The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Kit (Katherine) Tyler’s grandfather has died. So she packs her bags, and heads off to join her aunt and uncle. But when she gets there, the customs are too strict, her dresses are considered “frivolous,” and her uncle is less than welcoming. Also, a certain boy named William is courting her, but does her heart … Read more
Full Out by Monica Aldama Nonfiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) This book gives the background of Monica Aldama’s life leading up to her career coaching the Navarro College cheerleading team and its popularity after the Netflix original, “Cheer,” was released. She includes tips and tricks she picked up on throughout life that influenced her decisions and leadership. I really enjoyed how she explained the things she learned and experienced, and connected … Read more
Making Bombs for Hitler by Marsha Skrypuch Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) In this book, a story is told of a young girl who was taken into a concentration camp, away from her grandparents, by the Nazis. While in the camps with her sister, she is given many tasks to do. I personally really enjoy stuff about WWII and this book made it easier to understand at a younger … Read more
The Last to Die by Kelly Garrett Mystery Thriller Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) A teenage girl and her friend create a “game” to steal and break into each other’s houses that can be replaced. The teenage girl, Harper Jacobs, deals with a lot of family struggles and uses these break-ins as a coping mechanism. After overusing these criminal actions, someone shows up dead. I really enjoyed how well this book … Read more
Just Roll with It written by Lee Durfey-Lavoie illustrated by Veronica Agarwal Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction Tween, grades 4-8 * * * Stars (Pretty good) Maggie is starting 6th grade and she’s anxious about making friends and making the transition to middle school. She has some coping mechanisms/rituals that she uses to help her feel more calm and in control – like rolling a d20 (20-sided die) to help her make decisions (or predict how … Read more
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