Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart

Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really wanted to like this book, writer, etc...but the totally depressing topics, the Glasgow dialect made it difficult for me to gush about loving this book. I am now listening to Young Mungo, so we will see if the narration makes it easier to enjoy... Shuggie's life is so dismal- his mother drinks and she becomes abusive to her family and gets on the phone and crank calls people who have wronged her, goes thru men, is totally irresponsible and leaves her children hungry and disillusioned. As this continues, the older children plot to leave...and poor Shuggie is left to watch over his mother, hungry, cashing her child support checks and missing lots of school. I ached for Shuggie and all the difficulties he encounters, will he be able to escape this life?

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APlace to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus

A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this debut author awesome historical middle grade fiction as the final book I needed to read for my 2nd #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge for a book set in another country. I LOVED this book; the Pearce children won my heart, they were all heroes, and they were devoted to one another during such a scary time in London history with World War II and the approaching enemy. With the death of their grandmother, the three children are now orphans and her solicitor decides the best and safest place to be is with a group of children being evacuated away from London to the "safety" of the country. With William 12, Edmund 11, and Anna 9 they realize it is necessary for them to stay together but will pose a problem to find a home that will accept three children. I loved Kate Albus' characterizations; they were fleshed out- both the good and evil characters. There is humor as Edmund just can't control himself, tension as the children try to be the best occupants in each billet, and the psychological suspense with the highs and lows of wartime England and the children's secrets. Middle school readers will love the plot and setting as our three children yearn and try to find themselves A Place to Hang the Moon. The beauty and importance of family is superbly handled by Albus with each turn of the page! Highly recommended!

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Illegal by Eoin Colfer and Andrew Donkin, Giovanni Rigano (illustrator)

Illegal by Eoin Colfer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Goodreads description reads "a book for all children" & I read it as part of #yearofYA twitter chat topic, middle school books, but this timely graphic novel really calls to be read by EVERYONE. Beginning with a touching, truthful quote from Elie Weisel, this devastating fictional story uses Ebo's harrowing journey detailed with awesome artwork to show what illegal immigration, fleeing to find family in other countries, and the desperation of being a refugee look like in our world today. A compelling social issue that breaks your heart.

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Smoke in the Sun (Flame in the Mist #2) by Renee Ahdieh

Smoke in the Sun by Renee Ahdieh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this awesome 2nd audiobook (excellently narrated by Nancy Wu) in the duology series Flame in the Mist for my empowering female twitter chat with #yearofya to be held on 9/6 at 8PM EST, please join us as we talk titles that feature females in the lead, girls supporting each other or overcoming the many challenges young women face and oh was this audiobook perfect with Hattori Mariko the strong female but also with lesser female characters who behind the scenes are intelligent, aware, and forthright in their agendas. Mariko is such a strong female character (within and to all who know her) and she also emboldens other females in the court and the Black Clan to be true to themselves and care for others. There is so much violence in this story, especially Emperor Roko's torture of prisoners that I gave this a horror classification as well. I loved the romance between Mariko and Okami and with Okami's reticence, Mariko stood firm, resolute, and almost embarrassed Okami to the become leader everyone saw. Thankfully when he finally escapes his torturous prison and finds gifts and letters hidden in his destroyed parents' home for his eyes only, Okami realizes what his true mission is and becomes the perfect strong leader needed in a time of battles and betrayals in court and the kingdoms bringing change to a feudal Japan wracked by evil within. Loved this book, could not stop listening!!!


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Without Merit by Colleen Hoover

Without Merit by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really liked this Colleen Hoover book and I wasn't sure I would because the main character, Merit was such a mean girl. But as I read, you find there is a lot more going on in this book with Merit, her family, and extraneous people living in their home. I loved how Sagan and Luck were able to speak honestly to Merit which was so important to her since her family had soooo many secrets and they were literally consuming Merit. I also loved the dog aspect too, changed the dynamic of the story too. Merit and her family, the dysfunction, unhappiness, anger are all too real; I loved how Hoover unpeeled the layers, and slowly page by page began the healing after Merit's scathing letter (and other devastating events that night) opens wounds, enemies, and angry secrets. How will Merit survive? Will she? Will her family? Such a great read, I was very satisfied with the ending and I was so afraid I would hate the ending:)

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Something Real by Heather Demetrios

Something Real by Heather Demetrios
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Heather Demetrios as an author and when this book was suggested in a post (wish I could remember where) I uploaded this gem from Kindle! Chloe Baker has enjoyed her 4 years of high school as a normal person (no one knows here real name) and part of a TV Reality show. The Bakers Dozen was on TV when Bonnie (Chloe) was young and had a really negative effect on her (and her brother, Benny). As the new Baker's Dozen comes roaring back to a TV show again- Chloe can't deal, her mother has remarried, she has friends and a totally supportive boyfriend---will Chloe be able to stop her mother and stepfather, confide in her friends and boyfriend? I loved Chloe and Benny's voices, ached for their sorrow and the deep-seated insecurities this is a must read!

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The Shadows We Know by Heart by Jennifer Park

The Shadows We Know by Heart by Jennifer Park
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this title for our May #yabookchat with discussion to be held Sunday 5/7 at 9pm EST. I fell into the Leah's two worlds immediately and I did not stop to question anything; debut author, Jennifer Park's forest, the sasquatch family, and wild boy were rich, mysterious, scary as was Leah's restrictive real life which came all undone 10 years ago when she lost her brother, his best & father to death in the forest. Leah and her brother, Matt have barely survived their mother's drinking, her preacher father's restrictive, harsh rules and their marital relationship that seems to no longer be there. Ever since her brother, Sam died 10 years ago, Leah has been drawn to the forest, by its richness, and the Sasquatch that she sees (but tells no on about) until one day, there is a wild boy. Instantly, Leah is overcome by his beauty, and his pull on her. Leah tells no one about him but there is also something familiar about him too... All too soon, her 2 worlds collide and the sasquatch family and her wild boy are in danger. When Leah and Matt learn the truth of what their parents withheld from them over the years---there is so much anger. This world is believable, I loved Matt, Leah & the wild boy and Bee. Definitely a story worth reading about forbidden secrets, tragedy and coping. Even more it is a story about hope and believing, making good decisions & bad decisions. I loved the beauty of the forest and rooted for Leah, Matt & Ashley.

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