Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake

Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this Stonewall Honor Award book for the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge. I listened to it and the audio narration was done by Chloe Cannon and she was superb! Ivy's story is one middle grade readers will want to read for all the contemporary issues it tackles in a really good story (LGBTQ, coming of age, friendship, family and loneliness) but readers will be gripped by the tornado and the havoc it rekes, both immediately and in the future. I enjoyed getting to know Ivy through her thoughts, words, and "stormy" pictures, major drama with her sister, Layla and feeling left out after the twins are born. The resiliency project,both Ivy and June were working on really showed these girls as they wanted the world to see them. Awesome book, I LOVED IT!

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Every Exquisite Thing by Matthew Quick

Every Exquisite Thing by Matthew Quick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely adored the character of Nanette O'Hare; she was strong but vulnerable and took the pains to try to figure out who she really is (with disastrous results), more than once, in this authentic, character driven YA novel. Quick's Nanette reminded me of Amber Appleton from Sorta Like A Rock Star - plucky, rebelling, and trying to find out who she really is... While Nanette is an accomplished athlete, best friends with Shannon, good daughter, and she likes to eat lunch with her favorite teacher every day. Once he gifts her with his favorite book, Nanette tumbles into a whole new world, falling in love with everything exquisite thing in the book, especially, the character of Wrigley. Nanette even gets to meet the author, Booker and he introduces her to another teen who loves his book as much as Nanette, Alex. I rooted for Nanette, Alex, and Oliver as they endeavor to grow up, navigating bullies, life, and love. Such an insightful book with a strong female protagonist, delving into choices and consequences. Highly recommended- another winner by Matthew Quick!

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Dark Dude by Oscar Hijuelos

Dark Dude by Oscar Hijuelos

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Dark Dude has such a great cast of characters. They all have their problems, but it is Gilberto and Rico, who takes Jimmy with him too that decide to leave their lives in Harlen and strike out for a better life in Wisconsin. Rico is a light Cuban American and this causes him so many problems; he is bullied becdue to his light skin, family tensions with his moms' constant hassles, a father who drinks too much and can't make enough money to support his family and a rundown, violent school. Gilberto is an older Latino friend who truly cares for Rico and makes Rico feel he can do anything. Jimmy has a horrible life but together Rico and Jimmy make comics and watch out for each other. Jimmy is the artist and Rico is the author and they have an idea for a story, "Dark Dude" or Latin Dagger. It is when Gilberto comes into money and decides to go out west and get an education and better life that changes life drastically for Rico. When he can't take his life anymore, he runs away with Jimmy and meets up with Gilberto in Wisconsin. It is this new life, which isn't always great, and his coming of age in Wisconsin (lots going on there), that really causes Rico to mature and changes the course of his life. Rico as a character is going through so much and he has compassion, morals,and integrity. He is smart, re-reads Huck Finn and loves the relationship between Huck and Big Jim. I really admired how Rico never shirked the many challenges that came his way. A great multicultural read of bonds and friendship, but one my reluctant readers won't be interested in because of the 439 pages.



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