Infandous, by Elana K. Arnold

"A myth is not in the telling, but in the endless retelling."

Sephora Golding's life, in all it's disturbing and tragic twists, has come to mirror the myths that inspire the art she creates. Her world revolves around her beautiful mother, Rebecca, and her art, which is inspired by the former and made using the scrap she finds all over Venice Beach. The narration feels distant from the turmoil taking place, true to Sephora's feelings. Her mother is dating a guy closer to Sephora's age, Jordan, she's barely hanging on in school, she's pressured to find a job, and her best friend, Marissa, is more confused about what she wants and needs than Sephora.

As with any good myth, her fate is inescapable, yet, she does't realize this until after the fact. The annual summer trip to her wealthy Aunt's in Georgia brings into focus just how very different her life could be. They have offered for her to come and live with them-an escape from her fate. Upon her return home, however, fate works for, rather than against her, as her art takes off and she has the opportunity to face the one that committed the infandous* act.

The myths interspersed throughout the chapters made me think, as I'm sure was Arnold's intention, about the brutality of many myths that we gloss over in our minds simply because they are deemed Literature rather than simply stories. Moreover, what would we think if these tales were told with a modern backdrop? Infandous provides us with that backdrop in this modern shocker of a myth.

*something that's too terrible to be spoken out loud

The Turtle of Oman: a Novel, by Naomi Shihab Nye

Turtles carry their entire homes on their backs, swim far out into the sea and return safely to the shore time and again. This serves as inspiration for Aref Al-Amri, whose family is moving from Muscat, Oman to Anne Arbor, Michigan for three years in order for his parents to complete their PhDs. Aref spends much of his last week with his grandfather, Sidi, walking down memory lane and taking in all of the wonders that nature has to offer as they sleep under the stars and scour the sand for unique stones. Sidi is full of gentle wisdom and sympathises with his grandson's worries, recalling a time when he didn't want for anything to change, because"Everything around me and inside me, felt all the right size." Yet, change it did and all was well. We learn about animals, plants, stars, and life from the duo's conversations and Aref's internal dialogue. By the end of the week, Aref is still sad to leave his home, but ready to embrace the uncertainty.

I can't think of a better book to read with a child or an entire class. There's much to discuss and also much to quietly ponder in this hearfelt tale of what it is to embrace change while keeping the past near. 

The Fourteenth Goldfish, by Jennifer L. Holm

Being a teenager isn't easy; especially not the second time around. Ellie's Grandpa, Melvin, is doing just that; after discovering a concoction for the fountain of youth, he has been transformed into a 13-year-old. In addition to combatting acne, homework, and girls, Melvin must find a way back into the lab to get the materials he needs to complete his research. Ellie is reeled into being his partner in crime. Along the way, she comes to know her Grandpa much better and comes to appreciate his scientific mind, that her mother loathes. In fact, she now thinks she may have a future in science as well.

A good deal of comedy arises with Melvin maintaining the mindset of an older man, but in the body of a teenager. This is balanced by Ellie's thoughts and discussions with her Grandpa concerning the true consequences of immortality. These are the kind of queries that could lead to great class discussions.

Holm's quick-witted conversations and seamless interjection of scientific information within the plot, solidify her as the great writer that she is.

Courage for Beginners, by Karen Harrington

Often, we think our own story is the most tragic, until we hear someone else's. 7th grader Mysti Murphey is constantly narrating her own life and imagining the stories of those around her as a means of escaping her difficult reality. As if dealing with bullying, losing her best friend, and completing group projects wasn't enough, her mother has agoraphobia (debilitating anxiety) and her father is in a coma after falling from a tree. Mysti handles each new twist in the story of her life  with as much grace as a 7th grader can muster by caring for her younger sister, rising above her mother's fears to venture out and buy groceries for the family, and making the most of her best friend, Anibal's transformation to a cool hipster that doesn't include her. Rama Khan is introduced into the narrative of her life just in time. She grounds Mysti in her factual interpretation of the world and gives her an outlet when she has no one else.

Mysti's confidence grows by way of small victories throughout the story; in turn, she's more resilient when faced with difficulties. Ultimately, her mother and father do improve, though, the story is not tied up nice-and-neat, leaving the reader with the realization that there will always be obstacles in life. We, like Mysti, must find it within ourselves to overcome and learn from them.

Nightmares!, by Jason Segal and Kirsten Miller

Charlie's having a difficult time telling where his nightmares end and reality begins. At this point, he's convinced his stepmother is a witch (with a broom to boot) and that he's losing his mind until he discovers that the Netherworld of the witches is not a figment of his imagination upon discovering that his younger brother has been kidnapped by President Fear himself (who just so happens to look a lot like his principle).

Ultimately, Charlie is charged with the task of preventing President Fear from transforming the awake world into one of never-ending nightmares. Segal and Miller tackle this scary, yet heart-warming tale with tact, as we wake up with Charlie to find that the only way to stop being afraid is to face our fears head-on. 

Nuts to You, by Lynne Rae Perkins

Imagine having to watch out for hawks that may scoop you up for a meal! Such is a squirrel's life. This fear becomes a reality for one group of friends, as Jed is picked from the ground by a much-feared hawk! Chai and Ts Ts waist no time chasing down their friend, who luckily slips from the hawk's talons, by way of "buzzpaths," otherwise known as power lines.

Perkins, who claims she was told this story by a talking squirrel at a park, manages to mix philosophical nuances with observations of nature throughout this delightful tall-tale featuring 3 short furry squirrels . Though, this quirky book can be read for deeper meanings, the surface value is enhanced by humorous and intricate illustrations, occasionally resembling comics, and witty footnotes. This would be a terrific book to enjoy with a friend, parent, child, or squirrel?!?!

The Boundless, by Kenneth Oppel

In 1885, Will embarks on a trip to celebrate the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway with his father who has been working on it for years. By the time the golden-spike ceremony is completed, he has not only survived and avalanche, but a Sasquatch! This may have been the end of his travels, had it not been for a brief encounter with Maren, a circus girl he cannot forget.

Thus, Will jumps at the chance a few years later to join his father on the first journey of the train version of the Titanic, a beast known has the Boundless, in hopes of reuniting with Maren. Much like the previous trip, nothing goes as planned. Will's life turns into a circus, literally and figuratively, as he becomes privy to the fact that two different parties are scheming to steal priceless artifacts off the train, leading him to seek refuge with the performers as he plots to save the treasure and keep the train chugging along.

Oppel is famous for his unforgettable characters and heart-stopping plots; The Boundless most certainly does not disappoint in this regard.

The Red Pencil, by Andrea Davis Pinkney

Amira's days are filled with caring for her disabled sister, completing chores, and looking after her lamb; leaving little time for much else. Yet, she spends the few spare moments she has drawing in the dirt with a stick and dreaming of writing real letters in school one day.

Life in a refugee camp in Sudan is uncertain from one day to the next and Amira's constant quest to find hope of a better future is reflected in the rhythm of Pinkney's short-lined verse. Her steady optimism is aided when she is given a red pencil by an aid worker. She treasures each mark she makes in her notebook as she draws the family, friends, and landscape that surround her, all the while marveling at the vibrancy of the marks on the page that don't blow away in the wind. Evans' illustrations illuminate Amira's aspirations and struggles and the simple lines compliment Pinkney's sparse verse. This is an inspiring book of a girl that is able to find the light in the darkest of places.