Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Michelle Romash for continuing to bring this book up through 2023 as one to read. I still cannot stop thinking about it!!! I was so drawn in by William's upbringing (or not), his friend, Kent and others as he played basketball and of course, the Padavano sisters!!! This family has so much history together (while William has none). Julia targets him in college and from there it is Julia and Walter as a couple becoming a part of the Padavano family. But even more, I loved their father, Charlie so much with his poetic soul, calling his daughter Julia (and all the other sisters, Hello Beautiful). This book deals with so much, I could not put it down! I loved the family issues, the basketball theme, so much going on there, and the tenderness of love within all these characters. This will be a favorite book of mine!

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What the Fireflies Knew by Kai Harris

What the Fireflies Knew by Kai Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This debut novel is a coming of age story about 2 African American sisters sent to live with their grandfather after their drug addict father is found dead and they lose their home. As their mother enters a treatment facility to deal with her depression, KB and her sister Nia wonder why they are dumped with this grandfather who is mostly silent and reads the bible. Told from KB's POV; she is 11 years old and has experienced much turmoil in her short life---and she has many questions that no one seems to want to answer. As she navigates the summer--she gets to know her grandfather, falls out with her beloved sister, and goes back and forth in her feelings about everything. I rooted for KB as she tries to make sense of what she knows, what she finds out, and how she moves on.

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Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah

Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, many thanks to Ben Gartner @BGartnerWriting for this recommendation. I could not put this debut down---the mystery, the strong female characters, and the best ending in the world, had me turning those pages, falling in love with Jo, Ursa, Gabe and Tabby. Jo has endured a lot the past few years and now that she is healthy and feeling good, she jumps headlong into her school project in a remote area with nesting birds. One day a disheveled little girl appears and with a fantastical story of her being from another planet. Jo does what she should and contacts the police, the girl bolts and the policeman does not give her good advice. So when this girl comes back, we all fall in love with her wit, she is very very smart, and she is adventurous, helpful, and insightful. When they both become friends with Gabe, this little trio is perfect, until it wasn't (reality!!!). Gabe's family, his depression, and his belief that Jo should give Ursa over to the authorities is a major conflict but it also brings them closer and I rooted for them the whole book. Glendy Vanderah's writing is beautiful, with the beauty of the area, and the characters being so so real. I can't wait to read more from this author!


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Me (Moth) by Amber McBride

Me by Amber McBride
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This YA debut by Amber McBride took me totally by surprise; Moth is so alone after losing her family in a car accident, living with an aunt and going to school feeling lonely and invisible until one day in school, she meets Sani. McBride's descriptions of Sani from Moth's POV were just so beautiful and gripping. How they find each other and becomes friends is a must read for all and oh that ending!

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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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The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Spoilers will be in this review! I loved this book so much, as always with any V.E. Schwab book, this book was compulsive reading, and courageous in plot, theme and characters! Addie LaRue is a favorite character for me; she was strong yet vulnerable, passionate about music and art, determined to live life (learning languages and also more about her curse as time dragged on) while being doomed to never being remembered by anyone. What disappointed me about Addie was learning late in the book about her sexual relations with Luc. I thought Addie and I were on the same page with our hatred of Luc and his despicability. It bothered me to learn this after her relationship with Henry was threatened. I guess if I want to give her a pass I have to understand just how lonely she was all those years and she gave in to her insecurity and Luc's abusive dominance- because let's face it---he is the god of darkness and one she should have never made her bargain with...
There was so much beauty in the places Addie travels to throughout her life, even if she can't thrive always looking for lodging, food, money, books, etc I loved Schwab's worldbuilding and her characters---one of my favorites was Estele and her oneness with nature. I loved Henry and his band of friends.
I will be thinking about this awesome, compelling book---Addie and Henry and Luc (him unfortunately) for a long long time--highly recommended!

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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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Saving Everest by Sky Chase

Saving Everest by Sky Chase
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad Books for the advance reader copy of Saving Everest by Sky Chase, in exchange for an honest review. I could not put this book down, debut author, Sky Chase has written a great, diverse YA romance. The story of Everest Finley, popular, gifted and athletic, who silently suffers from depression and tries to end his life was crushing. Everest really has no strong family support; when he returns to school he is scorned by his girlfriend, best friend, and team members. Retreating to the library, he meets Beverly, a quiet, shy, but happy girl who pledges her friendship and support. Both Bev and Everest are strong likable characters teens will relate to and love as Bev and Everest become best friends, challenging themselves to become better for each other. I fell in love with Everest’s voice, his honest music, and his fearlessness. While Bev was a strong positive influence for Everest, he challenged her to go outside her comfort zone, become visible, and experience what high school is all about. Together can they both find their true selves? Bev and Everest are smart, confused, of- the-moment teens who are just trying to understand life, love, and their place in the world. The drama and action move this story of friendship and romance forward to a satisfying conclusion. I would love to see another book from Sky Chase following Everest and Bev after high school! One reason for the 4-star rating; I did feel Everest would have benefited from follow-up help from a therapist for his suicide attempt and continuing depression. This debut accurately and honestly deals with teen mental health, family issues, and high school life; highly recommended!

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The Memory of Light by Francisco X. Stork

The Memory of Light by Francisco X. Stork
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Francisco Stork books and this fictional book about depression, suicide attempts, recovery and friendship was so moving. I also read this book as part of our May twitter chat we will have on YA/student instabilities they face 5/24 AT 8pm with #yabookchat. Vicky is a teen who has tried to commit suicide and spends time in a mental health facility where she meets and bonds with 3 other mentally ill teens- E.M., Mona and Gabriel. Vicky has a very supportive Doctor in Dr. Desai and a father, sister and step mom who do not understand why this has happened. As Vicky talks in group (gets to know her "friends"), and works in the hospital, she becomes more aware by talking and confronting her feelings that she suffers from depression. What I liked is how Stork shows Vicky and her family being totally shocked that Vicky was in fact depressed, did not understand what depression is, and how she must continue to talk and learn how depression can and will affect her and what tools she will need to keep with her to deal with this throughout her life. I liked the baby steps Vicky took to become mentally strong and how she continued to slowly look at the light and the sun as growth in her life and pledge not to be afraid or lonely anymore. I think this book should be read by all teens, guidance counselors, teachers and parents should read and learn from this book. Stork has taken his own experiences with depression and attempting suicide and woven a stark, realistic, and moving story about overcoming and living day to day with mental illness - highly recommended.

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Fans of the Impossible Life byKate Scelsa

Fans of the Impossible Life by Kate Scelsa
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This debut novel by Kate Scelsa will be a sure winner with teens! As you become ensconced in the tricky lives of Mira, Sebby, and Jeremy you root for these troubled adolescents whose worlds are in trouble as they find and protect one another. I loved Sebby's quote mirroring the book's title (p. 116), "May we live impossibly. Against all odds. May people look at us and wonder how such jewels can sparkle in the sad desert of the world. May we live the impossible life." I loved their personalities, their strong support for each other, and their insecurities. Mira, Sebby and Jeremy needed each other desperately but also recognized they would need to stand on their own two feet at some point to survive. A novel many teens will identify with; highly recommended.

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I Was Here by Gayle Forman

I Was Here by Gayle Forman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, what a gripping read but yet another winner from Gayle Forman!!! Cody was a character perplexed and suffering so much guilt about the death of her best friend (soul mate) Meg. Cody's world revolved around Meg Garcia and her family; since her family is not so great---she calls her mom by her first name; doesn't know who her father is and her mother's men never venture to her home (thankfully). As Cody tries to fathom why her best friend killed herself; the reader follows her dogged pursuit of any kind of knowledge that could help her understand why she never saw any hint of Meg's calculated mission. I liked Cody because she was pushed by love for her best friend but also motivated by anger, a chip on her shoulder, and rants against Meg's one-night stand, Ben, for answers. I loved Forman's families- the Garcia family, Tricia, Stoner Richard's family, and Cody and Ben's conversations about their families. A gripping read that does not disappoint with a hard core female protagonist who is determined to rise to the challenge of whatever life throws at her without Meg.

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The Hypo: The Melancholic Young Lincoln by Noah Van Sciver

The Hypo: The Melancholic Young Lincoln by Noah Van Sciver
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really had no idea Lincoln suffered from depression and this graphic novel did an excellent job with the character of Lincoln, the people he lived with and his relationship with Mary Todd. She was also depressed but it was manifested in the form of migraines. I wanted this for the high school library but thought better when one of the first chapters deals with Lincoln being set up with a prostitute. The author was impressive in his rendering of Lincoln, his southern personality and respect for others, and delving into the depths of despair Lincoln sunk to; alarming many who came to his aid.

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