Restart by Gordon Korman

Restart by Gordon Korman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When Chase Ambrose falls off the roof of his house; he wakes up to find he does not remember anything about his life- total amnesia. And when he returns to school he gets many different looks- even from his step sister- a 4 year old! Since he can't play football; he joins the Video Club and really enjoys it except for the girl who threw yogurt on his head. What he does not remember & finds out all too soon is that he was a bully along with 2 other friends who drove yogurt girl's brother to another school & earned community service at a convalescent home. I could not stop turning the pages as I followed Chase on his journey and I liked the alternating chapter of friends & those he bullied. Middle grade students will really enjoy this book; a must read!

View all my reviews

Mirror to Mirror by Rajani LaRocca

Mirror to Mirror by Rajani LaRocca
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another Rajani La Rocca winner; this novel in verse about twin sisters with very different personalities was awesome; middle grade and young adult readers will enjoy the format, the girls' drama, and their summer camp escapades. Will Maya & Chaya find each other as their differences threaten to tear them apart? Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

The Umbrella House by ColleenNelson

The Umbrella House by Colleen Nelson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ruby and Scout decide to try to save their neighborhood from a rich real estate mogul who wants to buy their apartment building. As they dig for information about the history of the Umbrella House, they have questions they need answers to, one of them Who is this Midnight Muralist & can they help? I loved the beauty of this neighborhood, the authors' words and the power of so many people to save their neighborhood. A must read for middle school, one that will make you root for Ruby, Scout, their families and friends!

View all my reviews

My Broken Language: A Memior by Quiara Alegria Hudes

My Broken Language: A Memoir by Quiara Alegría Hudes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Quiara Alegria Hudes' biography/memoir contains her life as a child of a Jewish father and Spanish mother but the world she lives in is what she writes so compelling about---history her activist Puerto Rican mother has told her and shown her over the years. Using stories we learn about her life in North Philadelphia and her time in Malvern, we learn about the barrio, the many players in the life the author wants to know more about and read/write/sing about.

View all my reviews

Vanished! (Framed #2) by James Ponti

Vanished! by James Ponti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Once again, I loved and could not stop reading the adventures of Margaret and Florian Bates as they continued to be kids in middle school but also working with the FBI and Marcus (using TOAST) to uncover who is pulling pranks at the elite Chatam School. Ponti keeps the thrill pulsing with this latest mystery and I enjoyed seeing Florian and Margaret at a rival school, making new friends (well really spying, even the President's daughter!), involving gangster Nic the Knife to help and try to find master cellist Yin as he vanishes during a concert! Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

Muted by Tami Charles

Muted by Tami Charles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a great, compelling read---a novel in verse fiercely telling the story of three girls who love singing, harmonize together, and dream of escaping to the music world, singing, becoming famous and staying together----oh this does not happen! Denver and her friends Shak and Dali are 17 yrs old when they see their fave artist, Merc Ellis would be coming to their area, and decide they will make themselves heard, seen and astound Merc. As they get his eye and go back stage, all three are beguiled---what happens is that smooth Merc shows his true self and starts to isolate them---Dali and Denver if they do see it, allow themselves to be swooning over his attention and ignore the warning signals---but Shak does not and she is the first to go. Denver and Dali slip off and become Merc's proteges---but do they really? This is a must read, I could not stop turning the pages and I loved Charles' language in telling this cautionary tale. Going back and forth in time, my fear for Dali and Denver was heightened with each page I turned as they allowed themselves to go deeper and deepper into this den of horror. A must read!

View all my reviews

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!

View all my reviews

The Boy Who Failed Show and Tell by Jordan Sonneblick

The Boy Who Failed Show and Tell by Jordan Sonnenblick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jordan Sonneblick's memoir about his middle school years was funny but also achingly sad. His asthma medicine gave him so many side effects that really affected him in school. In addition, he had an awful teacher who really did not like him, took perverse pleasure in blaming him for everything, and caused him to really dislike school. His many stories about what happened to him during this time will provide humorous stories, anecdotes, and insight into the time he went to school (parents did not really support their children but listened to the teacher, which was so wrong in Jordan's case). I loved when Jordan had people he cared about---he appreciated and enjoyed a caregiver, his drum teacher, his new teacher at his new school; best yet was his dedication at the beginning of the book to a beloved teacher! Enjoyable and very insightful from Jordan's point of view- the reader gets the good Jordan and the bad Jordan experience!

View all my reviews

Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany Jackson

Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely narrated by Korey Jackson , Nile Bullock , Adenrele Ojo , Adam Lazarre-White; I loved this book- the characters were so real, likable, funny, and dealing with their own issues. Steph, Jasmine's big brother and all around good guy has been murdered; Jasmine and his 2 best friends, Quadir and Jarrell feel keenly Steph's music needs to be heard and hatch a plot to get everyone listening to Steph as if he is alive but they call him The Architect. When each of them begins delving into Steph's life their are mysteries and secrets Steph was keeping and now the 3 friends are keeping secrets. Loved the music world aspect look into the making of a demo, learning the history of music, of rappers, being represented by a label and fame. The narrators were so good; I enjoyed the authenticity they brought to the teens' language, dress, social status and racism. Jackson's book was awesome; teens will love the 90s portrayal of the music scene, the loyalty of friends, and the grief after a loved one dies.

View all my reviews

When We Were Infinite by Kelly Loy Gilbert

When We Were Infinite by Kelly Loy Gilbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love all Kelly Loy Gilbert books because of what timely issues and themes they deal with, but this book was really tough to read... Beth as the protagonist goes through so much--her parents' divorce, her circle of friends that she loves so much that she really does not show them who she really is---she shows them what she thinks they want to see, and when an act of violence on her love interest Jason devastates her; the whole story shifts as Beth and her friends try to support Jason. I hated how all that happens to Beth changes her and molds her into another person (not one I really liked but can understand this was how she coped)who must mold herself into someone everyone will love and accept and the author shows how these teens really have no way of dealing with what happened to Jason and Jason makes it even more difficult by asking them to go back tot he way they were before. Beth's treatment of her mother was awful, mean and secretive while she loved her father--who was the one who left, stops coming to see her, and does not support her. As she and Jason begin to see each other it quickly becomes awkward with Beth telling herself she must accept everything and take it in stride. This book broke my heart but the friendships these teens have is so special and supportive. The author deals with many topics teen readers will want to read about - abuse, secrets, high school, the college aspect, divorce, lies, music, self destruction, suicide, dysfunctional families, racism, and authentic Asian American teen characters. A must read but it will be a tough read.

View all my reviews

The Deal (Off-Campus, #1) by Elle Kennedy

The Deal by Elle Kennedy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first Elle Kennedy romance I have read and oh did I enjoy Hannah and Graham. They were both believable college students, Graham the jock and Hannah a music Major. But they bring their real selves to their friendship which begins with Graham stalking Hannah to tutor him so he won't get kicked off the ice hockey team. As Captain, Graham has lots of friends and girls who chase him. But Hannah works, is a good student and is in the annual music show, and she does not have many friends, does not drink and does not go to frat parties. I liked the slow way their bickering friendship proceeded and as they begin to tell each other things that they have not told to too many people, my fingers were crossed. A really great book to begin the Off-Campus series, I can't wait to read more Elle Kennedy romances!

View all my reviews

Don't Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno

Don't Date Rosa Santos by Nina Moreno
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nina Moreno, awesome debut author, sucked me into Rosa's world and family and I so enjoyed the ride (on land and sea!!!) as this brave firecracker Lantinx girl into making lists, getting others excited about projects, and trying to navigate the world of her grandmother, Mimi, who will not tell Rosa anything about her life and love in Cuba and her mom who just keeps leaving. Both Mimi and her mother are dealing with grief in their own way---they have lost their men to the sea and now Rosa is cursed as well, or is she? Oh did I love the world and beauty of the seaside town, Port Coral ---Rosa and her family and friends bring so much to this world (food, fun, music) , I want to live there too! Whether she is saving the town or herself, I rooted for Rosa!!! Thanks to my friends @summerathon for recommending this book as a perfect summer read!!! I can't wait for next year!

View all my reviews

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 2nd book by Angie Thomas and Bri was such a strong female lead, she did not shy away from expressing herself (setting haters and troublemakers straight), even if it got her into problems with how others perceived her---she knew who she was and she spent her life rapping andurban it was the only thing she wanted to do- also as a way to get her out of her neighborhood. She loses alot (her Dad's shooting, her mom's drug use, loneliness while her Mom is in rehab, others misjudging Bri and her family members. When even more tough times fall (Bri assaulted by school guards, mom loses job, electricity is cut off, Trey's money is not enough) Bri wants to save the family by making it big with her rap, On the Come Up, but there are other unintended consequences; Bri, her friends and family (Aunt Pooh and cousin Scrap) are judged harshly but Bri is formidable and I loved her fierceness. You will too! Don't miss this must read!!!

View all my reviews

Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo

Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group and Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) for the advance reader copy of Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo in exchange for an honest review. What a great romance! I fell in love immediately with Korean American character, K-Pop Star, Lucky, and Jack’s story, spanning one day of unrestricted commitments (Lucky decides to take a chance on being freed of her overwhelming K-Pop persona and obligations) with Jack (rescuer and nice guy) providing a whirlwind tour of Hong Kong via sites, music, and food, as they really get to know and like each other. As they roam the city, Jack and Lucky continue their deceptions, even as they parse out each other’s insecurities. I loved Lucky’s pluck, while also being tremendously guarded and conversely she also trusts and feels free as Jack accepts her as just a girl he is showing around the city. Even though Jack’s deceit is worse, I saw him through Lucky’s eyes as kind, caring, and oh so handsome. What I love about Goo’s stories are how her main characters, even though flawed, and drama-filled, they each begin to feel interest, caring, and love spread, and it makes the characters oh so swoon worthy. Teens will enjoy the intense relationship Lucky and Jack generate as their whirlwind tour of Hong Kong becomes a dream come true. Lucky and Jack are vivid, sympathetic characters whose fate matters and will keep teens turning the pages. One of my favorite new romances!

View all my reviews

Spin by Lamar Giles

Spin by Lamar Giles
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Teens will love the music, DJ, and the ins and out of the music world as they are plunged into another thriller from Lamar Giles. Paris (known as DJ ParSec is found murdered by two of her friends; Kya and Fuse have no love for each other than their history with Paris. What was really freaky was the fandom known as ParSec Nation; I could not put this latest book down! I Love Lamar Giles mysteries and this book took it to the next level with the many motives and suspects; high school drama, family drama and friend drama. Teens will be grabbing for this psychological thriller; the mystery and the detective angles are taut with suspense!

View all my reviews

Sparrow by Sarah Moon

Sparrow by Sarah Moon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this award winner as part of the 2018 HUB Reading Challenge. Oh did I love Sparrow's journey, from a lonely child who loses one friend and never seems to make another. Sparrow spends her time becoming a bird and flying. It is when she is on the roof at school that people think she will jump, that Sparrow goes into counseling and oh what a journey she begins with Dr, K. Sparrow and her mom go through a very difficult period too, not talking to each other. It is so beautiful when Sparrow discovers music, how it heals her, energizes her and speaks to her---when Sparrow, her mom and Dr. K talk and settle on Sparrow going to a 3 week long music camp...OMG I just loved Sparrow's spirit as it soared, made friends, wrote songs, played the bass. The best book ever! Quite the debut!!!

View all my reviews

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!

View all my reviews

The Serpent King by Jeff Zenter (audiobook)

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this stunning audiobook (since I had already read the book!!!) for a twitter chat with #2jennsbookclub on 8/8 at 8pm. Since I had already read the book and knew the whole plot; it was at times aching and at times haunting to listen to Dill, Travis, and Lydia as their lives unfold during their senior year of high school. Readers will continue to think about the confines of a small town, bullies, and three best friends who exist only for each other's friendship. Dill is mesmerizing as a poor, down trodden, teen with a disgraced father in prison with debt weighing on Dill and his mom. Travis's dad has become an abusive alcoholic toward Travis and his mom with his brother's death in Afghanistan. And Lydia has supportive parents, a wildly successful fashion blog and looks forward to college in New York. What is most sad is the torment Dill suffers as each day ticks by as senior year draws to a close and Lydia will leave him and never know he had been in love with her for a very long time. What lies in store for these three friends- will their dreams come true or will small town life decide their futures? A must read and listen to!!! Narrators Michael Crouch, Ariadne Meyers, Ethan Sawyer were awesome, with irresistible voices drawing the listener into their sympathetic characters' hearts, minds, and lives! A MUST READ!





View all my reviews

Strings Attached by Joanne Lippman and Melanie Kupchynsky

Strings Attached: One Tough Teacher and the Gift of Great Expectations by Joanne Lipman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Strings Attached is such a great teacher book and so much more. Told in alternating voices by Joanne Lippman (one of Mr. K's violin students) and Melanie Kupchynsky (Mr, K's daughter)the reader learns about their love of music, family, and the inspiration that was their teacher, Mr. K. His methods may have been unconventional but he reached his students so deeply with his love of music that they endured his craziness and bloomed as a result. This is not an easy book to read either; but one that must be read in order to feel and know what Mr. K (and his life in Lithuania during the war) stood for as a coach, father, teacher, and musician. Highly recommended- this book will be discussed in a Twitter Chat #ISTElitchat Tuesday July 21 at 8:30 EST, feel free to join in!

View all my reviews

The Scar Boys by Len Vlahos

The Scar Boys by Len Vlahos
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I got my ARC at ALA Midwinter in Philadelphia and this book is so good on so many levels. It is about Harbinger Jones, whose voice is real, authentic, knowing, and damaged. He is scarred (both mentally and physically ---he was hit by lightning, while tied to a tree by a bully)as a child and this disfigurement follows him (in waves) throughout the book, and will his entire life. It is a story of friendship, a love of music, a band tour, and ultimately how Harry succeeds as a person and friend. I loved Vlahos' words, characters and the depth of his feeling for Harry, his parents, Johnny, Richie and Cheyenne; highly recommended. This is a great guy book, but girls will love it too and also adults.

View all my reviews