Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG! I loved this book! If you have read Daniel Jose Older's fantastic Shadowshaper series and Zoraida Cordova's awesome Brooklyn Brujas series, you will LOVE this book! the difference is it takes place in Los Angeles and involves a transgender boy, Yadriel and his best friend, Maritza, as they try to find out who killed cousin Miguel, how to deal with Yads and his mistaken summoning of Julian and most importantly prove to his father (and everyone else), the head of the community of brujas and brujos, that Yads should be recognized as a brujo and accepted by the brujx community (practicing brujx with powers to heal and speak to spirit/ghosts) . I could not put down Aiden Thomas' beautiful book with bigger than life relatable characters, themes of friendship, the importance of family and the rich Latinx culture. Superb, a rewarding must read!

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Legendborn (Legendborn, #1) by Tracy Deonn

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this awesome debut as part of my 2nd #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge since it is a Book with a one word title and equals 10 points. There was so so so much to like about this book--the depth of the characters, the suspenseful plot, and the worldbuilding. Once I finished this thriller, I was so excited to see there is a 2nd book so a series it will be. I happen to LOVE series and this is one that I will be biting my nails about until the 2nd book comes out!!! Bree and her best friend, Alice have plans to attend her mother's alma mater in a special program (which her mother does not want). Her mother is angry with Bree's decision and then she dies in a hit and run. Bree and her father are devastated, grief makes her into angry Bree with walls she shuts off and only shares with the reader. Imagine her surprise when she sees magic being used which leads to the most awesome, suspenseful story combining magic, fantasy, elements of the Knights of the Round Table, Root Magic, Legendborns and Onceborns and all kinds of horrid creatures like attacking hellhounds. Bree's journey was deep; she was definitely traumatized by her mother's death, going to this school has her looking into her heritage while dealing with racism, bullies, and keeping too many secrets. I LOVED Bree; she is tough, doesn't back down, and runs fast forward into trouble or answers she desperately needs. As she navigates college life, pledging a secret society and growing ever closer to Nick, she also sees a therapist to deal with her grief. I loved this book's diversity, the different friendships, and LGBTQ relationships. I though everything was authentic, researched and spun in such a way that I wanted to learn so much more! Highly recommended, can't wait for the 2nd book!!!

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Micah: The Good Girl #2 (Flyy Girls) by Ashley Woodfolk

Micah: The Good Girl #2 by Ashley Woodfolk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read and LOVED this 2nd book in a series, Flyy Girls, by Ashley Woodfolk as part of the #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge. I will also be reading the 3rd and 4th books in this series too! Micah is a good girl who goes to church all the time with her parents but she is also secretly seeing Ty at summer camp where they both have jobs. But the big part of this book is the anniversary of her brother's death which weighs heavy on Micah. She does not always want the attention, interest, or pity about her brother. When she sneaks into her brother's room and finds his sketchbook there is alot she did not know about her brother and she tries to find out. Teens will love this book, middle school will relate as well as it deals with friendship, family, romance, school and death. Despite the drama, there is redemption and the positive meanings throughout this series, I highly recommend it!

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#Murderfunding (MurderTrending, #2) by Gretchen McNeil

#Murderfunding by Gretchen McNeil
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This 2nd book in the MurderTrending series has Becca devastated by her mother's sudden death, a teen (Steph) stalking her who informs her that her mom was Molly Mauler, one of the true serial killers on the Alcatraz 2.0 show. Yearning to prove Stef wrong about her mom, Becca and Steph, become contestants on the WELCOME TO WHO WANTS TO BE A PANIAC? reality show, becoming friendly with the other contestants, until the awful "reality" of this show makes them targets. Will the teens be triumphant and how much will be taken from them? This mystery received 2020 Teens' Top Ten and is a book I read as part of the #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge.

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Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read and love all of Tiffany D. Jackson's books and Grown is a compelling, gripping and essential read! Enchanted loves to sing and attends a mic night (with Mom in tow) to hopefully break into the music scene. In this ripped from the headlines story, Enchanted becomes famous singer, Korey Fields' find and as she dreams of making an album, Korey makes promises to her family as he takes her on the road and they make a good singing duo. But pretty quickly, we all see what Enchanted does not, Korey is insecure, controlling with out of control anger and punishments. I could not stop turning the pages as Enchanted becomes of prisoner of her own thoughts and Korey's awful techniques to control her. Another highly recommended read from Tiffany D. Jackson!

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Darius the Great Deserves Better by Adib Khorram

Darius the Great Deserves Better by Adib Khorram
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This 2nd in the series is just as awesome as the first book!!! Darius has it all; a boyfriend, a place on the soccer team with friends who look out for him and a job at the tea shop he loves, until things begin to change. As Darius continues to struggle with his depression, he finds his dad is depressed again, he can sense tension in the house and doesn't know why. He is still be being bullied by Trent but his best friend, Chip is being nice to him now. Author Adib Khorram does such a stellar job with his characters, the plot and of course a high school setting. I really love Darius, his cousin Sohrab, his friends on the soccer team who understand he is gay and stand up to bullies. But in this book, the family struggles while his father has to travel, his mother is working long hours and Darius grandmothers are staying with Darius and he questions if they even like him! I look forward to more Darius books, BUT if there are no more, I will certainly read any Adib Khorram book because he gets teens, their drama, their mental and physical struggles. This book is a must read but also a must is Darius the Great Is Not Okay!!!

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Not So Pure and Simple by Lamar Giles

Not So Pure and Simple by Lamar Giles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Del sees a way to get his kindergarten crush, Kiera, but never realizes how tough the Purity Pledge will both mentally and physically, tax him as a boy as well as spiritually. His new group of friends as a result of the Purity Pledge become important to him in a way he never thought would happen. He sees new aspects of his family dynamics and questions himself and his decisions; this book touched on the subjects of peer pressure, male dominance and sexuality, family dynamics, friendship, and religious ambivalence while using humor and introspection. Another must read by Lamar Giles; I will read everything Lamar Giles writes!!!

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Fence (Fence, #6) by C. S. Pacat

Fence by C.S. Pacat
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An unexpected defeat has everyone on edge!!!
As a result of reading HeartStopper, the Fence series jumped up in my similar reads and oh am I glad I have read them, Nicholas gets into an elite academy where he wants to fence and beat his long lost brother who doesn't even know he is alive, and once he meets his teammates he wants to beat Seiji Katayama too! A great graphic novel series where the first three books tell the story and the other volumes rehash different important parts of Nicholas' quest.

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Fence #5 by C. S. Pacat

Fence #5 by C.S. Pacat
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What is Seiji hiding?
As a result of reading HeartStopper, the Fence series jumped up in my similar reads and oh am I glad I have read them, Nicholas gets into an elite academy where he wants to fence and beat his long lost brother who doesn't even know he is alive, and once he meets his teammates he wants to beat Seiji Katayama too! A great graphic novel series where the first three books tell the story and the other volumes rehash different important parts of Nicholas' quest.

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Fence, Vol. 1 by C.S. Pacat

Fence, Vol. 1 by C.S. Pacat
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As a result of reading HeartStopper, the Fence series jumped up in my similar reads and oh am I glad I have read them, Nicholas gets into an elite academy where he wants to fence and beat his long lost brother who doesn't even know he is alive, and once he meets his teammates he wants to beat Seiji Katayama too! A great graphic novel series where the first three books tell the story and the other volumes rehash different important parts of Nicholas' quest.

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Heartstopper: Volume 3 by Alice Oseman

Heartstopper: Volume Three by Alice Oseman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Once again, love this cover of the 3rd book in the Heartstopper series!!! Nick and Charlie are still discussing who to tell about their relationship and Nick is learning more about Charlie's issues with the bullying which include self harm, eating disorders, homophobia and tears, lots of them! The story grows immensely with the transgender relationship/friendship of Aled and the class trip to Paris is oh so good!!! I can't wait for the next in this sincere, wonderful story of Nick and Charlie!

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I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes

I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This gorgeous picture book has positive self images throughout, an upbeat narrator with hopes and dreams and reality. With beautiful illustrations, this book could be read, enjoyed and learn more about social justice appealing to all ages children through adults; a must read!

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Black Brother Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this must read book by Jewell Parker Rhodes! Brothers pictured on the cover, one light and one dark. Trey is the older brother, athletic, light skinned, and in a new prep school not having any difficulties being accepted. Donte is the younger brother, nonathletic (loves video games instead), and dark skinned and in the new school, targeted by a racist Alan who bullies Donte unmercifully (like he does others) and provokes an incident in school that lands Donte in jail. Luckily Donte has a fierce mom who is also a lawyer for Legal Aid and black while Dad is a geeky white guy and both see the injustice Donte is suffering, what to do about it? I could not put this ripped from the headlines book down; it hits on what is happening in our world today and in the past; this social justice book is a must read; students will love it and be sharing with other readers!!!

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Flamer by Mike Curato

Flamer by Mike Curato
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This debut YA graphic novel of Mike Curato is fiction and fact. He describes his bullied middle grade years and nervousness about high school. But the summer before high school there is camp which Aiden enjoys but also begins to see there are mean boys here too, and how he is going to be bullied because of the way he expresses himself. Teens will be reading this book and passing it to friends, it is a must read for all teens about acceptance!

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Heartstopper: Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

Heartstopper: Volume 1 by Alice Oseman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this graphic novel about 2 guys in a British boys high school! Charlie is a levl 10, out and gay (the year before he was outed and bullied) still kissing a mean guy (Ben, I think) who has a girl friend and sends mean texts. When Charlie is paired with Nick, a year 11 rugby player, they quickly become friends--- while Nick, protects Charlie from Ben a few times. As Charlie falls for nice guy Nick, how does Nick feel? Loved this graphic novel so much, I have Vol 2 & 3 on order at the public library!!! Can't wait!

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The Damned (The Beautiful, #2) by Renee Ahdieh

The Damned by Renée Ahdieh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not put this 2nd book in the The Beautiful series down---all of the drama going on between Celine, now vampire Bastien, and the supernatural family members of Nicodemus Saint Germain. Hold onto your book because the suspense begins at page 1 and does not let up!!! I can't wait for the 3rd book in this series based upon the intriguing ending of this vampire, ethereal, and demonic creatures action packed novel!!!

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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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Parachutes by Kelly Yang

Parachutes by Kelly Yang
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a read; Kelly Yang as done it again! Her middle grade debut, Front Desk, was a winner and so is Parachutes. Telling the story of life in a high school in California that encourages students from China to get a leg up for college by going to high school in the U.S. Once they come, these "parachutes" are hosted by families. Dani, a Filipino American girl who is a scholarship student tutors and cleans houses to help her mother make ends meet. Her mom decides to host a student from Shanghai, Claire, who is rich, and privileged. Close to 500 pages, there is a lot going on in this important read. Dani and Claire are house mates only and travel in different crowds and many things happen to thwart their friendship. I loved Dani's debate qualities and Claire's search for friends. Many high school issues and family problems are dealt with as well as friendship, exploitation, and the importance of speaking up! Teens will relate to these girls, their lives, interests, and drama. Especially important is the author's notes and how she spoke up and was NOT heard! A must read!!!

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The Shadowshaper Legacy (Shadowshaper, #3) by Daniel Jose Older

Shadowshaper Legacy by Daniel José Older
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this series so much and this 3rd book did not disappoint! Sierra has so much going on as the Lucera, in charge of all things in her world of Shadowshaping, while her brother and boyfriend and another girlfriend, Izzy are in jail. This book also takes the reader and Sierra back to the history (her history) in the world of the Shadowshapers. I could not stop turning the pages as all hell breaks loose, betrayers try to take over and Sierra's control of the Deck of Worlds Cards. Hang on to the edge of your seat for the past colliding with the present. I loved the author's word choice, his world building, the good vs bad fight---if you have not read this series---you must NOW because this is the final thrilling book in the series!!!

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One Of Us Us Next (One of Us is Lying, #2) by Karen McManus

One of Us Is Next by Karen M. McManus
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I would have given this book 5 stars if not for the LAST sentence! I really liked the previous characters from the Bayview Four and also the new ones too. McManus knows how to write mysteries, to keep readers turning the pages. The friendships, the families, the high school drama and social media were all so realistic, heart pounding, and sinister!

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