Saints of the Household by Ari Tison

Bibliographic Information:

Title: Saints of the Household

Author: Ari Tison

Narrators: Timothy Pabon and Alejandro Ruiz

Publisher: Spotify Audiobooks

Copyright Date: March 2023

ISBN: 9781667076058

Format: Audiobook

Genre: Poetry/ Contemporary Fiction/ BIPOC Voice

Awards:

Walter Dean Myers Award- 2024

Pura Bulpré Award- 2024

Walden Award- 2024

Americaś Award- 2024

Interest Level: Grades 9-12 (Junior Library Guild)

Running Time: 4 Hours 24 Minutes

Plot Summary:

Brothers Jay and Max are infamous for beating up their cousin's boyfriend, the beloved Luca. No one at school wants anything to do with them. But no one understands why they did it. At home these brothers have to manage their abusive alcoholic dad, taking shifts to protect their mom. As they attempt to manage their home life, the consequences of their actions in the woods, and sustain their social life, Max and Jay start to grow apart and learn things about themselves they may not be able cope with yet.

With high school graduation approaching these brothers need to decide if they are going to stay and be the saints of their household or pursue the rest of their lives. These BriBri boys will need to reconnect with their roots and the truth to find the answer.

Author Background:

Ari Tison is a BriBri and Ash Creek Fish Clan poet who received her MFA in in Writing for Children and Young Adults and is on faculty in Hamline's MFAC program. She is a member of Las Musas and a founding member of Diverse Verse. She enjoys to paint, dance, dress up, and be creative in all her writing. Some other novels by Ari Tison are Relit: 16 Latinx Remixes of Classics, Our Shadows Have Claws, and an upcoming YA novel coming 2025.

Critical Evaluation:

What a beautifully written and read poetic novel! I especially love the differences in tone and voice spoken and written between the two brothers, it complemented their character development and my understanding of them! I related most to Jay as I am also an oldest sibling and felt that I follow all of his thought patterns. Max, a dreamer, had strong artistic language and emotions and ideas that gave me a new perspective. I really appreciated how the novel ended, the way that mental health and professional support was represented, and the realities of violence amongst young men, their peers, and at times their family. Every character was so purposefully written and moved me, largely the mom, her words and actions brought me to tears. A heavy novel but in ways that have weight in the evolution of teens and adults.

My one issue with this audiobook is that I noticed a couple of glitches in the recording. I did not listen to this audiobook along with the book so they may not have been mistakes. However, they did not seem purposeful and at times a bit confusing. Despite this I would still recommend this audiobook but I might just warn the teen I am recommending this audiobook to.

Creative Use for Library Program:

World Mental Health Day- Create a small collection of content that has a central theme of mental health and professional help. Each work can have an accompanying item represented in the book that helped the main character cope with a mental health struggle. For Saints of the Household this item might be a cup of hot chocolate.

Feeling Painting- Host a painting session where teens paint either a time they felt free, felt loved, or even felt sad, heartbroken, angry, or alone. Encourage teens to either write a poem accompanying their painting and display them around the library. During this session share some other ways teens can express or let go of hard feelings.

Speed-round Book Talk:

Jay and Max beat up their cousins boyfriend in the woods and everyone knowns it. Jay and Max take shifts at home to make sure their dad doesn't beat their mom but know one knows that. What can these brothers accomplish after graduation, they have the talent and grades to get out of Red Lake, but will their familial duty get in the way?

Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparations:

As Ari Tison is BriBri, she has the credibility to speak on and share the traditions of her people in ways others from outside this community never could. This novel contains references to violence, abuse, PTSD, depression, alcoholism, and suicide. These themes/mentions are important to the story, character development, and understanding of how teens can find themselves and peace despite these challenges.

Reason for Inclusion:

I chose to include Saints of the Household into my Teeny Tiny Teen Library because I wanted to feature a novel in verse in an audiobook format. Spoken word may have a different impact on young readers than written poetry and may be easier to understand or create connection. This book is a quick read and only a four hour commitment which will entice reluctant readers. It contains serious themes and values the importance of mental health, community, and therapy which teens need to hear especially during tough times!

Check Out:

Ari Tison in addition to be a wonderful author and poet is an amateur painter just like Max!

References:

Junior Library Guild. (n.d.). Saints of the Household. Accessed June 2024 from https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/saints-of-the-household-9780374389499j

Tison, A. (n.d.) About. Accessed June 2024 from https://www.aritison.com/about

Tison, A. (n.d). Books. Accessed June 2024 from https://www.aritison.com/book

Tison, A. (n.d.). Home. Accessed June 2024 from https://www.aritison.com/

Tison, A. (n.d.). Press. Accessed June 2024 from https://www.aritison.com/press-kit

@aritisonwrites. (2022). Making Hot Chocolate. [Post]. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CmfvwOLpTsf/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D