Marisa and Mary are back! Today we’re talking books about Middle School problems and Dystopian horrors. It is a mood. In lieu of a listener question, we talk about book world news of: BookExpo being retired and Penguin Random House buying Simon & Schuster.
Check out the Books Mentioned below to add even more books to your To Be Read pile.
Mary’s first book is Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes. Donte is tired of the racism and microaggressions thrown his way at his new very white, prep school. He decides to take on the bully of the school at his own game-fencing. In doing so, Donte discovers there's a lot more inside in him than he first realized.
Marisa’s first book is Class Act by Jerry Craft, companion to the award winning New Kid. In a graphic novel format, this time it’s Jordan’s friend Drew who takes center stage in a story about being one of the few kids of color in a prestigious private school. Craft uses humor to explore racism and microaggressions as his characters try to process and navigate the world of middle school.
Mary’s second book is the graphic novel: The Wilds by Vita Ayala. A bacterial plague has spread across the world turning people into aggressive plants. Daisy Walker is a runner for a compound securing goods and medicine for her community. On a run, Daisy discovers a lost doctor trying to collect samples from plant zombies. When she picks him up, little does she know that she will discover a horrible secret and fight to save the love of her life.
Marisa’s second book is Skyhunter by Marie Lu. A post-apocalyptic thriller about a world broken by war: one refugee girl, Talin, is part of an elite striker force willing to fight and defend the last country holding out against the Federation. The Federation experiments on humans, creating zombie-like Ghosts and even a new secret weapon who could end the war once and for all. Talin and other rebels have to band together to sacrifice everything to save what they love.
Books we talked about this episode:
Mary’s books:
Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes. Middle Grade, Grades 5+. Published by Little Brown Books for Young Readers. Published March 3, 2020.
The Wilds by Vita Ayala. High School, Grades 10+. Published by Black Mask Comics. Published December, 3, 2019.
Marisa’s books:
Class Act by Jerry Craft. Middle Grade, Grades 4-8. Published by Quill Tree Books. Published October 6, 2020.
Skyhunter by Marie Lu. Teen, Grades 7+. Published by Roaring Brook Press. Published September 29, 2020.
Books mentioned:
Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes
New Kid by Jerry Craft
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
Harry Potter series
Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Fence by C.S. Pacat
Zero Degree Zombie Zone by Patrick Henry Bass, Jerry Craft (illustrator)
The Offenders: Saving the World While Serving Detention! By Jerry Craft, Jaylen Craft, Aren Craft
Mama’s Boyz by Jerry Craft
Legend of Korra: Turk Wars by Michael Dante DiMartino, Irene Koh (illustrator)
Marguerite Bennett’s works
Wonder Woman by Phil Jimenez
Ever After by Olivia Vieweg
Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman
Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry
Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu
Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling
Warcross by Marie Lu
Legend by Marie Lu
James Patterson
Fern Michaels
