Teen Tuesday: I am Made of Death by Kelly Andrew

Image: Scholastic Inc.

I am Made of Death by Kelly Andrew. 368 p. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc., March, 2025. 9781546104483. Review of finished copy courtesy of publisher.

Teen Tuesday features I am Made of Death by Kelly Andrew.

Thomas Walsh has been working odd jobs ever since having to leave college to support his chronically ill, deaf mother. He interviews for a job with a wealthy businessman as an ASL interpreter for his daughter. The job is a good distance away, but the pay would go a long way towards helping the family financially. 

Vivienne has been mute since her disappearance at age four which left her traumatized. What most people don't know is that she is possessed and if she does speak, anyone who hears her voice dies. Of course, Thomas does not know this. Her parents are controlling and keep her on a short leash and Vivienne is determined to make Thomas' job difficult. 

This horror/ romance hits the ground running and doesn't let up! Chapters switch point of view between Thomas and Vivienne breathlessly. Tension is high throughout this page-turner and is sure to please high school fans of horror with a side of romance. 

Middle Grade Monday: Jessi's Secret Language adapted by Chan Chau

Image: Scholastic

Jessi's Secret Language adapted by Chan Chau. Babysitters Club Graphic Novel series #12. 144 p. Graphix/ Scholastic, September, 2022. 9781338616088. (Review of finished purchased copy.)

Happy Monday! I hope your Thanksgiving break was exactly what you wanted it to be. Middle Grade Monday features Jessi's Secret Language. This Babysitters Club graphic novel was adapted Chan Chau and is the twelfth novel in Ann M. Martin's iconic Babysitter's Club series to be adapted by Graphix.

Jessi is the newest member of the babysitters club. She's also a dedicated ballet dancer and the only African American student at school. When she agrees to babysit Matt and his sister, Jessi needs a bit of special training. Matt was born deaf and communicates through sign language and his mom wants to introduce Jessi to it. As Jessi learns how to sign, she gets an idea for a surprise for Matt and his friends at the school for the deaf he attends.

This series is quite popular at my school. I'm sure this installment won't spend too much time on the shelf.

Middle Grade Monday and Arc Review: You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P! by Alex Gino

You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P! by Alex Gino. 247 p. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc. September 25, 2018. 9780545956269. (Review from arc courtesy of publisher.)

Jilly is a seventh grader with a bff, involved parents and a baby sister on the way. She's also a huge fantasy fan and belongs to a fan site for her favorite fantasy series. She has some online friends there but is particularly drawn to Derek, aka "profoundinoaktown," who is black and deaf. She's bright and fairly opinionated. Derek challenges her assumptions as does her aunt Alicia, a black woman who is married to her mother's sister. When it appears her baby sister, Emma is deaf, Jilly turns to Derek with questions. Both Derek and Alicia enlighten Jilly about microagressions they each experience. 

This book, Alex Gino's sophomore effort, has a lesson or two to teach and it feels like it, especially at the beginning. That said, they are very important lessons - about white privilege, microaggressions, racism, ableism and assumptions. Jilly P. owns her mistakes and bravely confronts the racism that exists in her extended family. She also eventually chides her not-racist parents for not talking about racism. There's warmth and humor to soften the tougher parts of the book. This is a brave, important book that would help adults start conversations with the young people they care about. Thoughtful adults and young people will identify their own privilege and hopefully work to change minds and raise consciousnesses.

Though You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P! and George are stand-alone novels, their covers share certain design similarities. I love both covers.