No Matter the Distance by Cindy Baldwin

No Matter the Distance by Cindy Baldwin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this fiction novel in verse based on the author's cystic fibrosis and her life in middle school. Penny Rooney is a 6th grader with a supportive best friend and family. I learned so much about cystic fibrosis both from Penny's perspective, her parents, and also the dolphin who meanders into her creek. Immediately Penny can relate to this dolphin which she names Rose while her father contacts a friend who is a biologist and brings her team to the creek. As time passes, Penny and Rose forge a bond/friendship and as Rose battles a lung infection & Penny battles CF, it becomes critical to get meds into Rose & help her out to the ocean. I just loved so much about this book! Penny is so strong but the pain of CF is a daily, weekly, life long disability that she and her family deal with; the words Cindy Baldwin uses in this novel in verse sing to me, and the beauty in her words open a new world of Penny's life with this special dolphin in her life.

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The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat & illustrations by Joanna Cacao

The Tryout: A Graphic Novel by Christina Soontornvat
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this because it was a Nerdie Award Winner for 2022 and it was such a great middle school graphic novel with awesome illustrations by Joanna Cacao! Based on Christina's life (she is Asian American) like her best friend Megan, life gets chaotic when they decide to tryout for the cheerleading team in 7th grade. There are those friends who are supportive and other students with their racist remarks. Readers will love the fierce inner musings of Christina as she questions everything while falling in love with cheerleading, making new friends, and chasing dreams. Highly receommended!!!

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Trapped! (Frames #3) by James Pnoti

Trapped! by James Ponti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I hope this is not the final book in this awesome series---I have grown to love Florian, Margaret, Marcus, Kayla, the commander of the FBI, both sets of parents---Margaret and Florian are so happy Marcus is receiving a distinguished Medal of Honor and they revisit his first case as a memory. There was some kind of rare book spy case that he never totally resolved. Presently this case becomes center stage with Margaret and Florian using TOAST and I can't remember what Kayla introduced but they use both when they need guidance, help and direction! Florian's mom did some awesome sleuthing with them and Margaret's parents, the lawyers, get involved with Marcus (because he is the accused NOW) ---all really great additions to an already awesome, thrilling plot. Nic the Knife appears again and oh do I enjoy him! A must read and really great middle grade mystery series!

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Framed! (Framed #1) by James Ponti

Framed! by James Ponti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to my twitter friend (reading buddy) @lhnatiuk for recommending this awesome series! I am now going to be reading the Framed series and City Spies by James Ponti and of course, passing them along to my granddaughter! Florian Bates is such an engaging character--I love the way he thinks (TOAST), speaks and acts and with his best friend, Margaret---watch out world because these 2 will be solving mysteries and even become helpful to the FBI! An awesome read, I have the next 2 in the series on hold at my library!!! I can't wait to read them!

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Look Both Ways: a tale told in ten blocks by Jason Reynolds

Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jason Reynolds is a must read author for ALL! Even though this book is a middle school read, we all laugh and learn so much about kids as the navigate school, going to and from school---all in their journey of life! What I loved most about this book was the authenticity that pops off each page, Reynolds gets kids, life on the streets and in neighborhoods! In the first tale told in this tale told in ten blocks, Jasmine and TJ's friendship is deep, strong and special. The "friendship bags" are called litter of love AND notes that say I've missed you. In Five Things Easier to do Than Simeon and Kenzi's Secret Handshake also have a special friendship, but Jason Reynolds has awesome descriptions, such as Fredo's Corner Store "always smelled like incense smoke trying to mask dirty mop water." Finally, the special way Jason Reynolds uses to describe his characters---handshakes "they grab hands, shake, shake, slide, finger grip, shake, shake. Then point to themselves, double fist pump throw a peace sign beside each of their right ears, point to each other, slap their individual fingertips together, rub the air as if they are holding a ball---bigger than the one in Kenzi's bag--then they thumb their chins and shake their heads at each other before ending it with a big hug." A must read that will thrill all Jason Reynolds fans and friends.

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Birthday by Meredith Russo

Birthday by Meredith Russo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Russo's If I Was Your Girl, and Birthday was just as awesome. The covers are both books are so appealing, eye catching, and tremendous. Morgan and Eric's journey was epic. Born on the same day in the same hospital, parents become good friends and Morgan and Eric are BEST friends. What teens will like about their friendship was how very much they cared for each other and liked each other. There was total respect and Morgan really struggles after his mother's death; as a reader I was torn by his inability to tell anyone about his belief that he felt he was a girl. Yet I understood his vulnerability. Their journey was beautiful and bold. This is a must read and I thank Meredith Russo for writing an inspiring, hopeful book!

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The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik by David Arnold

The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik by David Arnold
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book for the twitter chat with #2jennsbookclub being held Thursday, 9/13 at 8PM; join us for a great chat. I love David Arnold and his books, but I found myself getting a little confused with Noah. His friendship with next door neighbor twins, Val and Alan, was referred to as a triangle; they were such good friends and when Noah started withholding things from them; I wanted Noah to continue to be Noah. But as he tried to figure things out by revisiting his "strange fascinations," lying to everyone about his swimming, questioning everything--I felt like I had gone off the rails as the reader. The resolution made me very happy though, yay!

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Little Do We Know by Tamara Ireland Stone

Little Do We Know by Tamara Ireland Stone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for the August twitter chat to be held Sept 6 at 8PM EST with #yearofYA, come join us, in so many ways this awesome audiobook featured the 2 main characters Hannah and Emery as empowered females, supporting each other (with a fight in between). Narrators, Eevin Hartsough and Lori Gardner were really good voices for each of these teen girls. They both have a huge fight after being lifelong friends, go to different schools, live next to each other. As Hannah begins to question everything after Emory accuses her of blindly following her Dad (pastor) and not standing up for Emory---Stone did such a great job of showing how Hannah evolves through her family, friends and Aaron in a capella choir. Even more, Hannah is the one who "rescues and saves" Luke, Emery's boyfriend. I loved the way Emory kept a running list of the days she has been dating Luke and something special he says (she is also counting down when they break up for college) and enjoyed the rehearsals for Our Town with her friends. This book had so much teens will love- sports, romance, family drama, how friendships can crack apart, and the aspect of faith at home, in school, and in friendship! A must read, did not want it to end!!!

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A Short History of the Girl Next Door by Jared Reck

A Short History of the Girl Next Door by Jared Reck
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This audiobook read awesomely by Michael Chamberlain nails the Wow what a tear jerker, heart breaking story of best friends viewed from Matt's POV ( I would have loved to gotten Tabby's POV) as they enter high school. Matt & Tabby have been inseparable since they were babies (Matt's family helps raise Tabby because she has single Dad, no other family), lived across the street, played, and laughed. Matt loves basketball, has such an insecure brain (it does more harm than good) and fell in love with his best friend when they were 12 years old and they were being bullied and Tabby came to the rescue. Matt never tells Tabby about his feelings but hopes she knows. Mistake #1 because Tabby is a very special girl and as 9th graders, senior Liam Branson falls for her. Matt hates him (but Branson is nice, nice, nice) and after seeing Branson pick her up Matt stays up all night fighting jealousy and make a "do list" of the girls in the school. When Tabby finds this list and takes Matt to task- does he come clean and admit his feelings? No he makes it worse and so begins a few weeks of them avoiding each other. Reviews call this book funny, I never saw anything funny about it. Matt is a typical boy who does not confide in anyone- just us readers and what good does that do him. When life takes an even crueler turn, Matt may not be able to survive his crushed feelings, may not be able to relate to his family, and lose his coveted spot on the basketball team. What will Matt do? Reck's debut tore me up and will be one teens talk about and pass around for the authentic voice of flawed, insecure, yet lovable Matt Wainwright (his poetry is an added perk to the book).

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The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler

The Future of Us by Jay Asher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved the time travel aspect of this book which I read as part of #yearofya twitter chat topic - books from 80s and 90s (written during this time period or about this time period) to be discussed Tuesday 8/29 at 8PM EST. Friends Emma and Josh (but Josh is in love with Emma & has been spurned by her) become involved with an AOL CDrom that takes them from their life in 1996 to Facebook (which is not even around yet) 15 years later. Emma goes through unhappy life and marriages while Josh marries hot girl and remains happily married. But as these teens struggle with 1996 high school, friendship and dating drama, the future causes them to evaluate what they hold dear, could it be each other? LOVED Josh, Emma was struggling with her HS hookups and future troubles - their characters were definitely true to teens and their daily lives. So enjoyed this book by Jay Asher (I don't really think Emma would notice the school librarian School Library Journal, but I loved the homage to school librarians!!!) and Carolyn Mackler- their collaboration was perfect!

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Sacrifice (Serpentine #2) by Cindy Pon

Sacrifice by Cindy Pon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this 2nd book in Pon's Serpentine Series! The stakes are high as Skybright and Stone learn the chasm was never "totally" closed and even more formidable demons and undead are still escaping above to the human realm. I loved how Pon brought all the main characters together to fight against impossible odds to find the evil source. I guess I should have known by the title, Sacrifice, that there would be a sacrifice which made my romantic heart break (have to read the book to find out what I am talking about). I have to admit I never really felt close to Stone as a character from the first book - even though he goes through great change in this book, I could not relate to him as much as I truly loved the person Kai Sen always was. Kai Sen was such an authentic, feeling, honest character from the time Sky's eyes met his "across the great distance" and he remained steadfast in his yearning, friendship, support and aid to Sky, he won my heart in both books. I also loved how Zhen Ni was so loyal and supportive of Sky (even in her serpentine form) and this ultimately was believed by Sky and gave her much peace and love in her heart. The growth in Sky was so fulfilling; her practicality and urge to protect and love made her a valiant and formidable foe. I will be telling my twitter chat, #yearofya, that these 2 books include Skybright & Zhen Ni as great examples of essential best friends for our December monthly chat. This is a must read; the drama and evil had me turning the pages while I rooted for Sky, Zhen Ni, Kai Sen and Stone to triumph. The worlds were lush, the characters drew me into their worlds, the personalities and the conflicts were awesomely brilliant - a must read!

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The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A great book about how Mikey & his friends slog through senior year trying to be "normal" while experiencing many extraordinary things such as blue lights, mountain lions, gods, immortals, love, friendship, OCD, vampires and much, much more. Ness' characters Mike and sisters Mel & Meredith hang out with Henna and Jared and talk about the group of indie kids and vampires and their goings on...life is anything but normal. They are normal kids dealing with some big issues and how will they impact life, prom & graduation?

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Lumberjanes Vol. 2 Friendship to the Max by Noelle Stevenson and Grace Ellis

Lumberjanes, Vol. 2: Friendship to the Max by Noelle Stevenson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Read this as part of The Hub Challenge. Volume 2 of the Lumberjanes is Friendship to the Max and once again the 5 friends are still adding badges and adventures to their summer camp experiences! In this companion, the best friends are still battling a forest full of supernatural creatures but now the world may be at risk so the drama just gets deeper! But I did like that camp counselor Jen became more cool and a fast friend to her 5 charges. While making friendship bracelets, Jen makes Diane, another camper accompany her to the outhouse where dinosaurs attack and an old lady disguised as a spirit bear declaring there is ancient evil in their midst that must be vanguished! That is just the beginning of a rip roaring good time & battle for right and might. So funny and just as enjoyable as the first book, middle grades will love this graphic novel & band of scouts!

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Lumberjanes Vol 1 Beware the Kitten Holy by Noelle Stevenson & Grace Ellis

Lumberjanes, Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy by Noelle Stevenson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Read this as part of the Hub Reading Challenge! Knew I would love these adventurous gaggle of best girlfriends as they strive valiantly to get their badges, fight off a bear woman, yetis, zombies, gods, and sneaking away from their prim and proper counselor, Jen. The laughs and adventures between these girls are fun, scary, and exciting. They are loud and proud, each girl having her own personality and not afraid to band together & stay together. I loved how they talked, "what the junk?!" and their bout with poison ivy. A great beginning graphic novel series for middle grade readers!

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