Richmond Public Library: Read A Book With A One-Word Title — 2022 RAD Reading Challenge For Teens

Press release from the Richmond Public Library:

Jennifer Deuell

2022-03-16

Welcome back to another month of the RAD Reading Challenge, RPL style! If you missed my prior posts, you can find them all linked at the bottom of this post.

In month three of a RAD Reading Challenge, Rachel has prompted us to read a book with a one-word title. Just like last month, there were lots of options to choose from! I chose to read Pride by Ibi Zoboi. I actually own this book and it has been sitting on my bookshelf at home for at least a year. I originally picked it up because I read American Street by Ibi Zoboi and absolutely loved it, so I thought I’d give this one a try.

Pride, by Ibi Zoboi, is a retelling of the classic Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Full disclosure: I took a seminar class on Austen as an English major in college and studied the original work in depth; however, I remember very little of it. So, when I started reading Pride, I went in with a clear mind and no expectations. While reading the story, Zoboi was able to jog my memory about the basic premise of Pride and Prejudice, but Zoboi’s retelling is so strong and so unique that it stands well on it’s own.

In this retelling, Zuri Benitez is the star. One of five sisters living in a suburb of Brooklyn, Haitian-Dominican Zuri is filled with pride for her family, her neighborhood, and her community. Not surprisingly, she is concerned by the rapid gentrification of her neighborhood and is immediately skeptical of the rich Black family that moves in across the street. What follows is a smart, witty, emotional exploration of race, class, culture, and young love.

What I loved most about this book is Zuri. She is an insightful, prideful, and passionate young woman whose words (often in the form of poetry) cut to the heart of the matter. Throughout the story, Zuri never shies away from questioning what is commonly assumed, and helps other characters in the book to grow as well. This was truly a modern take on an old classic that I think is more approachable and interesting for the teen reader. Definitely worth the read!

Not into retellings? Looking for something different to satisfy this challenge prompt? Here are a few more suggestions of great YA books with one-word titles:

Legend by Marie Lu

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Overturned by Lamar Giles

Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith

Birthday by Meredith Russo

Looking for more one-word title recommendations for this prompt? Head on over to Rachel’s blog and check out the one-word titles she recommends for teens and adults! 

If you missed any of the previous RAD Reading Challenge blog posts, check them out here:

1- 2022 RAD Reading Challenge for Teens!

2- Read a Graphic Novel

3- Read a #booktok rec

This press release was produced by the Richmond Public Library. The views expressed here are the author’s own.