the mystery of their parents’ death. Meta- tron’s Children is set in the year 2130 after a time referred to as the “Fall,” precipitated by “Poverty, pandemic, patriarchy, white su- premacy and capitalism.” Since the apparent death of their parents, witnessed by Yren, the pair have lived in the care of their paternal Unti (an amalgam of uncle and auntie.) Yren is haunted by the memory, which comes to them in dreams. Their home is known as the Village, con-
sisting of the Fifteen Families, overseen by Council. While there are many structures on the compound, inhabitants share a Long- house in the winter months, constructed from repurposed storage containers. Since a more recent plague swept through the vari- ous colonies, communications have gone silent, and inhabitants of the Village believe they may be the only survivors. The survivors of the Fall are “Queer folks
of every colour and presentation. Black and brown folks with practice in survival. Tough, talented people full of creativity and deter- mination.” Early in the novel, it becomes apparent that Yren is unique among them. Like others in the Village, Yren fell ill to the plague but was spared by an apparent alien life form known as a tether. As others re- covered, their tethers disappeared; however, Yren’s remained. While venturing beyond the confi nes
of the Village, Yren locates clues suggesting there are other survivors and prompting them and Augi to investigate their parents’ death. The pair undertake a perilous journey beyond their known world. Metatron’s Children is a packed narra-
tive. At 156 pages, the story spans only a few days while providing some background to Yren’s encounter with the tether, their parents’ death and their growing powers. While not a graphic novel per se, the book is generously illustrated by Sydney Kuhni, whose white-on-black drawings serve two functions. They suggest an effort to record an emerging culture and are also consistent with the Afro-Indigenous themes of the book. Additionally, I think they are helpful to readers in keeping up with all the action in the story. We don’t know exactly what Yren and Augi discover on their mission be- cause this is only the fi rst book in the series, and I couldn’t be more delighted. Educators will fi nd many curriculum
connections to the fi ve titles. Noodin’s Perfect Day reinforces preserving Indigenous lan- guages and also aligns with the PSS strand on “roles, relationships and responsibilities.”The
Magic Shell lends itself to the PSS strand Heritage and Identity: Changing Family and Community Traditions, which includes the question in Grade 2, “Why is it important to have an understanding of your family’s past?” and encourages family discussion of these topics. The Light of You sits nicely with the second-grade SS expectation A3.1: “iden- tify and describe different types of families (e.g., families with one parent, two parents, no children; same-sex families; blended and multigenerational families…” Together, the novels It’s A Hit! and Metatron’s Children explore themes of gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation, which are discussed most extensively in the eighth grade health curriculum. However, it should also be noted all elementary curriculum doc- uments stress the importance of representa- tion and diversity in the curriculum for the well-being of students and their families. n
Gordon Nore is a member of the Elementary Teachers of Toronto.
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO 17
FLAMINGO RAMPANT TITLES ARE AVAILABLE AT fl
amingorampant.com.
BOOKS REVIEWED:
• Noodin’s Perfect Day by Ansley Simp- son, illustrated by Rhael McGregor
• The Magic Shell by Jillian Christmas, illustrated by Diana G.A. Mungaray
• The Light of You by Trystan Reese and Biff Chaplow, illustrated by Van Binfa
• It’s A Hit by Arin Cole Barth and Marika Barth
• Metatron’s Children by Chy Ryan Spain, illustrated by Sydney Kuhne
1
M E T A T R O N’ S
well may save what’s left of humanity. Metatron's Children's is an Afro-futuristic narrative of resilience, resistance, and redemption.
e year is 2130 and society as we know it has psed. Two Black non-binary siblings embark n an epic journey to ease the loss of their ents. Along the way, and with the help of a w friends, they unravel a mystery that very may save what’s left of humanity. Metatron's ildren's is an Afro-futuristic narrative of resilience, resistance, and redemption.
The year is 2130 and society as we know it has collapsed. Two Black non-binary siblings embark on an epic journey to ease the loss of their parents. Along the way, and with the help of a few friends, they unravel a mystery that very
book 1
C H I
L D R E N
C H I
L D R E N
Written by Chy ryan Spain Illustrated by Sydney kuhne
Written by Chy ryan Spain Illustrated by Sydney kuhne
M E T A T R O
N’ S
spain kuhne
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