Author: caguilar12

*The album image linked to the TØP website for purchasing the album item. **No, I do not profit from this feature. It is simply intended to make life more convenient.  

• Bibliographic Information

• Album Title: Clancy <<<Click on the album title and enjoy the music!

• Artist: Twenty One Pilots

• Length: 47:18 minutes/seconds

• Label: Fueled by Ramen; Elektra

• Copyright Date: (2024)

• Genre: Alternative rock, Hip-hop, Pop rock, Indie rock, Synth-pop

• Format: Audio

• Awards/Honors: 2024 Rock Sound Album of the Year

• Interest Level: Listeners come from all ages.
• Album Summary: Clancy is the seventh studio album by American musical duo Twenty One Pilots, released on May 24, 2024. It is the follow-up album to their 2021 release Scaled And Icy (Clancy, 2023).
  • Track List:

1. 1. Overcompensate
   2. Next Semester
   3. Backslide
   4. Midwest Indigo
   5. Routines In The Night
   6. Vignette
   7. The Craving (Jenna’s version)
   8. Lavish
   9. Navigating
   10. Snap Back
   11. Oldies Station
   12. At The Risk Of Feeling Dumb
   13. Paladin Strait

(Clancy, 2023)

• Artist Background: Twenty One Pilots is an American musical duo that originated in the town of Columbus, Ohio, in 2009, made up of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun. Initially, the band was formed as a trio, but the band became a duo after the departures of their founding members Chris Salih and Nick Thomas in 2011. Their music is a fusion of various genres, which include pop, rock, rap, and indie. The Twenty One Pilots duo rose to fame with their 2015 album, Blurryface, which featured popular tracks like “Stressed Out” and “Ride,” which address themes of mental health and self-doubt. Twenty One Pilots are known for encompassing mental health within the lyrics and fusion of their music. The duo is also known for their high-energy live performances. Twenty One Pilots has amassed significant acclaim through the years, including multiple Grammy Awards, and has built a loyal fanbase known as the “Skeleton Clique.”

 

• Critical Evaluation: This was my first experience listening to the entirety of Twenty One Pilots’ newest album, having only encountered a few of their songs previously. While I appreciate singles like “Overcompensate,” I anticipated a different direction for this album, particularly a deeper exploration of lore. I was surprised to find only two lore-related tracks, which felt odd to me. Instead of the heavier sounds, more bass, and rap that I was hoping for, the album features a lot of ukulele, pop elements, slower lyrics, and a noticeable absence of piano.

Although my initial impression is that the album is solid, it’s clear that I need to listen to it a few more times to fully understand my feelings. Some tracks like “The Craving,” “Backslide,” and “Next Semester” initially required multiple listens before I truly enjoyed them, and I find that I prefer “The Craving Single Version” over “Jenna’s Version,” though both are lovely in their own right. 

Overall, this album delivers a different experience compared to their previous work, but that’s part of the journey as a fan. Twenty One Pilots has a remarkable ability to blend genres, creating music that feels both fresh and authentic. Each song serves as a sonic adventure, showcasing their artistic range through introspective rap, explosive rock choruses, and subtle electronic influences.

• Creative Use for a Library Program: It could be fun to host a music tasting for young adults and use this artist as one of the many artists to introduce them to. It would make for a great way for kids to interact with one another and also make new friends. Another way to utilize this artist is to have them playing in the background of a book tasting or maybe even just playing in the background in a general setting so that young adults can hear them. This band makes for a great way for people to break ice and interact with one another. 

• Speed Round Book Talk/ Short Book Trailer: If you are new to Twenty One Pilots, they are like no other group. Their music is varied and, intelligent and beautiful… it fits into no one genre, and TØP’s music is so dynamic you will be amazed at the different sounds from song to song then– remind yourself this is a 2 person group. Tyler and Josh have fans of ALL ages and deservedly so.

• Potential Challenges Issues/ Preparation for the Book: A potential challenge I can see stemming from Twenty-One Pilot’s music is possibly a controversial issue with their lyrics. I have listened to a few of their albums and have to find anything that young ears should not be listening to, but every parent must judge for themselves and there could very well be a parent who does want their child to listen to this band. 

Another issue that I have seen arise from a few different articles and blog sites is a disdain for how the band exploits mental illness. In the blog, Bearded Gentleman Music, they express the notion of Joseph Tyler as a person who likes to romanticism depression (Bearded Gentlemen Music, 2018). With Twenty-One Pilots having a vast young listener fanbase, many feel uncomfortable with the idea of these guys insinuating that depression does not mean you are weak; it means you have been strong for too long (Bearded Gentlemen Music, 2018). The next time you feel a surge of uncontrollable sadness, consider turning off the pop music and reaching out to someone who is willing to engage in a meaningful conversation. Choose someone who understands that while people are beautiful, mental illness is not.

• Reason for Inclusion: The artist in question deserves recognition due to their widespread popularity and significant appeal to younger audiences. Many people from various generations, both younger and older, actively listen to Twenty-One Pilots, attend their concerts and follow their latest endeavors. This music has the power to connect individuals, foster friendships and enhance concentration in settings like classrooms. 

My personal experiences with their music reveal its potential to help others find new connections, explore hobbies, and engage in healthy activities. Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun express their personal struggles and vulnerabilities through their lyrics, making their work deeply relatable. Tracks such as “Stressed Out,” “Car Radio,” and “Heathens” transcend mere entertainment; they serve as anthems of resilience and hope, encouraging listeners to confront their fears and embrace their authentic selves.

 

References

Bearded Gentlemen Music. (2018, October 29). Twenty One Pilots – Trench sucks. Bearded Gentlemen Music. https://beardedgentlemenmusic.com/2018/10/29/twenty-one-pilots-trench-sucks/

Clancy, T. (2023). Twenty one pilots [Audio CD]. Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Clancy-twenty-one-pilots/dp/B0CWRM3KB5/ref=tmm_acd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=

Baker, C. (2020, November 24). Twenty One Pilots: A history of the band and their success. Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/twenty-one-pilots-history/

Saviano, F. (2020, July 28). Why listening to Twenty One Pilots can change your perspective on music and life. Medium. https://medium.com/@francesco.saviano87/why-listening-to-twenty-one-pilots-can-change-your-perspective-on-music-and-life-a2724c52d034

Wikipedia contributors. (2025, February 7). Twenty One Pilots. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty_One_Pilots

 

*Each book image links to Amazon for the purchase of the title item. **No, I do not profit from this feature. It is simply intended to make life more convenient.  

 

Bibliographic Information

• Title: Huda F Are You?

• Author: Huda Fahmy

• ISBN: 9780593324301

• Publisher: Dial Books

• Copyright Date: 2021

• Genre: Comics, Fictionalized graphic memoir, 

• Format: Print Book

• Awards/Honors: Rise: A Feminist Book Project List – Young Adult Fiction: 2023

• Reading Level/Interest Level: Grade 8-11, Lexile: 560

• Plot Summary: In this humorous and candid coming-of-age comic, the main character, Huda Fahmy, shares her experiences as she and her family, consisting of her parents and four sisters, move to Dearborn, Michigan. This quaint town has a large Muslim population. For Huda, transitioning from being the “Yes, I’m Hot In This” hijabi girl to one of many hijab-wearing girls in town prompts her to explore her identity beyond just her hijab. Huda navigates a new environment where she is no longer the sole hijab girl, which leads her to question who she is if she is not defined by her hijab. Although Huda wears her hijab throughout the book, even to bed, her experiences reveal her journey of self-discovery. Along the way, she encounters both overt and subtle forms of Islamophobia and xenophobia from classmates and even a teacher.

 As a young teenager trying to understand herself, Huda takes readers on a journey that moves beyond identifying with her religious beliefs, shaping her identity through her experiences with her matriarchal family and her efforts to find her niche in school. Her family relocates to Dearborn to escape the challenges one of Huda’s older sisters faced in school. Through this transition, Huda realizes that she cannot depend solely on her identity as the “hijabi girl.” As she reflects on her interests, tries new activities, and examines her friendships at school, each newfound label continues to elude her. Additionally, when the school overreacts to a student bringing a homemade clock to class, Huda is reminded that, in addition to her quest for self-discovery, she must also confront the prejudice faced by Muslims in America.

• Author Background: Huda Fahmy grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, and has loved comics since childhood. She studied English at the University of Michigan and spent eight years teaching English to middle and high school students. Eventually, she began sharing her experiences as a visibly Muslim woman in America, and her older sister encouraged her to turn these stories into comics. Huda became a finalist for the National Book Award for her YA graphic novel, Huda F Cares?

In addition to her graphic novel work, Huda is the illustrator of the internationally successful webcomic Yes, I’m Hot in This, where she humorously navigates the everyday challenges of being a hijab-wearing woman, especially in hot climates. When she’s not drawing or Googling “breathable cotton dresses,” Huda enjoys spending time with her husband, Gehad, and their children at home in Houston, Texas.

• Critical Evaluation: Navigating high school can be one of life’s significant challenges, as individuals seek to discover their identities and find their place among peers. Huda F. Are You? effectively captures this journey, particularly through the lens of a Muslim woman living in the United States. Huda’s character is portrayed with authenticity and humor, making her relatable as she grapples with the same struggles faced by many.

Fahmy’s writing and cartooning skills shine in this full-color graphic novel, drawing readers into Huda’s world through simple layouts that balance words and art beautifully. A highlight of Fahmy’s work is her ability to convey complex emotions clearly, both through dialogue and vivid comic imagery. Her distinct writing style enhances the narrative, making the story engaging and heartfelt.

The memoir is a thoughtful exploration of universal growing pains, depicted with a Muslim perspective. With large panels and stylized illustrations reminiscent of webcomics, it offers a quick yet profound reading experience. The representation of Muslim characters showcases a variety of skin tones, body types, and hijab styles, enriching the narrative’s authenticity. Overall, Fahmy does an excellent job of reflecting her identity, heritage, and community, tackling important themes with wit and realism in her semi-autobiographical comic.

• Creative Use for a Library Program: The main plot of this book revolves around identity. So, it could be fun for a library program to create something that focuses on one’s identity. The library can structure it so that teens are making an artifact or creating artwork that represents their identity. The focus should be on what makes them unique, what makes them them. Perhaps the library can provide some of the materials to get teens started, and when they’re done, the library can host an art walk so that the teens can showcase their work. 
• Speed Round Book Talk/ Short Book Trailer: Going to high school and figuring out who you are and fit in is one of the great challenges all people face. Huda F. Are You? does a great job of telling that story and adding in the additional layer of being a Muslim woman in the United States. Huda’s voice is realistic and funny. She is unique and special, going along trying to figure things out, just like everyone else. 
• Potential Challenges Issues/ Preparation for the Book: After carefully researching possible challenges and issues for this book, I could not find any. After reading this book, I do not see any issues that could arise from it, and this comes after putting aside any bias and just looking at the book for what it is. Which is a wonderful treasure that so many people of any age will get a kick out of. 

• Reason for Inclusion: I found the title to be very catchy and hilarious. If this author could laugh at herself, find humor in her name, and welcome readers into her world, then I would ask her to come in. This book is funny and sad at times. Young readers would be curious about it and want to pick it up. It’s relatable and strikes a chord with anyone who has ever been the new kid.

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References

Amazon. (n.d.). About the author. Amazon. Retrieved January 30, 2025, from 

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07HHSRQNG/about

Fahmy, H. (n.d.). About. Huda Fahmy. Retrieved January 30, 2025, from

https://hudafahmy.com/about/