P.S. I Still Love You To All the Boy’s I’ve Loved Before series, book #2 by Jenny Han Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * Stars (Just ok) Lara Jean navigates the dos and don’ts in her relationship with Peter Kavinsky. Lara and Peter were just pretending. Until they weren’t. One day, five of Lara’s love letters she had written when she was overwhelmed by her crushes were sent to each of her crushes. To … Read more
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, book #1 by Jenny Han Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * Stars (Just Ok) Lara Jean has had five crushes that actually mattered throughout her whole life. The things is, Lara Jean has never openly admitted her crushes, and when she has feelings that overwhelm her so much about her certain crush, she would write a letter to lock her … Read more
Sunshine by Jarrett J. Krosoczka Biography Graphic Novel Memoir Nonfiction * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) While in high school Jarrett Krosoczka volunteers at Camp Sunshine, a summer camp for children with life-threatening illnesses. He is assigned to be a one-on-one companion to thirteen-year-old Diego who has brain cancer and uses a wheelchair. It’s an intense assignment for a new volunteer and Jarrett takes his new responsibilities seriously. He also interacts with other teen … Read more
In Limbo by Deb JJ Lee Biography Graphic Novel Memoir Nonfiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Deborah is Korean American (she came to the US with her family when she was 3) and she’s struggling to find a path for herself. Her mother has Great Expectations for her future and becomes angry and physically violent with Deb when she fails to get perfect grades, speak Korean fluently, and become a musical virtuoso. Deb wants … Read more
Spy Camp Spy School, book #2 Graphic Novel Mystery Suspense Thriller * * * * Stars (Great!) Ben Ripley started spy school in the first installment of this graphic novel series based on the books. Now he’s just been informed that ALL students are required to attend summer school, actually summer camp for prospective spies. Ben’s getting himself resigned to MORE school when he discovers that the evil spy organization, SPYDER is STILL after him … Read more
Out of My Heart sequel to “Out of My Mind” by Sharon Draper Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Melody has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair because she has trouble controlling how her body moves. She also has difficulty speaking, but has an assistive device that she calls “Elvira” that allows her to type out what she wants to say. In “Out of My Mind” Melody found her voice through Elvira and … Read more
Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed Mystery Racism Realistic Fiction Supernatural Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Safiya Mirza dreams of someday being a journalist. In order to achieve this dream, Safiya becomes the editor of her school’s newspaper. As editor, she learns something; it’s her job to find the facts in Jawad’s case and not let personal bias overcome her when she finds Jawad. You may be wondering, “Who is Jawad?” Jawad … Read more
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson Adventure Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) It’s the first World war. Hattie Inez Brooks lives with her rather harsh and VERY opinionated aunt, and her passive and a bit kinder uncle. She’s living a humdrum life, nowhere close to where she wants to be, when she gets a letter from her Uncle Chester. In it, he deeds his homestead in Montana … Read more
There was a good registration for the return of our Craft Wars series, but only one teen was actually able to make it, so it was more of a Craft Duel! We didn’t share what we were creating until the end, and it was surprising to learn that we both incorporated tree/forest elements into our book nooks. What IS a book nook? It’s like a diorama that shows a scene of some kind (your choice, … Read more
Teens got serious about collage in this class – and were so focused you could hear a pin drop! Collage is a fun, mixed-media art form that can combine all kinds of different art techniques to produce an end product that is truly unique. Several participants were inspired enough to collect some extra supplies to take home, so they could continue working on their projects. Things got messy! See some of their artwork below: