One Two Three by Laurie Frankel

One Two Three by Laurie Frankel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Such a good story BUT I sometimes had a problem keeping the chapters of One then Two then Three throughout the WHOLE book was disconcerting for me and took away from the story--a disturbing story of a town being poisoned by a chemical company and with all the money in the world how the town was upended---people and animals died, water is green and brown and children born with disabilities....and this company proves to the world THIS is normal so the town Bourne becomes invisible with no one moving in or out, all are unemployed while the main characters ---the triplets hence One, Two Three (we get their POV and history of the town) make a sister pact to uncover and expose the new chemical company in town. I wanted to like River Templeton, the teen son of the corrupt grandfather who ruined their town, but Frankel chose to make him a one dimensional character and I did not like at all his duplicity with Mab. But I loved the sisters and rooted for them and their town!

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Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awesomely Narrated by Nikki Massoud; Soroya who is cursed and hidden away by her royal family. She leads a life of loneliness, walks in her garden and through the secret passageways, until one day she sees a young soldier from her solitary place atop the castle. This dashing soldier is not afraid of her poisonous touch and as they begin to talk and walk and explore; she becomes emboldened by her friendship and begins to try to find a way to wipe out her curse. Soroya wants to be part of her family and since she isn't she feels anger that she uses to search for the removal of the curse. I loved Soroya's quest; it was scary and so many times hopeless but I kept rooting for Soroya and as she learns about her heritage, her mother's part in the curse and her twin brother's aloofness---I kept listening and could not stop! I loved the many demons (and the author notes at the end were super helpful), the Persian influence (OMG the food was mouthwatering). Such a great retelling of so many myths!

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This Is My America by Kim Johnson

This Is My America by Kim Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thanks to Jennifer LaGarde (@jennlagarde) for this recommendation from her Purposeful Prose Summer Reading Exploring Inequity in the US Criminal Justice System!!! OMG, everyone needs to read this debut author book, Kim Johnson has spent her life being involved in social justice and organizations, her Author's Note is especially relevant stressing this book is a work of fiction but also calling out racism, police brutality, wrongful incarceration, white supremacy and hate groups and the death penalty. She gives facts and figures too. But her story about Tracy Beaumont and her family's troubles was haunting; I could not put it down. Tracy is an awesome protagonist, her friends are supportive, and her family is tight---Tracy's letters to Innocence X (she writes them monthly for the 7 years her father is in prison) and with the troubles visited on them and how they are viewed in their community and society; this is a must read for all----highly recommended!

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Elvis, Me, and the Lemonade Stand Summer by Leslie Gentile

Elvis, Me, and the Lemonade Stand Summer by Leslie Gentile
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Many thans to Laurie Hnatiuk for recommending this awesome debut author middle grade book. Taking place in the year after Elvis Presley has died, Truly has a secret and it is that Elvis is now living in their trailer park. Owned by Andy El, the Eagle Shore Trailer Park near an Indigenous reservation, her son Raymond faithfully comes to help with repairs, buy food, and spread love and security to his mom, Andy El, his sister and her kids and Truly because Truly's mom is just awful. Totally self absorbed and spurned by her mother because she got pregnant, her mother lets her down is so many ways. Truly spends more time with Andy El sleeping on her front porch, washing her clothes and eating at Andy El's and this summer Andy El has an idea for Truly to raise money. This lemonade stand comes to represent so much to Truly---she sells the lemonade but residents give her books, muffins, and other things to sell. She is saving to try to find her father but she is keeping this a secret; she tells everyone she is saving for a puppy and everyone wants Truly to have this puppy. This book broke my heart time and again (her mother of course!!!) but Andy El and her family filled Truly's heart with love and determination, a must read for all! Highly recommended!

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The Magical Imperfect by Chris Baron

The Magical Imperfect by Chris Baron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

another awesome middle grade novel in verse by Chris Baron which touches on so many important themes and topics. Set in 1989 San Francisco the book begins with earthquake drills, they are the norm but no one ever takes them for granted. Etan is a boy who has lost his ability to speak since his mother went away (a mental institution) but he has the strong relationship with his jeweler grandfather, as well as community members who understand Etan. Delivering a package to a remote island home, he hears Malia singing and begins a friendship. Both Etan and Malia understand what it is like to be alone--- Etan because of his silence and Malia because of her skin condition that has cruel people referring to her as "The Creature" I loved their way with each other; I loved Malia's grandmother just like I loved Etan's grandfather but I was riveted by the parents and their treatment/relationship with their children. There was so much to learn about in this book--the immigrants to Angel Island, the exciting World Series, the debilitating aspects of eczema, Etan's grandfather's religion. Such a great story---I recommend all readers will love this book!

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Everywhere Blue by Joanne Rossmassler Fritz

Everywhere Blue by Joanne Rossmassler Fritz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thanks to Donna Compton for recommending this awesome middle grade debut novel in verse! In a musical family each child has an interesting name Madrigal (our protagonist), Strum her older brother who worries about climate change, butterfly depletion, being a meat eater and Aria her older sister who now ignores her. Both parents have fostered this love of music, but was it their love of the music? When Strum vanishes from college, Maddie's family is devastated, why would he do that? The reader soon learns much about this family, the good and the bad, but it seems as they become teens both Strum and Aria have problems with their parents rules, wishes, and it is Strum who leaves each sibling an email which really does not explain much to Maddie. With the investigation going full steam ahead, her parents fight more, her mother is totally devastated, and Maddie is full time trying to figure out what happened to her brother. Will they find him? This is a a gripping novel told from the 12 year old POV and it is a tale of her journey as well---she loves even numbers while odd numbers spell bad luck, does she have more compulsions? Maddie may know more than anyone about Strum, will she be able to help them find Strum. What an awesome book, all readers should devour this one; highly recommended!

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To Catch a Killer (Erin Blake #1) by Sheryl Scarborough

To Catch a Killer by Sheryl Scarborough
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this mystery and Narration by Christy Romano was good but she did not have a male voice and I was sometimes confused when the male characters like Journey Michaels was talking because Romano used her speaking voice. But the mystery by Sheryl Scarborough was gripping and I will definitely be reading her next Erin Blake novel! Erin is a totally believable and likable protagonist while she hates being known as the girl whose mother was murdered. Her mom's best friend, Rachel, has raised her but she will NOT discuss her mother's death which is a real downer for Erin and who exactly is her father? With her best friends they have a side business which includes pictures, fingerprints and lots of other forensics (Erin is a fan of her uncle who is an FBI investigator and has written books) so when she finds her beloved biology teacher murdered and sees Journey there too, the mystery ramps up. This a gripping story and a great YA mystery!

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