This was a lot of fun and I can't wait to read the next one. Reminded me a bit of 'Food Wars' with the plot centering around the try out matches to maThis was a lot of fun and I can't wait to read the next one. Reminded me a bit of 'Food Wars' with the plot centering around the try out matches to make it on the team.
Merged review:
This was a lot of fun and I can't wait to read the next one. Reminded me a bit of 'Food Wars' with the plot centering around the try out matches to make it on the team....more
This is one of those books I'd be curious to talk to an actual teen who read. It is about the early days of BBS boards and the internet, though at it'This is one of those books I'd be curious to talk to an actual teen who read. It is about the early days of BBS boards and the internet, though at it's core it is about all the things that stories with teen protagonists are - coming of age, going from a child to an adult, relationships with friends and family. Change.
So I am sure it will resonate with a younger reader than me, but I'm just curious how they react to the idea of the birth of social media....more
I really wanted to love this as it was about a girl discovering The Beatles and using their music to get through middle school, something I VERY much I really wanted to love this as it was about a girl discovering The Beatles and using their music to get through middle school, something I VERY much relate to. It was just okay though, and I was a little upset by how much I had hoped the character would grow by the end and how much she actually did. Especially with her one "friend" - I really wanted a "Smile" revelation at the end, realizing there was some toxic stuff going on there and perhaps breaking up with that friend was the best thing for her to do.
I followed McPhail on social media after stumbling across his New Yorker comics on Tumblr one day. I loved the style, the humor, everything - so when I followed McPhail on social media after stumbling across his New Yorker comics on Tumblr one day. I loved the style, the humor, everything - so when it was announced he would be publishing a book, I needed to read it.
"IN" is a beautiful story, filled with that same humor and quirky style that makes McPhail's art so instantly recognizable. Nick's journey is one that many of us can identify with, that longing for connection with all the people around us but trying to figure out how to start the conversation, how to get in.
Not to be cliche, but I laughed and I cried more than I thought I would at a black and white graphic novel. ...more
Jamieson's retelling of Omar Mohamed's life growing up in a refugee camp is another book I would like to get into the hands of so many children growinJamieson's retelling of Omar Mohamed's life growing up in a refugee camp is another book I would like to get into the hands of so many children growing up in comfort right now. For any child that has never been displaced and has always had everything provided for them. To be put into the shoes of young Omar as he learned to live on a small amount of food each day, to care for his younger brother who was traumatized by their mother's disappearance and has seizures. The desire to go to school and how much competition their was to continue that schooling.
Omar's story opened my eyes to the refugee experience in a way I hadn't been before. I think most of the books I had read before were either someone trying to get into a country (Illegal) or someone trying to assimilate after already arriving. But reading about the waiting, being trapped in a camp with no real place to call home...it is an important story and I am really glad that it is in a format that is engaging for younger readers and perhaps even reluctant readers.
I hope kids that are fans of Jamieson's other books pick this one up, even though it is completely unlike anything else she has done before. Actually, I guess that is not true because both of her other books are about growing up and finding your place. This story is just a lot more urgent since it deals with the world crisis of refugees trying to find a way to live a normal life again. ...more
I enjoyed this a lot more than I expected to, mostly because the set up sounds exhausting - Freddy is dating Laura Dean but Laura is constantly cheatiI enjoyed this a lot more than I expected to, mostly because the set up sounds exhausting - Freddy is dating Laura Dean but Laura is constantly cheating on her/breaking up with her and then they get back together the next day. But I think it is supposed to be exhausting because that is how high school relationships feel, especially when you are learning what being with another person is like, learning how to balance friendships, learning how to make new friends. It felt very real and Freddy slowly goes from being co-dependent and afraid to be alone to realizing that she is sacrificing her happiness for what she thinks is love (but is really infatuation). ...more
Great book for fans of 'Smile' that have aged up and are ready for something with a little more to it.
At the core of this story, there are four youngGreat book for fans of 'Smile' that have aged up and are ready for something with a little more to it.
At the core of this story, there are four young women who are friends in high school, just trying to navigate the world of growing up. It has lots of notes and further information in the back for kids who are struggling with their bodies changing and makes it clear that not everyone has the same kind of period struggles, something I know 15 year old me would not have been aware of so it is fantastic that a book like this exists to educate and also make those who do have "abnormal" periods feel less alone.
But it is a good story, no matter what. It is about standing up for your friends, standing up for bigger issues and also the core idea that we all change and grow as people all the time. ...more
Laura Lee Gulledge just keeps growing as an author. I've been a fan of hers since Page by Paige. 'Mona Starr' clearly draws from her own personal struLaura Lee Gulledge just keeps growing as an author. I've been a fan of hers since Page by Paige. 'Mona Starr' clearly draws from her own personal struggles with depression and self-doubt and how she used art to work through it all. ...more
I don't think I've read a YA novel this disturbing before and even though it took my a month to read (blame quarantine focus problems), any time I picI don't think I've read a YA novel this disturbing before and even though it took my a month to read (blame quarantine focus problems), any time I picked it up, it was hard to put down.
Imagine you have an adorable little sister. Super cute, dimples when she smiles, everyone loves her.
You love her too, she's your sister.
But you also know, deep down, that there is something very wrong with her. She tells you things, things she thinks about and it's not right.
That is Che's story. And he takes on the burden of protecting the world from Rosa while also trying to make a life for himself after his family relocates to New York City. But Rosa is clever, fooling even their parents into thinking she is "just a child" giving her opportunities to get dangerously close to other children...can Che keep his sanity while making Rosa keep her promises?...more
My first Jason Reynolds book! I really enjoyed this collection of stories about all the different kinds of kids in a single neighborhood, their differMy first Jason Reynolds book! I really enjoyed this collection of stories about all the different kinds of kids in a single neighborhood, their different paths and ways of dealing with life. Laugh out loud moments, Kleenex moments, and stories of strong friendships.
Highlights all the ups and downs of being a kid....more
Another solid addition to King's catalog. Full of heart and humor, all the while tackling the very serious subjects of divorce, depression and dealingAnother solid addition to King's catalog. Full of heart and humor, all the while tackling the very serious subjects of divorce, depression and dealing with emotions. ...more
If you liked SLAM! Vol. 1, you'll love Dodge City. Another niche team sports story with a cast of misfits. Lots of diversity, great sense of humor andIf you liked SLAM! Vol. 1, you'll love Dodge City. Another niche team sports story with a cast of misfits. Lots of diversity, great sense of humor and you're rooting for everyone to find their way. ...more
3.5 stars - Not quite as strong as the other two Sunny books, but maybe that is because the subject matter never got quite as serious. But that's okay3.5 stars - Not quite as strong as the other two Sunny books, but maybe that is because the subject matter never got quite as serious. But that's okay too because if you're a kid with a pretty healthy home life, then just getting older can be serious and stressful.
Sunny and her guy friends all start playing D&D together around the same time her girl friends are starting to become more interested in dating and "what's groovy". It's cute and actually the drama is very low-key, but I know this is a struggle for us lady nerds as we try to decide between fitting in with other girls or embracing our geeky side, even if it means hanging out with boys.
I am glad that the boys never seemed to think it was "weird" that Sunny wanted to play D&D. They were happy to have her there. ...more
I feel bad for this book because I only picked it up since it was listed as the "based on" book for JoJo Rabbit, a movie that I was interested in seeiI feel bad for this book because I only picked it up since it was listed as the "based on" book for JoJo Rabbit, a movie that I was interested in seeing. But it is clear from the trailer vs the book I just read that JoJo Rabbit is probably more "inspired by" this book than anything else.
This is a VERY dark comedy, with a narrator that isn't so much unreliable as delusional but you know he is delusional because you're not a Nazi.
This review/rating probably isn't fair since I was hoping for a funny book like the JoJo Rabbit trailer and this is much more subtle. ...more
Very cute little story, all taking place over the course of an evening at a Fall air. Made me want all the Fall foods! Nothing groundbreaking, but adoVery cute little story, all taking place over the course of an evening at a Fall air. Made me want all the Fall foods! Nothing groundbreaking, but adorable art and likeable characters made this a fast, fun read....more
Another good one from Raina. Even though the story is about her stomach issues and anxiety, there is a lot here that anyone can identify with. And, atAnother good one from Raina. Even though the story is about her stomach issues and anxiety, there is a lot here that anyone can identify with. And, at the core, always, friendship and relationships. ...more
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