Hopepunk by Preston Norton

Hope's sister Faith runs away after being outed to their extremely religious parents. The threat of being sent to a 'conversion camp' is enough to make her leave everything behind. Hope is devastated. Faith was her best friend. They shared everything. Hope knew her sister was gay years before anyone else. 

I thought this story was going to be about finding the lost sister, but is so much more than that. Faith's sudden disappearance is just the catalyst for all that happens after. Maybe losing Faith was just what was needed for Hope, her family, and their community. 

Just a quick rundown of things happening is this book: Hope is introduced to rock music and finds her voice. Hope's other sister Charity becomes more stringent in her religious/conservative beliefs causing a bigger rift between the sisters. Danny, identical twin and amazing guitar player, is kicked out of his brother's band and his house when he comes out. Hope who has been crushing on Danny for a long time befriends him and gives him shelter. Angus and Astrid become close friends with Danny and Hope to form a band (Oops, I may be giving too much away). Anyway, lots of heartache and soul searching for so many characters. 

And as a bonus, there is a sci-fi story thrown in throughout the book. It's good, too. 

This is the third book in a row I have read that has dealt with major social issues brought to the forefront in the last few years. I am glad authors are tackling these issues and presenting them for young people. Today, we are seeing in plan view a large number of people that are selfish, cruel, racist, homophobic, and misogynistic.  We need books like this, and we need to make sure they are available to teens. 

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog. 

Survive the Dome by Kosoko Jackson

The city of Baltimore is covered in a dome. Not a solid dome, but a virtual one that keeps people from coming in or going out. It also cuts off any communication with the outside world. 

Going into this story, I expected science fiction. It is actually a story of police brutality of African Americans and other people of color. The dome is used as a way to amplify how trapped some people are in our world of systemic racism and the power that is used to keep them that way. 

In the wake of a not guilty verdict for an officer in a police shooting, protests have been organized in Baltimore. Jamal, a high schooler dreaming of becoming a photojournalist, heads into the city to capture the moment and report it. He doesn't expect the impenetrable dome to trap him there in the midst of martial law (aka letting the police do whatever the want). 

Before the dome closes the city, Jamal befriends a protester named Marco. He leads Jamal away from the police violence to a meeting of a subversive hacking group. But under the dome (and often in real life), danger follows those trying to make a difference. The two young men grow to trust each other as they try to avoid the police while thinking of a way to take down the dome. They eventually (and reluctantly) become a trio by the addition of Catherine, a skilled fighter, who shows up just when they need her. 

The dome is used to illustrate the horror and violence that has become a daily part of the lives of non-white people. In this case, the state authority has created a cage to keep in the 'bad' people so they can be dealt with. 

The story is brutal and unflinching in its truth. Even though the dome is probably an impossible creation in reality, the actions of the people who created it are not exaggerated. Sadly, this is a story for our time.

For more info, check out the Indianapolis Public Library catalog and the author's site.