All the Stars Denied by Guadalupe Garcia McCall

All the Stars Denied by Guadalupe Garcia McCall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not wait to read this stunner after I finished the tough read, Shame the Stars, by G.G. McCall. This historical read covers the horrendous repatriation of US citizens from the US. Estrella is a Mexican American teen is living in Texas during the Great Depression on her family farm but during a time when many whites want the Mexican Americans out- despite their citizenship-- the awfulness of their treatment as they are burned out of their home, the reader learns of how dark this time of history was in its treatment of Mexican Americans, how evil was the intent, treatment, and injustice to citizens and classes of people trying to make a living while living in their home, the United States. A must read for students to learn about a dark part of our history.

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Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech

Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was such a good book, kids and middle grade students will empathize with Louie--missing his brother in the army, afraid for ailing Winslow, trying his hardest to please family and friends while finding himself. Once again, I am impressed by Sharon Creech, her writing, her love of pets, and her way with words. She weaves a mesmerizing story of a lonely boy who finds meaning when he saves and takes care of a very sick donkey. My granddaughters loved this book.

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Silver Spoon 2 by Hiromu Arakawa

銀の匙 Silver Spoon 2 [Gin no Saji Silver Spoon 2] by Hiromu Arakawa
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge, award winner of great graphic novels and what a great series! Yugo Hachiken is easing into his first year, making friends and learning a lot about cows, horses, and much more at Oezo Agricultural High School! He finds an old oven and together with everyone, students, teachers and more they all collaborate to help Hachiken make pizza. Then when students go on break, Hachiken does not intend to go home and ends of staying at his classmates' farm and helping out. There was much to laugh about and learn about the farm families and Hachiken is changing and growing as a result.

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A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for the May topic of crossover books for the twitter chat with #yearofya. I love Patrick Ness and also his author friend, Siobhan Dowd, who shared this idea with him before she died of cancer. Connor is 13 years old and his mother has been battling cancer---he has a recurring dream with a monster in it---but one night a different monster (the yew tree in the yard) comes calling (he tells Connor he called him to come) and has 3 tales to tell Connor and then Connor must tell him 1. Boy are those tales tough for Connor----no easy answers and impossible tasks---who needs this when he is suffering in school (a bully and his crew pick on him and everyone else treats him like he is invisible) and now his grandmother is taking care of him, and worse still--his father (now with a new family in the US) comes to visit him, why? This story broke my heart.

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Locked in Temptation (The Protectors #3) by Brenda Jackson

Locked in Temptation by Brenda Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brenda Jackson has done it again! This series of The Protectors was oh so good and this 3rd book was so good I could not put it down and savored the sizzling relationship of Joy Ingram and Stonewall Jackson. Loved the police detective and ex-con together; they have relationship issues from the past but when they finally go on a first date---neither can deny they are "locked in temptation" and when they do something about it; wow! I also liked the mystery Joy delves into when one of her murder cases reveals a baby ring, kidnapping, and a conspiracy that involves many influential people. Can't wait to read another of her romances!

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Royal City Vol. 3: We All Float On by Jeff Lemire

Royal City, Vol. 3: We All Float on by Jeff Lemire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Using a surprise member of the family and magical realism, Jeff Lemire sympathetically works with all the characters in the Pike family to lay beare answers and reasons to persevere as each sorts through life and how Tommy's death affects each of them many years later. An ending that is both honest, bittersweet; once again I am in awe of Lemire's graphic novels and his view of cities, families, and dead-ends.

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Royal City, Vol. 2: Sonic Youth by Jeff Lemire

Royal City, Vol. 2: Sonic Youth by Jeff Lemire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read the 2nd volume of Royal City as part of the Great Graphic Novels Awards in the 2019 HUB Reading Challenge and this book shows what life is like for the Pike family as it leads up to Tommy Pike's final days. The sad, dead-end part of the town has infiltrated this dysfunctional family - mother, father and the kids. I loved Lemire's detailed, authentic illustrations as a teen goes through life normally but then headaches start, pain pills are thrown down with alcohol and you see the picture. I ached for this family, the loneliness and alienation are pervasive and awful. Can't wait to read Vo. 3!

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