Ponder: This Is Our Story

After reading First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston last month and giving it five stars I wanted to read another one of her books. I followed a few weeks later with The Lying Tree, also awarding it five stars in my review. I later learned that The Lying Tree was a young adult novel and First Lie Wins was the author's first venture into adult fiction.  This is Our Story by Ashley Elston ©2016 is another young adult novel of Elston's which I sought out to better understand the distinctive features that make up the YA book genre.

Per Wikipedia's description of Young Adult Literature

Young adult literature (YA) is typically written for readers aged 12 to 18 and includes most of the themes found in adult fiction, such as friendship, substance abuse, alcoholism, and sexuality. Stories that focus on the challenges of youth may be further categorized as social or coming-of-age novels. The earliest known use of term young adult occurred in 1942. The designation of young adult literature was originally developed by librarians to help teenagers make the transition between children's literature and adult literature, following the recognition, around World War II, of teenagers as a distinct group of young people. While the genre is targeted at adolescents, a 2012 study found that 55% of young adult literature purchases were made by adults.

The main characters of young adult novels may be teenagers but the conflicts and dilemmas are mature enough to engage an adult reader. In This Is Our Story, five teenage boys go deer hunting and one of them is killed by a rifle shot. Is it an accident or was it murder? The remaining boys have a tacit vow to remain banded together, stick with the same story, and claim ignorance. The boys come from wealthy, influential families, so justice is at risk of being compromised to curry money and/or favor among officials. The perspective of the narrator is unique. She is a high school senior who works in the district attorney's office and sees files of evidence compiled on the case. There are interspersed chapters as commentary, written by one of the surviving boys... maybe... perhaps... the killer? Teen angst and cliques are evident, hence the YA genre. This Is Our Story was a convoluted, but engaging read.

★★★★☆ Really good; maybe only one weak aspect or limited audience

Ponder: Because of Winn-Dixie

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo ©2000 first caught my attention in an editorial where an adult recalled having the book read to him in an elementary grade classroom. The notion that a book, introduced to a child that young, had stuck with that child into adulthood made me consider the book as being worthy of a read myself. Looking into it I learned that Because of Winn-Dixie is a Newbery Honor Book for 2001.

Per Wikipedia

The John Newbery Medal, frequently shortened to the Newbery, is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), to the author of "the most distinguished contributions to American literature for children". ... Besides the Newbery Medal, the committee awards a variable number of citations to leading contenders, called Newbery Honors or Newbery Honor Books.

Because of Winn-Dixie is the story of an ugly stray dog that erroneously makes his way into a grocery store and wreaks havoc within. He is claimed and taken home by a young girl named Opal, motherless since the age of two, who is being raised by her father, who is a preacher.  Her father allows her to keep the dog and Opal names the dog after the grocery store Winn-Dixie. Per Wikipedia

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., styled as Winn✓Dixie, is an American supermarket chain headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. It operates more than 546 stores in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. The company has had its present name since 1955 and can trace its roots back to 1925.

Opal meets many people in different walks of life. The influence of her father, who advocates kindness and understanding, forms her actions and opinions in herself and others. Is that older woman who lives alone on the outskirts of town really a witch? Is the kind soul who plays music for the animals in the pet store really to be avoided since he, in his earlier life, had a run-in with the law? Are the two brothers who live nearby really to be ignored and shunned since they seem to be guilty of tormenting Opal? Is the librarian really as stiff and unbending as she seems? I loved an early chapter when her daddy tells Opal ten things about her mother. 

Although written very simply, this book teaches young readers strong lessons about being accepting and loving of others. Truthfulness is a non-negotiable trait to be emulated. The general ambience is a breath of fresh air in the current environment of this election year and this time of horrendous weather catastrophes. Poor Winn-Dixie is terrified of thunder. This is a very feel-good book without being preachy or mawkish. I very much enjoyed reading Because of Winn-Dixie and found it quite fitting to be recognized as presenting "distinguished contribution to American literature for children". Amazon cited this book as appropriate for a reading age of 8-10 and a grade level 4-7. I think even younger children can gain a lot of wisdom from Because of Winn-Dixie, even when read to them, if necessary. In the genre of Young Adults books, Because of Winn-Dixie definitely deserves a five star rating.

★★★★★ Great! Read it!