Heartstopper: Volume Four (Heartstopper #4) by Alice Oseman

Heartstopper: Volume Four by Alice Oseman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this series so much and Nick and and Charlie so much too! This 4th graphic novel delved into Charlie's issues of anorexia, insecurity, body image, and depression. Nick is so supportive and reaching out to his mom about his concern for Charlie, she helps him be supportive of Charlie. I can't wait for Vol. 5! This series is a must read!

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Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman

Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Akemi Dawn Bowman's main character Rumi Seto struggles with grief after her sister dies and her mom sends her to live with Aunt in Hawaii. Grief manifests itself in many many ways and with Rumi she is angry, combative, mean (she is like this normallytoo) unlike her sweet sister Lea. In Hawaii, challenged by why her mother sent her away to suffer her sister's loss alone, Rumi meets an irascible next door neighbor and a teen her age, Kai (Half Korean/Half Japanese) and begins her journey to finish the last song she and Lea were composing. I ached for Rumi's loss, her sorrow over how she treated her sister in life and how she wished she died rather than Lea. But I rooted for her and so will the reader as she "tries" music (words and instruments), makes friends, questions her personality as well as her "romantic" feelings.

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The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great book; I could not stop turning the pages as I hung on every word about Alice and her mother's flights, the hazy grandmother who writes scary fairy tales about The Hinterland, and Alice's search accompanied by Ellery Finch. Alice is strong, conflicted about so much because she and her mother have always been on the run. So what is a girl to do when her mom disappears? Find her of course!!! And oh does Alice have scary adventures as she and Finch try to track down her mother while avoiding many nefarious people/creatures! I am definitely going to read the 2nd in the series!

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Becoming by Michelle Obama

Becoming by Michelle Obama
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A beautiful book and narration by Michelle Obama. This was supposed to be our book club's March selection for the Free Library of Springfield but since the library has been closed for the quarantine there will be no discussion of this memoir that has so many topics, issues and themes.

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It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time by Kylie Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this romance between Adele and Peter. Switching back and forth in time, Adele has always been best friends with Pete (also in love with him too) who works in construction with her father (eventually become partners)but only visits summers because she lives with her mom (divorce). Adele waits until she is 18 years old to reveal that she loves Pete and that is a huge mistake. What happens is that Pete won't forgive her, Adele does not return for seven years and it is her father's marriage to Shanti that brings her back to Pete. I rooted for Adele and Pete, but Pete has issues and it takes alot to become friendly with him, having best friends talks again in the short time Adele has before she goes back home. A great cover and a burning romance!

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Missing Mike by Shari Green

Missing Mike by Shari Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for the #MGBookChat this Monday 3/23/20 at 9PM EST to discuss novels in verse for middle grades, come join us! This is my first Shari Green (@sharigreen) novel and I just loved it! I will be reading and reviewing her other two before the twitter chat, I can't wait! Missing Mike had all the elements I love in a book; a pet, Mike the dog, and what a personality, loved by his human, Cara, who has a larger than life personality, is devoted to Mike, and facing loss with a wildfire that has consumed her family's home and in the process of evacuating, losing Mike. There are so many wonderful quotes I gleaned from this drama- how Cara, family and friends pull together to help each other, all while dealing with overwhelming feelings of loss. A must read for all!

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From Twinkle With Love by Sandhya Menon

From Twinkle, with Love by Sandhya Menon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love this Sandhya Menon book about a shy teen who doesn't really stand up for herself, loves to film, and laments the loss of her best friend, Maddy. When Twinkle is approached by Sahil Roy to direct a school project, she jumps at the chance to direct but also sees a way to date her crush, Neil who happens to be Sahil's twin. I loved every word in this romance, Twinkle's slow fall for Sahil, the high school infighting, and Sahil's total belief in Twinkle and the growth of her voice.

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Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card by Sara Saedi

Americanized: Rebel Without a Green Card by Sara Saedi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved Sara Saedi's memoir of her teen years as an undocumented immigrant in the U.S. Teens will enjoy her humor, her family observations, her cultural references but be saddened by the fear she suffers on being deported if anyone finds out she is not a citizen of the United States.

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Heart of Iron (heart of Iron #1) by Ashley Poston

Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this scifi adventure which was such a wild ride, and dealt with such themes as family, journeys, friendship, romance, and choices. Ana is a fiesty heroine who wants to save her "metal" friend D09 and in the process stumbles into the world of the Ironbloods (evil mother, evil brother, Erik and very conflicted Robbert) which will turn Ana's world upside down. What I loved most about this book was the conviction which propelled so many of the characters (Capt Seige, D09, Jax, Robb, Ana) although I was not really happy with some of Ana's decisions bc of the way Di and others are impacted. Poston's writing, worldbuilding, characters kept me turning the pages, rooting for Ana and friends, and hopeful aboutthe second book, which I am going to get right away!!!

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Anger Is a Gift by Mark Oshiro

Anger Is a Gift by Mark Oshiro
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this debut book since I had seen this title on many lists and recommendations from bloggers, like Pernille Ripp. This is an urban fiction book with many diverse characters; I thought of the many diverse students in my high school and was reminded of many students and their friendships, circles, and culture. I rooted for Moss, he suffers from panic attacks and a sense of foreboding and negativity due to seeing his father shot as a youngster. His friends were all supportive of Moss as he was of them and I was so happy and surprised by his mother's unwavering love and support. The police situation and the school's attitude were unnerving and I questioned the awfulness but so much coverage in the news makes it a sickening reality and ripped from the headlines news coverage. Especially important to read is Moss's mom and her advice about Anger- "Anger is a gift. Remember that.You gotta grasp on to it, hold it tight and use it as ammunition. You use that anger ti get things done instead of just stewing in it. Trust me, y'all."

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Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh was this book just so beautiful, cute and a must read. I have seen it on so many lists, recommendations, and now that I have read it, I understand why. Jessica Love's picture book is just perfect for diverse authenticity, the message of self acceptance by Julian's grandmother, Abuela, is perfect! I recommend all children, adults, school teachers, counselors will thoroughly enjoy this gorgeously illustrated book about wonder, family and community!

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The Colors of the Rain by R.L. Toalson

The Colors of the Rain by R.L. Toalson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to #jennlagarde for this stunner, compelling novel in verse on her Instagram Eight Amazeballs Novels in Verse recommendations!!! I could not put this book down; Paulie lives during 1972 as a 5th grader in Houston. His father, whom Paulie loved so much was killed and the details the adults tell him are very murky...his mom can't deal so he and his sister, Charlie, go to live with his aunt who is a school principal and has many secrets, too. I loved how art inspires Paulie, helps him deal, but so also do his grandparents, his aunt, his sister and his art teacher, Mr. Langley. It is the revelation of family secrets that help Paulie deal and become the kid his father and family would be proud of.

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A Girl Called Echo (Red River Resistance Vol. 2) by Katherena Vermette, Scott B. Henderson, and Donovan Yaciuk

Pemmican Wars by Katherena Vermette
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to #jennlagarde for her recommendation of A Girl Called Echo graphic novel series (2 are out now) which she gave 5/5 AMAZEballs and I totally agree with her review!!! A must read for everyone!!! Echo is a Metis and we learn about the history of the people, families and resistances. The illustrations by Scott Henderson are awesome!!!

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The Belles (Book 1 The Belles) by Dhonielle Clayton

The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Maureen Wehmeier for her great review on this book! I really enjoyed the premise of this book, the Belles and what they stand for and most of all Camellia's personality as she struggles and grows in her world as a Belle and then as a Favorite. Oh I did not like the Belles and what they were supposed to be honored to do to their clients! I did not trust anyone in Orleans and their lives were sick, full of wanting to be something they were not, but also so much vanity, bullying, vindictiveness and fawning over the wrong people. This fantasy sucked me in, can't wait for the second book and fingers crossed for Camellia and her sisters and I hope the princess gets all that is coming to her!

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A Date With Darcy (Bookish Boyfriends #1) by Tiffany Schmidt

A Date with Darcy by Tiffany Schmidt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this first in the Bookish Boyfriends series! I love retellings and this book with cheesy, funny book nerd Merilee, her sister, Rory and best friend, Eliza had me turning those pages, laughing, smiling and rooting for Meri's perfect boyfriend. I always enjoy Tiffany Schmist books and this did not disappoint; looking forward to the next book in the series!

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Little White Lies (Debutantes Book 1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Jennifer Lynn Barnes mysteries and I can't wait for the 2nd book!!! Sawyer Taft is a tough, independent protagonist who lives with her mom when her estranged grandmother arrives at her door and offers ALOT of money to go through the debutante season and college. As she navigates this new world of dresses, make-up and awful rites that go along with becoming a deb! Will she find out who her father is? Will she LOVE or HATE this new world and what about friends- will she LOVE or HATE them? I could not stop turning the pages as Sawyer and the other debs (cousins and friends) try to solve mysteries and keep secrets, I rooted for Sawyer and her mind (what a scheming mind she has) and heart!

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The Tatooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Lale and his deep abiding love for Gita during the horrors of WWII in the concentration camps of Auschwitz and Birkenau. As prisoner, Lale promises himself to survive the horrors of the camps, the inhumanity of the soldiers, doctors, and leaders horrifies and scares Lale but does not stop him from helping his fellow prisoners. As the tattooist, Lale gets more food and hides his trades for food, jewels, etc in order to help his fellow prisoners. I could not stop turning the pages as the disgust and sadness I fought against as I read each atrocity kept me awake at night. Author Morris passes on the information Lale provided to her after Gita dies. This was a saga of enduring abiding love during a horrible time when you did not know if you would survive from day to day, of man's inhumanity to man---but Lale summoned courage and helped others and fought for Gita's life. The times Lale and Gita could meet, their love was deep and consumed with survival. I especially liked the information Heather Morris provides at the end about their life after genocide, an afterword by their son Gary was especially poignant. Highly recommended.

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All the Stars Denied by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

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

I could not wait to read this stunner after I finished the tough read, Shame the Stars, by G.G. McCall. This historical read covers the horrendous repatriation of US citizens from the US. Estrella is a Mexican American teen is living in Texas during the Great Depression on her family farm but during a time when many whites want the Mexican Americans out- despite their citizenship-- the awfulness of their treatment as they are burned out of their home, the reader learns of how dark this time of history was in its treatment of Mexican Americans, how evil was the intent, treatment, and injustice to citizens and classes of people trying to make a living while living in their home, the United States. A must read for students to learn about a dark part of our history.

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Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech

Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was such a good book, kids and middle grade students will empathize with Louie--missing his brother in the army, afraid for ailing Winslow, trying his hardest to please family and friends while finding himself. Once again, I am impressed by Sharon Creech, her writing, her love of pets, and her way with words. She weaves a mesmerizing story of a lonely boy who finds meaning when he saves and takes care of a very sick donkey. My granddaughters loved this book.

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The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan

The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this APALA Honor Award Winner as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge and oh was this an aching read but oh so very necessary as magical realism permeates to help teen Leigh (Asian/White heritage) deal with the suicide of her depressed mom. Leigh "sees" her mother become a bird that leads Leigh on a life changing journey to find her mother and in this search, she learns about her history, heritage, and how grief helps her comes to term with who she and wants to be. I had a really great review---BUT my computer seized and I lost it!!!
So short and sweet--the compelling, strong character of Leigh and her love of art power this tale of heartbreak and finding heritage, history and love in her search for answers. I could not put this book down; I rooted for Leigh and best friend Axel (best friend and lover of art and music). The trip to Taiwan opens Leigh to discovering her parents' past, meeting her grandparents, and forging a future without her mother. A powerful, astonishing journey; a must read!

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