Unbecoming by Jenny Downham

Unbecoming by Jenny Downham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this Stonewall Award winner book as part of the 2017 Hub Challenge and oh did I love reading about this family - 3 women a grandmother, mother & daughter (Katie) come together when Katie's grandmother turns up (suffering with dementia) after her long time boyfriend dies suddenly. I could not put this book down as the reader follows Katie as she discovers & loves this grandmother she never knew, traverses the rough high school climate of mean girls (when she kisses her best friend) and deals with her special needs brother as her angry mother tries to find housing for the mother she holds so much against. I have read & loved all the other 2 Jenny Downham books and this book was gripping, fascinating, and painful (but hopeful &redemptive) as Katie's journey takes her back thru her grandmother's life & also her mother's. Katie is a strong narrator who compelled me to turn the pages with her insights, her fancies, and her honesty. Downham's portrayal of dementia was insightful as well as the double edged sword of rule following (by both Beth and Katie's mom, and Katie herself). LOVED this book.

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Prez, Vol. 1: Corndog-in-Chief by Mark Russell, Ben Caldwell & DOMO Stanton

Prez, Vol. 1: Corndog-in-Chief by Mark Russell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this great graphic novel as part of The Hub 2017 Reading Challenge and loved the crazy illustrations as improbably a girl becomes President and deals with the political machinations as her detractors wear pop culture heads of smiles, Scooby Do, pigs and she loses her Dad to the dreaded cat flu which the whole US is dealing with (companies are holding her hostage with the vaccination). In this future America, Twitter and other apps rule, crooked corporations & politicians only care about themselves but are destroying the world, but Prez Beth Ross is a believable heroine, can't wait to read more of these graphic novels!

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Dream On, Amber by Emma Shevah

Dream On, Amber by Emma Shevah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of the 2017 Hub Challenge and winner of the Odyssey Award. I loved Amber's voice, her illustrations- she was a great kid who missed & felt keenly growing up without a father. Amber is starting middle school and the first week is awful with little sister, Bella being bullied, sending letters to their dad who does not live with them anymore, no friends and a bully who wants to throw her into a trash can at school. I loved Amber's phobia about germs, dirt, cat litter! She can't confide her sadness, fears, and angst to anyone- so she creates a dad by drawing him, then telling him all her cares, hopes, dreams. Amber is the kind of heroine middle school kids will love- she is humorous, a great sister, and awesome at drawing! A totally enjoyable emotional read!

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The Good Braider by Terry Farish

The Good Braider by Terry Farish
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I re-read this popular paperback as part of the 2017 Hub Challenge & loved it even more that when I read it in 2013!!! Viola's harrowing journey with her family from the war torn country of Sudan to Portland, Maine. Before laving Juba, Viola is raped by a soldier; her self worth and her bride price are stripped. Farish does a superb job painting the fear, anguish and despair of Viola and those in her community in fear for their lives while trying to flee a country gripped in civil war. Once Viola, her mother and little brother escape, Juba, they begin a long perilous journey to Khartoum. Once Viola arrives in Portland, Maine settling into a community of African immigrants, attending school and working a job there is the clash of the new American culture and preserving the Sudanese culture. This novel in verse achieves the beauty of Viola's new American world and harsh reminders of the brutal civil war, Viola's voice is strong, happy, conflicted, scared, and hopeful. I loved the braiding title, which symbolized Viola's African world of beauty and how once in the US, she does not braid anymore and will not have her own hair braided. It is through her friends and family from the Sudan as well as her American friends that Viola finds her place in her new world of Portland, Maine. This is a must read for young adults; they will learn about the genocide the Sudanese suffered through, they will appreciate the customs and community that are so important to Viola. What is even more important for teens is to see the world through Viola's eyes and the positive and negative impact of American culture on immigrant communities. Powerful, this book is beautiful!

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Mighty Jack by Ben Hatke

Mighty Jack by Ben Hatke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love Mighty Jack a graphic novel with a swashbuckling take on a classic fairy tale- I read this as part of the 2017 HUB Reading Challenge. I loved Ben Hatke's vibrant illustrations, 3 main characters - Jack, Maddie & Lilly. I loved Jack's & Lilly's fearlessness even when they are afraid- loved the sword fights & Maddie's belief in the garden. Lots of fun, I already have #2 on my TBR shelf!!!

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Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston

Ahsoka by E.K. Johnston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this awesome audiobook as part of the 2017 Hub Challenge & the narration by Ashley Eckstein was tremendous- she nailed Ahsoka's many chracter traits, used the right inflections, voices & character personalities to portray the Ahsoka before and after the Jedi wars. Uoltimately triumphant, I loved this audiobook and highly recommend it!

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Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet, Book 1 by Ta Nehisi Coates

Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet, Book 1 by Ta-Nehisi Coates
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I read this as part of the 2017 HUB Challenge & graphic novel winner. There was really no story other than Wakanda is in trouble because it's leader will not adapt and it goes over and over and over this again and again. The illustrations by Brian Stelfreeze were good but the story needed a lot more in terms of a workable story, characters including a bad ruler, his sister who has been taken from his side and brutalized as part of punishing him and his mother won't listen to his sister, keeps deciding on the side of RULES and that doesn't work. So I am not a fan of this graphic novel, sorry.

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Plutona by Jeff Lemire, Emi Lenox, Jordie Bellaire

Plutona #1 by Jeff Lemire
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read this graphic novel as part of the 2017 HUB Reading Challenge & graphic novel winner. I loved the art work by Emi Lenox but the story of teens finding a superhero dead in the woods and undecided on what to do about it - did not bring out the best in this group. Mei has a younger brother and is selfish (to her bestie), mean (to her brother), and drops everything for a loser guy. Loser guy, Ray, comes from a broken home with alcoholic dad but Ray is not nice to anyone, especially Teddy and Diane. Teddy is into superheroes (capespotting) and is involved in a club that tracks superhero sightings. As they walk home from school they discover Superhero Plutona (supposedly dead) in the forest. As they wrestle with how to handle the situation (they do not agree at all) the reader also sees Plutona the Superhero balance her day job as Mom working double shifts. What will these kids do to help Plutona and each other?

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Orange: The Complete Collection, Vol.1 by Ichigo Takano

Orange: The Complete Collection, Vol. 1 by Ichigo Takano
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this as part of the 2017 HUB Reading Challenge and this award winning graphic novel which is really manga was so enjoyable to read but I still don't have the answers after Volume which consists of teens, specifically one girl, at first, who gets a letter from her future self telling her to change the way she is doing things/handling things with a new student, Kakeru. Ten years from now, Kakeru is no longer around and through a series of letters from someone in the future Naho and then everyone in their group is receiving these letters. I liked the premise, the teen insecurity, the friendships & relationships. I also loved the art, it told so much in black & white about these kids, their wants, desires & innermost fears. I will definitely be reading Volume 2 because I need answers!!!.

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March: Book Three by John Lewis

March: Book Three by John Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this graphic novel as part of the 2107 Hub Challenge, and like his other graphic novels- John Lewis puts into words & illustrations his role in the 1960's history in America, in the forefront of the fight for civil rights, the right to vote, leading nonviolent marches, this series provides a compelling palette for teens (I think all adults need to read this stunning book/series) of the trials, deaths, and attacks blacks were made to suffer over and over again in their fight for the right to vote, sit on the bus, use the same facilities in the South where many (even in the White House) were content (eager) to do whatever needed to be done to keep this from happening. I loved Nate Powell's illustrations, so true, so compelling, so relatable to teens.

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Gemina (Book 2 The Illuminae Files) by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Gemina by Amie Kaufman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, did I LOVE this 2nd audiobook in the series I listened to for the 2017 Hub Book Challenge. The narrartion was out of this world by Carla Corvo , Steve West , P.J. Ochlan, full cast (I wish I knew all their names, they were fantastic) and had me on edge as I worked out listening to Hanna and Nik try to out maneuver the BeiTech assault teams. Just as Illuminae was full of action, fighting, conniving, so were Hanna, Nik and his cousin Elana being overly sleep deprived- forced to try to match their wits against alien predators and the enemy. Will they be able to do what Kady Grant and Ezra Mason did in Book 1? You bet! Hang onto your seat because you are in for a wild ride!

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Giant Days Vol 2 by John Allison

Giant Days, Vol. 2 by John Allison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this 2nd volume of Giant Days for The Hub Reading Challenge & April topic of college & career for chat with #yearofya on April 26 at 8pm. In this continuation, I really enjoy the friendship of Esther, Susan and Daisy as they traverse the angst of college, boys, and themselves. The 2 guys, Ed and Susan's beau, are getting a lot more page time and I love this series!

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When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore

When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book s part of The 2017 Hub Reading Challenge receiving The Stonewall & Rainbow Awards. This book was lush, full of confusion, lies, secrets and the drama of families. I loved Miel, the girl who fell out of the water tower after her mother tried to cure her of the roses growing out of her wrists. Even more, I loved the story of Samir, the boy (the only person) who helps her throughout her life; is her best friend and her love. But life is not easy for these 2 as the author weaves mysticism, Pakistani and Latina beliefs, fairytales integral with their daily lives. Also Sam has protecting his mom and also hiding a big secret Sam (born Samira) protecting his mom in the practice of bacha posh - binding his breasts, wearing large pants, not taking gym, and deepening his voice. None of this matters to Miel, best friend in love with Sam. As the Bonner sisters (EVIL, EVIL, EVIL) bully their way into Miel's secrets, her fears, her love for Sam I was truly afraid. I rooted for Sam and his mom, Sam and Miel and lastly Miel and her sister. The character development was epic but I did have a heard time following some of the aspects of the character's lives but I could not put the book down, I just could not stop reading about Miel and Sam! I loved the moons, the pumpkins, the roses- and the many other symbols that pulsed with questions was just fantastic.

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Kill the Boy Band by Goldy Moldavsky

Kill the Boy Band by Goldy Moldavsky
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I listened to this book as part of the 2017 HUB Reading Challenge for awesome audiobooks. Barrett Wilbert Weed did a spectacular job of narrating all the girls voices, the guys in the band and all of the British accents were perfect. But that is all I can say- performance great but I HATED the story! The main character, Lydia is an unreliable narrator - she kept saying she was going to the police about band boy, Rupert P being tied up in the chair in their room - but she never does and her reasoning was just so awful- meant to be funny but just weak excuses to me. All of her friends were not really her friends and as they get deeper and deeper into the Rupert P mishap, things just keep getting more and more ridiculous. So I was not a fan of these fan girls, not a fan of the story but I did like the narrator's performance.

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Anna and the Swallow Man by Gavriel Savit

Anna and the Swallow Man by Gavriel Savit
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this audiobook as part of the 2017 HUB Challenge and oh did this audiobook narrated by Allan Corduner deserve the Odyssey Award and kudos to debut author, Gavriel Savit; I look forward to reading more from him. It is 1939 and Anna is just 7 yrs old when her Polish father is taken away, never to return. Anna meets the Swallow Man who is a master manipulator, commands a knowledge of many languages and together they teach each other how to survive in a world gone beserk. OMG I loved Allan Corduner's narration, his voices, his hypnotic voice, his chilling voice, his Anna and his Swallow Man. A must read; a different kind of Holocaust book but gut wrenching all the same about a horrific period of time.

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Traffick by Ellen Hopkins

Traffick by Ellen Hopkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this Hub Challenge Top 10 Amazing Audiobook!!! Awesomely narrated by: Julia Whelan , Madeleine Maby , Rebekkah Ross , Kirby Heyborne , Jacques Roy their many voices were heartbreaking, gut wrenching and ultimately hopeful about young adults who become prey to drugs, alcohol, prostitution, violence and the fallout to themselves and their families. No one but Ellen Hopkins can write these novels in verse as authentically and gripping. Teens will gobble up both the book & I highly recommend this audiobook, I could not stop listening. It was great to listen to my favorites Julia Whelan and Kirby Heyborne and be introduced to new narrators, too! Highly recommended!

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The Beast by Brie Spangler

Beast by Brie Spangler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG what a book! I could not stop listening to Andrew Eiden as he narrated flawlessly the voice of Dylan called Beast by everyone because of his size and friend to one jerk, JP who makes him beat up kids to collect money owed him. Andrew Eiden's rendition of Jamie, the girl Dylan meets & falls for in group. What he doesn't know (because he tuned out) is that Janie is transgender & when he finds out, he deals with it all wrong. I ached for Dylan, his life, his yearning to get signs from his dead father, and his lack of faith in his mother. I rooted for Dylan & Jamie to triumph over themselves, other's judgments, and grow to appreciate the very horribleness of the world. A must read & recommended for all libraries!

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2017 Hub Challenge

I am participating in the 2017 Hub Challenge - here is the link below and the post with rules, book lists, etc. http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/2017/02/04/announcing-2017-hub-reading-challenge/ Announcing the 2017 Hub Reading Challenge! Published February 4, 2017 It’s time to kickoff the 2017 Hub reading challenge! This challenge is intended to encourage librarians, library workers, and YA lit enthusiasts to dive into the award winner and honor books and YALSA selected lists with the hope of providing excellent readers’ advisory and even discovering a new favorite title or exploring a genre outside of your comfort zone. Eligible books are the YA titles that were named winners or honor titles the following award and selected lists: Alex Award Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Margaret A. Edwards Award Michael L. Printz Award Odyssey Award William C. Morris Award Top Ten Amazing Audiobooks Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults Top Ten Great Graphic Novels Top Ten Popular Paperbacks Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers Schneider Family Book Award Stonewall Book Award Top Ten of The YA Rainbow List (okay, we added a couple of YA titles that didn’t make the top ten, just to give more options) The Amelia Bloomer Project Top Ten List Pura Belpré Coretta Scott King Awards How to Participate The goal is to read any 25 books of the titles from the above lists and awards—find the list of titles here and here in a sortable spreadsheet! Let us know you’re participating by commenting on this post below. If you’re going to be tracking what you read/listen to on your blog or on Goodreads, LibraryThing, YouTube or some other site, include a link to your blog/shelf/channel/profile in your comment. If you’re not tracking your reading online, keep a list some other way. Make it a social experience! Share your challenge progress and get to know other participants by using the hashtag #hubchallenge on Twitter and Instagram. Once a month, we’ll publish a check-in post. Leave a comment to talk about what you’re reading for the challenge. If you’ve reviewed those titles somewhere online, include links to those reviews! Otherwise, let us know what you thought of the books in the comments. There will be an finisher form embedded in each check-in post, so once you’re done with the challenge, fill out the form with your name and contact information.