Demon Copperhead by Barbra Kingsolver

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Casey Ciocca for telling me what a great book this is & Tara Smith for lending me her copy!!! What a thoroughly mesmerizing read! I loved Demon (also known as Damon Fields) his voice, his mind, and his heart! From his beginnings born to a drug addicted mom in Appalachia, Demon is a thoroughly likable character who goes from foster home to foster home and none of them good until he meets his grandmother Betsy who pounds into him her belief in a good education and once he promises her, Betsy sends him to live with one of her other fosters, Coach. Demon's trauma follows him through life as he frets about being thrown out of his next place to live. But as he grows older, he begins to enjoy popularity, athleticism & girls. But in this bright period, he meets Dori & falls madly in love. I rooted for Demon, but his life with Dori & Maggot who introduce him to drugs, takes him down a dark and twisted road. I loved seeing his ability to draw, his friendship with Tommy and Angus, the adults in his life he believes in, and through this, I prayed for a GOOD LIFE for Damon, he deserved it. A must read, you will not be able to put it down!!!

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Wild Child (Soul Sister, #1) by Audrey Carlan

Wild Child by Audrey Carlan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Simone, now all grown up---she was a foster child (along with her sister) in a caring home run my Mama Kerrighan with 8 feisty, supportive girls and foster mother. After losing her parents she didn't think anything worse could happen in her life. When The Backseat Killer is lying in wait, Simone is stopped by a hunky FBI guy, Joan Fontaine---their connection is immediate and when he saves her, Simone does not let go --she is thankful, she is interested in getting to know Jonah more and that happens because she needs to hide from this ruthless killer who will do anything (killing those close to her and Jonah) to get to Simone. There was so much to like about this story--Simone known as the wild child has a carefree, forgiving outlook on life and this is something Jonah needs because he is suffering loss from his past. She doesn't take no for an answer, she is outgoing and carefree but also has the wonderful sisters in Kerrighan Home to look out for her and each other. But she is trying to finish school, working 3-4 jobs and not making enough money ---and with the backseat killer taking all her money, credit cards, keys and car---Simone has every reason to give up. But she pushed forward and with the help of Jonah and her family---Simone works hard to help all close to her.

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The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish

The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to awesome author and narrator, Tiffany Haddish, as a result of my Nerdy hero, Donalyn Miller's recommendation. Tiffany Haddish is funny, sassy, and wants us to know about her life. It was not easy; she suffered physical, mental and verbal abuse at the hands of her mother, was placed in foster care, and never knew her father. Because she was positive, funny and a true comedian, Tiffany struggles through life but there are some special people who reach out and help her to become the person she is today---not perfect but in control of her life. There were many times I was laughing out loud; a very enjoyable memoir!

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Planet Earth Is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos

Planet Earth Is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children’s, and Wendy Lamb Books for the advance reader copy of Planet Earth is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos, in exchange for an honest review. I could not put this book down, debut author, Nicole Panteleakos, nails Nova’s nonverbal autism, her daily frustrations being silent, missing her big sister, Bridget (who gets Nova and champions Nova’s vast knowledge of space and everything else!!!) excitement for the liftoff of the Challenger, a new school, and foster family. This is a must read for all middle school students and will benefit Young Adult and adult readers (school teachers, guidance counselors too) as a window into what it is like to be an autistic foster child. This book does a stellar job of creating empathy both for Nova and Bridget but the reader also learns more about the challenges and desperate hope and love of the foster family. I also found the Author’s Note and Acknowledgments invaluable for the information it provides on autism and the author’s own Asperger’s.


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The Problem With Forever by Jennifer Armentrout

The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mallory was such an in-depth study of a foster child who suffers horribly at the hands of abusive foster parents, so much so that she hardly speaks ( if she is quiet, she won't be hit) but it is another foster child, Rider, who always protects her, takes blows and abuse meant for her, who saves her time and time again. After one horrid night where the abuse culminates in the police being called in; Mallory is taken to the hospital, adopted and never sees (but thinks about Rider constantly) her hero again. It has been 4 years since Mallory has been adopted, faithfully seen a therapist, homeschooled, that she feels she is finally ready to attend high school. But fate steps in on her first day, and Mallory comes face to face with Rider. As the sparks fly for both teens, they navigate a new kind of friendship with Mallory making friends and dealing with her shyness (speech issues) and Rider once again the white knight. But Mallory has changed and she wants the best for Rider, but what happens if despite how much he cares for her, he is stuck in feelings of worthlessness and being invisible in their world that values street addresses, money, and ambition? I loved Mallory and Rider, I rooted for them, and ached for their foster world with the accompanying scars, scabs, and stress still plaguing them. A great romance and authentic look at the foster system and it effects.

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AList of Cages by Robin Roe

A List of Cages by Robin Roe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this wrenching book for my monthly twitter chat book club #YAbookchat and oh was it powerful, crushing, and spoke deeply of the power to wound and try to thwart goodness. Julian is young when his parents are killed in a car accident. Julian is a sweet child who was loved deeply by his parents. When they die, Julian ponders just what their death means, where do they go, and what is his mission in life - but since he does not ask anyone these questions but himself, he has no answers. In shock, he is a foster child living with Adam and his mother and slowly begins to heal until his uncle comes to claim him and claim him he does. Russell is a monster who mentally & physically tortures Julian with lies, fists, and a VERY warped way to make Julian be a man. For anyone to do what he does, Russell has to be mentally ill and the fact that he is able to take Julian's sweet fragile life and make Julian believe he is worthless, a problem that no one wants is abhorrent until the day Adam comes back into Julian's life. Adam is popular, loved Julian like a brother until 5 years before when Julian was taken away, never allowed to visit Adam and his mom and now is skipping school on a regular basis. Will Adam be able to rescue Julian? It can't come quickly enough. Taut, psychologically unnerving, Julian needs the beautiful person Adam JUST is. Adam has the ability to be happy, kind, and positive. Along with his huge gang of friends I rooted for Adam to pull Julian in with all his love, friendship and brotherhood!!!

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When Friendship Followed Me Home by Paul Griffin

When Friendship Followed Me Home by Paul Griffin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Paul Griffin's YA books Orange Houses and Stay With Me; this latest middle grade book was so powerful, funny, sad, and I think it should be read by everyone! Ben is a foster child who has found his forever home with the therapist who helped him through a rough patch. One day he finds a dog who changes his life, makes him try new things, and meets many new wonderful people through his association with this perfect little ambassador. As Flip and Ben navigate life and their bond, they meet Halley who urges Ben to use flip as a therapy dog; Flip helps reluctant readers become better readers. Halley and Ben become fast friends, write novels, and give Flip belly rubs. Halley has a wonderful mom (librarian extraordinaire) and great dad (Master Magician). As Ben falls in love with this family, there is heartbreak ahead; how will Ben and Flip fare with all the bumps in the road life throws at them? Definitely a favorite for me; realistic with good doses of happiness and sadness and special characters you truly love; highly recommended!

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Pushing the Limits (#1) by Katie McGarry

>Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had this book on my TBR shelf forever, because I read other Pushing the Limits books before I read this one, which is #1 in the series. I also made this series (and author) a FAVORITE because I can't put them down- reluctant readers, guys and girls will LOVE these books- they move fast and furious, lots of drama and yearning, fights, secrets and lies- what more could you want! In this book, Echo is a "broken" girl just looking to go back to normal- before her family was shattered by so many events. She was once popular, dating the jock, loving life - now she can't remember a life altering event, has mandated therapy sessions, has to tutor bad boy, foster child Noah Hutchins. Noah has lots of problems too and it is these issues that have them conspiring to get some much needed secret information in the counselor's files at school. I loved the build-up in their friendship, the snarky comments, the increasing love interest, and the drama of everyday high school and home life. I read the book after this FIRST but it did not stop me from turning those pages at all hours of the night or wee early morning. I am now going to make sure I read every book by Katie McGarry because they are just so real, teens will see themselves in Noah, Echo, their friends or they will learn a little bit more about themselves from this world of riveting world of angst, love, and loss. If you like Simone Eckeles, Perfect Chemistry series, you will LOVE Pushing the Limits, highly recommended.

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