Coming of age into world of violence
Una Mannion’s perceptive debut, “A Crooked Tree,” pinpoints the exact moment when the family of 15-year-old narrator Libby Gallagher unravels beyond repair. It started when her father, an Irish immigrant, left his family to find work in New York and then died. But the defining moment begins at night on a rural road near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, in the early 1980s.
Libby and her four siblings are arguing during the long drive home on the last day of school, infuriating their overworked and tired mother, Faye, as they talk about their father, Faye’s secret boyfriend and their summer plans. When 12-year-old Ellen demands to go to art camp, Faye orders her out of the car, leaving her on a deserted road to walk five miles home.
Libby and the others are powerless to stop their mother, who retreats to her bedroom when the family arrives home. Ellen finally comes home, dirty and smeared with blood, claiming she was almost molested by a “creepy” man who had picked her up hitchhiking. The five children are afraid to tell the police, for fear the authorities will separate them. And they can’t tell their mother what happened because they know she will only get mad but do nothing. The kids are plunged into a world of violence and revenge when a shady friend tries to organize other teenagers to find the man and beat him.
“A Crooked Tree” is a comingof-age tale for each of the children, from Marie, 18, who’s about to leave for college, to Beatrice, age 7, whom the others believe was fathered by Faye’s mysterious boyfriend.
The sweet scenes of family life, such as a birthday celebration at an Amish restaurant, give the family a respite from the sense of terror permeating the plot as the siblings navigate feelings and fears they don’t yet understand.
February brings so much to look forward to — Valentine’s Day, the Chinese New Year and, around the corner, the beginning of spring and Nowruz, the holiday celebrating it. These picture books are beautiful choices year-round, but right now they are especially delightful to share with young readers.
“My Heart” by Corinna Luyken. (Ages 4 to 8. Dial Books for Young Readers. $17.99.) The colors in Corinna Luyken’s sensitive ode to the resilience of the heart are subdued, and the text is too. A charcoal-colored sky looms over a heart that is “cloudy and heavy with rain.” But it’s not all gloomy skies. Like a sprout turning into a tree, a heart may seem tiny, but “tiny can grow,” and the book ends on a sunny note of affirmation.
“The Heart of a Whale” by Anna Pignataro. (Ages 3 to 7. Philomel. $17.99.) Anna Pignataro’s whale tale is awash in greens and turquoise, decorated with splashes of pink and red, a palette that perfectly matches the sun-dappled story. A whale’s song enchants all who hear it, providing a “calming sonata for a wiggly octopus” and a “cheerful symphony for a sad urchin.” But as much music as Whale adds to the ocean, he remains lonely — until his grateful audience carries his song to a special someone who can help “the whale with the empty heart.”
“Alex’s Good Fortune” by Benson Shum. ( Ages 4 to 8. Penguin Workshop. $9.99.) From beginning to end, Alex’s day brings the sounds, sights and tastes of the Chinese New Year, from a parade with a dragon dance and firecrackers to gifts and special treats (and unwelcome ones, too). “Chinese New Year also brings Alex’s least favorite tradition,” the book notes. “Before the start of the new year, Alex had to clean her room, to wash away bad luck.” The illustrations sing with bold color and the book conveys a simple wish: To share the joy of the Chinese New Year with friends. The book ends with the lantern ceremony that follows the start of the new year, a celebration of cross-cultural friendship, and endnotes with information about traditions, the Chinese zodiac, and even a pronunciation guide to New Year’s wishes.
“Seven Special Somethings: A Nowruz Story” by Adib Khorram, illustrated by Zainab Faidhi. (Ages 4 to 8. Dial Books for Young Readers. $17.99. Due Tuesday.) The Persian holiday Nowruz marks the beginning of spring and the new year, “when everything is new again,” and through the eyes of young Kian.
Enthusiastic about welcoming in the season, he accidentally knocks over his family’s haftseen, the display of seven things symbolizing hopes and wishes for the new season. Tearing through the house as his family prepares for a holiday meal, Kian finds a new set of special things (including a superhero figurine and sneakers) for an improvised display. His grandfather laughs: “It’s a different kind of haft-seen, Kian. But look! It shows our whole family.” Adib Khorram turns from young adult novels to picture books here, with great success. Illustrator Zainab Faidhi also worked on the acclaimed animated film “The Breadwinner,” and fans will see parallels between the film’s look and her engaging drawing style in this book.