All You Are

September 22, 2014
A mysterious figure, “some kind of black guy fairy godmother,” appears in Da’Quan’s dream, offering him an unusual way to break into the popular crowd, in one of four novels launching the Gift series, written at a fourth-grade level. Da’Quan receives the gift of “channeling,” enabling him to tune in to another person’s essence. As a result, he acquires his friend Daniel’s basketball skills, Shaquetta’s fashion sense, and Terrell’s comic antics. With this supernatural boost, Da’Quan sits at the cool lunch table and lands the girl he’s been crushing on, but channeling also gives him negative traits like insecurity, anger, and inappropriate outspokenness. The story’s friendships, family dynamics, and high school setting ring true as Da’Quan learns that trying to be his best self is the better play. Simultaneously available: Calling the Shots, Certain Signals, and No Regrets. Ages 11–18.

September 1, 2014

Gr 7 Up-In these slim, uneven novels, the main characters choose unusual "gifts" and then learn lessons about love and life as they use their new abilities. In All You Are, Da'Quan is desperate to join the "in" crowd. When a mysterious man in his dreams offers him a psychic talent, Da'Quan eagerly accepts the ability to channel the best and worst qualities of his friends. With Daniel's basketball skills, for example, also comes crippling insecurity. Terrell's ease with girls also brings a reading disability. As he gains these insights and more, Da'Quan must decide whether joining the popular crowd is worth the price. In Certain Signals, the weaker of the two installments, Rashawn accepts the ability to detect sexual attraction. He hopes to use his gift to find a girlfriend. Unfortunately, his ear burns whenever he's around anyone who's experiencing attraction to anyone else in the room, leading to some awkward situations. The novels have a breezy, enjoyable writing style and sympathetic characters, both African American teen boys. However, the stories aren't as compelling or plot driven as they could be-though "Will I ever find a girlfriend?" is no doubt a central question for many teens, the stakes don't seem that high. Purchase for collections that need more high-interest, lower-reading level titles with diverse characters, but fans of the "Bluford High" series (Scholastic) may be disappointed by the lack of drama.-Miranda Doyle, Lake Oswego School District, OR

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.