The Magical Imperfect by Chris Baron

The Magical Imperfect by Chris Baron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

another awesome middle grade novel in verse by Chris Baron which touches on so many important themes and topics. Set in 1989 San Francisco the book begins with earthquake drills, they are the norm but no one ever takes them for granted. Etan is a boy who has lost his ability to speak since his mother went away (a mental institution) but he has the strong relationship with his jeweler grandfather, as well as community members who understand Etan. Delivering a package to a remote island home, he hears Malia singing and begins a friendship. Both Etan and Malia understand what it is like to be alone--- Etan because of his silence and Malia because of her skin condition that has cruel people referring to her as "The Creature" I loved their way with each other; I loved Malia's grandmother just like I loved Etan's grandfather but I was riveted by the parents and their treatment/relationship with their children. There was so much to learn about in this book--the immigrants to Angel Island, the exciting World Series, the debilitating aspects of eczema, Etan's grandfather's religion. Such a great story---I recommend all readers will love this book!

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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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My Life in the Fish Tank by Barbara Dee

My Life in the Fish Tank by Barbara Dee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of the 2nd #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge, Book by Same Author. Zinny is a happy 12 yr old with a large family and friends and a love of science. Life suddenly stops and takes an abnormal turn when her beloved oldest brother, Gabriel, has a car accident and is diagnosed with bipolar disorder, while a freshman in college. Trying to grasp what is happening, their devastated parents tell Zinny, Scarlet, and Aiden to keep Gabriel's condition private without really explaining what that means. As her concerned friends try to comfort her, Zinny will not tell them anything about Gabriel, staying true to her parents wishes. Zinny begins going to her science teacher's classroom at lunch because she loves science and wants to dodge her friends' judgments. What I liked about this book is that Dee explores all the aspects of family dynamics, mental illness, Zinny's confusion, parent and teacher concern in a way that feels vital to the characters and the larger story. The closure of the story was positive and I was so happy with Zinny's journey. This was a stunning and inspiring novel, students will be sharing and talking about this book! 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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Ordinary Hazards by Nikki Grimes

Ordinary Hazards by Nikki Grimes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nikki Grimes life encapsulated in this fierce novel in verse was awful and beautiful because her words made this book so compelling. I can't imagine the life she endured, yet she survived and this book speaks to traumatized kids and how they manage to survive and thrive because Nikki Grimes is one such person and author who brings her life to YA readers and oh what a life it was! A must read, haunting and real.

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Breath Like Water by Anna Jarzab

Breath Like Water by Anna Jarzab
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Teen (U.S. & Canada) and Inkyard Press for the Advance Reader Copy, Breath Like Water by Anna Jarzab in exchange for an honest review. Teens will love reading about Susannah’s journey as a swimmer, friend, daughter, and girlfriend as she swims to capture a coveted honor, only to lose it. Jarzab’s novel is riveting; the competition is exciting and harsh with Susannah seriously doubting herself as she tries once again, with a new coach, and supportive guy to claim a spot in the Olympics. I ached for Susannah, Beth, and Harry as they navigate the tough world of swimming, practices, family, and friends. Having no social life for Susannah is a must because of swimming demands (time, money, friends) but what if Susannah tries to make the time for Harry Matthews, who is totally into her, will she be able to handle it? Readers will root for Susannah and Harry as they navigate life, swimming, mental illness, and family. This is a must-read that nails the fear and anxiety Harry suffers as a result of being diagnosed and living with bipolar disorder. He confides only to Susannah and does not want his friends or the world to know about his mental illness as he grapples with past memories, taking meds, and dealing with the highs and lows that are bipolar disorder. Both families are supportive of Susannah and Harry. It is the main coach, Dave, who hires another coach, Beth (she becomes Susannah’s coach) who does the most damage to Susannah. As her lifelong coach, Dave is a control freak who mentally and verbally pits his swimmers against themselves and their teammates. This damage really stunts Susannah with her growth, confidence, and her trust. I could not stop turning the pages as the tension builds between the coaches. This is the perfect book for teens, about athletics, mental illness, friendship, family, and the fears of hiding your true self. Susannah and Harry are teens we all need to know, highly recommended!

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The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan

The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this APALA Honor Award Winner as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge and oh was this an aching read but oh so very necessary as magical realism permeates to help teen Leigh (Asian/White heritage) deal with the suicide of her depressed mom. Leigh "sees" her mother become a bird that leads Leigh on a life changing journey to find her mother and in this search, she learns about her history, heritage, and how grief helps her comes to term with who she and wants to be. I had a really great review---BUT my computer seized and I lost it!!!
So short and sweet--the compelling, strong character of Leigh and her love of art power this tale of heartbreak and finding heritage, history and love in her search for answers. I could not put this book down; I rooted for Leigh and best friend Axel (best friend and lover of art and music). The trip to Taiwan opens Leigh to discovering her parents' past, meeting her grandparents, and forging a future without her mother. A powerful, astonishing journey; a must read!

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(Don't) Call me Crazy: 33 Voices Start the Conversation About Mental Health Edited by Kelly Jensen

(Don't) Call Me Crazy by Kelly Jensen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this collection of short stories which is a Schneider Honor Award Winner for the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge. What gripping, heartfelt stories from authors and others about dealing with mental illness. I could not stop reading and learned so many different aspects of individuals dealing with the many different kinds of mental illness, how it affects them, others close to them, diagnosis and handling the daily aspects of medicine, doctors, therapists, life, and also how the writer(s) of the stories are coping. Of course, being a retired librarian, I read all the author first (Shaun D. Hutchinson, S.E. Smith, Heidi Heiling, Libba Bray, Emery Lord, Victoria Schwab, Meredith Russo, Kelly Jensen and Adam Silvera) A must read for teens, and adults!

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I Will Save You by Matt de la Pena

I Will Save You by Matt de la Pena
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Matt de la Pena and was honored to see him speak at the Ocean City (NJ) Library this August where I purchased this book. I have read MOST of his books & love him and his books, his writing, and hearing him speak; I am in awe. I Will Save You was a tough book; it begins with Kidd seeing his best friend, Devon kissing Kidd's love interest, Olivia and losing it---pushing Devon down a cliff and maybe killing him? Kidd has had an awful life; a father who beat Kidd and his mother, but there have been happy moments, too. Kidd's mother sits him down at age 10 and tells him about his father's mental illness and reveals he will probably suffer from this disorder too. Kidd has so much trauma he deals with (he wants to be normal and happy); he is at Horizon's Group Home after he loses both parents. He has a best friend, Devon, who is evil- he constantly talks down to Kidd; berates him about everything (girls, boys, his parents) but he is also his one and only friend. then Kidd runs away before he is finished his therapy to a campground where he gets a sanitation job with Mr. Red, who is really kind to Kidd. My heart broke for Kidd; I wish I had known sooner about his severe health problems---this will be a book I will happily go back and read again---now knowing the whole back story. Tragic, yet hopeful, and highly recommended.

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Life Inside My Mind: 31 Authors Share their Personal Struggles edited by Jessica Burkhart

Life Inside My Mind: 31 Authors Share Their Personal Struggles by Jessica Burkhart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This 2018 collection of YA authors who tell readers about their challenges with mental illness, depression, thoughts of suicide, OCDC, bi-polar when they were teens through to the present. Many of the authors tell their stories for the 1st time, in the hope of helping a teen struggling with the same kinds of mental illness. Each story is important- I truly loved Jennifer Armentrout, Ellen Hopkins and Francesca Lia Block's stories, thoughts, essays.

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Lighter Than My Shadow by Katie Green

Lighter Than My Shadow by Katie Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this graphic novel as part of the 2018 HUB Reading Challenge and Katie Green's debut is jarring, instructional, and harrowing and will resonate with teens battling the demons of an eating disorder, the doubts and secrets withheld from everyone (even Katie). Katie's battle to succeed in pursuing a degree in illustration, coming to grips with her anorexia and rebuilding (managing) her life to include family, friends and coping techniques.

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Turtles All The Way Down by John Green

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, this was an awesome book to listen to, Kate Rudd nailed Aza's obsessive compulsive mental illness-BUT it was tough to listen to (I ached for Aza) but a book teens need to read and will resonate with as mental illness, friendship, loss, families, are all explored and not easily resolved. Green is such a great writer and the fact that he himself suffers from OCD, it brought immediacy and urgency to Aza's story. She is naturally weird, so her obsessions don't help, making her shy and aloof. She has a very capable therapist, but Aza won't take her medicine as prescribed, doesn't always tell the whole truth and as she devolves--- fights the part of her illness that is obsessed with germs and microbes, breaking open a scab on her hand and compulsively cleaning and re-bandaging it- I asked myself, is it because she is a teen and doesn't know any better that she drinks hand sanitizer, and shirks the healing effects of taking her medicine? This book was a journey - Aza's friendship with Daisy and her romance with Davis saddened me; I wished a happy outcome and life for Aza, but I guess we need another book about an older Aza, don't we?

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This Darkness Mine by Mindy McGinnis

This Darkness Mine by Mindy McGinnis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh boy, I could not put this book down, Sasha Stone is not someone I never want to know- she is the unreliable narrator dealing with some major problems (sister absorbed in womb, mental illness, bad girl) and as she spirals out of control, I kept turning those pages but boy did I dislike Sasha Stone as each chapter got darker and darker and more mysterious. Sasha is the one in control from page one, don't let her convince you of anything less- she does not love anyone but herself, even though she may have the perfect boyfriend, a few girlfriends, supportive mom and dad- this psychological thriller is controlled by Sasha and her belief she has her sister's heart and her sister loves having sex with bad boy Isaac and Sasha wants to get her control of her body and self back. Boy did I feel sorry for the men in her life, but the girls did not fair well at all either (especially in the cardiac hospital) Sasha just kept spinning and striking out in her world- read this book to find out who wins, good girl Sasha or bad girl Sasha?

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Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert

Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved Brandy Colbert's Pointe and her latest, Little & Lion grips your heart for so many reasons. With a very diverse cast, current themes of diversity, mental illness and disabilities, teens will be passing this book to all their friends. Little is Lionel's sister, she is fierce in her love for her brother but there are many complications she deals with, as she returns home from boarding school for the summer. Little and her mom are black and Lionel and his dad are white (and Jewish) and a very close-knit family. But the summer before, Lionel was diagnosed with bipolar disorder her parents thought it better to send Little away while they dealt with Lionel's mental illness, medicines, doctors and psychiatrist appointments. While at school, Little hides who she is because she just can't deal. So her summer back with her family and friends is just what she needs, but there are whole new unexpected issues and complications fraught with anxiety, secrecy, and lies Little must deal with. How will Little's summer turn out? Colbert's characters were real and I loved getting to know them- roommate Iris, love interest Emil, Rafaela (Lion's girlfriend and Little's co-worker) and mostly supportive parents. Colbert's latest is a must read, recommended.

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Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall

Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I ached for Norah and her OCD and agoraphobia; she really is a prisoner in her home and her mind, until the day Luke moves next door!!! Gornall's book was especially poignant when I read the Author Notes and she writes what she knows because she lives with mental health struggles. Norah's inner voice, her anguish, depression, crushed me. As she tries to fight/overcomemove forward with her sickness, I rooted for her (also Luke was such a sweet, supportive teen who "got" Norah) and you will too. This is a must read for teens!

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My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier

My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG! What a terrifying sick read, my heart broke for Che, a nice, normal 17 yr old teen in a totally dysfunctional family, with the daily torment of psychopath sister, Rosa. Oh she is such a sinister character, but not many people see her evil (she is a cute 10 year old blonde with curls and a sweet smile) or believe Che. So Che has had to worry his whole life and try to circumvent Rosa without letting her see/know what he truly thinks/feels. Thankfully when Che, Rosa, Sally and David (they must call their rentals by their first names) Che meets his benefactors family and becomes friendly with Leilani and her little sister, Maya (they instantly dislike Rosa) while Rosa targets May's twin as her "best friend" and begins working out at the gym and meets Sojourner. I love Larbalestier's other books Liar & Razorhurst and would really love to see this book as a series! Totally creepy, teens will love this book.

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Tell Me Something Real by Calla Devlin

Tell Me Something Real by Calla Devlin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this wrenching book for The Hub Reading Challenge (William Morris Award) about 3 sisters and their father who are losing their mother to leukemia. They live in San Diego and commute to Mexico for Laetrile (banned in US) treatments. While there they meet people who come to feel special to them. One boy, Caleb and his mom, Barb, end up moving in and helping Adrienne, Vanessa, Marie cope with their hellish life that has been torn apart by this devastating illness. Vanessa, the middle child tells the story and it is her love of piano that helps her daily to deal with the leukemia and what it is doing to their mother. It is Caleb who is in remission from lymphoma who becomes her lifeline, support, and reality when another insidious truth becomes reality. I could not put this book down, I rooted for the sisters to survive their journey and be "safe and free" LOVED LOVED this book; a must read. Teens will love these sisters.

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Saving Red by Sonya Sones

Saving Red by Sonya Sones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sonya Sones has done it again; she is the master of novels in verse! Back in the 80s or 90s she came to Abington Senior High for the day and the students LOVED her and raved about her writing session. Saving Red illustrates Sones' command of each and every word; the longing, loss, and guilt Molly carries around since a year ago when her world turned upside down. Her dog, Pixel knows Molly and how to calm her down perfectly. Molly is a teen you root for; she had a very caring family and friends but her reality now consists of dysfunctional parents, a secret she can't bear to reveal and a homeless girl she befriends and tries to save. An even better part of the book is her accidental meeting of a guy, Cristo, on a bus and their hopeful developing relationship. LOVED LOVED LOVED this book; a must read for teens on homelessness, mental illness, and family problems & if you love dogs too!

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A Tragic Kind of Wonderful by Eric Lindstrom

A Tragic Kind of Wonderful by Eric Lindstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the ARC A Tragic Kind of Wonderful by Eric Lindstrom. I really enjoyed debut author, Eric Lindstrom’s first book, Not If I See You First and his second book nails the fear and anxiety one teen, Mel Hannigan suffers as a result of being diagnosed and living with bipolar disorder. Her aunt has it, her brother “had” it and Mel does not want her friends or the world to know about her mental illness as she grapples with memories, taking meds, and dealing with highs and lows that are bipolar disorder. Lindstrom paints an authentic portrait of a teen haunted by secrets. Mel loves working at The Silver Sands Suites, she caters to each senior lovingly and I especially liked her friendship with retired psychiatrist and resident, Dr. Jordan. He is not Mel’s real doctor, except she sees him as “her real doctor.” It is through this friendship/relationship the reader really learns about bipolar disorder through their conversations – since Mel is busy hiding it from everyone but her family. As she navigates her world of high school, the retirement home, and doctor appointments the reader sees Mel as this normal, sincere girl who has suffered and does not want anyone to know about it. Everyone loves her but doesn’t know the real Mel Hannigan. What if they find out? Will they still like her and want to be her friend? This is a must read about teens, mental illness, and the fears of hiding your true self. Mel Hannigan is someone we all need to know, highly recommended!

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Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley

Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This audio book narrated by Robbie Daymond & Julia Whelan nailed the main characters of Lisa and Solomon. Lisa is a positive extrovert, involved in many clubs, dating Clark, and obsessed with the study of psychology and going to the 2nd best college with a full scholarship. All she has to do is nail her admission essay and that is where her "highly illogical behavior" cooks up the idea of "saving" Solomon who is agoraphobic and had not left his house in three years. Solomon is an especially lovable teen dealing with his mental illness with his very supportive parents and highly positive and honest grandmother. As Lisa becomes Solomon's friend, she is convinced she can cure him, even though her boyfriend, Clark is totally against her subterfuge. I loved and rooted for all the characters in this book; Whaley constructs such a stunning story about mental illness, friendship, and family. I still have many questions and would love to see a sequel - will Solomon make progress? will Lisa and Clark stay together? where will Lisa go to college? what will happen to Solomon's family?

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