This was a DNF for me, I just couldn't get into the characters and storyline even though it sounded like a lot of fun!

My Thoughts:

This debut YA novel by Indigenous Costa Rican author Ari Tison is complex in that it starts with the repercussions of violence not done to, but done by these two Bribri American brothers. The two brothers come upon a couple in the Minnesota woods and recognize the girl, Nicole, their Anishnabe "cousin," being grabbed forcefully by her boyfriend, white/Mexican soccer star Luca. The two brothers, Max and Jay without much conversation or questioning beat him up. The rest of the book is done in alternating chapters as Jay and Max come through some sort of healing and reflection on both the violence done to them by their father, as well as the violence they inflicted. Jay's chapters are written in prose vignettes. Max's chapters are written in spare free verse.

The difficulty and therefore the brilliance in this book is that the words on paper reflect how the two boys shatter. The incident acts as a chasm between them that never really gets bridged. Each of them find their own individual semi- peace, but I don't think they see each other in the same way. Jay has Nicole and his grandfather to help him heal. Max has his art and a budding romance that he does not want to tell Jay about. Perhaps that is the most tragic aspect of this book is that they cannot rely on each other to heal. In fact, as the readers alternate between the two boys, how they "read" each other is so heartbreakingly wrong that it feels like their base is untenable.

This book deserves whatever awards it is going to get. The heartbreak stayed with me long after I finished reading. I'm not going to talk about themes and activities in this post because I think this is my next Language arts methods class read for the summer.

From the Publisher:

Max and Jay have always depended on one another for their survival. Growing up with a physically abusive father, the two Bribri American brothers have learned that the only way to protect themselves and their mother is to stick to a schedule and keep their heads down.

But when they hear a classmate in trouble in the woods, instinct takes over and they intervene, breaking up a fight and beating their high school's star soccer player to a pulp. This act of violence threatens the brothers' dreams for the future and their beliefs about who they are. As the true details of that fateful afternoon unfold over the course of the novel, Max and Jay grapple with the weight of their actions, their shifting relationship as brothers, and the realization that they may be more like their father than they thought. They'll have to reach back to their Bribri roots to find their way forward.

Told in alternating points of view using vignettes and poems, debut author Ari Tison crafts an emotional, slow-burning drama about brotherhood, abuse, recovery, and doing the right thing.

Publication Information:
Author: Ari Tison
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, Giroux (March 28, 2023)
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0374389499
Grade level: 10-12

Although the writing in this book was great, I didn't feel myself connecting with the characters. The story was good and I liked the characters but I fee like I never was fully drawn in and invested in the growth.

Was not expecting this book to have such an emotional impact on me, but it really did. I read it awhile ago now but still feel the pain and struggles each of the boys felt as they processed through the aftermath of their actions. The author did an amazing job putting you in their shoes. Highly recommend! This book should really have gotten much more hype.

What truly sets "Saints of the Household" apart is its unflinching exploration of difficult topics in a relatable manner. Ari Tison fearlessly confronts issues that resonate with readers, tackling them with sensitivity and insight. Through the lens of the brothers' experiences, the novel sheds light on the social ramifications of hidden truths and the weight of societal expectations.

I love how each character has a distinctive style and voice. A beautifully crafted story about trauma and how we can overcome challenges and heal ourselves. As someone who spends several weeks a year in Costa Rica with family who live there, I was so excited to see a Tica writer create such a beautiful story!

First, a thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read an eARC of this book.

TW: there is domestic violence in this book - while not overly detailed or graphic, it is a central part of this book. Take care of yourself, fellow readers. <3

I cannot believe more people haven't read this book. Only 600 ratings (or so) on GR??? Why are y'all sleeping on this beautiful book? Why haven't I seen this book on Booktok/Bookstagram??

I will say I do feel like I didn't get the full experience as I read this on my Kindle, which I don't think did the book justice for Max's parts of the book (which were written in poetry). You'll see what I mean if you read the book.

Also a shoutout to my home state where this book takes place - I am not sure if it's just a Minnesotan thing to be absurdly proud of your state and feel a thrill any time it's featured in media, but I definitely had some of that hometown nostalgia (even if I grew up in the Twin Cities which isn't wholly where this book is set) reading this book.

Now, let's get into it.

Saints of the Household is, in general terms, about two brothers, an act of violence, and the aftermath of that. But Tison takes us deeper into the souls of these two teens - their fears, their desires, their relationship with each other and with those around them, and their relationship with their heritage - for these two brothers, being Bribri is a huge part of their identity.

I am going to take a break here to say that as a generic white person, this is something I can empathize with, but not necessarily sympathize; this is not a bad thing. I think, in general, especially us white Americans need to do better at empathizing with our POC peers and really LISTENING to them, even if we do not experience the same generational trauma, racism, etc etc etc - look, I am by no means a subject matter expert, but I know enough sometimes I need to just shut up, amplify voices, and listen. This is one of those cases. So I am not going to dig deep into here as I don't necessarily think I'm the best voice to listen to.


What I can speak on is how deeply I appreciate Tison's characterization of these two teen boys. Something I really get sick of, especially in YA, is this generic depiction of men/boys that I this plays more into toxic masculinity and weird "idealism" than reality. Do Jay and Max have anger? Yes, absolutely. But they also have fear, hope, sadness, grief, pride, belonging, longing, etc etc etc... All very human emotions that everyone experiences and needs to grapple with. These brothers felt so real to me, and it broke my heart to hear their voices as they struggle with their home life and with the growing pains of becoming an adult.

I'm going to get a little personal here and say that I wholly disagree with some other reviews that seems to think Tison was being unrealistic in depicting both of these brothers as "geniuses" in their own rights. Listen... being good at math, or finding highschool math easy, does not make you a genius. Having some artistic talent doesn't make you a genius. Hell, when I was in highschool I rarely, if ever, studied, and still did well on exams. That doesn't mean **I'm** a genius. I found this to be such a bizarre thing to fixate on given, you know, the wider context of the book as a whole - but I also understand that literature is entirely subjective.

But also, that review was from an adult, and as I often say when reviewing YA... YA isn't really for adults. Sure we can read YA, enjoy it, get something out of it - but that doesn't mean it's for us. And this book especially is not entirely for the "white gaze" (idk if that is a thing but if the male gaze is to hell with it).


I always feel weird discussing these things about media because I just don't really think it's my place, and because of that I get into a weird, rambling place (apologies to anyone who has made it this far, you're a gem). But to get on a bit of a tangent here, we NEED to talk about this. We NEED to be part of the driving force to get these works published and to make a space for them. Have you ever walked into a chain bookstore and looked at what's popular and out right now and taken time to see how many of the authors are white (and a lot of times male)? A hint - that's not because white men just write better books. Publishers like to publish books that sell. So we need to do our part to seek out these books, help to sell them, and create a space that amplifies ALL voices - not just the ones that sound like our own.

Anyway - tl;dr: wonderful book, a piece of art, and one that I felt down in my soul. I highly recommend picking up this book and reading it. I'm sad that a cursory google search didn't turn up any signed copies - I am definitely going to buy a print copy of this book for my collection.

Ari Tison debuts with Saints of the Household, an introspective YA contemporary about two Indigenous teen brothers navigating their final year of high school. Jay and Max must deal with the aftermath of a physical altercation with another student, their abusive father, and the pains of growing into themselves while also growing apart. These brothers are used to keeping things to themselves. They’re used to walking on eggshells around their father, afraid anything might set him off. They’re afraid for themselves, they’re afraid for their mother, and they’re afraid to speak aloud what they’ve all been forced to endure for years. Worst of all, they fear they have more of their father in them than they’d like to admit. As the oldest, Jay feels like it’s his responsibility to facilitate, to make sure his mother is taken care of. This puts a tremendous amount of pressure both on himself and his younger brother. Contemplating his future feels very peripheral when the only thing he can focus on is the now and keeping his father away from his mother the best he can. The only thing that gives him any kind of peace is the connection he makes with his grandfather and through him trying to grab and hold on to his Bribri roots. Max has always had his art to fall into, a small way to help him cope with the hellscape that has become his life. He has poured himself into his work because he has no other outlet. The most frustrating thing about finding this kind of refuge is watching Jay fall further down a hole of misery and not try to claw his way out of it beside him. Both are filled with anger and regret, desperate for some type of freedom from their life. Exploring kinship, brotherhood, and abuse, Ari Tison’s Saints of the Household is an emotionally fraught, but sincere character study on trauma and its effect on young men just beginning to enter adulthood.

Review scheduled to go live 8/31/23
https://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=26894

Saints of the Household
Author: Ari Tison
Published: March 28, 2023 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)

Summary: Saints of the Household is a haunting contemporary YA about an act of violence in a small-town–beautifully told by a debut Indigenous Costa Rican-American writer–that will take your breath away.

Max and Jay have always depended on one another for their survival. Growing up with a physically abusive father, the two Bribri American brothers have learned that the only way to protect themselves and their mother is to stick to a schedule and keep their heads down.

But when they hear a classmate in trouble in the woods, instinct takes over and they intervene, breaking up a fight and beating their high school’s star soccer player to a pulp. This act of violence threatens the brothers’ dreams for the future and their beliefs about who they are. As the true details of that fateful afternoon unfold over the course of the novel, Max and Jay grapple with the weight of their actions, their shifting relationship as brothers, and the realization that they may be more like their father than they thought. They’ll have to reach back to their Bribri roots to find their way forward.

Told in alternating points of view using vignettes and poems, debut author Ari Tison crafts an emotional, slow-burning drama about brotherhood, abuse, recovery, and doing the right thing.

Review: This gorgeous novel alternates two brothers’ perspectives, one in prose (similar to short vignettes) and one in verse. I was captivated by this book and felt really connected to the two characters. The story begins immediately following a violent altercation between the brothers and their cousin’s girlfriend. The boys (Jay and Max) also experience domestic abuse at home. Jay and Max are less than a year apart in age and very close, yet they negotiate the altercations in very different ways. I highly recommend this book and am really glad that I read it and got to know Jay’s and Max’s stories.

Tools for Navigation: This book inspires creative writing. Teachers might ask students to try writing alternating perspectives of two people who are negotiating a conflict in different ways. They might also try writing one voice in prose and one in verse.

Discussion Questions:

Did you find yourself feeling more empathetic toward one of the brothers? If yes, why might this be? If no, do you think audiences might be more empathetic to a brother, and why or why not?
How does the domestic abuse impact each of the brothers?
How did the different forms enhance your reading of the text?
Flagged Passage: “‘Sadness is not uncommon for our people,’ he tells me. ‘We have been hurt by many. People have been murdered. Our lands taken. But, in turn, when you are so hurt, you cannot let them win again by allowing them to take your mind. We’ve got everything against us, dawö’chke, but we’re still here, aren’t we? Each one of us made it. And we will still make it through all we’re facing'” (p. 186).

Read This If You Love: Angeline Boulley, Amber McBride, Ibi Zoboi

Recommended For:

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Ricki

CategoriesAuthor's Purpose/Perspective/Bias, Book-in-Verse, Characterization, Classroom Library Buy, Close Reading/Analysis, Imagery/Descriptive Language, Language/Style, Literature Circle/Book Clubs, Novel, Realistic Fiction/Contemporary Fiction, Text Structure, Voice
TagsAbuse, Bullying, Family, Friendship, Identity/Coming of Age, Mental Health, School

Saints of the Household is a well-written story about two Indigenous brothers. The protagonists and all other characters felt believable, and I sympathized with them, even when I disagreed. The novel-in-verse and short anecdotal chapters which distinguish each brother's voice will appeal to reluctant readers. Besides being well-written and about a minority not generally seen, this book did not stand out for me. It deals with very heavy topics, and Indigenous people deserve to find joy in their stories as much as they deserve to see the pain represented.

Absolutely fabulous.
5 star read.
Jay and Max are tremendous characters working through such hardship and distress in their lives, but you are rooting for them and from the very first page.

I loved the unique writing style of this book using both prose and verse to show the different perspectives between the brothers.. I really enjoyed it, but felt that there were a bit too many competing elements in the narrative.

I haven't had the opportunity to "test drive" this with students yet, so these are thoughts based on my personal reading.
This is a title I will be recommending to the Evergreen Committee in 2026.
It handles the topic of identity and domestic abuse beautifully.
Both brothers have distinct voices, and the use of free verse poetry for Max was a good stylistic choice.
I'm not sure the cover will appeal to teens, so this will require some book talking--but the value of the title makes this one that I will gladly share.

I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
Max and Jay deal with identity and family. The book is structured with short prose illustrations and sections of poems, alternating between the brothers.
The book drew me in and kept me invested in learning more about the brothers.

What an excellent piece of literature.

The story itself is moving and thought provoking, but what Tison does with formatting and writing style is truly masterful.

A must read.

A raw, impactful look at brotherhood and the burden of inherited violence, with a strong focus on its characters. Full review posted at BookBrowse: https://www.bookbrowse.com/mag/reviews/index.cfm/ref/pr294912

Saints of the Household by Ari Tison is a beautifully crafted novel with simple but lyrical prose that will get straight to the story and hook you in. Each chapter is short and succinct so that the pacing feels like a pulse that mirrors the changing intensity of the story.

It follows two siblings, Max and Jay, who rely on each other for their survival. Having to protect themselves against their physically abusive father, these two Native American brothers understand that the only way to protect their family from his wrath is by keeping their heads down.

That's until they unwittingly display that same level of violence from their household and violently beat a jock when they try to protect another classmate in trouble in the woods. This act of violence leaves a negative mark of their presence on society and they tap into their native roots and beliefs to try and become the men their father never was.
Tison does a great job of showcasing the dynamics of the brothers working through their own shame and grief while navigating friendships in the aftermath of their actions.

This is a fascinating story told in verse, though in alternating styles to reflect the two different characters. The story centers around brothers, Max and Jay, who are Bribi-American. Jay's chapters are long verses, less poetic, full sentences. But, Max, the artist, has shorter verses, poetic, and not full sentences. At the start of the story we learn that they got into a fight defending their Cousin from a boy. But, while their intent was good, they are now viewed as troublemakers while the other boy is barely punished. The story, from there, splinters, showing what led to the event and the results of it. We learn that their father abuses them and their Mother. How this is what led them to defend their Cousin, how they don't actually want or enjoy violence. We also see how one Brother is desperate to escape to Art School, Max, while Jay believes he is responsible for protecting their Mother. The story moves quickly and gives a glimpse into life with abuse, depression, anxiety, and more. Most importantly, it shows survival and recovery. I am excited to share this book with my students who enjoy realistic fiction and novels in verse. (Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan for the ARC)

Wow. What a read. Ari Tison has a way with words, and this one tore me apart. The characters seemed so real and raw, and felt like reading their innermost thoughts.

In "Saints of the Household", Jay and Max struggle with the aftermath of a decision they made, in what they believe was the defense of a loved one. But because of their identity, their peers and teachers see them as violent boys who need to be feared, avoided, or denigrated. As the boys try to cope with the guilt for what they've done, they also have to handle the criticism from their community, their abusive and alcoholic father, and their own mental health.

I enjoyed Tison's writing style, with the alternating poetry and prose between points of view. Some lines in this novel were so beautiful and quote-worthy. But this book took me so long to read despite the short length. For me, I didn't feel like the main conflict of the novel was tense enough to sustain my interest between each sitting. The themes and inner conflict were ones that were familiar to me from other novels, so perhaps other readers will feel more connected to the story as it unfolds than this reader was.