Book Review - Blackout

  📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

Blackout

by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Ashley Woodfolk, Angie Thomas, and Nicola Yoon

Six interconnected short stories written by six talented best-selling authors. When a blackout hits New York City, black teen love starts to shine. From two teens on a long walk from Manhattan to Brooklyn to two more helping out in an elderly home, to more. Things change when the lights go out.

Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Ashley Woodfolk, Angie Thomas, and Nicola Yoon are the brilliant minds behind this book. While Clayton, Stone, Woodfolk, Thomas, and Yoon all have one-and-done short stories, Stone’s story is broken into chapters woven throughout the book, helping bring them all together. Each story is fabulous on its own, but together, they’re phenomenal. The characters in the book are all Black teens but vary in gender and sexuality. While, at its heart, the story is a romance, there is some humor thrown in. This book is one you can’t go wrong reading.

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Book Review - Rise to the Sun

  📖Recommend for Grades 10 and up📖

Rise to the Sun

by Leah Johnson

It's the weekend of the Farmland Music and Arts Festival. Olivia and Toni both have their reasons for attending this year's festival. Olivia's last break-up left her an outcast back home, and she could use a weekend of fun with her best (and only) friend Imani. Toni has been attending the music festival since she was a kid, and this year hopes to get her big break in the talent competition, just like her dad once did. When these two girls meet by chance, they discover they may need the other's help to get what they want. As the two spend time together, sparks also start to fly.

The story takes place throughout a single weekend and is broken down into three sections, one for each day. Olivia and Toni alternate as narrators allowing for insight into both of them individually and as a pair. Readers are likely to find themselves alternating between liking and not liking each of them as well. While a Queer Romance, this book is also about self-discovery and growth. Even

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Book Review - Sunkissed

📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

Sunkissed

by Kasie West

Avery’s parents have dragged her and her sister Lauren to a family camp for summer. Which wouldn’t be so bad, she is away from her best friend who betrayed her, but the camp has no internet, her sister is always in her face, and the cute staff member Brooks is off-limits. So when Avery sets off on a journey to try new things and find herself, with the help of the attractive off-limits staff member, her summer turns into a worldwide adventure complete with romance.

If you are looking for a great summer read that isn’t super summery, this is one to check out. Despite some drama, it is a light read. The characters are mostly likable, but some may be hard to keep straight. There is a heavy focus on music in this book, as Brooks is a musician, but don’t worry if you’re not knowledgeable about it. You won’t be lost or confused.

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Book Review - Happily Ever Afters

 📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

Happily Ever Afters

by Elise Bryant

Tessa Johnson has only ever seen herself as the leading lady in the stories she writes. Stories she only shares with her best friend, Caroline. After moving to a new town, Tess is accepted into a prestigious Creative Art School. She is finally ready to share her stories with others, except Tessa has been met with major writer’s block. Luckily Caroline has a plan, get Tessa’s crush Nico, who also happens to look like the love interest in Tessa’s story, to fall in love with her for inspiration. As the plan goes on, and it looks like Tessa may be getting what she wants. She also finds that she may be losing things, such as her sweet new neighbor Sam.

Tessa’s story is a sweet and fun read. Readers will have fun choosing sides if they want Tessa to end up with Nico or Sam. This book may be a love story, but it also deals with many other factors, including family and friendship. Tessa’s older brother Miles has disabilities, which is a significant aspect of her life, and affects her relationship with her parents. A wonderful part of this book is that it features a diverse cast of characters. Racism and Ableism do exist in this book, but they do not control the narrative. Oh, and just a side warning, Sam is a baker, so be prepared to be craving the yummy treats he makes throughout the book.

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Book Review - Rent a Boyfriend

  📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

Rent a Boyfriend

by Gloria Chao

Hoping to get out of accepting a proposal from the wealthy (and slimy) Hongbo, a young bachelor in their tight-knit Asian American community, Chloe Wang hires a fake boyfriend. Rent for Your' Rents, specializes in matching female members of the Asian community with boyfriends their parents would approve. The relationships are pretend and often just temporary. Chloe hires Drew, or Andrew, when working, to come home with her for Thanksgiving. Things go well, and the pair end up talking after the gig is over, and Chloe hires him for other holidays. As the two get to know each other, they begin to fall for each other. Unfortunately, Drew doesn't know if Chloe is falling for Drew or Andrew.

Told through both Chloe and Drew's perspectives, this is a fun romantic comedy for those who enjoy the genre. Chloe and Drew's dynamic is enjoyable. The dynamic between Chloe and her parents is realistic and relatable. The book is based on a premise that actually occurs in Asia but is a fictionalized version taking place in the United States.

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Book Review - Breathless

  📖Recommend for Grades 10 and up📖

Breathless

by Jennifer Niven

Claudine "Claude" Henry's life is divided into before and after the floor dropped out from under her. Before, she lived happily with both her parents. After, Claude learns they are separating, and her mother whisks her away to a remote island off the coast of Georgia. Spending her time on this island isn't how Claude imagined spending the summer after graduation. She isn't thrilled about the change and isn't sure what to do. Then she meets Jeremiah "Miah" Crew, a boy who often spends summers on the island and has things he doesn't want to talk about with anyone like Claude. Miah helps Claude in ways she wasn't expecting, but they can't fall in love as they are both leaving come August.

An intriguing story about Claude's journey over one summer. The book is a little slow-paced and, in ways, seems longer than it needs to be. Despite this, Claude's story is captivating. Within the story, readers get insight into the history of Claude's family who lived there, but the ending to that is sadly unsatisfying. Claude has smart but blunt conversations with her friends about various topics, including sex and consent, so if those topics make you uneasy, I'd skip it. Fans of Sarah Dessen wouldn't be amiss to give this one a try unless the previously mentioned topics make for skipping.

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Book Review - A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow

 📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow

by Laura Taylor Namey

After a trifecta of events causing her life to fall apart, Lila's parents send her to England to spend the summer with her mom's cousin at her inn. Lila is reluctant to go, wanting to stay home and work in her family's Cuban bakery. In England, though, she finds solace in the inn's kitchen mixing English food with a Cuban flair. There is also Orion, a tea shop clerk with troubles of his own, who appoints himself Lila's official guide. As the two spend the summer together, Lila begins to feel England may not be so bad, and there may be a different future than the one who watched disappear.

The characters in this book were all excellent and well written. While romance is a part of the story, this isn't some mushy gushy romance. It's more about Lila and her growth over the summer. The only real issue with this book is that it may make you long for the yummy sounding desserts and things Lila makes. Recommended for fans of Sarah Dessen.

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Book Theme Graphic - Romantic Comedies

 

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. 

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E-books - Famous Flings

 

• Permanent Record by Mary H. K. Choi
• Somewhere Only We Know by Maurene Goo
• Jesse's Girl by Miranda Kenneally
• Geekerella by Ashley Poston
• This is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

Book Review - Jackpot

📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

Jackpot 

by Nic Stone

When Rico learns that a winning lotto ticket was sold at the Gas' n' Go where she works, she realizes she must have sold the winning ticket. She thinks this means that her luck is finally changing; she has to track down the winner first. Her popular and wealthy classmate Zan gets involved in helping her on her mission. Now, as the world of the haves and have-nots collide, this investigation gets interesting.

A delightful read that even reluctant readers will enjoy. Rico and Zan are both intriguing characters, and the dynamic between them is entertaining. They are both also mixed race but come from different financial backgrounds. The story is told from Rico's point of view. Still, there are interruptions between specific chapters of the winning ticket's story. It may sound weird but makes sense in the content of the book. Romance does play a part in their story, but readers shouldn't let that prohibit them from picking this book up. 

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Book Review - Four Days of You and Me

📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

Four Days of You and Me

by Miranda Kenneally

Every May 7th is field trip day for the students of Coffee County High School. During the freshman trip, Lulu and Alex go from enemies to more than friends. Now on every trip after, their relationship faces something significant, all leading up to their big trip senior year.

This story is told mainly on four days, different days, in four different years.  There are, however, some chapters that lead up to trip day. It is a sweet YA romance containing realistic teen characters dealing with fairly realistic teen problems. The main character Lulu, can be a tad annoying at times, as can her love interest Alex. Still, their story is an entertaining one of ups and downs.

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Book Review - Love From A to Z

📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

Love From A to Z

by S.K. Ali

After getting suspended from school for confronting her racist teacher, Zayneb heads early to visit her aunt in Doha for spring break. Adam is also flying home to Doha, Qatar for spring break, with the secret that he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in November. When Zayneb is boarding the plane, Adam notices that she has a marvel and oddity journal just like him. The pair run into each other again when it turns out Zayneb’s aunt is friends with Adam’s family. Their chance encounter on the plane and seeing each other again is both a marvel and an oddity for each of them.

Zayneb and Adam’s perspectives are alternated to tell this tale. The format is unusual, as it is supposed to be a transcribed version of their journals with their marvel or oddity as the chapter heading. While both Zayneb and Adam can be intriguing at times, Adam’s sister easily steals the scenes she appears in. Some of the other characters are forgettable and may be confusing to keep track of. Zayneb is Muslim and of Middle Eastern descent, which causes her to deal a lot with various forms of racism throughout the book and her inability to stand for it is inspiring even if her direct actions aren’t the wisest.

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Book Review - There's Something About Sweetie

📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

There's Something About Sweetie

by Sandhya Menon

            Ashish Patel has found himself in a funk since his girlfriend dumped him. After getting advice from a friend, he decides to ask his parents to set him up with an Indian girl. Sweetie is a track star and talented singer who also happens to be overweight. When Ashish’s mother presents the idea of the pair dating to Sweetie’s mother she says no because of Sweetie’s weight even though Mrs. Patel assures her that is a non-issue for Ashish. Deciding to go against her mother’s orders, Sweetie meets Ashish and the two decide to date in secret. Over the course of their time together the pair find more than the truth they were trying to prove.

This is a companion novel to When Dimple Met Rishi. While you don’t have to read the first book, those who did would have met Ashish Patel and saw the start of his relationship with Celia (who they also would have met). Ashish may come across as slightly unrealistic to some, but it won’t take away from what a wonderful character he is. Sweetie is truly a remarkable and inspiring character who loves herself despite how society (and her mother) say she should look.

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Book Review - Hope and Other Punchlines

📖Recommend for Grades 7 and up📖

Hope and Other Punchlines

by Julie Buxbaum

            Abbi Hope Goldstein and Noah Stern may not remember the events of September 11, 2001, but their lives were forever altered by the day’s events. Abbi is the famous Baby Hope the one-year-old photographed with the crown and the balloon being rushed to safety on that day. Almost everywhere she goes people recognize her (thanks to numerous stories that appear about her still) and she hopes that being a counselor at a camp miles away will give her some anonymity. Low and behold Noah, who goes to her school, is also a counselor and recognizes Abbi right away. Noah believes his father who is one of the unnamed individuals in the famous Baby Hope photo, is still alive and didn’t die that day like everyone believes. He also believes Abbi is the key to finding out the truth. Noah and Abbi make a deal: Noah will not share Abbi’s secret if she will help him get in touch with the known photo survivors.

            A captivating look at the lives of two teens too young to remember the tragic day but whose lives are forever effected by it. While the Baby Hope photo and this story are fictional, the events of that day and some of the photos discussed are real. Some people, like Abbi’s parents, do have stories where they worked in the towers but just happened to not be there when the planes hit. Both Noah and Abbi are intriguing characters and their individual and combined stories are real page turners.

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Book Review - 3 for 1 - Along for the Ride, Saint Anything, and Once And For All

📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

Along for the Ride

by Sarah Dessen

            As the result of her parent’s divorce, Auden missed childhood and grew up quickly. Now in the summer after her senior year, Auden decides to spend the summer at her father’s house in the beach town of Colby with him, her stepmother Heidi, and new baby half-sister. While there, she finds herself helping Heidi out in her store where she eventually starts spending time with the three girls her age who work there that she doesn’t quite understand. Then there is the mysterious bike riding Eli who, like Auden, finds himself up at all hours of the night. While the rest of Colby sleeps, Auden and Eli spend time together driving around and drinking coffee. As the summer goes on, Auden finds this summer may have been just what she needed.

            A positively wonderful read. Auden is a delightful character and her story is filled with other appealing characters, especially Eli. Readers will find themselves wishing that Colby was a real place so they could hang out at The Bike Shop, shop at Clementine’s, and take part in Auden and Eli’s nighttime adventures.

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📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

Saint Anything

by Sarah Dessen

            When Sydney’s brother Peyton gets sent to jail it affects not only his life, but hers as well. Despite his absence, their mother’s world still seems to revolve around Peyton, and Peyton’s friend Ames still hangs around giving Sydney the creeps. Her way of coping with everything was to close in on herself and leave behind the private school she always attended to attend the local public school. One day after school she goes to a nearby pizza shop where she meets siblings Layla and Mac. In them she finds much needed friends in her new school who also don’t know her family’s history the way her old friends do, as Layla and Mac have their own family problems. As Sydney and Layla become better friends, it complicates things with Mac whom she is also growing closer to and falling for.

            While still having the delightful feel of a Sarah Dessen novel, this novel has a bit of an older feel to it than some of her other novels. The cast of characters is a mix readers will love (like Layla), hate (like Ames), and have mixed feelings about (like Sydney’s mother). While the relationship between Sydney and Mac is important to the story, family and friendship is more centric, as is Sydney’s growth over the course of the book.

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📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

Once and for All

by Sarah Dessen

Louna has spent many years helping her mother with her wedding planning business, which has affected her views on love and romance.  When her mother hires Ambrose, Louna isn't happy but she finds herself involved in a friendly wager with him. Louna, who hasn’t exactly dated since her previous relationship ended. has to casually date, while casual dating Ambrose has to hold a relationship. Working together, Louna's opinion of Ambrose starts to change.

A fun and enjoyable read despite Louna’s heartbreaking previous relationship backstory. The dynamic between Louna and Ambrose is delightfully entertaining and readers will enjoy when they are together. The supporting characters are equally enjoyable, with some especially so. While the story is told in present time, Louna also reflects on her relationship with her last boyfriend which will end in a tissue needing moment.

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Book Review - Lucky in Love

📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

Lucky in Love

by Kasie West

            A random decision to buy a lottery ticket after her 18th birthday turns Maddie into a lotto winner - and the center of attention. Now everybody is treating her differently and asking for money. Only Maddie's co-worker, Seth, seems to be oblivious to her new wealth and treats her normally. While Maddie feels she should share this news with Seth, she fears that telling him would ruin their budding relationship.

            Though a little out there this is a fun and enjoyable quick read. At times Maddie may come across as annoying but some of it is excusable. Part of the fun in this story deciding whether you agree or disagree with Maddie every time she spends some of her winnings. Readers who find themselves wishing they were in Maddie’s shoes, may feel differently in the end. 

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Book Review - When Dimple Met Rishi

📖Recommend for Grades 8 and up📖

When Dimple Met Rishi

by Sandhya Menon

            When Rishi introduces himself to Dimple by saying they are going to get married, the result is an iced coffee in his face. Now what Dimple thought was her Indian parents loosening up and allowing her to attend her dream summer program, was actually a plan for her to spend time with the boy they want her to marry. Rishi is good with the arrangement and plans to spend the summer wooing Dimple.

            This book is not a mushy romance but an awesome cultural romantic comedy. Readers will get both Dimple and Rishi’s side of the story and enjoy their different views on the situation they find themselves in.

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Book Review - A Little Something Different

📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

A Little Something Different

by Sandy Hall

Lea and Gabe are just two college students that live in the same dorm and take the same creative writing class. Are they in love? Well, everybody has their own opinion- including their creative writing teacher, a Starbucks barista, a bus driver, and even a squirrel on campus.

While the story is about Lea and Gabe, neither are narrators of this book. Instead, there are numerous characters that give their perspective on the pair and their relationship. The makeup of this story makes it more fun than a typical love story.

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Book Review - Pride

📖Recommend for Grades 9 and up📖

Pride

by Ibi Zoboi

            Afro-Latina American Zuri Benitez is proud of her family, her Bushwick neighborhood and her roots. When a new family, the Darcy’s, move into a newly built mini mansion across the street, not only does Zuri’s neighborhood start to change, but her life in general thanks to one Darius Darcy.

A truly enjoyable remix of Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen. Zuri can be a bit of a pain sometimes but some of the walls she built up are understandable. Her sisters are great supporting characters, especially the twins, Kayla and Layla. Whether you are a fan of Jane Austen or not, this is remix is a hit.

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