Starfish by Lisa Fipps

Starfish by Lisa Fipps
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This middle grade novel in verse is a must read for all- students, parents, teachers, guidance counselors. Ellie has been bullied in thoughts, words, and actions since she was five and what makes it worse is that her family is complicit. Having a large best friend in Viv has been her savior but Viv is moving away. As Ellie's mom rachets up her agenda for gastric bypass surgery, her psychiatrist father takes her to see a therapist. Lisa Fipps really knows how to show the reader Ellie's beautiful tortured soul and fragile self. Together with her therapist and new next door neighbor, Catalina and her whole family---Ellie's journey to confronting her bullies, her family, and herself is so important. A gripping novel in verse sprinkled with hope, honesty, and strength will pack a punch all readers need! Highly recommended!

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Julian is a Mermaid by Jessica Love

Julián Is a Mermaid by Jessica Love
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh was this book just so beautiful, cute and a must read. I have seen it on so many lists, recommendations, and now that I have read it, I understand why. Jessica Love's picture book is just perfect for diverse authenticity, the message of self acceptance by Julian's grandmother, Abuela, is perfect! I recommend all children, adults, school teachers, counselors will thoroughly enjoy this gorgeously illustrated book about wonder, family and community!

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The Pain Eater by Beth Goobie

The Pain Eater by Beth Goobie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Such a realistic look at a young teen's rape, how it reduces her to self-harm, being invisible, and unable to communicate with her loving family. Maddy Malone has just watched the school show and is making her way home when 5 boys grab her and rape her. She tells no one and begins to withdraw from everyone. Maddy will not confide in her older sister (whom she is very close to) and really doesn't have any friends in school. What makes it worse is that she loses herself and in order to cope begins to burn herself to lessen the pain of remembering (she has nightmares all the time). When she returns to school in the fall things do not get any better - but there is a class project called The Pain Eater and each week a student (alphabetical order) must read aloud their chapter. Kara is the first and does a great job in setting up the story, but as time goes on the bullies in the class begin to influence the story through their intimidation/friendship tactics. The Pain Eater parallels Maddy and her predicament---and as time goes on the reader will root for Maddy to find the courage to take control and become the happy, fierce Maddy she once was. I have read and loved Beth Goobie books for some time now- students loved her books, especially reluctant readers. Her books deal with issues teens can relate to and will jump start conversations on many real issues teens deal with in today's world. Highly recommended!

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Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid

Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Teens will see a bit of themselves in Dave, Julia, Gretchen and Brett. In this book, Adi Alsaid really gets teens (their highs and lows, their quirks, their isms) and for the teens that pine for others and do not do anything about it, Dave and Julia's friendship throughout high school with their Nevers list is reading they will love. Dave is such a nice guy, nice, genuine, caring. I wanted to love Julia but Adi Alsaid did such a great job showing how much Julia said and did was predicated on her very absent mom. It was so sad (Dave sees this) every time Julia's mom disappoints her and yet Julia yearns for a mom but gets a lukewarm long distance relationship from a selfish mom. So this broken connection made Julia self-centered, snarky, out there and unrealistic about many things. I couldn't put this book down; the romance, the wanting, the ache, the yearning make for a novel teens with be reading and sharing with each other. Make sure you read this book and join our twitter discussion with #yabookchat 10/4 at 9pm EST!

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P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This sequel was just as good as Han's first book, To All the Boys I've Loved Before, but even more probing of teens, romantic entanglements, and being true to ones' self. Lara Jean is really dating Peter, the guy she fell for back in 7th grade; but with his ex constantly part of their dating, can Lara Jean be sure enough of herself and Peter's feeling for her to rise above Genevieve's evil machinations? I did not want to put this book down; Lara Jean struggles like any teens, making good and bad choices, what will she do if some other guy from her past letter surfaces; enjoyable reading, one of my favorites! Make it one of yours!

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To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jenny Han is one of my new favorite authors with this book and the sequel, P.S, I Still Love You. Lara Jean is one of three Song sisters, the middle child, who is sweet, fearful, and convincing as a protagonist who grows into a teen we can all relate to with her hopes, wishes and fears. As she grows up and writes letters (puts them into her mom's hat box for safe keeping) to boys she has loved (but never dated, just crushed on)Lara Jean is startled to find all her letters have been sent to those boys and craziness ensues!!! I loved this book because it was a rom/com but deals with difficult, serious topics teens will recognize all to well. I was so luck to get both books on ILL, so I jumped into the 2nd book right away! Teens will love this book looking at romance, high school, and families, highly recommended!

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