The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang Graphic Novel Young Adult Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Frances is a young seamstress who finds a position as the Prince’s “dressmaker” when one of her designs – very risqué – debuts at a ball held in his honor. Prince Sebastian loves her ideas and wants her to make eye-catching, traffic-stopping gowns for him when he dresses up as Lady Crystallia. Together, they have the … Read more
Thanks for the Trouble by Tommy Wallach Realistic Fiction * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Parker Santé hasn’t spoken in 5 years when he meets the mysterious, silver-haired Zelda Toth, whom he’s attempting to rob in the dining room of the Palace Hotel. He’s so distracted by her presence that he leaves his notebook at the scene of the crime. When he returns to retrieve it, she’s reading it. Intrigued by what she’s read … Read more
My Heartbeat by Garret Freymann-Weyr Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Ellen, 14, is close to her older brother Link (short for Lincoln) and his best friend James. She’s had a crush on James for as long as she can remember, which both Link and James think is adorable. They often allow her to tag along on their adventures and be a part of their conversations. It’s not until Ellen starts high school … Read more
Proud: My Fight for an Unlikely American Dream by Ibtihaj Mohammed Biography/Autobiography/Memoir Nonfiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Ibtihaj Muhammad describes her path to the 2016 Olympics from her childhood, where her parents encouraged all of their children to participate in sports, discovery of fencing (her mother was actually the one who saw the fencing team practicing at the high school Ibti was to attend and pushed her to try out), and how her … Read more
To Night Owl from Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan & Meg Wolitzer Funny LGBT Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great) Bett Devlin and Avery Bloom first “meet” when Bett discovers that their dads are secretly dating, secretly sending them to a fancy schmancy summer camp, and secretly planning to explore China by motorcycle. The girls are outraged. They like things fine just the way they are. As they continue to exchange messages, however, … Read more
Stronger, Faster, and More Beautiful by Arwen Elys Dayton Science Fiction Short Stories * * * Stars (Pretty good) These linked stories take place in the near and then distant future as human beings find ways to extend life, eliminate disease, and modify their bodies in new and exciting ways. Factions emerge as the modifications go beyond medical and into cosmetic and bizarre – those who believe that the human form should be pure and … Read more
The Seven Torments of Amy and Craig by Don Zolidis Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Romance * * * * Stars (Great!) Craig and Amy are an unlikely couple – Amy is popular, outgoing, and a real class leader, while Craig has a few awkward nerdy friends who get together on Saturday nights to play D&D. But when Craig starts crushing on Amy, he finds a way for them to spend more time together – he … Read more
The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani Historical Fiction Juvenile Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Nisha and her twin brother Amil (12 years old) become refugees when their country gains its independence from British rule in 1947 and is split into two nations – India and Pakistan. Because she and her family (father, grandmother, and brother) are considered Hindu (even though Nisha and Amil’s mother was Muslim) they must leave the home they have … Read more
Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven Realistic Fiction Romance * * * * Stars (Great!) Libby Strout was the girl who had to be cut out of her own house when she ballooned up to 653 pounds and earned herself the title of “America’s Fattest Teen.” Jack Masselin grew up across the street from Libby (before she moved) and has become the cool, suave guy. He’s also just discovered there’s a name for the … Read more
Wildcard sequel to Warcross by Marie Lu Mystery Romance Science Fiction Suspense Thriller * * * Stars (Pretty good) When Emika Chen learns that Hideo has created an algorithm that allows him to control the minds of anyone who uses his NeuroLink, she breaks off their relationship and turns to Zero, the mysterious entity who attempted to sabotage the Warcross Championships. He knew what Hideo was going to do, and now he has another plan … Read more