off the top of the page. Fine, light brown lines detail the castle’s architectural features; the child balances delicately atop a turret as the castle reaches eight times the protagonist’s height, then stands inside

150 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | MARIE CURIE AND THE seed and, laughing, drops it Who Knows Where. Throughout POWER OF PERSISTENCE ensuing seasonal cycles, the tree, “wondering with its tender Valenti, Karla heart,” worries about the seed. One day, a voice from below Illus. by Beghelli, Annalisa hails the tree, who recognizes its progeny, now transformed Sourcebooks Explore (48 pp.) as “a sapling, beautiful and strong.” Giordano’s pictures—pre- $17.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 cise black line drawings against cream-colored pages—don’t 978-1-7282-1356-9 so much extend the text as parallel-play with it. Tree and seeds Series: My Super Science Heroes sport faces dominated by curvilinear noses in accent colors of blue, green, and red. Woodland creatures help nurture the seed, Marie Curie was a superhero! which even spends time nestled among a bird’s eggs. Fancifully, This first entry in the My Super Sci- tiny trappings—hats, rain boots—share some critters’ polka- ence Heroes series of highly fictionalized biographies details dot coloration. Curie’s brilliant achievements but pits her against a cartoonish Careful nurturing begets the launch into the unknown: archenemy determined to stop her. Super Evil Nemesis aims at Valentini celebrates both as natural and fitting.(Picture book. world domination by halting the spread of knowledge. He sends 3-7) his minion, Mr. Opposition, to thwart young Maria Skłodowska. Try as he might, Mr. O fails. Maria excels at her studies; after high school, since universities are closed to women, she pur- YOU CAN DO IT, NOISY NORA! sues her lessons secretly. Moving to Paris, she adopts the name Wells, Rosemary Marie and earns degrees in physics and math. After Marie mar- Illus. by the author

ries Pierre Curie, the two collaborate, winning the Nobel Prize Viking (32 pp.) young adult in physics in 1903 with Henri Becquerel. In 1911, Marie wins $16.99 | Apr. 28, 2020 another Nobel—for chemistry. This is a fact-filled, admiring 978-1-101-99923-3 examination. Unfortunately, however, her casting as a super- heroine against a comic-book stock villain trivializes her. Not After hearing the beautiful notes of helping is the author’s breathless, demeaning remark that “She “Clair de lune” float down from her violin- even loves mathematics and physics!” to demonstrate Curie’s ist neighbor’s window, little mouse Nora youthful studiousness. Colorful and child-appealing, though dreams of learning to play the violin herself. static, illustrations feature humans resembling wide-eyed, pink- With all the enthusiasm and determination a young child cheeked marionettes (all present white). Nemesis is a blue, can muster, Nora takes her family to the music store, where sharp-toothed figure with striped horns and a crown; Mr. O is a they all suggest different instruments for her. Maybe a xylo- red, four-legged, spiny-backed, counterintuitively cute creature phone? Banjo? Anything but a “screeching violin!” opines big sporting a fedora. Numerous “ALERT!” sidebars, a glossary, and sister Kate. But Nora is dead set on a violin, so her excitement is a timeline bolster the factual load. palpable when her music teacher, Mrs. Yamamoto, shows up for Scientific genius is a superpower of its own and does her first lesson. As expected, there are a lot of twangs, shrieks, not need this pandering treatment. (websites) (Picture book/ and whines to be heard before a tune begins to be found. But biography. 4-8) Nora has a goal in mind, so she keeps at it to meet her Sept. 1 deadline and surprise her family. The theme of practice and hard work paying off in the end, coupled with the support of a STAY, LITTLE SEED loving family (albeit with slightly annoyed siblings), makes this Valentini, Cristiana a lovely read with kids. With one significant and uncharacter- Illus. by Giordano, Philip istic hiccup, the rhyming text flows easily and in exactly the Greystone Kids (28 pp.) same pattern as Noisy Nora’s eponymous debut (1973), making $17.95 | Apr. 7, 2020 it a solid read-aloud. It is full of bright, cheery, and funny illus- 978-1-77164-646-8 trations in Wells’ familiar style, but her decision to dress Mrs. Yamamoto in a kimono has the unfortunate effect of exoticiz- In Valentini’s fable, originally pub- ing her in this otherwise Western setting. lished in Italy in 2008, a gust of wind A sweet book for budding musicians. (Picture book. 4-7) wafts a tree’s seeds away—leaving one. The tree urges the little seed off: “Hurry up, or you’ll be left behind. / Don’t you want to join all your brothers and sisters?” The seed is fearful about flying off to “Who Knows Where.” The tree, personifying the parent’s classic conflict between the impulse to cosset offspring and helping them individuate, allows the seed to stay. “Just one more day” becomes another, then a week, then more, as the tree frets about rain, sun, and wind. This shared stasis continues until a deus ex magpie snatches the

| kirkus.com | children’s | 1 february 2020 | 151 FINS Cate—called “hag” and shunned as a witch—badly injured, liv- White, Randy Wayne ing alone in a cabin on the mountaintop. Cate fully understands Roaring Brook (320 pp.) the 12-year-old’s slightly supernatural sense. Cate’s grandson, $16.99 | Mar. 31, 2020 Larkin, Ellie’s age, flits in and out of the tale before finally 978-1-250-24465-9 claiming his place in this magnificently related story of the wide Series: Sharks Incorporated, 1 arc of responsibility, acceptance, and, ultimately, connectedness. Carefully paced and told in lyrical prose, characters—all default Three kids become involved in an white—are given plenty of time and room to develop against a effort to thwart shark poachers in this well-realized, timeless setting. middle-grade spinoff of White’s long- A luscious, shivery delight. (Historical fiction. 10-14) running Doc Ford series for adults. Following an incident with his step- father, Luke Jones, a white boy from Ohio, has moved in with COUNTING ELEPHANTS his aunt, Hannah Smith (herself star of a companion to the Doc Young, Dawn Ford series), on Sanibel Island. Sisters Sabina and Mariel Estéban, Illus. by Solis, Fermin refugees from Cuba, have also recently arrived on Sanibel. The Running Press (32 pp.) three kids find themselves working under Doc Ford, a white $17.99 | Mar. 3, 2020 marine biologist who’s tagging blacktip sharks in an attempt to 978-0-7624-6694-8 determine the cause of declines in the overall population. As the kids become more proficient, they name themselves Sharks An energetic magician frustrates a Inc. and begin tagging on their own. However, thanks to the staid counter’s endeavor to quantify a herd of elephants. popularity of shark fin soup, poachers have found their way to Written entirely in scripted dialogue, this odd effort takes the island to net the migrating blacktip sharks. Little do the middling passes at both humor and counting. The Counter’s kids know that exploring too deeply into the mangroves will metafictional announcement—that this is a counting book—is lead them into danger and force them to work together in order immediately contradicted by the Magician, who insists they to simply survive. The narrative puts a lot of focus on the three are collaborating on magic, not math. Clad in the traditional children and their personal histories. It does not shy away from black-and-red top hat and cape, the Magician begins transform- difficult issues like losing a parent, abuse, being a refugee, and ing the gathered group of 10 elephants before the Counter even the conditions that may cause forced migration, but it examines commences. Each time an attempt to enumerate begins, the how a difficult past can give strength and shape an intentional Magician alters another elephant: The first becomes a frog; the present. second, a jar of peanut butter; the third, one of jelly; the fourth This well-paced, exciting series opener will keep read- through seventh, some puppies; the eighth and ninth, more ers on their toes. (Adventure. 10-14) frogs; and the 10th, a rabbit. After restoring the elephants, the Magician turns the exasperated Counter into an anthropomorphic bag of (literal) “nuts.” In a genre distinguished by clever ECHO MOUNTAIN variations on a theme, these conceits—counting down rather Wolk, Lauren than up and adding across categories to arrive at a total—just Dutton (368 pp.) don’t tally, as the target age proves ambiguous. Solis’ digitally $17.99 | Apr. 21, 2020 created images, which recall 1950s-era animation, teeter on the 978-0-525-55556-8 boundary between warm familiarity and generic boredom, with animated facial expressions lending them some exuberance. After losing almost everything in the The text placement doesn’t always correspond with illustra- Great Depression, Ellie’s family moves tions, hindering the counting exercise. Human characters are to the Maine woods on Echo Mountain both white. to start a farm—then tragedy strikes. Another average addition to an exponentially growing Not long after getting them estab- field.(Picture book. 3-7) lished in their new life, Ellie’s father is struck on the head by a falling tree and lapses into a monthslong coma, his recovery unlikely. Never feeling threatened by the wilderness the way her mother and older sister, Esther, do, Ellie takes over many of her beloved father’s chores, finding comfort and confidence in the forest. She’s fully mindful of her place in the natural world and her impact on the plants and animals she shares it with. After she becomes determined to use the resources of the woods, however novel and imaginative the application, to save her father, conflict with her mother and Esther increases sharply. Led by a dog, Ellie discovers elderly

152 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | young adult - - 8) -

Series: Littlest Cartwheel/Scholastic (24 pp.) Dougherty, Brandi Dougherty, $4.99 paper | Jan. 7, 2020 7, $4.99 paper | Jan. THE LITTLEST EASTER BUNNY Illus. by Pogue, Jamie by Pogue, Illus. 978-1-338-32912-4 6) - Sweet, but like marshmallow chicks, just a bit of fluff. The ending is touching enough that the story is almost The smallest bunny in finds Easter Town that she and her In In the fifth entry in the Littlest series, Penny the bunny Second, Second, and maybe the most They important: both love music. always She’s singing, and always he’s strumming an apple-green little chick friend are big enough to help the Easter Bunny pre- eggs hide to well basket spots tiny finding own of their as job as learn from the text is the actual subject of the argument. At a help. Her parents and siblings try to let her assist them, but she but assistthem, tryher siblings let and parents to Her help. his younger sister tries to sing and, in tries the to his same younger picture, sister her one pare for the annual Easter eggpare for the annual Easter hunt. wants to help get All ready the for rabbits Easter. in her family related.) related.) But in these illustrations, each person’s smile is dis in order, but little Penny seems too small or clumsy to be of any of be smallto clumsy or too seems Penny little but order, in ing dejected, Penny befriends a tiny chick named Peck. With strands of and a fails basket, Feel- fillto even one Easter basket. guitar. And third: guitar. By the end of the meal, they’re both singing as vivid as the people in the pictures. (Picture book. 4 the help of Penny’s family, Penny and treats Peck and petite make baskets suitable to miniature their own size. When the best the do them help will size small their that Bunny Easter the together together again. Readers can learn most of this from the char the youngest child traditional sings Seder, the four questions, a the older child, brother Eitan, want doesn’t to give up the job. beautifullyunique. tinctly, creations. This too-pat conclusion doesn’t quite hold quite up logi- to This conclusion too-pat doesn’t creations. cal analysis, as the full-size eggs and baskets are still too large quotient. cuteness chant that explains the meaning of the holiday, but in this family, family, this in but holiday, the of meaning the explains that chant everyone is smiling. (The characters are all white and mostly are busy with their special jobs, getting eggs, candy, and baskets baskets and eggs,getting jobs, candy, special their with busy are acters’ acters’ mouths and foreheads: the boy’s dismissive laugh when The angry, cocked eyebrow. only major detail readers need to and satisfyingly surprising. Evie struggles with the words, and falls into a vat of dye, spills marshmallow goo, gets tangled in the in tangled gets goo, marshmallow spills dye, of vat a into falls for Penny and Peck to handle. Bland cartoon illustrations are filled with bunnies in candy-bright pastels with a greeting-card Easter Easter Bunny’s main helpers fall ill, Penny and Peck convince Eitan joins in to help her Throughout out. the meal, just about The problem is solved in a way both that’s entirely predictable (Picture book. 3 - who will ask the four questions? the four questions? will ask who Hoffmann, Gilah Hoffmann, - Ami, Carmel Ami, - | 1 february 2020 | 153 | 1 february books picture | kirkus.com | easter & passover predictable and satisfyingly and predictable surprising. Gur, Naomi Gur, In In this airy musing, a wish floats on Who hasn’t wondered where a wish - goes? WHO WILL ASK THE FOUR QUESTIONS? FOUR Green Bean Books (32 pp.) Green Creative Editions/Creative Company Company Editions/Creative Creative Ben (32 pp.) $12.95 paper | Mar. 19, 2020 $12.95 paper | Mar. $18.99 | Feb. 25, 2020 25, $18.99 | Feb. A WISH IS A SEED Illus. by Ben Illus. Young, Jessica Young, Cristina Maria by Pritelli, Illus. Trans. by Kahn Trans. 978-1-78438-463-0 978-1-56846-338-4 8) - The problem is solved in a way that’s both entirely both way that’s solved in a is The problem picture books Ben-Ami’s Ben-Ami’s illustrations in this Israeli import by way of the There are only three things to First: A know. brother and A lovely way for children to imagine what happens to a a to happens what imagine to children for way lovely A by looking at the characters’ faces. faces. by looking at the characters’ upside down, sideways, or curved, the text playfully emulating wish. (Picture book. 6 world world into One relief. delightful spread shows the “wish tree” in work work beautifully with the lyrical or Mostly dark-blue story. dark- in turn, grows, reaches up and out until it “bravely / blooms.” The blooms.” “bravely/ it until out and up reaches grows, turn, in its bright red-orange blooming splendor. its bright red-orange blooming splendor. simple, gentle narrative concludes as it wish began: is “A a seed sailing over water, drifting through canyons, gliding down streetsdown gliding canyons, through drifting oversailing water, sibilities to be marveledbe blackyoung a by to sibilities wonder wide-eyed in at green backgrounds throw details of the city setting and natural the ground and waits, very still. At just the right time, “it sends the wind like a maple seed. The wish takes a breathtaking journey, journey, breathtaking a takes wish The seed. maple a like wind the the wish’s The the acrobatics. evocative,wish’s slightly surreal illustrations carried on the wind.” But how that wish has burgeoned! By the end, it’s thrived and become a symbol flush with hope and pos a sister get into a horrible fight just before thePassover Seder. child and dad—the objects of the wish? Readers should appreci- and along roofs, weaving among raindrops. Then it tumbles to ate ate not only the fanciful notion of what happens to a wish, but also the whimsical typesetting: Some words and phrases are set down a silent root / and pushes up a hopeful shoot.” The shoot, U.K. are so expressive that readers can understand the plot just U.K. easter & passover easter & passover The author not only works in a chase scene, but somehow makes a quote from the Talmud seem like a punchline. the passover mouse

WELCOMING ELIJAH includes repeated elements and a winning sense of dramatic A Passover Tale with a Tail pacing as the alligator angle of the plot is revealed. Appealing Newman, Lesléa watercolor illustrations strike a satisfying balance between the Illus. by Gal, Susan cuddly bunny and the slightly scary mother alligator with yellow Charlesbridge (32 pp.) eyes and a mouthful of pointed teeth. $16.99 | Jan. 28, 2020 A fresh and entertaining take on the bunny-and–Easter 978-1-58089-882-9 egg theme. (Picture book. 3-6) Passover nights are different, happily so for a boy and a kitten. THE PASSOVER MOUSE It’s a Seder night, and a boy and his large family welcome Wieder, Joy Nelkin guests to the festive holiday celebration. There are many rituals Illus. by Kober, Shahar in the evening, including filling a cup of wine for the prophet Doubleday (32 pp.) Elisha, but his favorite is opening the door to welcome Elijah in. $17.99 | $20.99 PLB | Jan. 28, 2020 Writing in contrasting couplets, Newman relates the many ele- 978-1-9848-9551-6 ments of the holiday as “inside” activities. There are also “out- 978-1-984895-52-3 PLB side” goings-on. A fluffy white cat in the yard does feline things that seem to mimic what the family and their guests are doing This animal story may help explain except in one respect. The family enjoys plenty of good food why Jews became known as the People of while the kitten “swishe[s] his skinny tail.” Finally it is time to the Book: Even the holiest books might include jokes or fables hold open the door, and who should be standing there but that or riddles. irresistibly appealing fluffy white kitten. Boy and kitten, to be This picture book, arguably, includes all three. It’s a very silly named Elijah of course, embrace as the others look on in joy. story about a very serious problem. Wieder explains that, when Gal’s softly smudged illustrations, rendered in ink, charcoal, they’re preparing for the holiday of Passover, observant Jews are and digital collage, warmly reflect the text’s contrasts, with required “to remove all leavened food, or chometz—down to bright yellows illuminating the household and iridescent blues the last bread crumb!” Fastidious Jews are never certain when bathing the outdoor scenes. The family and friends are racially it’s safe to stop searching. The Babylonian Talmud addressed diverse, with both black- and white-presenting group members. the issue with a sort of brainteaser, paraphrased in the author’s The boy himself presents white; the men wear kippot. note at the end of this book: “The Jewish sages discussed the While not the traditional holiday outcome, it should possibility of mice bringing chometz into a house that had please celebrants and cat lovers all. (author’s note, list of already been searched for it.” Kober takes the passage as an Seder rituals) (Picture book. 4-7) opportunity to paint utterly adorable mice with heads shaped like apostrophes. (He also finds a surprising variety of shades in the skin tones of the human Jewish villagers.) And the author BUNNY’S BIG SURPRISE not only works in a chase scene, with townspeople and a cat, but Tildes, Phyllis Limbacher somehow makes a quote from the Talmud seem like a punchline. Illus. by the author The endless arguments about cats and mice concludes with: Charlesbridge (32 pp.) “…This question is not decided.” But the story ends on a touch- $16.99 | Jan. 7, 2020 ing note, as the whole village joins together in a last-minute 978-1-58089-684-9 search for breadcrumbs. A book that fits moving scenes, puzzles, and mice into A bunny boy finds a large egg to deco- the same story is an excellent addition to the Jewish tradi- rate for Easter, with an astonishing rev- tion. (glossary) (Picture book. 4-7) elation when the egg hatches. In his light blue sweater, the charming bunny looks like a distant relative of Peter Rabbit. He is outside by himself, col- MIRIAM AT THE RIVER lecting eggs in his Easter basket for painting later. When Bunny Yolen, Jane finds a single, large egg near the edge of a lake, he unsuccessfully Illus. by Le, Khoa tries to find the creature that laid the egg. He questions a goose, Kar-Ben (32 pp.) a heron, and an osprey, finally taking the huge egg home to paint $17.99 | Feb. 4, 2020 as an Easter egg. When the decorated egg hatches, a surprise 978-1-5415-4400-0 emerges—a baby alligator, although the little rabbit isn’t sure what sort of critter this might be. Bunny returns the baby to the Miriam is pivotal in the story of lake where he found the egg, and a page turn reveals a mother Moses and the Exodus. alligator with four babies swimming nearby. The lost baby alliga- A 7-year-old girl narrates the details tor jumps in the lake to rejoin its family, and the mother swims of the day that she heeds “God’s voice,” places her baby brother away, carrying the five babies in her mouth. The simple text in a basket, sets him adrift in the Nile River to save him from

154 | 1 february 2020 | children’s | kirkus.com | young adult - - | 1 february 2020 | 155 | 1 february books picture | kirkus.com | easter & passover 7) - Thisbiblical tale is filled with wonder, hope, and beauty. but there are relatively few children’s books that place her at honoring Miriam and will welcome a book that celebrates her vibrant blues and oranges reflect both calm and swirling waters swim nearby. as hippos and crocodiles water miracles associated with water, ranging from that basket on the the on basket fromthat ranging water, with associated miracles is the prophet Miriam. In her author’s note, Yolen explains that explains Yolen note, author’s her In Miriam. prophet the is ing from a rock that sustains the Jews wandering in the desert, she has taken this story from Exodus and from the Midrash, tales that interpret the Torah. Miriam’s story is interwoven with interwoven is story Miriam’s Torah. the interpret that tales their center. Many celebrants of Many the Passover Seder sing their a center. song cues him. That baby boy will grow up to be Moses, and his sister sister his and Moses, be to up grow will boy baby That him. cues childhood. It is Le’s illustrations that truly shine, however. The illustrations that is trulyLe’s childhood. It shine, however. dotted with a multitude of plant life. Elegant storks wade in the in wade storks Elegant life. plant of multitude a with dotted Nile to the parting of the Red Sea and the life-giving water flow water life-giving the and Sea Red the partingof the to Nile (Picture book/religion. 4 “Pharoah’s “Pharoah’s men,” and then watches as Pharoah’s daughter res KACEN CALLENDER the author of king and the dragonflies writes the novels they wish they had found growing up

[Sponsored]

By Alex Heimbach

Ashley Cain Khalid isn’t really gone, he has just transformed into a dragonfly. In attempting to find his dragonfly brother, King runs into former friend Sandy. Back when Sandy came out to King, Khalid overheard and warned King to stay away lest others think he was gay, too (which, King is realizing, he might just be). Filled with guilt and shame over the episode, King helps Sandy as he tries to escape his abusive dad, but the situation rapidly spins out of control. The novel has an air of magical realism, which Callender says reflects how they see the world. “A lot of what people might say is magi - cal—and this is where it becomes potentially New Age–y—for me it’s actually kind of a real - ity,” they say. Case in point: They picked a dragonfly for Khalid’s new form simply because it felt right, only to later discover the insect tra - ditionally symbolizes transformation, self-realization, and hope. Despite its dreamy, lyrical quality, the novel Kacen Callender’s new novel, King and the deals candidly with real-world problems. Both Dragonflies (Scholastic, Feb. 4), had a simple King’s grief and his questions about his sexual - genesis: Over dinner, the author and their edi - ity are complicated by the casual homophobia tor realized they couldn’t think of any mid - and toxic masculinity prevalent in his com- dle-grade books with a gay black boy as the munity. “I don’t think that it’s something that protagonist. So Callender resolved to write one. is too heavy or too scary for that age range “I really wanted to tackle a lot of issues that because they are also dealing with it every day,” black queer people experience when it comes to Callender says. the intersection of having to deal with both rac - Visiting schools in support of a previ- ism and homophobia,” they say. ous novel, Callender found that homophobia King and the Dragonflies is the story of Kings - remains a powerful force in many kids’ lives. ton “King” James, a middle schooler in rural “I’m almost embarrassed to say that I really Louisiana who is grappling with the death of thought things were so much better than they his older brother, Khalid. King believes that are,” they reflect. Some students told Callender

156 | 1 february 2020 | kirkus.com | simply welcoming new voices isn’t enough. Edi- tors and readers (especially white ones) also need to cultivate a more broad-minded view of what makes a good book. “I think that a lot of readers go into a book expecting that they will relate to the character and see that character reflect their own lives,” Callender says, “and when there is a moment when that character doesn’t reflect their life for the first time, it’s a shock.” That shock can lead readers to conclude that the book is bad rather than just unfamiliar. As someone who loves reading about people different from themselves, Callender finds this attitude hard to relate to, but it undeniably plays a role in shaping which kinds of books get published. Callender hopes that more diverse writers and editors will encourage readers to embrace a wider range of viewpoints but maintains that there is one thing all children’s literature needs: hope. As many difficult topics as King and the they wouldn’t read the author’s novels at home Dragonflies tackles, its ending is an uplifting one. for fear of how parents would react to a book “When I was that age,” they say, “I really needed with a queer protagonist. the books I was reading to reflect as much hope These are exactly the kinds of stories that as possible because I hadn’t lived enough years inspire Callender to write. “That’s been my to see the cycle of pain and struggle and then motivation for every book that I write,” they say, happiness and hope and then pain and struggle “wanting to create space and stories for myself and then happiness and hope.” for all those years that I really needed them— but also for all of the teens and young readers Alex Heimbach is a writer and editor in California. that I know are struggling with the same things right now. I want to let them know that they do matter and they do belong.” Callender is a passionate advocate for greater diversity in publishing, but they note that

| kirkus.com | 1 february 2020 | 157 young adult MAD, BAD & DANGEROUS These titles earned the Kirkus Star: TO KNOW Ahmed, Samira WE DIDN’T ASK FOR THIS by Adi Alsaid...... 159 Soho Teen (312 pp.) $18.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 DEEPLIGHT by Frances Hardinge...... 166 978-1-61695-989-0

RAYBEARER by Jordan Ifueko...... 169 Khayyam Maquet, a 17-year-old ris- THE LUCKY ONES ing high school senior, wallows in self- by Liz Lawson...... 170 pity during her family’s annual summer ONE EARTH trip to Paris. by Anuradha Rao...... 173 Her failed essay contest entry chasing a theory about a lost Delacroix painting gifted to Alex- andre Dumas dashed her hopes of impressing her dream art school. When Khayyam perhaps too coincidentally meets the sixth-great-grandson of Dumas himself, also called Alexandre Dumas, they embark on a quest to find the lost painting of a mysterious raven-haired woman. The narration alternates between Khayyam, a conflicted teen who falls for present- day Alexandre while she is still hung up on her noncommit- tal boyfriend back home in Chicago, and Leila, the beautiful, mystical Muslim subject of the painting who lived during the 19th century as a concubine to an Ottoman pasha and yearned for freedom and to be with her true love. Ahmed (Internment, 2019, etc.) explores weighty themes including Orientalism, women silenced by history, and the responsibility of sharing their unheard voices as Khayyam grapples with who has the right to tell someone’s story. Familiar teen romance and angst, including flip-flopping on feelings and motivations, mix with academic discoveries and intrigue in this fast-paced, if at times dense, mystery. Khayyam is an American Muslim teen with French and Indian parents; the novel explores her biracial and bicultural identities. An entertaining tale that will appeal most to fans of art history and literature. (Fiction. 14-adult)

ELECTION MANIPULATION Is America’s Voting System Secure? Allen, John WE DIDN’T ASK FOR THIS ReferencePoint Press (80 pp.) $30.95 PLB | Apr. 1, 2020 Alsaid, Adi Inkyard Press (384 pp.) 978-1-68282-807-6 $18.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 978-1-335-14676-2 A short but trenchant overview of a topic guaranteed to dominate headlines this election year. “They’re doing it as we sit here.” Robert Mueller’s warning

158 | 1 february 2020 | young adult | kirkus.com | in his Congressional testimony sets the urgent tone. “Election (sometimes) cooperative adults; and the overwhelming inertia manipulation,” as used in this volume, focuses specifically on of institutions. Several main characters are queer. digital threats which are addressed in three distinct catego- A droll, engrossing exploration of privileged teens ries: the hacking of campaigns and other political entities; the striving to do better. (Fiction. 13-18) use of social media to spread disinformation and propaganda; and tampering with the actual process of voting, including exploiting the vulnerabilities of voting machines. Allen looks MY LONG LIST OF at each in turn, emphasizing examples from the 2016 U.S. pres- IMPOSSIBLE THINGS idential election but with references to the 2018 U.S. midterms Barker, Michelle and European elections as well. Russia and Russian-sponsored Annick Press (360 pp.) entities are called out as the chief bad actors, but the dangers $18.95 | Mar. 10, 2020 of North Korea, Iran, China, and domestic perpetrators are 978-1-77321-365-1 not discounted. The crisp, energetic prose endeavors to be nonpartisan but clearly disapproves of the priorities of Presi- As World War II comes to a close, a dent Donald Trump (and several other Republican politicians), German teen and her sister struggle for repeatedly noting their indifference to and dismissal of the survival. seriousness of the issues and their obstruction of proposed It’s March 1945. Katja, 16, her older remedies. While the overall message is alarming, Allen empha- sister, Hilde, and their Mutti live alone sizes that basic awareness and common-sense safeguards can on a Pomeranian farm; Papi was killed two years earlier fighting go a long way to improving security. The sources cited are all in the German army. Hilde’s boyfriend is also a soldier. Katja

up-to-the-minute; color photographs and informative text mourns the loss of her Jewish piano teacher, Herr Goldstein, young adult boxes enhance the work. who moved to Poland three years ago. When advancing Rus- Terrifying and timely. (source notes, further reading, sian soldiers take over their home, the three depart on foot index, photo credits) (Nonfiction. 12-18) for the fictional town of Fahlhoff to stay with their mother’s friends, whom the girls call Aunt Ilse and Uncle Otto. On the long trip there, Russian soldiers shoot and kill Mutti. In Fahl- WE DIDN’T ASK hoff Katja and Hilde struggle to survive under Russian occupa- FOR THIS tion. Katja vandalizes a Russian officer’s automobile, setting off Alsaid, Adi a series of deadly consequences. Unfortunately, the novel feels Inkyard Press (384 pp.) somewhat myopic—Katja seems much less aware of the dan- $18.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 ger the Goldsteins faced than seems reasonable given the harsh 978-1-335-14676-2 pervasiveness of anti-Semitic rhetoric. She also seems relatively unaffected by losing her father and Germany’s defeat, making it An elite international school commu- difficult to relate to her and muddling her narrative arc. Katja’s nity reacts to one student’s climate protest. persistent short-sightedness and flip-flopping emotions leave Marisa Cuevas, cued as Latina, is readers frustrated and bored. For a better treatment of this known mostly for being a good student time period, read Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys (2016). until she, with several followers, chains Tone deaf. (author’s note) (Historical fiction. 12-15) herself to the doors of Central International School on its legendary high school lock-in night—turning a playful tradition into literal imprisonment. Nobody’s leaving, she says, until each THE BURNING of her 30 environmental demands is met. She’s prepared for con- Bates, Laura demnation and even fury from her classmates, but she doesn’t Sourcebooks Fire (352 pp.) expect the unlikely group that forms to protect her. Alsaid (con- $17.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 tributor: It’s a Whole Spiel, 2019, etc.) takes readers deep into the 978-1-72820-673-8 students’ inner lives, winking all the while to offset the protest’s tragic urgency: Peejay Singh, half Indian/half Scottish, all charm A victim of misogynistic bullying and popularity, desperate to live up to his older brother’s exam- finds strength in the story of a 17th-cen- ple. Celeste Rollins, the black American new kid who befriends tury accused witch. Japanese/British Kenji Pierce through improv but doesn’t yet When Anna and her mother move to know his terrible secret. Jordi Marcos (ethnicity and nationality the small Scottish town of St. Monans, unspecified), the outlier who isn’t sure himself why he’s against they’re trying to escape both their grief the protest—but still is, violently. Finally, Malaysian decathlete over Anna’s father’s death and their horror at the severe slut- Amira Wahid, who finds her mother’s strictures falling away shaming she experienced at her old school. Anna hopes for a under Marisa’s fierce gaze. Packed with quips and insights, the fresh start, but she’s haunted by fear of her past—until some- wry narrative captures the intense yearnings of young adult- one else’s past finds her instead. Anna discovers a mysterious hood; the ridiculous spectrum of clueless, controlling, and necklace in their new home and begins experiencing memories

| kirkus.com | young adult | 1 february 2020 | 159 writing outside your identity: beyond “right” and “wrong”

A few years ago, I enrolled in a mys- any advice for writing about people who do not look like you?”— tery writing workshop taught by a Fa- by posing three questions of his own: mous Mystery Author. I likely won’t “Why do you want to write from this character’s point of ever write a mystery novel myself, but view? I thought that it would be interesting Do you read writers from this community currently? to get a glimpse into the secret inner Why do you want to tell this story?” workings of my favorite genre. The second question is particularly telling, as I have heard Most of the day was indeed as re- far too many writers confess that they have not read works by warding as expected; however, during people from the community they wish to the Q&A, things turned sour. The Fa- represent, a startling and perplexing over- mous Mystery Author, someone who sight. Surely if you are interested enough is known for writing meticulously rein a community that you want to represent searched books set in a culture that is not their own, reacted them in print, this interest would extend with vitriol to a sincere question from one of the participants. to learning all you can from actual mem- This aspiring writer expressed interest in writing books set in bers of said community? another country and asked for advice on how to make sure she Chee’s article is worth reading, as he did so in a way that was accurate, respectful, and realistic. We delves into the complexities and nuances recoiled in shock as the Famous Mystery Author did not share of the subject in a way that is both infor- useful strategies and practical tips learned after years of honing mative and thought-provoking. Whether their craft but instead angrily launched into a monologue about you are a writer or simply a reader, he has how these days some people will tell you you’re not supposed something to say that will shift your perspective in some way. to write about other groups, but you can write whatever you Two non-#ownvoices YA titles that are good examples of want, no one can tell you what to do, and so on in this now all- polished execution are The Blossom and the Firefly by Sherri L. too-familiar vein. Smith (Putnam, Feb. 18) and 29 Dates by Melissa de la Cruz Non-#ownvoices books cross my desk every day and can be (Inkyard Press, 2018). roughly divided into three categories: In Smith’s work of historical fiction set in Japan, readers are 1. books that impress our #ownvoices reviewers introduced to a perspective rarely covered in English-language 2. books in which our #ownvoices reviewers find er- novels about World War II. It focuses on the tender unfolding rors and misrepresentation love affair between a teenage boy who is a member of the tokkō 3. books that our #ownvoices reviewers find lacking (usually referred to in the West as kamika- in texture and substance; they cannot point to spe- ze pilots) and a girl who belongs to a youth cific mistakes, but nothing sparks a sense of recog- group supporting those going to war. The nition or a feeling of being “seen” by the author black American author did extensive research, and the results more than speak for Of course, there is no single way of being anything, but themselves. our reviewers consider books from a broad stance, approach- Similarly, Filipina American author de ing them with the needs of individual readers as well as librar- la Cruz accurately conveyed specific details ians and educators in mind and with an awareness of common about South Korea that only informed cul- tropes, areas of current conversation and debate, and the con- tural insiders would recognize and appre- text of the larger literary landscape in which the book will land. ciate in her rom-com about a Korean girl Too often, conversations about non-#ownvoices writing who spends a year of high school in Cali- focus on books that fall into the first and second categories. fornia and goes on a series of blind dates with different Korean Those in the third category—the kinds of books where you boys. Readers unfamiliar with Korean culture will of course not can’t necessarily say anything is “wrong” but it’s difficult to find fully appreciate the elements that escape their recognition, but anything substantive to praise about the non-#ownvoices por- they will learn something while being entertained. trayals—are harder (and perhaps less tantalizing) to discuss. But The more broadly we read, the more we develop our cross- non-#ownvoices authors who wish to avoid egregious errors cultural perspectives, insights, and knowledge, in the process undoubtedly also aspire to avoid having their works fall into cultivating a better instinct for noticing what succeeds and the third category. what doesn’t in non-#ownvoices writing and why. There’s a I was reminded of this dilemma—and the writing work- reading goal to strive for in 2020. —L.S. shop—when I read author, journalist, and writing professor Al- exander Chee’s Vulture piece, “How to Unlearn Everything.” He Laura Simeon is the young adult editor. answers a question frequently directed at him—“Do you have

160 | 1 february 2020 | young adult | kirkus.com | Captivatingly moody. the truth about keeping secrets

that aren’t her own, drawing her to the story of a local woman THE EMPIRE OF DREAMS who was ostracized and accused of witchcraft after having Carson, Rae a baby out of wedlock. This gentle touch of the supernatural Greenwillow (448 pp.) emphasizes how little misogynistic vitriol has changed over the $17.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 years, as painful descriptions of the bullying Anna endures are 978-0-06-269190-3 interwoven with flashbacks to her counterpart’s public sham- ings. A halfhearted romance feels forced, but the core of Anna’s A foundling orphan girl sets out to story will be viscerally recognizable to any young reader who’s prove her worth by joining an elite—and experienced cyberbullying or revenge porn. As Anna tells her patriarchal—fighting force. tormentors, as she stands in solidarity with other girls who’ve Seventeen-year-old Red Sparkle Stone been victimized: “You can call me a prude, and you can call me is about to be adopted by Empress Elisa a whore, but really you’re just calling me a girl.” One of Anna’s and Prince Consort Hector of the king- new school friends is coded as black; other major characters are dom of Joya d’Arena and gain everything she always dreamed of: white. a family and a place in the world. When the adoption petition is A haunting rallying cry against sexism and bullying. denied, blocked by the empress’s political rivals, Red asks to join (discussion questions) (Fiction. 14-adult) the Royal Guard, traditionally a male-only institution. Her journey within the Guard is fraught, complicated even further by the news of a potential coup in the works. Carson (Most Wanted, THE TRUTH ABOUT 2018, etc.) returns to her Girl of Fire and Thorns world with a KEEPING SECRETS stand-alone novel featuring Red, the enslaved girl rescued by

Brown, Savannah Elisa in The Bitter Kingdom (2013). This novel develops a taut, young adult Sourcebooks Fire (320 pp.) self-contained, political mystery within the confined quarters $10.99 paper | Apr. 7, 2020 of the Guard and the palace, with a few chapters set in the past 978-1-7282-0967-8 showing Red’s harrowing, traumatic history. Red’s PTSD is deftly and sympathetically handled and so is her coming-of-age In the depths of intense grief, a teen as a capable, truth-speaking woman alongside her equally well- suspects her father’s fatal car accident developed brothers in arms. The noticeable absence of other was actually murder. female characters for most of the book is a consequence of Sydney’s devastated by her father’s setting the story within the confines of a strictly gender binary, sudden death and can’t help thinking male-only Royal Guard. Most characters are brown-skinned. there was more to the story than a random accident—after all, as A rewarding stand-alone novel with effortless plotting the town’s only therapist, he knew everyone’s secrets. She’s sur- and deft characterizations. (Fantasy. 14-adult) prised to see her high school’s resident golden girl, June, at the funeral. While drowning in grief—depicted in a visceral, pitch- perfect first-person voice—Sydney links her father’s death to THE WIDE WORLD OF CODING mysterious text messages she’s receiving that contain harassing, The People and Careers homophobic content. At the same time, she develops a friend- Behind the Programs ship with June—who had been one of her father’s patients— Connor-Smith, Jennifer that quickly turns into an infatuation and then obsession (made Twenty-First Century/Lerner (144 pp.) awkward when Sydney befriends June’s longtime boyfriend). $37.32 PLB | Apr. 7, 2020 The emotional character- and relationship-driven story arcs 978-1-5415-5282-1 move slowly without sacrificing narrative tension. In the final act of the story, the mystery component—June’s secrets, the A human-centered look at text messages, Sydney’s father’s death, and the identity of the programming. true antagonist—tumble out in a fast (if somewhat predictable) Focusing more on the conceptual whirlwind of pages. Tough and morbid topics are broached— side of programming—how to think like death, abuse, homophobia—but not sensationalized. While a programmer as opposed to explaining how to write in spe- the community—including Sydney—is mostly white, brown- cific codes—science writer Connor-SmithLiving ( With Panic skinned June is mixed race (ethnicities not specified), and there Disorder, 2018, etc.) illustrates her points with punchy, efficient is some diversity of race and sexuality in secondary characters. anecdotes about the real-world applications and occurrences of A captivatingly moody, introspective drama. (author the various ideas she presents instead of getting bogged down interview, resources) (Fiction. 14-adult) in theory. Early chapters cover the various steps that creating a program requires (with emphases on the amount of design that can be done on paper and on troubleshooting) followed by an overview of programming language (from a development and function viewpoint) and thorough-yet-succinct algo- rithm coverage. But it’s in the second half of the book where

| kirkus.com | young adult | 1 february 2020 | 161 A story of self-discovery and family healing. a girl in three parts

Connor-Smith’s psychology background shines, in chapters GOTHAM HIGH covering good versus bad design (and the manipulative psychol- de la Cruz, Melissa ogy behind addictive programming and why companies use it), Illus. by Pitilli, Thomas a wonderfully timely chapter on ethics in the digital realm, and DC (208 pp.) a chapter detailing both why computer science as a field lacks $16.99 paper | Apr. 7, 2020 diversity and how—through specific examples—increasing 978-1-4012-8624-8 diversity improves outcomes for users and programs alike. The final chapter highlights tech areas with exciting and sometimes The high school beginnings of favor- scary developments happening now—the text doesn’t shy away ite Batman comic characters. from the dark sides of technology but avoids fearmongering— Seventeen-year-old Bruce Wayne just encouraging readers to jump into the world of coding. got kicked out of the fancy boarding school This attractive, engaging volume is a must-have for his Uncle Alfred sent him to when his par- every school library. (answer key, timeline, glossary, source ents died. Now he’s back in Gotham City, living in the family home notes, selected bibliography, further reading, index, photo and attending Gotham High. Bruce runs into his childhood neigh- credits) (Nonfiction. 12-adult) bor Selina Garcia Kyle, who invites him to a party where he meets cardsharp Jack Napier, who becomes a new friend. One day, high school classmate Harvey Dent is kidnapped while trying A GIRL IN THREE PARTS on Bruce’s leather coat, and Bruce gets shot with a tranquilizer Daniel, Suzanne dart. Bruce, convinced he, not Harvey, was the real target, goes Knopf (320 pp.) on a hunt to find the truth. As he uncovers more information, $17.99 | Apr. 14, 2020 he discovers that his new friends aren’t what they seem. Nar- 978-1-9848-5107-9 rated by Selina, the story puts Batman, the Joker, Catwoman, and other Batman favorites into a teenage setting, giving them Eleven-and-a-half-year-old Allegra is more of a backstory. De la Cruz’s (The Queen’s Assassin, 2020, divided by a family at odds with each other. etc.) graphic-novel debut is dark and alluring. The characters Allegra’s mum died when she was 3, do what they need to survive, creating suspense. Pitilli’s (Archie, but she doesn’t know what caused her 2019, etc.) vivid and captivating illustrations are the highlight death or why it made her family stop of this graphic novel, and the darker palette adds to the omi- speaking to each other. She just knows nous feel. Bruce’s mother was Chinese from Hong Kong, and that they each love her differently, and she feels split in three his father’s ethnicity is not specified; Selina is Latinx, and there ways trying to maintain relationships with each of them. Allegra is diversity in secondary characters. lives at Number 23 with her Hungarian Jewish grandmother, Fast-paced and entertaining. (Graphic fiction. 13-18) Matilde, who is haunted by memories of the war and who runs a strict household. With Matilde she is Allegra. Her father, Rick, takes her surfing, and they have a good time together. But for RUTHLESS GODS reasons she doesn’t understand, he lives in the flat above Matil- Duncan, Emily A. de’s garage; with him she’s Al Pal. Next door, at Number 25, lives Wednesday Books (544 pp.) her passionate Catholic grandmother, Joy, to whom she is Ally. $18.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 When Allegra helps a friend and things go awry, their family 978-1-250-19569-2 secrets must be confronted. Set in 1970s Australia at the cusp Series: Something Dark and Holy, 2 of a cultural revolution, this is both a story of self-discovery and one of family healing. Debut author Daniel’s strength lies in the Magic and romance steeped in blood creation of complex characters; Allegra in particular operates and betrayal. from a sheltered existence and makes decisions, judgments, and After the dramatic conclusion of mistakes in an authentic—and, at times, painful—way. Most Wicked Saints (2019), things have stut- characters are white except Allegra’s best friend and her mother, tered along. Serefin is king of Tranavia, who are Indigenous. but the court doesn’t trust him; Malachiasz is the Black Vulture, An emotionally moving portrayal of the effects grief a monstrous magic wielder, but he still doesn’t have the power has on a family. (Historical fiction. 12-14) he sought, and Nadya can no longer hear her gods. Dual narration from Nadya’s and Serefin’s perspectives, with additional narrative interludes including two of the handful of brown characters in this Eastern European–influenced world of pale skin, takes readers on a (pedestrian) road trip to a scary forest where everyone has a goal that involves killing one of their reluctant allies and sort-of friends. Nadya and Malachiasz continue their doomed, toxic, intense romance even as they work at direct cross-purposes while Serefin (more tortured and less charming

162 | 1 february 2020 | young adult | kirkus.com | this time around) figures out that he likes Kacper and fights a DANCING AT THE PITY PARTY voice in his head; meanwhile, gods (or maybe monsters) stir and Feder, Tyler manipulate mortals. The pacing lags early on before settling Illus. by the author into a steady forward direction, and the prose veers toward Dial (208 pp.) overwrought, leavened by charmingly snarky, contemporary- $18.99 | Apr. 14, 2020 sounding dialogue; fans of the first volume will be pleased to 978-0-525-55302-1 have more of the same, with higher stakes and increasingly complicated questions of power and divinity. The experiences of watching a Why mess with a formula that works? (map) (Fantasy. mother succumb to cancer and grieving 14-18) her death are explored with honesty and compassion. Feder (illustrator: Unladylike, 2018), the oldest of three sisters in a close-knit Jewish family, grew up with an artistic, spirited, playful, and affectionate mother, someone whose high spirits were the perfect foil for her daughter’s anxious personality. The summer after Feder’s freshman year of college, her mother was diagnosed with cancer, dying in the spring of Feder’s sophomore year. This vulnerable memoir is a tribute to a beloved woman as well as a meditation on losing a parent when one is on the cusp of adulthood. Much like young adult

| kirkus.com | young adult | 1 february 2020 | 163 INTERVIEWS & PROFILES Juleah Del Rosario

HER YA NOVEL, TURTLE UNDER ICE, EXPLORES THEMES OF FAMILY GRIEF AND LOSS THROUGH THE CADENCES OF POETRY By Connie Ogle

Flor Blake but its story of family bonds, death, and life is universal. We all experience loss. We all try to find our way through the maze of grief. We all fail, then try again. The book is narrated by two sisters: Row, the younger, a popular athlete who buries her pain on the soccer field, and Ariana, an artistic senior who witnessed her mother’s collapse in a Starbucks years earlier and is still weighed down by the terrible memory. Row grows impatient with her sister’s distance sometimes. “It’s not a competition,” she says. “You don’t get to be the only one / who feels it. You don’t get to consume / all the sadness in the world.” But in the wake of another painful loss for the family, Ariana withdraws further from her sister, her father, and her stepmother. One day she disappears from the house in a snowstorm, leaving Row to piece together where she has gone—and why. A librarian at the University of Colorado-Boulder who is also the author of the young adult novel 500 Words or Less, del Rosario uses the sisters’ dilemma to address how we process grief and learn to adjust to change. Juleah del Rosario loves turtles. Seriously. “Grief and death are part of life,” she says. “I felt like “I know it’s really cheesy,” she says, laughing. “But our conversations about this subject aren’t fully formed. there’s this pond I walk by in the summer, and it has these We don’t discuss it in society as much as we should, and it’s turtles. I was curious what happens to them in winter. I something everyone will experience.” looked it up and found that some types of turtles survive The book, she adds, is “about opening up this conver- under the ice in the pond during the winter. They survive! sation about what it means to live—that’s Ariana’s story.” They persist, really.” Both of del Rosario’s novels are written in verse, a style From small curiosities grow great ideas. The metaphor that effectively captures the interior lives of the characters. of the turtle tucked into its shell, biding its time until the “I felt like I could capture the emotional quality I was ice clears, was the first spark of del Rosario’s second novel, looking to express,” del Rosario says of the poetry. “I felt Turtle Under Ice (Simon Pulse/Simon & Schuster, Feb. 11), a the story could resonate better. The challenge with verse moving story about two teenagers trying to figure out how is structurally writing a full story with an arc and develop- to live after their mother’s death. ment over time. Putting those pieces together is challeng- Written in lyrical verse that gets right to the heart of ing. If you change something you have to change the whole the story’s emotion, Turtle Under Ice is a young adult novel, structure. You can’t just replace the words.”

164 | 1 february 2020 | young adult | kirkus.com | Young adult fiction is continuously broadening to include stories told in such different, innovative ways. Wit- ness the success of Elizabeth Acevedo’s young adult novel in verse, The Poet X, which won the National Book Award in 2018. Del Rosario believes the genre has also developed to the point where a book can feature diverse characters but not be forced into a predictable storyline. grief itself, the book careens from deep despair to humor to poignancy, fear, remorse, and anger, mirroring the emotional “I put in some details about the girls’ Filipino father, disorientation that comes with such a significant death. By and their mother was a Pacific Islander,” says del Rosa- sharing many particulars about her mother—the foods she loved and hated, the silly in-jokes, her endearing (and annoy- rio, who is Chamorro and Filipina. “But I didn’t want the ing) quirks—Feder personalizes her loss in a way that will reso- book to be about their racial and ethnic background. I nate with members of the “Dead Moms Club,” with whom she wanted it to be about their relationship with each other— describes having an immediate bond. Readers who have not experienced deep grief will learn from the missteps of well- and their mother.” intentioned friends and acquaintances. The pastel-toned illus- That said, she thinks there’s room for more diversity in trations effectively convey Feder’s youth and the intensity of her emotions while emphasizing the ultimate message of sur- young adult literature and publishing in general, especially vival and resilience in the face of life-changing grief. among the gatekeepers. Editors and librarians are mostly Cathartic and uplifting. (Graphic memoir. 12-adult) white, she says, which means there are few people of color at the top of the literary power structure. WHAT I LIKE ABOUT ME “When you’re asking for more voices to be in the pro- Guillaume, Jenna fession, you really need to have people at the table who can Peachtree (304 pp.) $17.99 | Apr. 1, 2020 help foster that relationship,” she says. 978-1-68263-160-7 young adult Del Rosario says she has always gravitated toward young A plus-size Aussie teen learns to adult novels, not just as a writer, but as a reader. Why? love herself when she enters a beauty “They always end with hope,” she says. “There’s still a pageant. lifetime that this character will go through, and the pos- For 16-year-old Maisie Martin, summer vacation is not getting off to a great sibilities are great.” start. Her English teacher, Ms. Singh, demands she keep a journal during the holidays while Maisie Turtle Under Ice and her family—including her wine-swilling mother, her beau- Connie Ogle is a writer in Florida. was tiful older sister, Eva, and Eva’s new girlfriend, Bess—spend reviewed in the Dec. 15, 2019, issue. Christmas in a beach town (Maisie’s dad stays at home due to work commitments). Thankfully Maisie’s best friend, Anna, comes along for the ride and soon hooks up with Maisie’s childhood pal and longtime crush Sebastian, leaving Maisie to face off with Sebastian’s obnoxious best friend, Beamer, who has all the wrong opinions about action movie stars. After connecting with fashion-forward townie Leila, Maisie decides to enter the local beauty pageant that Eva won years before, but Maisie must soon contend with an unexpected romantic entanglement, unwanted press attention for being a larger-than-average contestant, and her own issues with family, friends, and fat. Debut author Guillaume’s novel features funny dialogue and fresh takes on body image and personal relationships as well as a plucky heroine who slowly but surely comes into her own. Most major characters are white; Sebastian is Malaysian and Australian (ethnicities not specified); Leila is Lebanese Australian; and Bess is fat, queer, and proud—all positive representations. Perfect for fans of Dumplin’, a hilariously sweet yet complex romance. (Fiction. 12-16)

| kirkus.com | young adult | 1 february 2020 | 165 Cinematic action and a thrilling climax. deeplight

THE DARK MATTER OF best friend, Jelt, has always been his fierce protector. But Jelt MONA STARR is also manipulative, abusive, and dangerous. Just as new possi- Gulledge, Laura Lee bilities open up for Hark, Jelt coerces him into another reckless Illus. by the author scheme in which Jelt nearly drowns. Hark finds a mysterious Amulet/Abrams (192 pp.) pulsing relic and uses it to save Jelt, unleashing catastrophic $22.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 consequences. Hardinge (A Skinful of Shadows, 2017, etc.) con- 978-1-4197-3423-6 jures up an atmospheric world peopled with sinister smugglers and a stubborn scientist, artful urchins and armed fanatics, rav- An intimate visual exploration of enous gods and wretched priests. The unhurried opening soon depression. escalates into cinematic action and a thrilling climax. The many In this introspective graphic novel, pleasures of this tale include a range of extraordinary female Mona Starr, a sensitive, bespectacled high schooler with a characters and sensitive and respectful depictions of deaf peo- floppy bob, loves journaling, making art, and music. Mona ple and hearing signers. Humans in this world vary in skin tone, struggles with both depression and anxiety, which she imagines but race has no significance; there are few physical descriptors as “dark matter,” an internal shadow she must constantly fight for the main characters. to keep it from consuming her. Mona comes from a comfort- Spellbinding. (Fantasy. 12-adult) able middle-class home with loving, supportive parents. She regularly attends therapy and practices self-care. Although she is doing all the seemingly right things, her journey is arduous: THEY WENT LEFT She faces debilitating physical pain eventually leading to hospi- Hesse, Monica talization for GI issues. Resolving to take her life back, Mona Little, Brown (384 pp.) establishes a personalized self-care plan and surrounds herself $17.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 with “Artners” (a portmanteau of partners and art) who share 978-0-316-49057-3 “creative intimacy.” Mona’s story is loosely based on events from Gulledge’s (Sketchbook Dares, 2018, etc.) own life, which she dis- Well-researched historical fiction about cusses in an introduction and author’s note along with sharing what happened after the Holocaust ended. her own plan for self-care. With an emphasis on both physical So many books tackle experiences in and emotional health, this should appeal to older readers of the camps or the resistance movements, Raina Telgemeier’s Guts (2019). Gulledge’s absorbing black-and- but what happened to the people liber- white art highlighted with bright yellow splashes easily pulls ated at the end of the war? Jewish Zofia, readers into Mona’s innermost thoughts as she strives to bring liberated from Gross-Rosen and then hospitalized, has trouble her own darkness into the light. Mona and her family appear remembering things, like the last time she saw her younger white; her therapist, Dr. Vega, may be Afro-Latinx, and there is brother, Abek, but she knows he is all she has left and that she diversity in secondary characters. needs to find him. Her journey takes her from Poland to Foeh- Quietly arresting and ultimately empowering. (intro- renwald, a refugee camp in Germany. In Foehrenwald, Zofia duction, reading list, soundtrack, self-care plan, author’s begins to rediscover that life holds joy and opportunity. There, note) (Graphic fiction. 12-adult) she connects with other people who have lost everything and yet have found purpose, including Zionists preparing for kib- butz life. She also meets Josef, to whom she is immediately DEEPLIGHT attracted, and continues to follow leads to find Abek even as Hardinge, Frances her patchy memory circles uncertainly around memories that Amulet/Abrams (432 pp.) hide something. Despite the well-researched setting and some $19.99 | Apr. 14, 2020 genuinely touching emotional beats, the novel never really gels 978-1-4197-4320-7 due to absences: intriguing side plots trail off, Zofia has little identity beyond her search for Abek, and the romantic subplot Monsters and mortals collide in this is needlessly convoluted. Judaism plays a minimal role in the fantasy adventure that explores the hyp- Jewish characters’ lives. notic allure of fear, the adamant grip of Notable for exploring an oft-forgotten moment but the past, and the redeeming power of ultimately succeeds mostly as a history lesson. (note on his- stories. tory and research) (Historical fiction. 13-18) For centuries, the islanders of the Myriad revered the murderous, terrifying gods who rose from the Undersea. Now, the gods are 30 years gone, and divers who dare to retrieve scraps of their magical remains can make a fortune—if they can get past the governor’s men. Fourteen-year- old Hark is an orphan who ekes out a living by spinning tall tales to gullible prospects while dreaming of a brighter future. Hark’s

166 | 1 february 2020 | young adult | kirkus.com | LUCY CRISP AND THE to the root of the problem. The combination of Lucy’s naïve VANISHING HOUSE sleuthing and the small-town setting with its quirky, slightly sin- Hill, Janet ister residents, all illustrated in retro-looking full-color portraits Illus. by the author and paintings, firmly mark this as a cozy horror. The meander- Tundra (224 pp.) ing pace picks up with a humorous turn of events, and a hint of $17.99 | Apr. 14, 2020 romance is interjected when the mysterious, attractive Daniel, 978-1-77049-924-9 a teacher at Ladywyck, enters the picture. As Lucy traverses the town, she uncovers its history, studies some shady characters, Lucy is having trouble settling on a and meets friends who help. By the time Lucy is done, she has profession but certainly never expected discovered her path in life. her explorations to lead her to the Teens seeking a terror-free spine tingle are in for a bewitching town of Esther Wren. treat. (Horror. 12-18) It’s when Lucy tries her hand at floral arrangements that a co-worker encourages her to apply to Ladywyck Lodge to train in floristry. Lucy’s acceptance to the program prompts her move from New York City to the quaint town where her father buys her an enchanting—or enchanted—house. As soon as she moves in, things begin appearing. Some are good surprises, such as a typewriter and a cat. But when Lucy sees other people in the house and items start disappearing, she determines to get young adult

| kirkus.com | young adult | 1 february 2020 | 167 INTERVIEWS & PROFILES Fred Aceves

HIS NEW YA NOVEL, THE NEW DAVID ESPINOZA, EDUCATES READERS ABOUT A LITTLE-KNOWN ISSUE: MUSCLE DYSMORPHIA AMONG YOUNG MEN By James Feder Jalil Olmedo “This is an issue I have experience with,” Aceves explains. “I briefly took steroids as a teen, and I also showed signs of disordered eating in my 30s.” That firsthand knowledge was important, he insists, not only because it allowed him to speak to the psychological dimension of the disorder, but because the type of body dysmorphia David suffers from is so rarely talked about that even those affected are often unaware of its existence. Muscle dysmorphia is a subset of body dysmorphia that affects, according to a recent study, nearly a quarter of men in the United States ages 18 to 24. Unlike the more well-known diagnoses of anorexia and bulimia, muscle dysmorphia fuels unhealthy eating and exercise routines in pursuit of gaining muscle. Whereas those with the for- “I knew I was the right person to write this book,” says mer conditions see themselves as fat, no matter their ac- Fred Aceves of his new YA novel. The Mexico-based writ- tual size, someone with muscle dysmorphia looks in the er spent his later teenage years in Tampa, Florida, where mirror and sees a body that is always too small and weak. the pressure to have the “perfect body” was reinforced “The way this disorder manifests itself,” Aceves explains, everywhere he looked, from WWF wrestlers to beachgo- “is you have this goal to get bigger, but the ideal keeps get- ers and bodybuilders. The pressures on young women to ting even bigger. Maybe your goal was achievable in the look a certain way are widely known and discussed today. beginning, but in the end it’s not enough, because you’re But young men are affected, too—Aceves certainly was— never big enough.” and we’re just not talking about it. With his new novel, The realization that maintaining muscle growth re- Aceves is looking to change that. quires continued use of steroids comes as a shock to Da- The New David Espinoza (HarperTeen, Feb. 11) follows vid in the novel, as it did to his creator in real life. Un- the eponymous 17-year-old’s journey in the wake of an es- able to imagine reverting to his old self, David descends pecially public instance of high school bullying. Long ac- deeper into the unhealthy world of his bodybuilding, ste- customed to the abuse of his peers, tall and lanky David roid-using, alligator-wrestling friends (the latter a nod decides to use the summer between junior and senior year to people Aceves befriended during his own time of ste- to bulk up. His initial goal seems reasonable enough; he roid abuse in Florida). The added testosterone coursing joins a local gym and carefully monitors his diet. But his through his body causes him to lash out at those around progress isn’t fast enough. Rather than settling for a more him, eventually driving away even those he didn’t alienate modest goal, he decides to try a round of steroids—just through his constant obsession with his physique. one month, he tells himself, to give his summer routine “I was surprised by the destruction that David allowed a little boost. in his life,” Aceves admits. But at the same time, he says

168 | 1 february 2020 | young adult | kirkus.com | that he saw echoes of himself in the character. “His circumstances were more extreme than mine, but this is what happens with an obsession, with an addiction.” While there is a growing awareness of young girls’ and women’s struggles with body image, when it comes to men, Aceves says, “everyone is clueless.” Part of the problem, he explains, is that when we see young men going THE ACCURSED INHERITANCE to the gym and getting more muscular, we applaud them. OF HENRIETTA ACHILLES And then there’s the fact that celebrities routinely deny Hörnig, Haiko using steroids to gain muscle for movie roles, which has Illus. by Pawlitza, Marius Graphic Universe (96 pp.) the effect of propping up hugely unrealistic goals and $29.32 | Apr. 7, 2020 standards. While doing research, Aceves didn’t simply 978-1-5415-7243-0 run into widespread ignorance of muscle dysmorphia— Series: A House Divided, 1 he experienced outright push back. His posts looking for Orphan Henrietta Achilles inherits people to interview were deleted from message boards, a magical house in this action-packed graphic novel. and the existence of the disorder was regularly dismissed A war 9 years ago left Henrietta an orphan, so she’s sur- by those in the bodybuilding and fitness communities. prised when Renault, a gentleman in a top hat, takes her on a “I just hope this book starts a conversation,” Aceves carriage ride to the mysterious town of Malrenard. She learns she’s the last living relative of an uncle she never met—and he’s says. “I hope that the teens and the young men suffering died and left her an estate with treasure allegedly hidden all over recognize themselves in David, recognize that they are the house. Upon arriving, Henrietta quickly gets pulled into a not alone. Simply knowing that there’s a name for this battle with two groups racing to search for a secret vault hidden inside the house. Cannons boom and swords flash, and dash- disorder is a huge step—I saw that with the kids I spoke ing blond bandit Nate Flemming and his crew come to Henri- young adult to. We can’t change something until we name it.” etta’s rescue. Humor abounds with witty banter, quiche thievery, alienlike creatures riding giant rats, and unexpectedly helpful stone statues that give either directions or riddles. Henrietta’s James Feder is a writer based in Tel Aviv. The New David Es- hesitant to share that she’s the owner of the estate—and when pinoza she’s captured by the rival crew, they laugh at her and lock her was reviewed in the Dec. 15, 2019, issue. in a cupboard. The plot is heavy with setup and brief introductions to numerous characters, laying the foundation for the mysteries of the estate to be revealed in future installments. Pawlitza’s breathtaking illustrations of the skyscraper-sized house will delight while darker, claustrophobic scenes provide a nice emotional balance. Renault is black, and the majority of the cast appears to be white. An entertaining adventure. (quiche recipe) (Graphic fan tasy. 12-18)

RAYBEARER Ifueko, Jordan Amulet/Abrams (368 pp.) $18.99 | Apr. 14, 2020 978-1-4197-3982-8

Sixteen-year-old Tarisai of Swana is commanded to kill the one person in the world she’s sworn to love and protect. Born of a mysterious woman known only as The Lady and her unholy coupling with an ehru (djinn), coily haired, dark- skinned Tarisai is hidden away in the grasslands of her home realm and constantly tested by tutors, preparing her whole life to join the Council of Eleven that will advise the Crown Prince. When she discovers that she was created as a weapon to assas- sinate that same beloved prince, Tarisai embarks on a journey through the 12 realms of Aritsar to discover the truth about her complicated history, hoping for a chance to shine a light on a new path for herself. Debut author Ifueko’s ethnically and

| kirkus.com | young adult | 1 february 2020 | 169 Wildly ambitious, devastatingly raw, and impossibly gentle. the lucky ones

religiously diverse empire is well-built, taking form as it unfurls THE BEST LAID PLANS and blossoms in a way that never feels rushed. This fantasy Lund, Cameron world—where tutsu sprites roam and people are graced with Razorbill/Penguin (368 pp.) a never-ending spectrum of Hallows, or birth gifts—provides $17.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 constant wonder and enchantment and has a tantalizing poten- 978-0-593-11491-9 tial that engages readers. The perfectly paced plot is laid against a backdrop of political unrest and intrigue that explores colo- A high school senior aims to lose her nialist and imperialist themes, ensuring its continued relevance. virginity. The nuanced experiences of the fantasy communities will reso- Keely Collins has grown up with the nate with global, contemporary marginalized peoples and their same small, tight group of kids all her life, struggles against discrimination. making romance a difficult proposition. A fresh, phenomenal fantasy that begs readers to revel It’s hard to feel sexy with someone when in its brilliant world. (Fantasy. 14-18) you’ve seen them eat paste. But after discovering she’s the last virgin standing, Keely resolves to lose her virginity before fin- ishing high school. Luckily, Keely’s earned the attention of her THE LUCKY ONES sexy older co-worker, Dean. While Dean and Keely get hot and Lawson, Liz heavy, Keely’s best friend, Andrew, starts acting weird. If you Delacorte (352 pp.) think you know where this is going, you’re absolutely right. The $18.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 novel takes the “childhood friends figure out they love each 978-0-593-11849-8 other” trope and sprints with it, forgetting to prop it up with complex characters or dynamic plotting. Events spill forward Two teens find each other (and with little regard to pacing save for one element: the sexy bits. themselves) with a little help from their The author’s steamy scenes are appropriately titillating when friends in this story of survival, persever- they need to be and emotionally affecting when it counts. The ance, and hope. book’s scenes of true intimacy and pure sexual energy are well- In alternating first-person narra- crafted set pieces, using heavy petting to illuminate characters tion, two familiar character types— that are stunningly two dimensional before and afterward. loose-cannon May McGintee and awkward try-hard Zach There’s just enough going on here to halfheartedly recommend Teller—are quickly defamiliarized. May is the sole survivor the title, but there’s also enough potential to cause anticipation of a massacre that robbed her twin brother, favorite teacher, for the author’s sophomore outing. All main characters are cued and five peers of their lives. She’s struggled with survivor’s as white; secondary characters are black and Korean. guilt and PTSD ever since, and her best friend, Lucy, is the Read it for the sexy parts. (Fiction. 14-18) only person who keeps her going. Zach has been taking care of his family, especially younger sister Gwen, since his father fell into a deep depression five years ago. When his attorney IN GOOD HANDS mother defends the shooter, almost everybody he knows— Remarkable Female except his best friend, Conor—abandons him. When Lucy Politicians From Around auditions for Conor’s band, May and Zach meet cute. As May the World Who Showed Up, begins putting herself back together, Zach learns what being Spoke Out and Made Change there truly entails. Lawson’s extraordinary knack for navi- MacKendrick, Stephanie gating typical teenage-rule predicaments—parent problems, Kids Can (256 pp.) friend frustration, budding desire—and the most searing cir- $17.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 cumstances—loss, terror, rage, fault—keeps the plot at a boil. 978-1-5253-0035-6 Though shaped like a romance, Lawson’s remarkable debut celebrates love’s many forms, from friends who refuse to be It’s never too early for girls and pushed away to families slowly closing years of distance. Lucy women to get involved in politics—and is Haitian; Conor, Zach, and May are white. this book was designed to show them exactly how. Wildly ambitious and wholly empathetic, devastatingly When former journalist and debut author MacKendrick raw, and impossibly gentle; a must-read in this moment. asked former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright about (author’s note, resources) (Fiction. 14-18) the biggest challenge she’s ever faced, she was shocked at the accomplished woman’s answer: self-doubt. MacKendrick realized the need for a resource to encourage young women interested in politics. The book begins with a series of profiles including those of Canadian politician Michelle Stilwell, who is quadriplegic; bisexual Arizona senator Kyrsten Sinema, the only member of Congress who is openly nonreligious; Taiwan- ese American Boston city councilwoman Michelle Wu; and

170 | 1 february 2020 | young adult | kirkus.com | Jordan’s Palestinian Muslim minister for social development THE #METOO MOVEMENT Hala Lattouf. The profiles, which feature women from Malawi, Parks, Peggy J. Israel, Afghanistan, and New Zealand, not only chronicle the ReferencePoint Press (80 pp.) women’s decisions to run for office, but also the obstacles $30.95 PLB | Apr. 1, 2020 they faced along the way. The final third of the book provides 978-1-68282-761-1 a comprehensive guide to running for office, with information about goal setting, building a support system, volunteering, net- In a tweet heard ’round the world, working, building a campaign platform, and finances; there is #MeToo sparked a movement, igniting a an extensive list of resources. MacKendrick’s text is blunt and fiery, complex conversation about sexual practical without ever feeling unkind; her matter-of-fact tone is harassment. motivating while insisting on self-reflection. Overall the book Parks (Careers in Fashion, 2019, etc.) is useful and encouraging, making it an ideal read for girls with provides a robust history of sexual harassment, beginning with political ambitions. the #MeToo social media movement. Initiated by activist A comprehensive guide for young women interested in Tarana Burke in 2006 and pushed into the mainstream lexicon running for public office.(Nonfiction. 13-18) by actor Alyssa Milano in 2017, #MeToo demonstrates solidarity among people who have experienced sexual harassment. Parks begins with the hashtag, then details allegations against SWORD IN THE STARS the rich and famous, like Harvey Weinstein, and elected offi- McCarthy, Cori & Capetta, Amy Rose cials such as Al Franken. She also relates the stories of those who Jimmy Patterson/Little, Brown (320 pp.) have spoken up, including Taylor Swift and journalist Gretchen

$18.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 Carlson. Parks pushes the narrative beyond a tale of victim young adult 978-0-316-44929-8 and victimized to one of victors: She correlates the #MeToo Series: Once & Future, 2 movement with the historic rise in women elected to state and federal offices in 2018, asserting that the #MeToo movement A band of heroes travels through played a significant role. #MeToo sparked a wave of legislative time to put an end to King Arthur’s trag- interest and workplace policies to address sexual harassment, edy and save their future from corporate but not without unintended consequences. Parks explains some corruption. of the serious externalities that resulted: a presumption of guilt In this second and final installment against the accused, diminished opportunities for women to be of a science-fiction reimagining of Arthurian legend, Ari, Mer- mentored by male colleagues, and retaliation against accusers. lin, and their friends crash into the past to steal a magic chalice Men and boys are also mentioned as targets of sexual harass- from Camelot. They are guided by their quest to set the spirit ment. Ample color photographs add interest, and sidebars offer of King Arthur free from his cycle of reincarnation and put a important contextual information. stop to Mercer, a murderous mega-corporation. However, their A comprehensive examination of sexual harassment plans fall apart when they find themselves entangled in the leg- and #MeToo. (source notes, further reading, index, photo end—love triangle included—with Ari in the role of Lancelot credits) (Nonfiction. 12-18) and Gwen married to Arthur. Meanwhile, Merlin ages backward every time he uses magic. One false move could disrupt their whole timeline. Capetta (The Storm of Life, 2020, etc.) GIRLS SAVE THE WORLD and McCarthy (Once & Future, 2019, etc.) have crafted a fast- IN THIS ONE paced, turbulent plotline with satisfying twists and luscious Parsons, Ash queer romance. Throughout they critique the whitewashing of Philomel (432 pp.) medieval European history and, particularly, Arthurian retell- $17.99 | Apr. 14, 2020 ings. Their cast of characters displays an intentional diversity 978-0-525-51532-6 of identities, including polyamorous. Encounters with Merlin’s past self and conflict with the Lady of the Lake explore the June Blue has a solid plan—make question of what makes someone a villain. Without rushing, special memories with her friends Imani the story resolves through a path of healing from the trauma and Siggy at the highly anticipated of the past. ZombieCon! and not think about life after A heroic finale.(Science fiction. 14-18) high school. At least, that is the plan until real zombies take over: Now June and her friends must save the day! The time has finally come for June, Imani, and Siggy to experience the rush of ZombieCon!, the fan convention centered around their favorite show, Human Wasteland—a huge event for their small town to host. June has carefully laid out every detail, from floor plans to an itinerary, in order to capitalize on their most significant adventure yet. She

| kirkus.com | young adult | 1 february 2020 | 171 thought her biggest problems would be avoiding former bestie ELYSIUM GIRLS Blair (who stole June’s not-quite-boyfriend) and braving the long Pentecost, Kate lines to meet her favorite actors. But at an all-cast panel, chaos Disney-Hyperion (400 pp.) ensues, causing everyone to question the reality of the very con- $17.99 | Apr. 14, 2020 cept they’ve gathered to celebrate. Now they must fight their 978-1-368-04186-7 way out of the convention center and save their town with June leading a motley cast of characters, some of whom are not well Debut author Pentecost mixes fleshed out. Parsons The( Falling Between Us, 2018, etc.) success- base notes of dystopia with steampunk fully maintains a fast, humorous pace with heartfelt moments and mythic fantasy in Depression-era and palpable enthusiasm for zombies while also inserting social Oklahoma. commentary about allyship for people with marginalized iden- On April 14, 1935, Black Sunday, tities and the portrayal of women in horror. June and Siggy are 6-year-old Sal Wilkerson and her fellow white; Imani is black and Korean. townspeople come face to face with the Dust Soldiers, minions A ravenous read. (Horror. 12-18) of the goddesses Life and Death, who present a terrifying challenge: They have been unwittingly thrust into the Game and given 10 years to establish an equitable and harmonious soci- MEET ME AT MIDNIGHT ety or face annihilation. The community galvanizes behind the Pennington, Jessica enigmatic bruja, Mother Morevna. As the end of the decade Tor Teen (336 pp.) nears, Mother Morevna names Sal her Successor, taking her $17.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 on as an apprentice in the magical arts. Meanwhile, a mysteri- 978-1-250-18766-6 ous stranger with unexplained knowledge of the Game arrives at the gates of Elysium. Sal must use her skills to discover the Love sparks as a summer rivalry turns truth and reveal secrets hidden by her mentor, the stranger, into a summer romance. and the marginalized victims who fight for survival beyond Since fellow swimmers Sidney Wal- Elysium’s walls in order to win the Game. In this matriarchal ters, who’s auburn-haired, and Asher society where young women are gifted with magical ability, race Marin, with brown hair and magnetic becomes a major source of conflict. Though the book tackles blue eyes, were 13 years old, their fami- themes of intersectional feminism and what it means to build lies have spent every summer vacationing together at the Five a more just world, big reveals and climactic moments often feel Pines Resort and Lake House. Sidney and Asher have spent perfunctory and rushed, leading at times to awkward pacing. Sal those summers as enemies, constantly trying to outdo each is white; her best friend is black; the supporting cast includes other with elaborate pranks such as putting self-tanner in sun- Mexican American and Native characters; and there is a same- screen, lacing toothpaste with cayenne pepper, and spiking sex romance. the shower with cherry Kool-Aid so it dyes everything red. It’s A not-always-successful genre-bender that is sure to Sidney and Asher’s last summer before college, and their quest find a niche.(Fantasy. 14-18) to outdo one another results in a prank that goes one step too far, costing their families their summer rentals. Forced to call a truce, their true feelings about each other begin to surface, POEMS TO SEE BY and they’re faced with something even scarier than slipping in a A Comic Artist Interprets room covered in mayonnaise: falling in love. In her novel told in Great Poetry Sidney’s and Asher’s alternating first-person perspectives, Pen- illus. by Peters, Julian nington (When Summer Ends, 2019, etc.) crafts two believable Plough (200 pp.) teens ensnared in a hate-to-love romance that is addictingly $24.00 | Mar. 31, 2020 enjoyable. The comedic matchup between Sidney, a meticulous 978-0-87486-318-5 overthinker, and the charming yet snarky Asher will have readers rooting for the duo. All main characters are assumed white. Visual adaptations of 24 short poems A steamy, prank-filled summer romance that readers mostly from the 19th and 20th centuries. will devour. (Romance. 14-18) Graphic artist Peters (Stairs Appear in a Hole Outside of Town, 2014, etc.) has thematically arranged the content in quartets so that, for instance, Emily Dickinson’s “Hope Is a Thing With Feathers” and Maya Angelou’s “Caged Bird” (with two others) appear under “Seeing Yourself,” and Edgar Allen Poe’s wonderfully morbid “Annabel Lee” joins three others about “Seeing Death.” Siegfried Sassoon’s “Before the Battle” is set in the World War I trenches, but Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “Ozymandias” is just one of several in which different eras flicker past (in this case, a masked gunman brandishes an

172 | 1 february 2020 | young adult | kirkus.com | Shows that Earth’s salvation lies in the diversity of its people. one earth

Islamic State group flag in one late panel), and some, such as JACK KEROUAC IS DEAD “Caged Bird” and Langston Hughes’ “Juke Box Love Song,” are TO ME montages or abstractions. The selections likewise encompass Polisner, Gae a range of moods and media, from a twinkly black-and-white Wednesday Books (288 pp.) manga version of W.B. Yeats’ “When You Are Old” to poignant $18.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 watercolor scenes illustrating Robert Hayden’s “Those Winter 978-1-250-31223-5 Sundays.” The text is easy to follow, even when incorporated into the art, and the poems are reprinted at the end of each Will JL jump on the back of her boy- piece. The only serious misstep is the inclusion of Carl Sand- friend’s motorcycle and light out for Cal- burg’s “Buffalo Dusk,” with its hopelessly simplistic line, “Those ifornia to see her dad—or stay on Long who saw the buffaloes are gone”—compounded by images of Island with her mother? ghostly Native Americans on horseback by a modern highway. Jean Louise, or “JL”—named for Fresh angles aplenty for poetic encounters. (preface, author Jack (Jean-Louis) Kerouac—has grown up with both her poetry credits) (Graphic poetry collection. 12-16) mother and grandmother fixated on the fact that in 1961, her then-teenage grandmother was kissed by Kerouac in a restaurant in their hometown of Northport, Long Island. JL is baffled INTO THE DEEP by their fascination (and likely so will most teen readers today Science, Technology, and the be). However, as a high school sophomore, JL has bigger wor- Quest to Protect the Ocean ries. Her father has moved to California for work, and it is Peterson, Christy unclear when he will return. Her mother is sinking into a dis-

Twenty-First Century/Lerner (152 pp.) sociative state, writing letters to the dead author. Her former young adult $39.99 PLB | Apr. 7, 2020 best friend, Aubrey, has found new friends. JL finds solace in 978-1-5415-5555-6 her relationship with her 19-year-old boyfriend, Max (who is a stereotype of the bad boy with a heart of gold), and in rais- Explore the ocean with over a dozen ing tropical butterflies from a kit her grandmother bought for oceanography professionals who use her. The major strengths of the book are deft deployment of technology to further their scientific the emerging butterfly theme, first-person narration by a strong research and counter the effects of cli- and insightful character, and honest descriptions of JL’s sexual mate change. relationship with Max. Unfortunately, JL’s mother’s mental ill- Clearly organized chapters are divided into two sections, the ness is portrayed shallowly, the Kerouac element is not very first about the ocean’s physical properties and the second about compelling, and the setting is indistinguishable from Anytown, marine animals, starting with microscopic phytoplankton and USA. All characters seem to be white. progressing to blue whales. The main text of each short chap- A serviceable exploration of teen relationships. (Fiction. ter focuses on a research question currently being studied using 13-18) technology. The engaging narration is augmented with easily digestible scientific information presented in callout boxes and profiles of professionals from around the world, many of them ONE EARTH women, with primary source quotations that provide a glimpse People of Color of potential career paths and advice on how to gain experience Protecting Our Planet at school and in the field. Throughout, readers are reminded Rao, Anuradha that science and technology can help humans learn more about Orca (208 pp.) the ocean in order to make better choices to protect our planet. $24.95 paper | Apr. 7, 2020 Visual context is provided through illustrated diagrams and 978-1-4598-1886-6 color photographs showing professionals and their equipment in the field as well as images captured during expeditions. Most Conservation biologist Rao intro- scientific terms are defined contextually and/or in the glossary. duces 20 “environmental defenders” Written by an experienced and passionate STEM nonfiction who are black, Indigenous, and people author, technical specificity is deftly balanced with engaging of color, inspiring young readers and writing in this title that is perfect for homework and leisure environmentalists. exploration. When Rao entered the environmental field decades ago, A captivating and well-researched deep dive into ocean- she didn’t encounter many people who looked like her. But, she ography. (glossary, source notes, further reading, index, writes, “my culture and my passion for the earth are linked,” and photo credits) (Nonfiction. 12-18) she shows how that is the case for the defenders she interviewed for this book. Indonesian Muslim urban designer Nana Firman had limited results talking about “sustainability” and “conservation” with communities; when she identified Islamic founda- tions for stewardship, she found language that connected people

| kirkus.com | young adult | 1 february 2020 | 173 Expertly brings to life the pre-AIDS world of San Francisco’s gay neighborhoods. music from another world

to the cause. Oakland native Rue Mapp founded Outdoor Afro SOMEBODY TOLD ME to connect African Americans to nature by holding space for Siegert, Mia the histories of injustice and exclusion black Americans have Carolrhoda (272 pp.) experienced in outdoor spaces and using a social justice lens to $18.99 | Apr. 7, 2020 create safe and welcoming outdoor experiences. These environ- 978-1-5415-7819-7 mental defenders hail from all over the world and vary greatly in ethnicity, culture, age, and religious background. The ways in An agnostic, bigender teen moves in which they protect the Earth vary too, but their messages echo with their Catholic aunt and uncle after each other with hope in what can happen when people come being sexually assaulted. together and make small changes that add up. Each short biog- Chapter headers indicate if the pro- raphy, enhanced by attractive color photographs and engaging tagonist currently identifies as Aleks sidebars, also illustrates how the defenders came to their cho- (male, using he/him pronouns) or Alexis sen paths—thought-provoking reading for young people figur- (female, using she/her pronouns). Aleks/Alexis cuts off all con- ing out their own contributions. tact with their cosplay community after these former friends This valuable compilation shows that Earth’s salva- enabled their assault. When Aleks/Alexis discovers that their tion lies in the diversity of its people. (glossary, resources, new room beside the church allows them to overhear confes- index) (Nonfiction. 12-18) sions, they decide to secretly aid troubled parishioners. When they hear the confession of a priest who is molesting boys—and when their uncle, the priest receiving confessions, absolves him RAD AMERICAN HISTORY A-Z rather than stepping in—Aleks/Alexis determines that drastic Movements and Moments action is needed. Aleks/Alexis narrates in a heavy first person That Demonstrate the Power that is colored by the shame, anger, and self-hatred they feel of the People as a result of their trauma. The novel’s strongest element is Schatz, Kate the authentic bigender representation: Aleks/Alexis’ frequent Illus. by Stahl, Miriam Klein ruminations on their relationship to gender and presentation Ten Speed Press (176 pp.) ring resoundingly true. Though Aleks/Alexis’ parents model an $19.99 | Mar. 3, 2020 excellent support system, readers should prepare for intense 978-1-9848-5683-8 transphobia and homophobia from other characters. Unfor- Series: Rad Women tunately, the story’s pacing is off-kilter, with some elements rushed and others overly convenient. Though some character An examination of social movements that changed U.S. his- moments feel real, others lack nuance. Olive-skinned Aleks/ tory and culture. Alexis has Russian Jewish heritage on their dad’s side; their The team of Schatz and Stahl, collaborators on the Rad crush, Sister Bernadette, has brown skin; the ethnicity of most Women series that explores the impacts of women and progres- other characters is not specified. sive movements, in their latest entry present challenges to the Authentic bigender representation is tempered by an status quo in U.S. history. In addition to centering little-known ill-flowing narrative. (author’s note, topics for discussion) incidents, the focus is on grassroots organizations and under- (Fiction. 14-18) represented individuals who pushed for change and responded to injustice. When familiar narratives are included, it is with an original perspective. The creators are clear about their point of MUSIC FROM view: “These are the stories and truths that many people would ANOTHER WORLD prefer to deny, the details that often get ignored, glossed over, Talley, Robin sanitized, or left out—especially in history books.” The role of Inkyard Press (384 pp.) Harriet Tubman as a spy and operative in the Civil War’s Com- $18.99 | Mar. 31, 2020 bahee River Raid highlights another side of her work as a libera- 978-1-335-14677-9 tor of enslaved persons. A look at Jane Addams and Hull House shines a light on support for immigrants in the late 19th century. As the national gay rights battle Details about the Black Lives Matter and the Youth Climate heats up in the summer of 1977, two movements provide useful context about contemporary activ- high school girls from disparate Califor- ism. Attention is also paid to the arts, including music, theater, nia communities are paired in a pen pal and visual art. The lively writing and the complementary black- assignment. and-white illustrations make this an enticing read. Useful side- Tammy Larson is from a conservative Christian community bars and additional definitions expand upon the main text. in Orange County. She is forced by her family to participate in A concise and intriguing survey of the relentless fight activities in support of Anita Bryant’s anti–gay rights crusade in for social change. (notes on the illustrations, index) (Nonfic Florida. Tammy knows she is gay and fears the wrath of her Aunt tion. 12-16) Mandy, a church leader. Sharon Hawkins lives with her mother and brother in San Francisco. She is keeping her brother’s gay

174 | 1 february 2020 | young adult | kirkus.com | identity a secret while also trying to figure out her feelings for WITCHLIGHT her boyfriend—and for girls. The book’s structure includes Zabarsky, Jessi Tammy’s and Sharon’s letters interspersed with Sharon’s diary Illus. by the author entries and Tammy’s unmailed letters to her idol, gay rights Random House (208 pp.) leader Harvey Milk. The girls’ growing trust in each other $16.99 paper | Apr. 14, 2020 makes Sharon’s home the logical place for Tammy to flee fol- 978-0-593-11999-0 lowing a crisis at home. The author expertly brings to life the pre-AIDS world of San Francisco’s gay neighborhoods, the A girl and a witch go on a quest vitality of the nascent gay rights movement (including welcome to reunite the witch with her missing details about the often overlooked lesbian community), and the powers. punk rock scene. The book’s strengths include good pacing, a Lelek is a witch who travels through respectful acknowledgment of bisexuality, and satisfying per- the land cheating townsfolk to survive. sonal and political denouements. Both girls are white; there is Sanja witnesses her conflict with a disgruntled customer and ethnic diversity in secondary characters. the magical fight that ensues. Lelek, after seeing how expertly This queer novel stands out thanks to the 1970s San Sanja wields a sword, kidnaps Sanja so that she can learn from Francisco setting and punk vibe. (Historical fiction. 13-18) her how to fight. Sanja insists that Lelek stop cheating people. The girls decide to move from town to town challenging witches to battles and charging spectators for tickets as they I WISH seek to restore Lelek’s missing magic. Along the way, they make Tellegen, Toon friends and enemies, fall in love, and learn to trust. As Sanja’s

Illus. by Godon, Ingrid past catches up to them, the girls’ journey takes a turn for the young adult Trans. by Colmer, David worse, and Sanja must save Lelek’s life. Zabarsky’s (contributor: Elsewhere Editions (105 pp.) Tim’rous Beastie, 2017) illustrations give texture to the abundant, $22.00 | Mar. 31, 2020 fantastical natural setting. A mix of bright pastels and dark 978-1-939810-32-8 panels set the tone for this eccentric story. Dream sequences and flashbacks provide in-depth insights into Sanja and Lelek, This Dutch import pairs portraits furthering their characterizations and their relationship to one with poetry to articulate wrenching indi- another. The minimal text will occasionally force readers to vidualism, yearning, humor, desires, and pay close attention to the visual cues and the meandering plot. pathos. Lelek is brown skinned and Sanja is white and fat; secondary Transfixing faces—mostly pale, all moon-shaped and with characters are diverse in skin tone. unsettlingly wide-set eyes—conjure mildly unnerving sensa- A charmingly illustrated story with a strolling pace. tions in readers, who will seek to understand, empathize, or at (Graphic fantasy. 12-18) least interpret their expressions. These faces aren’t posing or posturing; they’re flat on the page, laid bare. Older children and teens, in particular, keenly aware of feelings, faces, and masks, will dwell upon these ambiguous, baffling visages. Colmer’s sensitive translation emerges as crucial, as the pictures’ powerful poignancy begs for explanation. Voiced in the first person, one of Tellegen’s poems appears opposite each portrait, expressing the characters’ deeply personal wishes and ringing with their unique phrasing and particular timbre. “I wish happiness was a thing and I / found it somewhere and took it home with me,” confides Carl, one of the book’s few kids of color. Piero, a white boy, grumbles, “I would like first of all to express my sincere thanks / to whoever gave me my looks. / I mean: IN-sincere. / Because I look horrible.” The kids’ names are printed close to the book’s gutter, bridging language and art. These many portraits and poems beg to be leafed through and read in several sittings, as they house too much emotional energy to digest in one read. This probing psychological journey makes for an exciting exploration in empathy. (Picture book/poetry. 12-16)

| kirkus.com | young adult | 1 february 2020 | 175 indie These titles earned the Kirkus Star: DISPLACED Baker, Bridget E. Purple Puppy Publishing (490 pp.) WHEN DEATH IMITATES ART by P.D. Halt...... 183 $17.99 paper | $4.99 e-book Oct. 11, 2019 UNBLINDED by Traci Medford-Rosow & Kevin Coughlin...... 188 978-1-949655-14-8

THE NIGHT IS DONE by Sheila Myers...... 189 A superhuman teen heiress must survive first love and her twin sister’s homi- THE TOWN WITH ACACIA TREES by Mihail Sebastian; cidal ambitions in this novel. trans. by Gabi Reigh...... 193 Seventeen-year-old Chancery Alam- echa is an evian, a member of a genetically pure race in which humans are a corrupted subset. Evians can live for up to a millennium. They are faster and stronger than humans and can heal themselves from all but the most severe injuries. Chancery’s mother is almost nine centuries old and is ruler of one of the six evian families, to which human leaders pay obeisance. Evian succession defaults to the youngest daughter—in the case of the Alamecha family, Chancery’s twin sister, Judica. Chancery and Judica look alike but have very different personalities. Whereas Chancery is compassionate, Judica is cold and cruel. While Chancery daydreams about living in the human world, Judica trains in single combat (the evian way of settling disputes) and remains consumed by hatred for her sister. The protagonist has no ambition, but when her mother is murdered, having just changed her heirship document to name Chancery, everything changes. More than ever, Judica wants Chancery dead. Chan- cery must face her in a duel to the death or live forever in exile. She has 10 days to decide. She chooses to spend this time in New York, training with Edam, Judica’s former bodyguard, for whom Chancery has more than a crush, and attending a human school, where she meets Noah Wen, the debonair youngest son of a Chinese magnate. Will Chancery return to face certain death at the hands of her sister? And who will win her heart, Edam or Noah? In this fantasy romance series opener, Baker (Finding Liberty, 2019, etc.) writes simply but effectively in the first person, present tense. The evian world is immediately compelling, emerging naturally from the story and offering some nice points of difference from the more standard fantasy fare of elves and vampires. Chancery is a relatable protagonist, WHEN DEATH IMITATES ART and the other characters remain distinct without drawing too Halt, P.D. much from stock types. The genre mix is not without issue—for Black Opal Books (290 pp.) some, the romance and fantasy intrigue will make uneasy bed- $13.49 paper | $3.99 e-book fellows—but nonetheless the story swiftly progresses, deftly Feb. 24, 2018 playing to the escapism desired by YA and new-adult readers. 978-1-62694-887-7 A fast-moving, engaging tale in what promises to be an epic fantasy romance series.

176 | 1 february 2020 | indie | kirkus.com | FINDING HOPE BEYOND COFFEE A Birthmother’s Journey Into A Sustainable Guide to the Light Nootropics, Adaptogens, Baker, Hope O. and Mushrooms Lioncrest Publishing (158 pp.) Beshara, James with Engle, Dan & $15.99 paper | $6.99 e-book Haynes, Katherine Oct. 21, 2019 Monocle Publishing (146 pp.) 978-1-5445-0486-5 $11.99 paper | $3.99 e-book Nov. 4, 2019 A birth mother recounts each stage of 978-1-5445-0545-9 the adoption process in this debut memoir. Baker was 21 years old when she dis- A health science guide examines covered that she was pregnant. The conception of her son was alternatives to caffeine. a “college, one-time thing,” and the father’s first reaction to the At age 26, Beshara was diagnosed with a heart condition news was that she should get an abortion. The author was also that required him to drastically cut down on his caffeine con- told by her mom that she “wouldn’t be a good mother.” Decid- sumption. For the young business owner, the recommendation ing against a late-term abortion, Baker began scouring adoption seemed impossible. “I took it for granted that coffee was the books for prospective parents—finally finding the “holy grail” ambitious person’s best friend,” writes the debut author in his of an adoptive parent living in California. The author recalls introduction, but after five years of experimentation, “I have how she briefly relocated from Minnesota to Hollywood to learned about the different compounds from around the world

live with her “son’s mother” during her pregnancy. She details that allow me to consume a fraction of the caffeine I used to, yet young adult the complexities of parting with her son after the birth and the produce a multiple of the energy and productivity that coffee subsequent feelings of loneliness and mourning that led her to once delivered.” In this book, Beshara takes readers on a jour- alcohol and drug abuse. The uplifting book goes on to examine ney into the world of nootropics, adaptogens, mushrooms, anti- how Baker rebuilt her life with the intention of demonstrating inflammatories, and other noncaffeinated methods of keeping that “open adoptions can be successful, even if they’re messy the body energized throughout the day. Nootropics—a broad at times.” The most striking aspect of Baker’s writing is her category of compounds intended to improve cognitive func- directness. Not one to mince words, she writes of the adoption that run the gamut from safe and healthy to dangerous and tion process: “Let me tell you, I was fucking broken. Over and addictive—take up the bulk of the volume’s pages. They include over again, a little more every day.” She also outlines her actions alphabet soup compounds like Omega-3 EPA and Alpha-GPC with a selfless clarity: “I knew it was the right decision for my as well as obscure plants like ashwagandha and bacopa monnieri. son’s life at the time, even if it didn’t feel best for mine. I did it Adaptogens are destressing agents. Beshara structures the work for him.” The author’s frankness makes for powerful, engaging like a series of product reviews, giving each compound or plant prose, particularly when she speaks directly to readers: “This a sustainability score (how safe it is to consume regularly) as well shit hurts. Let it. Slowly, you can start to let light in little by as discussing how well it works and any negative side effects it little.” This characteristically blunt conversational style occa- might have. Panax ginseng, for example, receives a sustainability sionally lacks descriptive flair: “The only way I can describe score of only three out of five (too low for the author to recom- that time was that it was an utter shit show.” But this is more mend). While this adaptogen has displayed signs of improving than compensated for by Baker’s contagious, positive attitude cognitive performance in Alzheimer’s patients, “Panax ginseng that encourages birth mothers to seek self-acceptance and stop must be avoided in pregnancy. It has been shown to increase the perceiving themselves as “irrevocably broken” by stating boldly: risk of birth defects. Continuous use should also be limited to “I’m still broken, but I see those cracks as opportunities.” Other six months or less due to its hormone-like effects on the body.” books of this type tell of similar odysseys, but few exhibit the Beshara’s book—written with Engle (The Concussion Repair lucidity and conviction found here. Manual, 2017) and debut author Haynes—is short at just A forthright, insightful, and empowering account of a over 120 pages, but it features an extensive bibliography that difficult journey. includes the many studies on which the text is based. Those who are looking to consume less caffeine will be intrigued by this extensive list of alternatives, though nothing the work describes sounds quite as good as a regular cup of joe. A worthy, comprehensive exploration of supplements to improve brain function and energy.

| kirkus.com | indie | 1 february 2020 | 177 spinning eco-tales

With the widespread damage to SECLUDED SUMMER AT the Great Barrier Reef, a spate of cat- HIDDEN HAVENS astrophic hurricanes, an increase in Black Farley, Wendy infectious diseases related to global BookBaby warming, and the fires in the Amazon rainforest and Australia, the climate In Black Farley’s (Season’s Shadows, change picture turns darker every day. 2019, etc.) novel, the head of a liter- Influenced by such dire events, some ary agency swaps places with a writing authors have decided to explore the teacher for a summer, and both find love tragic consequences of this relentless and intrigue. assault on Mother Earth in eco-fiction. Until she was 16, Benita Sotolongo spent her summers in New York state’s Adirondack Moun- Kirkus Indie recently reviewed three novels in this category. tains at Hidden Havens, a 19th-century tavern and inn. Now In The Fourth Generation, by Roy Mankovitz and Alan the successful owner of the Soto Literary Agency in Miami, Mankovitz (a father and son team), Benita has made plans to return to New York once more to the world faces two deadly plagues. temporarily trade places with popular writing teacher Maren The mysterious outbreaks may be Scott. Maren will screen a massive amount of new manuscripts linked to Veregro, a manufacturer of at Soto as Benita takes over Maren’s popular summer school insect repellent and seeds. A com- writing seminar—much to the chagrin of its students. The new settings offer new opportunities for both women; Benita pany executive joins forces with a reconnects with old flame Troy Bradshaw while inspiring her former Veregro attorney to quick- doubtful students to start a collaborative novel called Secret ly search for answers. According to Trust, which follows an 18-year-old boy who wins the lottery. our reviewer, “Readers will turna the Maren, meanwhile, finds herself entangled with Soto’s interim pages with their stomachs in knots, CEO, Kendrick Harrington, while untangling an unsettling hoping that some biological solu- mystery involving forged manuscripts. Black Farley’s book is a lighthearted romp, offering a modern, less-serious spin tion can be found” in this “frighten- on a campus novel. Its short chapters bounce back and forth ing” eco-thriller. between the Adirondacks and Miami, with numerous interjec- A key figure in Ted Bernard’s Late-K Lunacy turns out tions from Benita’s students’ novel. Benita and Maren both to be Katja Nickleby, an academic and author of Over the find romance in their new circumstances, and their relation- Cliff, a 21st-century Silent Spring. Her protégé becomes a ships are sweet and inoffensive, with nothing controversial or professor at Gilligan University, where a student uncovers excessively steamy beyond occasional innuendo. The dialogue an energy magnate’s plot to procure the mining rights to is often flirtatious, and the gossip between characters is downright infectious; the occasional small talk, though, can meander the college’s old-growth forest. While investigations reveal a bit, causing brief lulls in the action. Readers will be charmed massive corruption, a bigger disaster looms. Our critic calls by the author’s descriptions of the Adirondacks and by Benita’s the book “a passionately cautionary eco-tainment tale that beloved Hidden Havens, with its rich history and its feeling of cross-pollinates an impressive garden of genres.” midsummer whimsy. The melting of Antarctica’s ice A fun tale of two women’s summertime adventures, caps results in a new frontier in K.E. featuring compelling dialogue. Lanning’s Listen to the Birds. Unfor- tunately, the continent’s first-gen- THROUGH A SOBER LENS eration settlers must contend with A Photographer’s Journey a dangerous Christian cult trying Blanchard, Michael to poach animals in a refuge. Then Photos by the author the cult kidnaps a team of scientists Genevieve Press (100 pp.) $29.95 | Dec. 12, 2019 working there. “Like the best eco- 978-0-578-49159-2 fiction, Lanning’s tale will get the audience thinking seriously about the A compilation of photographs and musings shares the story effect every human endeavor has on of a man’s struggle to overcome alcoholism. the ecosystem,” our reviewer writes. —M.F. In May 2010, Blanchard (Fighting for My Life, 2014)—a former marathon runner and the COO of a Maine company— passed out in his car on the side of the road after drinking Myra Forsberg is an Indie editor.

178 | 1 february 2020 | indie | kirkus.com | vodka and taking Xanax. When a state patrolman approached becomes a huge hit, his skyrocketing popularity fueled by social his car, the author woke up and tried to speed away. This was media. The principal reason he isn’t immediately caught? Most the third time in three months he had been arrested for alco- people are unwilling to turn him in. As one political strategist hol-related crimes. With his marriage in deep trouble and the succinctly puts it, Harry encapsulates all the things the public prospect of jail time, he was extremely depressed and decided at large is fed up with: “Of politicians and lobbyists, of back- to end his life. Fortunately, he was sent to a psychiatric hospi- room deals and huge corporations getting all the breaks while tal, where he received compassionate, professional help and a they cheat and exploit people like him. He’s sick and tired of referral to a rehab program. Blanchard took his last drink on all that and he’s sick and tired of being sick and tired.” Captur- July 26, 2010, and though it wasn’t easy, he used several tools, ing this feeling of cultural frustration is one of Bloom’s (Hello, such as therapeutic writing, to remain on a sober path. One of My Name Is Bunny!, 2018, etc.) chief strengths. At first, Harry his greatest pleasures was taking photographs of picturesque seems unsure why he assaulted the senator, but that ambiguity places, especially his beloved Martha’s Vineyard. A self-taught isn’t ambivalence—like the electorate of which he is a micro- photographer, the author replaced vodka with the natural highs cosm, he’s seething with anger. The author masterfully allows he received from studying and shooting lush landscapes, like that contempt and confusion to cohabitate within the story. peaceful seaside sunrises. Hoping to inspire others who strug- Budd’s character is the one misstep—he’s drawn hyperbolically gle with addiction, he offers this captivating collection of more into a cartoon caricature, especially conspicuous during a grim than 50 color photos of mostly outdoor subjects—like a majes- sex scene. However, that lack of sensitivity is only so obvious tic red-tailed hawk appearing at South Beach and the brilliant precisely because it’s such a stark departure from the thought- Gay Head Cliffs glowing in a sunset’s light, both on Martha’s fulness of the rest of the book. Vineyard—along with his pensive thoughts about recovery and A rollicking, funny, surprisingly thoughtful sendup of

sobriety. Blanchard’s beautiful photos are often calming reflec- the current climate of political discontent. young adult tions of his words. For example, when he discusses how drinking kept him in a shell in which he didn’t have to share his true self with others, he includes a compelling photo of a spiral light- THE PROBLEM ISN’T house stairway, which looks shell-like. Meandering from topic THEIR PAYCHECK to topic—a thoughtful examination of the pain his bad deci- How To Attract Top Talent sions caused is followed by a list of personal affirmations and a and Build a Thriving moving anecdote about a Facebook friend’s death—Blanchard’s Company Culture eloquent prose is easy to browse and ponder. Botma, Grant An engaging volume that offers lovely photos and stir- Lioncrest (200 pp.) ring reflections. $14.99 | $14.99 paper | $6.99 e-book Oct. 11, 2019 978-1-5445-0543-5 SALT OF THE NATION 978-1-5445-0541-1 paper Bloom, Matt Adelaide Books (202 pp.) A debut guide offers management advice from a successful $19.60 paper | $7.99 e-book small-business owner. Mar. 28, 2019 This short yet substantive book presents a compelling case 978-1-950437-27-6 for focusing on company culture rather than monetary com- pensation. Botma, who built and runs a financial brokerage In Bloom’s satire, a New Jersey man firm, writes passionately about his belief that employee moti- punches out a Republican senator cam- vation is based not on the size of the paycheck but on three paigning for the presidency and becomes fundamentals: freedom, affirmation, and purpose. He begins by a national sensation. discussing the “mindset shift” he went through when a valued Harry McBride is an ornery gravel employee resigned. By evaluating the loss, he realized “I hadn’t worker in New Jersey. Just like his father who left him, his formally created a purpose, defined it, and woven it into my “prospects of escape diminish[ed] with each year spent swing- business.” The remainder of the manual dissects the three fun- ing that big scoop shovel.” When he has the opportunity to damentals; each is covered in a chapter with relevant examples shake the hand of Idaho Sen. Joseph P. Landon, a “true blue and a few select references to other sources. At the end of each Republican” running for president, he clocks him in the face chapter, the author includes “Rebuttal,” in which he anticipates without so much as uttering a word. A stunned Landon ends and addresses objections (a nice technique to quell uncertainty up in the hospital with a broken nose and tailbone, and Harry about adopting his ideas); “Key Takeaways,” a bulleted sum- somehow eludes capture by Secret Service agents and flees with mary of the section’s content; and “My Intentional Actions,” the intention of making it to Mexico. Grover Budd, a bombas- blank lines to be filled in by readers. The text is largely based on tic radio personality clearly modeled on Rush Limbaugh, tries Botma’s experience managing his own business, but he also uses to demonize Harry, suggesting he’s part of a conspiracy orga- the lessons he learned to counsel others. For example, he dem- nized by the Democratic Party to humiliate Landon. But Harry onstrates ways in which he enabled employee freedom, such as

| kirkus.com | indie | 1 february 2020 | 179 taking his staff to a spring training major league baseball game money concerns, ring true. And principal Jeanne Martinez and on a workday. (The author’s company is located in Arizona, counselor Mrs. Sovich are sympathetic adults. The story also where some teams hold spring training.) Botma was confident presents a powerful lesson about the effects of bullying. The his employees would get their work done despite the outing. He ethnicity and race of the characters are not stated, although the concludes: “When you don’t trust your employees, you are stuck book cover shows a young white girl and there is a mention of either doing everything yourself or micromanaging everyone Sammy’s best friend’s Japanese grandparents. around you.” In writing about affirmations, the author wisely A relatable female protagonist and a meaningful mes- distinguishes between positive and negative messages conveyed sage about the relationship between hurt and anger. by management, offering a useful nine-step implementation process. He writes that using affirmations correctly can change an employee’s attitude “from confidence killer to killer confi- WHITE RAIN dence.” Perhaps most important, Botma asserts, is providing Canfield, Joel employees with a “unified purpose” for their efforts. (Purpose joined at the hip (376 pp.) is an important theme in the powerful book.) The final chapter $15.99 paper | Sep. 24, 2019 neatly ties the three fundamentals together. 978-0-9975707-3-1 Well-crafted and heartfelt management tips; a dose of humanity particularly appropriate for driven entrepreneurs. In this fourth installment of a series, a private eye—out of commission for nearly a year—tries to regain lost memo- SAMMY AND THE DEVIL DOG ries and stumbles on a nefarious plot. Brown, Susan Sixty-year-old Max Bowman has no CreateSpace (286 pp.) idea how he ended up in “the Commu- $9.95 paper | $3.99 e-book nity.” He knows he’s a former CIA operative, but the last few Sep. 30, 2017 years of his life are a blank. After Howard, an old friend, vis- 978-1-5447-9935-3 its, Max learns he’s in a Florida retirement home (of sorts) for agents who may know too much. He stops taking his medicine A grade schooler’s determination to and makes a daring escape via motorized cart. But the life he’s tame a fearful, aggressive pup with love slowly remembering has drastically changed in only 10 months. brings both trouble and unexpected His girlfriend, Angela Davidson, has wed lobbyist Dudley change in this children’s novel. “Duds” DeCosta. It’s not a happy marriage and Duds readily Everything has gone wrong for agrees to a divorce at Max’s request. The condition is that the Samantha “Sammy” Connor since the death of her beloved private investigator must attend fundraisers for Sen. Eddie di grandfather Papa Jack. She and her single mom had to move Pineda’s reelection campaign. Max’s vouching for him will ease after he died; money is short; and Sammy is messing up at her the senator’s ties to conspiracies swirling around the detec- elementary school. The girl also feels distanced from her mom, tive’s last few cases. At the same time, Max believes an enemy an artist who spends a lot of time in her ceramics studio. When he thought he killed is still alive, at least according to cryptic, Sammy sees chained-up pup Jack being cruelly mistreated by grammatically inaccurate texts he’s receiving. Soon, the PI and school bully Brian Haydon’s teenage brothers, she persuades Angela’s son, Jeremy, called PMA (for Power, Mind, Action), her classmate to sell Jack to her, earning the money by reading find themselves in the middle of another conspiracy of world- to an elderly woman at the local seniors’ home. Sammy soon wide proportions. As in earlier books, Canfield’s Red ( Earth, wonders, though, if kindness will be enough to change the 2017, etc.) latest entry—supposedly the final volume starring barking, lunging, destructive “devil dog” into a loving pet. She Max—boasts an often humorous tale and a progressively convo- comes to see a parallel in Brian’s anger when she witnesses him luted plot. Though initially the hero is simply piecing together being denigrated and physically abused by his bad news broth- returning memories, the story ultimately focuses on the myste- ers—and comes up with a plan to rescue him too. But “why was rious yet clearly sinister scheme. But the best moments involve it that when she tried so hard, things kept going wrong?” Jack Max’s reunion with Angela and PMA. Max even acts like a nosy chews things up, won’t listen, and nips at people. Brian comes father to “the kid,” asking about his love life and offering his to school with bruises and keeps shoving kids and mouthing off unsolicited opinion that PMA’s last boyfriend “wasn’t the right to teachers. Then a shockingly violent incident occurs, bring- guy.” Max has been cynical throughout the series, but in this ing eventful consequences for Jack, renewed closeness between bracing and enjoyable tale, readers will surely sympathize with Sammy and her mom, and the girl’s sad realization that she him as he hears what he’s missed (primarily in 2017). His reac- can’t be Brian’s rescuer. As her mom says, “people have to fix tion to Donald Trump as president and Coke Zero becoming themselves.” In this novel, Brown (Not Yet Summer, 2017, etc.), Coke Zero Sugar is apropos: “What the hell had happened to a prolific author of books for ages 9 and up, offers - anaffect the world in the past ten months?” ing portrait of a young girl struggling to recover a sense of sta- A comically eccentric detective gets a terrific and fit- bility after a profound loss. Sammy’s ups and downs with her ting send-off. mom, who is caring but self-absorbed with professional and

180 | 1 february 2020 | indie | kirkus.com | Cole argues persuasively for dream interpretation’s utility in resolving internal conflicts and aiding self-discovery. morpheus speaks

MORPHEUS SPEAKS WAKE UP, WANDA WILEY The Encyclopedia of Diamond, Andrew Dream Interpreting Stolen Time Press (186 pp.) Cole, R.J. $9.99 paper | $2.99 e-book | Nov. 1, 2019 iUniverse (602 pp.) 978-0-9963507-9-2 $39.99 paper | $3.99 e-book Jul. 31, 2019 A character attempts to make her 978-1-5320-7006-8 author a better writer in this comic novel from Diamond (To Hell With Johnny A psychologist offers a guide to the Manic, 2019, etc.). symbols and potential meanings of dreams. Author Wanda Wiley’s subconscious Cole’s (The Archipelago of Dreams, 2011, etc.) book, the has a long-term resident. She’s Hannah third he’s written about dream interpretation, is intended to Sharpe—a willful runaway who has failed to make the final be more of a manual on the practice. After a lengthy introduc- draft of any of Wanda’s 18 romance novels due to her recalci- tion, wherein the author explains his background working with trant personality—who lives in a Victorian farmhouse sur- children and teens, the utility he has found in dream interpreta- rounded by foggy, nebulous Nowhere. Now the political thriller tion, and the various inspirations and motivations behind this that Wanda is ghostwriting, The President Has Been Stolen, has volume, the main body of the work is divided into three sec- produced a roommate for Hannah. Trevor Dunwoody is a not- tions. The first and most extensive section is a dream dictionary, too-bright alpha male who doesn’t immediately grasp that he is where symbols and concepts are listed alphabetically and given temporarily out of his book, stashed—like Hannah—in a time-

short descriptions and definitions as to their potential or most less netherworld. Hannah would love to get away from Trevor young adult commonly held meanings. Some entries have special portions and onto the pages of a real novel, but Wanda can’t come up called “Insights,” in which Cole delves more deeply into the with anything for her. Wiley’s imagination isn’t helped by all spiritual, historical, or cultural wellsprings for the concepts in the marijuana she’s smoking to self-medicate her depression, Western thought. The second section is devoted to archetypes, the result of her six-and-a-half-year toxic relationship to skirt- symbols that appear in similar forms throughout most cultures, chasing professor Dirk Jaworski. Can Hannah enlist Trevor in while the third focuses on nightmares. Uncredited, amateurish, her effort to inspire Wanda to leave Dirk, get a grip, and write yet charming hand-drawn illustrations are sprinkled through- them out of their depressing morass? Or will the insidious influ- out the book. Although dream interpretation may seem like ence of selfish men—in Wanda’s personal life and in the publish- one of the stranger practices in the field of psychology, Cole ing industry—keep Hannah trapped forever? Diamond’s prose argues genially and persuasively for its utility in resolving inter- is funny and barbed, particularly the dialogue between Hannah nal conflicts and aiding self-discovery while being careful to and Trevor. He takes aim at genre conventions and their unre- distinguish it from scientific analysis. Calling dream interpreta- alistic treatment of characters. “You’ve been living in a world of tion “an intuitive expression of the psyche,” the author roots male fantasy,” Hannah tells Trevor about the series of which he the practice in such similar impulses as art and spirituality and is the star. “In the real world, not every woman is a hot babe. In makes clear throughout that his exhaustive work in these pages the real world, the forensic scientist earns her position through is intended to serve as a guide, not a definitive resource. Read- brains and hard work. And not every woman falls into bed with ers who are skeptics by nature may not hold much truck with a man just because…he has a big pistol and is good at shooting the idea that dream interpretation could be useful. But Cole’s it off.” Wanda’s waking life, which involves insecurities sur- intelligent, reassuring prose coupled with his insights into the rounding her career and relationship as well as a new potential mind’s workings gained from three decades of working with romantic partner, serves as an emotional ballast against the troubled youth makes a strong argument for his claims. metafictional struggles of Hannah. Together, their narratives Intelligent discussions and broad research into cultural make an argument for better fiction that is both clever and sur- and spiritual symbols make this work about interpreting prisingly compelling. dreams a resonant, thoughtful read. A well-crafted literary satire with something to say about genre fiction.

| kirkus.com | indie | 1 february 2020 | 181 MY EPIDEMIC RUNNING WITH MY An AIDS Memoir of One Man’s HEAD DOWN Struggle as Doctor, Patient An Entrepreneur’s Story of and Survivor Passion, Perseverance, Faulk, Andrew M. and Purpose Self (240 pp.) Fiume II, Frank V. $24.95 | $16.95 paper | $9.99 e-book Greenleaf Book Group (208 pp.) Dec. 1, 2019 $20.95 | $9.99 e-book | Oct. 1, 2019 978-1-73342-910-8 978-1-62634-641-3 978-1-73342-911-5 paper An entrepreneur shares the trials A survivor of the AIDS epidemic and tribulations of building his softball- chronicles his unique role as both doctor and patient in this related businesses. debut memoir. Fiume’s debut is broken into four parts, roughly equiva- Faulk was a physician during the AIDS epidemic. In fact, lent to the developmental phases of building a business. Part from 1984 to 1991, he limited his practice to patients with HIV, 1 traces the author’s traumatic childhood, which included his a population for whom the disease was viewed as a death sen- parents’ divorce and a period of poverty. The author’s love tence. The author possessed one thing that many other doctors of baseball sustained him, but his father’s influence pushed of the time did not: He was infected with HIV himself. “In spite him into an unwanted career in medical industry sales. Still, of my efforts to separate the two roles of doctor and patient,” he Fiume’s passion was for sports, which led to the development recalls, “every patient’s illness became a mirror of my own dis- of his first business, the Amateur Ballplayers Association Soft- ease. Every time I walked into an examination room I was seeing ball League. In Part 2, he tells of how the league became a me, talking to me, diagnosing me—in every patient I saw, I saw regional success and how he decided to go to the next level by myself.” With this book, Faulk recounts his singular experience starting a franchising company called i9 Sports. In this part of straddling both sides of the AIDS crisis. It is, in part, a narrative the book, the author clearly reveals some of the most challeng- of death: The author treated some 50 patients who died as well ing aspects of running a franchise business, and it will be par- as his partner and many of his friends. (As he labored to make ticularly valuable to anyone considering becoming a franchisor them comfortable, he assumed his own death was imminent.) or a franchisee. The evolution of the business is recounted It is also a narrative of one community’s tremendous courage, in Part 3; Fiume realized the necessity of hiring a president empathy, and triumph in the face of an existential threat and a for the company while he struggled with his changing role in wider culture that turned its back on it. From his time in medi- the business. The author also writes frankly of his struggles cal school, when he first caught wind of the disease at the edges with diet pill addiction and burnout. Part 4 effectively dem- of his social circle, to his long and ultimately tragic relationship onstrates the somewhat chaotic ups and downs of his busi- with his partner, Jack, to his current marriage and activism all ness: “Never solve a problem by creating a new, bigger one,” these years later, the author offers an account of love, loss, grief, he warns. Readers also learn of the author’s “persistent feel- and survival. Faulk’s prose is warm and wistful, and he describes ings of deep discontentment” despite i9’s success. Perhaps the the people in his life with great admiration and generosity. His most intriguing aspect of this final part is Fiume’s account of bedside manner is present even in his descriptions of the hard the wrenching process of selling a company. Throughout this times, as when he had to inform people of their diagnoses: “As memoir, the author observes his own behavior with a critical part of this strategy, I wouldn’t answer questions which weren’t eye, exhibiting candor and humility. He’s bravely unafraid to asked; I would wait for the patient to lead me to their hopes and admit his flaws, and his tale sometimes depicts the unsettling fears. I wouldn’t rush. I would take my time.” The author’s expe- effects that his work had on him and his family members. rience makes him particularly suited to speak about the scope A cautionary but ultimately uplifting business book. of the epidemic, and his story is a valuable window into a time that was not long ago and yet has become so difficult to imagine. An affecting AIDS account from the epidemic’s trenches.

182 | 1 february 2020 | indie | kirkus.com | The author captures the edgy atmosphere of Germany’s art and club scenes in the ’80s. when death imitates art

WHEN DEATH trader traveled alone, attempting to make money in a neighbor- IMITATES ART ing city. He overheard two brothers discussing the location of Halt, P.D. a hidden treasure: a cup of great power that showed its owner Black Opal Books (290 pp.) visions of the past and future. The trader imagined himself in $13.49 paper | $3.99 e-book possession of it: “With such powers I could rule / with greater Feb. 24, 2018 sanity, I swore, / than these cruel and heedless / rulers with their 978-1-62694-887-7 cruel and senseless wars.” He presented himself to the brothers as a desert guide, able to lead them to the remote Devil’s In Halt’s debut mystery, an art gallery Springs that they sought. At the springs, the trader encountered co-owner is sent a painting depicting her the eponymous demon of the well, who made an infernal deal slain in a bathtub—and then the scene with the man in exchange for the cup. It was a pact that would plays out for real. have consequences that still plague the trader—and his coun- In 1980s Cologne, Germany, American Amanda Lee and try—in the storyteller’s present. Hendricks’ tale has an ancient German Marlene Eichler own the Lee Eichler Gallery. Glam- quality to it that comes both from its setting and its form. Told orous Marlene laments her divorce from prominent architect in rhyming couplets, the poem reads like something concocted Wolf Eichler, with whom she remains friends. However, she by one of the Fireside Poets: “I was growing quite impatient / also enjoys high-end shopping, posh salon visits, and sex with when at last he reappeared. / And brandishing the magic cup, / wealthy, married art collectors and pickups at questionable he brought it up quite near. / ‘A bargain is a bargain / as a trader clubs. A major show is about to open at the gallery, featuring would agree. / And now for this handsome treasure / you must the death-inspired works of leading artist Klaus Kruger. Art give your soul to me.’ ” The imagery, which the author says was

critic Dieter Becker works with Marlene to promote it, and inspired by the landscapes of the Tarim region in modern China young adult he feels entitled to kickbacks from gallery sales for his efforts. and by the path of the historical Silk Road, is evoked with skill Amanda refuses, infuriating the critic, who hides a dark past. and subtlety. There are a few lines where the rhymes feel forced Then Amanda finds Marlene slashed to death in a bathtub, and or the rhythm gets clunky, but overall Hendricks manages to it turns out that Marlene had received a mysterious package at sustain an aura of mystery and magic. One could imagine hear- the gallery—one that contained a painting of her own future ing the poem read aloud around a summer campfire or on a murder. Kommissar Fredrich Grutzmacher and his underling chilly winter night. Ernst Rudolf investigate both Amanda and Wolf as poten- An old-fashioned narrative poem that deftly captures tial suspects. Readers will find this chilling story hard to put the deadly wonder of the Silk Road. down, as the crimes (yes, plural) are gruesome and the suspects, numerous. The author, who once lived in Germany, captures the edgy atmosphere of that country’s art and club scenes in EATING FOR PREGNANCY the ’80s, and she offers richly developed characters along the Your Essential Month-by- way; at one point, for instance, the entitled Marlene insists that Month Nutrition Guide and a married lover appear with her in public at an expensive res- Cookbook, 3rd Ed. taurant—where she then orders a pricey bottle of champagne. Jones, Catherine & Hudson, Rose Ann with Indeed, luxury is everywhere in vivid descriptions of cashmere Knight, Teresa and silk attire, high-performance sports cars, and fine wine and Da Capo Lifelong Books (416 pp.) food. The pacing is also well calibrated as the action moves $18.99 paper | Jul. 2, 2019 from scares in the dark to sensual trysts. 978-0-7382-8510-8 An engagingly written mystery featuring art, glamour, sex, love, and murder. This third edition of a nutritional guide offers recipes, menus, and health advice geared to all phases of pregnancy, from preconception to post-delivery. THE DEMON OF THE WELL Before launching into the figurative and literal “meat and Hendricks, James B. potatoes” portion of this collection of 150 healthy recipes for BookBaby (74 pp.) pregnancy, the authors include a lengthy introductory section $14.00 paper | Jan. 18, 2020 that provides detailed information about nutrition as it relates 978-1-5439-9334-9 to the well-being of mother and child. This portion features a list of do’s and don’ts for the “pregnancy journey” and charts An old caravan trader tells a tale of that show optimal caloric intake and weight gain during each treasure and greed in this long debut poem. trimester. Other sections explain the essential roles of macronu- With a bit of cajoling, a group of trients, such as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, as well as the children convinces an old trader who nutritional functions of vitamins and minerals as related to the lives in the town’s “caravanserai” to tell process of growing a tiny being inside one’s body. Specific sec- them his story—one he seems reluctant tions are dedicated to those with special diets, either by choice, to talk about. Years ago, in a time of war and instability, the such as vegetarian or vegan, or by necessity, such as lactose- and

| kirkus.com | indie | 1 february 2020 | 183

INTERVIEWS & PROFILES Judith Moffett

A WRITER AND ACADEMIC DELVES INTO ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIPS OF HER PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL LIFE By Rhett Morgan

It wasn’t! I never set out to be anything but a poet, and in fact nearly all my work is related to poetry in one way or another. The different genres just sort of happened as I went along through my life, had different experiences, and got interested in different things.

What drew you to SF? I read a lot of science fiction and fantasy growing up—the books available in the children’s section of the public library in the 1950s. I don’t know why fantastic fiction appealed to me so much; I’m not sure any of us who grew up loving it understands exactly why the attraction was so intense, but I think as a group, we were probably rather “different” from the other kids. I was a compulsive reader; I needed to believe that life could be other, and better, than the one I was living.

What first made James Merrill so fascinating to you? It’s hard to explain an initial attraction to a total stranger. Easier to say what it wasn’t: not a romantic spark, not shared activities and interests (apart from poetry), not a sense that here was an admirable character. He was alto- Judith Moffett has earned awards and recognition for gether different from anyone I had ever met before, a sort 12 books across six different genres, but her recent memoir, of alien being in midwestern Wisconsin….These things Unlikely Friends, which earned a Kirkus Star, focuses on her are mysterious! You recognize something in the perfect singular friendship with the poet James Merrill. After taking stranger that can take years—decades!— to figure out.Un - his class at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the two likely Friends spends a lot of time struggling to unravel the corresponded for the rest of Merrill’s life as Moffett became nature of that initial fascination. a professor herself, undertook translating the work of Hjal- mar Gullberg from Swedish to English, and began to write Why did you decide now to write about the personal re- SF novels. A poet and academic at heart, she spoke with us lationship you had with him? about Merrill’s lasting influence on her work. Despite a strong desire to add what I could to the Merrill legacy, fill in the picture from my own unique perspective, Why has it been important to you to work in such a I could see that I would have to say a lot about myself as wide range of genres? well in order for the story to make sense. And I felt that

184 | 1 february 2020 | indie | kirkus.com | readers would want to know about the Great Poet, not about me. But I had kept a journal throughout the years of our friendship, had saved all his letters, and I am, after all, an academic as well as a writer! To own such a wealth of primary material and not use it to contribute anything to literary history felt wrong.

Why was it important to share your many years gluten-free, with extra detail given to the vitamin and mineral needs of those who do not consume animal products. The reci- of correspondence? pes that follow this exhaustive introduction are divided into The letters of writers are so often collected and pub- nine chapters, one for each gestational month. Each begins with a brief introduction describing ongoing fetal development lished because they are fascinating to readers. It’s like and nutritional needs. Recipes are designed to be both tempt- eavesdropping on a private conversation between the ing and nourishing. Even the exceedingly simple offerings sug- poet and their various friends. Merrill was one of the last gest additions for the adventurous, such as sliced scallions or curry powder mixed into the basic egg, celery, and mayonnaise great correspondents; he had dozens and dozens, maybe base of “Pr-Egg-O Salad.” Others deliver easy-to-prepare, res- hundreds, of friends with whom he exchanged letters taurant quality entrees while minimizing cleanup. For “Baked Salmon and Broccoli Rabe with Scallion-Ginger Sauce,” the regularly, and the letters are brilliant! And also, I wanted authors suggest cooking everything on one parchment-lined Jimmy to speak for himself in the memoir. The relation- baking sheet. Most recipes supply ideas for side dishes to make ship had its ups and downs; I didn’t want anyone to doubt meal planning easy. Jones (A Year of Russian Feasts, 2002, etc.), an accomplished cookbook author; Hudson, a licensed and that what I reported about him is grounded in fact, in his registered dietitian; and Knight, a physician, bring a wealth of own actual words, often quoted at length. expertise to the project. Their informational chapters are well researched and documented with extensive notes, and the recipes are varied and appealing. While the work’s tone is authorita- In revisiting your friendship, what surprised you tive, it is also caring and informal, like a warm conversation with young adult the most? a knowledgeable friend. A comprehensive manual for healthy eating that could The biggest surprise was how consistently I had misinter- become a pregnant woman’s most helpful resource. preted Merrill’s attitude toward me. I thought all along that I had remained more or less on trial with him. Again TANGLED UP IN CHRISTMAS and again, I saw tolerance and patience in the letters Jones, Lisa Renee where I had recalled irritation. I certainly tried that pa- Entangled: Amara (352 pp.) tience, but he put up with me in a far kindlier way than I $7.99 paper | $5.99 e-book Oct. 29, 2019 had remembered. That was a happy discovery. 978-1-64063-762-7

A young woman runs into an old flame Rhett Morgan is a writer and translator living in Paris. in her Texas hometown in this romance. Once a Texan, always a Texan—or so the saying goes. This is certainly true for 28-year-old Hannah, who’s just moved back to her hometown of Sweetwater in October after a botched attempt to make it in Los Angeles. At first, she has no job prospects in sight and nowhere permanent to live— until she runs into her ex-boyfriend Roarke Frost. Although Hannah’s memories of how he broke her heart come rushing back, she can’t help but notice how handsome he still is, and the way that he says her name makes her weak in the knees, just like it did all those years ago. But as she starts to make a life for herself and hone her photography skills, she vows to avoid entanglement with Roarke at all costs. This proves to be easier said than done, though, as it seems that he’s everywhere she goes—and she can’t stop thinking about him. Will she be able to stay focused while avoiding the mistakes she once made? The dialogue is snappy and funny throughout, and Hannah’s encounters with Roarke generate some satisfying sexual tension, which only escalates as the story goes on; at one point, Hannah observes that Roarke’s “brown eyes are still that warm milk chocolate, but I was always the one who melted in the heat of any moment spent

| kirkus.com | indie | 1 february 2020 | 185 with this man.” It’s easy to sympathize with the protagonist stress in order to minimize the condition. in her attempts to start afresh, and the concept of running A lucid guide to burnout with valuable content for away from a painful past is relatable. Although this romantic employees, employers, and medical professionals. narrative is a bit predictable, an intriguing conflict develops halfway through the story that feels realistic and consistent. There are also thought-provoking themes of forgiveness and WHERE THERE IS MOVEMENT second chances, and the later Christmastime setting gives Knapp, Evan the story an upbeat tone. Self (69 pp.) A light, enjoyable novel with pleasant holiday cheer. $4.99 paper | $1.99 e-book | Sep. 9, 2019 978-1-68740-400-8

AM I BURNED OUT AT WORK? A gay teen from a small Oregon A Self-Care Solution town falls in love with dance and a self- Khan, Salar A. destructive new-wave underground in Archway Publishing (204 pp.) this debut coming-of-age memoir set in $26.95 | $12.95 paper | $0.99 e-book the radical 1980s Portland arts scene. Oct. 14, 2019 Knapp was in seventh grade when 978-1-4808-8332-1 his queerness and nonconformity trans- 978-1-4808-8331-4 paper formed him from an “outgoing, popular, naive little limpet” into a constant target of bullies and jocks. Embracing his status, he A physician offers a prescription for found a home among “the thespians, the smokers, punks, mods, overcoming burnout. the Wave-os” and in the local ballet studio, where he could According to Khan (Unlocking the express his emerging self. His parents, a kindergarten teacher Natural-Born Leader’s Abilities, 2017), “workplace burnout and a college music professor in the town of Corvallis, Ore- is becoming a national epidemic,” and it has not yet been gon, were well-meaning people who had little idea of how to identified as “purely a medical or psychiatric illness.” The deal with their maverick son except to be carefully willing to author’s antidote is a “self-care solution”; he offers intelli- let him distance himself from them. Recognizing this offer gent, if at times repetitive, advice to diagnose and treat burn- of freedom as a form of rejection, the author explored his out. Khan begins with lyrics to a “Burnout Awareness Song” emerging sexuality and his art, concealing his self-conscious - as well as “Burnout Self-Care Poetry,” both of which seem a ness with “eyeliner and a lotta what-have-yous.” He eventu- bit odd, yet they immediately put the problem on a personal ally abandoned the security of his family home and ran to level. Of greater significance is the material concerning self- Portland, where he became part of the desperate and thrill- assessment in the first chapter; in addition to addressing how ing community of the “lost, those who’d evicted hope.” High personality plays a role in the condition, the author includes on a cocktail of artistic camaraderie, sexual discovery, the a scoring tool that helps readers determine their burnout lev - “tangible magic” of dance, and the dangers of the emerging els. Khan then presents some research regarding the condi- AIDS epidemic and homophobic violence, he turned experi- tion followed by a discussion of workplace burnout. One of ence into movement. Knapp’s prose is energetic, defiant, and the more engaging and perhaps strongest aspects of the book roguishly cadenced, as he evokes the youthful state of being is how the author relates burnout to the medical profession. “teenager know-it-all strong,” driven by cacoethes, the urge He provides useful advice for primary care doctors about the toward the inadvisable. He is especially successful in convey- diagnosis of burnout (again using a scoring tool), but he also ing his transcendent love of the freedom of dance and his adds a very personal element to the book by discussing his rebellion against the snooty strictures of conventional bal- own professional experience with the condition. During his let’s efforts to turn him into a “Ken doll forklift.” The short, career as an attending physician and pulmonologist, Khan cacophonous narrative is satisfyingly taut up to the final was under tremendous pressure as his responsibilities dra- pages, where it ends with a jarring abruptness just as it takes matically increased; he had “to learn how I did all that extra a dark turn into sexual violence. hard work with excellence without severe burnout.” His keen While the ending feels rushed, this lively account of insights and observations of himself and others lend a par- youth culture adroitly evokes its time. ticularly powerful element to this manual. Later, the author identifies what he believes are “eighteen phases of burnout,” describing each one and adding his recommendations for dealing with it—instructive, if somewhat overwhelming. It is the “Step-by-Step Self-Care Solution” that is likely to be the most pertinent portion of the volume. Here Khan gently but firmly walks readers through a series of steps to avoid burnout and treat it. He also talks about how to prevent future burnout and offers some helpful ways to reduce workplace

186 | 1 february 2020 | indie | kirkus.com | The book is a thoroughly enjoyable coming-of-age tale of a somewhat precocious girl finding her way. seoul food

SEOUL FOOD QUEST-TERRESTRIALS Short Stories of a Vol. 2 Korean American Living Król, Malgosia in Los Angeles Illus. by the author Koo, Sarai Sowka Publishing (42 pp.) SPICES Publications (202 pp.) $16.99 | $11.99 paper | Oct. 30, 2019 $14.95 paper | Jun. 28, 2019 978-1-9990618-1-4 978-0-9907750-1-0 978-1-9990618-0-7 paper

A writer shares anecdotes from her The Quest-terrestrials return in this picture-book sequel, youth in Los Angeles County’s Korean sharing good news about what humans are doing to save their American community in this debut memoir. own planet. The child of South Korean immigrants, Koo, along with When the adorable titular aliens return to Earth, they dis- her siblings, was forced to abide by certain traditional customs cover that “the planet is drowning in garbage,” much to the dis- when she was growing up. This included respecting elders, like may of sea creatures and mermaids. However, the “Q-ts” soon her grandmother, even when their behavior was somewhat find out that humans are working on solutions, and author/illus- bizarre: “Without our permission, my dad’s mom rampaged trator Król (Quest-terrestrials, 2018) reveals real-world initiatives through our house with a pair of silver shears, grabbing and that are making a difference in the amount of trash. The aliens cutting pieces of our clothing, big blankets, and any available discover sculptures made from old flip-flop shoes in Kenya, patches of fabric….She took those pieces of old and new fabric recycled musical instruments in Paraguay, “newspapers rolled

to make oddly-patched small pillow covers.” Sometimes this into logs” that ease the burden on the forests of Norway, and young adult traditional Korean worldview was shocked by the reality of the roads made out of recycled tires in Canada, among other efforts. family’s American surroundings: Koo’s father’s first gas station Of course, the Q-ts have their own solution to garbage: eating it. was on Crenshaw Boulevard in South Central LA, and a few Król’s aliens have the same lovable sense of humor that they did months after he sold it, the building was set on fire during the in the first installment, and their silly antics, including moose- city’s riots in 1992. But there was no shortage of other Koreans riding in Canada, are sure to keep readers giggling while they in LA County, and Koo’s childhood was an often hilarious clash learn about cool environmental initiatives. The author’s soft- between her American-born peers and her parents’ immigrant edged, cartoonish digital paintings are also full of funny details. generation. At the center of it all, there was always a table laden Adults may wish Król had added a list of the locations and proj- with traditional food: jeon, bibimbap, banchan, bulgogi, and ects depicted in the book, however. even the Korean adaptation of the American hamburger (or An inspirational, environmentally minded tale of hambegeo, as the author’s mother called it). Koo’s prose is con- delightful, colorful aliens. versational and amusing, managing to make both Korean and American cultures appear simultaneously alien and familiar: “Ken had long bangs that dangled to the sides of his chin. He was THE AMERICAN WAY a young eleventh grade ‘wangsta,’ a wannabe gangsta, who wore OF EMPIRE baggy clothes….He often went to noraebangs to drink, smoke, How America Won a World— and sing the latest Korean songs with his fellow wangsta friends, But Lost Her Way and sometimes he got into trouble.” The book is a thoroughly Kurth, James enjoyable coming-of-age tale of a somewhat precocious girl Washington Books (464 pp.) finding her way in a particularly loud and chaotic environment $20.00 paper | Dec. 5, 2019 where the old and the new rested side by side and not always 978-1-7331178-2-1 comfortably. Additionally, the work captures a specific time and place in the history of LA and the so-called “Third Wave” of A remarkably comprehensive account immigration to the United States. of the history of American foreign policy A compelling and often funny account of growing up in coupled with unflinching predictions of one of America’s Korean enclaves. its future. Kurth (Political Science Emeritus/Swarthmore Coll.; Fam ily and Civilization, 2008, etc.) notes that the general consensus in the international community is that “we are now nearing a major inflection point in world history”—one marked by the nearly certain end of the “American Empire” and the diminish- ment of its global influence. The height of the United States’ power, he says, will be from 1945 to 2020—the “American Cen- tury”—within which the nation managed to rebuild Europe after its victory in World War II and successfully defeat the Soviet Union in the Cold War. With dizzying scholarly breadth,

| kirkus.com | indie | 1 february 2020 | 187 the author traces the development of America’s foreign policy pictures. Coughlin also achieved sobriety and took up medita- from its inception, marking the birth of its imperial stature in tion, prayer, and ayurvedic practices. His physical and spiri- the late 19th century—specifically, the Spanish-American War tual health improved, which helped him deal with the loss of and aggressive expansion into Latin America and the Carib- another job and a beloved guide dog. Fifteen years after becom- bean. Kurth explores the nation’s cultural and ideological tra- ing blind, his sight began to return, but he already saw life dif- ditions in his search for the nation’s identity—one that abides ferently. He began a journal (reprinted as an appendix), in which despite oscillations in ideology among liberalism, conservatism, he cites “patience, prayer and turmeric” as “the corner stones and socialism—and argues that Protestantism, as practiced by of my journey out of the darkness.” Each chapter closes with Americans, shows moral deterioration due to “successive depar- a selected journal entry, foreshadowing and eventually merging tures” from its original version. One could reasonably criticize with the narrative. Medford-Rosow (Inflection Point, 2015) and the book for attempting to traverse too broad an intellectual debut author Coughlin skillfully condense two decades into 33 landscape. Still, this is a compellingly astute study and a bril- easy-to-read vignettes about Coughlin’s challenges, setbacks, liant indictment of the “extraordinary ambition, pride, greed, and breakthroughs. This results in a multilayered account that and fantasies” that left American influence “in ruins.” Over the works on several levels, offering granular details of the blind- course of this book, Kurth’s analysis is astonishingly exhaustive; ness experience, detailing the difference between physical sight he impressively covers the failings of the Iraq War, as well as the and personal vision, and highlighting the redemptive power of dangers of plutocracy, and he presents a conclusion that’s nei- healing. The authors convey Coughlin’s spirituality and faith ther fatalistically grim nor cheerily hopeful: The United States without being preachy, and they balance poignant moments will surely lose its worldwide dominance, he asserts, but not with workaday complaints and unvarnished assessments of necessarily its prominence, and it will continue to persuasively Coughlin’s behavior and relationships. The patient delivery offer the “most attractive…of the ways of life.” In order to do allows this truly exceptional story to speak for itself. this, he says, it needs to maintain its technological superiority An emotional account of a remarkable personal odyssey. and recapture its economic strength. A stunningly original work that provocatively explores the heights and depths of America’s global stature. DRUIDS ARE FROM OUTER SPACE, ALIENS ARE FROM ENGLAND UNBLINDED Murphy, Len One Man’s Courageous Illus. by Catling, Andy Journey Through Cooper Murphy (298 pp.) Darkness to Sight $12.99 paper | Dec. 2, 2019 Medford-Rosow, Traci & Coughlin, Kevin 978-1-08-781100-0 Morgan James Publishing (201 pp.) $27.95 | $16.95 paper | $12.99 e-book In this debut YA novel, two teenage Apr. 10, 2018 siblings host a foreign exchange student 978-1-68350-784-0 who plunges them into a mystery involv- 978-1-68350-782-6 paper ing aliens and Illinois crop circles. In the greater Chicago area, the household of teen siblings This biography chronicles a man’s Natalie and Chase Dailey is hosting a British foreign exchange sudden vision loss, his self-reinvention, and his seemingly student named Fletcher Jain. Clever Chase suspects there’s miraculous partial recovery of sight. more to the newcomer than meets the eye when he spots a In New York City in February 1997, Coughlin’s sight began mystery woman giving Fletch a secret envelope at the airport. deteriorating. Five days later, he was completely blind—stricken When a crop circle and a mutilated cow come to light in the in his 30s by a rare, irreversible genetic disorder of the optic rural countryside, Fletch—actually an affiliate of an interna- nerve that normally affects teens and young adults. Already tional flying-saucer investigation network called UFORB—is alcohol-dependent, he was soon unemployed and dependent uncommonly interested and gets the eager Chase and the on disability checks. He confronted countless challenges in somewhat skeptical Natalie to join him for their own personal navigating city life, including physical barriers, inconsiderate sleuthing. In a parallel plotline, somewhat confusing but even- strangers, and bureaucratic delays. In his favor, however, were tually merging with the Daileys’ part of the narrative, professor his persistence and his preternatural ability to enlist help from David Wu has written a book featuring the thesis that advanced others. For example, he persuaded a clerk to sell him a cane ancient alien explorers landed in the British Isles, interbred without the required mobility certification, and an ally at Gay with humans, and gave rise to legends of wonder-working “Dru- Men’s Health Crisis helped him join a support group of HIV- ids.” He is also here, in Deadwood, Illinois, prompted by the positive blind people even though he was upfront about being mysterious death of a reader who promised to reveal to Wu a HIV-negative. He continued to pursue his love of visual arts whole list of humans next scheduled to be “abducted” by UFOs, and photography by engaging a curator to narrate museum vis- thus enabling the professor to catch space intruders in the act. its and a sighted Alcoholics Anonymous colleague to help take But Wu’s meddling gets him and his own teenage daughter,

188 | 1 february 2020 | indie | kirkus.com | The ending offers a compelling cast of complex and emotionally stranded characters betrayed by their institutions of government and religion. singing the voice of god

Janelle, caught up in considerable underhanded malice among old camp Eagle’s Nest. To compare William to the aged Oedi- Deadwood elites. With moon boots firmly on YA soil, Murphy pus is not so great a stretch. takes a largely light, comedic approach to this SF conspiracy A well-wrought, classically inspired riches-to-rags tale. plot. The vibe is not unlike the roller-coaster thrills of The 39 Clues series, though written for a slightly more elevated age range and with an actual body count. There are also edutain- SINGING THE VOICE OF GOD ment bits about ancient code writing (“steganography”), how O’Doran, Lyn hoaxers create crop circles using simple planks and rope, and Manuscript (232 pp.) pop-culture shoutouts to the Star Wars series, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., and Harry Potter. As opposed to The X-Files, star- A psychic Catholic priest joins a ring the serious Dana Scully/Fox Mulder team, a natural precur- government project to train dolphins in sor, this tale is breezy and angst-free, with cool illustrations by O’Doran’s debut SF novel. Catling (A Pirate Christmas, 2018, etc.) setting a lively ambiance. In what appears to be the late 21st Alien shenanigans delivered with a sense of Disney century, rising seas have devastated Channel mischief rather than Scully/Mulder gloom. humankind, and among the societies thrown into turmoil is the United States, now merged with Mexico as THE NIGHT IS DONE MEXUS. The plague- and poverty-stricken MEXUS is under Myers, Sheila the political spell of TV evangelist and murderer Amos Bilby, CreateSpace (260 pp.) who captivates masses with a “Prosperity Gospel” message

$10.40 paper | $1.99 e-book that Jesus wants everyone to be rich. This version of Chris- young adult Aug. 11, 2017 tianity also abhors any animals that aren’t exploitable as food 978-1-5487-3239-4 or labor. (Yet, paradoxically, readers are told that ape language has been deciphered and that a kind of telepathic internet has A historical novel, set largely in enhanced human-to-animal communication.) In the Pacific upstate New York’s Adirondack Park, Northwest, the MEXUS military has been trying to train about the troubled lives of real-life real cloned porpoises to guard the nation’s submerged mining estate investor William West Durant and resources. Completing the project requires the Bilby-domi- his embittered sister, Ella. nated president to cooperate with the widely hated Catholic Myers (Castles in the Air, 2016, etc.) continues the story of Church for the unique services of the Rev. Dr. Liam Jamieson. the Durants in this third book in her Durant Family Saga trilogy. This scientist/priest has extreme psychic empathy; touching Thomas C. Durant was a railroad magnate who lost a fortune people is emotionally overwhelming for him, and touching and died under a cloud—and intestate—in 1885. His son, Wil- animals led him to publish the heretical opinion that beasts liam, assumed control of the family’s remaining assets and began have souls and deserve the same rights as humans. At MEXUS’ new real estate and construction ventures in the Adirondacks. United Forces Center for Biological Research, Liam has a pos- His sibling, Ella, who was somewhat of a bohemian, always felt itive working relationship with Kate Mendoza, a project man- financially shortchanged and ill-treated by her older brother— ager who’s also a member of a burka-wearing, quasi-Catholic which caused litigation between the two. In the novel, told in sisterhood that protects animals. Mendoza’s work with the the form of reminiscences of various characters, readers follow dolphins takes a fateful turn with the unforeseen capture of a the arc of William’s career from his early days as a high roller distressed bottlenose dolphin; the team’s discoveries point to (starting in 1892) to his impoverished life as an old man (circa the possibility that sea mammals are not only intelligent, but 1931). In the end, not only has William lost all of his own wealth, also have their own religion. but also money and land that Ella won in her final lawsuit—so This SF tale swims in the sizable wakes of Robert Merle’s they both end up losing. However, as William wrote to a friend 1967 novel Day of the Dolphin and the 1986 hit movie Star in 1932, “I am poor, but I am happy, what more can most of us Trek IV: The Voyage Home, the latter of which featured sing- expect?” Myers writes with skill and has chosen well in deeply ing humpback whales that know a bit more about the uni- researching the Durant saga, which remarkably parallels Greek verse than mankind does. One may also hear echoes of the tragedy. It’s a truly engrossing story, and Myers does it justice. 1993 film Free Willy as well as the subgenre of novels about William is effectively portrayed as being more clueless than any- ruggedly handsome Catholic priests struggling with sexual thing else, as he honestly doesn’t understand that he is treating desires and yearning for redemption, exemplified by Col- his sister—and his wife, for that matter—very badly. He’s also leen McCullough’s 1977 bestseller The Thorn Birds and the obsessed with his camps in the Adirondacks, giving readers the works of Andrew M. Greeley. Despite this mulligan stew of impression that he sees the whole park as his personal fiefdom. antecedents, once the author gets past the initial, complex That’s likely the reason why Myers uses the very clever gambit setup—a familiar exploration of the future as a nasty, water- of telling the story from the perspective of William in his old logged climate change dystopia—the narrative is surprisingly age, when he’s “calm of mind, all passion spent,” being inter- coherent and effective and rendered in a lyrical prose style. viewed by wealthy Harold Hochschild, who now owns William’s The ending doesn’t cheapen the story by leaning on formula;

| kirkus.com | indie | 1 february 2020 | 189 instead, it offers a compelling cast of complex and emotion- hard to ensure the next generation of corporate leadership ally stranded characters betrayed by their institutions of meets his high standards in all aspects of the job. government and religion, and their tale, overall, is a haunt - An effective guide to succeeding in corporate leader- ing one. Readers who agree with the work’s animal rights ship and bringing integrity and determination to work. message and philosophy of sustainability, however, may note that despite the lead characters’ preference for animals over treacherous and greedy humans, none of them seems to have SEE THE SEA embraced a vegan diet—at least, not yet. Pechter, Alese & Pechter, Morton A spiritual SF eco-drama that serves up considerable Illus. by the authors food for thought after an overly complicated setup. Best Publishing Company (48 pp.) $11.99 paper | $8.99 e-book Nov. 12, 2019 INDIVIDUAL PERFORMER 978-1-947239-25-8 TO MANAGER A Practical Guide to This picture book introduces chil- Career Advancement dren to undersea creatures through an Into Management angelfish’s travels. Oshiro, Norm E. Jamie, a queen angelfish, wants to take readers along as Self (195 pp.) she meets other aquatic animals and swims around “our ocean $14.50 paper | $6.50 e-book park,” a coral reef, hoping to meet a shark. Humans will natu- Dec. 7, 2018 rally need to don flippers and a mask to accompany Jamie, but 978-1-72963-483-7 once they do, they can explore all the lovely things underwater, such as corals, sponges, many kinds of fish, and other sea A retired executive offers insights from his decades in the creatures. These are described in rhyming verse; a moray eel, for corporate world. example, “has fang-like teeth / that hold very tight. / It may hurt In this debut business book, Oshiro shares leadership les - a little / if he gets a bite.” Jamie finally spies a shark and helps sons he learned over more than three decades working for redeem the animal’s scary reputation: “They’re not interested the technology company EDS, founded by Ross Perot and in us when other food can be found, / while they clean up the later acquired by HP. The author recounts his evolution from ocean as they move around.” Finally, the work urges readers to entry-level programmer to manager, overseeing the work of safeguard the oceans, giving some practical tips on how kids can nearly 200 colleagues. Illustrating general principles of man- help (by reducing plastic use, for example). This book by the agement with stories from throughout his career, Oshiro Pechters (Skyward Bound, 2017, etc.), a husband-and-wife team shows how demonstrating responsibility, integrity, and drive of underwater photojournalists, is packed with many gorgeous is crucial to succeeding as a manager, both of people and pictures of beautifully colored and patterned creatures. (Mor- projects. The book recounts the author’s best and worst ton Pechter died in 2008.) A useful table of contents identifies moments at work along with providing a thoughtful discus - each denizen of the deep with name, page number, and a snap- sion of what readers can learn from his experiences. Oshiro shot. Altogether, this pleasing display rewards long gazing and is an excellent storyteller, and he presents a vivid picture of helps the lessons about oceans, sea creatures, and environmen- corporate life with an enthusiasm that even the most cynical tal protections go down easily. reader will appreciate. Much of the book’s advice for aspir- An attractive, well-illustrated tale that examines coral ing managers (“Always take on your assignments with a sense reef ecology. of urgency,” for instance) is broadly applicable to both traditional corporations and less formal office settings, making it useful to a wide audience. (The more buttoned-down aspects QUEEN OF THE OWLS of working at EDS are less applicable to 21st-century aspir- Probst, Barbara Linn ing managers, but the author has an eye for detail and does She Writes Press (330 pp.) a great job of depicting a world where employees were not $16.95 paper | Apr. 7, 2020 allowed to leave their cubicles in shirtsleeves.) Not all read- 978-1-63152-890-3 ers will embrace Oshiro’s arguments in favor of a hierarchical organization where workers are ranked and appearance mat- A frustrated wife tries to get her ters, but many will appreciate the holistic approach of EDS, groove back with the help of a sexy pho- where “employees could have failures that do not define tographer and inspiration from the artist their overall and long-term value to the company.” The prose Georgia O’Keeffe in this debut novel. includes some stylistic quirks, particularly an overreliance At the age of 34, with two preschool on quotation marks for emphasis, but on the whole is highly kids, Elizabeth Crawford finds herself readable. Oshiro is an engaging narrator who comes across going crazy in a passionless marriage to her husband, Ben, as an authoritative and ethical mentor who is willing to work whose lack of desire for her leaves her feeling “unloved and

190 | 1 february 2020 | indie | kirkus.com | Without getting overly technical, Quinlan explains the sometimes-complicated concepts with clarity and energy. one single species

unbeautiful.” She’s also hit a roadblock in her Ph.D. disserta- She names it “Leonardo,” after Leonardo da Vinci, and experi- tion on 20th-century painter O’Keeffe, struggling to figure ments with flying it until she becomes confident in her skills. out how a sojourn in Hawaii provoked the artist to switch She then selects her favorite new drone-assisted photo for the from creating lush flowers to producing pictures of cow skulls contest. Readers will be unsurprised by Leah’s victory, but par- in the desert. Assistance on both problems materializes in ents are more likely to appreciate how Leah devotes herself the form of Richard Ferris, a handsome photographer who to practicing her craft. Purdy’s present-tense narration lends turns his smoldering gaze on Elizabeth in their tai chi class. immediacy to Leah’s experiments, and the straightforward Richard is fascinated by her O’Keeffe theories and proposes vocabulary and sentence structure will encourage independent a daring way for her to connect more deeply with the paint- reading. Rodella-Purdy’s cartoonlike digital images effectively er’s psyche: pose nude for him to re-create a famous series capture Leah’s inventive problem-solving paired with her suc- of photographs taken of the artist in the 1920s by her lover, cessful and failed photos. QR codes (not tested) offer readers a the photographer Alfred Stieglitz. During the photo sessions, chance to see more drone photos online. A text introduction to Elizabeth progresses from severe bashfulness at loosening a drone technology is included at the end of the book. few buttons to ebullience as more clothing comes off. She An engaging, well-illustrated invitation to look at the feels “her skin tingling, alert and alive,” while the heighten- world from a different—and higher—angle. ing sexual tension with Richard renders her “dizzy, weak with the desire that flooded her body.” Her walk on the wild side leads to more exposure than she bargained for and eventually ONE SINGLE SPECIES forces her to reconsider her attitudes toward Richard, her Why the Connections in marriage, O’Keeffe, and herself. The art history musings in Nature Matter

Probst’s yearning tale of renewal—“Her core’s still there, her Quinlan, Susan E. young adult female essence, but it isn’t accessible, not like it is in the flower Illus. by the author paintings she did earlier”—often feel murky and uninvolving. Raven Mountain Press (48 pp.) Fortunately, the author paints a vivid and absorbing portrait Mar. 10, 2020 of domestic life—she’s a superb observer of children’s moods 978-0-9970077-4-9 and antics—in an unhappy marriage that limps along on dead- 978-0-9970077-6-3 paper ening routine and sedated feelings. (After a perfunctory coupling with Ben, Elizabeth “knew they’d had sex the same way This children’s book examines a sci- she knew that the rent was due or that she needed to move a entist’s experiment that shows the importance of a single spe- load of laundry from the washer to the dryer.”) Readers will cies within an ecosystem. root for Elizabeth—and wince in amusement at her pratfalls— In her latest science work for young readers, Quinlan (The Case as she strikes out in improbable new directions. of the Monkeys That Fell From the Trees, 2003, etc.), a wildlife biologist, Artsy ruminations aside, an entertaining, psychologi- writer, and artist, explains the important ecological research of cally rich story of a sometimes giddy, sometimes painful Robert T. Paine (1933-2016). Interested in the intertidal zone eco- awakening. system, the scientist studied Washington state tide pools and their characteristic sea life, including barnacles, mussels, sponges, algae, limpets, anemones, and more. He noticed that ochre sea stars were THE ADVENTURES OF important predators in this system and wondered what the effect LEONARDO THE DRONE would be of removing them from their rocky shoreline habitat. An Book 1: Photos From the Sky experiment to test this question led to startling results: “More than Purdy, John A. 26 species of anemones, chitons, urchins, limpets, whelks, and Illus. by Rodella-Purdy, Cindy algae that had thrived in the lower intertidal zone no longer had Creative Cat Media (40 pp.) space to live. They were completely crowded out by the mussels.” $19.90 | $9.90 paper | $3.90 e-book When the ochre sea stars were reintroduced, the ecosystem gradu- Oct. 29, 2019 ally recovered. The experiment proved that “keystone species,” to 978-0-9996842-4-5 use Paine’s phrase, were crucial to the health of Washington’s tide 978-0-9996842-5-2 paper pools. Scientists studying other ecosystems also identified keystone species. Their work proved that the delicate balance of an A young girl discovers how a drone can enhance her photog- ecosystem can be affected or even destroyed by just a single spe- raphy skills in this series-starting picture book by debut author cies’ disappearance. The author’s beautiful full-spread illustrations Purdy and illustrator Rodella-Purdy (The Little Gray Squirrel, capture the atmosphere, variety, and splendor of Washington’s 2019, etc.). coast along with lovely depictions of sea life and other creatures. Leah is frustrated that she can’t seem to win the monthly Without getting overly technical, Quinlan explains the sometimes- photo contest at her local library. She loves finding new and complicated concepts with clarity and energy. She gives readers a different angles to capture images. Inspired by flying birds, she chance to see how a working scientist conducts experiments, con- attempts to take pictures of things from above, using a number veying a sense of exploration, curiosity, and wonder at the inter- of tools with underwhelming results, before she buys a drone. connectedness of things. This is greatly bolstered by a section that

| kirkus.com | indie | 1 february 2020 | 191 provides capsule descriptions of other keystone species around VIRAL DREAMS the world, such as the northern flying squirrel, the little auk, the Saenger, John mound-building termite, and the African elephant, and why TouchPoint Press (306 pp.) they’re crucial. For example, mound-building termites construct $17.99 paper | $7.99 e-book “extensive underground tunnels and farm fungi that break down Nov. 22, 2019 wood and other plant material the termites gather. These actions 978-1-946920-82-9 enrich the soil with nutrients.” Useful, informative, beautifully illustrated, and A father fights for his missing daugh- well written—a superior introduction to understanding ter in this debut biotech thriller. ecosystems. Saenger parlays his expertise as a pharmaceutical immuno-oncologist in this novel about widowed single father and KOYAAN former SWAT team leader Max Tyler, who becomes embroiled in Book One: The Gods a nefarious biomedical scheme. While camping in California, his of Iniquity 9-year-old daughter, Megan, is nearly abducted by an unknown Ruiz, J Alex assailant; she’s shot with a tranquilizer dart and becomes gravely Self (662 pp.) ill. Infectious disease specialist Beth Collins, at a nearby hos- $19.99 paper | $3.99 e-book pital, enters the picture to care for Megan. Another clumsy Aug. 5, 2019 attempt to kidnap the girl occurs as Max struggles with Larry 978-1-08-743730-9 Drake, a disgruntled, drug-addled nurse who’s been commit- ting murders at the hospital. Megan is abducted, along with This debut fantasy follows the tra- Beth, who’d tried in vain to rescue her. Max holds the remaining vails of an ancient Egyptian peasant girl kidnapper at gunpoint, and he confesses that Megan was taken impregnated by a god. to a secret lab. As Max and special ops expert Mark Hunter Thirteen-year-old Anggun is newly a woman. In the peasant frantically plot a mission to save the day, Saenger expands his village of Arrousa, her family performs the Dawning Ritual by riveting narrative by offering further details about biotechnol- leaving beer for Ra, God of the Day. Nunuco, Anggun’s mother, ogy company Viralvector and its diabolical “projects” involving is a widow and doesn’t take the ritual as seriously as her father-in- Megan, whom they’d initially targeted long ago. Its chief scien- law, Iawii, would like. If the family’s offerings please Ra, he will tist has collected several kids for viral experiments that allow take Anggun to heaven, where she’ll live in comfort and beauty. the company to hijack certain youngsters’ brain cells, spur their Later, as Anggun sings in a field, she does attract a deity. Set, the intellectual advancement, and create prime candidates for stem God of Storms, approaches in the form of a black snake. He cell harvesting. The author describes this process and many eventually morphs into a powerful man, forcing himself on the medical procedures with the ease of a seasoned clinical scien- girl before vanishing. When Anggun’s twin brother, Gunang, and tist. Some readers may find his expert explanations of genetic their younger brother, Buku, find her, she’s burned but otherwise manipulation to be overly complicated, but they do add more uninjured. At home, Anggun’s belly grows with shocking speed. intrigue and mystery to the story. Megan, who later teams up Unbeknown to anyone, Nunuco removes a red scale from her with another kidnapped girl, emerges as a tenacious character daughter’s body, keeping it hidden. Iawii believes that Anggun with plenty of youthful determination. In the end, Saenger’s “brought this on herself” and trusts in aid from the High Priests villains aren’t nearly as wicked and calculating as readers may of Horus. But Nunuco learns that Iawii’s brother, Mekheb, is a want them to be. However, the author’s gripping storytelling Priest of Set living in the city of Neqada. Surely, he can help with and characterization—and particularly his riveting conclusion— Anggun’s supernatural pregnancy. Ruiz blends impressive histori- more than make up for this. cal research, family dynamics, and frank depictions of sex in her An exhilarating, confident novel involving hardy heroes series opener. Readers learn not just about the narrative’s princi- and nefarious bioscience. pal deities, but also about others who shaped ancient Egyptian life. “Ptah created Himself out of Chaos,” Mekheb says of the god who originated thought, “So, when you think to yourself, that is an aspect of Ptah in you.” The author also reveals lovely fusions of nature and architecture, as “orange light streamed between long rows of tall red and black columns that lined the temple’s outer courtyard.” Still, even readers with strong stomachs should prepare for Anggun’s intense sexual assault and, later, Gunang’s descent into drug use and prostitution. Egypt’s Crown Prince Imseti, who’s sure that Set’s child is a girl and is determined to pair with her, is the perfect villain to enliven the sequel. A robust historical fantasy showcasing the Egyptian pantheon and the strength of family.

192 | 1 february 2020 | indie | kirkus.com | Schmit’s stimulating volume of down-to-earth writings will spur a deep reflection on Christian values. head lines

HEAD LINES THE TOWN WITH Poems & Provocations: A ACACIA TREES 60 Day Guide Book Toward Sebastian, Mihail Personal Psalmistry Trans. by Reigh, Gabi Schmit, Will Aurora Metro Press (280 pp.) EA Books Publishing (134 pp.) $22.95 paper | Apr. 7, 2020 $14.00 paper | Apr. 15, 2019 978-1-912430-29-1 978-1-945976-37-7 Romanian author Sebastian (For Two Divine grace suffuses a seemingly Thousand Years, 2017, etc.), in Reigh’s mundane reality in these lyrical Chris- (Poems of Light, 2019) English translation, tian devotional poems. offers a bildungsroman set in Romania Schmit (Jesus Inside, 2015), a poet and during the interwar period. writing instructor at the Bethel School of Supernatural Dis- In this novel, a young man and woman fall in and out of cipleship, offers 60 poems featuring vivid imagery of everyday love as they come to terms with the banalities of adulthood. life lit by epiphanies that bring God onto the scene. Nature As the story opens, it lucidly depicts the bookish, 15-year-old vignettes (“The branch at bud point, / lightly bears the warbler’s Adriana’s reappraisal of childhood “with the weary eyes of a weight, / shakes free of frost, / and offers a blossom peek / to the survivor” and the intensities of first love. Gelu is a 20-year- sun”), vegetable stands (“A roadside cascade of tumbling toma- old university student from Adriana’s unnamed town, and he’s toes / splits its sides laughing”), and holiday decorations (“The preoccupied with his own romance—but in the course of res-

wren wonders at outdoor / Christmas lights, / not much there cuing a depressed peer from an attic refuge, he and Adriana young adult for nesting, the wires make poor worms”) make typical home- form a friendship. The author reveals how their bond builds, spun backgrounds. Jesus appears in humble guises as an ordi- slowly and subtly, until they find themselves in a passionate nary workman “in jeans /…a tool belt, thermos, / some decent tryst. Adriana floats in and out of Bucharest, pursuing her boots” or a car passenger on a shopping trip (“Tuesdays I drive musical talent as a pianist with the help of affluent relatives, into town with Jesus. / We don’t talk much. He gives me / His and finds herself tangled in the lives of Gelu, whose studies ‘What more needs to be said’ look and fiddles with the radio are in the capital, and Cello Viorin, an impetuous and roman- to get psyched. / We pour love at the Walmart, walking down tic composer. (The sensory experience of music is a repeated the aisles like they were water”). God figures in as a numinous, focus, in an evident nod to Marcel Proust’s work.) The Bucha- loving omnipresence (“Grace spins in spontaneous space, / the rest backdrop—the university, the concert hall, the tram, the fingertip of His creation…every breath, / from the mouth of streetscapes—effectively recalls Sebastian’s other works, but God, / is a song”). Some poems deftly call readers to a Christian this novel expands on the tension between province and cap- engagement with worldly concerns, from homelessness (“Rainy ital, which acts as a stand-in for the conflict between tradi- season; plastic tarps / rumble in the wind, blankets / become tional and modern values. Adriana and Gelu, in the midst of roofs. /…any question where He’d be born / again this Christ- a century-defining sea change, discover their need for each mas?”) to climate change and renewable energy (“The com- other even as they witness a marriage that ends in divorce, due monsense of the sun, / the compassion of the wind, / will steal to a previous affair between the wife and a nun, and another the thunder of hard blowing coal fire. Cool water will yet have matrimony that becomes “something that destroys youth and its day”). A few brief, punchy prose essays are sprinkled in that drains desire.” Reigh handily preserves Sebastian’s supple, lan- treat political issues more directly (“If we truly wish to make guid syntax, shaping each sentence to accentuate his exquisite America great, let’s enlist the words of Jesus Who admonishes lyricism, as when the couple remains unable to yield entirely us to become servants of all”). The result is a stimulating vol- to their desire “to be held in such a way that it obliterated ume of down-to-earth writings that will spur a deep reflection everything apart from the ecstasy of the flesh.” on Christian faith and values. An endearingly wistful story of young love. A fine collection that expresses ardent religious feelings in fresh, evocative language and metaphors.

| kirkus.com | indie | 1 february 2020 | 193 A WAKE WITH NINE SHADES full consciousness. (The boat’s wake image recurs in “Wake Poems & Island”: “The surface just before us always / smooth…and Steinorth, Jennifer Sperry when we / mar it it repairs itself.”) A productive confusion of Texas Review Press (98 pp.) boundaries is also suggested by the subtitle of “W a k e”: A nap $19.95 paper | Sep. 2, 2019 is a daytime sleep, and winking is partway between open and 978-1-68003-191-1 shut eyelids. Many poems touch on the domestic: paying bills, shoveling snow, scrubbing a pot—but something else always This volume of poetry offers accom- breaks through. The collection is haunted by the suicide of the plished attention to form, originality of speaker’s father-in-law and her difficulty dealing with it: “I am language, and a look at the challenges brave when I say he shot himself / braver / not so brave as him / of midlife. —scratch that—.” As in many other pieces, this one uses form to Many of the poems in Steinorth’s great effect, the short centered lines forming a column like the (Forking the Swift, 2010) collection first appeared in literary fall of water in the shower where the suicide took place, end- journals, and the book was a finalist for several prizes. The sec- ing with “the uncomfortable / circumferences / of drain.” The ond poem, “W a k e : A Sleep in Forty-Something Winks,” is, gurgling repetition almost magically evokes its subject; the final a note explains, patterned after Caroline Bergvall’s poem “VIA word, “drain,” is as stark as the facts. But sly wit also inhabits (48 Dante Variations) mix w fractals,” which is based on Eng- the volume, as with the sequence of “billets-doux” between the lish translations of the opening lines of Dante’s Inferno. Like speaker, “a midlife poet flirting with crisis,” and Robert Frost. Dante’s narrator, the speaker in Steinorth’s poem is at a mid- A fine collection of poetry that strikingly engages read- point in a dark place, her sense of direction confused: “Midway ers with complexity. through our night’s sleep / I woke to find the dream lost.” The several definitions of wake (a vigil for the dead; to rouse from sleep; the track left on water) connote alertness and the clarity of seeing THE LAST ANGEL TO FALL your path, but the speaker paradoxically loses that lucidity with Walsh, Brian G. Self (563 pp.) $19.97 paper | $2.99 e-book | Jul. 4, 2019 This Issue’s Contributors 978-1-07-818665-0 # In this first volume in an epic urban ADULT Colleen Abel • Maude Adjarian • Jeff Alford • Stephanie Anderson • Rebecca Leigh Anthony • Mark fantasy series, an American federal agent Athitakis • Eleanor Bader • Colette Bancroft • Joseph Barbato • Sarah Blackman • Amy Boaz has to deal with hell itself. Catherine Cardno • Tobias Carroll • Lee E. Cart • Kristin Centorcelli • May-lee Chai • Carin The protagonist of Walsh’s ambi- Clevidence • K.W. Colyard • Morgan Davies • Dave DeChristopher • Kathleen Devereaux • Amanda Diehl • Bobbi Dumas • Daniel Dyer • Lisa Elliott • Chelsea Ennen • Mia Franz • Harvey Freedenberg tious debut novel is a depressed, down- Amy Goldschlager • Michael Griffith • Janice Harayda • Katrina Niidas Holm • Dana Huber • Kerri on-his-luck Diplomatic Security Service Jarema • Laura Jenkins • Jessica Jernigan • Skip Johnson • Paul Lamey • Tom Lavoie • Judith Leitch Peter Lewis • Elsbeth Lindner • Michael Magras • Joe Maniscalco • Don McLeese • Gregory agent named Jubal Stone who’s been McNamee • Michael Merschel • Clayton Moore • Sarah Morgan • Jennifer Nabers • Christopher “effectively benched” by his boss, who thinks little of him. Stone Navratil • Sarah Neilson • Liza Nelson • Mike Newirth • Connie Ogle • Mike Oppenheim • Jim was once a special investigator for the Office of Asset Recovery Piechota • Margaret Quamme • Carolyn Quimby • Kristen Bonardi Rapp • Stephanie Reents • Amy Reiter • Lloyd Sachs • Bob Sanchez • Richard Santos • E.F. Schraeder • Lindsay Semel • Gene Seymour (“a deliberately obscure name for what sometimes turns out to Linda Simon • Wendy Smith • Margot E. Spangenberg • Rachel Sugar • Claire Trazenfeld • Jessica be very nasty work”), but now he’s bitterly resigned to life in Miller • George Weaver • Steve Weinberg • Joan Wilentz • Wilda Williams • Marion Winik Norvell Township, Michigan, where he seems very much out of

CHILDREN’S & TEEN the loop. As a result, he’s cultivated a kind of big-picture cyni- Maya Alkateb-Chami • Autumn Allen • Alison Anholt-White • Kazia Berkley-Cramer • Elizabeth Bird cism: “Earth itself was no more than a rock with a bubble of air Marcie Bovetz • Jessica Anne Bratt • Christopher A. Brown • Timothy Capehart • Alec B. Chunn surrounding it,” he thinks at one point, “a tenuous condition Tamar Cimenian • Jeannie Coutant • Cherrylyn Cruzat • Erin Deedy • Elise DeGuiseppi • Lisa Dennis Luisana Duarte Armendáriz • Brooke Faulkner • Rodney M.D. Fierce • Ayn Reyes Frazee • Laurel that supposedly existed at the whim of some unknowable and Gardner • Judith Gire • Carol Goldman • Hannah Gomez • Melinda Greenblatt • Gerry Himmelreich unreachable God.” God suddenly seems much more reachable Kathleen T. Isaacs • Elizabeth Leanne Johnson • Danielle Jones • Betsy Judkins • Deborah Kaplan when a supernatural meteor crashes to Earth bearing a fallen Megan Dowd Lambert • Angela Leeper • Wendy Lukehart • Pooja Makhijani • Joan Malewitz Michelle H. Martin PhD • Kirby McCurtis • Jeanne McDermott • Zoe McLaughlin • Kathie Meizner Angel—a mystical being who quickly becomes the object of Mary Margaret Mercado • Daniel Meyer • Lisa Moore • Katrina Nye • Tori Ann Ogawa Stone’s new job for the agency. He’s partnered again with his Deb Paulson • John Edward Peters • Susan Pine • Rebecca Rabinowitz • Asata Radcliffe • Kristy former mentor, Thaddeus Coleman, and tasked with safely Raffensberger • Nancy Thalia Reynolds • Leslie L. Rounds • Hadeal Salamah • Katie Scherrer • Dean Schneider • Stephanie Seales • Rita Soltan • Mathangi Subramanian • Pat Tanumihardja • Steven delivering the Angel to none other than Satan himself. The pair- Thompson • Renee Ting • Tharini Viswanath • Angela Wiley • Bean Yogi ing of Jubal and Thaddeus is one of the strongest aspects of the book, as neither is a typical hero: They were chosen for the job, INDIE Alana Abbott • Kent Armstrong • Julie Buffaloe-Yoder • Darren Carlaw • Charles Cassady • Michael one character says, because the agency had nobody else avail- Deagler • Stephanie Dobler Cerra • Steve Donoghue • Jacob Edwards • Eric F. Frazier • Tina Gianoulis able (“They’re both capable, but neither has been on top of their Lynne Heffley • Matthew Heller • Justin Hickey • Ivan Kenneally • Maureen Liebenson • Tara Mcnabb Randall Nichols • Brandon Nolta • Jim Piechota • Sarah Rettger • Jerome Shea • Barry Silverstein game for a while now”). What follows is an extremely winning Peter Guy Witzig variation on the formulaic model of Dan Brown’s 2003 bestseller The Da Vinci Code that offers a compelling combination

194 | 1 february 2020 | indie | kirkus.com | An especially strong, moving, and well-described theme is the power of music to overcome barriers of many kinds. street of storytellers

of interagency thriller and supernatural fantasy. As various STREET OF STORYTELLERS agents either help Stone or hunt him, Walsh handles the action Wilhelm, Doug scenes in a smooth and professional manner, and the dialogue is Rootstock Publishing (226 pp.) similarly efficient. The author also pays his readers the bedrock $13.95 paper | Sept. 10, 2019 compliment of taking his absurd premise—a secret partnership 978-1-57869-016-9 between the U.S. federal government and hell—completely seriously, which works wonders. In this YA thriller, an American teen- A powerhouse first volume in a supernatural-thriller series. ager in Peshawar faces an ethical conun- drum when he’s recruited by jihadis to destroy his father’s project. W.C. FIELDS FROM SOUND It’s December 1984, and Luke FILM AND RADIO COMEDY Sands, 15, is angry that because of his TO STARDOM parents’ recent divorce, he has to spend Christmas vaca- Becoming a Cultural Icon tion with his father in Peshawar, the capital city of Paki- Wertheim, Arthur Frank stan’s North-West Frontier Province. Professor Sands is so Palgrave Macmillan (428 pp.) obsessed with writing a book about an ancient civilization $57.50 | Jan. 8, 2019 in the Peshawar Valley that it broke apart his marriage, and 978-1-137-47329-5 Luke wants nothing to do with the project. Luke shuts down and refuses to go sightseeing, preferring to listen to Bob Mar - The final volume of a biographical ley on his Walkman. But when father and son reconnect with

trilogy captures W.C. Fields’ ascent to the Shaheens, a Pashtun family they’d known back home in young adult Hollywood immortality. Saratoga, New York, Luke is drawn to the rebelliousness of If his movie career had ended with his appearances in silent their son, Rasheed, or “Rashi,” and to the beauty and intel- films between 1925 and 1928, W.C. Fields might only have been ligence of Rashi’s younger sister, Danisha, “Dani.” Although remembered as a second-tier talent. “I am at a stage where I can- Luke makes a rash promise to help carry out a fatwa against not get an offer at all,” he wrote his wife after his first, not-too- his father’s book, he also gains a new appreciation for Paki- memorable stint as a film actor. “I have been badly handled and stan’s rich cultural past when he’s introduced to Pir Sahib, a am now out of the movies.” But after returning to Hollywood wise Sufi teacher, and hears traditional music at the shrine in 1931, Fields successfully made the transition to sound pic- of a Sufi poet. Meanwhile, Luke struggles with his feel- tures, leaving an indelible mark on film comedy history with ings for Dani, because any interaction is forbidden in strict such classics as “It’s a Gift,” “The Bank Dick,” and “Never Pashtun culture. A dangerous culture clash brews that puts Give a Sucker an Even Break.” Wertheim (W.C. Fields From the people, artifacts, and scholarship at risk. Wilhelm (Treasure Ziegfeld Follies and Broadway Stage to the Screen, 2016, etc.) colorfully Town, 2016, etc.), a prolific writer of middle school, YA, and and comprehensively captures Fields’ journey from “sacrificial Choose Your Own Adventure books, offers an absorbing, lamb thrust aside” by Hollywood to “American cultural icon” in this rich historical tale. The thriller educates readers about the final volume of a biographical trilogy. Fields was a “virtuoso come- mid-’80s forces that led up to 9/11, and Wilhelm also pro- dian…who brought so much laughter to millions while enduring so vides a useful historical afterword covering 1985 to the pres - much anguish,” he writes. The book makes effective use of a newly ent day. An especially strong, moving, and well-described available archive of Fields’ papers to add texture to its portrait of a theme is the power of music to overcome barriers of many man whose life has already been the subject of numerous studies. kinds while the book also honestly acknowledges limitations “I stunk so badly the police came in [the theater] with the impres- and challenges in fighting extremism. Luke is a believable sion that someone had been throwing stink bombs around,” Fields character who makes mistakes but also redeems himself with wrote of one of his performances. Wertheim focuses mainly on the courage and generosity. work, not only showing how Fields used his vaudeville background An entertaining, thoughtful look at a complicated his- and vocal gifts to fashion his unique comic routines and persona, torical, religious, artistic, and cultural crossroads. but also how iconoclastic many of his films were. “Instead of ide- alizing the sacrosanct family dining table as a place of tranquility, Fields lampoons it as a place of domestic turmoil,” he observes of “The Bank Dick.” But as the author also vividly shows, Fields’ comic genius cannot be separated from his inner turmoil, which manifested itself in his legendary drinking, his failed relationships with women, and a cantankerous disposition that prompted one director to call him “the most obstinate, ornery son of a bitch I ever tried to work with.” As with so many artists, fame could only go so far to fill the “voids in his life.” A thorough, insightful study not only of Fields’ film comedies, but of the inner turmoil that fueled his genius.

| kirkus.com | indie | 1 february 2020 | 195 THE DEADLY MONDAINE lives. They’re also both exceedingly likable. (It helps, of course, Willis, Craig N. that the people whom Hattie kills at Shady Rest aren’t remotely Outskirts Press (228 pp.) sympathetic.) Startling moments arise naturally, as in a scene $32.95 | $19.95 paper | $5.99 e-book in which Hattie cleans out a safe deposit box that’s filled with Apr. 30, 2019 goodies from her former profession. Various mysteries creep into 978-1-977209-25-2 the narrative, involving the Mortensen investigation and Milly’s 978-1-977209-05-4 paper unexplained death years ago. The latter case is easy to figure out, but the book’s overall resolution offers a pleasant surprise. In Willis’ debut thriller, a seemingly Intriguing and refreshing female characters enliven meek retirement home resident handles this mystery tale. unsavory types by using skills that she picked up during a career as a professional assassin. BLOWOUT In many ways, 84-year-old Hattie Rosales is like other resi- Wood, M.B. dents at Shady Rest Retirement Home in Gethsemane, Illinois. Lulu (284 pp.) However, she’s also a former hitwoman who doesn’t actually need $14.95 paper | $2.99 e-book the wheeled walker she uses, and when racist resident Dottie May 22, 2018 Tyler threatens to call Immigration and Customs Enforcement 978-1-387-33585-5 on a Guatemalan Shady Rest employee, Hattie decides to kill her. Periodic bits of backstory reveal that Hattie, as a young wife and In this sequel, an oil company suc- mother, met Ludmilla “Milly” Netsurov at a Tupperware party in ceeds despite a dysfunctional chairman, 1961. The two eventually turned the parties into a business called until someone kills him. M&H, but they later earned the bulk of their profits from murder The year is 1981. More than a decade for hire, arranged by a man named Sid. In the present day, Hattie has passed since the murderous Captain offs two more people, making the deaths look like accidents. This Courageous stalked Randy Capra halfway around the world. doesn’t stop police chief LaTasha Cranton from poking around Randy now lives outside Lorain, Ohio, with his wife, Monique, Shady Rest. LaTasha recognizes Hattie’s sharp intelligence and and their three children. He’s the vice president of operations accepts her advice on an active homicide case—the shotgun slay- for the DeVille Petroleum Company. When one of its oil wells ing of wealthy businessman Jack Mortensen. However, LaTasha in Caddo County, Oklahoma, erupts in flames, two DPC workers also begins to suspect that Hattie had something to do with the die instantly while four are critically injured. It takes a week to recent Shady Rest demises, leading to a battle of wills between gain control of the accident site and yet company chairman Dick two savvy women. Willis’ novel showcases two multifaceted DeVille isn’t thankful for Randy’s expertise and leadership. He characters and provides parallels between them; although they’re instead complains that Randy took DPC’s plane to the burning on opposite sides of the law, Hattie and LaTasha, both people well. But Randy knows that the wrong size blowout preventer, of color, have experienced sexism and racism throughout their suggested by Dick, caused the accident. Company president Bobby Wendover defends Randy’s actions while Dick threatens to fire him. Later, at the DPC Christmas party, organized by Axel

KIRKUS MEDIA LLC Eriksen, liquor flows freely and stripper Marilyn Moore makes the rounds. After the party, when cleaner Graciela Estevez enters # the chairman’s office, she finds Dick at his desk with his pants Chairman HERBERT SIMON down and his head bashed in. She calls Randy, the only employee she knows who speaks any Spanish. The author revisits his trou- President & Publisher MARC WINKELMAN ble-magnet protagonist of Hunted (2012) at a more secure place in his life, a family man at the dawn of the Reagan era. Wood’s Chief Executive Officer MEG LABORDE KUEHN (The Hoo-Li Chronicles, 2019, etc.) knowledge of the oil industry # gives the plot weight, as in the line “Dick had told him what specifications his buddies in Houston had suggested, insisting he Copyright 2020 by Kirkus Media LLC. save money by using a ‘normal’ blowout preventer.” This sequel KIRKUS REVIEWS (ISSN 1948-7428) is published semimonthly by Kirkus Media LLC, is also structured more confidently than its predecessor, with 2600Via Fortuna, Suite 130, Austin, TX 78746. Subscription prices are: richly drawn characters, like the dogged and sympathetic Lt. Jack Digital & Print Subscription (U.S.) - 12 Months ($199.00) Grueden, thundering through a traditional whodunit. Still, “sex” Digital & Print Subscription (International) - 12 Months ($229.00) remains the operative word at the DPC office because there are Digital Only Subscription - 12 Months ($169.00) Single copy: $25.00. enough extramarital liaisons and related fights to win over fans All other rates on request. of the soap opera Dallas. While the murder weapon is slightly POSTMASTER: telegraphed early on, the killer is skillfully hidden until the finale. Send address changes to Kirkus Reviews, PO Box 3601, Northbrook, IL 60065-3601. This bracing thriller features an intriguing cast and a Periodicals Postage Paid at Austin, TX 78710 and at additional mailing offices. realistic plot.

In Zokan’s debut novel, the members of an American Baptist missionary family in Cali, Colombia, confront some surprising secrets. Teenager Josie Wales, the kid sister of Aaron and the daughter of Henry and Astrid, narrates this story of a fateful summer in the family’s lives. It’s 1976, Josie is soon to enter her junior year of high school, and Aaron, his senior year. The season’s first bombshell hits when Josie discovers that her father’s mysterious errands are to see and support a woman with whom he secretly fathered a child. Henry is contrite, and he and Astrid try to work through the situation. The other woman, Samara, then tricks them into taking care of the baby,

whose name is Piedad Maria. If the mission hierarchy finds out young adult that the child is Henry’s, he could lose his position, which would put the family back in the United States, adrift. Then a second bombshell goes off, involving Astrid, which shakes the family to its roots. Josie’s only confidante is young Blanca, a Colombian housekeeper, and the teen begins to flirt with Catholicism. To her parents, this nascent apostasy is morally worse than what they’ve done—even though sneaky, unpleasant Aaron is hardly a model child. As Josie navigates her family situation, she deals with typical, young-love issues with her boyfriend. Overall, this is an offbeat coming-of-age story, albeit a brutal one, and Josie is perfect in her role as the story’s protagonist and moral center. Zokan effectively shows how the teenager heroically tries to make things right and to get her family members to stop their denial and hypocritical behavior—and they are revealed to be very ugly Americans indeed. The reader aches for a happier ending, as Henry, Astrid, and Aaron appear to have learned nothing, satisfying themselves that somehow all their misfortunes were Josie’s fault. Intriguingly, however, they haven’t ostracized the protagonist at all—they’ve liberated her. A sensitive work from a very promising author.

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By Michael Schaub Joyce Ravid for Getty Images TRIBUTES TO KNOPF EDITOR SONNY MEHTA Authors have shared their memories of Sonny Mehta, the longtime editor-in-chief of Random House imprint Alfred A. Knopf, who died on Dec. 30 of complications from pneumonia. “He…was a great champion of good books in particular and of humane culture in general,” novelist John Banville told the New York Times. “He would have wished us better times ahead.” Novelist Jane Smiley added, “Sonny was always smart and kind and friendly….Maybe what I am most grateful for is that he let me do what I wanted to do.” At the Washington Post, biographer Wil Haygood recalled that Mehta was fond of telling people that he “felt like he had the best job in America.” “He had faith in writers. What to make of a man who published both Bill Clinton and E.L. James of Fifty Shades of Grey fame? Who published both Tony Blair and Bret Easton Ellis?” Logan Cyrus - AFP via Getty Images SLAIN USC STUDENT HONORED IN STAR WARS BOOK A college student killed while trying to stop a school shooting in North Carolina has been honored in a book by Lucasfilm, producers of the Star Wars movies he dearly loved, the Charlotte Observer reports. Riley Howell, a 21-year-old student at the University of North Carolina at Char- lotte, was shot to death last April after tackling a gunman who opened fire in a classroom. Howell was widely hailed as a hero, with friends and family recalling his deep affection for the Star Wars movies. A man in Florida who was touched by the story emailed Lucasfilm, writing, “I cannot think of a person more deserving to be canon- ized somewhere in the Star Wars universe.” Lucasfilm agreed. In Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker: The Visual Dictionary, a new companion book, Howell makes an appearance as “Ri-Lee Howell,” a Jedi master known for collecting “many of the earliest accounts of exploration and codifications of The Force.” “That really made me cry when I heard about it,” said Natalie Henry-Howell, Howell’s mother.

T.S. ELIOT LETTERS TO EMILY HALE UNSEALED AT PRINCETON Bettmann - Getty Images More than 1,000 letters written by poet T.S. Eliot to his close friend Emily Hale have been unveiled by the Princeton University Library, the school announced. The collection of 1,131 letters from Eliot to the woman whom many consider to be his muse were written between 1930 and 1957. Hale donated them to the university on the condition that they not be unsealed until 50 years after her death. Eliot scholar Anthony Cuda told the Associated Press that the unveiling of the letters is “perhaps the literary event of the decade….I don’t know of anything more awaited or significant.” Admirers of Eliot hoping to get a look at the letters for themselves will have to plan a trip to New Jersey to satisfy their curiosity—the university is not making the collection available online.

Michael Schaub is an Austin, Texas–based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.

198 | 1 february 2020 | seen & heard | kirkus.com | Appreciations: Thomas Pynchon’s Vineland at 30 BY GREGORY MCNAMEE Leonardo Images Cendamo-Getty Thomas Pynchon has been living out of the public eye for most of a career going on 60 years now, a literary hermit who has succeeded by his very reclusiveness in attracting attention. His 1973 novel, Gravity’s Rainbow, which makes Ulysses seem like light reading, elevated him to cult-hero status. Ever since, his fans—and I’m one—have eagerly awaited a new blockbuster, answered by relatively light but still worthy fare such as Bleeding Edge (2013) and Inherent Vice (2009). Vineland, published in 1990, may be the closest he’s come to his peak since the glory days of Gravity’s Rainbow and The Crying of Lot 49 (1966). It reveals Pynchon in the unmistakable guise of a creature of the 1960s. Vineland, that sturdy Viking name, is Pynchon’s new world, the weedy, clear-cut coast of northern California, where ’60s

Pynchon in 1955 survivors grow marijuana, live untroubled by reality, age, and die. “Times go on, and we never change,” says one free spirit. The times, of course, do. Protagonist Zoyd Wheeler is a hazy veteran of the Haight who lives from one federal mental disability check to

the next, the qualifying requirement being only that he commit one “publicly crazy” act each year in full view of the young adult dispossessed lumberjacks, hippies, and yuppies who inhabit the territory. But, as the novel opens, Zoyd learns that he’s being “defunded,” for this is 1984, with Reaganomics in full tilt. Adding to his angst, Zoyd’s teenage daughter, Prairie, is dating an “NBA-sized violence enthusiast” who sings zeitgeist-y lyrics for a thrash-metal band like “I’m just a floozie with an Uzi,” stuff befuddling to a fan of Jerry Garcia and Bob Dylan. Bent on finding herself, the smart, resourceful Prairie is just as intent on exploring her ethereal mother’s past. Of his ex-wife, who sports the manically suggestive name Frenesi, Zoyd says only that during their time together he “felt like Mildred Pierce’s husband.” Frenesi, Prairie learns, was an informant for the FBI during the anti-war years, a witness protection graduate still controlled by the resident nemesis of the local heads, a man very much like the Bigfoot Bjornsen of Inherent Vice. She has drifted through the decades without a mooring cable, but when Prairie reaches out, she begins to find herself, too. Her transformation to something like normality comes late, but it’s classic redemption, and it’s a surprisingly conventional turn for Pynchon. Though broadly satirical, Vineland is also a subtle take on our dystopian recent past, marked by a self-inflicted “thanatoid syndrome” whose willing victims exist in a state “like death but not quite dead.” These Thanatoids, who are legion and of course vote, make inroads into Zoyd’s paradise throughout the book, though they spend most of their time glued to the television, abhorring liberal, independent thought and all who engage in it, sating themselves on Rabelaisian TV-dinner banquets. We know who they are, just as we all know a Zoyd, a Prairie, a Frenesi. Vineland extends Pynchon’s vision, both grim and comic, never concerned with what the neighbors will think. In a mostly grim and only occasionally comic time, it’s worth a fresh look. Gregory McNamee is a contributing editor.

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