Never Too Old:
Celebrating Youth Books
Next Meeting:
Wednesday, August 5th @ 4:30pm
 
Never Too Old meets the 1st WEDNESDAY of the month to share the diversity, depth, and relevance of Young Adult & Juvenile books.
All ages are welcome. For more information, contact Beth@LopezLibrary.org or Ingrid@LopezLibrary.org

 
"After her best friend dies in a drowning accident, Suzy is convinced that the true cause of the tragedy must have been a rare jellyfish sting. Things don't just happen for no reason. Retreating into a silent world of imagination, she crafts a plan to prove her theory, even if it means traveling the globe, alone. Suzy's achingly heartfelt journey explores life, death, the astonishing wonder of the universe...and the potential for love and hope right next door."
(Publisher Marketing)

July summary
Three readers shared thoughts on the novel in verse Unsettled by Reem Faruqi while snacking on Nurah's Aloo Kababs accompanied by Ingrid's cucumber & mint Raita. We loved the story of Nurah's move from Pakistan to the United States with her parents and family. The author, who based many happenings in the story on her own life, tackled many difficult themes well - domestic abuse, bullying, Alzheimer's, miscarriage, and more. Other themes included the messiness of sibling relationships, standing up - and not standing up - for others, and stereotyping of immigrants. We discussed the point that although novels-in-verse may seem easier to read because they are short, they actually require more inferencing and nuanced reading than traditional novels. We loved that Nurah called chocolate chip cookies "melty circles of joy"!  
Unsettled
by Reem Faruqi

A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year - Kid's Indie Next List - Featured in Today Show's AAPI Heritage Month list - A Kirkus Children's Best Book of 2021 - A National Council of Teachers of English Notable Verse Novel - Jane Addams 2022 Children's Book Award Finalist - 2021 Nerdy Award Winner - Muslim Bookstagram Award Winner for Best Middle School BookFor fans of Other Words for Home and Front Desk, this powerful, charming immigration story follows a girl who moves from Karachi, Pakistan, to Peachtree City, Georgia, and must find her footing in a new world. Reem Faruqi is the ALA Notable author of award-winning Lailah's Lunchbox.A lyrical coming of age story exploring family, immigration, and most of all belonging. --Aisha Saeed, New York Times bestselling author of Amal UnboundThis empowering story will resonate with people who have struggled to both fit in and stay true to themselves. --Veera Hiranandani, Newbery Honor author of The Night DiaryA gorgeously written story, filled with warmth and depth. --Hena Khan, author of Amina's VoiceWhen her family moves from Pakistan to Peachtree City, all Nurah wants is to blend in, yet she stands out for all the wrong reasons. Nurah's accent, floral-print kurtas, and tea-colored skin make her feel excluded, until she meets Stahr at swimming tryouts.And in the water Nurah doesn't want to blend in. She wants to win medals like her star athlete brother, Owais--who is going through struggles of his own in the U.S. Yet when sibling rivalry gets in the way, she makes a split-second decision of betrayal that changes their fates.Ultimately Nurah slowly gains confidence in the form of strong swimming arms, and also gains the courage to stand up to bullies, fight for what she believes in, and find her place.