Life in the Balance by Jen Petro-Roy

Life in the Balance by Jen Petro-Roy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this awesome book for my 2nd #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge, Direction in the Title. Veronica is the only child of lawyer mom and home salesman dad. She loves softball; her mom and grandmother were stand out softball players and her ability is obvious. Looking forward to an All Star Team tryout; life crashes and burns when her mom reveals she will be going to rehab for alcoholism for 2 months. This changes so much for Veronica and as she decides how to tell her best friend, Claudia about her mom, Claudia has challenges too; her parents are separating. So Veronica does not tell tell Claudia and as time goes on she confides in another friend. Her dad tells her they may not be able to afford the fees for the All Star team, devastating Veronica. I loved Veronica's voice; her anger; her fears, and her vulnerability (that she hides from all). Middle grade readers will identify with the life choices, school drama and family dynamics, Petro-Roy so convincingly portrays in the characters of Veronica, Claudia, Libby, her mom, her dad and scary Coach Ortiz as they navigate the good times and the "new" times in this realistic story of family, addiction, and the many changes and struggles in the life of this young teen. Highly recommended!

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The Sisters of Glass Ferry by Kim Michele Richardson

The Sisters of Glass Ferry by Kim Michele Richardson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Narrated by Marguerite Gavin, this was a hard hitting historical fiction novel juggling between the time periods 1952 and 1972 as sister's Patsy and Flannery set the stage for what happened prom night to Patsy and the 2 Butler Brothers, Hollis and Danny. Kentucky in the 50s was whiskey and HoneyBee and devoutly religious mother. But the twins once so close and best friends are now fighting, angry with Patsy keeping secrets. The plot was suspenseful, sinister, and psychologically damaging for Flannery and her mother. Marguerite Gavin was a good narrator but mispronounced many words, but her voices and inflections were pure Kentucky. I ached for the deceit, lies, and sexism that existed for the sisters but Flannery is able to rise above the abuse and become stronger as a result.

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The Hedgehog of Oz by Cory Leonardo

The Hedgehog of Oz by Cory Leonardo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this animal main character for the #BitAboutBooks Winter reading Challenge and LOVED the animals and their adventures as try to help each other find home. Marcel is the sweetest main character; as a hedgehog he has fears but he is a leader as he watches over his friends (hens) Aunt Hen and Uncle Henrietta scavenge for food in his beloved Emerald City Theatre. When his world is crashed; men chasing them and Marcel loosing his friends and being spirited away in a truck, all Marcel wants to do is go home. The reader learns he had a wonderful owner, Dorothy, who took him to the movies and took the best care of him, until a boy comes around and Marcel thinks he has been forgotten. I loved Leonardo's worldbuilding--thrill tingling adventure abounds in the movie theatre and the woods, as Marcel makes friends with Oma the moth, Scamp the tiny but heroic mouse, crusty older Ingot the squirrel, and mighty baby raccoon, Tuffy. Middle grade readers will love these animals/pets and their friendships, loyalty, and courage as they search for "home" family and friends. A must read!

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My Life in the Fish Tank by Barbara Dee

My Life in the Fish Tank by Barbara Dee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of the 2nd #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge, Book by Same Author. Zinny is a happy 12 yr old with a large family and friends and a love of science. Life suddenly stops and takes an abnormal turn when her beloved oldest brother, Gabriel, has a car accident and is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, while a freshman in college. Trying to grasp what is happening, their devastated parents tell Zinny, Scarlet, and Aiden to keep Gabriel's condition private without really explaining what that means. As her concerned friends try to comfort her, Zinny will not tell them anything about Gabriel, staying true to her parents wishes. Zinny begins going to her science teacher's classroom at lunch because she loves science and wants to dodge her friends' judgments. What I liked about this book is that Dee explores all the aspects of family dynamics, mental illness, Zinny's confusion, parent and teacher concern in a way that feels vital to the characters and the larger story. The closure of the story was positive and I was so happy with Zinny's journey. This was a stunning and inspiring novel, students will be sharing and talking about this book! Highly recommended!

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Many Points of Me by Caroline Gertler

Many Points of Me by Caroline Gertler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this Author Debut Book as part of my 2nd #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge for 10 points and I ached for Georgia as she grieved the death of her "famous" artist Dad from cancer a year ago. Georgia's life has been defined by her artist father and art history mother and she has loved every moment. She has been best friends with Theo since their birth and they sit around all the time working on their art. Theo is the son of single mom, Harriet, who is best friends with Georgia's mom. Theo has a graphic novel that features him and Georgia as avengers of good against the evils of the world. But with the death of her father, Georgia is feelings things she has never felt before; jealousy of Theo, anger at her dead father and living mother, and the urge to stop her artistic endeavors because art is just not working for her anymore. When she finds a portfolio of her father's pictures of her, Georgia takes his last drawing of her at age 10, and does not tell anyone about it. She becomes consumed with trying to solve a mystery; but with no one to talk to, she feels even more alone and questions everything in her life. As Georgia begins to lie more and more, things unwind, and she is threatened with so many questions and feelings--will she be able to right her wrongs? I loved this debut novel, the characterization, the plot and oh what I learned and loved about all the art techniques and colors was just awesome. A must read!

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Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee

Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of my 2nd challenge (I did the first challenge in January and loved it so I made a new challenge for February) for #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge 15 points for Book by the Same Author. This is my first Barbara Dee book and it was gut wrenching and such a needed book for middle schoolers but also parents, administrators, guidance counselors, and teachers. Mila begins 7th grade as a happy girl with a group of friends but being raised by a mom and sister and dog. Money is tight but life is good. When boys from the basketball team begin to ask for hugs, touch her sweater and say things that make Mila uncomfortable, a fall out begins. Her friends Omi and Zara don't understand, Max urges her to go to her guidance counselor or the assistant principle. Mila's female guidance counselor is on maternity leave and she is left to speak to Mr. Dolan who does not understand/help at all. Mila's conflicting feelings she keeps to herself but the reader sees her inner devastation questioning why this is happening. Without revealing all that happens in this MUST READ book, Mila hits rock bottom, is devastated by friends, teachers, and others reactions to her many ways she reaches out and draws back with all that happens. I rooted for Mila to grasp her inner strength and rise above the torment she is going through. Barbara Dee's characters are authentic - Zara is a prickly, jealous friend while Omi is not into conflict at all, Max begins to pull away from Mila when she does not take his suggestions, her mom is dealing with her own life problems and when she loses her job, Mila pulls back. The plot is riveting and will have all middle schoolers sharing this and talking about this book!

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A Court of Silver Flames (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #4) by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this journey of Cassian and Nesta; it was fraught with drama, secrets, lies, omissions, and the many stops and starts along the way for these two main characters. Nesta is a thorny protagonist; at the beginning of the book she is drowning herself in men, alcohol and seedy bars. She lives sparsely in a seedy room and has made enemies of all who reach out to help her with her anger and vitriole. She is forced to confront her awful life (but she is still very very angry) When Feyre and Rhys capture her and make her a prisoner in a house that listens to her (I loved this house!!!) brings her books, lights fires, makes tea etc! There is also the plot line of Nesta becoming a fierce warrior and helping other women (who become her friends and accept her for who she is) become warriors too with Cassian as the trainer and later adding Az. There is also the plot that villains from other courts are conspiring to overthrow Rhy and Feyre. I loved the slow burn of this book, read all 700+ pages in 2 days because I did not want to put it down. Another great Maas book!

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Beetle & the Hollowbones by Aliza Layne

Beetle & the Hollowbones by Aliza Layne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great graphic novel; appealing to children, middle grade and YA! Beetle is best friends with a ghost imprisoned at a mall. She lives with her grandmother who practices goblin magic and is her home school teacher, kind, honest, motherly and nice. When an old childhood friend, Kat, returns to Hollowbones, she is now an apprentice to her scary aunt. As Kat and Beetle rekindle their friendship, forces are at work to tear down the mall where her ghost friend is and create havoc with the old friends. This graphic novel has it all witches, magic, horror, ghosts, zombies, in a colorful backdrop with suspense, humor and friendship. Highly recommended, all readers will enjoy this graphic novel!

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No Holding Back (McKenzies of Ridge Trail #1) by Lori Foster

No Holding Back by Lori Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am so excited about this new series from Lori Foster and can't wait to read the next book in the series as well! Cade is a bar owner by night and in a family business that hunts down traffickers and helps the women and child they free. Sterling is a regular patron at Cade's bar and literally catches up on her sleep after her trucking deliveries. But she is not who she seems either and that has Cade on high alert. As their attraction heightens, they form a bond and begin to work together. There was mystery, adventure, romance galore in this book and I loved Cade's family and the journey of Cade and Star. Another great romantic series by Lori Foster!

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Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce

Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read and loved this illuminating book as part of my Albright College Zoom book discussion. The connecting stories of Margery Benson and Enid Pretty together searching for a gold beetle across the world in New Caledonia (outside Australia) during the aftermath of the war in the 1950s was a journey for both women, utterly opposite in every way. Yet both women change and grow as they travel, run away from their secrets in London, and strike out to prove they can find/make a new life on an expedition. Rachel Joyce's well developed characterization of the many women in this book is authentic and suspenseful as women who have predetermined roles and those who strike out and create new roles. Also important is the author interview of Margery and Enid at the end of the book and Joyce's acknowledgments. A must read that will warm your heart at the enduring love that friendship garners.

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The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by Katie Schorr, this historical fiction book details the life of Cussy Mary Carter (also known as Bluet) who is a librarian under the Roosevelt Pack Horse Librarian Project. Cussy Mary lost her mother, lives with her coal miner father who has the lung disease all miners succumb to, and loves her job of bringing books to the Kentucky hill folk on an ornery mule, Junior. Cussy Mary is also part of a very small clan of REAL people whose skin is blue and she endures just as much racism and discrimination as other people of color. Richardson's book is depressing so much of the time--the people are starving, lead a hard scrabble life, and many do not look upon the books as wonderful but a plot of the government against people. Cussy Mary is able to convert so many of her patrons to readers by reading to them, teaching them the alphabet and bringing perfect books to/for her readers. The research in this book is meticulous, true to the time of the 1930s and the life of the many people in Troublesome Creek. Highly recommended!

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Chef Yasmina and the Potato Panic by Wauter Mannaert

Chef Yasmina and the Potato Panic by Wauter Mannaert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this funny, whimsical graphic novel for my 2nd #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge read a 100-200 page book for 10 pts. Middle grade readers will love the drawings, the vegetable uproar as Yasmina discovers a potato product is making anyone who eats it crazy, and act like a dog. Once her Dad is affected Yasmina is on the hunt for the bad guys. Funny and serious, readers will enjoy Yasmina's inventiveness, her push to get at the truth, and her espionage efforts. Highly recommended!

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The Jury Master (David Sloane, #1) by Robert Dugoni

The Jury Master by Robert Dugoni
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 1st book in the David Sloane series, but I have to admit, I read all the books OUT of ORDER in this series but I loved every single one. This book begins the David Sloane series; he is a lawyer who wins every trial. But it also shows his backstory which is a stunner in addition to sociopath killers, political machinations, a suicide, and a 30 year old secret that was thought buried. How Dugoni weaves this heart stopping story had me turning the pages; reading it in a day (because I did not want to put it down!) and thoroughly enjoying the depth of characters in David Sloane, his secretary, Tina, Charles Jenkins and Detective Tom Molia. A must read; I urge everyone to read ALL Dugoni books; they are addicting!

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The Last Agent (Charles Jenkins, #2) by Robert Dugoni

The Last Agent by Robert Dugoni
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 2nd in the Charles Jenkins series; the plot never stopped---full forward with suspense and thrill! Also included is the espionage aspect and Charles Jenkins' rescue of Paulina, an agent who helped him in the first book in his search for the 7 Sisters. I loved seeing agent Federov return, and his help with Paulina and Jenkins. Readers of Dugoni, mysteries, espionage stories will LOVE this book! Highly recommended!

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Legendborn (Legendborn, #1) by Tracy Deonn

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this awesome debut as part of my 2nd #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge since it is a Book with a one word title and equals 10 points. There was so so so much to like about this book--the depth of the characters, the suspenseful plot, and the worldbuilding. Once I finished this thriller, I was so excited to see there is a 2nd book so a series it will be. I happen to LOVE series and this is one that I will be biting my nails about until the 2nd book comes out!!! Bree and her best friend, Alice have plans to attend her mother's alma mater in a special program (which her mother does not want). Her mother is angry with Bree's decision and then she dies in a hit and run. Bree and her father are devastated, grief makes her into angry Bree with walls she shuts off and only shares with the reader. Imagine her surprise when she sees magic being used which leads to the most awesome, suspenseful story combining magic, fantasy, elements of the Knights of the Round Table, Root Magic, Legendborns and Onceborns and all kinds of horrid creatures like attacking hellhounds. Bree's journey was deep; she was definitely traumatized by her mother's death, going to this school has her looking into her heritage while dealing with racism, bullies, and keeping too many secrets. I LOVED Bree; she is tough, doesn't back down, and runs fast forward into trouble or answers she desperately needs. As she navigates college life, pledging a secret society and growing ever closer to Nick, she also sees a therapist to deal with her grief. I loved this book's diversity, the different friendships, and LGBTQ relationships. I though everything was authentic, researched and spun in such a way that I wanted to learn so much more! Highly recommended, can't wait for the 2nd book!!!

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The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez

The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez by Adrianna Cuevas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for my 2nd challenge of the #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge, Name in the Title for 20 points and there is so much GREATNESS in this book! Nestor is in middle school, he constantly moves around because his father is deployed (now in Afghanistan), he doesn't stay long enough to make friends, he can talk to animals (yes and they talk to him) and now living in New Haven, Texas (where his Dad grew up) with his Abuela and nurse Mom, Nestor's constant grief and fear for his Dad and missing him compounds his unease with what is going on in the neighborhood. This time, Nestor has two friends he really enjoys, Maria Carmen, and Talib, and together they investigate missing animals, a creature that terrorizes the woods as either a spider, snake or wolverine. How will Nestor and company solve the mystery and save the missing animals? It is a race against time and readers will not be able to put this book down! There is excitement, suspense, friendship and folklore that lure you in and what a wild ride, highly recommended!

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Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca

Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read and loved this book as part of my 2nd #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge a book published in 2021 worth 15 points. Just as I loved her debut, Midsummer's Mayhem, I could not put down this affecting, touching novel in verse (which I totally loved) about Reha, a young Indian American girl who was born and raised in America but by Indian parents who migrated to the United States and married. Reha loves her life with her mother and father but feels so constrained by their expectations which are opposite what her daily American life is in school. This book deftly portrays the double world Reha lives in; I enjoyed learning about the Indian mythology especially Savitri, Amma's letter writing known as Aerogramme, and the Indian foods and culture. Especially noteworthy is Reha's friendship with her Indian friends on the weekends, and the support from the kids at school like Pete, Penelope, and Rachel when Amma is sick. This is a book that all must read--there is much to be learned about Reha's life that AA readers can and will identify with, learn from, and understand about family struggles such as illness, expectations, and differences. Highly recommended!

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The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue

The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely Narrated by: Emma Lowe; this audiobook was very interesting due to its similarities to the covid epidemic going on now. Taking place in 1918 in a suffocating small room of a hospital in Dublin, Ireland, Nurse Julia Power is dealing with WWI and the flu or grippe as it is known in Ireland. Assigned to labor and delivery, this room becomes at risk labor and delivery because the women have the flu in varying stages. I loved Lowe's voice as the rules bound but empathetic Julia as she journeys through three days in the room with the help of a volunteer Bridie Sweeney and a Dr. Linn, embattled by her past as a rebel. What transpires is three women who change each other in so many ways as they try to save lives and deliver babies as nuns judge and ridicule their patients, as Julia learns slowly about Bridie's awful life with the nuns as an orphan, and the constant spectre of Julia's brother traumatized so much by the war, he is mute. I loved this devastating book, Donoghue was excellent in her characterization, plot, and setting---all were pitch perfect! A must read/listen, readers will be filled with horror, hope and despair as three women's lives intersect during a pandemic that parallels our current Covid fears and frustrations.

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Ways To Make "Sunshine" by Renee Watson

Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Ryan Hart, her grit, her happiness, her drama, and her cooking. Ryan is a 6th grader with good friends, and a brother she constantly fights with. When her father loses his job at the post office, Ryan faces challenges and ways to make "sunshine" out of the new drama in her life and school. I liked her relationship with her parents and the way she and her friends figure things out. Middle grade readers will enjoy this first in the series with family, friendship and school dynamics!

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Funeral for a Friend by Brian Freeman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book, Jonathan Stride, Serena and Cat held me spellbound, turning the pages, and finished in one day! Freeman's plot was suspenseful, with many overlapping stories of deathbed confession, a stalker, an unsolved murder, and a rape. I loved the rich characters, the villains, the creeps and the investigations of Serena and Maggie. I hope this is not the final Jonathan Stride book; he has become a favorite investigator of mine! Highly recommended!!!

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The Conviction (David Sloane, #5) by Robert Dugoni

The Conviction by Robert Dugoni
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love the David Sloane series and this book kept me riveted and so scared for Jake and TJ. Dugoni sets the stage perfectly with Jake's anger issues from his mother's death and trauma from seeing her murdered. Also he is a teenager who has been drinking and doing drugs while back with his real Dad. When Jake arrives for the summer, his attitude is awful toward everyone and Sloane despairs about the summer. A chance talk with his detective friend, Tom Molia has Sloane planning a hiking and fishing trip with their sons. Despite his misgivings and warnings about Jake, they set off for Truluck, CA. What happens after is from a horror show as TJ and Jake are arrested and prosecuted without a lawyer while their fathers sleep. Worse still, the boys are sentenced to a juvenile detention camp. What happens to these boys and their fathers as they try to reunite had me turning the pages late into the night, another spine tingling thriller from the master of suspense!

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The Brightest Night (Origin, #3) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Brightest Night by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have read and LOVED all of Jennifer L. Armentrout's books but this book so disappointed me because of the ENDING!!! I was hoping this would be the end of the Origin series but obviously there will be a book 4 but as a reader I want the author to know there is a better way to end books and this book was clearly so so so disappointing! There was lots of romance drama where Evie and Luc are safely living at a settlement. Having seen what she has done, many of the inhabitants are against Evie staying with them. There is not much outside action like all the other Origin books (and all the other Armentrout series) just building more on the Nadia/Evie history and Luc and other character backstories. I missed the action but being a faithful reader I hoped this book would be like all her other awesome books; there were many great characters, but the plot was stalled, stilted, and moved forward much too slowly. And the ending was just such a letdown, there was no redemption just utter horror (who ends a book with horror?) and no complete closure and not even an exciting end but a dreaded end! So I am begging the author to please make me want to continue to read this series, to be invested in the good that is Evie and Luc, Daemon and Kat, Grayson and not the utter helplessness of them all while Daedalus wreaks horror and havoc and ruination. We have enough of that in our world today with Covid and readers deserve redemption at the end of a book. And that title, The Brightest Night would seem to be that something positive was going to come out at the end of the book, it was definitely nota bright night but a BLEAK night for all!

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