Twins by Varian Johnson Illustrated by Shannon Wright Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction Tween * * * * Stars (Great!) Maureen and Francine are identical twins who are starting 6th grade. Although they’ve spent all of their lives together up until now, on the first day of school it becomes clear that Francine wants to reinvent and distance herself from Maureen and their group of friends, which really hurts Maureen’s feelings. Francine has always been more … Read more
The Lion of Mars Science Fiction Survival Tween * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Bell lives in a small compound on Mars along with a group of other Americans – scientists, researchers, etc. – who all contribute to their community to keep things running, growing, working. He and some of the older kids are curious about the other settlements on Mars (France, Germany, etc.), but their interest is firmly rebuffed by their Commander who … Read more
Oh, Theodore By Susan Katz Illustrated by Stacey Schuett Picture book Poetry * * * Stars (Pretty good) This book of connected poems tells the story of a boy and his guinea pig, Theodore, incorporating really well the guinea pig nature (all their noises and behaviors), Theodore’s unique personality, the care he requires, and the friendship/love that develops between the boy and his peeg. Gets my Wheek! of approval! Reviewed by YA Librarian
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
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
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
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
Long Road to the Circus by Betsy Bird Historical Fiction Tween/Grades 4-8 * * * Stars (Pretty good) 12-year-old Suzy Bowles wants to see the world, but she’s stuck on a farm in a small town in Michigan where no one ever seems to leave (or even wants to). When her uncle and his family come to live with them, she makes it her business to find out where he disappears to every morning before … Read more
Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles Realistic Fiction Juvenile Fiction Grades 3-7 * * * Stars (Pretty good) Comfort Snowberger’s family runs Snowberger’s Funeral Home Empire in Snapfinger, Mississippi. After her great great aunt Florentine passes away, the family has to attend its own services, and each of them deal with grief in their own way. For Comfort, she loves and misses her aunt, but because her aunt was older and was always … Read more