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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Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee

Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of my 2nd challenge (I did the first challenge in January and loved it so I made a new challenge for February) for #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge 15 points for Book by the Same Author. This is my first Barbara Dee book and it was gut wrenching and such a needed book for middle schoolers but also parents, administrators, guidance counselors, and teachers. Mila begins 7th grade as a happy girl with a group of friends but being raised by a mom and sister and dog. Money is tight but life is good. When boys from the basketball team begin to ask for hugs, touch her sweater and say things that make Mila uncomfortable, a fall out begins. Her friends Omi and Zara don't understand, Max urges her to go to her guidance counselor or the assistant principle. Mila's female guidance counselor is on maternity leave and she is left to speak to Mr. Dolan who does not understand/help at all. Mila's conflicting feelings she keeps to herself but the reader sees her inner devastation questioning why this is happening. Without revealing all that happens in this MUST READ book, Mila hits rock bottom, is devastated by friends, teachers, and others reactions to her many ways she reaches out and draws back with all that happens. I rooted for Mila to grasp her inner strength and rise above the torment she is going through. Barbara Dee's characters are authentic - Zara is a prickly, jealous friend while Omi is not into conflict at all, Max begins to pull away from Mila when she does not take his suggestions, her mom is dealing with her own life problems and when she loses her job, Mila pulls back. The plot is riveting and will have all middle schoolers sharing this and talking about this book!

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