Margin Notes

Extraordinary Ordinary Ella was written in 2020 by Amber Hendricks. This book is a must read as it talks about Ella, a young girl struggling to find a talent. At such a young age, and all through adolescence, kids are pressured to find their purpose. This book teaches them that it’s ok to take your time and enjoy life rather than worrying about the little things. 

This picture book provides a lesson for all ages and will leave readers thinking about this topic in a new way. This title is inspiration for young people as they grow up, giving them a female role model with a young perspective. It helps give readers the encouragement and confidence they need to grow in life. This book is a great representation of how extraordinary, ordinary is and can be.  

Deaver writes a book that the world needs to read with insight into a non-binary mind and life. The story follows Benjamin De Backer as they come out as non-binary and are not accepted by their parents. This story gives space to relationships that include a non-binary person while quietly including the addition of a mixed-race relationship. 

While the reader feels the devastation of the rejection by Benjamin’s parents, the book does provide examples of supportive allyship. There are characters like the sister and her husband, the boyfriend and the art teacher that really highlight how to be there for someone in a situation where the queer person was kicked out of the house.  

Readers may see themselves or peer into a new world as they follow the loss of hope with battles faced and then the glimmer of new dreams with a fresh chapter in life. The themes around love, friendship, hardships, adversity and hope surround the characters in this read. 

They Both Die at the End, by Adam Silvera is a great choice for fans of young adult, dystopian, science fiction narratives. This bittersweet story connects two unlikely people, who push each other to live their last day to the fullest. I enjoyed the author’s modern take on fatalism, as it is easy to relate to as the two teen protagonists must come to terms with mortality. It evokes the realization of human mortality in the mind of the reader and makes them question the base of fatality. It beautifully demonstrates how a single day lived to its best is better than a lifetime of just existing – making everyone who reads want to live each day as though it’s their last.  

This book has great representation through its main characters Matteo and his antithesis Rufus, who although very different, create a deep bond. Matteo is an 18-year-old Puerto Rican teen, who suffers from anxiety and keeps to himself as much as possible. He meets Rufus a 17-year-old Cuban teen, who is vivacious and confident on “The Last Friend” app. Both character’s growth in just the short time they spend with each other shows that you don’t have to spend an eternity with someone to have a lasting effect on their life.  

I could not put this book down, I finished it in just one sitting and as you grow to love and empathize with the characters, you begin to dread the inevitable ending. However, it was satisfying as they both lead meaningful lives. Readers will be left thinking about this book long after they’ve put it down.