Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx by Sonia Manzano

Becoming Maria: Love and Chaos in the South Bronx by Sonia Manzano
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read this memoir as part of June nonfiction month chat with #yearofya 6/29 at 8PM, join us to talk about YA nonfiction. Sonia's story of her chaotic family life from the time she was a youngster until she wins her role as Maria on Sesame Street was enjoyable but also heartbreaking. For an authentic look into her Latino/Puerto Rican roots, her family history, and Sonia's view of all that transpires in her life, the reader will alternately ache and root for Sonia's honesty (in her many stories and asides) in a world that often scared/angered her but ultimately urged her to resilience despite the challenges of her family and home life.

View all my reviews

The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Choksi

a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25203675-the-star-touched-queen" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px">The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed listening to this first in a series about a girl in a harem court who has been raised with a horrible horoscope of death and bad luck. Priya Ayyar was an excellent narrator; I especially liked her throaty vice for the demon horse, Carmella who only wants to take a bite out of people, but ends up being Maya's friend and protector. I was hypnotized by the Raja, Amar and rooted for him since Maya had so many other evil characters who wanted to tear her away from Amar. The world building was beautiful, the adventures were many, and the continued mystery was fantastic! I could not stop listening and I have already downloaded the 2nd book!

View all my reviews

The Problem With Forever by Jennifer Armentrout

The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mallory was such an in-depth study of a foster child who suffers horribly at the hands of abusive foster parents, so much so that she hardly speaks ( if she is quiet, she won't be hit) but it is another foster child, Rider, who always protects her, takes blows and abuse meant for her, who saves her time and time again. After one horrid night where the abuse culminates in the police being called in; Mallory is taken to the hospital, adopted and never sees (but thinks about Rider constantly) her hero again. It has been 4 years since Mallory has been adopted, faithfully seen a therapist, homeschooled, that she feels she is finally ready to attend high school. But fate steps in on her first day, and Mallory comes face to face with Rider. As the sparks fly for both teens, they navigate a new kind of friendship with Mallory making friends and dealing with her shyness (speech issues) and Rider once again the white knight. But Mallory has changed and she wants the best for Rider, but what happens if despite how much he cares for her, he is stuck in feelings of worthlessness and being invisible in their world that values street addresses, money, and ambition? I loved Mallory and Rider, I rooted for them, and ached for their foster world with the accompanying scars, scabs, and stress still plaguing them. A great romance and authentic look at the foster system and it effects.

View all my reviews

All Day: A Year of Love and Survival Teaching Incarcerated Kids at Rikers Island by Liza Jessie Peterson

All Day: A Year of Love and Survival Teaching Incarcerated Kids at Rikers Island by Liza Jessie Peterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Liza Jessie's memoir is stunning, compelling honest, and real. Her love for these incarcerated youth on Riker's Island is passionate, unflinching, and loud. The youth's lives are heartbreaking but Liza roots for each and every inmate & pushes them to be their best self despite the insurmountable odds. She urges Black & Latino youth need to know more about their true history in America and the world. The reader is plunged into the prison, the inmates, and how things (their lives) work. Liza's artistic side (acting & theatre) really helps her connect (reach/reach out) with kids many want to forget. I read this for June nonfiction twitter chat Thursday 6/29 at 8PM with #yearofya JOIN US with any YA nonfiction titles you want to share.

View all my reviews

In the Afterlight (The Darkest Minds #3) by Alexandra Bracken

In The Afterlight by Alexandra Bracken
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh I loved this series, I did not want it to end- all the kids became my circle of friends, Ruby, Liam, Cole, Zoo, and the other kids labeled as freaks. Their world was so bleak but the hope and daring do and the adults in the camps, government were horrible except the poor parents. I loved the growth of Ruby ad her brave band, such a great series, I recommend all read or listen to it. I LOVED AMY McFadden's narration!!!!

View all my reviews

The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr

a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30849412-the-one-memory-of-flora-banks" style="float: left; padding-right: 20px">The One Memory of Flora Banks by Emily Barr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks for my reading friend, Maureen for this compelling read. I loved Flora, she was mighty, she was brave and oh was she trapped by her memories because she has a type of amnesia and only remembers from the age of ten. Now she is 17, she kisses her best friend's boyfriend and surprise of surprises, SHE REMEMBERS this memory and what results is an adventure, scary, and true. As she follows her memory to the Arctic, Flora has this one memory but others like her brother who she loves desperately present themselves on pictures and emails she trades with him. I loved the way Emily Barr unfolded this gem of a book with Flora's memory of the boy and the kiss, but also her daily schedule, interactions with others, and her notes (loved those notes). I rooted for Flora and loved the delicious ending to this book!

View all my reviews

Be True to Me by Adele Griffin

Be True to Me by Adele Griffin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, what a read, another summer on Sunk Haven in 1976 and Jean and Fritz who have spent their summers sunning, working, and playing are really looking forward to a great few months. But the arrival of Gil Burke, a nephew who has never been acknowledged, has arrived and both Jean and Fritz want him. What happens as the summer unfolds and the reader learns from Jean and Fritz in separate chapters, is that both girls competition is not working at all. Jean is part of the island's upper crust while Fritz is an army brat who visits with her best friend, Julia ever summer. Jean is conflicted and wants to reinvent herself and meeting Gil before the summer begins in New York has her over the moon with all the plans she has with her and Gil as a couple. But as Gil arrives on the island, he meets and falls hard for Fritz who is a natural at everything. They fall hard for each other before Jean can even renew their original heat. I hated the snootiness of the islanders and how it made Gil & Fritz feel. I hated Jean's scheming and how it affects the three of them, literally could not put this book down, read it in one day!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for the Sneek Peek, Be True to Me by Adele Griffin. I read the few chapters provided and was completely hooked by the premise of this historical fiction summer beach read. Two teens, Jean Custis and Fritz O’Neill approach another Fire Island summer with excitement and a little dread as they vie for a guy, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. There are social classes, resentments, and many other drama going on in this delicious read. I have pre-ordered my copy of the book as soon as it comes out in June and I can’t wait to read it!!!

View all my reviews