Sacred Heart by Liz Suburbia

Sacred Heart by Liz Suburbia
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read this graphic novel for The Hub Alex Award and I was disappointed with the storyline. I needed more interaction with the many plot lines and their characters. This graphic novel got high praise but I finished the book wanting MORE that the illustrations and story line did not deliver.

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Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this graphic novel as part of The Hub Challenge and March's #YearofYA twitter chat topic of graphic novels. Astrid is a normal, likable 12 year old with an awesome best friend, Nicole. On one of her mom's ECE's (Evening of Cultural Enlightenment) Astrid and Nicole to a roller skating derby. Astrid is hooked, wants to learn more and signs up for summer camp. It is around this time things with Nicole begin to shift, Astrid begins to lie to her mom about many things, and Astrid begins to "awaken" with her new found sport, friends and competition. Victoria Jamieson did such a great job with the characters, teaching me ALL about roller derby, and each illustration and pane did a spectacular job of moving the plot along, sharing Astrid's ups & downs with roller derby and showing Astrid's insecurities, anxieties and complexities. I loved all the crazy player names and Astrid's growth as a player and friend, highly recommended!

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Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman

Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this spectacular audiobook as part of The Hub Challenge and for a virtual book chat with the #2jennsbookclub. Having read the book first on my kindle, it was a real treat to listen to Michael Curran-Dorsano's narration! He had the timing, the voices, and Caden's thoughts down in his flawless delivery! Caden's descent into schizophrenia came alive with the spot on narration and the dive of Caden to Challenger Deep, his day by day recovery and self-realization about his illness will have teens and adults wanting to read & learn more.

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