The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma

The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a story of guilt and innocence and the main characters are young girls who are either in jail or out in the world, ready to embark on a life of ballet. The way Nova Rem Suma tells this supernatural story is compelling, raw, and sad. As we learn about girls in juvie for crimes they did (and did not) commit, the walls of the Aurora Hill Detention Center threaten to explode with the secrets and truth within. What really happened when Violet is bullied by 2 ballet dancers and Ori intervenes on her behalf? A psychological thriller with lots of mystery around the characters. I loved unraveling the story about the ballerinas and the girls in juvie.

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The Way I Used To Be by Amber Smith

The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story about rape and its effects on a freshman in high school was a sucker punch readers will not be able to escape. Rebekkah Ross's narration of this audiobook was compelling; the voices Ross used for Eden, her friends and family were so good I did not want to stop listening! Eden is young for her age and nerdy. One night she is savagely raped by her brother's best friend, Kevin Armstrong, whom Eden idolized. As the reader follows Eden through high school, we see her terror (Kevin threatened to kill her id she told anyone & he said no one would believe her), self loathing, and descent into a life of self harm (she sleeps around, is rude and mean to her friends, she turns on her brother and parents, drinking and drugs). It was so distressing to see this young girl who was full of life and hope become angry, isolated, and desperate (Eden keeps pushing down the incident). I rooted for her to trust someone with the truth and for her rapist to burn in hell. Amber Smith gives the horrifying statistics about rape in her Author Notes- rape doesn't just destroy the victim and so many times it goes unreported, why is this? This story does a stellar job of getting into a victim's head and heart. Every school should have this book in their library and all teens MUST read this raw and compelling book!

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Saving Montgomery Sole by Mariko Tamaki

Saving Montgomery Sole by Mariko Tamaki
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Mariko Tamaki's graphic novel, This One Summer! Montgomery Sole and her friends and their world in school and at home was funny, mysterious, and full of drama. As she leads her friends in school in the 3 person club, The Mystery Club a chance purchase on the internet of the Eye of Know brings happiness. But as she struggles with being awkward (she has 2 moms, no religion and is offbeat in a town obsessed with looks) but armed with best buddies, Thomas and Naoki (LOVE THEM) and her amulet, nothing can get Monty down---until a preacher comes to town wanting to save the American Family. How will Monty "fight" this latest threat and can she depend upon her friends to stand by her? A compelling must read, highly recommended.

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If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo

If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG what a beautiful story! I loved the character of Amanda Hardy; how she related to her friends, family and Grant. As she moved through her life, from present, then back into the past, I wanted so much for her- and as she made friends, grew close to Grant, and navigated a new relationship with her father (she was born, Andrew) I rooted for her to succeed in finding happiness as a transgender teen in a new life that was honest. But Amanda could not stop remembering her past, the bullying, and the judging- will this help Amanda succeed or fail? As her life in a new school and now living with her dad moves forward, I wanted the best of all things for Amanda, will that be what she gets? A mesmerizing read that is honest, raw, and educational (I learned so much about her medical process)--- teens will want to read this brave book! I especially liked the author's A Note From the Author and her acknowledgments at the end. I am looking forward to more books from Meredith Russo- she has much to impart to teen readers, parents, guidance counselors, nurses, teachers and readers.

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When We Collided by Emery Lord

When We Collided by Emery Lord
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jonah Daniels is one of six children in a family struggling with the sudden death of a beloved father and a mother who can't get out of bed due to her deep grief. Into Verona Cove, Vivi bounds in and falls in love with Jonah and each of the Daniels children. As Vivi's love of life, excitement, and adventure patches up the Daniels family, Jonah finds hope, love and healing with Vivi. I could not stop listening to this audiobook (I kept finding reasons to walk, exercise or just sit and listen) that was gripping, heartbreaking and true. Vivi, narrated by Elizabeth Evans was funny, sensitive and kind while Jonah narrated by Raviv Ullman was shy, hopeless, and ultimately changed as a result of knowing and loving Vivi. What will the future hold for these two seventeen year old teens with seemingly insurmontable problems? A must read for those who love romance, struggling teens, and family problems. Can't wait to read Lord's, The Start of Me and You, bring on the romances with lots of drama!!!

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Unlikely Friendships: 47 Remarkable Stories from the Animal Kingdom by Jennifer S. Holland

Unlikely Friendships : 47 Remarkable Stories from the Animal Kingdom by Jennifer S. Holland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The beautiful photographs and remarkable short stories will entice ALL ANIMAL LOVERS to read and LOVE this book! Friendship is stressed in these different but oh so important relationships between some very different animals

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Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart

Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not stop reading this sweet, tough book that looks at two new friends in 8th grade. Lily has always lived in Florida but Dunkin has just moved from NJ with his mom to live with his aunt. This book is about so much - friendship, families, death, bullies, one teen with mental illness, and the other teen wrestling with transgender issues. Told from Lily and Dunkin's POV, the reader will be immersed in a story that is heartbreaking but also inspiring. Highly recommended - for those who read George by Alex Gino, this book is a MUST READ. Also recommended for teens, parents and school guidance counselors. I loved Donna Gephart's Author Notes and what inspired her to write about Lily & Dunkin, her heartfelt message about NAMI (The National Alliance on Mental Illness), "good doctors, right medications and community support" her Acknowledgments and Resources.

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Half Lost (Book 3 Half Bad) by Sally Green

Half Lost by Sally Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, the end to a really great series - I just loved Carl Prekopp's narration of Nathan as he tries to become the with Gabriel loves. Now that he has his gifts, Nathan works to perfect them, hunts Annaliese and helps the Alliance of Witches against the hunters. I wish I could say I loved the ending...I enjoyed all of Prekopp's characters in his narration, author Green's worlds were wild, heart stopping, and powerful. I have to thank The 2015 Hub Challenge for giving me the impetus to listen to this series, it was awesome.

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What We Saw by Aaron Hartzler

What We Saw by Aaron Hartzler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a raw read- Kate is a nice girl who is athletic, has a great family and friends. At a party where she was very drunk, friend Ben takes her home and returns to the party to go home. As Kate realizes she likes Ben as more than a friend, she also finds out "something" happened that night at the party to a girl, Stacey, who she used to be friends with...AND here is where the title of the book -What We Saw -means. Author Hartzler did an awesome job of getting teen personalities right and real (mean girls, jock culture, those who care and those who hate) and in this climate honest Kate has so many questions, but will she get the answers she wants (right or wrong)? YA readers will be passing this book to their friends- a must read!

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I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios

I'll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, could not put this book down; on my TBR & I decided to read it as part of June #YearofYA twitter chat topic, Monday 6/27 at 8PM EST. Skylar and Josh Mitchell have a few things in common. They both live in dead-end Creek View and want to leave ASAP. They both have worked at the Paradise Motel for a few years. But that is where it ends... but the Paradise is the place where Skylar, just graduated and looking forward to going to art college in San Francisco in 3 months & Josh, a Marine, home from the war and wracked by nightmares, anger, insecurity - work side by side. They discuss, kid around and ultimately begin to become really good friends depending on each other when life collapses around them. I LOVED THESE 2 TEENS! Skylar does not drink, does not really go out much and has few friends (and she likes it that way) Josh is good looking, blue eyes that melt, and a great maintenance worker who can do just about anything to repair things at the Paradise Motel (and it seems be there for Skylar when her mom loses her job). I learned so much about PTSD from author Heather Demetrios with her depictions of Josh's dreams and leg problems since he walked on an IED device in Afghanistan. But even better and VERY IMPORTANT to read were the author's notes and acknowledgments at the end of the book. She had family in wars and she did extensive research and interviews with Marines to realistically depict Josh as a wounded warrior. I will end this review with words from the author but this is a must read for teens and adults...very important... From Heather Demetrios at the end of her acknowledgments, "Finally to the Josh's out there: I wish you sleep without nightmares, laughter every day, cold beer on warm summer nights, and love -so much love.


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The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Book One) by Rae Carson

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another great series I found on my Goodreads TBR shelf & decided to use it for my twitter chat with June #YearofYA discussion at 8pm EST Monday 6/27. Rae Carson's world building from main character's view, Elisa, who is 16 years old and being married off to a King from a neighboring region. Elisa's point of view is one of honesty and uncertainty- she knows she is special because she bears a Godstone that has powers, but unlike her sister, Elisa is fat, like a sausage and useless. But as her life unfolds, the reader finds, along with Elisa, that she is anything but useless. I can't wait to jump into the other two books in this series to see how she continues to grow, help others, plan war strategies, and who becomes a leader (head of the Malficio) who is feared & beloved. Readers will be treated to a irresistible fantasy with a strong heroine who deals with war, romance, and fighting for those you love.

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An Ember in the Ashes by Tahir Sabaa

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this first in the series and have already pre-ordered the 2nd book due out in August- hurry up August!!! Laia and Elias were my favorite characters but author Tahir had so many well-drawn characters to love (Izzi, Cook, Helene, Cook) and hate (Marcus and the Commandant) plus the otherworldly beings, the Augurs are truly creepy- reading minds, talking in circles, never giving solid answers. Elias is a prize fighter at Blackcliff who hates his life of killing and yearns for a life of freedom. Laia is a Slowly girl whose family has been killed with her only brother imprisoned and she strikes a bargain to pose as a slave for the dreaded Commandant while finding out any kind of information for The Resistance. Laia and Elias fight to survive (one through Trials and another through spying). For a heart stopping read with terror, alliances, deceit, and brutality this book fills the bill AND MORE!!!

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Wired Mand and Other Freaks of Nature by Sashi Kaufman

Wired Man and Other Freaks of Nature by Sashi Kaufman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, CarolRhoda Lab and Lerner Publishing for the amazing ARC, Wired Man and Other Freaks of Nature by Sashi Kaufman. The friendship of Ben and Tyler will speak to teens, students and YA readers. Best friends since fourth grade, soccer players and now seniors, Ben sees/feels things changing with Tyler and doesn’t know why. Very insecure due to his hearing aids, Ben does so much internal thinking, worrying, and agonizing about what is going on with Tyler, going to college (he doesn’t like change) and just about everything else. But Ben is Tyler’s steadfast friend and continues to outwardly support Tyler even as he fears asking Tyler questions. Ben is assigned a partner, Ilona, in a group project and as he gets to know her, Ben finds he can talk and laugh and not feel uncomfortable at all with blue haired, trash mouthed, freak of nature, Ilona. What will happen as Ben, Tyler & Ilona begin to hang out? Sashi Kaufman gets teens; Ben, Tyler, and Ilona are teens readers will relate to, want to know more about, and Wired Man delivers! This is the perfect book on friendship, family, teens navigating high school and life. Run out and get this book at a library, bookstore or e-reader September 2016.

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Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This 4th book in the Throne of Glass series DID NOT disappoint. Aelin, Rowan, and Aedion band together to fight the barbaric creatures the king has created to kill rebels, sympathizers, ANYONE. I loved Manan, Elide and her 13 witches- WOW!!! Chaol really changed throughout this book as he gave up the king and became a rebel after Dorian's love was beheaded and the king ensnared Dorian in the black collar (have to read the book). I always love the way Aelin thinks, plots, plans and her interactions with her others just keeps getting more and more deep, magical, and desperate as she strives to save her kingdom. I have already pre-ordered the 5th book, Empire of Storms on my kindle- look for it in September!

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Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First I read and loved this book, read it again for a Twitter Book Chat and just finished listening to the audiobook which won an award for top 10 Amazing Audiobooks from YALSA! I listened to this audiobook as part of the 2016 Hub Reading Challenge. I was a little unsure about how this book would convert to audio BUT it was fantastic! All of the narrators were unbelievably awesome in delivering this thriller! The sounds of AIDAN, pilots, battles, hackers, and of course, Kady & Ezra make this one of my favorite books and I am most definitely looking forward to the 2nd book! There will be a great Twitter chat with #2jennsbookclub at 8pm Thursday 6/9- join in the discussion!

Here is my review from reading the book:) https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...
What a fantastic rip roaring good read! As Kady & Ezra break up (this is a big thing) little do they know by afternoon their planet, Kerenza, has been attacked and the ex-lovers (barely speaking & angry with each other) are fleeing for their lives. What I loved about this sci-fi action drama was the high octane super charged way the authors accomplished this first in a series- using Memos, hacked documents (IMs, texts, emails), interviews, pictures, graphics all pull this story into a hold your breath drama where 1 girl (great with technology, doesn't work well with others & super bad ass) and 1 guy (team player, fighter pilot and still in love with Kady) fight together & separately to save those on The Alexander, Lincoln & Hypatia from a mutating disease, AIDAN's insanity, and still stay alive. I could not stop following the Kady & Ezra communications (OMG!!!) I am so looking forward to the 2nd book in the series! Kaufman and Kristoff create a thriller where everything is crazy and Kady & Ezra are very strong protagonists the reader just keeps rooting for! Highly recommended!

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Symphony For the City of the Dead: Dmitri Shostakovich and the Seige of Leningrad by MT Anderson

Symphony for the City of the Dead: Dmitri Shostakovich and the Siege of Leningrad by M.T. Anderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this nonfiction book as part of The 2016 Hub Reading Challenge. MT Anderson did a thorough job researching this brutal time in history and like a novel, he wove a story of brutality and beauty. Dmitri Shostakovich was a brilliant composer who loved Leningrad but hated the way the Stalin regime choked the people of Leningrad. On top of that, WWII and Hitler invade Russia and considering Russians "subhuman" he set out to destroy them. But Hitler did not know how much of a force Dmitri and the people of Leningrad would prove to be. A rousing book that I could not put down (but wanted to because I was sickened by Stalin & Hitler) and highly recommend!

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