Book #22 Read in 2018
And Every Morning The Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman
This novella focuses on Noah and his grandfather, who is losing his memory. When the book starts, Noah is a young boy who is afraid of his grandfather forgetting him. This journey though is one the two take together and it shows the power of family and love. I read it in one sitting. High school and adult readers would appreciate this book.
Book #21 Read in 2018
Violent Ends by many authors
A school shooting happens. This book is told by a different person each chapter. All relate to the school shooter and the shooting in some way. This is a powerful read and very timely. It shows that no one is all good or all bad. I would recommend this book to high school and adult readers.
Book #20 Read in 2018
Rebound by Kwame Alexander
This is a verse novel and tells the story of Chuck Bell, the father of the Bell twins in the other basketball verse novels. Chuck's father has died and he and his mother are trying to deal with that. Chuck is not always making good decision and his grandparents are trying to reach him. This is a good, quick read, especially for middle school and high school boys. I received this book for review through the Amazon Vine program.
Book #19 Read in 2018
Lost Boy by Christina Henry
This is a sort of origin tale for Capt. Hook and details his history with Peter Pan. It tells the story of Jamie, one of the lost boys, and how he took care of Peter's other boys. It shows a dark side of Peter Pan. It can be graphic but overall was a good read that I would recommend for high school readers and adult readers.
Book #18 Read in 2018
Dirt by Denise Gosliner Orenstein
Yonder is a young girl with not a lot to say....though there is a lot going on in her head. She does not talk and does not tell her father about being the victim of bullying at school and does not tell her teachers how much her father drinks. Then she finds Dirt, a scruffy Shetland pony that her neighbor plans of selling for horse meat, and she knows he is meant to be her pony. She hides Dirt in her room until the social worker finds out. Yonder is placed in foster care so she sets Dirt free but he is taken to a local petting zoo that does not treat its animal well. Will Yonder be able to save Dirt in time? This was a book that will tug at the heart strings of readers. I recommend it for middle school readers. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.
Book #17 Read in 2018
Wires and Nerve Vol 2 by Marissa Meyer
This is the second volume of the graphic novels based on Meyer's Lunar Chronicles books. I think readers will enjoy these graphic novels that most if they have read all of the Lunar Chronicles books since these feature all of the characters from them. That being said, this graphic novel was action packed and will keep readers engaged throughout their reading. I enjoyed it. I borrowed the book from the public library.
Book #16 Read in 2018
Briar Rose by Jane Yolen
This is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty with a holocaust twist. It could appeal to both historical fiction readers and those who like fairy tales. Becca is looking into the past of her recently deceased grandmother who survived the holocaust. Becca heads to Poland to find answers....will she?
Book #15 Read in 2018
As Old As Time by Liz Braswell
This is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast with its own unique trust. Readers will enjoy revisiting the popular tale and the twist will keep them engaged. I would recommend this for middle school readers, high school readers and adult readers.
Book #14 Read in 2018
The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman
This is a deceptively beautiful book. The illustrations are beautiful and it seems to be an innocent child book but this is a dark tale of dark magic a la Sleeping Beauty. There is a twist to the well-known legend and it works for this book. This is a must read for fairy tale retelling lovers.
Book #13 Read in 2018
All My Patients are Under the Bed by Dr. Louis Camuti
Camuti is a cat vet in New York City. He has an office practice and does house calls. This is a must read for cat lovers. Camuti details his feline patients over the years, their personalities and that of their owners. It is a quick, entertaining read.
Book #12 Read in 2018
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
This is a powerful verse novel for young adults. Will's older brother is killed in a shooting and Will thinks he has to follow the code and kill his brother's killer. He finds his older brother's gun and heads out. This book takes place on his elevator ride down from his apartment to the street to go find the killer. Each stop at each floor brings a ghost to Will....and things to think about regarding what he has planned. A powerful novel that high school readers will love.
Book #11 Read in 2018
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee
Monty is a sort of rascal and his father is having no more of it. Monty is going on tour with his friend Percy and his sister Felicity, whom they will drop off at finishing school. Monty's father arranges for a strict chaperone for the group. That does not keep the trio out of trouble though and the trio cross the wrong duke, are hunted, meet pirates and more. This book, while over 500 pages, is an effortless read that readers will not want to put down. I loved Monty, rooted for he and Percy to get together, admired Felicity's grit and cannot wait to read the sequel, coming out in October. High school and adult readers alike will enjoy this romp.
