Magic and Spaceships

In putting together this list of recommended fantasy and sci-fi novels, it became clear to me that it is hard to summarize and feel truly comfortable suggesting the purchase of a book without having fully read it yourself. This is something I'll have to get more comfortable with as I progress with my career, but for this as a first exercise, I'll admit I struggled a little.

Romney, J.P. The Monster on the Road is Me. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2016.

When crows start to invade narcoleptic Koda Okita’s town, he begins to fall asleep more frequently, leading to trances, where he learns that a mountain demon plans vengeance on his town.

Found at the Kenmore branch of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, in the “teen zone.” It was easily identifiable with a fantasy spine label.

The Monster on the Road is Me is funny, and I believe we need more humor in contemporary fantasy novels. The plot seems original with its incorporation of Japanese folklore, even though it’s set in the modern day. Rarely do we see someone with a disability as the hero, especially something as rare as narcolepsy. The author is not Japanese but did live in Japan for a number of years, so he brings local knowledge to the story. Since manga and anime continues to be popular among teens, this book might be a good choice for students interested in Japanese culture.

 

Russell, Romina. Zodiac. New York: Razorbill, 2014.

Rhoma Grace, a student from the House of Cancer who is chosen as the next Guardian of the planet, suspects that an exiled Guardian of Zodiac has returned for vengeance, so she sets off on a quest to warn the other Guardians.

Found at the Kenmore library, in the “teen zone.” It was easily identifiable with a sci-fi spine label.

Astrology is extremely popular these days, so buying a book that ties in with that trend would interest many readers. This book also appears to be geared towards girls, which is less common than in fantasy. Also, including a book in the library’s collection with a teen, female leader shows young women that they can be powerful, no matter the situation, whether it’s on Earth or in space. Zodiac was a bestseller when it was released, so if it hasn't been purchased for a high school library, it should be.

 

Tahir, Sabaa. An Ember in the Ashes. New York: Razorbill, 2015. 

An enslaved girl infiltrates a military academy with the aid of rebels in order to rescue her brother, who was arrested for treason.

Found at the Kenmore library, in the “teen zone.” It was easily identifiable with a fantasy spine label.

This book, which was nominated for many awards, will probably appeal to many fantasy fans because it involves the common plot of a tyrannical kingdom that must be brought down. The book involves both ancient Roman history and Middle Eastern folklore, appealing to history and mythology lovers, as well. It features a female protagonist and detailed maps to make the story clearer. The author is a woman of color, which will help the diversity of the library collection.