YA Literature Module 3: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

 

Heist Society 

Written by: Ally Carter 

Bibliography: Carter, A. (2011). Heist society. Disney/Hyperion. 

ISBN: 978-1423116615  

Plot Summary: Heist Society is the first in a young adult series following Katarina, or Kat, Bishop, a teenage girl who has grown up learning the family business of scams, pickpocketing, and heists. Following a short-lived stint at a prestigious boarding school, Kat is thrust back into the world she knows so well when she is tasked with a seemingly impossible heist: collect a series of priceless paintings for mysterious and dangerous Arturo Taccone before her father is framed for the crimes. Kat enlists the help of her friends and family to assemble a crew with the skills worthy of pulling off the heist, while also dealing with her sometimes-complicated feelings towards her longtime friend Hale. Together, Kat, Hale, Gabrielle, Angus, Hamish, and Simon put their particular skill sets to the test as they come up with a plan to pull off the most high-stakes art heist in history, not only to help save her father, but also to return the paintings to their rightful owners who saw them stolen during WWII. Along the way, Kat learns how to trust her instinct and lean on the support of her friends. 

Critical Analysis: This young adult novel is a fast-paced adventure with a high-stakes yet somewhat lighthearted plot and captivating characters that instantly feel familiar to readers. While there are dangerous characters and action-packed scenes, author Ally Carter keeps the plot light and moving swiftly; most of her focus is on the character dynamics between Kat, Hale, and the rest of their heist crew. Many parts of the novel have qualities of a summer blockbuster heist movie; the teens all have a typical heist role that jumps off the pages—Gabrielle, the beautiful but deceptively sneaky girl; Hamish and Angus, the comic relief; Simon, the tech wiz, etc. The characters are entertaining and engaging to teen readers, and the relationship dynamics between Kat and Hale are endearing to read, even when the characters are not seeing eye to eye. The setting jumps around Europe and New York City throughout the novel, with a countdown for each day that passes before the deadline set by the villainous character in the story. This choice from Carter lends itself to a sense of urgency and anticipation that builds with the reader as the deadline gets closer. The climactic scene in which the heist is finally put into action leaves the reader on the edge of their seat; Carter is careful to not give specific details as to what they planned for the heist until the events are unfolding for the reader. Again, similar to what we see in heist movies, the meticulous planning by the characters results in an extraordinary plan involving many moving parts. Readers will enjoy this novel as a fun, light read, and will be eager to read the rest of the novels in Carter’s Heist Society series. 

Awards and Recognition: 

YALSA Teen’s Top Ten Award Winner, 2010 

Review Excerpts: 

From School Library Journal: “This irresistible light-fingered fairy tale is elevated by glamour and mystery… Heist Society mixes classic elements of the adolescent bildungsroman into a high-stakes escapade.”

From Publisher’s Weekly: “With a smart and stealthy heroine who should appeal to Gallagher Girls fans, Carter’s story is fast-paced and popcorn-ready.” 

Connections: Readers who enjoyed this novel will want to check out the rest of Kat and Hale’s adventures in the subsequent Heist Society novels, with Uncommon Criminals and Perfect Scoundrels. Ally Carter also has the Gallagher Girls series that young readers may also enjoy if they want to read more teen spy adventures. Another connection activity for readers is researching nonfiction articles and texts about famous works by Degas, Monet, and Renoir. 

One of Us is Lying 

Written by: Karen M. McManus 

Bibliography: McManus, K. M. (2017). One of us is lying. Delacorte Press. 

 

ISBN: 978-1524714680 

Plot Summary: One of Us is Lying follows the mysterious journey of four high school students who are suddenly thrust into the spotlight after a classmate’s shocking death. Four vastly different high school students with seemingly nothing in common land in detention one day after mysterious cell phones are planted in their backpacks: overachieving Bronwyn, slacker Nate, jock Cooper, and popular Addy. With them is Simon, the creator of the notorious school gossip app, About That, which frequently posts secrets and rumors about anyone in the school, naming them by their initials. Simon, who often finds himself on the outskirts of their friend groups, suddenly has an allergy attack after drinking water out of a cup in the classroom. While the students jump into action, the circumstances become even more dire when they discover that the epi pens have all disappeared from the nurse’s office. Simon is taken away in an ambulance and unfortunately passes away at the hospital. 

 

Now, these four students are thrust together as they try to find out who was behind Simon’s death; the suspicion is immediately on them as the police discover that Simon had planned on releasing their darkest secrets on About That. Soon, the stakes are raised even higher as someone who claims they planned Simon’s death begins posting online. As they work together to find the real culprit, the four students discover that there is more to each of them than they originally thought. Bronwyn and Nate embark on an unexpected romance, Addy finds her own identity and self-confidence apart from her boyfriend, and Cooper learns to accept himself as he is. The four teens discover ultimately that Simon, depressed and angry at his classmates, planned his death and set up his four classmates to take the blame. With the help of their friends and family, they are able to uncover the truth and proclaim their innocence, while also developing lasting bonds in the end. 

Critical Analysis: This young adult novel is full of suspense and surprising twists, as the plot becomes much more complicated than it initially seems. Reminiscent of popular teen shows such as Gossip Girl, with its mysterious narrator who seemingly knows everything about everyone, this story also holds deeper themes within its suspenseful plot. Each of the four main characters goes through a significant character development as they come to realize their own worth and own potential. Nate, who has the reputation as the “bad boy” loner with a criminal past, comes off as if he does not care about anything at first. However, as the reader gets to know him more, it is apparent that Nate is a compassionate, self-sufficient individual who has learned how to put on a front in order to protect himself from being hurt by those he loves. Bronwyn, who is known for being an over-achiever, perfectionist, straight-A student on her way to Yale to make her family proud, seems that she can do no wrong. However, it is discovered that she cheated on her chemistry tests in order to get an A in the class so she could uphold her perfect academic reputation and keep up the façade she has been presenting. Nate and Bronwyn’s unlikely friendship takes center stage throughout the novel, as they slowly reveal their true selves to each other and find love in an unexpected place. McManus’ ability to flesh out her characters and take each of them on a journey of self-discovery is what makes this novel stand out. Each of the characters (Bronwyn, Nate, Addy, and Cooper) represent a typical high-school stereotype—at first. McManus expertly digs deeper into each character to show that they are much more than others see, or that others expect them to be. The theme of self-identity and self-worth are prevalent in this novel, and readers will be able to relate to at least one of the characters and hopefully learn that there can be more to you than what others expect of you. 

The majority of the scenes take place either at the high school or at various students’ houses; chapters rotate amongst the four main characters, giving the reader a glimpse into each of their perspectives. Each scene is written with the authenticity that young adult readers are looking for in a realistic fiction novel set in a high school. The dialogue is relatable without being overly “trendy”, the issues that students face (bullying, fitting in, finding their place in a friend group) are on-topic for many teens, and the family dynamics are not always picture-perfect and range from family to family. Overall, McManus tackles some serious topics in authentic ways while still creating a suspenseful and engaging mystery that will appeal to young adult readers. 

Awards and Recognition: 

YALSA Teen’s Top Ten, 2018 

YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, 2018 

Review Excerpts: 

From Kirkus Reviews: "This fast-paced blend of Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, and classic John Hughes will leave readers racing to the finish as the try to unravel the mystery on their own." 

From School Library Journal: "A smart, twisted, and unpredictable YA mystery that will have readers guessing until the very end." 

Connections: Readers who want to continue exploring the world of Bayview High and its students will enjoy the next two books in the series: One of Us is Next and One of Us is Back. They may also enjoy more of Karen M. McManus’ writing style in her novel Two Can Keep a Secret. Other young adult mystery novels that students may want to read if they would like to continue exploring this genre include The Lilies by Quinn Diacon-Furtado, They Wish They Were Us by Jessica Goodman, and The Good Girls by Claire Eliza Bartlett. 

 

Concrete Rose 

Written by: Angie Thomas 

 

Bibliography: Thomas, A. (2021). Concrete Rose. Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. 

ISBN: 978-0062846716 

Plot Summary: Concrete Rose is a young adult novel that follows the story of Maverick Carter, a young Black teen who discovers what it means to be a man when he becomes a father. Written as a prequel to Angie Thomas’ popular, emotionally gripping novel The Hate You Give, the story begins as Maverick gets the results of a paternity test that tell him he is a father of a three-month-old baby. Shocked by this news, Maverick is thrust into single parenthood when the baby’s mother Iesha leaves him with the baby on his own. Maverick has the help of his mother, although she quickly teaches him that he needs to be responsible for his life choices, and Maverick remains committed to taking care of his son, whom he names Seven, which means perfection. With his own father, a legendary gang member leader in his neighborhood, in prison for the next forty years, Maverick has had to learn not only how to grow up without a present father, but also how to navigate living in his father’s shadow. While also learning how to take care of a baby, Maverick also must deal with the changing dynamics of his friends and neighborhood—his best friend King was under the impression he was Seven’s father at first, leading to an uncomfortable new dynamic between the two. Maverick’s cousin Dre, who is as close as a brother to him, urges Maverick to take fatherhood seriously and stop dealing drugs, as he cannot afford to get mixed up in that dangerous world, especially now that he has a son who depends on him. Maverick agrees, and begins working at a local grocery store owned by Mr. Wyatt, a wise older man who acts as a mentor to him, whether Maverick wants it or not. 

In a tragic turn of events, Dre is killed in a shooting, leaving Maverick reeling at the loss of his beloved family member. Finding solace with his ex-girlfriend Lisa, Maverick tries to stay true to his word to no longer deal rugs, even when money becomes very tight with his family. Soon, Lisa becomes pregnant and Maverick is faced with the reality that he will soon be a father of two. Maverick grapples with the tough choices and struggles that come with adulthood while also dealing with the simmering rage over who killed Dre. Maverick must make difficult choices as he learns that being a man is actually not what he thought it was, and ultimately he keeps his life on the narrow path and waits with Lisa as they expect their baby girl. 

Critical Analysis: Concrete Rose is a heartfelt, realistic portrayal of the complexities of growing up, particularly from the perspective of a Black teenager. The story starts off with right away with Maverick finding out he is a father and being left as a single parent within minutes. Maverick is portrayed as a street-smart gang member who is left always feeling like he needs to live up to his father’s reputation, but author Angie Thomas does a beautiful job of creating a complex character within Maverick. While he has dealt with hardships in life and doesn’t live an easy life amid gang violence, he is also a young teenager who likes to play basketball, video games, and read. He has a close relationship with his mother but also shows her respect and is most afraid of disappointing her. He has positive role models that try to discourage him from drug dealing, but he also has other influences who try to entice him with the easy money he can make that would provide for a better life for him and his family. Thomas’ choice to write the novel from Maverick’s perspective gives the reader valuable insight into his thought process as he grapples with the competing factors in his life, especially when his situation becomes even more complicated when Lisa becomes pregnant and he no longer has Dre to keep him on the straight and narrow path. 

While the story contains many deep and serious themes such as gang violence, family dynamics, and the struggle to break away from family and neighborhood expectations, Thomas also keeps a balance of more lighthearted moments as Maverick learns how to be a father. He quickly learns that there is no down time as a parent, sleep deprivation is very real, and parenthood can be quite messy. Although Maverick is young, he never once resents his son or sees him as a burden, even when his life and priorities must drastically change in order to be responsible for his child. At the center of Thomas’ novel are the characters and their development. There are many intense moments in the novel, to the point where it seems that Maverick cannot catch a break. However, it is the bond between characters that keeps Maverick’s story centered—his mother, Lisa, Mr. Wyatt, and Dre all teach Maverick important lessons about parenthood, being a man, and working hard to achieve future dreams. Thomas does an excellent job in her approach with these vital themes; they never come off as inauthentic or false, but rather the opposite. The dialogue between characters, the cultural details in the family traditions they have (when the entire family comes over for Thanksgiving many details are given about the food, the interactions between family members, family roles, etc.), even the smaller details such as the clothes worn by Maverick and his friends, are all authentic to the setting and time period (late 90’s) and show that Thomas put careful effort into representing an authentic portrayal of a Black teenager growing up. 

Awards and Recognition: 

Michael L. Printz Award Honor, 2022 

YALSA Teens’ Top Ten Winner, 2022 

CCBC Choices Selection, 2022 

Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Novel, 2021 

Review Excerpts: 

From Publishers Weekly: “Thomas brings her trademark wit, nostalgic love of the 1990s and all things R&B and hip-hop, and her penchant for heartfelt characterization to this first-person exploration of Maverick Carter’s coming-of-age.” 

From School Library Journal: “This is the perfect example of a narrative that straddles the beauty and pain of belonging and having the courage to make your own choices…. Thomas writes with a depth of humor and clarity that really allows readers to bond with the characters.” 

Connections: While this novel can be read as a stand-alone, it is considered a prequel to Angie Thomas’ The Hate You Give. Readers will be able to recognize characters from the story as they learn more about the events that took place in the past. A connection activity readers may enjoy after reading both texts would be to make character webs or an organizer of their choice to develop connections between the two novels. Readers who want to explore more of Angie Thomas’ young adult novels will enjoy her novel On the Come Up or her fantasy trilogy Nic Blake and the Remarkables. Other texts that are similar include Dear Martin by Nic Stone or Blackout by Dhonielle Clayton.