OCTOBER 2021 - AudioFile
Dion Graham makes every audiobook he narrates into a special event, and his charisma just overflows in this one about Ant, a 10-year-old boy from South Carolina. Ant is obsessed with winning his community’s annual spades tournament—and living up to the expectations of his gambling, alcoholic father. When Ant’s best friend and spades partner is grounded, Ant finds an unexpected partner, Shirley, the new girl at school, who is distractingly pretty and plays a mean game of spades. Graham imbues each character with personality—from Ant’s quiet, thoughtful charm and his father’s larger-than-life presence to Shirley’s snooty self-confidence. But the standout is Graham’s vivid portrayal of the omniscient narrator who is watching Ant’s struggles and contextualizing them within his Black community. S.C. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2022 Audies Winner © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine
From the Publisher
Praise for Playing the Cards You’re Dealt:
Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year
Publisher’s Weekly Best Books of the Year
Booklist Editors’ Choice
Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC) Notable Children’s Book List
Evanston Public Library 101 Great Books for Kids List
Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
An Indie Next Selection
* "A compelling story of cards, courage, and compassion." — Booklist, starred review
* "A story about showing great courage and perseverance when life gets shuffled." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "Johnson addresses themes of toxic masculinity, family, and legacy in this vividly told novel." — Publishers Weekly, starred review
* “A first-rate contemporary realistic fiction title that centers a Black boy and his community, and offers expansive notions of masculinity.” — School Library Journal, starred review
“Playing the Cards You're Dealt, is a necessary tale about how some traditions are worth upholding, and others — especially those that harm people — aren't. More importantly, Johnson with the deft hand indicative of all his work, gives us Anthony Joplin to show us there's no such thing as 'too young' when it comes to questioning big ideas like manhood, or even family.” — Jason Reynolds, New York Times bestselling author of Look Both Ways and Stamped
“Reading a well-written book is akin to watching an acrobat on a tightrope. And Varian Johnson is the best of acrobats — he’s made the task look effortless with an air of compassion, tenderness, humor, and a dab of magic realism.” — Christopher Paul Curtis, Newbery Award-winning author of BUD, Not BUDDY and The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963
“The story and its characters are compelling, as is the omniscient narrator, who becomes increasingly involved in the tale. Themes of addiction and consent are addressed honestly and compassionately, and more than enough tips are given to spark the interest of 'youngbloods' in the game of spades.” — The Horn Book
"Definitely lives up to The Parker Inheritance. Nicely rounded characters facing believable issues in a supportive, but not always perfect, community setting. This fills a good need — early middle grade books with smart boys learning how to be great men." — Rosie Lee-Parks (Readers' Books) for Shelf Awareness
