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HAPPY EVER AFTER

Must-read YAs: 'Hold Tight, Don't Let Go,' '5 to 1,' 'Flawed'

Michelle Monkou
Special for USA TODAY
Hold Tight, Don't Let Go by Laura Rose Wagner.

The Young Adult genre is booming. Authors are finding creative ways and stepping up to incorporate unique characters to tell fresh story ideas. What is also clear is that the diversity of the genre is on the rise, a much-needed reflection of our society. Happy reading!

Hold Tight, Don't Let Go by Laura Rose Wagner

Hold Tight, Don't Let Go by Laura Rose Wagner is a coming-of-age story set in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. With the massive real-life earthquake in 2010 as the anchor to the story, the effects of this devastation are far-reaching and test the courage and strength of two young girls.

The story is refreshing for the unique setting of Haiti and the cultural tenets that enrich this story. Wagner writes with a sensitive touch, connecting readers to the tragedy and dignity of the Haitian people brought to life in the story.

About Hold Tight, Don't Let Go (courtesy of Amulet Books):

Hold Tight, Don't Let Go follows the vivid story of two teenage cousins, raised as sisters, who survive the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti. After losing the woman who raised them in the tragedy, Magdalie and Nadine must fend for themselves in the aftermath of the quake. The girls are inseparable, making the best of their new circumstances in a refugee camp with an affectionate, lively camaraderie, until Nadine, whose father lives in Miami, sends for her but not Magdalie. As she leaves, Nadine makes a promise she cannot keep: to bring Magdalie to Miami, too. Resourceful Magdalie focuses her efforts on a reunion with Nadine until she realizes her life is in Haiti, and that she must embrace its possibilities for love, friendship, and a future.

5 to 1 by Holly Bodger.

5 to 1 by Holly Bodger

Holly Bodger wrote 5 to 1 like the perfect flower, where each petal is beautifully crafted and contributes to the whole image. I had no identifiable shortcomings for the story except that now I want to visit the word before the change, and I want to continue onward for a "where are they now" reunion. I loved the seeming simplicity of the prose and verse. Word choices are powerful and dynamic, while their efficacy and efficiency are on point. 5 to 1 is a visual and intriguing masterpiece that opens the imagination and never leaves even after the book is closed.

About 5 to 1 (courtesy of Knopf Books for Young Readers):

In the year 2054, after decades of gender selection, India now has a ratio of five boys for every girl, making women an incredibly valuable commodity. Tired of marrying off their daughters to the highest bidder and determined to finally make marriage fair, the women who form the country of Koyanagar have instituted a series of tests so that every boy has the chance to win a wife.

Sudasa, though, doesn't want to be a wife, and Kiran, a boy forced to compete in the test to become her husband, has other plans as well. As the tests advance, Sudasa and Kiran thwart each other at every turn until they slowly realize that they just might want the same thing.

Flawed by Kate Avelynn.

Flawed by Kate Avelynn

Whoa, Flawed is dark. Deep. Daring. First, kudos to Kate Avelynn for having the courage to allow the story to flow without inserting author sensibilities. There were easy opportunities to dilute the intensity of the scenes or soften the characters' true natures. I'm thrilled that these characters are delivered with the level of reality that makes them relatable, even if you'd never met such a person.

My second hurrah moment is that such a unique story about twisted and dysfunctional family bonds and obligations could only be successfully done by a strong, talented writer. This was a weighty topic that had to be handled with respect and understanding, from beginning to end, of the emotional ride. Kate Avelynn proved her mettle.

About Flawed (courtesy of Entangled: Teen):

Sarah O'Brien is alive because of the pact she and her brother made twelve years ago — James will protect her from their violent father if she promises to never leave him. For years, she's watched James destroy his life to save hers. If all he asks for in return is her affection, she'll give it freely. Until, with a tiny kiss and a broken mind, he asks for more than she can give. Sam Donavon has been James' best friend — and the boy Sarah's had a crush on — for as long as she can remember. As their forbidden relationship deepens, Sarah knows she's in trouble. Quiet, serious Sam has decided he's going to save her. Neither of them realize James is far more unstable than her father ever was, or that he's not about to let Sarah forget her half of the pact ...

Breakthrough: How One Teen Innovator Is Changing the World by Jack Andraka with Matthew Lysiak.

Breakthrough by Jack Andraka with Matthew Lysiak

Memoirs require an interesting life or unique set of circumstances that would warrant documenting the details for perpetuity. There has to be more than a celebrity's name to stir the interest for the long-term investment of a few hundred pages.

Thank goodness, Jack Andraka's Breakthrough more than fits the criteria for a successful memoir that is not only interesting, but beautifully honest. Written with the younger reader in mind, Jack's life unfurls with the general structure of a childhood encouraged to be experimental and inquisitive. But there are also the ugly realities of growing up that, at times, conflict with identity and awareness, self-esteem, and self-worth that are openly shared with the reader. Andraka is certainly an inspiration beyond his generation.

About Breakthrough (courtesy of HarperCollins):

Jack's story is not just a story of dizzying international success; it is a story of overcoming depression and homophobic bullying and finding the resilience to persevere and come out. His account inspires young people, who he argues are the most innovative, to fight for the right to be taken seriously and to pursue our own dreams. Do-it-yourself science experiments are included in each chapter, making Breakthrough perfect for STEM curriculum. But above all, Jack's memoir empowers his generation with the knowledge that we can each change the world if we only have the courage to try.

The Perfect Present by Morgan Billingsley, Jackie Lee and Gabrielle Simone.

Interview with the authors of The Perfect Present anthology

Congratulations to three young ladies who wrote and published their short stories in The Perfect Present, a Christmas-themed anthology published by Brown Girls Publishing. Their discipline and passion will surely pay off as they continue on to their next project, The Perfect Summer. Let's meet and chat with each of the three authors:

Jackie Lee, 11, has starred in three theatrical productions produced by Cherie Garland. She portrayed Crystal in The Christmas Present, Glenda, The Good Witch in The Wiz and the Ballerina in One Night With a King. Jackie's love of arts also extends to church. She participates in the praise dance ministry at East New Hope Baptist Church. She utilizes her musical talents as a clarinet player at Forest Hills Elementary School Band.

Michelle: Was any part of the writing process easy, difficult or fun to accomplish?

Jackie: First, I would like to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to have this interview.

I have always loved to create images and characters on paper. I visualize the images in my mind and write the characters' thoughts, actions and clothing on my tablet. Therefore, coming up with the ideas is the fun part of creating the story. Making sure I have the word count expected is the most difficult part of writing.

Michelle: What's one book or author that you've read and would recommend?

Jackie:Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul is one of my favorite books. I also like to read Stephanie Perry Moore and Hank Zipper books. The Long Haul book is easy to relate to if you have ever been on a vacation that did not go as you planned.

Michelle: Would you like to continue with the journey of being a writer?

Jackie: Yes, writing is a career I plan on pursuing as a life-long goal.

Michelle: Do you have a special prayer, quote or advice that you turned to when you were writing?

Jackie: My mom told me to keep striving to be the best I can be, in all things I do.

Morgan Billingsley is a seventh-grader who loves writing, acting, swimming and volleyball. She enjoys helping out and making people laugh. Everyone who knows her applauds her nurturing heart. She is active in her school organizations and serves as secretary for her Teen group in Jack and Jill of America.

Michelle: Was any part of the writing process easy, difficult, or fun to accomplish?

Morgan: The hardest part was I had so many ideas and directions I wanted to go, so I had to narrow it down. The other hard part was I typed my first draft like I text (no punctuation, capital letters) ... lol. And of course, I had to go back and fix all of that.

Michelle: What's one book or author that you've read and would recommend?

Morgan: I love to read. Harry Potter, Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Stephanie Perry Moore books.

Michelle: Would you like to continue with the journey of being a writer?

Morgan: Yes! I'm working on my next book now. I'm not sure I want to be a full-time writer, but I definitely want to keep writing!

Michelle: What message would you share with other young writers who have stories they'd like to write, but may be afraid to do it?

Morgan: Don't hold back on your dreams. Your age shouldn't limit you from following your dreams.

Gabrielle Simone, 10, attends Pulaski Academy College Preparatory School, where her teachers describe her as hardworking and passionate about learning. She is the student council representative for fifth grade and plays both basketball and soccer.

Michelle: Was any part of the writing process easy, difficult or fun to accomplish?

Gabrielle: The hardest part of writing for me was thinking what to write next. I had so many ideas, it was hard to choose. Finally I got all the right ideas and wrote Kylie: The Smallest Elf. Once I finished the book I felt like a champion.

Michelle: What's one book or author that you've read and would recommend?

Gabrielle: I would recommend the book Wonder by R.J. Palacio. Wonder is about how a kid named August has a messed-up face so he has been homeschooled to keep from being made fun of. After his parents finally decide to send him to school, he goes through some ups and downs with his peers. It has a great message about how you should look at what's on the inside, not on the outside.

Michelle: Would you like to continue with the journey of being a writer?

Gabrielle: Yes I would love to continue my path down writer's road. I love the attention and the feeling of accomplishing something so big. I also love how I inspire other young girls like me to follow their dreams.

Michelle: What lessons have you learned from your mom or grandmother to be the best person you can be?

Gabrielle: I learned from my Fefe (grandmother) that my best friend is my mom. My mom is the only person who won't let me down and will love me no matter what I do. She has taught me how to love and accept all people, regardless of religion, race, income … none of that stuff matters.

Michelle: Ladies, it has been a pleasure getting to know you.

Michelle Monkou writes for Harlequin Kimani, Evernight Publishing and Boroughs Publishing. Her website is michellemonkou.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook.

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