The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


When Lennie's sister, Bailey, dies suddenly, Lennie tries to make sense of a world that that was once safe and secure,to a world where she, her Gram and Big exist but don't talk. Lennie has never been popular, just a band geek who plays 2nd chair clarinet but with the loss of Bailey, Lennie now surprsingly finds comfort in the arms of Bailey's boyfriend, Toby (they both connect in their loss) and in the new boy, Joe Fontaine, an awesome trumpet player who visits her house everyday, bringing comfort to Gram, Big and Lennie, dragging them back into life. How can these two guys help Lennie believe that life can go on without Bailey and that Bailey will still be everywhere, like the sky is everywhere?



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Three Rivers Rising by Jame Richards

Three Rivers Rising: A Novel of the Johnstown Flood by Jame Richards

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


What a great way to learn about the Johnstown Flood of 1889 than soaking up a novel in verse! Richards novel is powerfully told through protagonists Celestia, a young teen whose family are members of the prestigious South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club; Peter, who works summers at the club rather than joining his father in the mines in Johnstown. We learn about the rigid class system that exists in this society that would never agree to a relationship between Celestia and Peter. Maura is the wife of a conductor who ferries people on the train and she keeps a meager house going with many babies, year after year. Kate is a changed woman who loses her love to drowning and becomes a nurse. A compelling time in our history, Richards also includes an Author's Note, South Fork Dam Chronology, and Further Reading to bring this disaster to today's young adults. Highly recommended.



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Jazz in Love by Neesha Meminger

Jazz in Love by Neesha Meminger

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Jazz is a normal teen with loving Indian parents who decide to put her on the "guided dating plan" after seeing her hug a lifelong friend. Jazz is a bright student, part of the genius club, obedient, and a smart aleck. Now that she is supposed to think about marriage at age 17, things get funny,desperate, and out of control. The guy her parents pair her with is from Canada and gay, but Jazz and Mit decide to have this work to both their advantage. Jazz falls for the "new" guy in school, who would definitely not be on her parents approved list of suitors. In spending all her time with the new guy, Jazz skips school, ignores her friends, and starts getting into trouble. Readers of all kinds will enjoy this humorous, yet drama-filled look at a young teen and her world.



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