(2) YA West Virginia, the Mountain State, is also historically known for both coal mining and Appalachian poverty. Watkins explores the nexus between them in this overlooked chapter in the history of the labor movement. By the early twentieth century, West Virginia had emerged as a cheap source of coal, in large part because capitalism allowed wealthy mine owners to exploit workers. Coal mining was dangerous, the hours were long, the conditions deplorable, and the pay minimal -- often paid in scrip, currency accepted only at the company store. The tension between mine owners and labor unions came to a head in 1920 during the Matewan Massacre and in 1921 during the Battle of Blair Mountain. Watkins introduces the major players and aptly delineates the causes and effects of these bloody and violent events. He reflects on how this history has been erased from books on West Virginia, a history that could have served as a source of pride in resistance. He concludes with a discussion of the current state of coal mining, still a mainstay of the area's economy despite mounting national pressure to move away from fossil fuels. Numerous black-and-white photographs ably support the text, while sources, notes, and an index are appended.

Reviewer: Jonathan Hunt | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2024

(1) YA Miles Abernathy lives in a struggling West Virginia town in 2017. Power is monopolized by the Davieses, the family of the sheriff and the Abernathys' mortal enemies in a blood feud that began with the murder of Miles's great-great-grandfather, who dared to challenge the corrupt ruling class. Tired of the Davieses' ruthless pursuit of dominance and control, Miles tries to undermine the sheriff but is wholly unprepared for the chain of events one small act of defiance sets off. White (The Spirit Bares Its Teeth, rev. 11/23) crafts a high-stakes thriller that is atmospheric and suspenseful -- with a touch of the supernatural -- while also nuanced and incisive in its exploration of violence (at times extreme and graphically depicted) and its impact on individual and collective psyches. The story raises and addresses questions of power, agency, and complicity through an intimate first-person narrative of a teen who feels the injustice of the world on a deep and personal level and must decide how far he is willing to go to change his situation. Miles also experiences the trials and tribulations of coming out as trans in a small town, realizing that he is autistic, and questioning his romantic orientation. These elements are well integrated into the story and coincide with developments in the thriller plotline, making for a multilayered, engrossing read.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2024

(2) 4-6 Twelve-year-old Javari Harris "felt like I had landed on an alien world" upon arrival at STEM camp in Horsewhip Hollow, West Virginia. He's "a thousand miles from home" (Bushwick, Brooklyn) and facing two weeks at Appalachian Ridge Christian College. Gifted at math, he's one of the few Black students at the camp and has already experienced a racist encounter on day one. When he befriends Cricket, a local Black boy ("light-skinned, kinda gold, with brown freckles on his face and hazel-colored eyes"), Javari is introduced to a community of Black people--Affrilachians--who have lived in the mountains for generations. Moore (The Stars Beneath Our Feet, rev. 11/17) packs his narrative with themes of racism, wealth and privilege, environmental degradation, opioid addiction, homelessness, and cancer, and he carries it all off with well-rounded characters, lively dialogue and action, and often beautiful sensory prose: "A hundred, no thousands, of tiny yellow and orange lights were winking on and off... It was like being planted in the middle of a silent fireworks show."

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2022

(3) 4-6 After one of their two mothers dies, sisters Fella and Zany sneak off from Fella's grandmother's West Virginia house to scatter Mama Lacy's ashes in their hometown of Asheville. This 2004–set road trip novel is full of mishaps and funny sisterly arguments; it also sheds light on logistical and emotional complications prior to legal same-sex marriage.

Reviewer: Shoshana Flax

(4) 4-6 Calico Chapter Books: Monster Hunters series. Illustrated by Scott Brundage. Gabe, Tyler, and Sean continue to help Gabe's older brother document proof of mythical and legendary monsters for his internet show Discover Cryptids; these outings take the crew to the Ozark Mountains (Howler), West Virginia (Mothman), South Carolina (Swamp Lizard), and Saskatchewan (Turtle Lake). Despite the stilted dialogue, reluctant or struggling middle-grade readers will appreciate the large print, short chapters, and action-packed illustrations. Review covers the following Calico: Monster Hunters titles: Hunt the Ozark Howler, Meet the Mothman, Spot the Swamp Lizard Man, and Track the Turtle Lake Monster.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(3) 4-6 Following his father's death, Lucas leaves his beloved West Virginia mountain home to attend a Virginia camp for kids who have recently lost a parent. There he learns the (real-life) legend of the Beale treasure, and sets out to find it with his new friends. A solid wilderness adventure novel with a believable protagonist, quirky characters, and humor to offset insightful depictions of grief. The actual Beale ciphers are appended. Author's note.

Reviewer: Nancy Sheridan

(3) YA Just as he's getting his punk band up to speed, Appalachian seventeen-year-old Rob is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer that threatens to extinguish all his dreams. Bouncing back and forth between his illness, his band, and the usual teen concerns (dating, drug use among his friends), this dramatic memoir of teen illness and angst writ large hits all the right notes.

Reviewer: David Elzey

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Hyewon Yum. After moving from Korea to West Virginia, narrator Hee Jun, his younger sister, and his grandmother have difficulty adjusting, especially since they don't speak English. Without minimizing their troubles, the story shows how, given time and help from others, they manage to make themselves at home. Expressive watercolor illustrations, featuring occasional Korean speech balloons, help illuminate the immigrant experience.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(4) K-3 Our Great States series. These graphically pleasing travel guides highlight the top ten sites to see and things to do in each place. Although the brochure-like books may include quickly outdated information, kids will appreciate the engaging second-person narratives and many photos. A map and facts are appended. There are ten other fall 2015 books in this series. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Our Great States titles: What's Great About Vermont?, What's Great About West Virginia?, What's Great About Kentucky?, What's Great About Alaska?, What's Great About New Jersey?, and What's Great About Michigan?.