#sofia quintero

Friday, November 20, 6:30pm - 8:30pm

Meet three fantastic young adult authors, they will read from their latest publications and participate in a panel discussion, led by Shelley M. Diaz.

Shelley M. Diaz is Senior Editor of School Library Journal's Reviews and SLJTeen newsletter editor.

Show and Prove by Sofia Quintero It may be the summer of Reaganomics, the twin epidemics of crack and AIDS, war in the Middle East and urban blight.  But it’s also the summer when hip hop proved its staying power without losing its innocence, something that Smiles and Nike struggle to do. This isn’t going to be a book for teens. It’ll also be a fun, nostalgic trip for any reader born in the mid-60s to early 70s or die-hard hip-hop aficionado.

The Trouble With Half A Moon by Danette Vigilante Thirteen year old Dellie lives with the guilt that her little brother's death was her fault. Her mother cries all the time and because she wants Dellie to stay safe, she keeps her inside as much as she can. It doesn't matter that Dellie longs to go outside to be like other girls or that there's a boy she likes and he likes her too. All that matters to her mother is that she's safe at home. So, Dellie has no choice but to watch the world of her housing project through her second story window.

Sam, Clyde, and Stuff may have been from Harlem, but they reminded me of the homeboys on my block in Soundview in the southeast Bronx. How they spoke and what they cared about felt like home. Through his characters, Myers gave me permission to allow my imagination to intersect with my reality, resulting in characters who looked and sounded like my family, friends, and community taking root and blooming across the pages. His dialogue encouraged me to defy Sister Cornelius by using ain’t without shame or apology, letting bad mean good, and committing other vernacular sins — and that stylistic freedom liberated my unique voice. Myers demonstrated how a place could be a character with the backstory and aspirations of any human being, and what he did for Harlem, I wanted to do for the Bronx.

This week's diverse new releases are:

Deceptive by Emily Lloyd-Jones (Little, Brown BFYR)

Book Description: You don't belong with us.

These are the words that echo through the minds of all immune Americans-those suffering the so-called adverse effects of an experimental vaccine, including perfect recall, telepathy, precognition, levitation, mind control, and the ability to change one's appearance at will.

When great numbers of immune individuals begin to disappear, fear and tension mount, and unrest begins to brew across the country. Through separate channels, superpowered teenagers Ciere, Daniel, and Devon find themselves on the case: super criminals and government agents working side by side. It's an effort that will ultimately define them all, for better or for worse.

About a Girl by Sarah McCarry (St. Martin's Griffin)

"The conclusion to the "Metamorphoses" trilogy (St. Martin's) follows Tally to a small town outside of Seattle where she seeks out her maybe-father to learn more about her past and her family. The place feels full of magic and people who intrigue her. Tally has a hard time thinking straight here, and her dreams are filled with vivid and terrifying images of blood. She falls for the mysterious Maddy, a girl who seems to hold the answers to her many questions. ... This edgy, smart, and challenging title combines mythology, punk rock, science, a quest, feminism, art, dreams, and the power of stories and storytelling with unforgettable results. The well-developed cast of characters is racially and sexually diverse. The emphasis on the importance of female relationships—as family, as lovers, and as friends—is a welcome exploration of the many levels of intimacy. " — School Library Journal, starred review

Show and Prove by Sofia Quintero (Knopf Books for Young Readers)