Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow

Simon Sort of Says: by Erin Bow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Simon; he has suffered a major trauma and as a result, his family moves far away. In this new town Simon makes 2 friends, is glad there is no internet and gets used to the new life while also being well aware what he survived. There was so much to love about this book; the plot, the characters, the funeral home hijinks, the farm, his pastor father all combine to give the reader a story so important you cannot put it down. You will laugh and you will cry but Simon's many messages will resound with ALL readers! Highly recommended!

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Coyote Lost and Found by Dan Gemeinhart

Coyote Lost and Found by Dan Gemeinhart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just as I loved The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise so so much, this new Coyote Lost and Found was just as wonderful! Coyote is honest, quirky, brash, and one of a kind. Her latest adventure will involve a journey yet again, fierce, hiding secrets, and sometimes not being nice to Candace, her father's friend & neighbor, along for the ride on Yager during Covid. Readers will love every character on this bus; they support one another, enjoy singing, laughing, and the awesome pets on this trip to find where to settle Coyote's mom's cremated remains. Coyote's insights are hysterical, fierce, and bold and the author treats us to many beautiful, sad and happy times as Coyote and Rodeo remember painfully their loved ones. A must read for all ages!

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Dear Mothman by Robin Gow

Dear Mothman by Robin Gow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A tough novel in verse about a 6th grade trans child Nora but his close family and friends call him Noah at this request. Noah was best friends with Lewis and they were both trans; after Lewis dies in a car accident, Noah tries to deal with his grief by writing in a journal and leaving it at a favorite tree for Mothman, a cryptid Lewis & Noah believe in. How will Noah survive without his best friend, this is a must read for everyone!

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Forever, Interrupted by Tara Jenkins Reid

Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Kara McBrien for lending me this book! Elsie and Ben's love story was beautiful, sad, and I ached for Elsie in her grief!

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One Summer by David Baldacci

One Summer by David Baldacci
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this stand alone novel by David Baldacci!!! Jack and his daughter Mikki were such great characters, they are flawed but sincere going through a very devastating family crisis. I could not put this book down; it beautifully covers death, grief, family and family problems. I loved the resolution of this story of one man's grief and how moving to a summer home changes his life.

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When Sea Becomes Sky by Gillian McDunn

When Sea Becomes Sky by Gillian McDunn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved McDunn's book about the special bond between a brother and sister. Bex and Davey love exploring the salt marsh every summer; when they find a hand of a sculpture sticking out of the water mystery abounds as this duo deal with the drought, the purchase of their beloved marsh, and how each strengthens the other. I loved each and every word in this middle grade stunner. Characters were real, the setting--gorgeous even though there is a drought and the plot so strong, magical, beautiful and sad. A must read for all!

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The Aquanaut: A Graphic Novel by Dan Santat

The Aquanaut: A Graphic Novel by Dan Santat
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this winner of the Nerdie 2022 Graphic Novels- Sophia misses her dad who died in an underwater accident but she still has the water park, Aqualand, her dad and uncle created to wander around in...until the Aquanaut appears and there is a race to save Aqualand and the sea creatures living there. I loved the fantasy aspect, the sea creatures inhabiting the dive suit, the many places they go (school, Aqualand etc) while trying to save the theme park animals. Middle grade readers will tremendously enjoy this graphic novel, highly recommended---awesome illustrations, too!

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If the Shoe Fits (Meant to Be, #1) by Julie Murphy

If the Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this new book in a Julie Murphy series, a modern take on the Cinderella story. Cindy is on a plane to visit her stepmother (famous reality queen of modern dating shows), step sisters and triplets. She meets Henry (Prince Charming) on the plane has a great conversation and there it ends --- until Cindy decides to join her stepsisters and enter a dating game show and low & behold the SUITOR is Henry. I loved the story (but I did not like the intense scenes on the dating shows and between the contestants) and root for Cindy and Henry and enjoyed the many plot twists. I really liked so many of the characters (except nasty Allison) and learning about textiles and design. The emphasis on family and friends was nice and authentic. I can't wait to read the 2nd book in the series!

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The Island by Elin Hilderbrand

The Island by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this wonderful beach read about 4 women, Birdie, her daughter Chess and Tate (opposites in every way) and Birdie's sister, India who converge on their summer home in Tuckernut Island after 13 years. Oh the plot, the drama, the suspense, and the real humanity of family with secrets. Another great character was Barrett, he has some history with both daughters and I enjoyed him as a character who did not fit into the business world, never went to college, but was crushed on by almost all of these ladies and many others on the island. A great story of love lost and found, grief, anger, and the importance of family and love.

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The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthis Hand

The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have so enjoyed listening to Cynthia Hand's Lady Janes series!!! Boy was this book sad, devastating, but redemptive as Lex suffers heart stopping grief after her younger brother shoots himself. She breaks up with her boyfriend (and they really worked as a couple), she does not hang out with her girlfriends anymore, and she She sees a therapist who also asks her to write about it and then gift it to someone to read. Since their father left, her brother has never forgiven him for leaving. As Lexie sinks further into her depression, the reader will root for her to finds answers in the many ways she tries---an old friend reappearing, the ghost of Ty visiting her, and getting into MIT---and I wish Lexie forgives herself, moves forward with her brother's blessing, and chooses life over grief. A must read for its authentic, stunning portrayal of the effects of suicide on family, friends and society.

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In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner

In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was such an achingly beautiful, sorrowful book with two protagonists, who are each other’s best friends and support group and their first year at a prep school. Jeff Zentner’s writing is always so full of soul, deep yearning, and powerful messages. Through Cash, the beauty of Sawyer, Tennessee is found in the water, the land, Papaw and Mamaw. With parents addicted to drugs, Delaney and Cash met each other at a meeting and a forever friendship begins and is cemented over the years. Cash despairs as his beloved Papaw is struggling with emphysema, and he must decide if he will attend Middleton Academy with Delaney. Cash is such a good, good person and his love for his grandparents, Delaney, and his Middleton friends is deep, devoted, and courageous. Readers will love Cash’s sincerity, fear of failure, despair, grief, and his whole persona as he looks back on his life with a drug addicted mother, his deep insecurities, his profound love of Mamaw and Papaw, and struggles daily in his new life at Middleton Prep with his crush, his friendship with Alex Pak, taking up crew and writing poetry, and always worrying about Delaney. This is a must read and the mentions that harken back to each of Zentner’s other books made my heart pound with so much love. Highly recommended!

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The Shape of Thunder by Jasmine Warga

The Shape of Thunder by Jasmine Warga
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book (my last in the #BitAboutBooks Spring Reading Challenge) an MG Lit book on a spring related theme. I loved this 2nd book by Jasmine Warga---her words were beautiful, crushingly sad, brutal, and authentic. Two best friends are grieving after a school shooting claims family members. For Cora, her older sister, Mabel, and for Quinn, her older brother, Parker, and he was the shooter. What this gun violence does is crush both families, leaving lots of unanswered questions and these two main characters who are suffering and hurting. Cora blames Quinn since her brother did the shooting--even her father, grandmother and psychologist can not convince Cora that Quinn should not be blamed for her brother's actions. The crafting of this story was mesmerizing as Cora and Quinn narrate different chapters. I was especially affected by Quinn's letters to her brother as she alternately loves and hates him. The dynamics for Cora's family was supportive while Quinn's family doesn't want to call any attention to themselves---resulting in her parents awful fighting, her mom quitting her job, and abrupt shut downs whenever Quinn tries to ask questions. I loved the time travel aspect of the storyline and felt the majesty of the old oak tree and rooted for these two girls to make their way back to each other. A must read and I recommend reading the author note as well. Highly recommended!

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Every Single Lie by Rachel Vincent

Every Single Lie by Rachel Vincent
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh boy did I love this suspenseful mystery; I could not stop turning the pages! Beckett does not have an easy life with finding her father dead, breaking up with her boyfriend over texts her won't show her and her police detective mother who is never home because it reminds her of her dead husband. But she is resilient and through her consciousness and words the reader is treated to a strong female protagonist who considers herself an amateur sleuth as she (and everyone in her community) tries to find who is responsible for leaving a dead baby in a gym bag in the high school locker room which she found and as a result became the vilified "mother" who abandoned her baby. As a result of her father's death and all that came before it (drugs, secrets, lies) Beckett's family is still grief stricken over the death of the loving father they knew and all the gossip of who he really was. Add finding the baby and boy I was gripped as Beckett tries to be normal but still find the culprit. The suspense is unbelievable as many clues are found to be true or false adding to the gripping novel all YA mystery fans will not be able to put down!!! I was also drawn to Beckett's family and the loneliness that traumatizing grief has manifested in each of her family members.

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These Unlucky Stars by Gillian McDunn

These Unlucky Stars by Gillian McDunn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this awesome book as part of the #BitAboutBooks Spring Reading Challenge; a photo of a book outdoors. Annie Logan is a 6th grader who has just begun her summer vacation. Living in a small town with her father and brother, Annie is prickly, doesn't have many friends and has many questions and grief about her mother's leaving the family a few years ago---questions her father refuses to discuss. Her father and brother work at the family hardware store and have been losing business due to a larger chain store the next town over. Watching her brother play basketball; Annie is dared to ring a doorbell and run away but since Annie has been born under unlucky stars; calamity ensues. The old woman in the house falls with Annie running for help. Gillian McDunn has such a relatable protagonist in Annie Logan. Annie shuts down, gets angry and/or irritating when things go wrong but it is through a chance counseling session in school with teachers concerned that she has no friends since her mom left, that Annie makes her first real friend, Faith, using suggestions her teachers gave her. When the town decides to have a festival, Annie uses her artistic talents on many of the floats, while spending her days with Grumpy Gloria and her dog Otto as she recuperates from her fall, a broken arm. As Annie struggles with Gloria's cranky personality she ends up helping Gloria and herself as they forge a friendship that compliments their personalities. I loved everything about Gloria's dog, Otto. Even though Annie was bitten as a child she becomes enamored with Otto and how he cares for Gloria (and Gloria cares for Otto). I just loved turning the pages of this book as Annie and her unlucky stars begin to grow, feel, and journey toward new relationships with family, friends, and community. Highly recommended for middle grade students!

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From You To Me by K. A. Holt

From You to Me by K.A. Holt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my Book of Choice for #BitAboutBooks Spring Reading Challenges. I love K. A. Holt's books and this was not one of her novels in verse. Instead it is a gripping beautiful tribute to sisters, grief, friendship, and how to survive. Amelia's sister, Clara, drowned in the lake 3 years ago and Amelia is still crying and feeling very lonely. With her best friend, Taylor, they are going to take 8th grade by storm this year. When Amelia receives Clara's 6th grade letter to herself she decides to make each item come true for Clara. I rooted for Lily, her attempts to practice for softball tryouts, asking Billy to Kite Night, being nice to her mother, plan a prank and throw a party. As Lily becomes friendly with Twitch, and unburdens herself to Mrs. Grant, she begins a new kind of journey, living every day with her grief and memories of her beloved sister. Highly recommended!

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The Sisters of Glass Ferry by Kim Michele Richardson

The Sisters of Glass Ferry by Kim Michele Richardson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Narrated by Marguerite Gavin, this was a hard hitting historical fiction novel juggling between the time periods 1952 and 1972 as sister's Patsy and Flannery set the stage for what happened prom night to Patsy and the 2 Butler Brothers, Hollis and Danny. Kentucky in the 50s was whiskey and HoneyBee and devoutly religious mother. But the twins once so close and best friends are now fighting, angry with Patsy keeping secrets. The plot was suspenseful, sinister, and psychologically damaging for Flannery and her mother. Marguerite Gavin was a good narrator but mispronounced many words, but her voices and inflections were pure Kentucky. I ached for the deceit, lies, and sexism that existed for the sisters but Flannery is able to rise above the abuse and become stronger as a result.

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Many Points of Me by Caroline Gertler

Many Points of Me by Caroline Gertler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this Author Debut Book as part of my 2nd #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge for 10 points and I ached for Georgia as she grieved the death of her "famous" artist Dad from cancer a year ago. Georgia's life has been defined by her artist father and art history mother and she has loved every moment. She has been best friends with Theo since their birth and they sit around all the time working on their art. Theo is the son of single mom, Harriet, who is best friends with Georgia's mom. Theo has a graphic novel that features him and Georgia as avengers of good against the evils of the world. But with the death of her father, Georgia is feelings things she has never felt before; jealousy of Theo, anger at her dead father and living mother, and the urge to stop her artistic endeavors because art is just not working for her anymore. When she finds a portfolio of her father's pictures of her, Georgia takes his last drawing of her at age 10, and does not tell anyone about it. She becomes consumed with trying to solve a mystery; but with no one to talk to, she feels even more alone and questions everything in her life. As Georgia begins to lie more and more, things unwind, and she is threatened with so many questions and feelings--will she be able to right her wrongs? I loved this debut novel, the characterization, the plot and oh what I learned and loved about all the art techniques and colors was just awesome. A must read!

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Dancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder

Dancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Tyler Feder's graphic novel is a tribute to her mother, who died too young of cancer. With humor, love and grief, Tyler recounts her life with a mother she adored, her family, and how the grief affects her. The illustrations are perfect, teens and adults alike will enjoy this tribute to a life lost too soon.

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Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman

Summer Bird Blue by Akemi Dawn Bowman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Akemi Dawn Bowman's main character Rumi Seto struggles with grief after her sister dies and her mom sends her to live with Aunt in Hawaii. Grief manifests itself in many many ways and with Rumi she is angry, combative, mean (she is like this normallytoo) unlike her sweet sister Lea. In Hawaii, challenged by why her mother sent her away to suffer her sister's loss alone, Rumi meets an irascible next door neighbor and a teen her age, Kai (Half Korean/Half Japanese) and begins her journey to finish the last song she and Lea were composing. I ached for Rumi's loss, her sorrow over how she treated her sister in life and how she wished she died rather than Lea. But I rooted for her and so will the reader as she "tries" music (words and instruments), makes friends, questions her personality as well as her "romantic" feelings.

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The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand

The Castaways by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Greg and Tess McAvoy sail off to celebrate their 12th wedding anniversary, little do their friends know that danger and death will come calling to Nantucket and the group of friends known as The Castaways. As the friends find out about Tess and Greg's death; the grief overwhelms and cripples Deidre, Addison, and Andrea while their spouses are helpless. As the story progresses the reader finds out more and more about this close knit group of friends who take trips together, fall in love with each other and sleep with each other. A great beach read; I could not stop turning the pages.

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