The Good Turn (Cormac Reilly, #3) by Dervla McTiernan

The Good Turn by Dervla McTiernan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I do not want this series to end!!! I love Cormac Reilly and Peter Fisher! I hope Dervla McTiernan continues with the Cormac or makes a Peter and Carrie spin off. The police corruption in this book really kept me turning the pages, the murders/deaths of seniors, the drug busts and the horror that resulted was documented perfectly by McTiernan, the suspense was relentless and I could not stop listening to this audiobook awesomely narrated by Aoife McMahon.

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Little White Lies (Debutantes Book 1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Little White Lies by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Jennifer Lynn Barnes mysteries and I can't wait for the 2nd book!!! Sawyer Taft is a tough, independent protagonist who lives with her mom when her estranged grandmother arrives at her door and offers ALOT of money to go through the debutante season and college. As she navigates this new world of dresses, make-up and awful rites that go along with becoming a deb! Will she find out who her father is? Will she LOVE or HATE this new world and what about friends- will she LOVE or HATE them? I could not stop turning the pages as Sawyer and the other debs (cousins and friends) try to solve mysteries and keep secrets, I rooted for Sawyer and her mind (what a scheming mind she has) and heart!

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Sunny (Track #3) by Jason Reynolds

Sunny by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, I just love this whole series and Sunny broke my heart and then gave me hope as he gives up track, stays on the team but now will try discus, loves to dance, wishes his mom never died and that his relationship with this Dad- who Sunny must always call Daryl was different. I can't wait for the next book in the series, but everyone should read these thought provoking, funny, angsty books about kids, sports and life- highly recommended!

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American Ace by Marilyn Nelson

American Ace by Marilyn Nelson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This novel in verse was awesome as it describes a close knit Italian American family, their restaurant and with the death of Connor's grandmother a letter that surprises and affects all, especially Connor's Dad. As Connor and his father deal with the earth shattering letter that Connor's Dad's father is not his birth father a whole host of things happen. Questions, mysteries and the Tuskegee Airman all shape Connor and his Dad (and family) to a deeper awareness of who and what make family and acceptance of what family really is. Impressive read!

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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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A Million Junes by Emily Henry

A Million Junes by Emily Henry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this enchanting romance/paranormal story for #yabookchat which we will discuss 12/3 at 9pm EST, come join us! This was such a great read; I loved Emily Henry's debut The Love That Split the World but I LOVED this even more- Henry's style of writing pulls me right in; the world of June & Saul with feuding families; the magic of her house with its ghosts (Nameless & Feathers ), Whites, coywolves who take shoes, and the all encompassing grief June still feels at losing her Dad. The characters were all fleshed out, whether they are alive (like June and Saul) or dead (like her Dad and all the O'Donnell partriarchs) strange, spellbinding and all too real. The different "loves" were powerful from friends like Hannah, to June's mom and Toddy, June & Saul and most magic- the memories of June with/and her Dad. I loved getting to know the million Junes and rooted for June and Saul to break the curse but just maybe reunite the O'Donnell and Angert families. Highly recommended.

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Solo by Kwame Alexander

Solo by Kwame Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved Kwame Alexander's narration of this awesome novel in verse exploring Blade's journey as a good teen beset with a troubling family history (his singer father in and out of rehab, mother dead, & harsh sister) that results in him needing to sneak around to see the love of his life, Chapel. When Blade continues to spiral into hurt, confusion, and anger - his sister's revelation of a family secret has him completely adrift. How will he deal, I rooted for Blade - hero through and through! I also loved in the audiobook narration the songs sung by Randy Preston- so so so good! This is one book that deserves to be heard!

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Dream On, Amber by Emma Shevah

Dream On, Amber by Emma Shevah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of the 2017 Hub Challenge and winner of the Odyssey Award. I loved Amber's voice, her illustrations- she was a great kid who missed & felt keenly growing up without a father. Amber is starting middle school and the first week is awful with little sister, Bella being bullied, sending letters to their dad who does not live with them anymore, no friends and a bully who wants to throw her into a trash can at school. I loved Amber's phobia about germs, dirt, cat litter! She can't confide her sadness, fears, and angst to anyone- so she creates a dad by drawing him, then telling him all her cares, hopes, dreams. Amber is the kind of heroine middle school kids will love- she is humorous, a great sister, and awesome at drawing! A totally enjoyable emotional read!

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