Three Keys (Front Desk, #2) by Kelly Yang

Three Keys by Kelly Yang
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just love Kelly Yang books! Three Keys, continuing The Front Desk series was superior in every way! Mia, Lupe and Jason traverse life and school and friendship drama all the while growing while suffering indignities simply because they are immigrants in an election year in California. The bravery of these three middle school students shows as they struggle to navigate life. Mia and her parents have been very successful running the hotel, but her parents are beginning to shows signs of wanting other things, like maybe returning to the kind of jobs they held before coming to America. Mia's mom wants to get a credit card while her dad is very much opposed. Mia's love of writing takes a hit when the English teacher, Mrs Welch continues to give her Cs on her writing assignments. Lupe's mom has to return to Mexico when her mother dies, what will happen when she tries to return? Jason wants to be Mia's friend but Lupe does not like him. Jason wants to be a chef but his father does not see this as a viable career option. Even worse for the three friends is the governor running for office again promising immigration reform, much to Mia and Lupe's shock! Yang is a gifted author who writes with honesty, sincerity and grit with well developed characters and plot. I could not put this book down, I loved every word and rooted for the families of Mia and Lupe, even Mr. and Mrs. Yao! A must read---as all Kelly Yang books are!!!

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I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes

I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This gorgeous picture book has positive self images throughout, an upbeat narrator with hopes and dreams and reality. With beautiful illustrations, this book could be read, enjoyed and learn more about social justice appealing to all ages children through adults; a must read!

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Black Brother Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this must read book by Jewell Parker Rhodes! Brothers pictured on the cover, one light and one dark. Trey is the older brother, athletic, light skinned, and in a new prep school not having any difficulties being accepted. Donte is the younger brother, nonathletic (loves video games instead), and dark skinned and in the new school, targeted by a racist Alan who bullies Donte unmercifully (like he does others) and provokes an incident in school that lands Donte in jail. Luckily Donte has a fierce mom who is also a lawyer for Legal Aid and black while Dad is a geeky white guy and both see the injustice Donte is suffering, what to do about it? I could not put this ripped from the headlines book down; it hits on what is happening in our world today and in the past; this social justice book is a must read; students will love it and be sharing with other readers!!!

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Kingdom of Flesh and Fire (Blood and Ash, #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG, I could not put this book down!!! Armentrout's 2nd book in the series just got to me as Poppy and Casteel continue to fight, argue, flirt, until they stop pretending and get real and oh was it real. With an ending that was so so awesome, I can't wait for the 3rd book in this scintillating series. As Poppy grows to care for Casteel, she is always questioning why she believes his lies; but she does believe he has lied to her and his truth rocks her world. As she enters into an impossible accord with Casteel to get her brother back, to get his brother back, and destroy those who lied to her, confined her, and bullied her as the Maiden---the world begins to show how much it wants Poppy controlled. Question is will she be able to succeed? I loved the dynamics with Hawke/Casteel and Poppy and I am rooting for them in Book 3!!!

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Flamer by Mike Curato

Flamer by Mike Curato
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This debut YA graphic novel of Mike Curato is fiction and fact. He describes his bullied middle grade years and nervousness about high school. But the summer before high school there is camp which Aiden enjoys but also begins to see there are mean boys here too, and how he is going to be bullied because of the way he expresses himself. Teens will be reading this book and passing it to friends, it is a must read for all teens about acceptance!

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The Guest List by Lucy Foley

The Guest List by Lucy Foley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to MaryAlice Briggs-Dicker for this gripping mystery!!! Read it in one day, Will and Jules are egomaniacs getting married on a remote Irish coastal island. From the start, there are definitely those who love the island and others who are totally creeped out by it. As Will's friends from prep school arrive, things get out of hand and definitely interesting. You also have Jules' sister who doesn't want to be there and carrying alot of baggage. The wedding planner is handling most things with the perfection she is known for and wants the world to know about. Hannah is married to Charlie who is Jules' best friend and really begins to see another side to her lovable husband, what really happened at the stag party? A top notch mystery, highly recommended!

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You Don't Have to Say You Love Me by Sherman Alexie

You Don't Have to Say You Love Me by Sherman Alexie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to Sherman Alexie narrate this moving, gripping, honest book about his life, his mother's effect on him throughout his life, memories of his Indian upbringing and move from the reservation school to a white high school, his family (wife, Diane and 2 sons), his regrets, his accomplishments, and his health. Using poetry and essays and Alexie's poignant voice I was mesmerized by everything he had to say about life, his family, the world and the way he speaks in this memoir and love/hate relationship with his mother.

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