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Teen Book Reviews
Did you know that during the cold war with Russia the United Stated asked its citizens to watch the skies for invading military planes? We now have technology that monitors the skies for us but in the 1950’s kids like you joined clubs and were trained to watch for war. Skywatchers by Carrie Arcos is set in 1952 in Monterey California. The local high schools ‘Operation Skywatch’ club is actively monitoring the skies ready to report any signs of attack from the Soviet Union. They are not prepared for what they see. A strange green light and a mysterious ship defying the laws of physics. When Caroline, John, Teddy & Bunny head into the woods to investigate… they disappear. What happened to these four teens and what does it mean for the future of the human race? This book hit some personal interest buttons for me. I’ve always been fascinated with UFO’s and found this novel’s mash up of historical facts and UFO speculation to be super interesting. Review by Miss Karen
Amari and the Night Brothers by B. B Alston was so much fun and I’m super excited (and super impatient) to read the rest of the series. Amari is a 12-year-old girl who is quite surprised when she is invited to a super-secret summer camp at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, by her missing older brother, Quinton. Amari is certain the bureau is the key to her finding her missing brother. Now if she can only figure out how things work in the supernatural world of dragons, magicians, talking elevators and other supernatural creatures. This book reminded me of the first time I read Harry Potter. The world Amari steps into is so magical and vivid and I was completely hooked. Highly recommended to lovers of adventure, magic, and spunky girls. Reviewed by Miss Karen
Agnes at the End of the World by Kelly McWilliams
This is a book that I both really enjoyed and really made me uncomfortable. Set in a small fundamentalist doomsday cult in Texas, 17-year-old Agnes cares for her siblings with little support from a cold father and sick mother. She is torn between her obedience to the cult prophet and keeping her youngest brother who suffers from type 1 diabetes alive. Modern medicine and outsiders are not allowed but Agnes must meet monthly with an outsider to obtain the insulin that keeps her brother alive. The story then twists when the outside world is facing a viral pandemic that is actually bringing about a world-wide apocalypse. Agnes, must decide where she fits as the prophet become increasingly erratic and the outside world is falling apart. I found Agnes to be an interesting if not perplexing character. Her faith and connection to ‘God’ was interesting especially as it related to the pandemic and her role as a savior figure. I was definitely surprised by the story even as it made me squirm a bit. It’s a little like Handmaids Tale mixed with the Walking Dead and worth a read if you like stories about the end of the world. *review by Miss Karen
365 Days to Alaska by Cathy Carr
Middle school is already a challenge. Worse when you are the “new kid.” Worse still when you have never been to school. Or lived in a neighborhood. Or had friends outside your own siblings. Rigel hates it in Connecticut and aches to return to live with her dad in rural Alaska after her parents split up. This is a tender book that is honest in how kids deal with being uprooted from all they have ever known, and try to blossom in utterly unfamiliar surroundings. Great for middle grade readers, but adults will enjoy it too. 11+ Review by Heather
Today, Tonight and Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon
I happened to read this book just as graduation hit the local high school and it, being a book about graduating seniors, fit the bill perfectly. The story about two rival high school overachievers is really fun. It takes place during “The Howl” a graduation tradition for seniors in a Seattle area high school in which participants race around Seattle taking scavenger hunt photos for a $5000 prize. This sets up the action for the story but the real meat of the book is the relationship between rivals Rowan & Neil. It’s fun to watch as they more from ‘love to hate you’ to love to love you’ and I’m always a sucker for a well told teen romance novel. It is full of awkwardness, wit, vulnerability and competiveness masking true feeling. I loved it. Probably best for older teens *review by Miss Karen
They Went Left by Monica Hesse
I love books that make me… FEEL. Books that I think about long after I turn the last page, books I want to talk about with any random stranger that is willing, books whose characters feel so dang real, you’d swear you’d recognize them on a crowded street. Books who expose us to such sadness and grief you think there is no way there could be a satisfying ending. “They Went Left” is one of those books. Zofia and Abek were the only two members of their family who didn’t go left - to the gas chambers - at the concentration camp. They were separated, but Zofia knew her brother survived, and was determined to find him after the war ended. I love this story because it does not shy away from describing the scars left on the camp survivors, and yet there is hope and healing. LOVED IT. Would appeal to ages 14+ Review by Heather
Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri
True or untrue, author Daniel Nayeri knows how to tell a story. Heartfelt, real, and unbelievable, all in one. I love learning about life experiences different from my own, and that may be one reason I pick up nearly every immigrant story I come across. Khosrou (aka Daniel) is trying to explain his childhood in Iran to his fellow middle school students, one bizarre story at a time. They are true stories, but Daniel makes it magical - a kind of 1,001 Arabian Nights, just replace the Mideast bazaar with an Oklahoma classroom. Loved it. Ages 12+ Review by Heather
Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang
This graphic novel is the story of… the writing of this graphic novel. Huh? Talk about meta. I’m not a huge basketball fan, but I enjoyed the story of a high school teacher/graphic novelist stuck idea-less for his next book, and the bball team of the high school where he teaches also stuck for their own happy ending. A fun quick read for sports fans, but told from the view of someone decidedly less sporty. Ages 11+ Review by Heather
Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci
It seems a little far-fetched that four completely different high schoolers could bond over simply sharing a name, but this graphic novel works. And I love the gentle civil disobedience vibe as the Janes unite to bring back urban neighborhood art. A fun, quick read. Ages 12+ Review by Heather
Watch Over Me by Nina Lacour
I’m not sure I can accurately capture the essence of this book in a short review. Quiet, eerie, sad, hopeful, mysterious, gentle, ghosts, pasts, friendships. Mila has aged out of the foster care system and jumps at the opportunity to live and work at a rural coastal farm in Northern California. There she teaches and grows to love her young student, and through this sisterly-affection, she gains the strength to confront the ghosts of the past. This was totally not what I expected. It was so much better. Loved it. Ages 15+ Review by Heather
Suggested Reading by Dave Connis
Clara goes to a private high school, on scholarship. She has gone to school early to help in the library for the last 3 years. Now as her senior year begins, she learns that her principle has "prohibited some media". These banned books have been removed from the school library and anyone caught with a copy faces sever punishment. Some of these books changed Clara's life. She starts a library of these books out of her locker. The sharing of these books bring new friends and new problems. This book not only talks about controversial books but about the high school prejudices that keep us from being friends with those who could help us be better people. This book would be better for a little older teens and adults. Review by Michele
The Loop by Ben Oliver
I just finished reading The Loop and it was a wild ride. A dystopian, sci-fi novel, The Loop is set in a futuristic prison called The Loop where the kids locked up endure years of isolation, loneliness and horrific tortures. 16-year-old Luca Cain has been waiting, alone in his cell, for 2 years and is a great protagonist. You will be rooting for him to escape and will find yourself holding your breath as he faces peril after peril. I can’t tell you much about what happens because I don’t want to give away any of the twists and turns, but, if you liked The Hunger Games & The Maze Runner, this is a series you won’t want to miss. *review by Miss Karen
Reaching for the Moon by Katherine G. Johnson
Some of you may recognize this author's name from the movie and book, Hidden Figures. She was a bright and exceptional child from a very young age. Her parents sacrificed all four of their children college educations, so that they have better lives. As African Americans living during the time of segregation and civil unrest, this was not available to all of her peers. Her work as a NASA computer, that's what they called the ladies who checked the math for the engineers, was very important to the success of first manned space flight and the first man on the moon. An inspirational and educational autobiography appropriate for tweens and teens. Review by Michele
Burn by Patrick Ness
It took me a minute to get into this alt reality novel but it was worth it. Burn is set in small town Frome, Washington in 1957 in a world just like ours. A world like ours with one glaring difference—dragons. Sarah Dewhurst and her father hire a dragon to clear their farm land and an old dragon prophecy about the end of the world begins to come true. What role will Sarah play? Does everything hinge on her? I really enjoyed how real life historical events like 1950’s racism, fear of communist Soviet Union and the launch of Russian satellite are intermingled with assassins, a dragon worshipping cult and the FBI. If you are a fan of Patrick Ness, you’ll enjoy the weirdness of his writing and I’d suggest that this is a book for a more mature reader. That said, I really enjoyed it! *reviewed by Miss Karen
I Will Always Write Back by Caitlin Aliferenzka, Liz Welch & Martin Ganda
This book shows how learning and caring about someone else can change both your lives. As a class assignment Caitlyn, who lives in Pennsylvania, writes a letter to Martin, who lives in Zimbabwe. At the beginning of the book assumptions are made by each teen about their pen pal. We tend to believe that other people's lives are similar to our own. Martin's and Caitlin's lives couldn't be more different. She lives in the suburbs in an upper middle-class family. Martin lives in extreme poverty with his siblings and parents in a single room shared with another family. Caitlin and Martin change each other's lives forever. This story helps to open your eyes to a more worldwide view while helping to show how important it is to develop and maintain friendships. I would recommend this book for teens and adults. Review by Michele
Class Act by Jerry Craft is another follow up graphic novel. If you liked “New Kid” (which was a Newbery Medal Winner, so chances are you did) then you’ll enjoy continuing the story. This book focuses on Drew, an inner city kid who finds himself at a prestigious academy, surrounded by lots of kids of the privileged kind. He wants to fit in, but he also wants to be himself, and make his grandma proud. This is a great read for anyone who has ever felt this way - so pretty much everybody? And bonus points if you can catch the inspiration for each chapter title page. All ages, but especially appeals to middle grade readers. Reviewed by Heather
Dancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder
Graphic novels have a way of taking information and expressing it in a way that is, for some reason, easier to take in. This is a surprisingly uplifting and cheerful graphic novel, despite the fact that the author is describing her experience surrounding the loss of her mother to cancer at a young age. And while it does tell a story, it is also a handbook for dealing with grief or sorrow or loss of any kind; our own, or from someone we love and want to support. Reading it made me want to call my own mom, then go hug my kids. My teens couldn’t quite appreciate it, so I’d recommend it for adults or more mature teens who have dealt with loss or death. Reviewed by Heather
Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World by Rachel Ignotofsky
I had an assignment in one of my classes to evaluate a collective biography, so I grabbed one at random while at work one Saturday, and this is how I came across this marvelous resource. Absolutely fascinating, yet a quick read - each biography is a single page, and the facing page includes a portrait and artwork by the author/illustrator, Rachel Ignotofsky. A visual and intellectual feast, but bite-sized! The world certainly needs more women in STEM fields, and having a glimpse at the lives of 50 of these type of women was inspiring. This would appeal for anyone from ages 10+. Reviewed by Heather
Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson
Woodson can pack more emotion and story in 161 pages of free-verse than most writers can in 300 sheets of single-space prose. ZJ (not CJ or JZ as my brain kept trying to tell me) is the 12 year old son of a pro football player who is starting to feel the effects of tackling (and getting tackled) for a living. This story takes place before the connection was made (or admitted) between repeated concussions and developing brain disease. The author handles a weighty subject with tenderness and humor, but doesn’t shy away from a very real problem. The touching friendship between ZJ and his 3 buddies is a secondary theme, and one I loved. If only every 12 year old were so blessed with good friends, this world would be a different place! Best for ages 10+. Reviewed by Heather
I read a description of The Infinite Noise by Lauren Shippen which describes the book perfectly, ‘what if instead of becoming superheroes the X-Men went to therapy’. It’s told in the alternating voices of Caleb Michaels, a 16-year-old high school running back and his quite classmate Adam. Caleb is what is described as ‘atypical’ and learns through therapy after a fight at school, that he is an empath. He is, in fact, an extreme empath and can feel everything the people around him are feeling, which can be pretty overwhelming in high school. Enter Adam whose feeling don’t overwhelm and actually calm the cacophony and we have a fascinating story. I loved reading about these characters as they navigate their difference & feelings. I especially enjoyed reading as Caleb figured out how he felt about Adam. Was he confusing Adams feeling for him as his own or where was the attraction he was feeling for Adam his own. Like all good superhero stories there are nefarious organizations and complex plot twists, but at its heart this is the story of a self-discovery and I truly enjoyed it. This is the first book, in a series, based on the authors popular podcast series, The Bright Sessions and I can’t wait to read the rest.
Review by Miss Karen
Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk Sigh… I’ve loved everything I’ve ever read by Lauren Wolk, so this is technically a three-fer: Please also check out “Wolf Hollow” and “Beyond the Bright Sea.” Echo Mountain has the same sense of non-wizardly magic that her previous books have (I’m sure there is a better word to describe the charm and feeling that infuse her books, but I don’t know it, so I’m sticking with magic). It's in the way the characters think, speak, feel, and how they interact with the world outside. It is in the way they connect with each other and learn to see each other clearly. I always finish her books feeling like life is beautiful. Maybe they are just a lovely contrast to grey winter skies!
Ellie and her family, like so many others in the 1930’s, have been forced by the Great Depression to move away from their Maine town and back to mountain farming, in order to support their family. Ellie, something of a wild child, finds it an easy adjustment - she feels a real connection to this mountain and the creatures who call it home. But when a terrible accident injures her beloved dad, Ellie has to believe in herself to find the healing the whole family needs. This is a great book for readers ages 10 & up, but would also be a great one to read aloud to younger kids.
Review by Heather
The Enigma Game by Elizabeth Wein I picked up this book because I recognized the author of “Code Name Verity.” Otherwise I might have passed on yet another WW2 story (don’t get me wrong - I love reading about history, and WW2 especially, but there are SO. MANY. lately, and I kind of feel like it is a bandwagon that authors are jumping on just because it's a popular topic). I shouldn’t have worried - this is a fresh story that could stand on its own - even though it is technically part of a series. The action in this book takes place in November 1940 to February 1941, and it is set at an airbase in northern Scotland. It is told from the points of view of Jamie, Scottish gentry/RAF pilot, and Ellen, airbase volunteer with a secret, and Louisa, a young employee whose “secret” is visible because of her skin color. I loved how this book alternates between narrators, and how they each face similar challenges regarding figuring out who they are and how much they are willing to share with others. Add in a German spy, a code-breaking Enigma machine, and lots of other side characters that bring this story to life. It's great to get some backstory on some of the characters who will show up later in Code Name Verity and Rose Under Fire (though these books were actually written first.) It was a little slow going at first, but once I really got into it, I couldn’t put it down. And I always love stories that include “found” families!
Review by Heather
Killing November by Adriana Mather
November Adley had reluctantly agreed to go to boarding school for a few weeks when her father proposed the idea to keep her safe while dealing with some issues at home. After waking up in a strange location with no memory of how she got there, November is questioning what she has gotten herself into. Academy Absconditi feels downright archaic with no technology and an eye for an eye punishment system and November is completely confused when people seems to know more about her that she knows about herself. With secret societies & decade long family feuds, this novel is a must read for those who love a good mystery thriller!
Review by Miss Karen
The Good Luck Girls by Charlotte Nicole Davis
This book was hard for me to categorize. Part time western, part time fantasy world with a strong female cast and no *gasp* love triangle (although there are love relationships). I really enjoyed the world the author built and the characters who carried the story. The book describes the 5 main protagonists this way: Aster, the protector; Violet, the favorite; Tansy, the medic; Mallow, the fighter; Clementine, the catalyst. I loved their sense of sisterhood and the themes of light & dark. However, reader be warned… this is a dark book. From brothels & rape, hunger, violence, fear & rage, you will face a lot. It is handled well and isn’t graphic but these dark situations are present. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to mature YA and adult readers.
Review by Miss Karen
Combining Korean Folklore and Space Opera, Dragon Pearl by Yoo Han Lee is a great adventure. The protagonist, Min, is a 13 year-old fox spirit who decides to find her older brother, Jun, after her family is informed he deserted the Space Forces to look for the legendary Dragon Pearl. Min uses her fox magic to aid her search which brings her into the path of dragon’s, goblins, tigers and ghosts. Dragon Pearl is a fun, adventurous read which will likely be enjoyed.
Reviewed by Karen
I decided to read this book, The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White, in October as a nod to Halloween. Boy, am I glad I did. Telling this story through a female perspective was very interesting especially considering that the original Frankenstein author, Mary Shelly, was an 18-year-old girl. Elizabeth Lavenza was taken in by the Frankenstein family as a young girl to buffer young Victor Frankenstein’s dark fits and behavior. She proves to be a unreliable narrator who calculates her every move to her, perceived, advantage. Does she have a clear idea of what Victor is truly thinking and doing or is she filtering everything through her own selfish motivations? I really enjoyed unraveling the truth and if you enjoy dark, atmospheric and slightly horrifying stories, I recommend giving this one a try!
Want a great fairytale retelling told from a secondary character’s perspective? Then Stepsister by Jennifer Donnelly is for you! It’s a much darker view of the Cinderella story with Octavia, one of the “ugly stepsister” as the protagonist. And as is often true in life there is so much more to a person than meets the eye. On the outside Octavia and her sister are cruel and ugly, jealous of their beautiful stepsister Cinderella but inside there are girls who are also battling monsters and trying to fit into a world that won’t let them be who they are. The story uses 3 characters, one of the 3 Fates-the Crone, Chance and the ‘Fairy Godmother’ Tanaquill to show readers and Octavia that when we are true to ourselves we can control our own outcome. It’s a really empowering story with a message to readers to stop listening to what the world thinks you should be and let go of self-doubt. I really enjoyed Stepsister and highly recommend it!
Review by Miss Karen
Today I’m reviewing Screen Queens by Lori Glodstein, a great weekend read. The story follows 3 girls, Lucy, Maddie & Delia who have been accepted into an elite tech incubator program at a small college, ValleyStart, near San Francisco. Hoping to win a prestigious summer internship, each girl has her own exceptional skills in coding and computer tech and are in the program to find ways to their personal tech goals. The 5-week program is a lot of pressure, especially when they find themselves competing on a team together. An all-girl team has never won the competition before and they are determined to be the first. What I especially liked about this book was how it highlighted the struggle of girls in tech, a male dominated industry full of gender bias. The author uses both statistical data and anecdotal evidence to show how hard it can be for women in the “boys club” of Silicon Valley. Each of the girls face their own unique obstacles and by coming together find the will to overcome their hurdles. This is a great book about friendship, families and girl power!
Review by Miss Karen
Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee
This book definitely struck a chord with me. I faced a similar situation in junior high school, repeatedly, in my 8th grade math class, within feet of the clueless math teacher. I didn't know what to call it then, and I couldn't figure out how to make it stop. Now I know it is called sexual harassment, and it can happen to anyone. This book accurately describes the conflicted feelings Mila has about the attention from a group of boys in her school, and how hard it can be to put in to words what is happening. This is age-appropriate, timely, and should be in the hands of boy and girl readers alike. We can't start talking about this too soon with young people, or we risk some youth suffering in silence, and others unaware (or only semi-aware) of the suffering they are causing.
Reviewed by Heather
The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones
Ooooo this one is so, sooooooo good. It has all kinds of wonderful features: a strong and relentless heroine, smart and introspective hero, a medieval setting in Wales (WALES!), some magic, some zombies and ancient cures, some romance, lots of ax and sword fighting, and best of all, a zombie goat who is my favorite sidekick ever. EVER. Zombie goat, people! Absolutely refreshing, fast paces, wish-it-would-last-longer, don't-talk-to-me-I'm-reading YA novel. Sigh. I kinda wish it were a series.
Review by Heather
It’s the 1890’s in Atlanta Georgia and Jo Kwan, a Chinese girl, has been let go from her job in a fancy hat shop for being too free with her opinions. Her adoptive father, Old Gin, finds her work as a lady’s maid for the daughter of a wealthy and important family. Jo, frustrated with her situation and the inequalities she faces being Chinese, begins writing an ‘agony aunt’ column (think Dear Abby) anonymously under the name Miss Sweetie for an Atlanta newspaper and the city is abuzz wondering “who is Miss Sweetie?”. Jo also uncovers more about her past which only emphasizes the stark inequalities she sees around her. The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee is an especially timely work of historical fiction in which racism, racial inequality and women fighting for the right to vote take center stage. (2020 is the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote!) I loved Jo and her determination to share her voice with the world around her. I loved that this book addressed the inequalities those of Chinese ancestry faced, along with their black counterparts, in our country’s history and highly recommend it for teen and adult readers.
Review by Miss Karen
Little did I know when I picked up this sci-fi, middle grade book that I wouldn’t just be reading about far away worlds with giant talking mosquitos and marshmallow girls. It’s also an allegorical story about immigration & tolerance that definitely reflects what is happening right here, right now on our planet. We’re Not From Here by Geoff Rodkey is humorous and insightful, showing how, despite our dissimilarities, friendship & laughter can transcend our physical & cultural differences. I think middle grade leaders will love this story and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author! –review by Miss Karen
#smithfieldlibraryteens #smithfieldpubliclibrary #werenotfromhere #bookreview
I felt my heart stretch on this one. Frank, aged 10, has done a pretty good job being the big brother to Max, aged 5, who is autistic and about to start school. But Frank is a normal kid who in some ways resents the extra attention Max gets, and the way his family life seems to revolve around Max and his needs. Then a tragedy happens and Frank’s life is in turmoil, and he has to decide what it means to truly love someone. This is a tender look at how autism affects the entire family, and a great eye-opener for those of us who don’t live with autism on a daily basis. It would be perfect for older siblings of someone on the autism spectrum, but anyone who reads this will FEEL something powerful.
Huh. I’m not sure what to think of this one. It is a charming adventure tale, just not the one I was expecting. A group of boys make a pact to follow the floating paper lanterns that the townspeople place in the river every year. The boys want to see where the lanterns end up, but before long, only two boys remain. And then the story takes a turn towards magic. I wasn’t expecting that, so when the talking bear showed up, I was a little confused. I’m glad I stuck with it though – this would make a fantastic Studio Ghibli production. The graphic novel format is always a pleaser, and this would be an especially good one for a young reluctant reader. I’d love to know what you think
The graphic novel adaptation of the Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank was both lovely and heartbreaking. When I read it as a young girl myself, it made such an impression on me that for years, I started each diary entry with "Dear Kitty." And yet, I've never read it since. So even though this wasn't my first introduction to Anne Frank, I am still in awe of the combination of maturity and adolescence, humor and solemnity, that Anne's voice displays. And the illustrations bring it to life in a way that my feeble imagination couldn't do with mere words on paper. This book is, and has always been, a treasure. A graphic novel is a wonderful way to introduce this classic to a younger generation, or a quick re-read for any age. *Note* there is a frank (no pun intended) discussion of female anatomy, so this book would be best for children who have already had "The Talk" with parents.
When I picked up Wicked Fox by Kat Cho I was pretty excited to read a novel about the Korean folklore of the gumiho, a 9-tailed fox. I’ve been watching k-dramas and have been interested in South Korean media for many years so many aspects of the setting in modern day Seoul were familiar to me. 17 year olds Miyoung and Jihoon meet when Miyoung saves Jihoon’s life and a friendship begins that later blooms into romance. Miyoung is half gumiho, half human and conflicted about her need to drain men of their gi (energy) to survive. Jihoon is human and lives with his grandmother while coasting through his mediocre life. Both characters are dealing with issues of abandonment, identity and complicated issues with their parents and the story explores the complicity of these themes. I loved how the book felt like watching a kdrama and was filled with references to South Korean culture, language, mythology and FOOD! If you are a fan of kdramas, unban fantasy, supernatural monsters or romance this book is for you.
*review by Miss Karen
The world needs more books like this. I’m encouraging all readers 10+ to enjoy this awesome book. It has just the right amount of adventure, history, good guys, bad guys, funny moments, sad bits, action and introspection. And it helps remind us that you can’t always spot a monster by how they look on the outside. And I always have a soft spot for a charming golem.
From time to time I get an ARC (advance reading copy) of a book that I might not have picked up on my own. And lately, I’ve been feeling like some fairy tales get retold and reworked so often, that I just can’t get interested in picking them up again. Thankfully, this is not one of those retellings – mermaids do play a part, but this book has a fresh and distinctly unique feeling about it. The book centers on 3 main characters: Augustus, the lighthouse keeper who is trying to drown his grief with alcohol; Fish, the hidden and lonely boy at the top of the tower; and Lampie, who despite her own sorrows, is willing to fight for both. I have several ARC copies of this book at the library; if you’d like to read it and review it, you are welcome to come pick one up! Recommended for ages 10+
Here’s another ARC (advance reading copy) for a book due to be published in October of 2020. At first glance it seems like another cheesy teen romance, with the added benefit of being set at Mt. Everest. So I’ll admit I had low expectations. Yeah, there is some kissing (and a little more, not described in detail, thankfully) but the real story is about wanting something really, really bad, and how you handle it when it is looking like it will never happen. It is also a fascinating look at what it takes to prepare for something as daunting as summating Mt. Everest. The romance takes a back seat to real and abiding friendship, and how to find the strength within yourself to press on. I loved it. I have several ARC copies of this book at the library; if you’d like to read it and review it, you are welcome to come pick one up Recommended ages 14+
We’ve added a bunch of Graphic Novels to our collection lately, and I’m amazed at some of the classic literature that is being captured in this genre! Don’t make the mistake that this one is adapted for young children, just because it has pictures. It appears that the majority of the text is taken directly from the novel, so we still get to hear Mr. Fitzgerald’s unique voice. And the subject matter is, of course, not what would appeal to the young’uns. But if you’ve read this in the past, or have wanted to but, you know, life… This is a charming way to experience one of America’s greatest novels in a whole new way.
This one surprised me. It was as good as I expected it to be, but in a completely different way. Some have characterized it as President Snow’s “origin story” and I guess I thought knowing his history would help me understand how he became the vile snake that haunted Catniss in “The Hunger Games” trilogy. And it does, but not in any way like I would have guessed. I can’t go into more detail without spoilers, so I’ll just say if you liked the Hunger Games, you will love this prequel. And I hear a movie is in the works! Which actor would you pick to play a young Snow?
When I picked up the book Pet, by Akwaeke Emezi, I truly had no idea what to expect.
Pet is a genre bending story following, Jam, a black transgirl, living in a sort of metaphorical utopian city called, Lucille.
In this idealistic city, the angels have gotten rid of the all the monsters. There are no monsters left, or so they say. When Jam accidentally spills a drop of blood on one of her mother’s paintings a creature calling itself “Pet” emerges and tells her it’s there to hunt monsters. Specifically, a monster in her best friend’s home.
Pet makes the reader ask themselves do bad people stop existing just because you don’t believe they exist. It’s about questioning your world and allowing yourself to see what you don’t want to believe. About the difficulties of confronting the evils you see even when those around you refuse to acknowledge them.
I really enjoyed Pet but it’s not for the faint of heart. The simplistic writing style belies the fact that there is a monster in this book. It is marketed to 12 and up but, to me, the subject matter feels like it’s meant for a little bit older audience. All in all I really enjoyed this book and can see why it won so many “Book of the Year” awards.
*Review by Miss Karen
This compilation is new to our library, but was actually published as two graphic novels; the first in 1973, and the follow-up in 1991. So the drawings may seem a little retro, but the voice and the story are as fresh as ever. Art wants to preserve the experiences of his holocaust survivor dad, and this GN is both his father’s history, and his own as he interviews and begins to understand the grumpy demanding miser that he has struggled to get along with. The dark and heavy narrative is lightened by modern day scenes, and by the characterization of each nationality involved in WW2 as a different creature: the Jews are mice, the Poles are pigs, the Germans are cats, the Americans dogs, etc. There are some depressing images so I’d be cautious giving this to younger children. But everyone 14+ should definitely read through this, before we lose these stories.
This spring has been a real wake-up call for all of us. I’ve got a lot to learn, but I’m getting my start by making sure I hear from the voices of people of color. This book interested me at first because of the main character: a black girl adopted into a white family. Keda loves her parents and sister, but still thinks about her birth mother, and struggles to fit in; she looks like a black girl, but she talks like a white girl, so she feels like an outsider. All the time. And if that, plus a new city and a new school weren’t enough, her mom is going through something she doesn’t understand. This book is a candid look at racial identity and mental illness, but from a tween perspective. Suitable for all ages. My 14 yr old daughter gobbled it up, and couldn’t wait for me to finish so we could talk it over.
The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owens
When I review books, I usually use the cover art, so that it is more recognizable when you go looking for it. But this concept art was so beautifully done, I'm going with it instead. I'll admit that I was originally drawn to this because of my deep and abiding love for Leigh Bardugo's "Six of Crows". Thankfully, Margaret Owens is an amazing storyteller in her own right, so even though their styles and stories have similarities, this book is fresh and new, and so very welcome (since I'm STILL waiting for a "King of Scars" sequel). In addition to fleshed out characters that you want to root for, and a gripping storyline, this book also touches on caste inequality, which is more timely today than ever. I loved the main character, Fie, and I'm relieved there will be a sequel. Some violence and intimacy, but nothing gratuitous. Makes it to the LOVED IT club!
Don't let the author's name fool you. Sherry Thomas was born and raised in China, though from reading this book, you would never know that English is not her native language. Smooth, flowing, well paced, all the things you would expect from a seasoned author. But the STORY! I've always liked the Mulan folk tale (especially since our family is Chinese-American), and though this book calls itself a "Ballad of Mulan" (in other words, a retelling), it FEELS like a whole new story. Mulan makes a very believable girl-posing-as-a-guy, and situations she finds herself in feel natural and uncontrived. This book hits all the right notes of familial honor, girl power, martial artistry, and courage, even when (or especially when) there are things to fear. Having a great balance between action/adventure/a tiny bit of romance, this book is one I'd recommend for all readers, middle grade and above. My favorite Mulan retelling by far.
I’ve got to be honest, I was a little disappointed in the first few chapters of this highly anticipated read. It was feeling like every other YA high school romance out there, but it matured into SO. MUCH. MORE. This is a quirky, funny peek in to racism, relationships, and all the feels of figuring out who you are and who you love, and why. Aside from the fairly frequent F-word, and a few dirty innuendos, this book sparkled. Due to the language, I’d recommend it for high schoolers and up. Still definitely in the LOVED IT club.
Ooooh this was a good one. Massive water serpents, huge flying wolves, an orphaned child, a kind beekeeper, and hidden talents. This was an Printz Honor book, and I’d say it deserved it. Translated from the original Japanese, with 3 more in the series to follow.
This middle grade fiction was a wee bit sad, but a lovely story. And despite the title, not scary at all. It’d be a great conversation starter, especially for someone who is dealing with loss.