Friday, October 30, 2020
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Book Review - A Song Below Water
📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖
by Bethany C. Morrow
Tavia and Effie are like sisters, and each has secrets and challenges they must face. Tavia is a siren, but she has to keep her powers a secret as most people do not like sirens. Effie faces demons from her past and isn't sure what she is, just that she might not be merely human. When a siren is murdered, and the trial rocks the nation, their world begins to unravel.
In Tavia and Effie's alternate narratives, this story takes on real-world discrimination but as fantastical elements in an interesting way. There are different mythical creatures in this book. Some are basically celebrated, some tolerated, and others discriminated against, such as sirens, which are exclusively Black females. Warning, though, these groups may be a little hard to keep track of while reading. Readers will enjoy figuring out what happened too Effie in the past and what her story is. As for Tavia, readers will be intrigued by her story as well.
Friday, October 23, 2020
Wednesday, October 21, 2020
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
Book Review - Punching the Air
📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖
by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam
Sixteen-year-old Amal is an artist and poet. One day, he is found guilty of a crime he didn’t commit because of a biased system. Now he’s another Black teen in prison, and he’s angry. Thankfully he has his words and art to turn to for help.
Written in-verse by the talented Ibi Zoboi and Exonerated Five member Yusef Salaam this book is an absolute must-read. This book is timely, controversial, power, and will make you think and feel. It is not Yusef’s story, but the character of Amal is inspired by him. Yusef is also an artist and poet, and some of the poetry he wrote while incarcerated can be found in this book.
Oh, and fun fact, the narrator of the audiobook is Ethan Herisse. He is also the actor who played Yusef Salaam in the movie When They See Us, which tells the story of The Central Park Five—now known as the Exonerated Five.
Friday, October 16, 2020
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Peer Reviews Wanted!
We would love to include your reviews!
Read a book you think others will enjoy?
What about one they maybe shouldn’t waste their time on?
Junior Friends will
earn 2 hours of community service for each review they submit.
Books can be Fiction & Non-Fiction in any format (print, e-book, audio).
Graphic Novels, Manga & Comics can be reviewed as well.
As long as you read all of what you are reviewing, you can submit it.
Submit your review by filling out our Google Doc.
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Book Review - They Wish They Were Us
📖Recommend for Grades 10 and up📖
by Jessica Goodman
In a fictional community on Long Island, everything looks perfect, but that isn't the case. Jill Newman is determined to make her senior year the best ever; she's one of the Players after all. The Players are a not-so-secret society at Gold Coast Prep, and being one is supposed to make things easy. However, three years ago, her best friend Shalia Arnold was killed by her boyfriend, Graham, during a Player task. Now, Graham's saying he's innocent, and it's Jill who his sister texts asking for help to prove it.
This story is a fantastic mystery that is great for fans of One of Us is Lying and A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. Though predictable at times, the story will still keep you on your toes. The book's events and the characters may be out there, but that's what makes it all the more fun.
Library Catalog - E-book - Downloadable Audio
Friday, October 9, 2020
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Book Review - Darius the Great Deserves Better
📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖
Darius the Great Deserves Better
by Adib Khorram
Darius Kellner from Darius is the Great Is Not Okay is back in Darius the Great Deserves Better. A lot has changed since returning from his trip to Iran, and it’s all looking good. But is it really? Darius soon finds that not everything is what he thought. His dad is traveling for work resulting in his grandmothers coming to stay. His relationship with Landon is getting complicated, and his friendship with Chip may have something to do with it.
Though a sequel, this book can also stand on its own if you’re not interested in its predecessor. The first title is more about Darius and his dealings with his mental health, cultural identity, and family relationships. While the second also deals with family relationships, it also focuses more on his sexual identity and romantic relationship. Oh, and both books have a heavy focus on his love of tea. Most of the characters from the first are back in the sequel and some great, and so no great additions.
Friday, October 2, 2020
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