Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I was a HS librarian, I loved Gabrielle Zevins books and this adult/new adult book was awesome. Sadie meets Sam in a hospital as a teen, and they bond over video games as he recuperates after being hit by a car. This story follows them throughout their life as they graduate from high school and college and enter the world of business- which to them is a partnership in creating video games. But their friendship is fraught with things that are never said - and this kind of bothered me. But their story kept me turning the pages and it will keep you too. You do not have to be a gamer to enjoy this book---it is life and all the drama that comes with friendship, being partners in business, families, and things that are never said.

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Singing with Elephants by Margarita Engle

Singing with Elephants by Margarita Engle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this middle grade novel in verse, a young Cuban Oriol, loves to write and tend to the animals in her parents' clinic. When an older woman moves in, Oriol confides in her- her wants, her fears, her words that do not come to her mouth or pen and paper. When something happens to a baby elephant, Orion tries to find her voice, along with her friends and family, to save this elephant. A must read; the relationship between family and friends (animals and humans) and elephant communication is a happy moment many times over in this sweet, happy story. A must read!!!

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In the Beautiful Country by Jane Kuo

In the Beautiful Country by Jane Kuo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great debut novel! The author uses her experiences coming to America to craft a story about Anna and her parents as they leave Taiwan for California. Her father thought he had a partner in a Dino's store selling ribs and burgers but his "friend" ditched him. Anna struggles in school where she is bullied and made fun of - never telling her parents because they are dealing with bullies too in their store- breaking windows, messing up their tables, spilling ketchup & salt on the floor. Referring to America as the beautiful country, Anna and her parents find it anything but! Struggling this family decides to leave but that will prove difficult trying to sell a store that does not make a profit. This is a must read about the perseverance of an immigrant family who experiences racism often but through a few friends, church and the will to succeed slowly but surely they craft a life---will they stay or will they leave? You must dear this book to find out! Highly recommended!!! And there is a sequel, I will definitely be reading it too!!!

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The Getaway by Lamar Giles

The Getaway by Lamar Giles
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love Lamar Giles, but sadly I do not enjoy horror stories---that is why it is a 4 & not a 5, I had to put this audiobook down alot due to the horror aspects, treatment of the workers, and the evil of those in power. The Karloff Country is a made-up world where Jay and his family work, there is a hierarchy but Jay and his friends like their jobs until chaos begins to happen and one of their friends and family disappears overnight. The mystery begins and continues throughout the story as the reader gets to know the characters, Karloff Country & its investors, and visitors. I did not like the treatment of the characters at all. Jay tried to be the voice of reason, until he wasn't. A great story but horror makes me very uncomfortable & this was very violent.Narrated by: Karl T. Wright, Imani Parks, P.J. Ochlan

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Garvey in the Dark by Nikki Grimes

Garvey in the Dark by Nikki Grimes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this middle grade novel in verse from Garvey's viewpoint as COVID 19 hits California, the schools close down, his mom is a teacher (teaching from home) & his dad installs WIFI so he is an essential worker leaving their home each day. Garvey's voice, his friends and family are all so important to this timeline as the pandemic begins. The reader is once again gifted with Nikki Grimes beautiful novel in verse seeing the world gripped, viewing the events that happened (George Floyd & Breanna Taylor killings) while lockdown happens, school is online, quarantine for his father, & how it affects Garvey, his friends & his sister. A must read, highly recommended.

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As Bright As Heaven by Susan Meissner

As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Narrated by: Cassandra Morris, Tavia Gilbert, Jorjeana Marie, Abigail Revasch, this historical fiction novel takes place in Philadelphia 1918 as the Great War rages but Spanish flu pandemic also adds to the deaths. A family moves from Quakertown PA to take over the uncle's funeral parlor and reeling from the death of their 6 month old, the Bright family tries to adjust to this new life/new home as the flu hits. I loved the Bright girls and the way they matured in the story, growing stronger in their beliefs, love life and the family undertaking business. This is one of the Albright College Book Club read recommended by Deb Tarrant! I loved this story!

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Four Eyes by Rex Vogle and illustrated by Dave Valeza

Four Eyes: A Graphic Novel by Rex Ogle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 2nd graphic novel from Rex Ogle about his middle grade year of needing glasses & hating the whole experience!!! His mother is divorced & works at a minimum wage job waitressing while his stepdad stutters and also makes minimum wage. In school his best friend dumps him and helps the school bully pick on Rex. When he needs glasses, his family can't pay for the GREAT looking ones he wants & he is picked on because of the cheap glasses. Rex really has a tough time & becomes friendly with a kid at lunch and as 6th grade progresses, Rex experiences lots of highs and lows. I highly recommend this graphic novel!!!

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Play Like a Girl by Misty Wilson

Play Like a Girl by Misty Wilson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Misty's 7th grade, being the only girl on the football team was so good! She loses her best friend who has changed, is a hit on the football team except for one nasty guy, and has the full support of her stepdad in all things having to do with the football team. I was glad to see Misty was able to have other girls from the cheer squad be her friends. The peer pressure was tough for Misty but she knew who she was (even when she tried to impress her friend who ditches her for a mean girl). A great middle grade graphic novel!

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Twin Cities by Jos Pimienta

Twin Cities by José Pimienta
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Twins, Fernando & Teresa live in Mexicali, Mexico but in the fall they will be going to different schools for the first time ever with Teresa crossing the border to a private school. There is the normal brother and sister drama but it reaches a hostile roar---will Fer & Teresa ever be close again? I learned alot about the different sides of the border and I loved the illustrations!

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Sooley by John Grisham

Sooley by John Grisham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Dean Looney for this awesome read! I loved the character of Sooley, a teen from war-torn Sudan and the plot contains some Philadelphia mentions (Jay Wright, Villanova Basketball) and reading this 2021 book in which South Sudan is in a war ---and also now in 2023 South Africa is suffering from tribal wars. I have read/known as a high school librarian refugees like Sooley and it is so painful to read/see how these shell shocked "boys" experience war, murder of family members, isolation and a new world to become used to in the United States. Grisham had me turning the pages as I fell in love with his best friend (in North Carolina) as he becomes Sooley's friend, roommate, then manager. The reader will root for Sooley, he is a great main character! I loved all the basketball games, players and challenges Sooley faces.

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Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is our Albright College Zoom Book Club read for April and oh did I love this audiobook version, Narrated by: Lynnette R. Freeman, Simone Mcintyre!!! There was so much I loved about this book---family problems, secrets causing mysteries, and the different settings with the beauty, culture, food and angst.

Many thanks to Casey Ciocca for lending me this book! It is also going to be our Albright College Zoom Book Club for April. This debut is a must read! The book starts with a huge mystery that is uncovered very slowly, rocking Bennie & Byron's world and everything they knew and believed. This book awesomely covers many years, many different characters, and many different plots yet Wilkerson weaves them seamlessly. The mysteries and betrayals as they are uncovered are mind altering---what will happen to Benny & Byron plus all the other characters that will be affected by the truth----too long in coming. Will Byron & Benny survive the audiotape their mother dictated before her death. A must read!

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Bloodmarked (Legendborn, #2) by Tracy Deonn

Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Such a great 2nd book in the Legendborn series! Bree is stressed to the max as she tries to rescue Nick, deal with Sel's changes, and fight the powers to be that want to keep secret the demon war. I could not put this book down, did not like the ending...so I NEED the 3rd book for the many questions I have--- for the many answers!!!! I hate Erebus and everyone in the Order as they seek to diminish Bree and her claim as Arthur's descendant with many powers- Medium, Bloodcrafter and Scion---but these powers do not always help her. I want Bree and her friends to be victorious in Book 3!

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