Before Fame

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah is an autobiography of his life before becoming a well known tv personality.

Noah’s birth to an interracial couple is a crime in apartheid South Africa. Much of his young childhood is spent pretending his mom and dad are not his actual parents (depending on the neighborhood they’re in or who they’re with).

Noah writes his life story by mixing in historical information about post apartheid in South Africa. He describes himself as a colored person, neither fully black nor white. This automatically sets him up for many uncomfortable situations in school and life as he attempts to fit in.

His mom is a very important part of his life. She is devoutly religious and they spent every Sunday going from church to church. She raised him to be an independent thinker. Noah was always a troublemaker and entrepreneurial. He started making money off his peers at a young age.

He recounts many of his pivotal life stories. There is a mixture of funny, scary and emotional events that make up Noah’s life. This was a very interesting read and it opened my eyes to a life and place I had no prior knowledge about.

Unsafe

The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith kind of drove me nuts. At the beginning, this story reminded me of Speak (which I really enjoyed), but it progressed for a longer time period with different reactions.

Eden is raped in her own bed by her brother’s best friend. He threatens to kill her if she tells anyone. This begins an almost four year aftermath of trauma.

Each year, Eden becomes a bit harder. She turns away a caring boyfriend and friends, and is full of animosity toward her parents and brother. She turns to drinking and meaningless sex as a coping strategy.

Spoiler- It isn’t until another girl is victimized that Eden finally realizes that she needs to break her silence. I spent the entire book waiting for her to say something so that she could begin properly coping and healing. And of course, waiting for justice against the perpetrator.

Coming Out

Heartstopper 2 by Alice Oseman continues Nick and Charlie’s relationship.

Nick struggles with if he’s ready to tell others about being in a gay relationship. As the story progresses, he begins telling people he trusts.

Nick must also decide if his own friends are worth keeping or not.

Overcoming Solitude

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Amiee Sáenz is a multi-award winning book.

It’s about Aristotle, aka Ari, and his friendship with Dante. Ari has always been a loner, but something is different about Dante. They first meet at the public pool one summer when Dante offers to teach Ari to swim.

From this point, they develop a friendship that provides balance to each other. Ari’s tough around the edges and Dante is more sensitive. Ari’s relationship with his dad is strained while Dante is super close with his parents. Ari’s older brother went to prison when he was much younger, and his parents never speak about him. This instilled anger and loneliness in Ari.

The school year progresses with the boys only corresponding through mail (Dante’s family moved during the year for his dad’s job). During this time both grow and realize more about themselves as individuals.

When Dante returns, he comes out to Ari. They attempt to rekindle their friendship, but it isn’t quite the same. This changes when Dante is beaten badly by a gang of boys who see him kissing a boy.

Spoiler- Ari comes to realize ( with help from his parents) that his feelings for Dante are much stronger than he allowed himself to admit.

There is beauty in the way this story unfolds (and more important scenes than I can mention here). It speaks of family love, friendship, romantic love, loyalty and forgiveness.

To Mexico

We Were Here by Matt De La Peña is Miguel’s story following a tragic accident that sent him to a juvenile facility and then a group home. Miguel is angry and non compliant to any form of support or relationship with his fellow residents.

This changes when he breaks out with the seemingly insane, violent Mong and the incredibly strong and not very bright Rondell. They attempt to make it to Mexico. Their journey reveals more about each boy’s background. They experience loss while confronting their own demons along the way.

Miguel and Rondell finally circle back to Miguel’s grandparents. He is able to admit his indescribable guilt and pain for his wrongdoing and is finally willing to serve his time in an attempt to make things right.

This story is written in Miguel’s voice as a series of his journal entries. The author captures his grit and turmoil through the entries while not completely revealing his crime until near the very end.

Rehabilitation

The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater is based on an actual event occurring in California.

Richard is a black sixteen year old who sets a gender fluid person’s skirt on fire while riding the city bus. Sasha is the victim who suffers from serious burns across their legs following the incident.

Slater does an excellent job giving both Richard and Sasha’s backgrounds/personalities before detailing the horrific prank. The book provides the rehabilitation, publicity and legal processes following the incident. Richard is being tried as an adult for his crime. Interviews/information is included from both of their family and friends.

This book is eye opening and discussion worthy in many respects: gender, race, society, our justice system, media, and more deeply about empathy and forgiveness.

New Love

Heartstopper by Alice Oseman is my final 2024 Nutmeg nominee. It’s a graphic novel.

This book has been flying off the shelf and I completely understand the hype. It captures a sweet, budding relationship between Charlie and jock Nick.

They meet in a class, and their friendship takes off quite naturally. Charlie has already come out as gay the year before. Nick is completely comfortable with Charlie and is clearly developing some feelings.

My brief summary doesn’t do justice to the story, which for me perfectly shares the angst and giddiness of a new love interest. I’m excited to keep reading the series.

Search for Freedom

Sanctuary by Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher is a futuristic take on immigration policy. Even though it’s set in 2032, it’s at times frighteningly realistic.

Vali’s family was already on the run by moving from California to Vermont after her dad’s capture and death. Now things are getting more intense as the president is building walls and forcefully deporting anyone not born in the U.S.

As they begin a journey to NYC for safety, their mother is taken from them by the Deportation Force. Vali and her little brother Ernie are forced to find safe haven on their own. NY is only the first stop on a brutal and dangerous trip to California. California is the only state granting safety to all immigrants.

Along their journey they encounter others running for their lives. They’ve all already faced loss and are hoping to survive. They encounter violence, starvation and death along the way.

It’s a harsh and eye opening look at politics and lack of humanity.

Multiple Battles

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross is a combination of love story and fantasy. It’s set in a time of warring gods, fantastical creatures and magic.

Iris and Roman are competing for a columnist position at their local paper. However, Iris is distracted by more important issues. Her brother left to fight in the war, and his absence sent her mother into a downward spiral. Iris’s only comfort is using her grandmother’s old typewriter to write letters to her missing brother. One day she magically receives a response letter, but it’s not from her brother.

Iris puts this blossoming pen pal relationship on hold when she decides to switch newspapers as a war reporter. Roman decides to follow her to their outpost. The remainder of the book details their interactions and involvement in war as well as their budding relationship.

This is a well written story. It leaves off with a cliffhanger to entice readers into reading its sequel.

After Care

Three Things I Know Are True by Betty Culley is my penultimate 2024 high school Nutmeg nominee. It is written in narrative verse.

Liv’s older brother Jonah accidentally shoots himself in the head while messing around at their neighbor’s house. He doesn’t die; he is now surviving with the help of around the clock care and machines.

Liv is an amazing sister. She helps with Jonah’s care and treats him normally. Life is tense as her and their mother wait for the court date in which they will charge the neighbor’s parents with negligence (and more).

Liv’s school life is slipping, but she slowly rebuilds her connection to their teenaged neighbor Clay and makes some new friends too.

This was an emotional and tragic story.