Pet (novel) facts for kids
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| Author | Akwaeke Emezi |
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| Illustrator | Shyama Golden |
| Language | English |
| Genre | fantasy, young adult, speculative fiction |
| Publisher | Make Me a World, Penguin Random House |
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Publication date
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2019 |
| Pages | 208 |
| ISBN | 978-0-525-64707-2 |
Pet is a 2019 young adult fantasy/speculative fiction novel by Nigerian non-binary author Akwaeke Emezi.
Background
With Pet, Emezi focused on writing the book they wanted to read while they were growing up. To them, including a Black trans girl character who was supported by her parents and community — and who goes on adventures but is not in serious danger — was particularly important.
Lucille, the setting of the novel, was inspired by settings that Toni Morrison used in her fiction. The town's creed ("We are each other’s harvest. We are each other’s business. We are each other’s magnitude and bond") is a quote from Gwendolyn Brooks' ode to Paul Robeson.
Plot
Jam is a teen girl living in Lucille, a town in the US. Lucille is a type of utopia; its official historical record saw angels defeating monsters. In Lucille, there are no more monsters. Or so everyone believes. One day, Jam trips and falls onto her mother's painting (a type of assemblage with sharp objects incorporated within.) Jam's blood releases the creature that her mother painted: Pet. Pet informs Jam that the creature is here to root out a monster living in Lucille.
Characters
- Jam is the protagonist of the novel. A 15-year-old Black trans girl, she is selectively nonverbal. Jam is supported and loved by her family and community.
- Bitter is Jam's mother, a painter.
- Aloe is Jam's father.
- Redemption is Jam's friend.
- Pet is the monster conjured in a painting by Bitter.
Literary style
Jam communicates in several different ways throughout the novel, from verbally to non-verbal signing, to mental communication. These are presented in different textual formats in the novel.
Influence
Jam's identity as a family- and community-supported Black trans girl is particularly notable.
Awards and recognition
Pet was a finalist for the 2019 National Book Awards for Young People's Literature.
Pet was named to Time magazine's list of 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time. The New York Times named Pet one of the 25 best children's books of 2019.
