Game Face by Shari Green

Game Face by Shari Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jonah and his friend Ty love hockey; but Jonah is anxious about everything and Ty is the only one who knows. Also Jonah's Dad suffers from anxiety and it has only gotten worse since his mom died in a car accident. It is through working on class projects with his neighbor, Rosie, that Jonah shares his anxieties to Rosie just as she shares her grandmother's worsening dementia. This novel in verse captivated me from the first line; so much power in each word and line, middle grade students will be sharing this gem.

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Controlled Burn by Erin Soderberg Downing

Controlled Burn by Erin Soderberg Downing
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Maia's character, her journey both within and out (going to the forest fire tower with her grandfather). After a horrible house fire, which Maia blames herself for, her parents send her to her grandparents for the summer as they deal with her sister, Amelia's, burns and recovery, insurance, and life. But Maia's insecurities threaten to overwhelm her and it is the love of a dog, a new friend, and Maia's determination to become a more brave, carefree person that make this summer one she will never forget. A must read!!!

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If I Tell You the Truth by Jasmin Kaur

If I Tell You the Truth by Jasmin Kaur
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, I loved Kiran and Sahaara's voices as they relate their stories in prose, poetry and illustrations! The author, Jasmin Kaur weaves an all to real plot about being undocumented, sexual assault, fear, and deep seated anxiety. Kiran is Sahaara's mom, an undocumented immigrant. She never speaks of what happened to her daughter, but the reader knows Kiran was raped, thrown away by her mother who labels her a liar, and arrives in Canada to begin college. Staying with her aunt, Kiran reveals to her mother and aunt, she is pregnant. Her aunt will not help her and go against the Punjabi family rules and Kiran's awful mother does not believe her and blames her. Kiran wants to keep the baby and her mother orders her to get an abortion. Kiran wants something of her own, not to be judged as less than and with this in mind, Kiran confides in her friend, Joti, and Joti and her mother take her in where she lives in a real family (that she has never known) of strong, loving women and Sahaara has a best friend in Jeevan and a love of art as the best way to express herself. I ached as I read the lives of this mother and daughter; so many mysteries, secrets, and questions silenced. I could not put this deep examination of what it is to be a woman who does not matter in a man's world that includes lies. I loved being a part of Kiran and Sahaara's journeys and urge adults as well as young adults to read this story. Highly recommended!

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