Originally published in Library Journal, March 1, 2020. When his mother is sent to prison for stabbing his abusive father, Michael, 11, is sent to live with his aunt DeeDee. The next-door-neighbor, Bunny Lampert, is the rich princess of North Shore, having lost her mother in a car accident and her father is an alcoholic… Continue reading The Knockout Queen by Rufi Thorpe
Tag: Abuse
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Irish author, Sally Rooney's, latest contemporary fiction novel, Normal People, is getting much more hype recently, thank to the series of the same name premiering on Hulu. Being a strict "read the book before watching the movie" person, I had to read the book before I watch. I did watch a trailer for the Hulu… Continue reading Normal People by Sally Rooney
Educated by Tara Westover
Educated by Tara Westover has spent many weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List, and for good reason. It is a thought-provoking, unique coming of age memoir which is at times hard to read, because the content is disturbing. Yet at the same time, it is very interesting and I couldn't put it down… Continue reading Educated by Tara Westover
Queen Anne’s Lace by Dawn Gardner
Gardner's debut, coming-of-age novel is set in the 1970s and she shed light on some very tough issues which teenagers face, including physical and sexual abuse, homelessness, and alcoholism. Fourteen-year-old Lacy has been hurt by and seen her mother hurt by her father too many times. In a quick act of bravery, she packs a… Continue reading Queen Anne’s Lace by Dawn Gardner
The Wartime Sisters by Lynda Cohen Loigman
Originally published in Library Journal, January 2019. Loigman's second novel follows Jewish sisters Ruth and Millie Kaplan from their childhood in Brooklyn to adulthood living at an armory base in Springfield, MA. The eldest by three years, Ruth is held to almost impossible standards, while Millie, with her striking looks and pleasing manner, gets away… Continue reading The Wartime Sisters by Lynda Cohen Loigman
The Competition by Cecily Wolfe
Originally appeared in School Library Journal, November 2018. Grade 7 & Up: A diverse cast of characters take part in the Penultimate, an Ohio state writing competition, where 100 teens battle for a full college scholarship. Mary Sofia (a Latina) lives in a shelter. Her mother blames her for the unforgettable, tragic night her abusive… Continue reading The Competition by Cecily Wolfe
Sweet Sixteen by Brenda Rothert
It is my pleasure to be a tour stop for the blog tour of Sweet Sixteen by Brenda Rothert. Sweet Sixteen by Brenda Rothert is a young adult contemporary romance novel with very mature themes and language. I would not recommend it for readers under the age of 18. I would place it in the New… Continue reading Sweet Sixteen by Brenda Rothert
Where I Live by Brenda Rufener
Originally published in School Library Journal, November 2017. Grade 9 & Up - Secretly living in Hinderwood High, teenager Linden is homeless and working two jobs to afford living essentials. After her mother was killed, she ended up in Oregon at her grandmother's nursing home, before she died too. Linden, white and homeless, and her… Continue reading Where I Live by Brenda Rufener
Broken Beautiful Hearts by Kami Garcia
Holy Romance Novel, Batman! This one is going to the top of my YA romance favorites list! This is the first of Kami Garcia's novels that I have read, but I am now kicking myself for not reading her other ones already! You probably hear this a lot, but I literally couldn't put this book… Continue reading Broken Beautiful Hearts by Kami Garcia
Librarian Laura 