Hot Lunch by Rex Ogle

Free Lunch by Rex Ogle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow this book is a tough but necessary read as Rex tells us his life during one semester in middle school. Too many kids are living under horrific conditions; abusive parents, racism, poverty, and feelings of loss, abandonment and anger as they and Rex try to live each day in a hell that is overwhelming. Teachers, guidance counselors, teens and middle school kids MUST read this book. It is honest and sad and gripping! Highly recommended!

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All the Stars Denied by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

All the Stars Denied by Guadalupe Garcia McCall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not wait to read this stunner after I finished the tough read, Shame the Stars, by G.G. McCall. This historical read covers the horrendous repatriation of US citizens from the US. Estrella is a Mexican American teen is living in Texas during the Great Depression on her family farm but during a time when many whites want the Mexican Americans out- despite their citizenship-- the awfulness of their treatment as they are burned out of their home, the reader learns of how dark this time of history was in its treatment of Mexican Americans, how evil was the intent, treatment, and injustice to citizens and classes of people trying to make a living while living in their home, the United States. A must read for students to learn about a dark part of our history.

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Bruja Born by Zoraida Cordova

Bruja Born by Zoraida Córdova
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this awesome 2nd book in the Brooklyn Brujas series 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 book perfect as sisters Lula, Alex and Rose struggle mightily. Lula uses her magic to bring back her boyfriend, Maks, after a bus crash that kills everyone but her. But is that really what happens? As Lula finds Maks and keeps him close, other more sinister things are afoot- why does Lady de la Muerte say Lula has upset the balance? Why does her heart hurt and the magic her family used to heal her not seem to be working? Why does Maks break up with her before the crash telling her "You're not the same person I fell in love with. It's like your fire is gone." Bruja Born was even better than Labyrinth Lost, the female power was strong, wicked, and to know them is to love them.
I loved the relationship between Lula and her sisters as brujas, they fight, they shout, they stick together. Readers will love the addition of the Thorne Hill Alliance and The Knights of Lavant; Nova is back, Lula's Dad has more time but there is still uncertainty about him, and Rose really will surprise everyone! I could not stop turning the pages of this urban fantasy; so looking forward to the 3rd book in this spectacular series (reminds me so much of another series I love-Daniel Jose Older's ShadowShaper series!!!)

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Shadowhouse Fall (Shadowshaper Cypher Book 2) by Daniel Jose Older

Shadowhouse Fall by Daniel José Older
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh boy did I get drawn into Sierra's world once again of shadowshapers and her spirit world, where she and her friends fight to keep the Shadowhouse world intact as other spirits threaten to destroy them and their families. Sierra is one strong Shadowshaper who is not afraid to use her tongue (she is a tough talker) and friends (Juan, Bennie, Izzy, Anthony, Robbie, Mina) to thwart the overthrow of her world. I rooted for her as her friends were thrown in jail or mental institutions, and she still rallied her troops to fight against the Deck of Cards, The Sorrows, and the Hound. I loved Older's world of urban Brooklyn, the spirits (the good and the bad) the shapeshifting and their clashes with the other houses- I could not stop reading---loved the beauty, magic, and urban feel of this urban fantasy- can't wait for #3!!!

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Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez

Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Pérez
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of the Hub Challenge and it is a finalist for the Michael Printz Award. All is have to say is WOW; it was gut wrenching; I had to keep putting it down because it was so sad and rife with racism, but I also had to keep picking it back up to read and find out what was going to happen to Naomi, Wash and twins Beto and Cari. The story begins with the shocking but true story of a school explosion in 1937 in New London, Texas. But the author then weaves back in time and pieces together the story of Naomi, a Mexican girl who has moved with her very light colored siblings (their mother is dead) and her stepfather, Henry who is the most evil man- he gave me the creeps throughout the book to this oil town. In a town where racism is ripe, Naomi and the twins meet and become friends with African American, Wash. That is the only GOOD part of this story. The rest made me cringe, ache, sob and wish for redemption. All I can say is "it is a must read" but it is not an easy read. Perez's characters, the town, and the times are all too REAL and I agonized as I read every word.

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Top Ten Tuesday

This week the Broke and Bookish are taking as their topic Top Ten Books from the last three years and of course I have too many YA books (some MG) that I love but I am going to divide it up.  I haven't figured out yet how - maybe two or three posts to get them all in and each book will contain MY goodreads review
1. The Notorious Benedict Arnold - I became a huge Steve Sheinkin fan with this book!

2. Bomb: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon - another awesome Steve Sheinkin book!

3. Master of Deceit: J. Edgar Hoover and America in the Age of Lie by Marc Aronson (I was afraid after I read this book!)

4. October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard by Leslea Newman- every HS student and teacher should read this novel in verse!

5. Wonder by R.J. Palacio - another book EVERYONE should read!


6. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate - Animal lovers will enjoy this brave, beautiful book, another books EVERYONE should read! And there is a nonfiction book too.


7. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell, I read and listened to this book and I still couldn't get enough.


8. Brother, Brother by Clay Carmichael - family love, hate and dogs!

9. Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina - mean girls and bullying

10. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin A. Saenz- Mexican boys are best friends during the 1980s.


My second post will follow with another 10 of my most favorite YA books over the last few years.