I've been a Jennifer Niven fan since reading All the Bright Places. If you haven't read that one yet, please read it! But don't watch the Netflix film first...trust me, the book is better. ALWAYS. Anyhow, I've read all of her other books, and this new one is now my favorite! I listened to it… Continue reading Breathless by Jennifer Niven
Tag: Coming of Age
The Knockout Queen by Rufi Thorpe
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
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
Something Like Breathing by Angela Readman
Originally published in School Library Journal, February 2019. Gr 9 & Up: Readman's debut novel unfolds in 1950's Scotland, weaving together mystery and magical realism surrounding two young girls on a remote island. Lorrie's family moved from England to help her aging grandfather, Grumps, in the family whiskey distillery. At once intrigued by her shy… Continue reading Something Like Breathing by Angela Readman
The Magnificent Life of Esme Wells by Adrienne Sharp
Review originally appeared in Library Journal, January 2018. Young Esme Silver was born in pre-WWII Hollywood to Dina Wells, a 16-year old wanna-be actress star with the right looks, but very little talent. Her father, "Magic Ike," gambler and small-time crook, spends his days at the horse track, dragging "Baby E" along as he makes… Continue reading The Magnificent Life of Esme Wells by Adrienne Sharp
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Kristin Hannah has done it again! Her newest novel, The Great Alone, which releases in February 2018, is absolutely stunning. The story begins in 1974 when Lenora Allbright (Leni) is 13 years old and once again the new kid at school, having changed schools multiple times mainly because of her father's wrath and inability to… Continue reading The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Welcome to the Slipstream by Natalka Burian
Originally published in School Library Journal, May 2017. Grade 9 & up: Van, 17, was forced to grow up quickly in the slipstream of her mentally ill, brilliant mother. Her father died of a drug overdose when she was an infant. Van, her mother Sophie, and Ida, a surrogate grandmother, have lived as vagrants, following… Continue reading Welcome to the Slipstream by Natalka Burian
The Heartbeats of Wing Jones by Katherine Weber
Review first appeared in School Library Journal, January 2017. WEBBER, Katherine. The Heartbeats of Wing Jones. 336p. Delacorte Press. Mar. 2017. $17.99. ISBNÂ 9780399555022. Gr 8 Up - Set in 1990's Atlanta, this coming-of-age story is realistic fiction with a touch of magical realism, is full of diverse and strong female characters. Bullied for her looks,… Continue reading The Heartbeats of Wing Jones by Katherine Weber
Wait for Me by Caroline Leech
Review first appeared in School Library Journal, November 2016. LEECH, Caroline. Wait for Me. 384p. Harper Teen. Jan. 2017. Tr $17.99. ISBN 9780062459886. Gr 8 Up- In 1945 Scotland during WWII, Lorna Anderson is tending to the family farm alongside her father while her older brothers are fighting at war. Her mother passed away when… Continue reading Wait for Me by Caroline Leech
Librarian Laura 