The Brothers Hawthorne (The In heritance Games, #4) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this 4th in the series about the brothers! There was drama, humor, so much angst, but time and time again, the brothers always relied on what they learned from their grandfather and how it brought them thru life time and time again. I enjoyed the 4 boys get togethers to be there for each other. I am SO looking forward to a 5th book!!!

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The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just as I loved A Gentleman From Moscow (read & listened to it 4x) The Lincoln Highway was such a great read---brothers Emmett and Billy were great characters and I loved how the author used Woolley & Duchess as foils to the plans the brothers have to get out of town and travel The Lincoln Highway. Spread out over 10 days, with a book about heroes being read by Billy to himself and others, so much happens and many secondary characters (Ulysses, Sally, Sarah) come in and out of Emmett and Billy's lives over those 10 days and impact these brothers as well. Taking Place in the 1950s, there are many famous places on the postcards Billy has, Woolley and Duchess have their agendas and places and people to see and the many wonderful stories from Billy's hero book weave a road trip this reader will never forget! Highly recommended!

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Havoc (Hellbound Brotherhood, #5) by Shannon McKenna

Havoc by Shannon McKenna
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read and loved all 5 books in the Hellbound Brotherhood series and highly recommend this author for romance, mystery, suspense and thrillers. This book revolves around Mace Trask who has a background in survivalism, a company that mirrored that, and brothers and a friend who were in a cult that was taken over by an evil Redd Kimball who has killed many of their friends and family with a virus and now he wants to go global with his deadly intentions. As Mace plots to kill Kimball he sees a woman who is walking around their blown up mountain, Gods Acre--could she be one of Kimball's spies? Cait LaMott lost her father 14 years ago when he vanished and it has taken this long to get his things--journal, coordinates etc and maybe answers to what happened to him. Once Mace and Cait clear the air they broach an idea with family and forge a relationship to end Kimball. But is it that easy? The brothers and their friends have been tricked by Redd Kimball before and serious damage has been done to both sides, hopefully Mace's background will end this, but what about Mace and Cait? I loved their relationship, their chemistry, and their back stories; highly recommended!

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Heedless (The Hellbound Brotherhood Book #4) by Shannon McKenna

Heedless by Shannon McKenna
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this 4th book in the Hellbound Brotherhood series with Nate Murphy, security expert realizing in Book 3 that Elisa Rinaldi the manager is on the run from something. Loved the mystery and romance in this book as Nate finally breaks down Elisa's walls by continually caring. I can't wait to find out what KImball is after in the 5th book due out summer 2021!

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Swamp Thing: Twin Branches by Maggie Stiefvator and illustrated by Morgan Beem

Swamp Thing: Twin Branches by Maggie Stiefvater
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Maggie Stiefvater along with brilliant illustrator, Morgan Beem has crafted a gripping graphic novel about opposite twin brothers visiting down south before college. I particularly liked shy but steady Walker who loves plants and has ideas for experimenting. It has all the feels, magical realism, mystery, creepy woods, and complex. I am hoping the brothers' adventures will be continued in a 2nd book!

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When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson & Omar Mohamed

When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Victoria Jamieson in collaboration with Somali refugee, Omar Mohamed, hits it out of the park with this graphic novel depicting Omar and his brother, Hassan's life in a refugee camp. The reader feels their boredom, anger, frustration, hope, and community as they live each day in a camp with thousands of others. Omar is a true caregiver to his brother yet he is able to attend school, look for his mother, and work to leave the camp for a better life. All students MUST read this book; highly recommended!

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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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Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai

Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to #BookJunkies and Henry Holt and Company for the advance reader copy of Pie in the Sky by debut author, Remy Lai, in exchange for an honest review. What a delicious middle-grade book from debut author, Remy Lai. Using a funny yet poignant plot, glorious illustrations, and two main characters (brothers- Jingwen and Yanghao) you will never forget, Remy weaves a moving yet humorous (thanks to little brother, Yanghao) story of immigrating to a new country, the uncertainties of being the new student faced with a language barrier, and trying valiantly to make pies in order to “fix” things and make everything better. Bickering brothers constantly calling each other “boogers” are alone after school and into the night as their mom works in a bakery. Older brother, Jingwen, has a harder time grasping the English language, but he also fights committing himself to learning English, and once he hears classmates calling him “slow,” Jingwen isolates himself even more with his nose in a book inside school. But Jingwen and Yanghao have plans to make all the cakes their father was going to make in his bakery, Pie in the Sky, even though their mother has refused to let them use the oven and made them promise. Younger brother, Yanghao, is funny, but he is also positive, loves life, and has a better, quicker command of English than Jingwen, and he has made friends in school. As the two brothers bake the special cakes, Jingwen reveals their father died before they immigrated (it was on Sundays with his father that they baked the cakes); they have relatives and friends from back home, and the constant lies and omissions to their mother is wearing on Jingwen. As he sinks into despair (Jigwen blames himself for his father’s death), he also refuses to see/listen to his little brother about situations the language barrier is creating, further causing Jingwen to make rules they must adhere to each time they bake another special cake. I ached for Jingwen and rooted for his happiness becoming a good missing his father whenever he is happy. I loved the ending as the dread Jingwen feels, lifts, and becomes a happy, positive motivation where brothers, mother, and friends share “cake time.” A must read; highly recommended!

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Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to Markus Zusak narrate Bridge of Clay; it was a wonderfully sad story of 5 boys who lost their beloved mother, Penny and also their father (they refer to him as The Murderer) who abandons them. Because the story bounces back and forth between past and present often, it was sometimes disconcerting to listen to; I liked Zusak's narration but I think I might have gotten more out of it by reading the book. It is up to their brother, Clay, to go help their father build a bridge; he is the only one their mother told ALL the history and stories to before she died. It is also Clay who is best friends and later more with Carrie Novack, a jockey. I enjoyed all the animals, the references to the Iliad and the Odyssey; recalled Zusak's earlier books (Fighting Ruben Wolfe and Getting the Girl) about boxing brothers and loved Zusak's beauty and sadness in this story of family, the plot and the very human characters.

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Smoke in the Sun (Flame in the Mist #2) by Renee Ahdieh

Smoke in the Sun by Renee Ahdieh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this awesome 2nd audiobook (excellently narrated by Nancy Wu) in the duology series Flame in the Mist for my empowering female twitter chat with #yearofya to be held on 9/6 at 8PM EST, please join us as we talk titles that feature females in the lead, girls supporting each other or overcoming the many challenges young women face and oh was this audiobook perfect with Hattori Mariko the strong female but also with lesser female characters who behind the scenes are intelligent, aware, and forthright in their agendas. Mariko is such a strong female character (within and to all who know her) and she also emboldens other females in the court and the Black Clan to be true to themselves and care for others. There is so much violence in this story, especially Emperor Roko's torture of prisoners that I gave this a horror classification as well. I loved the romance between Mariko and Okami and with Okami's reticence, Mariko stood firm, resolute, and almost embarrassed Okami to the become leader everyone saw. Thankfully when he finally escapes his torturous prison and finds gifts and letters hidden in his destroyed parents' home for his eyes only, Okami realizes what his true mission is and becomes the perfect strong leader needed in a time of battles and betrayals in court and the kingdoms bringing change to a feudal Japan wracked by evil within. Loved this book, could not stop listening!!!


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Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers by Deborah Heiligman

Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers by Deborah Heiligman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this excellent nonfiction book about the Van Gogh Brothers as part of the 2018 HUB Challenge and I really enjoyed the narration by Phil Fox- he was able to reach the many highs and lows in Vincent and Theo's letters to each other throughout their lives, as a reader I was mesmerized by these two brothers, their life, their selfless love for each other, yet, they also were not perfect, frustrated by each other, yet there was a fervent caring for each other that was very special. I also liked the journey of Vincent's art, the beauty of his calling as an artists and his deeply profound wish to have the world see and understand his art. Such a wonderful book; a must read for all!

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House Arrest by K.A. Holt

House Arrest by K.A. Holt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh do I love K.A. Holt's novels in verse- they stop my heart with Timothy's house arrest, problems with hit little brother, his mother who won't accept help (so Timothy won't accept help either), and a father who fled because he couldn't handle the medical burden of his baby son. Once Timothy makes a very well intentioned but BAD attempt at theft to help pay for his brother's medicine- he must see a parole officer and therapist and journal for the year about his feelings and oh did I ache for him. This was a tough book to read but so relatable to what kids endure, their feeling of being alone, with no help, and not being able to do anything about it. I really love Jose's family, thank God for them. Holt's ability to use verse to tell this story was just so real, I could not put it down, everyone needs to read this book! Adults, kids, teens, teachers, health providers- a must read!

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Slider by Pete Hautman

Slider by Pete Hautman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Candlewick Press for the ARC, Slider by Pete Hautman. Pete Hautman has done it again with middle school novel guys will love, but also a great story ALL can relate to! David is an 8th grader who has two best friends and avidly follows food eating contests and those who compete. When he gets in trouble bidding on the internet using his mother’s credit card, David enters the Pigorino Pizza Eating contest hoping to win 1st prize. There were so many things I liked about this story; an extremely likable protagonist, good friends, and David’s comedy as he prepares to win the contest. Readers will laugh out loud at some of the planning he goes through; eating heads of cabbage! and guess where he gets this information? on the internet, ha-ha. But David’s relationship with his younger brother, Mal, is what really spoke to me. David loves Mal even though Mal can only say “Okay”, eats Cheerios one at a time, cannot look you in the eye, and walks around the block picking up “items” for his WALL. But things look up when David borrows his friends’ sunglasses. Mal’s world and David’s enlarges as Mal is involved in David’s daily prep for the eating contest. Will David win the contest? How will Mal be changed? Humor and heart are used to explore family, friendship, and brothers. Empathy, love and respect are developed for those who are different. David finds out many things about himself, his family and his friends and what really matters. I would love to see a sequel to this book about Mal and David. Hautman’s book stole my heart and it will steal your heart too! A highly recommended middle school read!

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Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

Commonwealth by Ann Patchett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you so much to Mimi Denman for such a great recommendation! This book which I listened to was narrated awesomely by Hope Davis. Her voices, inflections, and personalities for all the family members in this dysfunctional family created from a chance meeting at a baptism was such a great read. I laughed and mourned the destruction Bert Cousins foists on the Keating family by stealing beautiful mom, Beverly. What results is a beautifully crafted story spanning decades of the blended parents and children - their bonds, happiness, sadness, existence and a new definition for family ties.

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As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds

As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love all of Jason Reynolds books, his urban fiction is real, authentic and a must for teen readers. But this book is NOT urban fiction and just as awesome as his other titles- boy does he know how to write!!! Brothers Genie and Ernie are taken to their grandparents home in Virginia for a month while their parents work to keep their marriage together. Genie always writes down any questions he has and if he can't get an answer from the mouths of family and friends, he goes on to the internet for his answers. Both are from Brooklyn and going from the city to country is a rude awakening; as they settle in Genie weaves a story about their adventure (and worry-filled) filled life with their grandparents. Quickly Genie learns his grandfather is blind, hasn't left his house in years, and has recruited Genie for some secret night travels. While Ernie is totally cool with his signature shades & love of karate and beating up on Genie when he is annoying; things transpire like a girlfriend for Ernie, Tess and on his birthday a surprise gift from his grandfather. I loved Genie, Ernie, Tess, Grandma and Grandpa, parents and learning about their family secrets, loves and losses. Middle school and teens will love this book about brothers, family, loss, grief, and finding one's voice.

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Getting the Girl by Markus Zusak

Getting the Girl by Markus Zusak
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In re-reading this book for the 2014 Hub Challenge, I wanted Cameron to succeed, I wanted him to get the girl, and Zusak does a great job of showing Cameron's insecurities, his depth of character, and how getting the girl changes his relationship with Ruben. Even though he doesn't have her for long, and Ruben beats him up, it is his sister who helps Cameron find himself through poems and observations. Cameron is a strong protagonist who finds his place in his family and in the world with his questions and pining about relationships with girls. Cameron gets my vote any day as the Wolfe brother who matters.

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Fighting Ruben Wolf by Markus Zusak

Fighting Ruben Wolfe by Markus Zusak
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As a new high school librarian in 2003, this was one of my favorite and first books to read. This book started me as a Markus Zusak fan. In re-reading it again for the 2014 Hub Challenge, this book of two Australian brothers who fight to make money to help out their father with his finances is still a winner of family dysfunction, sibling rivalry, and the tough life of the Wolfe brothers. Ruben is a natural at fighting, wins all the girls, and has no fear. Cameron, the younger brother, is sensitive, not really great at fighting and has many fears. My students loved this book; the readers, the reluctant readers, and the urban fiction readers (and reading teachers) all liked this book.

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White Cat (Curse Workers #1) by Holly Black

White Cat by Holly Black
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Since I really enjoyed the Tithe Series, I knew I was going to love this first book in the Curse Workers series! Cassel "lives" with his two brothers, Phillip (who is married with a baby) and Barron (who attends Princeton) while his mother is in jail. We find out Cassel Sharpe's family are curse workers, but Cassel is not a worker at all. But Cassel apparently killed his friend, Lila; but he doesn't remember anything but standing over Lila and lots of blood. Their mother is in jail for conning a millionaire and Barron is trying to get her out. While she is in jail, Cassel attends a prep school and tries to be normal but he is a bookie and enjoys some small fame. Until he sleep walks and wakes ups on a roof at school and can't get off. Cassel can't remember how he got there but in his dream he was chasing a white cat. While he has been suspended from school, his grandfather comes to help him clean out his house that sounds alot like a hoarder's home with all the junk they are wading through. As his best friend, Sam keeps the bookie business going at school, Cassel sees the white cat and it seems to be "telling" him, he is responsible somehow and must do something. This is a suspenseful, lots of twists and turns novel with Cassel as a very likable hero who at times really hates his worker family; even more when he realizes they are erasing his memory and working him. Holly Black's world of the paranormal is edgy and gritty and students will enjoy Cassel's predicaments, his schemes and how he WORKS his own family! I am really lookng forward to Book 2 Red Glove.

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