Originally reviewed in School Library Journal, March 2017. Gr. 9 & Up - Yu's debut, realistic fiction young adult novel is set in upstate New York at Camp Ugunduzi, a wilderness therapy camp for troubled teens. The quickly-paced story is told in alternating points-of-view between five unique campers, just introduced and grouped together during the… Continue reading Four Weeks, Five People by Jennifer Yu
Tag: Social Themes
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. ISBN 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
Guest Review: History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera
I'm thrilled to have my friend and colleague, Cameron, who blogs at Cam Loves Books, here for a guest review post. Cam reviews YA books and her reviews are witty & fabulous! About Cam Children's and young adult book blogger. Library professional. Dog mom. English major. Intersectional feminist. Livin' life one book at a time. Cam's Review of… Continue reading Guest Review: History is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera
We Found a Hat by Jon Klassen
All of Jon Klassen's picture books are fabulous read-alouds which will have children and adults begging to read them over and over. There is a central theme of a hat in each of his picture books so far: I Want My Hat Back, This is Not my Hat, and the latest, We Found a Hat.… Continue reading We Found a Hat by Jon Klassen
The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
The Sun is Also a Star is set for release on November 1, 2016. Having absolutely adored Yoon's first novel, Everything, Everything, I have been very eager to read her newest work. The story provides a behind-the-scenes peek at how an undocumented immigrant has to live with the daily uncertainty of being sent away from her… Continue reading The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven
Holding Up the Universe will be published on October 4, 2016. If you thought Violet & Finch from Niven's All The Bright Places were unforgettable characters, wait until you meet Jack & Libby. Much like with All the Bright Places, Holding Up the Universe is written with chapters alternating back and forth between the two main characters,… Continue reading Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven
The Memory Book by Lara Avery
I was excited to see Lara Avery had a new novel coming out, because I read A Million Miles Away and loved it. Now The Memory Book has become my favorite Lara Avery novel. I devoured it in just over one day. The chapters are short, mostly written as journal entries into Sammie's memory book, making for… Continue reading The Memory Book by Lara Avery
The First Time She Drowned by Kerry Kletter
This is a heartbreaking, raw story of mental illness and how it can systematically unravel the bonds between a family. I wasn't sure what to expect from the story, but it was so much more than a young adult coming-of-age story. Of course, there is some young romance and dating involved, but poor Cassie was forced… Continue reading The First Time She Drowned by Kerry Kletter
I Was Here by Gayle Forman
I Was Here is a new YA book that will be published Tuesday, January 27, 2015. I enjoyed this book, much more than Forman's If I Stay and Where She Went books. The book brings a serious and often overlooked issue on the subject of suicide to light. I can't spell it out because of… Continue reading I Was Here by Gayle Forman
Librarian Laura 