2026 Bookish Books Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)
2026 Cover Lovers Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)
2026 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge
2026 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge
Booklist Queen's 2026 Reading Challenge
2026 52 Club Reading Challenge
2026 Craving for Cozies Reading Challenge
2026 Medical Examiner Mystery Reading Challenge
2026 Mount TBR Reading Challenge
2026 Around the Year in 52 Books Reading Challenge
Shelf Reflection Candy Reading Challenge for Kids (and Adults)
2026 Countdown Reading Challenge
Dragon Rambles' Law of Fives Bingo
2026 Southern Literary Reading Challenge
2026 Reading Challenge (by Linz the Bookworm)
2026 Pioneer Book Reading Challenge
European Reading Challenge 2026
2017 Pick Your Poison Reading Challenge (retired challenge - doing old boards for fun)
2026 Reading Challenge Addict Reading Challenge
The 100 Most Common Last Names in the U.S. Reading Challenge
The Life Skills Reading Challenge
Showing posts with label Cybils Award Nominees and Winners. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cybils Award Nominees and Winners. Show all posts
Saturday, November 02, 2024
The Bookish Books Reading Challenge: November Book Ideas and Link-Up for Reviews
Welp, it's November...somehow. Is it just me or does this time of year fly by at warp speed? Some people have even finished decorating for Christmas already! I'm a staunch no-Christmas-until-after-Thanksgiving person, so that nonsense won't be happening around here yet.
Anyway, I managed to read a few bookish books in October:
Homeless Bird by Gloria Whelan—I'm not sure when this book about India is supposed to be set, but it mentions computers, so not too long ago. It's about a young girl whose arranged marriage goes awry, leaving her trapped in an unhappy situation. When her father-in-law teaches her how to read—against the wishes of her mother-in-law—it opens up to new worlds for her.
Unsinkable Cayenne by Jessica Vitalis—To be honest, I can't remember why this MG novel-in-verse is bookish. Curse my aging memory...
The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare—This YA classic was my book club's choice for October. It's about an outspoken teenage girl in 1687 who moves from Barbados to Connecticut after her guardian dies. Her looser island ways shock the Puritans in her new town, who accuse her of being a witch. There are several bookish characters in this novel and a subplot about the main character teaching a young girl how to read.
All three of these were quick, enjoyable reads for me.
What's on my docket for November? Right now, I'm reading this middle-grade novel:
Sleeping Spells and Dragon Scales by Wendy S. Swore—As you can tell from its charming cover, the story stars a girl who loves to read. She's especially enamored with fairy tales and fantasy novels. I'll talk more about this one next month.
I'm also planning to read these two this month:
The Legend of the Last Library by Frank L. Cole—After the Blight destroyed all of the trees, paper has become a valuable commodity. To earn money, Juni scavenges for any scraps she can find, desperate to earn enough to pay for the medical treatment her grandfather desperately needs. When she discovers an actual book, she can't wait to sell it for profit. To her amazement, though, the book reveals clues to find what might be the last library in existence, sending Juni on a race against time and dangerous enemies to unearth the greatest treasure of all.
The Bard and the Book: How the First Folio Saved the Plays of William Shakespeare from Oblivion by Ann Bausum—This children's book is a contender for the Cybils Awards in one of the categories I'm judging. Sounds interesting!
What bookish books are you planning to read in November?
If you are participating in the 2024 Bookish Books Reading Challenge, please use the widget below to link-up your November reviews. If you're not signed up for the challenge yet, what are you waiting for? Click here to join the party.
Monday, October 19, 2020
MG Deafness Novel Illuminating and Compelling
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
"Deafness is not an affliction. The only thing it stops me from doing is hearing" (95).
In Mary Lambert's community on Martha's Vineyard, 1 in 4 residents is Deaf. Everyone—those who can hear and those who cannot—uses the town's sign language to communicate with each other. In 1805 Chilmark, Deafness is not odd or other. It just is. Eleven-year-old Mary has never felt different or lesser because of her inability to hear. Until things start to change in her world.
When Mary's older brother dies in a tragic accident, Mary's grief is compounded by her guilt. She knows in her broken heart that she caused his death. Then, a scientist from Connecticut shows up in Chilmark eager to study its unique "affliction." Although other Deaf residents are willing to be studied, Mary has no desire to become anyone's "live specimen." When she becomes one by force, she will learn a hard lesson about how Deaf people are treated outside of Chilmark. Can she escape back to her beloved island? Or is Mary doomed to endure a life of servitude, humiliation, and abuse, all because she was born without being able to hear?
Show Me a Sign, a middle-grade novel by Deaf librarian Ann Clare LeZotte, is both fascinating and eye-opening. It's set in a real community, where during the 19th Century Deaf and hearing people intermingled every day, using their own brand of sign language to communicate. Mary's story starts off slowly but the action soon picks up, making for an exciting and compelling tale. Not only does the book explore what it means to be Deaf, especially in a time and place where the condition wasn't understood, but it also teaches some important lessons about ableism, racism (LeZotte draws a not-so subtle parallel between the mistreatment of the Wampanoag people and that of the Deaf), empathy, and standing up for one's self. I don't know how appealing this one will be to young readers, but I found it engaging, illuminating, and thought-provoking.
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence, scenes of peril, and scary situations
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Monday, December 30, 2019
Frankly, It's A Lot of Fun
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
As the child of hardworking Korean immigrants who sacrificed to move to the U.S. in order to give their children a better life, Frank Li is expected to assimilate. But not too much. Although he was born in Southern California and not even his parents use his Korean name, Frank is nevertheless expected to marry a Korean girl. Problem: Koreans are not exactly plentiful in Playa Mesa. Also a problem: Frank has already fallen hard for smart, funny Brit Means, who is white. Thanks to his older sister's marriage to a Black man and her subsequent disownment from the family, Frank knows exactly how his loving (but totally racist) parents react to mixed-race relationships. He can't let them know about his.
Enter Joy Song, the daughter of a couple Frank's parents know from Korea. Joy's got a secret she's keeping from her own racist parents—she's dating a Chinese boy. In order to keep all the adults in the dark, Frank and Joy decide to fake-date each other, a ruse that delights their parents. When things go awry and then awry-er, Frank learns some important lessons about friendship, family, first loves, and forging the future for himself that he really wants.
Frankly in Love by David Yoon is a funny, upbeat story that's more than just a romance. Although the story spends a lot of pages on Frank's fumbling about on his path to true love, it also hits on issues of identity, racism, parental expectations vs. children forging their own paths, the struggles of those with hyphenated identities, and what love really means. Frankly in Love has poignant parts along with humorous ones. Frank's voice is especially engaging. He's funny, self-deprecating, and thoughtful. His friends are a likable bunch; even their flawed, sometimes totally clueless family members feel authentic. The novel gets long, but overall, it's an enjoyable romp that's entertaining, thought-provoking, and fun. I could have done without the strong language and R-rated bits; otherwise, I liked Frankly in Love a lot.
(Readalikes: Um, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, violence, and innuendo/sexual content
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
I'm Not Dying With You Tonight An Exciting Thrill-Ride of a Debut
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
When her mother decides to relocate to Venezuela for a job, Campbell Carlson is sent to live with her father in Atlanta. She's trying to fit in in her new environment, but things aren't going well. When she reluctantly volunteers to work the concession stand at a high school football game, Campbell never expects that the night will turn into a frantic race through a rioting city with an unlikely ally by her side. But that's exactly what happens when a fight breaks out at the school and quickly turns into an uncontrollable free-for-all, with fists and racial slurs flying to-and-fro like deadly arrows.
Lena James doesn't know the white girl cowering in the concession stand, but she can tell her pale-faced classmate needs someone with some backbone to help her out of the nightmare happening all around them. Good thing Lena's got backbone to spare. Taking Campbell under her wing, she leads her off school property into the dangerous nearby hood, where the two of them race toward what they think is safety—only to find that nowhere is safe, not with riots breaking out all over the city. Can the two learn to trust each other enough to find their way home? Or will they become victims of the violence that's raging like wildfire through Atlanta?
I'm Not Dying With You Tonight is a debut novel for both Gilly Segal and Kimberly Jones. The book tells a wild, adrenaline-fueled story that had me burning through pages so fast it's a wonder I didn't sprain my wrist! The tale is so intense that I actually had nightmares after reading it. With a white girl in the minority, it offers a unique view of race issues, which is furthered by the dual narrative that shows two different perspectives, highlighting the assumptions and prejudiced thoughts each had about the other. With minimal personal details about either of the girls, I'm Not Dying With You Tonight is hyper-focused on the action, which brings up issues of racism, unfair police targeting, stereotypes, etc., but still keeps the plot moving at a dizzying pace. It's an exciting but thought-provoking novel that will appeal to both thriller and action/adventure fans. Personally, I loved it.
(Readalikes: Reminds me a little of SLAY by Brittney Morris)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a handful of F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, blood/gore, innuendo, scenes of peril, and depictions of underage drinking and illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of I'm Not Dying With You Tonight from the generous folks at Sourcebooks for the purpose of Cybils Award judging. Thank you!
Thought-Provoking SLAY an Intriguing, But Conflicting Tale
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
As one of only a few Black students at her Seattle charter school, 17-year-old Kiera Johnson is used to being the "authority" on things like rap music, dreadlocks, gangstas, and slavery—even if she doesn't know a thing about the subject. Unbeknownst to her classmates, or anyone really, Kiera actually is an expert on a popular Blacks-only virtual reality video game called SLAY. In fact, she's the one who created it. Longing for a protected space where she and other people like her could go to "celebrate Black excellence in all its forms," (31) she's spent the last three years designing and moderating the game. In secret. Her parents would be outraged that she's a gamer at all, let alone the maker of a controversial game. And her Black boyfriend? He'd lose it if he had any idea she used up so many hours on a time-waster like video games.
When a real-life murder occurs between two SLAY players fighting over game currency, Kiera is appalled. She's even more disturbed when her beloved creation is labeled racist and violence-inducing. As much as she longs to stand up for her game, Kiera can't risk exposing her identity. But, when push comes to shove, she's forced to take action. Will those actions unmask her as the creator of SLAY? What will happen if it does? Can Kiera defend and save her game or will her safe haven be shut down forever?
SLAY, a debut novel by Brittney Morris, asks some intriguing questions about online gaming, racism, Blackness, fitting in, and standing out. As a white woman raising an adopted bi-racial child, I found the book's exploration of Blackness particularly eye-opening and insightful. I'm not a video game fan, so that part of the novel struck me as as dull and headache-inducing as watching someone play a game. Not gonna lie, I was tempted to skip all the in-game sections. I didn't, but those scenes just didn't engage me at all. Kiera was likable (in spite of her constant self-centeredness) as were her friends (other than racist, manipulative Malcolm). The plot was compelling enough to keep me turning pages, but it contained a lot of illogical actions and weird dichotomies that drove me crazy. For instance: The recurring theme of being one's authentic self is an important one, but I couldn't understand how that works in a video game where everyone is hiding behind a false name, appearance, and a lot of times, personality. That makes no sense at all. I was also confused about why Kiera's addiction to gaming had to be a big secret. My kids brag about being gamers! I especially didn't get why it had to be kept from Kiera's parents—if they're "cool" with their underage daughter having sex with her (racist, manipulative) underage boyfriend in their house and they're not at all worried that their daughter spends endless hours cooped up in her room, are they really going to care that she's a gamer? Again, totally illogical. I could go on, but I won't. Suffice it to say, I had some big issues with the plausibility of SLAY's whole setup, which took away from my enjoyment of the book. Overall, I liked it enough to finish, but the novel
irritated me for a lot of reasons. People's opinions seem to really vary on this one—it would make for a lively book club discussion!
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a handful of F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, innuendo, and references to sex
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Acevedo Mixes Up Magic With Sophomore Novel
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
"Home. I come from a place that's as sweet as the freshest berry, as sour as curdled milk; where we dream of owning mansions and leaving the hood; where we couldn't imagine having been raised anywhere else ... And me? I'm pure Fairhill, but I also got more than one city, one hood inside me. And anyone who wants to get to know me has to know how to appreciate multiple skylines" (87).
With her Afro-Puerto Rican heritage, 17-year-old Emoni Santiago is used to the looks that ask, "What are you, exactly?" That's a complicated question. Emoni's many things: a high school senior, a single mom to 2-year-old Emma, a granddaughter who looks after the abuela who raised her, an employee at the Burger Joint, a hood rat who's tough as nails, and a woman with some serious cooking woo-woo. Her many roles keep her busy and stressed. The only place where she feels truly free is in the kitchen, whipping up dishes that wake up not just people's taste buds, but also their memories.
Emoni knows dreams rarely come true, but the one thing she truly wants is to become a professional chef. That way she can do what she loves while providing for her daughter and her grandmother. She can't afford to frit away her time or her money (heaven knows, she has little of either), so when a cooking class taught by a renowned chef opens up at her school, Emoni makes herself avoid it. Her desire and talent can't be denied, however, and soon she's proving her place. With a thrilling travel opportunity on the horizon as well as the possibility of a new romance, Emoni has to find the courage and determination to make her dreams come true. Nothing has come easy for her and this won't either. Along the way she'll have to learn to swallow her pride, make tough decisions, and trust in her natural abilities not just to cook but to work hard and never, ever give up.
There's a lot to love about With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo. It stars a strong heroine, who's surrounded by other colorful, sympathetic, likable characters. The plot is engrossing, entertaining, and powerful. Acevedo's prose is lyrical (not surprising since she's a poet), but approachable. With themes of family, home, and community, it's a warm, moving novel that made for enjoyable reading.
(Readalikes: Hm, nothing is coming to mind. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a handful of F-bombs, plus milder expletives) and I can't remember what else (sorry, I didn't take better notes!)
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Stand-Out YA Novel Eye-Opening and Moving
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
High school senior Jay Reguero is floating through his comfortable, complacent American life without really knowing—or caring—what he's going to do next. When he hears that his cousin, Jun, has been killed in The Philippines as part of President Duterte's aggressive war on drugs, he's outraged. For the first time, he feels real passion about something and that's clearing his cousin's name. Jay hasn't seen his cousin in years, but there's no way kind, earnest Jun—the boy who wrote Jay countless thoughtful letters, even when Jay didn't bother to reply—could have gotten himself caught up in anything as dirty as drug dealing. It just doesn't make sense.
Full of shame, Jun's immediate family refuses to talk about the incident or hold a proper funeral for him. Jay wants justice, so he convinces his parents to let him travel to The Philippines, ostensibly to become better acquainted with his homeland and the relatives he hasn't seen for so long. Once there, he does everything he can to find out what really happened to Jun, risking both his place in his uncle's home and his safety in his search for answers. As Jay digs into Jun's life as well as that of Jun's domineering police chief father, he comes to a shocking, infuriating conclusion. Determined to confront his uncle and get justice at any cost, Jay finally gets the real, astonishing truth, which rocks his entire world.
Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay is a timely, hard-hitting novel that explores an underrepresented place and an issue that has been underexplored in the media and in fiction. Ribay's descriptions of The Philippines make it obvious that he's been there—the details brought to mind the sights, smells, and phrases that I remember from the year I lived in the country. While I think Ribay's depiction skews more toward the negative than the place really deserves, the vivid setting does create an authenticity that makes the story even more poignant. Patron Saints of Nothing features a cast of complex, sympathetic, flawed characters about whom I came to care very much. Its plot kept me turning pages wanting to know what was going to happen to them all. Although the novel is sad, it's also moving and, ultimately, hopeful. Unique and touching, it's a stand-out book that deserves all the accolades it's gotten.
(Readalikes: I can't think of anything like Patron Saints of Nothing. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a dozen or so F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, blood/gore, depictions of illegal drug use, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Raw, Hard-Hitting Drug Addiction YA Novel a Difficult, But Important Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Although she's awkward in most aspects of her life, there's one place where Mickey Catalan feels perfectly in control—on the softball field. There, she's seen as a beast, a gifted athlete with enough talent to not just help win an upcoming high school tournament, but also to get recruited for a college team. Between Carolina Galarza, the team's equally skilled pitcher and Mickey's best friend, their team can't be beaten.
Then, the girls are in a car accident that severely injures them both. Carolina's pitching arm is broken and Mickey, who was driving, has a fractured leg and a screwed-on hip. If the two don't recover—and fast—their team will be in big trouble. Despite her determination to rehabilitate her body as quickly as possible, Mickey struggles with guilt, lack of energy, and brutal pain. The OxyContin she's given to manage the pain masks the hurt while giving her an extra boost that makes her feel loose and confident, so much so that she can't stop taking it, even after her prescription runs out. Desperate for her next hit, Mickey—who's always been a good girl—is suddenly lying, stealing, and letting down her teammates. Eventually, her new group of young addict friends turns her on to heroin, an even higher high. It's only when tragedy occurs that Mickey realizes her drug addiction could cost her everything—and everyone—she cares about. Can she stop herself before she destroys her whole world?
If you ask people what a junkie looks like, chances are good they're not going to describe the fresh-faced girl next door, the stressed-out housewife who lives down the street, or their boss with his high-end job and fancy car. The thing with opioid addiction is that it's changing the face of what an addict looks like, a point aptly addressed in Heroine by Mindy McGinnis. Mickey's softball star status might make her a bit extraordinary, but she's still an average, middle-class Jane whose opioid dependency starts as it does for many people—with a legitimate prescription. The book traces her downward spiral, a trajectory that's familiar to anyone who's experienced drug addiction or watched someone else go through it. McGinnis starts the novel with a warning about graphic depictions of drug use and indeed the story has many. For that and other reasons, it's a difficult read. A necessary cautionary tale, but not a pleasurable one. In addition, the characters are not easy to like. Edith is a particularly slimy one, but Mickey's not the most sympathetic one either. The ending of the novel is hopeful, but I don't feel that Mickey loses quite enough to really understand the consequences of her actions. In the end, I can't say I liked Heroine. For me, it was just too difficult and disturbing, so much so that I had to force myself to keep reading. I do, however, feel that it's a powerful, timely novel that is well-crafted and tightly-written. The story offers a real, eye-opening, hard-hitting picture of the effects drug abuse can have on an individual, a family, and a community, without glamorizing any of it. For these reasons, I feel that it's an important read with the power to keep kids from taking even the first step toward drug addiction. If it saves just one life, then it's worth the difficult, disturbing read.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of the Crank trilogy (Crank, Glass, and Fallout) by Ellen Hopkins and Invisible as Air by Zoe Fishman)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, graphic depictions of illegal drug use and prescription drug abuse, innuendo/rude humor, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Heroine from the generous folks at HarperCollins for the purpose of Cybils Award judging. Thank you!
Intriguing YA Forbidden Romance/Murder Mystery A Liked-It-Didn't-Love-It Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
When 19-year-old Jason Covington confessed to killing his best friend, Calvin Gaines, it shocked his small hometown of Telford, Texas. Jason received a 30-year prison sentence for his crime. His parents and younger sister became pariahs. Convinced her brother could not have done something so heinous, 17-year-old Brooke Covington is determined to prove to everyone that her brother's innocent. Jason warns her to leave it alone, but Brooke hates that she can only talk to him through bars and that their family has become Public Enemy #1.
One day, Brooke spies Heath Gaines, Calvin's younger brother, on the side of the road with car trouble. Against her better judgment, she offers him a ride. Heath is angry and bitter, but he obviously needs a friend as much as Brooke does. Without really meaning to, they begin a secret friendship, which gradually turns into more. Their parents would be furious if they knew. The only way to make it right is to prove Jason's innocence. But the more Brooke learns about what really happened the night Calvin died, the more worried she becomes. If Jason lied about killing Calvin, he has to be protecting someone. But whom? And if she exposes the real murderer, will she be sealing the fate of someone else she loves?
Even If I Fall by Abigail Johnson is yet another two-broken-kids-come-together-and-heal-each-other novel, but the whole forbidden romance aspect gives it a bit of originality. It's an intriguing premise to be sure. The idea of an entire town freezing out a respectable family because of the crimes of one member seems a little far-fetched to me, though. I also had issues with Brooke, who's sympathetic but also whiney and victimy, which gets old. While the story is undeniably compelling, it's also sad, depressing, heavy, and melodramatic. The ending did surprise me and I'm still not sure how I feel about it. Overall, Even If I Fall isn't anything shout-it-from-the-rooftops amazing. I liked it enough to finish the book, but I didn't love it.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry and other two-broken-kids-come-together-and-heal-each-other stories)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, and innuendo
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Saturday, December 28, 2019
Taut, Exciting Dystopian/Survival Story an Engrossing Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Three years ago, amidst chaos created by climate change and natural disasters, the United States drained Alaska of oil, then withdrew statehood to the cut-off land. Residents who desired to leave were removed to Maine. Those who refused were left to fend for themselves in the newly-designated "Sacrifice Area."
Travis' prepper father saw no reason to flee Alaska then, but he does now. With almost no food left and none to be found in the wild, his family is in danger of starving—and that's if they don't get killed first by the bands of hungry, half-feral people who roam the land, ready to kill for a can of soup. Their trek toward the Arctic ends too soon, leaving 17-year-old Travis and Jess, his 10-year-old sister, on their own. Determined to travel the 300+ miles to Anchorage, the pair sets out across the lonely wasteland. Along the way, they encounter dangers of every kind, from wild beasts to treacherous weather to impossible roadblocks to people who will help them to those who would just as soon eat them. With everything against them, can they make it all the way to Anchorage? What will they find if they get there? Will they ever be able to feel safe and at peace again?
The Wild Lands by Paul Greci is a taut, tense story that combines action/adventure, survival, and dystopian themes to create an exciting tale that should appeal to even reluctant readers. Greci is an experienced outdoorsman, which shows as he details the inventive methods Travis' family uses to survive in a harsh, unyielding environment. He's also a long-time Alaskan, which explains the vivid way he describes the land. The setting is so atmospheric that I could see, hear, and smell it as well as feel the desperation cloying the air. The characters are interesting, the prose strong, and the plot action-packed. True, there's nothing really fresh or original about the story. It's also a bit far-fetched, as the kids deal with literally every kind of survival/dystopian scenario there is on their journey. Still, though, it's a pulse-pounding thriller that I enjoyed. The ending is infuriating, yes, but also satisfying enough. I'm just hoping Greci has a sequel in the works.
(Readalikes: I'm trying to think of other novels that combine wilderness survival and dystopian elements, but no specific titles are coming to mind. Ideas?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a few F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, blood/gore, mild innuendo, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Wild Lands from the generous folks at Macmillan for the purpose of Cybils Award judging. Thank you!
YA Romance Cute, But Issue-y
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Don't Date Rosa Santos, a debut novel by Nina Moreno, is a little hard to describe. Since my brain is tired, I'm just going to use the book's back cover copy, which sums the story up nicely:
Rosa Santos is cursed by the sea-at least, that's what they say. Dating her is bad news, especially if you're a boy with a boat.
But Rosa feels more caught than cursed. Caught between cultures and choices. Between her abuela, a beloved healer and pillar of their community, and her mother, an artist who crashes in and out of her life like a hurricane. Between Port Coral, the quirky South Florida town they call home, and Cuba, the island her abuela refuses to talk about.
As her college decision looms, Rosa collides-literally-with Alex Aquino, the mysterious boy with tattoos of the ocean whose family owns the marina. With her heart, her family, and her future on the line, can Rosa break a curse and find her place beyond the horizon?
But Rosa feels more caught than cursed. Caught between cultures and choices. Between her abuela, a beloved healer and pillar of their community, and her mother, an artist who crashes in and out of her life like a hurricane. Between Port Coral, the quirky South Florida town they call home, and Cuba, the island her abuela refuses to talk about.
As her college decision looms, Rosa collides-literally-with Alex Aquino, the mysterious boy with tattoos of the ocean whose family owns the marina. With her heart, her family, and her future on the line, can Rosa break a curse and find her place beyond the horizon?
As warm and breezy as the wind off the ocean on a summer's day, Don't Date Rosa Santos is a light, entertaining YA romance. The relationships that shine the brightest in the book, though, aren't the romantic ones, but those between the members of Rosa's vibrant Cuban-American community. It's easy to feel the love flowing among them, even if it's sometimes tough to remember who's who. The love story between Rosa and Alex is also cute. As far as plot and pacing go, though, I have some issues. The whole curse thing around which the story revolves seems silly. Would a whole community really believe some ridiculous superstition like that? I don't think so. As far as pacing, the flow of Don't Date Rosa Santos seems frenetic at times and too slow at others. The story also feels disjointed, kind of here, there, and everywhere. While I enjoyed Rosa's community, the cute romance, and the novel's bright, happy vibe, I had too many other issues with the book to really love it. I liked it well enough, but it didn't bowl me over or anything.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of books by Kasie West)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs) and innuendo
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Somali Boy Soldier Novel Vivid, Action-Packed, and Moving
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
All Abdi Mohamed wants is for his family to be together and safe. When they're rounded up by soldiers, the 16-year-old Somalian is given an ultimatum by his American captors—infiltrate the Al Shabaab jihadi group or else. Abdi wants nothing to do with the terrorists, but he does want to find his older brother, Dahir, who was forcibly "recruited" by the group three years ago. As the brother of an established Al Shabaab member, Abdi has an "in" few others do, which makes him valuable. Even so, he has little choice but to do what he's told. His captors promise that if he does a good job, they'll make sure his whole family gets relocated to America where they will be free and happy.
Becoming an Al Shabaab soldier is risky enough, but being an embedded spy for the Americans is one hundred times worse. If Abdi is found out, he knows he and his family members will die a slow, painful death. His best bet is to get the information the Americans want, grab his brother, and get away from the jihadists as fast as he can. Abdi's plan begins to go awry almost immediately. Forced to keep his real purpose a secret, he must go along with Al Shabaab's drills and missions, doing what the others do. It's not long before he's just as much of a murderer as all the others. Can Abdi get away from Al Shabaab? Does he even want to? When a suicide vest is strapped to his chest, he will have to make an impossible decision.
I haven't read any books, fiction or non-, about Somali's boy soldiers, so I found Let's Go Swimming on Doomsday by Natalie C. Anderson completely fascinating. The characters are sympathetic, interesting, and complex. The plot speeds along at a furious pace, with lots of action and heart-pounding scenes. Anderson's prose is strong and her descriptions vivid, all of which makes the novel come to terrifying life. Timely and moving, Let's Go Swimming on Doomsday is an exciting, important read that should appeal to even reluctant readers.
(Readalikes: I haven't read anything else on this subject, so I'm not sure what to compare Let's Go Swimming On Doomsday to. Any suggestions?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a handful of F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, blood/gore, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
YA Canadian Survival Story Keeps Me (Mostly) Riveted to the Page
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Every summer, the Crows and the Hoebeeks trek out to their remote, neighboring cabins in the wilderness of northern Ontario. The same age, Nate Crow and Dodge Hoebeek have spent happy days together swimming, fishing, exploring, and canoeing. Then, four months ago, Dodge and his father took a trip into the mountains alone; neither one came home. Although Mr. Hoebeek's body was recovered, Dodge's has never been found. Nate has made it his mission to find Dodge. Something in him can't help but hope that maybe his old buddy is alive, just holed up somewhere awaiting aid.
Nate finally convinces his father he's skilled enough in wilderness survival to trek to the cabin without adult supervision. When the friend who was supposed to accompany him gets grounded, Nate decides to make the trip alone without telling his parents he'll be going solo. As soon as he arrives, he realizes he's in for more than he bargained for. Several rough-looking men, whom he recognizes from the news as escaped convicts, have taken over his family's cabin. Paralyzed with indecision, Nate can't fathom what to do next. With an incoming blizzard making everything worse, he must rely on his instincts and the survival skills he's learned over the years to escape the mountain alive.
The Starlight Claim by Tim Wynne-Jones is an action-packed adventure/survival novel that will appeal to even reluctant readers. There's enough going on to keep anyone's interest, although the flashback sections do slow down the story's forward momentum. They humanize Dodge, who still seems like a jerk, but I'm not sure how much they actually add to the story. The other chapters, though, are exciting enough to make up for the slow parts. I saw the big reveal coming from a mile away, so that was a little disappointing. Overall, though, The Starlight Claim is a decent action/adventure story that kept me (mostly) riveted to the page.
(Readalikes: Um, nothing is coming to mind. You?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, blood/gore, and scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of The Starlight Claim from Candlewick Press for the purpose of Cybils Award judging. Thank you!
Friday, December 27, 2019
Another One?
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Jesse Lachlin has always felt a deep, almost otherworldly connection to his family's land. All the 17-year-old wants is to cultivate it, work it, and breathe it in every day for the rest of his life. When the grandmother who raised him dies, the land should go to Jesse. The only problem is the will, in which Jesse's deceased guardian insists that he must prove his ability to care for the land for a year. After that, a three-person tribunal will vote on whether or not he can keep it. Angry but determined, Jesse will do whatever it takes to prove himself.
Scarlett Copeland is shocked when Jesse Lachlin, the boy-next-door and the person she used to run to whenever she needed comfort, suddenly wants to be friends again. They haven't spoken since he shut her out, then humiliated her at school. Scarlett is shocked when he informs her that she is one of the people his grandmother selected for the tribunal and that, in exchange for her vote, he will aid her in escaping her father's strict hold on her so that she can attend the college of her choice. Despite her reservations, Scarlett agrees.
As the two work together to get what they both want, they find themselves rediscovering each other and the relationship that once meant the world to them both. Will their tentative reconnection last? Will either of them get what they really want? Or will they both end up stuck in place instead of on the way to achieving their longed-for dreams?
Only a Breath Apart by Katie McGarry is another heavy, dramatic two-broken-kids-come-together-and-heal-each-other story, the likes of which can be found in almost every contemporary YA novel on the market. This one brings nothing new or fresh to the genre, but it is a compelling tale featuring two sympathetic characters who are easy to root for. Neither Jesse nor Scarlett act or talk like real teens, even old-souled ones, and their situation seems implausible and overly dramatic. Despite all this, I did like the novel overall. I can't say I loved it, but it was an a-little-bit-better-than-average read for me.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of Even If I Fall by Abigail Johnson and a million other similar YA novels)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (no F-bombs), violence, and depictions of underage drinking and illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Only a Breath Apart from the generous folks at Tor for the purpose of Cybils Award judging. Thank you!
Despite Saggy Middle, YA Novel a Compelling, Moving Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
As Northern California's reigning middle-weight Brazillian jiu-jitsu champion, 16-year-old Katina "Kat" King is known for being as tough as steel. When she becomes the victim of an attempted assault, it throws her, plaguing her with debilitating nightmares and panic attacks. Although she's not one to run from her problems, Kat's single mother insists Kat needs a change of scenery. She sends her to Boston to live with "Ms. Vee," a family friend who's originally from Sierra Leone. As the mixed-race daughter of a white mother and a Black father (whom she's never met), Kat's used to getting strange looks—no one gives her a second glance when she's out with Ms. Vee, whose skin tone matches Kat's own. For this reason and more, Kat feels safe and protected under the watchful eye of her frail caretaker. So, when Ms. Vee encourages Kat to attend her church's youth group meeting, Kat reluctantly goes as a favor to the woman who has taken her in.
Adopted from India by white parents, 18-year-old Robin Thornton understands what it means to get weird looks from strangers. Although his parents have done what they can to help him connect with the land of his birth, he still struggles with his neither-here-nor-there identity. When Robin meets Kat at youth group, he senses that beneath her prickly exterior lies a girl who just might get him better than anyone else ever has.
Then the youth group's pastor announces he's heading up a service trip to Kolkata to help victims of human trafficking. Both Kat and Robin see the trip as a life-changing opportunity. Kat wants to empower women and children so they won't be victims again by teaching them martial arts moves. Robin longs for answers that might be found at the Kolkata orphanage where he once lived. As the two embark on the trip to India, they will journey closer—not just to a friendship that will sustain them both, but also to their honest, most true selves.
Forward Me Back to You by Mitali Perkins is an engaging novel about identity, friendship, love, and strength in all its various forms. The characters are sympathetic and likable. Plotwise, the story is compelling, but it also gets wordy and overly long. I got bored in the middle, which seems to go on and on and on. One of the things I really like about the story is how religion is woven into the story, showing that faith doesn't have to be weird or fanatical (as it's portrayed in so many novels), but can be a natural, positive part of life. I also appreciate that it's a mostly clean novel, which is becoming more and more rare in the world of YA lit. While I didn't end up loving Forward Me Back to You, overall it's an interesting, moving story that teaches some important lessons. I liked it for the most part.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya Gowda, Shine Coconut Moon by Neesha Meminger, and A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: I received a finished copy of Forward Me Back to You from the generous folks at Macmillan for the purpose of Cybils Award judging. Thank you!
Subscribe to:
Posts
(Atom)
Readin'
Beach Thriller by Jamie Day
Listenin'
Hidden Rooms by Kate Michaelson
Followin' with Feedly
-
-
-
-
Seven Gift Ideas for Bloggers15 hours ago
-
A Curse Carved in Bone15 hours ago
Grab my Button!
Blog Design by:
2026 Goodreads Reading Challenge
2024 - Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction
2023 - Middle Grade Fiction
2022 - Middle Grade Fiction
2021 - Middle Grade Fiction
2020 - Middle Grade Fiction
