Once & Future Once & Future #1 by A.R. Capetta Arthurian Legend readalike Fantasy LGBTQIA Science Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Each time Arthur fails to fulfill his prophecy, he is reincarnated (along with all of his compatriots – Lancelot, Guinevere, etc.) and the cycle begins again. This time the spirit of Arthur lives on in teenage Ari, who is both orphaned and exiled from her homeworld when the all-powerful corporation, Mercer, seals … Read more
Wither The Chemical Garden Trilogy #1 by Lauren DeStefano Dystopian Science Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) In a future where humans have orchestrated their own downfall through genetic engineering, lifespans have been drastically shortened – men die at 25 and women at 20 years of age. Sixteen-year-old Rhine is kidnapped by the Gatherers along with a number of other girls (teenagers) to become the brides of wealthy and privileged Linden Ashby. Her sister … 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
Lies My Teacher Told Me Young Readers’ Edition by James Loewen adapted by Rebecca Stefoff Young Adult Nonfiction * * * * Stars (Great) US history textbooks are often sanitized so as not to offend, scandalize, or expose youth to uncomfortable/unpleasant truths, but can leave learners with misconceptions about the history of their country. Students aren’t given the opportunity to see or discuss or research different viewpoints, get a sense of how historical events are … Read more
Fifty-Four Things Wrong with Gwendolyn Rogers by Caela Carter Realistic Fiction Tween (grades 4-8) * * * * Stars (Great!) Gwendolyn Rogers is a neurodivergent 5th grader who, after hoping for a specific diagnosis that would allow her to receive some assistance in school and some understanding from her community only learns that there are 54 things wrong with her that don’t add up to anything. She obsesses over the list of things (which she … Read more
The Obsession by Jesse Q. Squanto Realistic Fiction Suspense Thriller Teen * * * Stars (Pretty good) Logan is a stalker. Delilah is the object of his obsession. Both attend an exclusive boarding school, though Delilah is a day student. When Logan sets up a camera outside her house to keep an eye on Delilah, he captures some unexpected footage, which he later uses to blackmail Delilah into being his girlfriend. But Delilah is sick … Read more
The Last Graduate Scholomance #2 by Naomi Novik Fantasy Suspense Thriller Adult/teen * * * * Stars (Great!) In this sequel to “A Deadly Education,” El comes into her true power as the school throws more and more magical monsters and impossible tasks her way. She begins to suspect that it is training her up for a specific purpose, which, fortunately or unfortunately aligns with her own goals – to get EVERYONE out. Safely. All … Read more
Himawari House by Harmony Becker Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction Adult/older teen * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Three young Asian women become housemates in Japan, while they work, take Japanese classes, and plan for the future. Nao is Japanese American, Hyejung is from Korea, and Tina is from Singapore. They grow closer as they get to know each other – sharing food, feelings, and friendship as they try to figure out where they fit … Read more
Huda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction Teen * * * Stars Loosely based on events from the author’s life, this tells the story of somewhat fictional Huda after her family moves to a new town with a large Muslim population. Huda, who is starting high school, expects that she’ll find the friendships and community she was missing out on in middle school, but discovers that her self identity is all … Read more