Less toxic masculinity, more community support

Ultraviolet by Aida Salazar is already one of my favorite books of 2024. When I was entering middle school, I read a lot of Judy Blume and Ann M. Martin books because they wrote about real growing pains that my friends and I were experiencing.  Now I can add Ultraviolet to that group of stories that encapsulates what it's like to be 13, developing first crushes, heartbreak, and learning how to navigate your emotions without hurting others. 

In this novel in verse, Salazar follows Elio, a Mexican-American boy who has a core group of friends and looks to his dad to teach him what it means to "be a man."  According to his dad, it's not allowing yourself to feel any negative emotions and to embrace a macho attitude.  Thankfully, Elio's mother steps in and gently guides him to fully embrace the changes he's going through and to allow himself the time and space to heal from being hurt. Elio's two younger sisters, who typically get on his nerves, turn up for him when he is at his lowest point. 

My favorite part of this book is how Salazar writes authentically from the perspective of teenagers.  Their dialogue is completely believable, even using the most up-to-date slang of our current times: "no cap" and "rizz" make their way into the conversations throughout the story. She also weaves in the power of social media, group chats, and consent into the tale as Elio faces big decisions over how to deal with his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend who is taunting him.  Elio's problems are realistic so readers can possibly work through similar issues they are having through the story. 

As a teacher, parent, and school librarian, I would highly recommend this book to upper middle grade readers (6th grade and up).  The story's open and honest conversations about bodies and hormones between the grownups and teenagers can show readers how to respectfully have these important conversations by using accurate language and some humor, at times. I also appreciate Salazar showcasing a broad range of side characters who are also dealing with similar coming-of-age feelings. The last part that I especially enjoyed is how much Spanish is used in the story.  Being an immigrant myself, I can attest that hearing your ancestral language is powerful, using it yourself is even more moving, and finally seeing it printed in a published book is beyond feeling seen.  It signifies your experience as a person with a another language and cultural background that is just as a part of your identity as any other part. 

Be sure to checkout this novel as it is released in April of 2024 and Salazar's other books. She is a master storyteller who will have you laughing at one point and reaching for the tissues at another. For a read-alike to this book, I suggest the young adult book by Lamar Giles, Not So Pure and Simple:

Thanks to Net Galley for providing an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. 

 

Land of the Cranes: a migrant's perspective

 

Land of the Cranes, by Aida Salazar, is a novel-in-verse story of immigrants from Mexico that is perfect for 3rd graders and up.  4th grader, Betita lives in east L.A. with her Mami and Papi.  She loves drawing and writing poetry, especially about the legends her Papi tells her about their being descendants of cranes.  When her Papi get detained by I.C.E., Betita and her newly pregnant Mami must find a way to help him. During their attempt they both get detained, too.  Betita is shocked at the freezing cold conditions at the center where they are being held and tries her best to stay positive.  She believes that as her ancestors before her, she will be able to be free once again.  With her Mami's pregnancy in danger, Betita fears that she may lose her Mami and unborn sibling.  A sorrowful story of a real problem that if affecting this country.

As a librarian and teacher I would use this story with students.  We would discuss what it means to file for asylum and look at real life cases where this happens.  

This book would pair well with the picture book, Hear My Voice, set for release on April 13, 2021: