Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway

Emmy & Oliver by Robin Benway
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved, loved, loved this book! Emmy and Oliver were best friends and next door neighbors, when at age 7 he was kidnapped by his dad. What this does to Oliver's family, Emily's family, the whole community is explored deftly and very well done by Robin Benway. I read this on my kindle and could not put it down! The day Oliver was taken away by his Dad, he was passed a note by one of his school buddies which asked, Do you like Emmy? Yes or No and Oliver circled Yes. That is the one piece of paper Emmy saves and continues to hold dear when Oliver, at 17 years of age, walks back into everyone's lives. While he was gone, Emmy's parents were so distraught about what happened to Oliver that they over-protected her - 9pm curfew, no sports, etc. This does not stop Emmy from surfing, partying, and lying - because what option does she really have?? But I really really liked the kind of girl Emmy was - a good, strong, honest friend, respectful daughter, focused student but often forced to live with situations Oliver's kidnapping caused. I loved Emmy's friends, Caro & Drew and I loved seeing her friendship with Oliver slowly build. Oliver really feels like an outsider even though he knows these students were once his friends...will he be able to deal with a new family (mother, stepfather and 2 little sisters) while still missing his dad (who everyone hates) ? Once again, I rooted for Emmy and Oliver - what will happen to their friendship because of their past, and is there a future---A MUST READ!!! And for another YA similar book, read Pointe by Brandy Colbert!!!

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Pointe by Brandy Colbert

Pointe by Brandy Colbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had this book on my TBR for quite awhile and I am so glad I pushed it to the top of my READS because I really had no idea what this book was about. I THOUGHT it was about an African American girl who wants to be a ballerina. And oh was that a very small part of this engrossing book! Theo was 13 years old when her best friend, Donovan, was kidnapped and she was heavily involved in a romantic relationship. Now 4 years later, her oldest friend has returned home but the life Theo has worked so hard to return to normal- is once again thrown into tumult. I rooted for Theo (she smokes cigarettes and doesn't eat and pinches herself to stop eating), she was totally committed to ballet; it is the most important thing that matters to her - being tapped for a prized summer internship is just the beginning. Donovan may be home but he is not talking to anyone and what's more- Theo has secrets and she needs to talk to mute Donovan to get some answers. What will truth do to her carefully constructed world and will she be able to live with the memories? Wow, a great read all around covering many, many essential topics in dealt with in YA literature. Highly recommended! BTW I also finished Emmy and Oliver by Robin Benway and that also deals with kidnapping - also a great great read!!!

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Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a fantastic audiobook!!! I loved the narration by Jessica Almasy, Suzanne Toren; their voices were mesmerizing, honest, and their emotion (guarded and euphoric) made me root for Molly and Vivienne as characters, women, and down trodden individuals. What they do with their horrific lives is uplifting, made me cry, and want to rail at all those who treated them so deplorably. If you like historical fiction, multicultural fiction, a great study of women and friendship, listen to Orphan Train! You won't be able to stop listening!!!

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All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

All American Boys by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, what an emotional roller coaster! This book is unique and special because Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely collaborated on this diverse story and as a result the reader is plunged (again and again) into the moment Rashad leans down to get money from his bag and a woman accidentally falls on top of him-- when BAM, this African American ROTC teen is beaten to a pulp by a white police officer. In a ripped from the headlines news story, video is found and played continuously for days inciting anger, fury, and sympathy. Quinn happens to be there and sees Rashad being beaten by a cop who has been a father figure to him since his father died. This book reminded me of 2 other books that deal with racism, prejudice and unreliable narrators - Fade to Black by Alex Flinn and How It Went Down by Kekla Magoon. Reynolds and Kiely do an awesome job of encouraging readers to stand up to police brutality and racism and continue to work toward being aware and educating others to fight the fight.

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Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I purchased this book after going to the Friends Central Celebrate Diverse Literature Conference and listening to Becky Albertalli speak. Simon is a great male character who is emailing with someone named "Blue" and as they get to know one another (they attend the same school) they keep their identities secret but begin to have feelings for one another. This is a great story about diversity, friendship, family, and coming out as gay to family and friends. Simon's world is sweet, full of tumult (but in a good, nerdy way) and as he navigates this "new" part of his life, the reader journeys with Simon and roots for him every step of the way. Highly recommended for teens, reluctant readers and adults too.

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Angels Burning by Tawni O'Dell

Angels Burning by Tawni O'Dell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books for providing an advance copy of Angels Burning by Tawni O’Dell. I love mysteries and O’Dell did not disappoint with this taut detective story involving chief of police Dove Carnahan investigating the grisly murder of a teen whose body was burned, wrapped in a blanket, and discovered in a sink hole. I could not put down this tense thriller delving into Dove’s dysfunctional family past and the parallel story of the murdered teen, Camio Truly’s vicious, ornery, redneck family filled with hostility, contempt and lies . Dove is one tough cookie in a world dominated by males in the police force and state police but she is harboring a big secret from her past. Dove’s sister, a loner who is a prominent dog whisperer, was a strong very likable character who fiercely loves her sister and does not suffer recriminations like those plaguing Dove. This is a riveting, mesmerizing psychological thriller and will keep mystery lovers turning the pages; highly recommended!

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Stand Off by Andrew Smith

Stand-Off by Andrew Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ryan Dean was so different in this book; devastated, sad, and hawked by N.A.T.E. a big scary dark figure keeping him up at night for the next terrible experience in his life. Without Joey, Ryan Dean doesn't have much to look forward to his senior year without his best friend. But Annie is still Ryan's true love but he still has his "I am such a loser" mentality and he draws from her strength and compassion and this ends up making him a better person...and the fact that Pine Mountain has seen fit to give him a 12 year old roommate really puts Ryan Dean further over the edge. Ryan Dean is so hysterical and insecure and as a reader I LOVE his outlook and musings! Boys and girls will love the rugby, the action, and Ryan Dean's narration of the games are so exciting. And the romance between Annie and Ran Dean just gets better and better. A highly recommended read, I love all of Andrew Smith's books but Winger and Stand Off hold a special place in my heart. Ryan Dean is a special guy and I'd love to continue reading more about him.

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Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor

Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved, loved Kristine Hvam's narration in this 2nd Daughter of Smoke & Bone book!!! The narration, the voices, the drama kept me hooked in...Karou wasn't my favorite in this book- I did not like her hatred of Akiva for killing her family and then Karou throws in with Thiago and becomes a resurrectionist, creating horrible chimaera to fight against the angels. I loved the human friends, Zuzana & Mik and the fact that they continue to be in Karou's confidence. The reader will be enthralled with all the betrayal by angels & chimaera, Karou and friends. But beneath this aching terrible time, I was so impressed by Akiva's steadfast love and hope for a future maybe including Karou. Another must read by Laini Taylor & I have already begun the final book, Dreams of Gods & Monsters!!!

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