Contemporary Realism

 

Elliott, Zetta and Miller-Lachmann, Lyn. Moonwalking. New York: Farrar Straux Giroux, 2022. $19.99, 9780374314378 Gr 5-8.

This novel in verse, set in 1980s New York City, tackles many topics in a powerful manner. We get the dual perspectives of two middle-school boys dealing with family and school issues while also yearning to make art. The verse format, which uses beautiful and striking poetic language and sometimes uniquely formed poems, puts emotion and feelings at the forefront of the reading experience. Both Pie and J.J. are compelling and lovable characters, and the reader’s heart will ache for them. The authors don’t shy away from the difficulties of interracial friendships, racism in the educational and judicial systems, and the tolls that poverty and mental illness can take on families. While some details are specific to the 1980s period, such as the specific artists and musicians the boys admire and Reagan’s firing of the PATCO strikers, most aspects of the boys’ stories will be recognizable and/or relevant to middle schoolers today. The acknowledgements and author’s notes add interesting background information to provide context for some aspects that might be unfamiliar. Neither of the boys feel like stereotypes although they both face stereotyping throughout the book. Different parts of the city are vividly rendered, helping us see the different environments that shape the boys’ lives, and how each of them feels out of place in certain parts of the city.

The poetic language may challenge readers who aren’t used to a figurative style, but the diction is one of the most striking elements of this book. Some readers who are used to plot-driven narratives may struggle with the focus on internal characterization; the verse format helps make this focus more accessible. The themes of friendship and the complexities of speaking out will speak to many children, but the main theme of this book is the power of art. At one point a teacher tells J.J.: “art shines a light in the darkness/ art gives voice/ to what we can’t say in words/ art brings us together/ no matter who we are.” Not only do we see the truth of this statement in the ways Pie and J.J. begin to relate to each other and explore art and music, but also in this book itself, which is a work of art that can connect people.

Sumner, Jamie. Roll with It. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2019. $19.99, 9781534442559 Gr 5-8.

This book is an excellent choice for middle school readers. Its strength is the voice of the main character, Ellie. She deals with “typical” middle school issues like worrying about her peers and disagreeing with her parents, but she also faces unique challenges because she has cerebral palsy and is in a wheelchair. Sumner’s casual tone vividly depicts Ellie’s sense of humor and her strong emotions as she and her mom move to Oklahoma to help her grandma manage her grandpa’s increasing dementia symptoms. The small-town Oklahoma setting, which is not common in books for any age or genre, provides a unique perspective, while Ellie’s dreams about her future and her yearning to find real friends are issues almost any child can relate to. Ellie’s interactions with her new friends, Bert and Coralee, who have their own identities and challenges, add a lot of fun and humor. Perhaps the most notable and moving, though, are the intergenerational conversations Ellie has with her mom and her grandparents while they are all struggling to make decisions about Grandpa’s health needs.

Ellie’s experiences navigating accessibility and accommodations at school can educate readers about the complex nature of disability and hopefully instill empathy in children. While these themes might be new to some children, others will feel seen as they witness Ellie’s struggles and triumphs, as well as her experiences with divorced parents and living in a multigenerational household. Although the book deals with serious topics, the overall tone is bright, and indeed gains positivity as the plot progresses. The representation in this book is important, and the book is also just fun to read.