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The Third Period Comeback by E. K. Johnston
In an almost dystopian - indeed, apocalyptic - current events news cycle – even for children – this book is an oasis, a balm. It is a funny, quirky-character driven book with Canadian in-jokes, wonderful inclusiveness, Canadian settings and activities – cottages/cabins, hockey, camping, etc. And, it also has magical elements that make the plot remarkably unpredictable. Reading it feels like Ms. Johnston had a riot writing it.
You probably have favourite authors, like I do, who could write anything, and you’d look forward to reading it – for any age level, any genre, fiction, non-fiction, Cabbage Seeds Catalogue – whatever.
E.K. Johnston is one of these, for me. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed her YA titles, so far, and she has my vote for best book title ever – Exit, Pursued by a Bear.
Holding an author in such high esteem, can be perilous. Looking forward to reading a book, sets one up for disappointment. The Third Period Comeback is Ms. Johnston’s first foray into Juvenile Fiction. Here, huge anticipation was justified - it’s a barnburner.
A clan of hockey playing tween cousins, conspire one summer, to do what their parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and great, great relatives – together with the NHL and generations of Toronto Maple Leaf fans – have failed to do. In the story, their great, great grandfather died in a plane crash, and was never found. In the story, the Maple Leafs haven’t won the Stanley Cup since; ergo, it’s widely believed that the team is cursed by the disappearance. In the story, every member of the cousins’ extended family, is also believed to be cursed, and therefore banned from playing organized hockey after childhood. In the story, curses are a real thing. “Curse breaking” is an industry, etc. (This story arc references the Maple Leafs’ curse narrative in the real world. For that “true” curse, see the Tragically Hip song, “Fifty-Mission Cap.”)
The cousins spend every summer together under the lax supervision of their grand parents, at a family huddle of cabins in the wilderness. As it happens, the crash took place en route to this remote location – and therefore possibly nearby. This summer, the oldest cousins are approaching the end of their hockey playing careers, as dictated by the curse. This summer, the band of cousins find research about the curse from previous generations. Their older relatives worked in solitude. This generation of cousins pool their resources, and believe in each other, if not themselves. It’s hard to say enough about this empowering, authentic, engaging very Canadian story. Mostly, it’s a story about innocent, childhood fun.
I should add, I am not a Maple Leaf fan. I’m not an NHL fan. I am a fan of the PWHL and Canadian National Hockey teams. If I can enjoy this book, you can too. We are all on team Canada.
Middle Grade Fiction pr8363747
This month's Kids & YA review was written by Helen Wilding Cook, a Juvenile & YA Fiction Print Selection Specialist at Library Bound.
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The Truth About Maura by Isabelle Jameson
Maura makes a careful plan - how, when, where to get it done so that no one will find out. Her plan works perfectly, except that there’s a class mate at the abortion clinic, and they see each other. Social media explodes. Maura’s mother is embarrassed; her best friend is furious with the father; strangers are disgusted, classmates are curious. Everyone has feelings and opinions and questions about her, the unplanned pregnancy, the abortion, the father and more. No one she loves asks Maura how she feels, what she thinks, what she needs. Two relative strangers offer her unconditional support. For them, the pregnancy and abortion are none of their business and don’t change who Maura is. Maura agrees.
This book is a high interest low-reading-level title in the Orca Soundings series. You don’t particularly notice this.
Turning the last page, I wanted to find out more about Maura, and how her relationships would change. I think teenagers - in her position or not - would benefit from reading her story. It’s a great, suspenseful book. -Helen Wilding Cook
YA Fiction pr8383121
This month's Kids & YA review was written by Helen Wilding Cook, a Juvenile & YA Fiction Print Selection Specialist at Library Bound.
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As a teenager, I can remember imagining who I’d thank if I won an Academy Award. To be clear, I had no ambition then or ever, to be an actor. Still, one daydreams…
Imagine a teenager daydreaming about being in charge… say President of the United States. Then imagine the light bulb moment – why wait? Why not a 17-year-old president?
That is what Soman Chainani imagined. The already extremely accomplished author of The School for Good and Evil series, among others, imagined Benton Young. In a near future, where climate change is worse, and politicians are about the same, Benton decides to try.
A Revolting Youth movement - fantastic name - starts with Benton in the United States and spreads across the G7. Suddenly, the leaders of the free world are all teenagers. They sweep into office on their promises to be different. They promise to think about the planet and future generations, instead of accumulating short-term wealth and power for themselves.
In their first week as leaders, these teenagers gather for a G7 meeting. Huge issues are on the agenda, and President Benton Young is still working out the names of each of the other leaders, and trying to wrest power away from American politicians.
That premise had me reading late into the night, as it was. Then – THEN! – one of the teenage leaders is murdered. The suspects? The other teenage leaders!
As Benton and his team (his two best friends, his poli-sci teacher and one or two trustworthy U.S. government officials) navigate the other G7 leaders, murder charges, impeachment in the U.S., unhelpful parents, and the inevitable international conspiracy – they gradually figure out what’s going on, and what to do. This book is the definition of action packed. It is an ode to the vitality, optimism, authenticity and creativity of young people. And who knows? If they had control, maybe they would rule the world better than grown-up politicians. They probably wouldn’t make it any worse.
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Finding My Spark by Isabelle Jameson
Alex, the protagonist of this picture book, knows he is a boy. He can’t bring himself to say – out loud – the words in his head. His feelings begin his story – worried, afraid, unhappy. The illustrations convey these very well.
Eventually, Alex writes a letter to his mom. She helps him to draw a picture to show his family, and then he tells his class. He wants people to use he/him pronouns. He wants to be called Alex.
His feelings change - relieved, brave, happy. He had the feelings before he had the words. A picture helps him tell his truth.
I remember an altercation with another child – Marty - when I was small. Grown-up interventions ensued. “What happened” was explained by others. I thought, “That’s not right.” It was so obvious in my head - but I didn’t have the words to clarify the facts or my feelings – also I was crying. Feeling powerless to communicate a correction, is what I remember most. (If I met Marty today, I’d explain the whole thing!)
All kids have felt worried or afraid or unhappy. All kids would rather feel relieved or brave or happy. I think this picture book will support many kids to feel these emotions themselves and/or have empathy for others. It might even help them to find words about a specific truth in their own lives. We hope there is room for this Canadian book in your library.
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Our Little Secret by Edward Kay & Mikhael Klassen-Kay
This book grabs the reader by the throat. It opens with a textbook case example of "in medias res". Truly, the opening sentences are among the best I’ve ever read, for any age level, ever.
Our Little Secret reveals said secret in the final words of the book – BANG! I honestly, did not see it coming. I believe it’s the reason the book was written, in the first place.
Mind you, please don’t just read the last page. Please treat yourself to the whole thing. Why? We have a fantastic beginning and a extraordinary close. In between, there is a mystery which, full disclosure, I did unravel, but I am very proud of myself about that. The story is relentless in expanding mystery conventions. Like the rule for improv theatre, the plot constantly says, “Yes, and…” More than a whodunnit – although it is that – it is also an intriguing “whydunnit”.
So, to review we have… a great opener, great final curtain, great plot. The protagonists are also remarkable, not the least because there are three of them - well developed, flawed, presented in first person. The interactions of Chloe, Jordan and Nick deepen the mysteries, suspense, and characterization building in the other two. Books told from several points of view sometimes require the reader to page back, “who is this again? Who’s talking?” Not here. Their voices are distinct. Also, I grew to really care about each of them, and was terrified for most of the book, for all their sakes.
Other boxes this book checks, besides what we’ve explored so far; there is a neurodivergent protagonist, a trans protagonist, and a BIPOC protagonist. The timing of the transition of the protagonist is critical to plot development, in several ways. Intricate framing of the plot and characters build beautifully. I’m running out of adjectives! In short, one of the best books I’ve read, for any age, ever. In many ways it is a peerless book. Oh, and, one more plus… it is Canadian.
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