Closer to Nowhere by Ellen Hopkins

Closer to Nowhere by Ellen Hopkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hannah has a cousin, Cal who comes to live with them and upsets her life with her parents, gymnastics, and school, because his sense of humor is not always appreciated. Once again Hopkins brings the reader a raw real book about the meaning of family and what it takes to become family. I especially liked Hannah's mom, Taryn, as she accepts Cal into the family after her sister's death and her evil husband's incarceration. Cal has many problems Hannah is unaware of because of his abusive, drug addicted and alcoholic father. But with Cal coming to live with Hannah's family fissures in her mom and dad's relationship becomes even more fractured. Their grandmother dislikes Cal and compares him to his father and this also aggravates Cal's behavior and responses. I could not stop turning the pages as Hannah's POV and Cal's POV, both real and haunting, reveal their staunch desire to keep their family together. I can't wait to read Hopkins next middle grade novel in verse, What About Will, when it comes out in September 2021.

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Stone Cold Touch (The Dark Elements, #2) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Stone Cold Touch by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this 2nd audiobook in the The Dark Elements Series that continues with Layla, Roth and Zayne all working together to find the Lilin. But Layla has new found powers; Abbott the head of the Wardens and Zane's father hate her. I could not stop listening to this heart pounding romantic series audiobook from acclaimed author, Jennifer L. Armentrout. Already going to listen to the final book in the series!!!

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When We Were Infinite by Kelly Loy Gilbert

When We Were Infinite by Kelly Loy Gilbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love all Kelly Loy Gilbert books because of what timely issues and themes they deal with, but this book was really tough to read... Beth as the protagonist goes through so much--her parents' divorce, her circle of friends that she loves so much that she really does not show them who she really is---she shows them what she thinks they want to see, and when an act of violence on her love interest Jason devastates her; the whole story shifts as Beth and her friends try to support Jason. I hated how all that happens to Beth changes her and molds her into another person (not one I really liked but can understand this was how she coped)who must mold herself into someone everyone will love and accept and the author shows how these teens really have no way of dealing with what happened to Jason and Jason makes it even more difficult by asking them to go back tot he way they were before. Beth's treatment of her mother was awful, mean and secretive while she loved her father--who was the one who left, stops coming to see her, and does not support her. As she and Jason begin to see each other it quickly becomes awkward with Beth telling herself she must accept everything and take it in stride. This book broke my heart but the friendships these teens have is so special and supportive. The author deals with many topics teen readers will want to read about - abuse, secrets, high school, the college aspect, divorce, lies, music, self destruction, suicide, dysfunctional families, racism, and authentic Asian American teen characters. A must read but it will be a tough read.

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Your Heart My Sky by Magarita Engle

Your Heart My Sky by Margarita Engle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Once again, I am enthralled by a Magarita Engle novel in verse. This historical fiction book begins in Cuba in 1991 supposedly a special period in times of peace ---BUT the people in a small area are starving because Castro has done so much harm by aligning with Russia and being boycotted in trade by the U.S. for so many years. Based loosely on her family's struggles during this time, Engle weaves a harsh, true life of Liana and Amado who meet as a result of a "special" dog and form a friendship looking for food and then fall in love as they bring love to starvation, possibilities, and hope. The author notes are a must read and reminded me of another book about a horrid time in history, The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys---the Facist dictatorship of Franco in Spain 1957 where starvation and silence to the world was hidden by the people of Spain.

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Just Like That by Gary D. Schmidt

Just Like That by Gary D. Schmidt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh did I love this Gary D. Schmidt book so so much! The writing, the characters, and the 1968 setting were optimal for an authentic middle grade read! Meryl Lee Kowalski's life has been turned upside down with the death of her best friend and her parents decide to start her fresh at a prep school, away from the grief and possibly problems at home. But it is at St. Elene's Preparatory Academy for Girls where Meryl Lee tries to find out who she is by participating in sports (a hoot!), writing, and artwork. As lonely and despondent as she is, she runs into a kindred soul in Matt Coffin (who acts like her dead best friend) who has a horrid past he is running from. And each time he runs, those he has come to care for are in danger. I could not put this book down!!! The beauty in Schmidt's writing was present in nature with both Meryl Lee and Matt reveling in the sea, the shore and skipping stones. Many of the teachers were authentic and sympathetic with changes abounding as time goes by. I loved the characters of Dr. MacKnockater and the sea captain, the servants Betty and Althea and the Vietnam War was woven seamlessly throughout this wonderful novel that burns with warmth and humanity. Highly recommended and I loved seeing the characters from his other novel, Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy in this book too!

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White Hot Kiss (The Dark Elements, #1) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

White Hot Kiss by Jennifer L. Armentrout
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another terrific book/series by Jennifer L. Armentrout I listened to Narration by Saskia Maarleveld.
Layla is half human and half demon and a warden living with wardens who keep her in a cocoon and at a distance except for Zayne who has been protecting her since she came to live with them as a child. When she meets Roth, a student in her school, he tells her who she really is and how betrayed she feels --the Wardens knew much more about her than she did... and as Layla learns more and more about her heritage, more and more demons come after her. She must keep Roth a secret as they try to find a book that will help them stop a demon uprising. I am jumping into the next book, Stone Cold Touch, and can't wait for the awesome narration by Saskia Maarleveld!

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A Wicked and Beautiful Garden by Katie McGarry

A Wicked and Beautiful Garden by Katie McGarry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A new and exciting series by Katie McGarry introduces Cassie and Orion--once lovers, Cassie has believed Orion died 9 years ago. With much determination, she had built a new life as a midwife. As a child her grandmother gave her a wonderful loving life which consisted of tales about faeries and the beauty of what nature holds. I can't wait for the next book in the series this fall!

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