3.5 stars. Two twelve-year olds, one from present day (2023) and one from the past (1987) help each other deal with bullies at schools. Present day Ma3.5 stars. Two twelve-year olds, one from present day (2023) and one from the past (1987) help each other deal with bullies at schools. Present day Mason deals with Steele, a classmate and former baseball teammate and 1987 Talia deals with Ed, a classmate who makes fun of her for being Jewish and draws swastikas and her older brother Jake who says she should hide her Judaism. If you like time travel stories like Lisa Graff's Rewind, the waking up in the future story 12 to 22: POV You Wake Up in the Future! or stories about overcoming bullying and/or antisemitism (i.e. Gordon Korman's Linked), you'll enjoy this. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book for an honest review. ...more
Dancing and storytelling to remember the #mmiw, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Told as a novel in verse and through the voices of Ariel and ToDancing and storytelling to remember the #mmiw, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. Told as a novel in verse and through the voices of Ariel and Tomah. If you like novel in verse or are looking for a story about the Ojibwe or Oibwa, give this a try....more
Based on Gale Galligan's own life, young graphic novel fans who enjoy school stories, cosplay, manga/anime or any story that features young artists wiBased on Gale Galligan's own life, young graphic novel fans who enjoy school stories, cosplay, manga/anime or any story that features young artists will want to give this a try. This is a story about how Ollie and her sister Cat adjust to a new school in Virginia after years of moving around from one international school to another. Even though Ollie is not a girly girl and may come across as 'different' to some, she finds herself making friends with other girls at her new school. Will the friendships last? What happens when you know no longer can forget your past by starting over at a new school again? And what about her sister Cat who despite being two years younger acts more like a teen than Ollie? Will the two sisters be able to find anything to bond about?...more
(view spoiler)[Interesting takeaway for a middle grades book - sometimes you have to run away to find the solution to your problems. (hide spoiler)] R(view spoiler)[Interesting takeaway for a middle grades book - sometimes you have to run away to find the solution to your problems. (hide spoiler)] Rayne is slowly losing her hearing; she is starting to struggle with school. Her proactive parents have scheduled her for surgery for cochlear implants which (if all goes well) will allow her to hear again. If you think this is a story about how Rayne adjusts after the surgery, it is not. Instead this is the story of how she does everything she can to convince her parents that she does not want the surgery. She researches for other answers, contacts a lawyer, and even reaches out to a doctor to be part of a study on stem cells. (view spoiler)[In a last resort, she runs away from home to find a solution for her dilemma. (hide spoiler)] Can a twelve-year-old make their own medical decisions without parent intervention? What rights do minors have in regard to medical care? Will any of the professionals she contacts listen to her? What is the solution to Rayne's hearing loss?...more
3.5 stars, cute and light.What would it be like to go from 12 1/2 to 22 in a blink? That's what happens to Harper when she makes half birthday wish. C3.5 stars, cute and light.What would it be like to go from 12 1/2 to 22 in a blink? That's what happens to Harper when she makes half birthday wish. Can she make it as a twenty-twonyeat-old social influencer when he can't remember the last 10 years? Stick with "this "be careful what you wish for" story. The first third of the story is about the events leading up to he wish....more
Garvey likes outer space; his Dad likes sports. What could the two possibly have in common? Will Garvey ever be able to bond with his Dad? In additionGarvey likes outer space; his Dad likes sports. What could the two possibly have in common? Will Garvey ever be able to bond with his Dad? In addition to homelife, Garvey also deals with teasing at school over being slightly (IMO) overweight. Can he find a solution to the teasing? If you like graphic novels and school stories, you'll enjoy this....more
Part of the Max Axiom and the Society of Super Scientists series. Tweens who like graphic novels or those looking for a brief history of artificial inPart of the Max Axiom and the Society of Super Scientists series. Tweens who like graphic novels or those looking for a brief history of artificial intelligence will enjoy this. But if you are looking for something that talks about using artificial intelligence for research, look elsewhere; this is not it....more
A day at O'Hare airport. Each chapter is about a different Asian American character who is waiting for their flight. How their lives intertwine througA day at O'Hare airport. Each chapter is about a different Asian American character who is waiting for their flight. How their lives intertwine throughout and how each character finds a way to make a difference is what makes this story by 10 different authors shine. This would be a great (IMO) family or classroom read-aloud to build empathy and spark kindness....more
For a certain reader, this will be hilarious. For others, it will be meh. Others will appreciate it for being meta. If you like the humor in this, givFor a certain reader, this will be hilarious. For others, it will be meh. Others will appreciate it for being meta. If you like the humor in this, give Beth Bacon's The Book No One Wants to Read or Max Greenfield's I Don't Want to Read This Book a try. If you like the meta aspect, give Chris Wooding's Poison a try....more
Addictive, readers will be left clamoring for book 3 of this series. In this installment, Adele invites Lola and Grace to travel with her to SardiniaAddictive, readers will be left clamoring for book 3 of this series. In this installment, Adele invites Lola and Grace to travel with her to Sardinia for summer. Will Lola and Grace be able to convince the grown-ups in their lives that they are old enough for this adventure with Adele? What awaits Adele when she arrives in Sardinia? Was traveling there to meet a stranger who likes her art a good idea, what's the real reason he's interested in Adele? ...more
What is the secret to happiness, following the Serenity Way* or wearing your feelings on your sleeve? That's the premise of this story about MackenzieWhat is the secret to happiness, following the Serenity Way* or wearing your feelings on your sleeve? That's the premise of this story about Mackenzie who, unlike others in her small town of Serenity, has an aura about her that lets others know how she feels. Not totally comfortable in her own shell, she is not sure what to think when colors start appearing around her classmates and town residents. Can't she go back to living the Serenity Way comfortably? What can be done to make her classmates and fellow town residents colors go away? Is life easier or harder when you stay positive? What about saying what's on your mind? ****************** *THE SERENITY WAY - read the spoiler to see the ten tenets (view spoiler)[*Always assume positive intent *Treat your fellow citizens with kindness and respect *Take care of one another *Go with the flow *Look on the bright side *Make it a great day *Never underestimate the power of positive thinking *A good attitude goes a long way *Show your gratitude and smile *CHOOSE HAPPINESS (hide spoiler)] Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book to review as a possible future Maud Hart Lovelace Award nominee....more
When Addie meets her birth father and extended family for the first time, she is excited for the opportunity to bond with them. But what about her fatWhen Addie meets her birth father and extended family for the first time, she is excited for the opportunity to bond with them. But what about her father? What will come first for him, his family and Addie or his career (view spoiler)[as a pro wrestler (hide spoiler)]?...more
Tweens and young teens will enjoy this European comic about two best friends navigating middle school friendships, crushes and young love. If you're lTweens and young teens will enjoy this European comic about two best friends navigating middle school friendships, crushes and young love. If you're looking for a tamer version of the Heartstopper series, this could be it....more
10/30/24 Kareem wants to play football, but can a Syrian American boy be good enough for the team? Perhaps, befriending the coach's son will make it e10/30/24 Kareem wants to play football, but can a Syrian American boy be good enough for the team? Perhaps, befriending the coach's son will make it easier. Then Fadi, another Syrian moves in and Kareem is asked to help him adjust to school and life in the United States. Will befriending Fadi help or hurt his chances of making the team? Which means more to Kareem, being American enough to make the team or being Syrian enough for Fadi? Set at the end of 2016 and early 2017, the plot thickens when Kareem's Mom returns to Syria to bring her father back to the United States. (view spoiler)[While away, then President Trump issues an executive order banning citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries from traveling to the United States. Even those who had already entered the United States legally with green cards or visas. (hide spoiler)] Kareem's mother isn't able to return. Is there anything Kareem can do to help her return? He quickly figures out if family or football is more important to him. Football fans and those feeling stuck between two cultures will appreciate this novel-in-verse for tweens and young teens. *A 2024 National Book Award nominee for Young People's Literature. *11/20/24 Now the 2024 National Book Awards winner for Young People's Literature!...more
Being set in India, I couldn't help but think of Deborah Ellis's No Ordinary Day, another story set in India with a heroine who lives in poverty. In tBeing set in India, I couldn't help but think of Deborah Ellis's No Ordinary Day, another story set in India with a heroine who lives in poverty. In this one, Minni witnesses someone stealing water from the local communal tap. Now her brother Sanjay's life might be in danger and he is sent away. Her father works long hours. When Minni's mother goes away too because of an illness, Minni finds herself working her mother's job as a maid for a wealthy family. Can Minni do anything to bring her brother back home in a society where the class system is alive and well? How can she get the cops to listen to her? Or is it better for her and her family to keep her mouth shut? If you are looking for a story that offers a global perspective, builds empathy or is set in a country other than the United States, give this a try....more
If you like baseball or are interested in learning more about the Negro Leagues of the past, checkout this story about Back American tween Cato who drIf you like baseball or are interested in learning more about the Negro Leagues of the past, checkout this story about Back American tween Cato who dreams of playing in the Negro Leagues with Satchel Paige and pitching against the local white boys team. With racial tension high in the community, will the two teams ever get to compete?...more
**spoiler alert** A little bit of a slow start on this one, but once I was to the halfway point, I was all in to see what was going to happen to Hank **spoiler alert** A little bit of a slow start on this one, but once I was to the halfway point, I was all in to see what was going to happen to Hank and his younger sister Boo whose mother leaves them for over a week before returning. Thankfully Hank is resourceful and reaches out to Lou Ann, a contact of his mother and deceased grandmother's who takes them in, perhaps only temporarily. Will their mother return, what will happen if she does? Could Lou Ann's be a permanent home for them? Or will CPS separate the two siblings?...more
A liberal look at God and religion, four girls bond during Confirmation class as they question, "What does God look like? (view spoiler)[If you worry A liberal look at God and religion, four girls bond during Confirmation class as they question, "What does God look like? (view spoiler)[If you worry that this story may be sacrilegious, author Braden presents a story that is respectful to multiple points of view. (hide spoiler)]...more
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this title; this is a review of an uncorrected e-proof. Summer camThank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this title; this is a review of an uncorrected e-proof. Summer camp story about Phoenny (aka Phee) who enjoys attending a Chinese cultural camp each summer for two weeks. She looks forward to spending time with the 'squad', a group of girls who have grown close from the time they spend together at camp. But this year is different, the squad has been broken up because there are 5 new girls in their age group attending. Plus Harrison, one of the CITs (Counselor in Training) might like her. Will Phoenny be able to connect with the new girls? What if the other girls in the squad abandon her to spend time with the new girls? Is Harrison to good to be true? Find out the answers to all these questions in this story that also includes camp traditions like variety shows, arts & crafts, and campfires. If you're curious about Chinese culture or would like to learn a few Mandarin words/phrases, this is the book for you. Or if you're looking for a story set at a summer camp, give this one a try....more
(view spoiler)[Dreams do come true. What if you could meet your first celebrity crush? Through a series of circumstances and mishaps, Millie does. It (view spoiler)[Dreams do come true. What if you could meet your first celebrity crush? Through a series of circumstances and mishaps, Millie does. It turns out he's just as sweet as his image in real life. (hide spoiler)] Twelve year-old Millie is experiencing her first celebrity crush on teen singer and heartthrob Rory Calhoun. She dreams of meeting him, could it happen? How far will she go in her hopes to fulfill her dream? Will she succeed? Or perhaps discover a more realistic crush in her own neighborhood? Millie could be Margaret from Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.. Full of innocence, this is a perfect "first" romance book for tweens. A HUGE thank you to BookSparks and Kristin Nilsen for providing me with a copy of this book in a special and most attractive package!...more