Refugee High: Coming of Age in America by Elly Fishman Nonfiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) A reporter spends a year (2017-2018) following the lives of students at the Roger C. Sullivan High School. The students are all refugees whose families have fled bad situations in their homelands. They all come from different nations and cultures, and they speak different languages, but they share a common experience of being in a foreign place where … Read more
Pearl of the Sea by Anthony Silverston, Raffaella Delle Donna, and Willem Samuel Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction Tween * * * * Stars (Great!) Pearl lives in a small seaside town that’s experiencing an economic downturn. Everyone is looking for work, and Pearl’s dad is trying to make ends meet working in restaurants, which just aren’t making a profit. He’s about to throw in the towel and move them out to the city, but Pearl … Read more
Duel by Jessixa Bagley Illustrated by Aaron Bagley Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction Tween * * * Stars (Pretty good) Lucy (6th grader) and Gigi (older sis) are now going to the same middle school and it’s not ideal. The sisters have been fighting nonstop since their father passed away, and their quarrels carry over into their school lives, where, on their first day, Gigi trips Lucy in the cafeteria and Lucy challenges Gigi to a … Read more
The Dark Lord’s Daughter by Patricia Wrede Fantasy Tween * * * Stars (Pretty good) Kayla learns that she’s from another world and that she’s REALLY the daughter of the Dark Lord Xavriel of Zaradwin, and her given name is Xavrielina (lame). She and her adoptive family (mom & brother) are whisked (by magic) back to Zaradwin where Kayla is to become the new Dark Lady. Her mom gets EXTREMELY upset and protective and keeps … Read more
Curlfriends: New in Town by Sharee Miller Graphic novel Realistic Fiction Tween * * * Stars (Pretty good) Charlie has lived all over the world as a military brat, but now that her dad is changing careers, the family has settled down in the same town where her folks grew up, and Charlie is looking forward to starting over at her new middle school. She studies fashion magazines for ideas and puts together a new … Read more
The Summer I Turned Pretty Summer I Turned Pretty #1 by Jenny Han Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * Stars (Just ok) “The Summer I Turned Pretty” by Jenny Han follows the protagonist, Isabel “Belly” Conklin, as she navigates a summer at the beach. Belly has always spent her summers with her family and their close friends, the Fishers, at the beach house. However, this summer is different. As Belly matures, she finds herself … Read more
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck Classic Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) George and his best bud Lennie are migrant workers in California. Lennie isn’t always the brightest, however. Will they be able to reach their dream of owning a farm? Or will Lennie’s childish ways get in the way of that? Review #2 * * * * Stars (Great!) Of Mice and Men is about two men going … Read more
Good Girl, Bad Blood A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder #2 by Holly Jackson Adventure Mystery Thriller Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) “Good Girl, Bad Blood” by Holly Jackson is the gripping sequel to “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder”. This mystery novel follows the pursuit of truth by amateur sleuth Pippa Fitz-Amobi. Pippa finds herself entangled in another perplexing case. When her friend’s brother (Jamie Reynolds) goes missing, it is Pippa’s … Read more
Killer Instinct Naturals #2 by Jennifer Lynn Barnes Adventure Mystery Thriller Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) “Killer Instinct” by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the gripping sequel to “The Naturals”, continuing the thrilling journey of Cassie Hobbes and her fellow talented profilers (The Naturals). In this book, the Naturals find themselves facing a new and dangerous challenge as they become embroiled in an unsolved case. This case involves a string of unrelated murders. … Read more
The Naturals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes Adventure Mystery Thriller Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Five kids with special talents are asked to help in the most infamous criminal cases. Seventeen-year-old Cassie is amazing at reading people. She wasn’t able to read, however, that they were in grave danger. You won’t believe the twist! Find out what happens in “The Naturals.” Review #2 * * * Stars (Pretty good) “The Naturals” by … Read more