Yesterday is History by Kosoko Jackson
Sourcebooks Fire/ Sourcebooks
Publication Date: February 2, 2021
ISBN: 978-1492694342
After a life-saving liver transplant, Andre Cobb gains the ability to time travel. He finds himself tethered to a young man named Michael who he meets in the year 1969, and the two quickly fall into a deep romantic relationship. Back in 2021, the family of Andre’s liver donor shares the news that they too are time-travellers, and they task their son Blake with teaching Andre about his new skill. The two share an obvious attraction, but Andre must first figure out what he wants out of life before he can choose which partner to love.
Yesterday is History, an OwnVoices novel, starts strong with Andre falling back in time with no idea how he got there. The sudden shifts in time and place increase speed and add a science fiction twist to what otherwise could be a standard love triangle story. Andre’s first-person narration adds cohesion throughout and gives a unique perspective to two different time periods in America with their own views on race and sexuality.
Teens who liked the combination of history and love in Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian or the combination of time travel and love in Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds will enjoy this young adult version of Time Traveller’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger.
–Diana Ford, Baltimore, MD
Other Nominated Titles
- Don’t Stand So Close to Me by Eric Walters (February 2, 2021)
The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the field nomination form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.
Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten. The previous years’ lists are available on The Hub.
