The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin by Kip Rose

The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin by Kip Wilson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just as I loved Kip Wilson's first book, White Rose, so also did I enjoy Hilde's journey from orphan to friend with Rosa and the family at the queer club where they waitress and sing to earn money as the Hitler regime closes in. This novel in verse was gripping and thoroughly researched (see Notes at the end) with Hilde becoming more and more strengthened by her circumstances and friendships with those at the club. Loved the cover, too. Highly recommended!

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Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk

Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie, I loved this historical fiction middle grade novel! Crow was found as a baby in a boat and has been raised by Osh and Miss Maggie and though she loves her spare life with them on the Elizabeth Islands in Massachusetts, she has many questions about her identity, her family, and where she is from. This was a moving book that was steadfast in what family truly means and how Crow resolves who she really is. A must read and the author's notes are important as well.

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The Blackhouse (Lewis Trilogy, #1) by Peter May

The Blackhouse by Peter May
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to my Albright College roommate and friend for this Recommendation! I will defintely be reading this series that takes place in Scotland and takes the main character back to his home on the Isle of Lewis from Edinburgh where he has investigated a similar killing. As Fin returns after 18 years away, the reader finds out about Fin as a child in Crobost in between forwarding to the present murder, investigating suspects, and learning about too many secrets in this town that values keeping most things quiet but knows everyone's business. I could not stop turning the pages and I can't wait to read the next in this series, The Lewis Man!

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A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena

A Girl Like That by Tanaz Bhathena
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for a twitter chat book club, #yabookchat which will be discussed Sunday 4/8 at 9PM EST. This book devastated me, Zarin and Porus' life in Saudi Arabia, especially Jeddah was hell. Zarin is a strong female character (did I like her???, not really, but after they way she is treated by everyone, except Porus I saw her as a totally marginalized teen) who lives in a sexist, racist, judgmental world (school and home) that does not allow any freedom for teens in most aspects of life. The only character I truly loved and felt for was Porus. He is kind, has been raised right with a gentle father he desperately loves (and loses) and a revered mother. All of his goodness does unfortunately does not work for the love he has for Zarin. Time and time again, she is rude to him, with her mean, angry words she tries to push him away - she smokes, skips school and has a reputation (unearned) with guys resulting in her constantly being bullied by the girls in her school. She suffers physical abuse at her aunt's hands her whole life and her uncle turns a blind eye and eventually turns against Zarin when she will not tell anyone about the drugging and sexual violence by a classmate. There was no character (except Porus) that had any redeeming qualities, the religious police did not allow any normal teen relationships and society judged Zarin based on gossip, lies, and her own secrecy. I ached for this teen and when I finished the book, in the Author Note, Tanaz Bhathena summed up the awful life that existed for teens in Saudi Arabia in 2014, she revisits her own past over and over to write the book "My own story is different from Zarin's and Mishal's, Yet it does not make their stories any less true, not does it diminish the reality of living in a world that still defines girls in various ways without letting them define themselves. This book is a love letter to them all."
A must read but a devastating one nonetheless.

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