Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Cara McBrien for lending me this gut wrenching, awesome read about teens falling in love, reality and the truth come crashing in and someone is dead! Lily and Olivia are the main characters telling the story from their viewpoint, before and after. It is a look at Olivia's son's Asher's romance with Lily, and Olivia's abusive marital relationship until she ran with Asher to a normal life of beekeeping, until it wasn't. I loved the courtroom scenes with Olivia's brother as a brilliant lawyer working with his wife as investigator to prove Asher innocent. There was so much to take in, but I have read many LGBTQ books also transgender books as a YA librarian and I just keep reading them because they are a must read and each book is more enlightening, engrossing, and relatable. There was so much suspense I could not put this book down!

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Frankie & Bug by Gayle Forman

Frankie & Bug by Gayle Forman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh how I loved Gayle Forman's middle grade book! Bug looks forward to her summers at the beach with her brother, Danny while her mom works for the mayor's office. But during this summer of 1987, there is a serial killer on the loose in California. Now Bug's summer has changed and she is so not happy about it. But with the arrival of Frankie, a few years older, Bug's summer expands. Dealing with cultural and social issues; the friendship of Bug and Frankie has many highs and lows. I loved Phillip, Bug's neighbor who is colorful, loves to cook, and calls his friends by their full names, no nicknames, thank you very much. Danny is a very supportive older brother, which Bug knows but she does not understand why they can't go to the beach everyday like they used to and why does he need to be called Daniel anyway? I loved seeing the Venice beach and characters through Bug's eyes and I cheered for Bug's demand to know what secrets her family is keeping from her. I could not stop turning the pages of this lush, lovely book that needs to be read by everyone.

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Kiss Number * by Colleen AF Venable

Kiss Number 8 by Colleen A.F. Venable
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to @ReadingRants & the awesome Jennifer Hubert Swan for an awesome graphic novel recommendation! I loved author Colleen AF Venable's story and Ellen T Crenshaw's B&W illustrations! Madison is a normal teen who has a great family (even with secrets) friends (not a fan of Cat) and relatives but like all teens, she has questions, frustrations, and sometimes acts out with her friends which can mean they are all not speaking to one another. Turning the pages and seeing how Mads deals with her father, grandparents, boys, girls, kissing was engrossing and thrilling. Teens will be sharing this slice of life with each other as they see themselves in the drama of teen life.

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This Is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel

This is How It Always Is by Laurie Frankel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Shelly Wall for this awesome book that delves into so much---I loved this family, Claude/Poppy, their fierce love for one another, their honesty (even when Mom and Dad do not listen or see the signs), their friendships and yeah everything about this book! Not just a book about a little boy who wants to be a little girl but so much more and for all the adults who loved this book, I highly recommend these YA books too: Bus 57, If I Was Your Girl, Something Like Gravity, Beyond Magenta, and Blanca and Roja!

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Something Like Gravity by Amber Smith

Something Like Gravity by Amber Smith
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing, and Margaret K. McElderry Books for the advance reader copy of Something Like Gravity by Nicole Amber Smith, in exchange for an honest review. Just as I loved Amber Smith’s first YA book, The Way I Used to Be, so did I love and tremendously enjoy, Something Like Gravity. Amber Smith’s characterizations were authentic and sympathetic and spot on. Chris is such an honest, likable character and Maia is in so much pain as she struggles (even after a year) with her older sister’s sudden death. The parents were so realistic too; Chris’ mom and dad are supportive but it is not easy (Chris questions many of their emotions and motives) while Maia’s parents are grief stricken, isolated, angry and barely speaking to one another. Maia’s friends stay by her side as Maia ignores their texts and pleas to hang out. I could not stop turning the pages as Chris and Maia, strangers at first, become friends and much more. But will they forgive each other as secrets become exposed? This is an honest look at teen bullying, friendship, grief, and forgiveness. Amber Smith uses understanding and compassion in a must-read gripping story. Highly recommended.

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I Am J by Cris Beam

I am J by Cris Beam
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this book for #yearofYA and the May topic of Crossovers---this book was recommended by Book Browse as an Adult/YA Crossover. J is a teen who has known for a long time she is not a girl but a boy. Now as a teen, J makes a concerted effort to show everyone who he truly is---and it is not easy at all. Many subjects are explored in this transgender book; taking testosterone, binding breasts, haircuts, deep voice, feeling alienated from family and friends. As J explores and obsesses over girls, girlfriends, he makes a choice to move out of his house, get into a shelter, see a therapist while exploring future options with his life. He was so brave yet so conflicted and it was through friends (old and new) accepting J that helps propel this book to a hopeful ending.

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Beyong Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out Written & Photographed by Susan Kuklin

Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for my #yearofya twitter chat about Banned Books. This nonfiction banned book was very illuminating with author Kuklin interviewing 6 teens in the transgender community. their stories are powerful, all different concerning gender fluidity, transgender questions, family acceptance or denial, transitioning and identity that is not female or male. Kuklin's style of writing was arresting - the teens would talk but when Kuklin speaks she uses Italic font. The Notes & Resources were essential comprising an Author's Note, About the Callen-Lourde Community Health Center, About Proud Theater, a Glossary, and Resources. Very Important for teens, adults, teachers, guidance counselors and school nurses.

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The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord

The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, I could not put this book down, I loved (and hated) all that happens with Lucy. Lucy is strong, a leader, and daughter of a pastor. Her mom is a school nurse and her cancer re-occurs. Lucy is devastated, she is angry at God, her faith is blindsided, and so she struggles big time. Add to this- her boy friend, Lukas wants them to PAUSE for the summer (jerk), her mother wants her to work at the next door camp (rather than the one her parents own and run) for high risk kids and Lucy does not want to be away from her mother now but she also wants to grant her mom's every wish. So she does it, and from the first day at camp with her 3rd graders and the other camp counselors, she is challenged, questions herself constantly, worries about her mom BUT she also begins to change her mind about the campers and the counselors and very soon, she is finding herself completed by these kids & teens. I loved the way Emery Lord dealt with the faith issue- it was so real and believable from Lucy, her mom and dad's POV. She lived her faith, loved her faith, practiced her faith but she also questioned, railed, and anguished about/over her faith. The other counselors have all attended this camp as kids and now as counselors and they all have "a checked bag" (their issue) - they too are real and thoroughly supportive. Anna quickly becomes Lucy's best friend and confidante, Henry wears his heart on his sleeve - settles Lucy with his trumpet and his conversation and caring. Keely and Tambe round out this group and they all SAVE Lucy with their honesty, inclusion, and friendship (weekly discussion of "highs" and "lows") but through it all the reader sees such much inward and outward change in Lucy and an acceptance of what life is going to throw at Lucy and her family as long as there is love. I thought Emery Lord could not top When We Collided, but this book is such a gem with diverse characters, kids dealing with tough lives due to illness, death, sickness and learning coping skills at this camp from the counselors. Highly recommended!

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The Beast by Brie Spangler

Beast by Brie Spangler
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG what a book! I could not stop listening to Andrew Eiden as he narrated flawlessly the voice of Dylan called Beast by everyone because of his size and friend to one jerk, JP who makes him beat up kids to collect money owed him. Andrew Eiden's rendition of Jamie, the girl Dylan meets & falls for in group. What he doesn't know (because he tuned out) is that Janie is transgender & when he finds out, he deals with it all wrong. I ached for Dylan, his life, his yearning to get signs from his dead father, and his lack of faith in his mother. I rooted for Dylan & Jamie to triumph over themselves, other's judgments, and grow to appreciate the very horribleness of the world. A must read & recommended for all libraries!

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Being Jazz by Jazz Jennings

Being Jazz: My Life as a (Transgender) Teen by Jazz Jennings
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved listening to Jazz Jennings on Audible as she described her life's journey from a child to teen as transgender. Jazz's voice is authentic, real, honest, and a personality that is larger than life. She has a supportive family, is very involved in supporting transgender rights (accompanying her mother to Philadelphia to speak at conferences) and speaks and acts as a role model for other youth (and their families) like her. She has a very special voice that talks about the bullying and judgments made about her but she only asks for acceptance for herself and others. She is courageous, funny, smart and sensitive. I am going to check out her TV show and some of her YouTube videos. Highly recommended & a must read.

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If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo

If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG what a beautiful story! I loved the character of Amanda Hardy; how she related to her friends, family and Grant. As she moved through her life, from present, then back into the past, I wanted so much for her- and as she made friends, grew close to Grant, and navigated a new relationship with her father (she was born, Andrew) I rooted for her to succeed in finding happiness as a transgender teen in a new life that was honest. But Amanda could not stop remembering her past, the bullying, and the judging- will this help Amanda succeed or fail? As her life in a new school and now living with her dad moves forward, I wanted the best of all things for Amanda, will that be what she gets? A mesmerizing read that is honest, raw, and educational (I learned so much about her medical process)--- teens will want to read this brave book! I especially liked the author's A Note From the Author and her acknowledgments at the end. I am looking forward to more books from Meredith Russo- she has much to impart to teen readers, parents, guidance counselors, nurses, teachers and readers.

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Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart

Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not stop reading this sweet, tough book that looks at two new friends in 8th grade. Lily has always lived in Florida but Dunkin has just moved from NJ with his mom to live with his aunt. This book is about so much - friendship, families, death, bullies, one teen with mental illness, and the other teen wrestling with transgender issues. Told from Lily and Dunkin's POV, the reader will be immersed in a story that is heartbreaking but also inspiring. Highly recommended - for those who read George by Alex Gino, this book is a MUST READ. Also recommended for teens, parents and school guidance counselors. I loved Donna Gephart's Author Notes and what inspired her to write about Lily & Dunkin, her heartfelt message about NAMI (The National Alliance on Mental Illness), "good doctors, right medications and community support" her Acknowledgments and Resources.

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Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin

Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for my virtual twitter book club #yabookchat which will occur Sunday, June 5 at 9pm and oh did I love this book & highly recommend this to guidance counselors, teachers, nurses, parents. Riley Cavanaugh is a teen who is gender fluid, has been bullied at one school and has now started at another school. Problem is, Riley is not out to friends, parents (father is running for re-election) but on the advice of therapist Doctor Ann, begins a secret blog as Alix and goes from one to many thousands of followers. As Riley navigates the new school, makes a few friends, but also many enemies, what will happen to Riley/Alix as life gets in the way. I could not put this book down. The character of Riley, her friends Solo & Bec are fully believable/lovable characters as football player Vickers & hater friends are truly bullies, and evil. The author, Jeff Garvin has written an insightful book that will help teens who are struggling with gender identity, anxiety, and depression. His resources at the end of the book will help teens. Highly recommended.

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