Family Family by Laurie Frankel

Family Family by Laurie Frankel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Tara Smith for this get well book about seeking your best life, families, adoption, romance and so much more. I loved how Frankel engineered each chapter (past, present denoted as days of the week) and the characters were rich as well. I loved India in all her decisiveness, wanting always to be an actress (who can't sing), her many loves, and her world of plays, TV and movie as an actress.

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Before and After: THe Incredible Real-Life Stories of Orphans Who Survived the Tennessee Children's Home Society by Judy Christie and Lisa Wingate

Before and After: The Incredible Real-Life Stories of Orphans Who Survived the Tennessee Children's Home Society by Judy Christie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for the Albright College Zoom Book Club and the stories these adoptees had to tell, as well as those that they met (new family & new friends) was engrossing. There were about 15 stories and this book came about as a result of the novel published by Lisa Wingate-Before We Were Yours which explored the Georgia Tan Adoption Scandal that stole babies from unwed mothers, mothers, parents and placed them with those who wanted to adopt babies. The reunion in Memphis was very special and poignant to all who came. A must read!

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Tumble by Celia C. Perez

Tumble by Celia C. Pérez
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great cover and such a good, important read for middle grade and YA! Adela lives with her mom and Alex (her mom's boyfriend and the only father she has ever known) when they approach her with Alex's wish to adopt her. What this sets off is Adela looking for her real father--one question her mother has refused to answer ever! So when Adela and her bestie decide to look for her birth certificate they find GOLD--a picture of her mother and real father with a small Adela. As she begins the search for her father so much hits her and she is also in her school play the Nutcracker and knows her mom & Alex want an answer to adoption. I loved Perez's writing, her characters, and the food (oh so yummy) as this 12 year old braves finding her father and his family of wrestlers. This is a must read for all; the wrestling expectations (and history) in this family, her grandfather who does not remember, her mother who is still fighting her on anything about her father, and her father, Manny, who wants to be the son his father has demanded back in his prime. The family dynamics were wonderful, heartbreaking, and real. Highly recommended!

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Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

this is the gut wrenching story of a time in history when an evil woman, Georgia Tann stole children from struggling parents, put them in locations until they were adopted ---while there life was a nightmare as the Foss children realize their beloved life on the Arcadia boat on the Mississippi River, is forever changed. Told in two voices, the present day is Avery---a county prosecutor who works with her politically appointed father and is very close to her grandmother who has dementia. When an older woman at a nursing home, stares her down and "takes" her dragonfly bracelet---life changing events begin as Avery and a young man whose grandfather used to "find" people. All of this mystery throws light onto the abuses of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society orphanage and Avery's life and future is about to change! Based on the true story of Georgia Tann's iron hold on stealing children in the 1930s from poor parents with lies, this story is riveting and heart breaking, a must read!

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The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne

The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow did I learn SO SO much from this gripping historical fiction taking place in Ireland starring Cyril Avery (who is not a real Avery) who as a 3 day old infant is adopted by Maude and Charles Avery who never should have adopted him! John Boyne's characters are all memorable, some you love and others you detest. Cyril's life is wide open for all of us to see---he has a head on his shoulders, he is gay and in love with his best friend, Julian (since the age of 7 and Julian hasn't a clue) and he lives in homophobic Ireland from the 1940s to present day. Boyne's story is very memorable, I could not stop listening, the narrator was fabulous and his voices, whether male or female, were just so spot on. I laughed, I cried, and I wanted so much for Cyril, I rooted for his happiness and that he would meet his mom. The way Boyne structured conversations with the same things being said over and over again was such a great way to get a point across, emphasize nonsense and to tell this story of being gay in a backward country through so many lenses. A must read for all!

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To Catch a Killer (Erin Blake #1) by Sheryl Scarborough

To Catch a Killer by Sheryl Scarborough
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this mystery and Narration by Christy Romano was good but she did not have a male voice and I was sometimes confused when the male characters like Journey Michaels was talking because Romano used her speaking voice. But the mystery by Sheryl Scarborough was gripping and I will definitely be reading her next Erin Blake novel! Erin is a totally believable and likable protagonist while she hates being known as the girl whose mother was murdered. Her mom's best friend, Rachel, has raised her but she will NOT discuss her mother's death which is a real downer for Erin and who exactly is her father? With her best friends they have a side business which includes pictures, fingerprints and lots of other forensics (Erin is a fan of her uncle who is an FBI investigator and has written books) so when she finds her beloved biology teacher murdered and sees Journey there too, the mystery ramps up. This a gripping story and a great YA mystery!

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Sold on a Monday by Kristina Morris

Sold on a Monday by Kristina McMorris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to my neighbor, Cara McBrien, for this thrilling historical fiction mystery that captured the time period and characters perfectly for a real page turner. Taking place in 1931 depression era, reporter Ellis Reed takes a picture that is heart wrenching. Lily sees this picture and shows it to her boss. When the picture and story are ok'd, a mistake in the developing room, destroys the original and Ellis must stage the picture with 2 other children---setting into motion, very devastating results. As Lily and Ellis together and separately try to find out what happened, they realize they must rush to make this right for all involved. It was upsetting to see the rigid roles women were pushed into, the struggling families and what they were forced to do to survive, and finally the rich who seemed above it all but struggled with their own issues. I will certainly be reading more of McMorris' books, the pace was breakneck and the psychological suspense had me turning those pages & rooting for Ellis and Lily to help the 2 children! A must read!

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The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See

The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved the narration of Ruthie Ann Miles , Kimiko Glenn , Alexandra Allwine , Gabra Zackman , Jeremy Bobb , Joy Osmanski , Emily Walton , Erin Wilhelmi in this totally absorbing historical fiction taking place in China in a remote Akha village. Life is difficult until one day a man and his son come to their village in search of PUR tea. Li-yan translates for the village elders and her family, she also goes to school for higher education, marries and moves from her mountain village. This was such a compelling story about family, tradition, culture, the modern world, and how strong women in one family share their heritage with angel tea trees. I will not soon forget Li-yan, her mother, and the daughter she gave up for adoption---they were separated but their bonds were strong and lasting.

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The Empire of Dreams (Fire and Thorns #4) by Rae Carson

The Empire of Dreams by Rae Carson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just as I loved The Girl of Fire and Thorns series, oh did I really LOVE Red Sparkle Stone. She was a dynamo who survived so much in her life, that she has some left over issues like startling when she hears loud sounds, sleeping on the floor or not sleeping at all. As her life with Elisa and Hector and Rosario and Mena is upended when her adoption is thwarted; Red decides to join the elite Royal Guard while the Queen takes a journey. Leaving behind Rosario on the throne, Red pledges her support while she trains for the guard. But something is wrong...and it takes all of Red's strength, fighting ability, and sleuthing to find out what is going on. What I liked about her training with the guard: many were against her for being a woman, being part of the royal family, and people assuming she is part of a lower caste, but Red's fighting ability soon begins to help her recruit friends and garner her some admiration. Even though Red is prickly, she can't tell a lie, so I enjoyed getting to know her from her past up to her time with Elisa and Hector. She is a strong presence, she fights for what she believes in, yet she also doesn't see herself the way others see her and that trait helped her time and time again as she tried to help Rosario and her friends in the Royal Guard. Can't wait to read the next book!!! Rae Carson has done it again!.

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Picture Us In The Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert

Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this Stonewall Honor Award (first & most enduring award for GLBT books is the Stonewall Book Awards, sponsored by the American Library Association's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table) as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge. I read and loved Kelly Loy Gilbert's first book, Conviction, and like her debut---this 2nd book deals with many issues and themes that still continue to fill my brain. As the narrator, Danny Cheng is flawed, insecure, and a child/teen with VERY secretive parents. The reader knows how much they love their only son, but how they show it...Danny is a gifted artist and I loved the way the author let us see Danny's world and his introspections through his mind's eye. I liked the way the book was set up, I don't want to give away anything but I rooted for Danny as he got a scholarship to RISD, ached for him as he struggled personally and with his art. But through all this drama, Danny has friends like Harry and Regina (though there are tense times, they remain true to one another) and also Danny himself as he tries to figure out just what is going on with his parents and his life after high school. I also liked the Asian American teens, their families, and high school life--totally mesmerizing, yet authentic, and true. There were so many quotes in this book I could not stop putting in the little post-its to mark them. Now I need to put them all in Goodreads quotes- if they are not already in there- so memorable about Danny, loved ones, his art, his friends. This book MUST be read--teens, guidance counselors, parents will all come away with enduring feelings about family, friendship, suicide, adoption, and diversity!

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Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So many of my good reading friends highly reviewed and recommended this gem and oh did I love everything about it! The characters Aven, her parents, Connor, and Zion were very different and special, real, good people. Dusti Bowling's creativity as an author effectively used the setting of Arizona and the Stagecoach Pass with confident, funny Aven who was born with no arms and adopted by wonderful, loving parents that molded her into the normal, happy, funny girl she was throughout the move, beginning middle school, and settling into a new home. With unfailing wit and perkiness Aven stole my heart and her friendship with Connor who suffers from Tourette Syndrome and Zion who is overweight was totally special, yet true as they navigated school, friendship and life together. A must read for middle school but teens and parents would love this book because it teaches empathy, the value of family and friendship and acceptance. Highly recommended!!!

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Far From the Tree by Robing Benway

Far from the Tree by Robin Benway
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read and loved Emmie & Oliver by Robin Benway but Far From the Tree was such a moving read (Listen) and I just loved Julia Whelan's voices (especially her tone for the men) in this raw, sad, very emotional audiobook! I fell in love with the three teens who were put up for adoption by the same mother and they now search and find each other. Each chapter is told by each teen, Maya, Grace and Joaquin - the reader comes to know their thoughts, hopes, and fears (I just kept rooting for them). Maya and Grace have been adopted by loving families, but Joaquin, the oldest, has been in the foster care system his whole life. I ached for Joaquin as his own self hatred threatened any kind of happiness for him. He has foster parents, Mark & Linda who want to adopt him and a girlfriend, Birdie, he broke up with, because he felt he could never give her what she deserved. As I listened to this book, my heart ached and I was so afraid the ending would be awful, bleak and if it was, I was really going to cry even more!!! Without giving away too much, everyone needs to read this book- family, friendship, and yes, even therapy is realistically dealt with and the result is an award winner, that speaks volumes about the fierceness of family, the depth of friendship, and the love that binds (and grows) for Brothers and Sisters (bio kids & adopted kids) .

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Patina (Track: Book 2) by Jason Reynolds

Patina by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 2nd book in the Track series by Jason Reynolds. Once again I was immersed in the world of track, the competition, the comraderie, and tough young protagonists. Like the first book, Ghost, Patina is dealing with the loss of her father, becoming "adopted" by her father's brother and his wife, and moving to a new school. As she continues to deal with taking care of her cute little sister, Maddy- Patina also has to deal with a new elite school and the fake girls who go there. But the good thing is- she is still on The Defenders Track team and the kids and coaches help her deal with life, a new school, her mom needing dialysis, and her new parents. Jason Reynolds is the best author, both in middle grade and YA books (I have read and thoroughly loves ALL his books) - they speak to the guts and glory of the underdog, they root for their characters, and they show us, the reader- the pain of being in a tough world but finding a sport that helps them deal, can't wait for Book #3!

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First & Then by Emma Mills

First & Then by Emma Mills
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book because Pernille Ripp (one of my fave book bloggers) recommended it & since Emmal Mills is a debut author, it will be one of the books I recommend in my March twitter chat for #yearofya! There was so much to like about Devon, she was funny, snarky, and she had no problem talking to people. Her cousin comes to live with them and since he is a little weird, Devon doesn't really want to hang around with freshman Foster but as is her lot in life - she carts him everywhere. As she thinks about college, Cas the best friend/guy she likes, she hates that she has to take gym with Foster & the other freshmen - but wait a minute - the school football star Ezra has gym too. Readers will love Devon's friendships, family relationships, and her obsession with Jane Austen romantic characters. As Foster becomes more and more special everyday so does her feelings concerning Ezra. I just can't say enough about this little book that packs a lot of punch about football, high school, families and romance.

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The Love that Split the World by Emily Henry

The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time travel, love, two different worlds are what senior Natalie Cleary deals with as she loses a boyfriend, gains a one true love, and struggles to make sense of her worlds colliding. I loved Natalie and Beau's story and you will too!

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The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry

The Love That Split the World by Emily Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time travel, love, two different worlds are what senior Natalie Cleary deals with as she loses a boyfriend, gains a one true love, and struggles to make sense of her worlds colliding. I loved Natalie and Beau's story and you will too!

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Waiting to Forget by Sheila Kelly Welch

Waiting to Forget by Sheila Kelly Welch
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sheila Kelly Welch's realistic fiction book will definitely interest middle schoolers, high school students, and adult readers. Welch does a great job of sinking the reader into the chaotic lives of TJ and his sister, Angela, in the Now/Then format employed in this thin, gripping read. As TJ waits in the emergency room of a hospital, waiting to find out if Angela will live; we visit the Then part of TJ's life which is a horror to say the least. TJ and Angela love their mother but she is not a good mother. She leaves TJ in charge when she goes out and many nights does not return home. TJ and Angela live very tumultuous lives with their mother and later in various foster homes. It is when they are adopted and living with Dan and Marlene that TJ continues to struggle with his life day to day. Still afraid to hope and move on, TJ vacillates between anxiety and his horrendous past as he remembers, while perusing the Life Book he created for his new life with Dan and Marlene. Your heart aches for these two children and you root for this brother and sister to find happiness and peace in their forever home. Compelling, with realistic writing that pulls you in; you will enjoy TJ and Angela's saga.

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How To Save A Life by Sara Zarr

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I so enjoy Sara Zarr and with this book, she shines! Told in alternating chapters by Jill and Mandy; the reader learns that Jill is still having trouble coping a year after her father's sudden death in a car accident. Always so close to him, Jill doesn't know how to express her sorrow and grief,so she becomes sullen and mean pushing her friends, boyfriend, and mother away. Enter Mandy, who is a pregnant 19 year old who has met Jill's mother, Robin, in an open adoption internet ad. Jill is so opposed to her mother's idea of adopting a baby that she hires a guy (she knew from high school) who works as an investigator for the book store where she works. Jill wants to find out everything she can about this Mandy to discredit her and send her packing. But that is not what happens. As we learn more and more about Mandy's life before she came to live with Jill and her mom, we realize Mandy was very smart and needed to run from her horror of a life. We learn about her one night stand with an Indian she met at a carnival and her mother's boyfriend, Ken, and his sexual abuse. As time moves ever closer and closer to the baby's delivery date, Mandy and Jill, connect and it is this connection that saves them both. I highly recommend this book, just a great feel good book.

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