Rez Dogs by Joseph Bruchac Novel in Verse Realistic Fiction for tweens (grades 4-8) * * * * Stars (Great!) Malian is visiting her grandparents on the Wabanaki reservation when the pandemic forces everyone to lock down. She can’t return to her family in the city, so she tries to make the best of a flaky internet connection to keep up with her classes, and phone calls and video chats with her folks. Shortly after … Read more
Manu by Kelly Fernandez Fantasy Graphic Novel for teens * * * Stars (Pretty good) Manu is a foundling who was taken in by the sisters who run La Academia de Santa Dominga, a magic school for girls. She’s both powerful and a bit wild and is always wreaking havoc and getting into trouble. When a curse interferes with her ability to use her magic, Manu and her friend Josefina summon a spirit to help … Read more
A History of Me by Adrea Theodore Illustrated by Erin K. Robinson Biography Picture Book * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Powerful. Based on the author’s own experiences going to school and feeling singled out as the only brown person, feeling embarrassment when learning about slavery and civil rights along with her classmates – all white. Loving to learn, grateful for the opportunities that her grandmother and great grandmother did not have, but… Having … Read more
Fever The Chemical Garden Trilogy #2 by Lauren DeStefano Dystopian Science Fiction Suspense Thriller Teen * * * Stars (Pretty good) Rhine and Gabriel made their triumphant escape in the previous book, but they didn’t bother to plan much further than that. Now, if they want to find Rhine’s twin brother, Rowan, they’ll have to make their way to New York somehow, and there are plenty of dangers in between. When they do finally reach … Read more
The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey Science Fiction Suspense Thriller Older teen/adult * * * * Stars (Great!) Melanie attends classes with a number of other little kids, but she’s special. They all are in some respects, but Melanie’s intelligence, determination, and self-control set her apart. As the story unfolds, told from different characters’ perspectives, readers discover that the children are different in other ways, too, ways that require them to be … Read more
Teens in grades 6 – 12 created their own, unique painted stones using acrylic gouache. Everyone had their own spin on the concept – a mandala-like repeating design. Enjoy their artwork below!
The Iron Trial Magisterium #1 by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare Fantasy Mystery Tween * * * * Stars (Great!) Callum Hunt is going to do his best to fail his entrance exam to the Magisterium. His father has warned him that magic is dangerous and the mages will try to kill him, and despite these warnings and his own fear and misgivings, he is taken on as an apprentice by one of the Masters. … Read more
The Farm by Joanne Ramos Realistic Fiction adults * * * Stars (Pretty good) Follows the stories/viewpoints of several women involved in Golden Oaks aka “The Farm,” where female surrogates carry the fetuses of well-paying customers to term – receiving bonuses for good behavior and successful births. Jane’s older cousin convinces her to interview for The Farm after she loses her position as a baby nurse, and feels she has no other viable options. When … Read more
The Other Boy by H.G. Hennessey LGBTQ+ Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) “The Other Boy,” following a young boy named Shane, is a great book that I highly recommend to any and all. This book delves into a middle school perspective of the mental, social, and situational struggles of topics such as the results of a divorce, the spectrum of the LGBTQIA+ community, and the now seen effects of bullying. … Read more
The Vanishing Half by Britt Bennett Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Adult Review #1 * * Stars (Just ok) A small town in Louisiana is focused on becoming light-skinned. Two girls escape from this town. However, after many years one girl ventures. This book was slow and there was no true climax. It feels as if you’re reading all exposition instead of actual story. Plus, the author doesn’t dig deep enough for the issues she tries … Read more