Singing Even in the Dark Times: Four YA Authors on Historical Fiction

Alex Wheatle is the author of several bestselling books – including the young adult title Home Girl: A Novel, the modern classic Brixton Rock, and the Crongton series – and his body of work has been named a finalist for the 2021 NSK Neustadt Prize for Children’s Literature. In Cane Warriors: A Novel (Black Sheep), Wheatle tells the story of 14-year-old Moa, a slave at a sugarcane plantation in Jamaica, as he experiences a key but often overlooked event in the island’s history: Tacky’s Rebellion, a major revolt by enslaved Africans that took place in 1760. When Moa learns of the rebellion, he wants to join and become a cane warrior. But before he and his friend Keverton can escape, they must face their first great task: to kill their overseer, Misser Donaldson – and time is ticking. The Guardian noted that “Alex Wheatle departs from his award-winning contemporary novels for a superb foray into historical fiction. [An] affecting story of courage, bloodshed, and commitment to freedom at all costs.”

Maritza Moulite has worked in various capacities for NBC News, CNN, and USA Today, but her favorite roles were Head Start literacy tutor and pre-K teacher assistant. She and her sister, Maika Moulite, have published two books together: Dear Haiti, Love Alaine: A Novel and their latest, One of the Good Ones (Inkyard Press). Teen social activist, YouTube influencer, and history buff Kezi Smith is killed under mysterious circumstances in police custody after attending a social justice rally. Her sister Happi and their family are left devastated in the aftermath. As Kezi becomes another immortalized victim in the fight against police brutality, Happi begins to question the idealized way her sister is remembered. Perfect. Angelic. “One of the good ones.” Even the phrase rings wrong in her mind – why are only certain people deemed worthy to be missed? “She was my sister before she became your martyr,” says Happi. So she and her sister Genny embark on a journey to honor Kezi in their own way. But there’s a twist to Kezi’s story that no one could ever have expected – one that will change everything all over again. Kirkus called the book “an explosive look behind the hashtags at race and history, taking readers on a road trip mapped by love and grief. Close to perfection.”

Maika Moulite is an author from Miami who, with her sister and writing partner, Maritza Moulite, has published two books: Dear Haiti, Love Alaine: A Novel and their latest, One of the Good Ones (Inkyard Press). Teen social activist, YouTube influencer, and history buff Kezi Smith is killed under mysterious circumstances in police custody after attending a social justice rally. Her sister Happi and their family are left devastated in the aftermath. As Kezi becomes another immortalized victim in the fight against police brutality, Happi begins to question the idealized way her sister is remembered. Perfect. Angelic. “One of the good ones.” Even the phrase rings wrong in her mind – why are only certain people deemed worthy to be missed? “She was my sister before she became your martyr,” says Happi. So she and her sister Genny embark on a journey to honor Kezi in their own way. But there’s a twist to Kezi’s story that no one could ever have expected – one that will change everything all over again. Kirkus called the book “an explosive look behind the hashtags at race and history, taking readers on a road trip mapped by love and grief. Close to perfection.”

Tahereh Mafi is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of young adult and middle grade fiction. Her work includes the Shatter Me series and the novels A Very Large Expanse of Sea, Furthermore, and Whichwood. An Emotion of Great Delight (HarperCollins) is set in 2003, several months since the United States officially declared war on Iraq, and the American political world has evolved. Tensions are high, hate crimes are rising, FBI agents are infiltrating local mosques, and the Muslim community is being harassed and targeted more than ever. Shadi, who wears a hijab, keeps her head down. She is haunted by sorrow. Her brother is dead, her father is dying, her mother is falling apart, and her best friend has mysteriously dropped out of her life – her heart is broken. She soldiers through, saying nothing until finally, one day, everything changes. Booklist called the book a “contemporary young adult novel of striking emotional intensity. Complex and introspective Shadi details her experiences with the specific challenges of Islamaphobia and with more general issues. … Though there’s a feverous feeling throughout the book, there’s also formidable nuance in Shadi’s paradoxical and contradictory thought patterns. … A bluntly powerful read that shouldn’t be missed.”

Safon Floyd is executive editor at Callisto Media and co-founder of EstroHaze, a multimedia company highlighting the businesses and lifestyles of multicultural women in the cannabis industry.