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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A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti

A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this award winner (Best Fiction for YA, Printz Honor) as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge. Also special thanks to my reading buddy, Kellyanne Burbage, for her awesome mention that I may have recommended this book (sorry I did not, but happy your tweet prompted me to read this stunner!!!) I loved this book for so many reasons and all of them are not good---this book will tear apart your heart with Annabelle's grief and suffering as she runs from (herself and what happened) Seattle, WA to Washington, D.C. trying to make sense out of her broken heart (and previous self) and honor those impacted by dating violence. The cover of this book was perfect to---you must see it, read it and you will know what I am talking about. Annabelle's sorrow, anger, and grief propel her to run (away from something or toward something?) and as she runs she tells us her story and you reader, will be gripped and outraged as you enter Annabelle's world because what she tells us is being experienced throughout the world; it is a serious problem and affect way too many of us. This is a must read for all---YA and adults! Highly recommended!

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Silver Spoon 2 by Hiromu Arakawa

銀の匙 Silver Spoon 2 [Gin no Saji Silver Spoon 2] by Hiromu Arakawa
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge, award winner of great graphic novels and what a great series! Yugo Hachiken is easing into his first year, making friends and learning a lot about cows, horses, and much more at Oezo Agricultural High School! He finds an old oven and together with everyone, students, teachers and more they all collaborate to help Hachiken make pizza. Then when students go on break, Hachiken does not intend to go home and ends of staying at his classmates' farm and helping out. There was much to laugh about and learn about the farm families and Hachiken is changing and growing as a result.

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Royal City Vol. 3: We All Float On by Jeff Lemire

Royal City, Vol. 3: We All Float on by Jeff Lemire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Using a surprise member of the family and magical realism, Jeff Lemire sympathetically works with all the characters in the Pike family to lay beare answers and reasons to persevere as each sorts through life and how Tommy's death affects each of them many years later. An ending that is both honest, bittersweet; once again I am in awe of Lemire's graphic novels and his view of cities, families, and dead-ends.

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Royal City, Vol. 2: Sonic Youth by Jeff Lemire

Royal City, Vol. 2: Sonic Youth by Jeff Lemire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read the 2nd volume of Royal City as part of the Great Graphic Novels Awards in the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge and this book shows what life is like for the Pike family as it leads up to Tommy Pike's final days. The sad, dead-end part of the town has infiltrated this dysfunctional family - mother, father and the kids. I loved Lemire's detailed, authentic illustrations as a teen goes through life normally but then headaches start, pain pills are thrown down with alcohol and you see the picture. I ached for this family, the loneliness and alienation are pervasive and awful. Can't wait to read Vo. 3!

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Silver Spoon (Book 1) by Hiromu Arakawa

銀の匙 Silver Spoon 1 [Gin no Saji Silver Spoon 1] by Hiromu Arakawa
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this award winning Great Graphic Novels book as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge. I liked the urban teen, Yuugo Hachiken, who chooses to go to the country and attend an agricultural high school.

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(Don't) Call me Crazy: 33 Voices Start the Conversation About Mental Health Edited by Kelly Jensen

(Don't) Call Me Crazy by Kelly Jensen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this collection of short stories which is a Schneider Honor Award Winner for the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge. What gripping, heartfelt stories from authors and others about dealing with mental illness. I could not stop reading and learned so many different aspects of individuals dealing with the many different kinds of mental illness, how it affects them, others close to them, diagnosis and handling the daily aspects of medicine, doctors, therapists, life, and also how the writer(s) of the stories are coping. Of course, being a retired librarian, I read all the author first (Shaun D. Hutchinson, S.E. Smith, Heidi Heiling, Libba Bray, Emery Lord, Victoria Schwab, Meredith Russo, Kelly Jensen and Adam Silvera) A must read for teens, and adults!

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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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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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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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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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Crush (Awkward #3) by Svetlana Chmakova

Crush by Svetlana Chmakova
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this graphic novel (award winner of Top 10 Amelia Bloomer and Great Graphic Novels) as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge. Such a great middle school graphic novel from awesome Svetlana Chmakova in the 3rd book of the Awkward series. Jorge is a big, nice kid who will not hurt anyone but stands up for those who are being bullied and oh yeah, he really likes Jazmine but doesn't really know how to talk to her. There is conflict, friendship and bullies---you will root for Jorge and Jazmine and the others in their middle school!

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On A Sunbeam by Tillie Walden

On A Sunbeam: A Webcomic by Tillie Walden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this webcomic (Amelia Bloomer Top 10, Great Graphic Novels) as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge. Telling a story of past and present---Mia is in the present working on a dig in outer space and as she becomes friendly with the crew she tells them of her past- falling in love in boarding school with Grace and then losing her. She asks her family/crew to help her find Grace in the outer reaches of space known as the Staircase. You will love the cast and crew and root for them. Wonderfully illustrated, beautifully told by Tillie Walden, teens will love this space opera.

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The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees by Dan Brown

The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees by Don Brown
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this Great Graphic Novel Award Winner and Nonfiction Award Winner as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge. Brown's illustrations and accompanying words/stories of the Syrian Refugees was horror filled with immigrants suffering death, beatings, and racism as they flee because of the reign of terror of the Syrian President, Bashar Al-Assad. Neighboring countries extend aid but it becomes too much for many and they stop allowing the refugees to enter and extend them aid. A must read as this crisis continues to unfold.

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Home After Dark by David Small

Home After Dark by David Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this Alex Award winner as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge and since David Small is one of my favorite authors I totally loved this graphic novel including issues of divorce, abuse, bullying, abandonment and adolescence as teen Russell struggles to adapt when his parents divorce and his father takes him across the US, then stops coming home one day. In addition- Russell has a tough time with friends- early friend, Warren pays Russell to lay with him effectively making sure he stays away from Warren. He becomes friends with bullies, Kurt and Chris, and his life continues to plummet. I ached for Russell---Small's illustrations are masterful, chaotic and sorrowful. A must read!

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Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson

Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just as I loved the book; so did I love this graphic novel---Emily Carroll's illustrations were perfect; her artwork nailed Melinda's thoughts, anxieties, and silence. I read this graphic novel for the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge because it won 3 awards (Amelia Bloomer Top Ten, Great Graphic Novels & Quick Picks)---a must read!

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