This week each member of the Sweet Cherry team is sharing one of their favourite YA or Children’s titles. Let us know if you’ve read any of the ones we mention and if you would add any books to our list….
Lara: The Hate U Give – Angie Thomas
The Hate U Give is one of those books which you think about for days after.
Tackling issues such as racism and police brutality is the USA, Angie Thomas’ novel is a well thought out, hard hitting comment on modern day America. The serious undertones and political message however don’t overshadow the comedy and Thomas manages to intertwine humorous moments with fast paced drama. Both the characters and world that Thomas creates make the book a hit: Starr, the main character is complex, down to earth and easy to relate to. The world in which she lives is also believable and easily visualised so it is not a surprise that the novel has been so quickly picked up by Fox 2000. I’m excited to see what the film will bring.
Daniel: The Onion’s Great Escape – Sara Fanelli
This fun and illustrated interactive book by Sara Fanelli is full of peculiar illustrations and quirky collages iconic of Fanelli’s stlye. This funny tale follows the adventures of an onion escaping the frying pan. It’s filled with eccentric and thought provoking questions and riddles made to make you think and ponder finishing with the final escape of the onion.
Kellie: Revolution – Jennifer Donnelly
Older readers and music lovers will adore the gritty mystery of Jennifer Donnelly’s beautifully crafted Revolution. It tells the parallel stories of a teenage girl escaping tragedy in modern-day New York and another serving the imprisoned dauphin of France at the time of the French Revolution. A diary hidden in the back of a baroque guitar, a mummified heart, and the catacombs of Paris unite them.
Amy: Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls – Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo
Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is the bedtime book I wish I’d had when I was younger! This collection of fairy tale-style ‘stories’ about inspirational women is great because it challenges gender stereotypes and proves that girls can do more than wait to be rescued by a prince. The best thing about this anthology is the diversity of the women who feature in it. These include activist Balkissa Chaibou, palaeontologist Mary Anning and dancer Alicia Alonso. Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls is also beautifully illustrated!
Rhiannon: Last Man: The Stranger – Bastien Vivès, Michaël Sanlaville, Balak
Last Man: The Stranger is the first book in Last Man, a french YA comic series.
Adrian Velba is all set to compete in the Games, an annual gladiatorial contest which pits the best fighter duos against each other in a magical medieval brawl. When his combat partner falls ill he is resigned to quit until the stranger Richard Aldana offers to team up. But who is Aldana where has he come from and why does he so desperately want to win?
The art was the first thing that grabbed my attention its simple, loose style is beautiful and full of energy. The story has everything you could want; action, adventure, sci-fi, fantasy and is so much larger than I first thought. A recommended read for any manga and comic book enthusiasts or anyone who just loves an adventure.
Ellie: Born To Run – Michael Morpurgo
Born To Run by Michael Morpurgo weaves three separate parts together beautifully and was the first book that made me cry, so has a special place in my heart!
Brogan: Only Ever Yours – Louise O’Neill
O’Neill’s dystopia depicts a misogynistic society in which female physical perfection is considered to be a woman’s ultimate and only goal. This YA novel is a timely feminist read, perfect for fans of The Power and The Handmaid’s Tale. It also won the inaugural YA Book Prize run by The Bookseller!
Jess: Songs About A Girl – Chris Russell
This is the first book in a YA romance trilogy all about music. Following a fictional world-famous band and their photographer, Charlie Bloom, it’s full of light-hearted humour and the sort of life that many young people dream about. With some family drama and identity issues woven in, you’ll soon find yourself addicted.
Cecilia: Howl’s Moving Castle – Diana Wynne Jones
This is a magical film, but now everyone realises that it’s also a book. As is often the case, the book is better, which is a great recommendation in itself as the film is already excellent. The characters are quirky but relatable and I love Sophie, the main character, and her can-do attitude.
Elena: Audubon: On the Wings of the World – Fabien Grolleau and Jérémie Royer
I love this book because it is both a graphic novel (and I like pictures) and based on a historical figure. It boarders the line of fiction and non-fiction which is a theme I’ve found interesting lately. I think this would appeal to an older child all the way through to adults. Although it’s not a completely historically accurate retelling, this book is a really engaging way for older child to get interested in the natural history of the world!
Chris: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams
This book is just completely bonkers and that’s one of the things I like so much about it. The plot doesn’t make a lot of sense, deliberately so, so it’s great if you don’t have a good memory (like me) as there’s no point in looking back at previous chapters to try and make sense of it! Hitchhiker’s Guide is a great book for those who struggle to maintain focus during the quieter parts of a story as it doesn’t have many!