When We Collided by Emery Lord Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) “When We Collided” is a book about two teenagers who meet after the main character (Vivi) moves to California for the summer. She’s dealing with bipolar disorder and her new love interest (Jonah) is dealing with grief after the loss of a family member. They quickly fall in love, but it might just break them, or it will … Read more
Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) “Lily and Dunkin” is about two middle-schoolers who have to learn to deal with life while finding themselves. Lily is a transgender girl trying to embrace who she is, and Duncan is a boy who is dealing with mental illness. They slowly figure out who they are and grow together even through the tough years of middle school. … Read more
Catherine’s War by Julia Billet illustrated by Claire Fauvel translated by Ivanka Hahnenberger Graphic Novel Historical Fiction WWII/Holocaust (for grades 5+, teens, and adults) In 1942, teenager Rachel Cohen finds herself at the Children’s Home boarding school in Sevres France, after her parents send her there for her safety. World War II is being fought throughout France and the Germans are invading. As a Jewish person, Rachel is in an even more dangerous position and … Read more
Possums Are NOT Cute! And Other Myths About Nature’s Most Misunderstood Critter by Ally Burguieres Nonfiction (for 5th grade – adult) * * * * Stars (Great!) Ally Burguieres got involved with wildlife rehabilitation (specifically helping opossums survive illness, injury, and loss) and never looked back! She discovered that many of the ideas people held about opossums were misconceptions – they were not ugly, dirty, or aggressive. In fact, they were adorable, clean, shy, and … Read more
Akata Woman Nsibidi Scripts #3 by Nnedi Okorafor Fantasy Africa Teen * * * * Stars (Great!) Sunny continues to learn how to wield her juju, read mystical texts/scripts, and gather experience as a free-agent Leopard person. It’s not an identity she can reveal to her family who are “Lambs” (no magical powers to speak of). As she levels up she earns “chittim,” a sort of magical person currency that appears to fall out of … Read more
The Cruel Prince Folk of the Air #1 by Holly Black Fantasy Romance Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing) The female lead, Jude, has a craving for power. She is a human who was taken into the land of Faerie. The male lead, Cardan, a prince of Faerie, absolutely despises Jude; especially since she is human. They both hate each other until an unexpected event occurs, revealing their true thoughts of one … Read more
The Wicked King Folk of the Air #2 by Holly Black Fantasy Romance Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing) Trouble is brewing under the seas of Faerie. The queen of the undersea wants power, but Jude wants it more to keep Oak safe. Cardan, bonded to Jude, riles tension among them, but one that is not necessarily bad. Jude and Cardan must work together to save the people of land on Faerie. … Read more
The Queen of Nothing Folk of the Air #3 by Holly Black Fantasy Romance Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) A dark curse consumes Cardan, and Jude must rule over Faerie as the first mortal queen. While Jude must take the kingdom as top priority, she must also figure out what to do about the curse and Cardan. I loved how the book ended. For middle and high school teens.
Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston LGBTQ+ Romance Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Alex is the son of the President of the United States. He goes to London for official business with his mother, the President. Upon arrival, he soon meets Henry, the Prince of Wales. Both do not get along at first. In fact, Alex does not like Henry at all. Henry and Alex get closer after some accidents, … Read more
Kingdom of the Wicked Kingdom of the Wicked #1 by Kerri Maniscalco Fantasy Romance Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) After Emilia’s twin sister’s brutal murder, she decides to indulge in some dark magic for revenge. As she is summoning a demon, an unexpected one comes out – a Prince of Hell. She must now work with this Prince of Hell to obtain revenge for her sister. I liked the tension between Wrath … Read more