Gone Wolf

Gr 5 Up--Inmate Eleven has never seen the sky, or even been outside in her 12 years. All she knows is that there's a virus outside and she can't leave without a vaccine. In order to get the vaccine, she must pass tests to be sure she is ready. She is eventually paired with a child called Larkin who is the son of the President. A young Black girl, Inmate Eleven thinks her life may be changing for the better, but little does she know what lies ahead. The book is split into three major sections that deal with Inmate Eleven in the year 2111, and a girl named Imogen in 2022. Imogen has to come to terms with several things that have impacted her life due to the pandemic and her mental health. This book is written in a conversational tone, so it's a quick read. At the end of each chapter there are notecards to help readers understand what is happening in each character's world. The book deals with tough topics like racism, generational trauma, and the pandemic. Each section is masterfully written, and will cause a few eyes to tear up. McBride includes some notes at the end of the book with an explanation of real and historical events. VERDICT Great for libraries looking for more diverse voices, and books that touch on the topic of the pandemic in a relatable way.--Kristin J. Anderson

This profound middle grade debut by McBride (We Are All So Good at Smiling), set in 2111 and 2022, follows two Black tweens navigating grief and racism. In 2111, in the Bible Boot, pale-skinned Clones are the ruling class while Black children called Blues are kept separate from society. A Blue girl called Inmate Eleven lives under confinement with her genetically modified dog Ira, whose tendency to "go wolf" inspires her to imagine a world elsewhere. As Inmate Eleven learns more about the systemic racism against Blues in the Bible Boot, she discovers that everything she's learned about the world under Clone leadership has been a lie, and longs for escape. Meanwhile, in 2022 America, 12-year-old Imogen grapples with the long-term effects of an unnamed virus that has ravaged the nation while working through an unspecified traumatic event in therapy. McBride skillfully weaves each girl's experience into the other's via callbacks. In this weighty read, which explores the consequences of loss, quarantine, and racism on Black youth, the author employs brilliantly inventive storytelling as a tool through which the protagonists process their grief and find their people. An author's note details historical events addressed in the book. Ages 10-14. (Oct.)