No Place Like Here by Christina June

No Place Like Here by Christina June
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to #BookJunkies and Blink for the advance reader copy of No Place Like Here by Christina June, in exchange for an honest review. Ashlynn Zanotti’s life is far from rosy; she has been punished by her very controlling father for a minor indiscretion (dating a bad boy) by being sent away to a boarding school. As her junior year closes, Ashlynn finds out her father is going to jail and her mother to rehab. Even worse, Ashlynn will be staying with her aunt and uncle and cousin, Hannah, all of whom she has not seen in years. But it is during this summer she spends at a retreat camp with cool, no nonsense Hannah, that Ashlynn begins to really begin to change and question her life. Ashlynn has been bullied by her father who controls her (also her mother) with fear and intimidation for so long that she is constantly internally angry yet compliant outwardly. As she works as a secretary to the camp manager, she uses skills she never knew she had and begins to grow and flourish. I loved the pacing of Ashlynn’s growth; the daily dramas she works through while at the camp kept me riveted turning the pages; rooting for her growing happiness within herself and hope for her future. I loved so many of the characters; Ashlynn’s best friend, Tatum, camp counselors Baxter and Ruth, and of course her aunt and uncle and cousin, Hannah. Ashlynn’s love of quotations was one of my favorite parts of this story; the quotes helped Ashlynn deal; she used the quotations to work through problems and brighten her outlook when life was drowning her in more challenges. I also loved how Ashlynn and her mom empower and support each other as the summer progresses. Teens will relate to the drama, the parental issues, and the importance of friendship and hope. Highly recommended!

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Internment by Samira Ahmed

Internment by Samira Ahmed
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a tough but important read! I loved the cover of this book, too! Layla's plight was so awful; she will not be silent but she is fearful at the same time---but that does not stop her from resisting the horrible predicament of being relocated into an internment camp with her parents because their religion is Muslim. I kept putting this book down because it was scary and oh so believable. Ahmed's near future in this book is all too real given the current political climate in our world today. The brutality of the Director and his Security soldiers gave me nightmares; I ached for Layla and what she endures---but it is Layla and her friends and the hope they have for a better world that kept this future nightmare world as a symbol of how important freedom is today and everyday. A must read!

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Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram

Darius the Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this award winner (APALA Award Winner, Best Fiction for Young Adults, Morris Winner, Rainbow List Top Ten) as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge and OMG did I love Darius, his friend (first, one and only) Sohrab from Iran, this is a tough book (Darius and his father's relationship, bullying in school, suffering from depression, and a grandparent suffering a brain tumor who is at the end of this life) but one that must be read by all- YAs, parents, school counselors will truly develop empathy for Darius, his life, his insecurities, and his mental health. This is a compelling YA read about immigrants, diversity, belonging, friendship and family. It is a trip to Iran that really changes Darius; I kept rooting for him and loved his nerdiness) I LOVED this book and I loved Darius; his thoughts and introspection will be with me for a long time (I loved his "social cues" and descriptions of the bullies at school as the "Soulless Minions of Orthodoxy") and the authors' characters were so important and key to Darius' life (his sister, his grandmother, his mom, his dad). I also fell in love with the Persian food and culture! Awesome book!

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Shame the Stars by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

Shame the Stars by Guadalupe Garcia McCall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book but it was such a tough but GOOD read! What happened in history during 1915 between the people of Texas and Mexico, the Texas Rangers, and the government, between the families of Joaquin and Dulcena was violent, compelling and authentic. This was a riveting book and I had to put it down so many times as I ached for what these families were enduring at the hands of racists with governmental acquiescence. But I kept picking it back up because I needed to know what this period of history was like---Ms McCall's Notes at the end were pivotal. Teens will see many parallels in history and today as they read this powerful, tension-filled book.

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#NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale

#Notyourprincess: Voices of Native American Women by Lisa Charleyboy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this award winner for the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge and it received the American Indian Youth Literature Award. What an awesome book; the beauty, fierceness and so many other strong feelings are voiced by many indigenous women (unknown and famous) through art work, poetry, pictures and words. It is a timely book; not easily read but fiercely put together by strong women who will be heard and seen and proud of their heritage and angry and honest about what has happened throughout history.

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Damsel by Elana K. Arnold

Damsel by Elana K. Arnold
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I listened to this Amelia Bloomer Award winner and Printz Honor as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge. I loved the narration by Elizabeth Knowelden, did not like the plot of the story, could not identify with the main character or any of the other characters, except the Damsel Ama's lynx.

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The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden

The Benefits of Being an Octopus by Ann Braden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I heard so much about this book; but Jennifer Lagarde's recommendation on twitter made me jump up and get it at the library. Oh did my heart ache for Zoey's life; her mother's constant boyfriends meant moving a lot. With super neat Lenny as the latest boyfriend, Zoey goes from thinking the trailer they live in with him and his father is the best to being the worst. Lenny abuses Zoey's mom verbally, he plays with her mind (which makes her cry and shrink into herself) and then she begins to change too. But it is when Zoey becomes involved in debate club and her friend, Fuschia needs her help; Zoey must dig deep----be an octopus---using all eight of her arms to see she must take control of her life; her mom, her friend, and her brother and sisters in order to save them and while she is saving them, she becomes stronger, a better friend and daughter, and begins to believe in herself. I loved Zoey so much; I ached for her when she doubted herself (which was often) and I rooted for her to achieve a better life. Readers will be empathetic as they read about class, bullying, and guns and a heroine you won't soon forget. A must read for all middle schoolers, school counselors, parents---this unfortunately is a very disturbing but true reality for many kids. Highly recommended!

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Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake

Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this Stonewall Honor Award book for the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge. I listened to it and the audio narration was done by Chloe Cannon and she was superb! Ivy's story is one middle grade readers will want to read for all the contemporary issues it tackles in a really good story (LGBTQ, coming of age, friendship, family and loneliness) but readers will be gripped by the tornado and the havoc it rekes, both immediately and in the future. I enjoyed getting to know Ivy through her thoughts, words, and "stormy" pictures, major drama with her sister, Layla and feeling left out after the twins are born. The resiliency project,both Ivy and June were working on really showed these girls as they wanted the world to see them. Awesome book, I LOVED IT!

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Under the Moon: A Catwoman Tale by Lauren Myracle

Under The Moon: A Catwoman Tale by Lauren Myracle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and DC Entertainment and DC Ink for the advance reader copy Under the Moon: A Catwoman Tale by, Lauren Myracle, in exchange for an honest review. I loved Lauren Myracle’s take on Catwoman’s backstory. Selena is a strong female teen protagonist who is quick to protect but never to trust. Life has dealt her with a mother who has many abusive boyfriends, the latest being Dernell. As Selena continues to become sick Dernell’s target, she gets no help from her mother; only criticism. Dernell’s constant punishment of locking her in a closet, helps Selena become one with the darkness and when she can’t take life under his sicko power trip; Selena runs away and becomes a teen who roams the streets, begins to hone her fighting, and finally joins a group that is planning a daring heist. For a kickass anti-heroine who takes prisoners, YA fans will fall into Myracle’s story and Goodhart's perfect dark illustrations with dark blue, black and minimal white lines that does justice to comics; a must read!

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Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai

Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to #BookJunkies and Henry Holt and Company for the advance reader copy of Pie in the Sky by debut author, Remy Lai, in exchange for an honest review. What a delicious middle-grade book from debut author, Remy Lai. Using a funny yet poignant plot, glorious illustrations, and two main characters (brothers- Jingwen and Yanghao) you will never forget, Remy weaves a moving yet humorous (thanks to little brother, Yanghao) story of immigrating to a new country, the uncertainties of being the new student faced with a language barrier, and trying valiantly to make pies in order to “fix” things and make everything better. Bickering brothers constantly calling each other “boogers” are alone after school and into the night as their mom works in a bakery. Older brother, Jingwen, has a harder time grasping the English language, but he also fights committing himself to learning English, and once he hears classmates calling him “slow,” Jingwen isolates himself even more with his nose in a book inside school. But Jingwen and Yanghao have plans to make all the cakes their father was going to make in his bakery, Pie in the Sky, even though their mother has refused to let them use the oven and made them promise. Younger brother, Yanghao, is funny, but he is also positive, loves life, and has a better, quicker command of English than Jingwen, and he has made friends in school. As the two brothers bake the special cakes, Jingwen reveals their father died before they immigrated (it was on Sundays with his father that they baked the cakes); they have relatives and friends from back home, and the constant lies and omissions to their mother is wearing on Jingwen. As he sinks into despair (Jigwen blames himself for his father’s death), he also refuses to see/listen to his little brother about situations the language barrier is creating, further causing Jingwen to make rules they must adhere to each time they bake another special cake. I ached for Jingwen and rooted for his happiness becoming a good missing his father whenever he is happy. I loved the ending as the dread Jingwen feels, lifts, and becomes a happy, positive motivation where brothers, mother, and friends share “cake time.” A must read; highly recommended!

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Lovely War by Julie Berry

Lovely War by Julie Berry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this latest Julie Berry book and oh was the narration terrific (also great writing!!!) by : Jayne Entwistle, Allan Corduner, & afterward by Julie Berry! I love Julie Berry and she really did an awesome job on the research in this book! Using the Greeks Gods Aphrodite, Ares, Hephaestus, and Apollo---Aphrodite is taken to court by her husband, Hephaestus for dallying with Ares. She tells the story of Hazel and James and also a little later, Aubry Edwards and Colette during World War 1 and how they meet and navigate love during a time of war. I LOVED this book and Julie Berry's research and facts were so important; especially about the black soldiers, racism, women---it was very enlightening to me and oh so sad.

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They Call Me Guero: A Border Kid's Poems by David Bowles

They Call Me Güero: A Border Kid's Poems by David Bowles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this Belpre Author Honor Book as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge and this slim yet important novel in verse about a border kid, twelve-year-old, nicknamed Guero, who lives his life on both sides of the river; has 3 best friends called Bobby, a wonderful family, and he loves to write poetry! Eye opening, funny, and blending the culture of Mexico, kids will enjoy his life, poems, and language!

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Front Desk by Kelly Yang

Front Desk by Kelly Yang
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this APALA Award Winner as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge. A great book but very disturbing as middle schooler Mia Tang migrates to America with her father and mother and the trials of managing the Calavista Motel for a racist, mean, underhanded Mr. Yao. Mia is kind, supportive, and having a difficult time at the motel and at school. But she uses her mind to always come up with a better plan while helping others and calling out those who make trouble or are dishonest toward others. Mia works really hard to become a better person and writer; she does not let the teacher's red pen stop her from writing; she picks up the dictionary and thesaurus and betters herself and her writing. What I really liked was the Author Note at the end and much of what she writes in this book, she lived.

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Sisters of Summer's End (Summer Resort #2) by Lori Foster

Sisters of Summer's End by Lori Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance (U.S. & Canada) and HQN for the advance reader copy, Sisters of Summer’s End by favorite romance author, Lori Foster, in exchange for an honest review. This second book in the series, Summer Resort #2 was awesome! The friendship between single mom, Joy and Maris, owner extraordinaire of Summer’s End was special, exciting, and humorous (when others eavesdropped). Both women are in their early thirties and because of life’s demands, they have kept to themselves (in love and with Joy, in life). Joy is the recreational director at the resort, has a six-year-old son, Jack, who loves anything to do with art. It is when Royce becomes the new owner of the drive-in that sparks begin to fly (although really stoked by Maris) between Joy and Royce. Maris has kept her job as her main obsession; turning away handyman, Daron at every opportunity. As the women’s friendship deepens; they rely on each other and help each other through many situations. I love Lori Foster romance books; her characters are real with problems and insecurities and I just love getting to know them and rooting for a happy ending. Also, I love in this series the puppy, Chaos; Jack and Royce are adorable when they are around this little fluff ball! What I always enjoy are the many friends that become like “family” and the good feelings Foster’s books generate. Highly recommended for the romance, chemistry, and sexual energy provided.

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Picture Us In The Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert

Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this Stonewall Honor Award (first & most enduring award for GLBT books is the Stonewall Book Awards, sponsored by the American Library Association's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table) as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge. I read and loved Kelly Loy Gilbert's first book, Conviction, and like her debut---this 2nd book deals with many issues and themes that still continue to fill my brain. As the narrator, Danny Cheng is flawed, insecure, and a child/teen with VERY secretive parents. The reader knows how much they love their only son, but how they show it...Danny is a gifted artist and I loved the way the author let us see Danny's world and his introspections through his mind's eye. I liked the way the book was set up, I don't want to give away anything but I rooted for Danny as he got a scholarship to RISD, ached for him as he struggled personally and with his art. But through all this drama, Danny has friends like Harry and Regina (though there are tense times, they remain true to one another) and also Danny himself as he tries to figure out just what is going on with his parents and his life after high school. I also liked the Asian American teens, their families, and high school life--totally mesmerizing, yet authentic, and true. There were so many quotes in this book I could not stop putting in the little post-its to mark them. Now I need to put them all in Goodreads quotes- if they are not already in there- so memorable about Danny, loved ones, his art, his friends. This book MUST be read--teens, guidance counselors, parents will all come away with enduring feelings about family, friendship, suicide, adoption, and diversity!

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My Brother's Husband, Volume 2 (My Brother's Husband Omnibus, #2) by Tagame Gengoroh

My Brother's Husband, Volume 2 by Gengoroh Tagame
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this award winner (Great Graphic Novels) as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge and oh did I love this 2nd book in the series! Tagame's illustrations of all three individuals (Kana, Yaichi & Mike) were done in B&W pencil and so realistic--Kana is a smart, sweet girl who loves Mike with all her heart and helps to change her father's (Yaichi) thoughts on being gay as she whole heartedly loves her Uncle Mike. I also liked Kana's mom, she was a truly remarkable, even character and it was interesting to see her dynamic with her ex. This is manga and high school students will learn much as they find not all cultures are accepting of "differences" in others. A must read!

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Animal Zombies!: And Other Bloodsucking Beasts, Creepy Creatures, and Real-Life Monsters by Chana Stiefel

Animal Zombies!: And Other Bloodsucking Beasts, Creepy Creatures, and Real-Life Monsters by Chana Stiefel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh boy, I read this book as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge and I both loved and was grossed out by all the animal zombies---never knew about any of this!!! The photographs were authentic and awful (haha) beautiful in their horror. I never knew about any of this zombie cycle and was transfixed by Chana Stiefel's perfect fact bubbles and asking the reader if the animal/insect was the hero/villain? Filled with tons of facts kids will be poring over this National Geographic treasure and sharing with family and friends!

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