A Work in Progress by Jarrett Lerner

A Work in Progress by Jarrett Lerner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love this book---from the novel in verse & graphic novel format to the angst of a heavy middle grade student, Will, grabbed my heart and kept pushing my sorrow button. This is a must read for middle grade students!

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Tomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I was a HS librarian, I loved Gabrielle Zevins books and this adult/new adult book was awesome. Sadie meets Sam in a hospital as a teen, and they bond over video games as he recuperates after being hit by a car. This story follows them throughout their life as they graduate from high school and college and enter the world of business- which to them is a partnership in creating video games. But their friendship is fraught with things that are never said - and this kind of bothered me. But their story kept me turning the pages and it will keep you too. You do not have to be a gamer to enjoy this book---it is life and all the drama that comes with friendship, being partners in business, families, and things that are never said.

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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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Merci Suarez Plats It Cool by Meg Medina

Merci Suárez Plays It Cool by Meg Medina
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 3rd book in the middle grade Merci Suarez series---Merci is looking forward to 8th grade, soccer, friends, and most of all family! But it is her grandfather's increasing Alzheimer's that is alarming the family, causing them to look for more help and resources. A must read!

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Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan

Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Julia Whelan's first book, so I was really excited for this 2nd book and oh did I love it---using humor, romance, chemistry, and learning oh so much about narrating audiobooks, Julia, once again rose to the top as an awesome narrator (she kills males' voices) and the plot was super funny, yet serious with all the madcap happenings- needing lots of $$$ for nursing home care for her grandmother, winning awards narrating nonfiction, suddenly narrating a romance book (she hates romance tropes, etc.!) meeting a dreamy man and enjoying one night sex, narrating with the famous Brock McNight (no one has ever seen him or met him) and flirting and being honest with each other, and the relationships she has with her father, Blah (her grandmother), mother, best friend, and owner of a production studio were all so authentic! I loved this novel and was so glad I listened to it because Julia Whelan's voice is my favorite audiobook narrator!

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Meena Meets Her Match (Meena Zee, #1) by Karla Manternach

Meena Meets Her Match by Karla Manternach
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this first book in the Meena Zee series, I will definitely be reading these and passing along to my granddaughters! Meena looks at the world in terms of bright colors and how "anything" (including trash & other disgusting stuff) cab be used for her art projects in school and at home. But the bright colors darken when Meena has a medical event that turns her world upside down. Also her best friend, Sophie stays in now at recess and Meena is upset and angry about this. I loved all the characters, the plot was so enjoyable, and all of the resolutions were authentic. I especially liked the Author Note at the end. I also liked that this book was for 3rd graders, a middle grade beginner book, readers will enjoy and ask for more!

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Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris

Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Wow, Grace falls for Jack (handsome, caring man who loves her sister Millie) and they quickly marry and then reality hits as on their honeymoon Jack imprisons her and threatens to torture and kill Millie once she comes to live with them. Once he tells her "his story", Grace is in a fight for her life and Millie's but will she be able to pull it off. I could not stop turning the pages!

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The Maid by Nita Prose

The Maid by Nita Prose
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read and loved this book as part of the Albright College zoom book discussion and that my friend Sue Murphy recommended. The writing by Prose was delightful, concise, and pitch perfect as she describes, maid Molly Grey to the reader. Molly lives with her Gran, loves her deeply and has learned many life lessons through her Gran's quotes. Molly is socially awkward but loves her job as a maid at the Regency Hotel, since as a youngster her Gran taught her about the importance of cleaning and neatness. As Molly strives each day to return each hotel room to a state of perfection, one day changes everything---she walks in on Mr. Black and finds he is dead and she quickly becomes the main suspect. I read this in 2 days and loved learning more and more about Molly---how she desperately misses her Gran (her only friend), pines after a bartender, Rodney, and makes sure Juan Manuel has a room every night in the hotel, since his friend, Rodney, told her that he lost his visa and has no place to stay. I loved all the characters, the plot and the many twists and turns, this delicious mystery takes. Highly recommended!

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Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him by Luis Carlos Montalvan

Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him by Luis Carlos Montalván
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love this true story about a battle scarred veteran from Iraq, who is saved by a golden retriever, Tuesday. This story shines a light on the veterans' lives from the Iraq War and the failings of the Army and the Veteran's Administration as well as the workings of dog rescue agencies. I loved Luis Montalvan's voice, this book kept me riveted as I learned so many things about war, soldiers who are wounded warriors, and how they try to adapt the world after war.

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The Chance to Fly by Ali Stroker

The Chance to Fly by Ali Stroker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Nat moves from her beloved California (losing her best friend and wheelchair racing team) to New Jersey she is so not happy. When she accidentally sees a flyer for Wicked try-outs, she decides to be all in for this musical. I loved Nat----she loved life but also railed (inwardly) about the limits of being in a wheelchair---she does not initially like the house they move into that is totally ADA compliant, her mom and dad annoy her with their support, but the best thing to happen is trying out and winning a part in the Wicked musical and from there so many great and not so great things happen to Nat and her new friends. I loved her crush, her friendship with her theatre friends and how they band together to keep their musical going. This was a great book that hyped being in the arts, how Nat's upbringing kept her pushing for what she wanted (trying out new things did not defeat her at all!) and in the process---help those around her---her parents, adults, and her friends see the real Nat! Highly recommended!

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Everywhere Blue by Joanne Rossmassler Fritz

Everywhere Blue by Joanne Rossmassler Fritz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Donna Compton for recommending this awesome middle grade debut novel in verse! In a musical family each child has an interesting name Madrigal (our protagonist), Strum her older brother who worries about climate change, butterfly depletion, being a meat eater and Aria her older sister who now ignores her. Both parents have fostered this love of music, but was it their love of the music? When Strum vanishes from college, Maddie's family is devastated, why would he do that? The reader soon learns much about this family, the good and the bad, but it seems as they become teens both Strum and Aria have problems with their parents rules, wishes, and it is Strum who leaves each sibling an email which really does not explain much to Maddie. With the investigation going full steam ahead, her parents fight more, her mother is totally devastated, and Maddie is full time trying to figure out what happened to her brother. Will they find him? This is a a gripping novel told from the 12 year old POV and it is a tale of her journey as well---she loves even numbers while odd numbers spell bad luck, does she have more compulsions? Maddie may know more than anyone about Strum, will she be able to help them find Strum. What an awesome book, all readers should devour this one; highly recommended!

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Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson

Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This compelling novel in verse by Jacqueline Woodson can and should be read by all ages! Telling the dramatic story of a son's love for his famous football player father who begins to show the ravages of many years of concussions, My heart ached for ZJ and his mother and most definitely for his father as the life they built for one another was decimated as shakes, anger, memory loss, and moodiness. With memories, songs, music, friends (the Fantastic 4) and family, this 12 year old grows up quickly and lives for those times when his father remembers, calls him Little Man, and hopes for a future that can help his father heal. A must read!

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28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand

28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book but did not love the way two wonderful people who should have been happy with each other their whole lives only had 1 Labor Day weekend each year. Yes Mallory and Jake agree to this but I felt it did a big big disservice to both of them, compromising their happiness, forcing lies and secrets! I did not like Mallory's supposed best friend, Leland. She was awful and when she becomes involved with another woman, her nasty character shines through. Also, I found it tedious that Jake stayed with Ursula for all the wrong reasons which he went over again and again. Yes Jake is honest with Ursula and tells her as an adult she is not a nice person, self-absorbed, cranky BUT he stays with her! Mallory never marries because she truly loves Jake and Jake truly loves Mallory so I was upset time and time again when Ursula was in the story, mucking things up. I cried at the end for Jake and Mallory but I was hopeful when Mallory's son meets Jake's daughter, I am rooting for those two to do something their parents did not! I loved the time Mallory and Jake spent together each Labor Day, the food, games and rituals they celebrated; I just wish they had a lifetime of each other, not just 28 Summers!

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Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly

Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to @MolleeBranden for recommending this as a favorite read; sorry it took me so long to read this gem? I loved Erin Entrada Kelly's voice, her characters (Virgil, Kaori, Gen, and Valencia) and the kids' growing friendship, and mad cap adventures concerning Virgil's pet guinea pig. Kaori, Gen and Valencia were strong, likable, and fierce in their own way. Since I am so late reading this, I am sure middle school students have been enjoying this special book especially how bullies are portrayed and how others make fun of those with disabilities. Highly recommended!


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A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline

A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This audiobook was awesomely narrated by Polly Stone! My heart ached for Christina and her brother, Al but they loved their home, family, and each other during a life that gave her happiness, physical pain with her arms and legs, and her friendship with Betsy and Andrew Wyeth. Andy was quirky, shy, quiet but driven to paint and paint he did---he literally takes over the upper rooms of Christina and Andy's home and prodigiously paints their farm, Christina and Andy in their normal routine. I loved this foursome, Andrew Wyeth and bubbly Betsy his friendly, outspoken, kind wife and Christina and Al who the reader sees grow up with a taciturn father and cold mother, assorted brothers, relatives, and the people of their shore town in Maine. With a view of history, a small farming community, and the life and personalities of Christina and her brother, Kline moved this reader with her words, characters, history of the times, and how the beauty of art rescues Christina and her world.

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From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon

From Sand and Ash by Amy Harmon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a riveting audiobook read by Cassandra Campbell as she so eloquently narrates the life and love of Eva Rosselli and Angelo Bianco. Raised together as children, Eva is a Jew and Angelo is Roman Catholic, they play together, laugh together, despite their religious differences and family circumstances, they are very very close. When Angelo chooses the church, he makes a decision to walk away from Eva's friendship and love, but as WWII threatens the Jewish and Eva, Angelo and Eva are brought together again- both now doing everything possible to help shelter the Jews. Such a saga of family, religion, loss, and love, I could not stop listening to this haunting book!

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Storm and Fury (The Harbinger #1) by JJennifer L. Armentrout

Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin TEEN (US & Canada) and Inkyard Press for the advance reader copy Storm and Fury by one of my favorite romance authors, Jennifer L. Armentrout, in exchange for an honest review. I plunged into this new series and did not want to stop reading!!! I loved Trinity; she was such a strong, positive female protagonist; she was a warrior to be reckoned with when her clan let her fight yet she was also struggling with lessening eyesight and being over-protected by her gargoyle warden family since it is imperative (she is the last of her kind) she be kept hidden from the world. When demons are turning up killed, a group from the DC clan comes and asks her clan for help. Trinity’s life is totally upended with the arrival of Zayne, Dez and Nikolai. Without going into too much more detail; Trinity and Zayne were steamy and swoon worthy; I can’t wait to see what happens to them in the next book of this series. This a paranormal fantasy romance you do not want to miss!!!

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Not a Sound by Heather Gudenkauf

Not a Sound by Heather Gudenkauf
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was spellbound by this mystery; awesome nurse Amelia and assault survivor are run down by a hit and run driver; leaving the victim dead and Amelia deaf. As Amelia drowns in pity, and alcohol she distances herself from her friends and loses the love of her husband and restricts her access to their stepdaughter. I was so impressed with her boldness as she finds a dead woman's body (another nurse, Gwen) as she is kayaking with her therapy dog, Stitch. She does not allow anything to stop her as she continues to investigate Gwen's death, gets a job, struggles to stay sober, moon over Jake (policeman and friend she has known since childhood). I was riveted as Gudenkauf ratchets up the tension; another excellent taut psychological thriller featuring an kick ass heroine!

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Knockout by K. A. Holt

Knockout by K.A. Holt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just as I loved House Arrest so did I love Knockout which continues the family drama of Timothy and Levi. Holt is a master at novels in verse. I did not want to stop reading; I laughed with Levi but I also cried for Timothy's lost life. The characters, plot and action will thrill middle school readers and this novel in verse nails it with each word. My heart loved the interaction between the brothers writing back and forth (using Timothy's journal) was so real with words they could not say. Levi's friendship drama with his lifelong friend had many different kinds of moments, all so fraught with their tight bond being tested. I really liked the mom this time around, she annoyed me in House Arrest, but she listened to Timothy's counsel and that was progress for all involved. These 2 books are books I want to read again and again---love the family dynamics, the lifelong medical condition of Levi's (he wants to be normal in so many ways) and the progression to a satisfying end!!! Highly recommended!

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The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advance reader copy, The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by awesome author, Robert Dugoni in exchange for an honest review. From the first page, the voice of Sam captured me and held me spellbound as he looks back on his life. Most significant was being born into a loving, Catholic family with an eye condition, resulting in red eyes (ocular albinism). From kindergarten through age forty, I could not stop turning the pages as Sam tries valiantly to figure out his purpose in life. His mother always told him he was going to lead an extraordinary life but Sam struggles with himself, relationships, faith and religion, bullies, prejudice, and insecurity. I loved the depth of Dugoni’s characters from best friends Ernie and Mickie, his religious mother and introspective, wise father, to a thoroughly evil bully. Life is not always easy for Sam and his journey is dramatic, honest, and insightful. Such a very special book about an extraordinary guy and his supportive family and superb friends! Don’t miss Dugoni’s Author Acknowledgments at the end, they always mean so much to me; I get great, warm feelings from such a wonderful author, thanks for another great, inspirational book! Highly recommended!!!

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