Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Kroscozka

This complex graphic memoir tells the story of Krosoczka’s childhood, up to his high school graduation. The author was raised mostly by his grandparents, due to his mother’s heroin addiction. He doesn’t flinch away from the darker details, but paints a courageous picture of both the difficulties and the warmth of the family surrounding him. Recommended for teens and adults, but not for Krosoczka’s younger fans!

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson

Spensa has dreamed of being a fighter pilot like her father ever since she can remember. Unfortunately, her father fled from a pivotal battle and was shot down by his own squadron and branded a coward, so the likelihood of her being allowed to attend flight school, much less pilot a spacecraft, seems pretty low. Spensa knows that her father was a hero, not a coward -- and she also knows that she could be the best pilot on the planet if they would just let her. Can her sheer determination to find a way or make one get her where she wants to go?

This is a fast, gripping read. I never liked Spensa much, but in spite of that, I found myself wanting her to succeed. (And many of the secondary characters were a lot of fun.) The plotting is all you might expect from Sanderson, with twists and turns galore. Improbable points in the worldbuilding turn out to fit perfectly within the book's internal logic later on, and the book is wrapped up satisfactorily, though the promised sequel can't come soon enough. If you enjoy sci-fi, or Sanderson's other books, don't miss this one.

(Reviewed from an advance copy, courtesy of the publisher.)

The Vanderbeekers and the Hidden Garden by Karina Ya Glaser

It's summer, and the Vanderbeeker siblings have no intention of taking on a gardening project, as Miss Josie and Mr. Jeet encourage them to do. But when a sudden health problem besets Mr. Jeet, they have a change of heart. They ask the distracted minister of the church they attend if they can create a garden in a overgrown lot, and he doesn't actually say no, so they charge ahead with their plan. But many challenges beset them -- and even if they manage to complete the project, will Mr. Jeet be well enough to enjoy it?

Another charming Vanderbeeker story! Of course, as I'm a big fan of The Secret Garden, to which this book obviously owes a debt, my fondness for it may not come as a surprise. I thought some of the gardening elements may have been a little bit simplified and smoothed out for the intrepid Vanderbeekers, but it's a sweet book, bubbling over with goodwill and enthusiasm, much like its young protagonists. Recommended if you liked the first book, or if you enjoy middle grade realistic fiction with a wholesome vibe.

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

You Don't Know Everything, Jilly P.! by Alex Gino

Jilly P thinks she knows a few things about interacting with people who are Black and Deaf -- she has Black family members, and a Black, Deaf online friend. But when her baby sister is born deaf, she finds she still has a lot to learn about that, and about other things happening in the world as well.

This was a good, quick read, with great characters. It's didactic in spots, but the author's note makes it clear that it was written with didactic intent. I thought it was interesting that Jilly and her friend never had to face up to the low-level bullying that they were doing in their chat room, but maybe that's a topic for another book -- after all, everybody in this world still has things to learn.

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

Louisiana's Way Home by Kate DiCamillo

It’s 3:00 in the morning when Granny tells Louisiana to get in the car, because the day of reckoning has arrived. It’s time to break the curse that hangs over them. Shortly after crossing the state line from Florida to Georgia, Granny’s teeth begin to bother her so much that she can’t continue on. After some emergency dental surgery, Granny and Louisiana land at the Good Night, Sleep Tight Motel — and that’s just the beginning of Louisiana’s story. There will be tears and songs and cake and forgiveness before it’s all told, not to mention friendship and several bags of peanuts.

Sometimes I read a quirky Southern story with an obnoxiously folksy feel to it, and I wonder why I bother. But then I pick up a book by Kate DiCamillo. And when tears are rolling down my face as I turn the final page, I remember. Doggone it, Kate, you did it again.

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

The Long-Lost Home by Maryrose Wood

Plucky governess Penelope Lumley is exiled to Russia, while the Incorrigible children are back at Ashton Place, at the mercy of the enigmatic Edward Ashton. Moreover, the curse on the Ashton family seems to be coming to a head. Will all of the disparate elements come together in time?

This book does a good job of tying up all of the loose ends of the series. If you’ve enjoyed it up to this point, you should find this a satisfying read. It’s been a while since I read the last book, so some of the details were a little hazy — I recommend having the other books fresh in your memory, if possible.

Side note: The author dedicated the book to Katy, or Katherine Kellgren, audiobook narrator of the first five books in the series, who passed away earlier this year. There’s a touching author’s note at the end. It brought a tear to my eye, for sure.
(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson

Six students in a Brooklyn elementary school are given one hour a week to just talk together, with no adults present. As they share their stories, friendship and understanding develops among them.

I was skeptical of the premise at first — that it would be allowed, and that it would result in the deep discussion that happens in the book. Woodson sells me on that, at least with this group of characters. There’s not much plot to this book; it seems to be mostly focused on showing how many current events and concerns relate to kids on a personal level. As an adult reader, I thought the lessons being imparted were a little too obvious, but I’d be interested to see how kids react. The writing is strong, though the decision to represent dialogue with italics rather than quotation marks bugged me. Recommended to readers of realistic juvenile fiction, particularly teachers, as I can see this being useful in a classroom setting.

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

Unclaimed Baggage by Jen Doll

At first, teens Doris, Nell, and Grant seem to have nothing in common beyond their summer job at a thrift store that sells the contents of suitcases left at airports. As they get to know one another, a deep friendship develops, and they find that they can help each other through the difficulties they are currently facing.

This is a nice, feel-good story. There’s some romance, but the book is much more about friendship and dealing with one’s past. I found the writing a little pedantic in places, exhibiting a tendency toward unnecessary explanations (see what I did there?). And the chapters were written from the point of view of the three main characters, but I didn’t find their voices very distinctive; several times I had to look back and see who was talking now. (Also, I could have done without the chapters from the perspective of the suitcase — I found that a little too precious.) But despite some quibbles, I found it an enjoyable read, over all. I’d recommend it for younger teens.

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith

When Louise's younger brother is cast as the Tin Man in their high school production of The Wizard of Oz, he's one of three minority students cast in major roles, and some members of the community are not happy about it. In her position as reporter for the school newspaper, Lou has a front-row seat to the rising tensions, and reflects on the many ways racism affects her life and the lives of those around her.

I love the premise of this book, with elements of theatre and journalism along with deep, important themes. However, I found the writing a little choppy, the dialogue a little stilted, and the characters not entirely relatable -- I never caught the emotion between the main character and her romantic partner, for instance. Perhaps because of those shortcomings, the book felt very message-y. I did learn some interesting (and unpleasant) stuff about L. Frank Baum, who was apparently racist in the extreme. We do need diverse books, and readers can learn a lot from this one -- I'm just hoping for better writing in future efforts along this line.

(Reviewed from an advance copy obtained through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.)

Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor

I can’t even begin to summarize this sequel to Strange the Dreamer without spoiling some aspect of the previous book, so I’m not going to try. I’ll just say that this book is even more tightly written than the first. It’s a gripping, intense read, and it builds beautifully on the elements introduced in the first book. Of course, it’s essential to read the first book before trying this one, but I highly recommend both.

(Reviewed from my personally purchased copy.)

Castle Waiting, Volume I by Linda Medley

Picture Sleeping Beauty’s castle, just after the princess is awakened by True Love’s Kiss. When the prince and princess ride off into the sunset... what happens to the castle and the rest of its inhabitants? In Medley’s graphic novel, it becomes a sort of refuge for all kinds of quirky characters. Few of them get to share their full stories in this volume, and the narrative rambles all over the place, with the last seven chapters dedicated to a story within the story about an unconventional order of bearded nuns. It’s a charming world, and I wouldn’t mind spending more time there, but the peripatetic nature of the story meant that I felt no urgency to keep reading, and I put this book down several times in favor of more compelling reads. Still, if you like fantasy stories and graphic novels, you might want to give this a try.

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

Amulet: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi

 After a family tragedy Emily, Navin, and their mom move into an old house that used to belong to their great-grandfather, a self-made inventor. When Emily finds a mysterious amulet, the family is drawn into wild and dangerous adventures in a fantasy world.

I can see how this series has gained so much popularity with kids -- it's got plenty of action, good pacing, and a strong plot. Being a graphic novel, it's naturally a quick read (I read it over the course of a couple of lunch breaks). I probably won't continue with the series, but I'd recommend it to kids who love graphic novels, if there are still any out there who haven't found it yet.

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

Matilda Bone by Karen Cushman

Matilda grew up in a manor house, where the only work expected of her was to assist Father Leufredus, the priest, in his studies. She knows Latin and some Greek, the names and stories of hundreds of saints, and how to be meek and obedient. None of this helps her much when Father Leufredus is called to London, and apprentices Matilda to a bone setter named Red Peg in a town halfway between London and Oxford. Peg is full of good humor and common sense, but all Matilda can see is how different she is from the priest and his teachings. Can Matilda look beyond her preconceptions and find a place in her new life?

I typically like Cushman’s historical fiction, but Matilda is a difficult character to love. She does soften up a bit by the end, but reading about her self-imposed misery for most of the book is not a lot of fun. And, while I liked some of the secondary characters, I had trouble keeping them straight. Recommended only to those who can’t get enough of Cushman’s writing.

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

Ruby on the Outside by Nora Raleigh Baskin

When Ruby was very young, her mother was arrested and sent to prison. Life with her aunt is Ruby's "normal," but she has a lot of big, complicated feelings about her mother, whom she visits weekly at the women's correctional facility near their home. Ruby doesn't like the other kids in her class to know about her mom, so she's never had a really close friend -- at least, not until she meets Margalit, a carefree girl of her own age who lives nearby. Over the summer, the two girls form a close bond -- but will Ruby's secret tear their friendship apart?

This book offers a perspective not often seen in children's literature, and it's valuable for that, to start. The emotion in the book is well-written, and that's the real heart of the story. I thought that both Ruby and Margalit seemed a little too perfect to be believed, Margalit in her honesty and forthrightness, and Ruby in her described behavior from the night of the arrest -- she seemed to behave in a much more mature fashion than one would expect from such a young child. But I think elementary school readers will relate to the story, and the resolution is reassuring but realistic. Recommended for readers who enjoy realistic works of juvenile fiction.

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan

When 13-year-old Elliot is taken to the Wall, which apparently is the gateway to a magical land that none of the other kids in his class can see, he's highly skeptical. Did that woman in leather just buy him from his teacher? Are these people perverts or serial killers? Is Elliot going to be forced to become a child soldier? On the other hand, his dad is not going to miss him, and there are supposedly mermaids in this land, so. Upon arrival in the training camp, he meets an insufferable blond warrior named Luke Sunborn, and a kick-butt female elf named Serene-Heart-in-the-Chaos-of-Battle (Serene, to her friends). Over the next several years, Elliot learns the ins and outs of this magical world, and finds it a pretty miserable place. He's in the council training track, while Serene (whom he immediately crushes on) is in warrior training with Luke. The cabins are cold, the beds are hard, and they expect him to write with a quill. Worse, the council training cadets are generally ignored by the warriors, because war is the most important thing. Elliot, a pacifist, knows that he could make a difference with treaties and agreements, if only he were allowed to get anywhere near them. As he watches Luke and Serene grow closer, it becomes obvious to Elliot that, in any fantasy story, he would be doomed to become evil -- but really, he's never been interested in embracing the tropes.

I found this a delightful and engrossing read. It takes a look at a lot of the standard fare of juvenile and YA fantasy, and says, "But why, though?" Elliot starts out as an annoying little squirt, and through incremental character development, written with an extraordinarily light hand, the reader (or at least, this reader) comes to love him. It's like a book written from the perspective of Eustace from The Chronicles of Narnia, except without the drastic events that lead to his change of heart. (Some of the language and situations are much more advanced -- this is definitely a book for teen or adult readers who loved Narnia but maybe haven't yet gotten to The Magicians, not for the innocent 8-year-old looking for a Narnia readalike.) Some of the situations are tragic (Elliot notes how his warrior friends go from being sickened by their first kills, to killing without a hint of remorse), while some are delightfully comic (Elvish society is matriarchal, which leads to some hilarious conversations with Serene). Recommended for fantasy fans, as it turns fantasy tropes on their heads with an affectionate hand, without sacrificing character development and a satisfying plot.

(reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani

It’s 1947, and India has just gained independence from British rule. 12-year-old Nisha’s family has lived in Mirpur Khas for as long as Nisha can remember, but now they must leave: Nisha’s father is Hindu, and Mirpur Khas falls within the part of India that is now the new Muslim country of Pakistan. The country’s leaders have partitioned India along religious lines, displacing millions. As refugees stream both ways across the new border, violence erupts. But Nisha’s deceased mother was Muslim, so she finds herself wondering where her place is in this new India.

This book is gripping and well-written. Both the political turmoil and Nisha’s inner struggles are given weight and dignity. I’m sure this is an unfamiliar part of world history to many American children, making this an important book as well as an interesting one. It’s sure to inspire additional research in many of its readers.

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff

Young centurion Marcus Flavius Aquila's father disappeared with the doomed Ninth Legion in northern Britain. When Marcus takes a post in Britain, he hopes to hear or discover something of the lost Ninth, but a wound taken in battle cuts his military career short. After he recovers, he embarks on a dangerous mission to discover what happened to the Ninth, and to retrieve their bronze Eagle, the symbol of Roman power and victory, which may be in the hands of the northern tribes.

This story of high adventure in the long past is one that I probably would have enjoyed as a child, but I never crossed paths with it at the time. The writing is lovely and the pacing is strong. It's a quick read (the audiobook I listened to was under five hours), full of goodness with nothing extraneous. For all that, I'd say I liked it but didn't love it. If historical fiction set in the days of the Roman Empire appeals to you, I'd say give this a try, no matter your age.

(Reviewed from an e-audiobook borrowed through my library system.)

Front Desk by Kelly Yang

Mia’s parents have struggled to find work in America ever since they got off the plane from China. When they find a job as motel managers, it seems like an amazing stroke of luck: they can live in the motel rent-free and make good money if they can bring in enough customers. Mia is excited (though also a little scared) to help watch the front desk while her parents clean the rooms. But when the motel owner proves to be stingy and racist, Mia tries to come up with a better solution for her family. She helps some friends along the way, but will her struggles to better her own situation pay off?

This delightful middle-grade book is based in part on the author’s own childhood experiences. She provides a helpful author’s note at the end which explains some of the challenges Chinese immigrants faced in the early 1990s, the setting for this book. Some of the fictional events come together too smoothly to be entirely believable, but I think that young readers will enjoy this story and empathize with Mia’s big feelings and even bigger plans.

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

Meet Cute by Jennifer Armentrout et. al.

A collection of short stories, exactly as the title indicates: a baker's dozen of stories featuring couples meeting in various circumstances. Unfortunately, though I enjoyed many of these stories, I didn't love any of them. In a few cases, the stories felt incomplete, like reading just the beginning of a story, and I would have liked to hear more about them. In other cases, there was not enough room for character development, and the stories themselves evaporated from my memory before I even finished reading the book. Recommended only if you absolutely love short-form romance.

(Reviewed from an ebook borrowed through my library system.)

Pride by Ibi Zoboi

Zuri Benitez loves her Brooklyn neighborhood. It's loud, it's poor, but it's comfortable in all the right ways. When an upper-class Black family moves in across the street, she's not as excited as her four sisters, despite the fact that the two teenage brothers are very fine, indeed. She doesn't like the way they look down their noses at her street, at her sisters -- particularly Darius, the younger brother, who strikes her as entirely arrogant. But as the two families are thrown together, she starts to see him in a new light...

This is billed as "A Pride and Prejudice Remix," and it does a great job of interpreting the original in a new context. Some of the humor of the original is lost, as is a little of the drama. On the other hand, it addresses plenty of timely issues regarding race, and it still has a satisfying romantic plot. It's a fast, enjoyable read, both for fans of the original, and for those encountering it for the first time. Recommended.

(Reviewed from an advance copy, courtesy of the publisher.)

Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu

Seventeen-year-old Rachel has never worn pants, gone to public school, or had more than five dollars to call her own. Her family attends an extreme fundamentalist church and subscribes to the Quiverfull movement, so Rachel and her nine siblings live a life of strictly enforced obedience to their father and their church. Rachel really wants to be good, but she longs to read and study. She gets a sinking feeling in her stomach when she thinks about courtship, marriage, and the possibility that she might be married and pregnant within a year. And when her mother sinks into depression after a miscarriage, Rachel is frustrated and exhausted at being required to shoulder the majority of the responsibility for running the household. When rumors circulate that Lauren Sullivan, black sheep of the congregation, has returned to their small town, Rachel's curiosity is piqued. Why did Lauren leave? How has she managed to survive on her own? Using the family's ancient computer (purchased solely to help with the running of the family business), Rachel surreptitiously discovers Lauren's blog, and before long, the two are communicating. But what will happen if her father finds out?

This is a gripping read, alarming in its veracity -- though Rachel is fictional, her situation is real enough. Mathieu appears to have done a good bit of research, though she has not experienced life within that culture firsthand. I appreciated the way she showed Lauren and Rachel as people who embrace two different worldviews, but can still be close friends who work to understand each other. Also, the fact that Christianity and religion in general is not demonized because of the cult-like sect Rachel's family follows is a positive for me. There's a scene in the book where Rachel attends a mainline Protestant worship service and contrasts it with what she's always known, and I appreciated the nuanced treatment that the author gives religion.

My few small quibbles with the book involve the practicalities of life for Rachel in the later part of the book. I felt that some things came too simply or easily for her, both in terms of those practical details, and in the emotional realm. But altogether, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in realistic YA stories that examine various expressions of religion.

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

The Language of Spells by Garret Weyr

Grisha is a dragon; the youngest of the last dragons, actually. And, due to the machinations of an evil magician, he's spent most of his life as an enchanted teapot. When the enchantment is broken, he learns that all of the world's remaining dragons have followed a mysterious summoning sound to Vienna. After some time in Vienna, he meets Maggie, a lonely human girl. Together, they discover that something terrible has happened to many of the dragons, and together they embark on a quest to rescue them.

This is a lovely, gentle book with a bittersweet ending. The pace is leisurely, but it doesn't drag. I thought the actual quest part went a little too easily, but the best parts of the book are Grisha and Maggie's friendship, and the way the world's magic system works. If you enjoy thoughtful juvenile fantasy, give this one a try.

(Reviewed from an advance copy, courtesy of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.)

My So-Called Bollywood Life by Nisha Sahrma

Winnie Mehta's boyfriend Raj cheated on her, sort of. When she told him she wanted to "take a break," she didn't mean she wanted to break up -- so why does she come back from summer film camp to discover that he's dating Jenny Dickens? The relationship drama is complicated by a prophecy that Winnie's parents got from an astrologer when she was a baby. Raj meets all of the criteria to be Winnie's soul mate, and while Winnie isn't sure she believes in the prophecy, she's also not sure she doesn't. And her friend Dev is paying her a lot of attention now that she's no longer with Raj... Meanwhile, it's her senior year, and she's focused on a couple of big extracurricular projects that could make the difference between getting into the NYU Film Studies program, or attending community college at home (as *gasp* a theatre major. Horrors!)

I had a really hard time relating to the main character, or believing in either of her love interests. Many of her concerns seemed overwrought: there are a lot of other options between NYU and community college, but Winnie didn't appear to be willing to consider any of them -- and she was convinced that running the school's film festival would make her a shoo-in for the program, whereas I feel that the college admissions process is not that cut and dried. On the other hand, I appreciated the depiction of her loving, supportive parents, and her descriptions of Bollywood films made me want to watch a couple.

Bottom line: if you enjoy YA books with romantic comedy plotlines and characters with diverse backgrounds, you might enjoy this -- just be prepared for a dose of teenage angst!

Also, for the record, there is nothing wrong with being a theatre major. ;-)

(Reviewed from an e-audiobook borrowed through my library system.)

The Rose Legacy by Jessica Day George

Orphaned Anthea has been shuffled from one relative to another ever since her parents' death, but now she is being sent to an uncle who lives in the wild lands beyond the Wall. At his farm, she will discover that many of the things she's been taught all her life are untrue -- particularly regarding horses, which she had heard were disease-carriers and extinct. Neither of these things are true -- so why is that what children south of the Wall are taught?

This is an enjoyable book, with plenty of horse-related adventure for those who can't get enough of that sort of thing. The pace is quick -- almost too quick, I thought, because sometimes events are just mentioned, rather than being fully described. This is one rare occasion where I feel that a book would have benefited from being just a tad bit longer. On the other hand, its brevity will probably work well of child readers who are anxious to get on with the story. The ending leaves plenty of room for a sequel, so I expect there will be more books set in this world -- though I'm not sure I will seek them out. On the other hand, readers who love horses and fantasy should certainly take a look at this book.

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

Puddin' by Julie Murphy

Millie and Callie don't have much in common: Millie's an optimistic fat girl with dreams of a career in broadcast journalism, Callie is co-assistant captain of the school dance team, and kind of a mean girl. When a prank that Callie is participating in goes too far, the two are thrown together in ways that neither could ever expect.

I enjoyed this, maybe a little less than I enjoyed Dumplin', but it's a feel-good story about friendship and becoming who you're meant to be. I thought Millie was a bit of a Mary Sue, way too emotionally mature and self-aware to be entirely believable, but she did make a few mistakes and seem a little more human in the later parts of the book. Callie's personal transformation was dramatic, but felt earned. I listened to the audiobook, which was adequate but not fantastic. The narrator voicing Callie didn't do a good job of differentiating between Millie and Callie's voices, so in places lacking dialogue tags, it could be tricky understanding who was speaking. The narrator voicing Millie often pronounced Callie as Kelly ("Who's Kelly?" I kept thinking), and I thought her voice sounded too mature for a teenager most of the time. But those are minor nitpicks; if you prefer reading via audio, don't let my opinions discourage you from doing so with this book.

(Reviewed from an e-audiobook borrowed through my library system.)

My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows, and Brodi Ashton

A madcap riff on Jane Eyre, involving a ghost hunting society and the Brontë siblings as characters in the story. If you're a Jane Eyre purist, you won't enjoy this, but if you approach it as a completely different story that borrows some character and place names, it's a fun romp. I listened to the audiobook, and it was mostly good, but there were a couple of places where I felt the narrator emphasized the wrong word in the sentence, which hindered comprehension. Still, overall, enjoyable.

(Reviewed from an e-audiobook borrowed through my library system.)

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

Miryem’s father is a moneylender, and he’s hopeless at it. When Miryem’s mother falls ill and it looks like the family won’t survive the winter, Miryem examines her father’s account books and marches to the homes of the neighbors who have borrowed money with no intention of returning it. On that day, she becomes the moneylender in her village. She finds she’s very good at it, too, and at trading the goods that she sometimes gets as payment. In fact, after a particularly successful transaction, she jokes about turning silver into gold... and something hears her. When a purse of elvish silver appears, Miryem must find a way to change it to gold — but if she does, what will happen then?

Oh, so good. This book hit all the right notes with me. Intricate plot, great characters, delicious writing, with fairy-tale connections and an Eastern European flavor. Probably my favorite book so far this year. If you like fantasy, get this book and read it!

Also, that last line? Perfection.

(Reviewed from a copy  borrowed through my library system.)

My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows

A madcap riff on Jane Eyre, involving a ghost hunting society and the Brontë siblings as characters in the story. If you're a Jane Eyre purist, you won't enjoy this, but if you approach it as a completely different story that borrows some character and place names, it's a fun romp. I listened to the audiobook, and it was mostly good, but there were a couple of places where I felt the narrator emphasized the wrong word in the sentence, which hindered comprehension. Still, overall, enjoyable.

(Reviewed from an e-audiobook borrowed through my library system.)

Noteworthy by Riley Redgate

Despite her full-ride scholarship to a prestigious fine-arts high school, Jordan is not getting cast in any productions. Between her height, her Chinese-American features, and her Alto 2 vocal range, there just aren't parts suitable for her. Maybe her parents are right, and she should move back home.  Then, she sees the audition notice: the school's most prestigious a cappella group, the Sharpshooters, has one open slot.  Jordan decides to take her shot, but there's just one problem: the Sharpshooters is an all-male ensemble. Can Jordan pass as a guy and make it into the group?  What will happen when she's found out?

I enjoyed this book tremendously. Great character development, great details about music and singing, great discussion of masculinity and femininity.  I would have liked to see a little more of Jordan when she wasn't in disguise; I felt like that had to be a larger portion of her life than the book showed -- but all in all, really fun.  If you like realistic YA, and especially if you have an interest in a cappella, give this one a try!

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus -- A nerd, a jock, a homecoming princess, and a juvenile delinquent walk into detention. Their fifth companion is Simon, sole proprietor of the school's notorious gossip app. Fifteen minutes later, Simon is dead. The circumstances are suspicious: all of the students were busted by a strict teacher for having phones in their bag -- but the phones he confiscated weren't theirs. Simon died of anaphylactic shock due to his peanut allergy, and the emergency EpiPens were missing from the nurse's office. And a post is queued up on Simon's app that reveals the darkest secrets of the other four students in the room. Was one of them willing to kill to keep that information from being revealed?

I found this mystery tightly plotted, with great characters and a compelling mystery. I felt like the bit after the climax dragged ever so slightly, but up until then the pacing was great. The four different audiobook narrators did a great job, and the shift from one voice to another may have helped keep my attention strong. Four is a good number of different perspectives for this sort of book, especially since the author did a good job of sharing out information between the four. If you like YA mysteries, this is a strong one.

(Reviewed from an e-audiobook borrowed through my library system.)

Secret Sisters of the Salty Sea by Lynne Rae Perkins

Jooles, Alix, and their parents go on vacation at the beach.

Did this book even have a plot? Not really. An average family goes on a beach vacation, they do inexpensive touristy things, they go home. I can see child readers who don’t mind a simple plot but want characters they can empathize with enjoying this book, especially if those readers are dreaming of a beach vacation. But I kept waiting for some sort of driving plot line, and there just isn’t one here. Pleasant enough, but meandering.

(Reviewed from an e-audiobook borrowed through my library system.)

Save the Date by Morgan Matson

Charlie is determined that the weekend of her older sister’s wedding is going to be perfect — but it seems that everything that can possibly go wrong, is going wrong.

This was a fun read, though I would not recommend it to anyone who might be involved in planning or participating in a wedding in the near future! I never completely connected with the characters, but that might just be me. (I also found the string of disasters more anxiety-inducing than entertaining, but I’m pretty sure that’s just me.) If you like light, realistic YA (and aren’t planning a wedding any time soon!), you might want to take a look at this one.

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

When Zelie was a child, magic went away. Then came the Raid, when the soldiers killed all of the adult magic users, including Zelie’s mother. Children like Zelie, who had not yet come into their powers, were allowed to live, albeit as second-class citizens, since they would now never develop magic powers. But what if there was a way to bring magic back?

There’s so much good stuff going on in this book. The world building is terrific, unlike anything you’ve read. The magic system is strong, though less unique (elemental magic), and the characters are well-written and distinctive. I felt like the quest dragged on in a few places, and at one point I thought the characters made a poor decision that was out of the normal for them. There’s also one character, Inan, who does a lot of flip-flopping even though he isn’t written as weak or indecisive. However, on the whole, I enjoyed this very much. Recommended to readers of fantasy.

(Reviewed from an e-audiobook borrowed through my library system.)

Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi

At the beginning of her freshman year of college, Penny meets Sam through a mutual acquaintance. Perhaps things would have ended there, except that a few days later she helps Sam through a severe panic attack -- something that she, herself, has experienced. They exchange phone numbers and jokingly agree to be each other's "emergency contact." Their relationship develops entirely through text messages for several weeks -- but can it survive the various circumstances each faces in real life?

These characters are really endearing. I think Rainbow Rowell said it best when she blurbed it -- you just want to send them a care package! The plot meanders a little, and I got a little irritated with Penny's treatment of her mother. I also found the ending a little abrupt, albeit satisfying, though one plot point never got wrapped up in a satisfying way. If you're into realistic YA books, this one is worth checking out.

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

Suitors and Sabotage by Cindy Anstey

Lady Imogene Chively is kind of dreading the upcoming house party, to be honest: her lone suitor from her recent London season is coming, and though he is a pleasant young man and a good match, her shy personality means entertaining any company can be a bit of a chore. Fortunately, her bubbly friend Emily will also be on hand. Ernest Steeple, the aforementioned suitor, does arrive, as does his brother Ben. Over the course of that house party and the ones that follow, Imogene slowly realizes that she is not in love with Ernest — but she may be falling in love with Ben! Worse, a chain of seemingly accidental misfortunes have befallen Ben. Is someone trying to get him out of the way?

I found this Regency romance thoroughly enjoyable. The pacing was a bit leisurely, but the characters were so nicely drawn and the plot so interesting that I didn’t mind taking my time with it. I listened to the audiobook, which only added to my enjoyment. Recommended to Regency fans, and I’ll be seeking out more books by this author.

(Reviewed from an e-audiobook borrowed through my library system.)

Bob by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead

Livy doesn’t remember anything from the last time she visited her grandmother in Australia — especially the weird green creature (chicken? zombie?) waiting for her in the bedroom closet. His name is Bob, and they were best friends when she was five. But what kind of creature is Bob, and where does he belong?

Ahh, this was so sweet! I loved the characters, especially Bob. Readers of middle-grade fantasy will enjoy this book.

(Reviewed from an advance copy, courtesy of the publisher.)

From Twinkle, With Love by Sandhya Menon

Twinkle Mehra wants to be a filmmaker, but her ventures thus far have been limited. When Sahil Roy, aspiring film critic, suggests that she direct a film for her school's Midsummer festival, she agrees: not only will this give her a chance to develop her art, but maybe it will bring her closer to Sahil's crush-worthy twin brother Neil. As they work on the project together, Twinkle can't deny that she has feelings for Sahil -- but Neil could be her ticket into the popular clique at school, and that's a dream she's not quite ready to give up -- especially since she's been getting secret admirer emails from someone who signs his name "N." When Twinkle starts power-tripping and her world begins to fall apart as a result, will she be able to pick up the pieces and learn from her mistakes?

I enjoyed this book even more than When Dimple Met Rishi. Sahil is adorkably sweet and almost too perfect. Twinkle goes through a slightly over-the-top bout of self-centered nastiness in the middle of the book, but pulls out of it in a way that redeemed the character for me. If you like lighthearted realistic YA books, I'd recommend this one.

(Reviewed from an advance copy, courtesy of the publisher.)

The Trials of Apollo: The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan

Apollo, forced by Zeus' wrath to survive as a mortal teenager, is not having a great time. His quest to find the five missing Oracles is proving more difficult than he could have expected. Not only is he feeling the lack of his godly powers, but he's also dealing with the confusing emotional connections he's making in the mortal world. Now, he and his friends are facing down their biggest challenge yet: a sadistic emperor, an angry Titan, a reincarnated sorceress, and a portion of the Labyrinth corrupted with polluted flames that are slowly turning the western landscape into a wasteland. Some friends are on hand to help, but the costs will be high.

A friend asked me if this was just more of Riordan's usual monster-fighting shtick, but I didn't get that more-of-the-same feel from this book. He's doing some interesting stuff here with Apollo's character development. I mean, there are definitely still monsters and snark, but I'm not bored with this series yet. (Also, I was right about the identity of the third emperor.) Fans will read this, of course -- and if Riordan lost you somewhere along the way, you might pick up the first in this series and see if he can win you back.

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

The Penderwicks at Last by Jeanne Birdsall

Lydia, youngest of the Penderwick siblings, is eleven years old, and terribly excited: for a special family event, the whole Penderwick family will be revisiting Arundel, a place that Lydia finds as magical and mystical as Camelot or Narnia. All her life, she's heard the family stories about the summer vacation where her four older sisters met Jeffrey and his awful mother, Mrs. Tifton. Now, she will actually see Arundel with her own eyes. What adventures await?

This is the last Penderwick book, which is bittersweet indeed -- but the story itself is as light and airy as the first, full of delightful new characters to love as well as appearances by many old favorites. It's a fitting end to the series, wrapping it all up in the same place it started. I was satisfied with the way the relationships among the older characters resolved, though I imagine that some readers will quibble. If you have read and loved the other books in this series, you will not want to miss this one.

(Reviewed from my personally purchased copy.)

Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli

It’s spring of senior year. Everybody is talking about prom, and college, and Leah is feeling just a little out of step with her friends. Sure, she’s going to college, but she’s going to state school where she got a scholarship, rather than taking her pick of private schools up and down the east coast. As for prom, well, who knows? But the biggest issue is the secret she’s never told any of them, not even her best friend Simon...

I spent this whole book hating Leah, then loving her, then hating her, then loving her again. And laughing, because Albertalli’s writing is simply hilarious, even in the midst of the record-breaking amounts of drama Leah and her friends were generating.

Since this book is a proper sequel to Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, I highly recommend reading that book first (and not just watching the movie; honestly, and you call yourself a book lover?). A few of the characters from The Upside of Unrequited get mentioned, but not so much that you will feel like you’re missing anything if you skipped that one (though I do not recommend that course of action). This is such a fun book!

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

The Saturdays by Elizabeth Enright

Mona, Rush, Randy, and Oliver Melendy live in New York City with their father and a housekeeper. The city is full of sights to see and great experiences, especially for children who dream of becoming dancers, actors, and musicians, but it’s also a bit expensive when you only get an allowance of fifty cents a week. One rainy Saturday, Randy gets the idea of pooling their resources: each Saturday, one of the four will get all of the allowances, resulting in a sum that, in the 1940s, is enough for a ticket to the opera or ballet, and various other adventures besides. Along the way, they also discover that the most enjoyable experiences are sometimes serendipitous (and free), and they make many new friends on their adventures.

This was lovely! I don’t know how I missed these charming stories until now. I ran across a mention of them in comparison to The Penderwicks, which is certainly apt. I’d also recommend them to fans of E. Nesbit, Sydney Taylor’s All-of-a-Kind Family, and Noel Streatfeild. I wish I could go back and recommend them to my childhood self!

(Reviewed from an e-audiobook borrowed through my library system.)

Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret. by Judy Bume

Margaret has just moved to a new town and is about to start sixth grade. She’s very concerned about when she will start developing a figure, as are her new-found friends. Though her parents have raised her without religion, she has always carried on private conversations with God. She decides to make religion a project for the year, but she doesn’t feel an immediate connection with any of the experiences she tries. How will the project turn out? And will she ever start her period?

I came across a mention of this book in another book I was reading, and realized that I hadn’t read it since my own adolescence. It stands up well to the test of time, since so much of it is about Margaret’s emotional life and the big questions she has about religion and growing up. I feel that this book deserves its classic status.

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol

Nine-year-old Vera is excited about attending Russian camp. She’s always felt a little out of place among her friends, and hopes that a few weeks around other people of Russian heritage will help. Plus, she’s heard some great camp stories: bonfires and s’mores, hiking, ghost stories, swimming in the lake... Unfortunately, nobody told her about the bugs, and let’s not even talk about the latrines! Plus, she ends up in a tent with two mean older girls. One thing’s for sure: Vera’s not prepared for this experience!

Loosely based on Brosgol’s own childhood summer camping experience, this is a delightful read. Brosgol highlights both the fun parts of summer camp and the miserable ones, so whether you love camping or abhor it, you’ll be able to empathize! Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys this type of graphic novel.

(Reviewed from an advance copy, courtesy of the publisher.)

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

It’s winter break, and Marin is alone in her college dorm. Alone, because her only relative, Gramps, died a few weeks before the semester began. On the day he died, Marin discovered something that made her question everything about her life with Gramps. Now, her best friend Mabel is on her way to visit, and Marin will finally face the events of the past summer: what happened with Mabel, what she learned about Gramps, and why she reacted the way she did on that terrible night.

This is a spare but deeply emotional read. It circles from the present to the past and back, drawing the reader gently but inexorably into Marin’s story. Though not heavy on plot, it’s a compelling read. It deals with heavy issues in a way that is ultimately comforting. If this description appeals to you, you will probably love this book. I think it’s the sort of story that will stay with me for a long time.

(Reviewed from an e-audiobook borrowed through my library system.)

All Summer Long by Hope Larson

When Bina’s best friend Austin goes away to soccer camp, she strikes up a friendship with his older sister Charlie, sort of. Or is Charlie just using Bina because there’s nobody else around? And why is Austin not answering her texts?

This is an awesome feel-good story, which is unusual for this sort of adolescent angst storyline. To some, it might seem that it wraps up too neatly, but I think it will be super reassuring to kids going through the sorts of issues Bina is facing. Recommended to fans of graphic novels like Awkward, Drama, and Roller Girl.

(Reviewed from an advance copy, courtesy of the publisher.)

The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart by Stephanie Burgis

Aventurine is a headstrong young dragon who doesn't understand why she should have to stay in the family cave for another 30 years waiting for her scales and wings to grow strong. When she sneaks out one day in search of a little adventure, she gets more than she bargained for: a food mage gives her a cup of hot chocolate that turns her into a human girl. Being a human makes her feel both frightened and angry, but on the other hand, she has discovered her passion: chocolate! Since she feels that she can't go back to her family in her new condition, she makes her way to a human city, and seeks out a chocolate house where she can learn more about her new obsession. Of course, it's not as easy as all that -- and what will happen when her family discovers that she is missing?

Guaranteed to make you crave chocolate in all its forms, this book is much more about chocolate than about dragons, though of course they do play a key role, and I'm guessing that they will feature more prominently in the sequel. This book wraps up the story without major cliffhangers, but there's definitely more to be discovered in Aventurine's world. Recommended to readers of middle grade fantasy.

(Reviewed from an advance copy, courtesy of the publisher.)

Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi

While showing off for some school friends (well, frenemies), Aru lights a lamp that releases an evil being and sets in motion the end of the world. Fortunately/unfortunately, Aru is one of five reincarnated heroes from Indian mythology. She, along with one of her heroic sisters and a sassy pigeon (don’t ask) must find their weapons and stop the Sleeper before he brings about the end of time. Oh, and they’ve only got nine days.

So, the idea here is that Riordan tackled some mythologies more familiar to Western culture (Graeco-Roman, Egyptian, Norse) in his humorous and fast-paced style, but is now bringing in #ownvoices authors to give similar treatment to myths from other parts of the world. In this case, it worked reasonably well, except that it felt like another author trying to write like Riordan — it felt branded, rather than a unique expression. As such, it also seemed just a little less funny, a little less sharp, than Riordan’s own books. I think kids will enjoy this series, and it’s great to see lesser-known stories sharing Riordan’s considerable spotlight. I’ll probably read on and see what happens to Aru when the other Pandavas show up. Recommended to those who have enjoyed Riordan’s many books and are looking for something similar.

(Reviewed from an advance copy, courtesy of the publisher.)

Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman

Kiko longs for a mother’s unconditional love and support: a mother who is interested in her life, encourages her in her art, and believes what she says about that bad thing that happened several years back. Unfortunately, that’s not the kind of mother Kiko has. Just as the situation at home is deteriorating, an old friend walks back into Kiko’s life — one who may serve as a catalyst for change in many ways.

Appropriately, for a book that is so much about artistic expression, the emotion of this book is the best part. Readers who enjoy realistic YA books about people from difficult circumstances growing and finding their place in the world are the perfect audience for this story.

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)

American Panda by Gloria Chao

It’s Mei’s first semester at MIT, and her parents are still trying to run her life. They want her to study hard, get good grades, get into med school, and marry a Taiwanese doctor (preferably a friend of the family). Problem is, Mei is germaphobic and doesn’t want to be a doctor — and she kind of has a crush on a boy who doesn’t meet her parents’ specifications.

I went into this thinking it would be a lighthearted romantic comedy, but found it more serious and less funny than expected. Mei’s romance does have some cute moments (though I’m a little bothered that she fell in love with practically the first guy she saw), but the story is much less about the romance, and much more about Mei’s relationship with her parents, and whether she can meet their expectations. It’s a good story, just not, you know, frothy. So, recommended — not as a romance, but as an examination of parental expectations and cultural norms.

(Reviewed from an e-audiobook borrowed through my library system.)

The Tea Dragon Society by Katie O'Neill

Greta is training to be a blacksmith like her mother, but she discovers a new interest when she rescues a strange creature which she later learns is a tea dragon. These adorable but high-maintenance little beasts produce leaves and flowers that can be brewed into magical tea.

This brief graphic novel is short on plot, but makes up for it with lush illustrations, fascinating and diverse characters, and, of course, tea dragons — the cutest things ever! I want one.

(Reviewed from a copy borrowed through my library system.)