Rent a Boyfriend by Gloria Chao

Rent a Boyfriend by Gloria Chao
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed Chloe and Drew's fake relationship as she brings him home for the holidays. The reader can understand why this happens; Chloe's parents' expectations are ludicrous! No wonder she can't be herself. The inner conflicts of Chloe and Drew are totally understandable and I rooted for them. Recommended!

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The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat & illustrations by Joanna Cacao

The Tryout: A Graphic Novel by Christina Soontornvat
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this because it was a Nerdie Award Winner for 2022 and it was such a great middle school graphic novel with awesome illustrations by Joanna Cacao! Based on Christina's life (she is Asian American) like her best friend Megan, life gets chaotic when they decide to tryout for the cheerleading team in 7th grade. There are those friends who are supportive and other students with their racist remarks. Readers will love the fierce inner musings of Christina as she questions everything while falling in love with cheerleading, making new friends, and chasing dreams. Highly receommended!!!

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When We Were Infinite by Kelly Loy Gilbert

When We Were Infinite by Kelly Loy Gilbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love all Kelly Loy Gilbert books because of what timely issues and themes they deal with, but this book was really tough to read... Beth as the protagonist goes through so much--her parents' divorce, her circle of friends that she loves so much that she really does not show them who she really is---she shows them what she thinks they want to see, and when an act of violence on her love interest Jason devastates her; the whole story shifts as Beth and her friends try to support Jason. I hated how all that happens to Beth changes her and molds her into another person (not one I really liked but can understand this was how she coped)who must mold herself into someone everyone will love and accept and the author shows how these teens really have no way of dealing with what happened to Jason and Jason makes it even more difficult by asking them to go back tot he way they were before. Beth's treatment of her mother was awful, mean and secretive while she loved her father--who was the one who left, stops coming to see her, and does not support her. As she and Jason begin to see each other it quickly becomes awkward with Beth telling herself she must accept everything and take it in stride. This book broke my heart but the friendships these teens have is so special and supportive. The author deals with many topics teen readers will want to read about - abuse, secrets, high school, the college aspect, divorce, lies, music, self destruction, suicide, dysfunctional families, racism, and authentic Asian American teen characters. A must read but it will be a tough read.

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