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. Set in the 19th century, Friendship's Gallop tells the adventures of David Summit, the son of a farmer, and Painting Horse, a Lakota Indian. The two meet as boys when a friend of Painting Horse, Red Ow...){kind=link}
Friendship's Gallop
Ross Davis
2022 Finalist
76 Pages
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Young Adult - General
Reviewed by Astrid Iustulin for Readers' Favorite
Friendship's Gallop is a short story written by Ross Davis and his first work of fiction (he is already an established author of non-fiction books). Set in the 19th century, Friendship's Gallop tells the adventures of David Summit, the son of a farmer, and Painting Horse, a Lakota Indian. The two meet as boys when a friend of Painting Horse, Red Owl, beats David up, believing he has a connection to the miners who killed his brother. Although David has nothing to do with them, he spends some time with the Lakotas and makes friends with Painting Horse. After returning home, David could not have imagined that he and Painting Horse would meet again fourteen years later, when the farmer's son, now a cavalryman, would have to fight against the Indians.
Some stories of friendship and loyalty leave their mark on the reader. Friendship's Gallop is one of these stories. Davis's first work of fiction is a true success. The two protagonists are an inspiration for all those who believe friendship to be an important value. I liked that this friendship developed under dangerous circumstances for David first, and then later for Painting Horse. Life puts them to the test. From a narrative point of view, this keeps the reader in suspense until the last chapter. Who can imagine what will happen to Painting Horse and David? In addition to the great message of friendship, this uncertainty is what makes Friendship's Gallop a compelling read. I am sure all readers who love adventures and true-to-life stories will be thrilled by it.
Friendship's Gallop is a short story written by Ross Davis and his first work of fiction (he is already an established author of non-fiction books). Set in the 19th century, Friendship's Gallop tells the adventures of David Summit, the son of a farmer, and Painting Horse, a Lakota Indian. The two meet as boys when a friend of Painting Horse, Red Owl, beats David up, believing he has a connection to the miners who killed his brother. Although David has nothing to do with them, he spends some time with the Lakotas and makes friends with Painting Horse. After returning home, David could not have imagined that he and Painting Horse would meet again fourteen years later, when the farmer's son, now a cavalryman, would have to fight against the Indians.
Some stories of friendship and loyalty leave their mark on the reader. Friendship's Gallop is one of these stories. Davis's first work of fiction is a true success. The two protagonists are an inspiration for all those who believe friendship to be an important value. I liked that this friendship developed under dangerous circumstances for David first, and then later for Painting Horse. Life puts them to the test. From a narrative point of view, this keeps the reader in suspense until the last chapter. Who can imagine what will happen to Painting Horse and David? In addition to the great message of friendship, this uncertainty is what makes Friendship's Gallop a compelling read. I am sure all readers who love adventures and true-to-life stories will be thrilled by it.
Recommend this book:
Dargo, Eco Hero!
A Treasury of Feel-Good Stories, Book1
Karina McRoberts
2022 Honorable Mention
84 Pages
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Young Adult - General
Reviewed by Natalie Soine for Readers' Favorite
Dargo, Eco Hero! by Karina McRoberts tells the fascinating story of Dargo, who works at Fischer and Co. Express Marketing Solutions and Event Management. Dargo is a delightful young man who some may consider a bit of a weird, geeky type of guy. Jake is the office hottie and they all report to the Superior Being, Mortimer Fischer. Mortimer puts Dargo on unpaid leave due to a lack of productivity. On his way home, Dargo is swept up in an unusual windstorm and lands at Jollypark, an amusement park he used to visit as a child but it is now abandoned. At the park, Dargo meets Flame, a nature spirit; Terran, a rock giant and spirit of the land; Vivian, the water spirit and Mariah, the spirit of the wind. With help from his previous colleague, Lucinda, Dargo has to find a way to save all of them – and all of us.
Dargo, Eco Hero! is by far one of the best and most unique books I have ever read, with a vitally important message. Karina McRoberts uses humor to address a serious subject – taking care of our planet, the environment, and the ecological system that we all rely on for survival. This poignant story is filled with fascinating characters, places, and events – all enhanced with beautiful pictures. I particularly enjoyed the way old and new songs and films are incorporated into the dialogue to enrich the characters. The smooth flow allows for quick reading which makes it perfect for parents to read to their children. Overall Dargo, Eco Hero! is a thoroughly enjoyable story that is highly recommended for young and old.
Dargo, Eco Hero! by Karina McRoberts tells the fascinating story of Dargo, who works at Fischer and Co. Express Marketing Solutions and Event Management. Dargo is a delightful young man who some may consider a bit of a weird, geeky type of guy. Jake is the office hottie and they all report to the Superior Being, Mortimer Fischer. Mortimer puts Dargo on unpaid leave due to a lack of productivity. On his way home, Dargo is swept up in an unusual windstorm and lands at Jollypark, an amusement park he used to visit as a child but it is now abandoned. At the park, Dargo meets Flame, a nature spirit; Terran, a rock giant and spirit of the land; Vivian, the water spirit and Mariah, the spirit of the wind. With help from his previous colleague, Lucinda, Dargo has to find a way to save all of them – and all of us.
Dargo, Eco Hero! is by far one of the best and most unique books I have ever read, with a vitally important message. Karina McRoberts uses humor to address a serious subject – taking care of our planet, the environment, and the ecological system that we all rely on for survival. This poignant story is filled with fascinating characters, places, and events – all enhanced with beautiful pictures. I particularly enjoyed the way old and new songs and films are incorporated into the dialogue to enrich the characters. The smooth flow allows for quick reading which makes it perfect for parents to read to their children. Overall Dargo, Eco Hero! is a thoroughly enjoyable story that is highly recommended for young and old.
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Prey Without Ceasing
Andrew Franks
2022 Bronze Medal
100 Pages
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Young Adult - General
Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Readers' Favorite
Prey Without Ceasing is a southern gothic horror novella written by Andrew Franks. Raised in an ultra-conservative household with a strict authoritarian pastor for a father, seventh-grader Dalton has been groomed his entire life to take over the reins of his father, Gary. Whether getting in trouble in school for using curse words or scolded for watching Jurassic Park with his friends, Dalton's life is dictated by his family's ultra-orthodox views. Additionally, he is plagued by recurring nightmares of an evil witch who seeks to destroy him. But when his brother James' soul is taken by the witch, bringing him to the brink of death, Dalton must brave demonic creatures and his biggest fears to save his brother's life. But along the way, some horrifying secrets are revealed that will change his life forever.
A combination of nailbiting thrills and dread-filled atmosphere makes Prey Without Ceasing a gripping short story you will find hard-pressed not to read in one go. Author Andrew Franks mixes apt social commentary and pulsating horror in a seamless fashion, keeping you hooked throughout the pages. The characters are layered and well-fleshed out. Franks' plotting is intricate, with unexpected twists and turns you never see coming. The narrative focuses on the hypocrisy of certain sections of uber-religious people who quote scriptures to others at every possible opportunity, only to disregard most of its teachings and apply it in their own lives. I was glued to the pages from start to finish. If anyone is itching for some horror, I recommend Prey Without Ceasing.
Prey Without Ceasing is a southern gothic horror novella written by Andrew Franks. Raised in an ultra-conservative household with a strict authoritarian pastor for a father, seventh-grader Dalton has been groomed his entire life to take over the reins of his father, Gary. Whether getting in trouble in school for using curse words or scolded for watching Jurassic Park with his friends, Dalton's life is dictated by his family's ultra-orthodox views. Additionally, he is plagued by recurring nightmares of an evil witch who seeks to destroy him. But when his brother James' soul is taken by the witch, bringing him to the brink of death, Dalton must brave demonic creatures and his biggest fears to save his brother's life. But along the way, some horrifying secrets are revealed that will change his life forever.
A combination of nailbiting thrills and dread-filled atmosphere makes Prey Without Ceasing a gripping short story you will find hard-pressed not to read in one go. Author Andrew Franks mixes apt social commentary and pulsating horror in a seamless fashion, keeping you hooked throughout the pages. The characters are layered and well-fleshed out. Franks' plotting is intricate, with unexpected twists and turns you never see coming. The narrative focuses on the hypocrisy of certain sections of uber-religious people who quote scriptures to others at every possible opportunity, only to disregard most of its teachings and apply it in their own lives. I was glued to the pages from start to finish. If anyone is itching for some horror, I recommend Prey Without Ceasing.
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Pushing Pawns
The Chess Club Book One
Dima Novak
2022 Silver Medal
223 Pages
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Young Adult - General
Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite
Pushing Pawns is the first book in The Chess Club series by Dima Novak. Moses Middleton gathers a team of individuals for a scholastic chess tournament. However, when they lose miserably, Moses is afraid their ragtag team of chess players will split up, and his dreams of vanquishing their mediocre life will vanish with it. In a desperate attempt to save the team, Moses gets help from Viktor, an international grandmaster, to teach them how to play chess to win. Moses, Esther, Zamir, P.D., and Maggie work hard to win this time and shake up the scholastic chess scene in New York City. While they hone their skills, they have also to avoid bullies, keep out of the way of their vice principal, and make sure to teach a lesson to the rich kids from Galton Prep. Easy, right?
What a fantastic start to a series that I am sure will be an instant hit. The stakes are high from the very beginning, and Moses understands that. On the surface, Pushing Pawns by Dima Novak is a revenge story of five individuals who lost a tournament and want to get back at their rivals. A masterpiece with a superior narrative and phenomenal characters, this novel had me sitting on the edge of my seat. Viktor is just what these kids needed to succeed. Learning Soviet tactics is exactly what they needed to succeed at chess and understand that loyalty, teamwork, and friendship have a lot more value than just winning a tournament (although the win is so sweet!). The story is fun, quirky, and with enough witty charm to make you laugh out loud at certain points. The narrative style is unique. To say that I loved it would be an understatement.
Pushing Pawns is the first book in The Chess Club series by Dima Novak. Moses Middleton gathers a team of individuals for a scholastic chess tournament. However, when they lose miserably, Moses is afraid their ragtag team of chess players will split up, and his dreams of vanquishing their mediocre life will vanish with it. In a desperate attempt to save the team, Moses gets help from Viktor, an international grandmaster, to teach them how to play chess to win. Moses, Esther, Zamir, P.D., and Maggie work hard to win this time and shake up the scholastic chess scene in New York City. While they hone their skills, they have also to avoid bullies, keep out of the way of their vice principal, and make sure to teach a lesson to the rich kids from Galton Prep. Easy, right?
What a fantastic start to a series that I am sure will be an instant hit. The stakes are high from the very beginning, and Moses understands that. On the surface, Pushing Pawns by Dima Novak is a revenge story of five individuals who lost a tournament and want to get back at their rivals. A masterpiece with a superior narrative and phenomenal characters, this novel had me sitting on the edge of my seat. Viktor is just what these kids needed to succeed. Learning Soviet tactics is exactly what they needed to succeed at chess and understand that loyalty, teamwork, and friendship have a lot more value than just winning a tournament (although the win is so sweet!). The story is fun, quirky, and with enough witty charm to make you laugh out loud at certain points. The narrative style is unique. To say that I loved it would be an understatement.
Recommend this book:
The Butterfly Bruises
Palmer Smith
2022 Gold Medal
176 Pages
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Young Adult - General
Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite
“Is time an illusion?” If so, can you slow it down? No, you can’t slow down an illusion. So, how does that define life itself, since life is woven within the fabric of time? Complex questions – but life is like that and we never really do get all the answers. We can philosophize and look at times in our past, our present, and wonder about the future. We can explain our lives in the power of language: metaphors and similes. It might make sense then. But, what doesn’t make sense is what we’ve done to our planet: “If the ocean could speak,/ …The pain of the water wailing/ would awaken every creature throughout the seven seas.” Words spoke with true clarity as the poet goes on to list the evil it must endure, suggesting that we humans should dive into its “insides/ and sift/ the plastic out.” It’s like “a clogged artery” and it “won’t heal.” How do we right the wrongs of centuries of careless humanity?
Palmer Smith’s book, The Butterfly Bruises, is a collection of poetry and stories that discuss and unravel some of the mysteries of life: humanity, childhood, miscommunication, love and abuse, imagination, the power of the oceans and the overwhelming addiction of culture, family, and technology. The author/poet explores the incongruous dilemma of where humanity fits into this complex equation. With vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, the author/poet demonstrates a strong command of the language and a succinct ability to share the message. There are stories and poems of deep thought, as well as others full of magic, fantasy, mystery, and the paranormal. This book will need several reads to contemplate its full intensity.
“Is time an illusion?” If so, can you slow it down? No, you can’t slow down an illusion. So, how does that define life itself, since life is woven within the fabric of time? Complex questions – but life is like that and we never really do get all the answers. We can philosophize and look at times in our past, our present, and wonder about the future. We can explain our lives in the power of language: metaphors and similes. It might make sense then. But, what doesn’t make sense is what we’ve done to our planet: “If the ocean could speak,/ …The pain of the water wailing/ would awaken every creature throughout the seven seas.” Words spoke with true clarity as the poet goes on to list the evil it must endure, suggesting that we humans should dive into its “insides/ and sift/ the plastic out.” It’s like “a clogged artery” and it “won’t heal.” How do we right the wrongs of centuries of careless humanity?
Palmer Smith’s book, The Butterfly Bruises, is a collection of poetry and stories that discuss and unravel some of the mysteries of life: humanity, childhood, miscommunication, love and abuse, imagination, the power of the oceans and the overwhelming addiction of culture, family, and technology. The author/poet explores the incongruous dilemma of where humanity fits into this complex equation. With vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, the author/poet demonstrates a strong command of the language and a succinct ability to share the message. There are stories and poems of deep thought, as well as others full of magic, fantasy, mystery, and the paranormal. This book will need several reads to contemplate its full intensity.
Recommend this book:
Someone's Story
B.A. Bellec
2021 Finalist
330 Pages
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Young Adult - General
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Someone’s Story is a work of fiction in the coming of age and family drama sub-genres and was penned by author B. A. Bellec. Written for mature young adult audiences, the book does feature some more sensitive themes such as abortion, death, bullying, and substance usage. The story focuses on the mental health journey of one young man when he is forced to move and this creates a huge upheaval in his life. As he struggles to find a new footing in a new space, we encounter the many ups and downs of modern teenage life, the difficulties that adjusting to adult feelings bring, and a few tear-jerking surprises along the way.
Author B. A. Bellec has crafted a masterpiece of emotive and well-rounded young adult fiction, one which holds a mirror up to real life and does not over or underplay life’s many dramas for a moment. As an accurate portrayal of mental health issues and insecurities, readers are sure to take comfort in the close, raw narration which explains how the protagonist feels and deals with uncomfortable situations throughout the tale. Though there’s plenty of serious stuff to unpack, the work is also balanced with funny, touching moments and solid life advice. The accompanying soundtrack really gives a new technological dimension to the reading experience as well, making the book a really immersive experience that is truly unmissable. Overall, I would highly recommend Someone’s Story to teen and adult readers alike: an accomplished and fully rounded reading experience.
Someone’s Story is a work of fiction in the coming of age and family drama sub-genres and was penned by author B. A. Bellec. Written for mature young adult audiences, the book does feature some more sensitive themes such as abortion, death, bullying, and substance usage. The story focuses on the mental health journey of one young man when he is forced to move and this creates a huge upheaval in his life. As he struggles to find a new footing in a new space, we encounter the many ups and downs of modern teenage life, the difficulties that adjusting to adult feelings bring, and a few tear-jerking surprises along the way.
Author B. A. Bellec has crafted a masterpiece of emotive and well-rounded young adult fiction, one which holds a mirror up to real life and does not over or underplay life’s many dramas for a moment. As an accurate portrayal of mental health issues and insecurities, readers are sure to take comfort in the close, raw narration which explains how the protagonist feels and deals with uncomfortable situations throughout the tale. Though there’s plenty of serious stuff to unpack, the work is also balanced with funny, touching moments and solid life advice. The accompanying soundtrack really gives a new technological dimension to the reading experience as well, making the book a really immersive experience that is truly unmissable. Overall, I would highly recommend Someone’s Story to teen and adult readers alike: an accomplished and fully rounded reading experience.
Recommend this book:
A Girl Named Cricket
Peter J. Manos
2021 Honorable Mention
260 Pages
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Young Adult - General
Reviewed by Caitlin Lyle Farley for Readers' Favorite
Cricket is angry. Her parents lied to her, taking her from her home and friends on their distant, dying planet to live on Earth. She has to go to school like a human teenager and do her best to fit into this strange, desert town where the houses aren’t cylindrical and the world is open to the sky. Cricket gets off to a rough start as she and her family give off the wrong impression to everyone they encounter. Cricket’s new human body attracts the unwanted attentions of the local motorcycle gang, who regularly cause havoc in the area, and soon the mayor is breathing down their necks, convinced there’s something odd about the Sminth family, besides their unusual names.
In A Girl Named Cricket, Peter J. Manos writes convincingly from the alien perspective and the confusion caused by language and cultural differences is often hilarious. The world building incorporated through Watson, Crick, and Cricket’s relationship dynamics, remarks on lifestyle differences and, in particular, Cricket’s nostalgia and longing for home paints a realistic feel of the otherworldly. Although she often comes across as petulant and rash, Cricket is easy to relate to and her insightful observations never fail to entertain. Tom is a darling and I loved the way Manos incorporated the trauma he experienced into his personality, without allowing this to overshadow other facets of his personality. A Girl Named Cricket is an entertaining and imaginative sci-fi novel from beginning to end. Manos’ blend of humour and compellingly alien beings is a winner.
Cricket is angry. Her parents lied to her, taking her from her home and friends on their distant, dying planet to live on Earth. She has to go to school like a human teenager and do her best to fit into this strange, desert town where the houses aren’t cylindrical and the world is open to the sky. Cricket gets off to a rough start as she and her family give off the wrong impression to everyone they encounter. Cricket’s new human body attracts the unwanted attentions of the local motorcycle gang, who regularly cause havoc in the area, and soon the mayor is breathing down their necks, convinced there’s something odd about the Sminth family, besides their unusual names.
In A Girl Named Cricket, Peter J. Manos writes convincingly from the alien perspective and the confusion caused by language and cultural differences is often hilarious. The world building incorporated through Watson, Crick, and Cricket’s relationship dynamics, remarks on lifestyle differences and, in particular, Cricket’s nostalgia and longing for home paints a realistic feel of the otherworldly. Although she often comes across as petulant and rash, Cricket is easy to relate to and her insightful observations never fail to entertain. Tom is a darling and I loved the way Manos incorporated the trauma he experienced into his personality, without allowing this to overshadow other facets of his personality. A Girl Named Cricket is an entertaining and imaginative sci-fi novel from beginning to end. Manos’ blend of humour and compellingly alien beings is a winner.
Recommend this book:
Eternal Bloodlines
JC Brennan
2021 Bronze Medal
304 Pages
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Young Adult - General
Reviewed by Raanan Geberer for Readers' Favorite
Eternal Bloodlines by JC Brennan tells the story of Amanda Rain Holston, who, as the book begins, is a young waitress in the Michigan town of Skidway Lake. Amanda is living a typical small-town life when suddenly, after a party, the body of one of her friends is found ripped apart and disemboweled, and the body of two more friends are found drained of blood. Soon, Amanda herself is injured in a motor vehicle accident. While in the hospital, she has vivid dreams of two dark, hooded strangers who are arguing about a “hunt.” Soon, she wakes up — but she’s now in a castle in Romania, the companion of a vampire. And he’s not any vampire — he’s the son of Count Dracula!
JC Brennan’s Eternal Bloodlines is very well written in a way that can appeal to people of the fictional Amanda’s age as well as older adults. In an unusual twist, Dracula, or Vlad Tepes as he’s known in the book, is portrayed as a compassionate, caring “person” who regrets the grisly deeds of his youth. Good mysteries (and this is a mystery as well as a book of paranormal fiction) have many premonitions, and Eternal Bloodlines is no exception — before Amanda’s accident, she’s a fan of Stephen King’s fiction and reads as many vampire books as she can. There were even one or two scenes that made me laugh, such as the “wedding chapel” later in the book whose centerpiece is not a piece of religious art but a painting of a vampire biting a young woman’s neck. All in all, if you like vampires (fictional, that is), paranormal fiction or mysteries, Eternal Bloodlines will be a good book for you.
Eternal Bloodlines by JC Brennan tells the story of Amanda Rain Holston, who, as the book begins, is a young waitress in the Michigan town of Skidway Lake. Amanda is living a typical small-town life when suddenly, after a party, the body of one of her friends is found ripped apart and disemboweled, and the body of two more friends are found drained of blood. Soon, Amanda herself is injured in a motor vehicle accident. While in the hospital, she has vivid dreams of two dark, hooded strangers who are arguing about a “hunt.” Soon, she wakes up — but she’s now in a castle in Romania, the companion of a vampire. And he’s not any vampire — he’s the son of Count Dracula!
JC Brennan’s Eternal Bloodlines is very well written in a way that can appeal to people of the fictional Amanda’s age as well as older adults. In an unusual twist, Dracula, or Vlad Tepes as he’s known in the book, is portrayed as a compassionate, caring “person” who regrets the grisly deeds of his youth. Good mysteries (and this is a mystery as well as a book of paranormal fiction) have many premonitions, and Eternal Bloodlines is no exception — before Amanda’s accident, she’s a fan of Stephen King’s fiction and reads as many vampire books as she can. There were even one or two scenes that made me laugh, such as the “wedding chapel” later in the book whose centerpiece is not a piece of religious art but a painting of a vampire biting a young woman’s neck. All in all, if you like vampires (fictional, that is), paranormal fiction or mysteries, Eternal Bloodlines will be a good book for you.
Recommend this book:
Starvation
Molly Fennig
2021 Silver Medal
220 Pages
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Young Adult - General
Reviewed by Ruffina Oserio for Readers' Favorite
Starvation by Molly Fennig is a YA novel that addresses realistic issues and presents elaborately developed and compelling characters. Sixteen-year-old Wes McCoy has never been the favorite of the family. His brother, Jason, who is the apple of everyone’s eye, dies in a car accident on his way to the State wrestling championship. Wes’s life gets upended in ways he can’t understand. In his struggle to cope with the tragedy, he turns to food for solace. But food can’t give him the solution to his aching problems and his troubled heart. In fact, he might lose a dear friend forever, and Caila Brennan is a girl whose standards put food out of the equation. As he navigates his painful emotions and learns more about himself and his brother’s tragedy, he will have to make hard choices or see his life winding down an irreversible path.
This is the first book I have read in which an author explores a young character struggling with grief and finding himself plunged into a world where eating disorders become the norm. Themes of depression and suicide are diligently written and in a realistic manner. Molly Fennig has written the young characters intelligently and I enjoyed the way the relationship between Caila and Wes is developed from the moment they first meet each other at the fountain; their text messaging conversations add to the realism of the story and capture an aspect of life that young readers will definitely relate to. The family dynamics at the McCoys and how this affects the young protagonist are also well-written. Starvation is suspenseful, and I found myself mulling over the death of Jason, wondering — like the mother — if he had actually committed suicide. Starvation is emotionally rich, at times disturbing, but it plumbs the psyche of a young protagonist and explores realities that young people experience, especially when faced with a crisis. It is a fast-paced, emotional rollercoaster.
Starvation by Molly Fennig is a YA novel that addresses realistic issues and presents elaborately developed and compelling characters. Sixteen-year-old Wes McCoy has never been the favorite of the family. His brother, Jason, who is the apple of everyone’s eye, dies in a car accident on his way to the State wrestling championship. Wes’s life gets upended in ways he can’t understand. In his struggle to cope with the tragedy, he turns to food for solace. But food can’t give him the solution to his aching problems and his troubled heart. In fact, he might lose a dear friend forever, and Caila Brennan is a girl whose standards put food out of the equation. As he navigates his painful emotions and learns more about himself and his brother’s tragedy, he will have to make hard choices or see his life winding down an irreversible path.
This is the first book I have read in which an author explores a young character struggling with grief and finding himself plunged into a world where eating disorders become the norm. Themes of depression and suicide are diligently written and in a realistic manner. Molly Fennig has written the young characters intelligently and I enjoyed the way the relationship between Caila and Wes is developed from the moment they first meet each other at the fountain; their text messaging conversations add to the realism of the story and capture an aspect of life that young readers will definitely relate to. The family dynamics at the McCoys and how this affects the young protagonist are also well-written. Starvation is suspenseful, and I found myself mulling over the death of Jason, wondering — like the mother — if he had actually committed suicide. Starvation is emotionally rich, at times disturbing, but it plumbs the psyche of a young protagonist and explores realities that young people experience, especially when faced with a crisis. It is a fast-paced, emotional rollercoaster.
Recommend this book:
Listen Mama
M.S.P. Williams
2021 Gold Medal
239 Pages
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Young Adult - General
Reviewed by Stephanie Chapman for Readers' Favorite
M.S.P. Williams writes about his life growing up in Listen Mama. Manny writes letters in his journal that are directed at his mother. At 6 months of age, Manny was burned by a medical error that caused him to be disfigured. His mother settled the lawsuit for a mere $24,000 and then wrote to a news reporter who paid for Manny’s reconstructive surgeries. As Manny grows up, his mother had “episodes” that eventually led to her diagnosis of schizophrenia. Manny was taught by his grandmother that he needed to take care of his siblings, and thus he started working to take care of his mother and five younger siblings. He vowed he would provide a better life for them.
Every entry that Williams entered into his journal was his reflection on how he felt he would never be able to escape from the mental prison he was trapped in. Listen Mama shows how much emotional turmoil children actually feel and what cultivates their self-worth as adults. I could see the evolution of Manny’s insecurities. As a child that did not understand his mother’s mental illness, his entries were filled with excuses to defend his mother. As he grew older, his inability to deal with the amount of stress was exhibited in angry entries on how his mother’s refusal to take her medications cost him and his siblings. I was able to connect with Manny and could empathize with his mental anguish. This is a 5-star book that I recommend to high school-age readers and adults. M.S.P. Williams' book is a tale of what the public tries to turn a blind eye to - living in poverty where children are left to raise their younger siblings while their parent is in and out of mental health clinics. I found Manny finally deciding to follow “can’t change yesterday, but you can definitely alter tomorrow” was the start of his true life.
M.S.P. Williams writes about his life growing up in Listen Mama. Manny writes letters in his journal that are directed at his mother. At 6 months of age, Manny was burned by a medical error that caused him to be disfigured. His mother settled the lawsuit for a mere $24,000 and then wrote to a news reporter who paid for Manny’s reconstructive surgeries. As Manny grows up, his mother had “episodes” that eventually led to her diagnosis of schizophrenia. Manny was taught by his grandmother that he needed to take care of his siblings, and thus he started working to take care of his mother and five younger siblings. He vowed he would provide a better life for them.
Every entry that Williams entered into his journal was his reflection on how he felt he would never be able to escape from the mental prison he was trapped in. Listen Mama shows how much emotional turmoil children actually feel and what cultivates their self-worth as adults. I could see the evolution of Manny’s insecurities. As a child that did not understand his mother’s mental illness, his entries were filled with excuses to defend his mother. As he grew older, his inability to deal with the amount of stress was exhibited in angry entries on how his mother’s refusal to take her medications cost him and his siblings. I was able to connect with Manny and could empathize with his mental anguish. This is a 5-star book that I recommend to high school-age readers and adults. M.S.P. Williams' book is a tale of what the public tries to turn a blind eye to - living in poverty where children are left to raise their younger siblings while their parent is in and out of mental health clinics. I found Manny finally deciding to follow “can’t change yesterday, but you can definitely alter tomorrow” was the start of his true life.
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