YA – Page 9 – Looking For a Good Book

December 3, 2021

THE OUTLAWS SCARLETT & BROWNE – Jonathan Stroud

Scarlett Josephine McCain, of unknown age (but probably somewhere between 15 and 18 years old) is wanted by the militias of twenty Surviving Towns. She has robbed banks across Wessex, Mercia, and Wales. She has prospected for gold in the Menai Hills; and she killed the outlaw Black Carl Nemaides. To say that she is… Continue reading

SF/FANTASY, Uncategorized, YA

5 Stars, Book Reviews, Books, Reviews, SF/Fantasy, Young Adult

November 9, 2021

LAST DANCE – Hanna Schroy

Miriam has wanted nothing but to be a prima ballerina her whole life. She has worked hard to reach her goal and now she is the prima ballerina for Lulli Dance Company. But as graceful as ballet is when watching it, it is demanding and unforgiving to the performers. Her years of hard work, extra practices,… Continue reading

GRAPHIC NOVEL, Uncategorized, YA

4 stars, Book Reviews, Books, Graphic Novels, Reviews, Young Adult

October 18, 2021

WILLODEEN – Katherine Applegate

Eleven year old Willodeen was adopted by two older women after her family died in a fire. Willodeen is a little … ‘different’ compared to other children her age. She has no friends (not human, anyway) and she loves nature – understanding more about the natural world than most adults. Willodeen has a special affection… Continue reading

CHILDREN’S, SF/FANTASY, Uncategorized, YA

4 stars, Book Reviews, Books, Children’s Books, Nature, Reviews, SF/Fantasy, Young Adult

October 11, 2021

WHERE THE DROWNED GIRLS GO – Seanan McGuire

Eleanor West’s School for Wayward Children has been ‘home’ to many of the children who have disappeared into the magical land on the other side of doors that appear for the children. But Eleanor West’s is not the only school on the other side of the doors. There is also Whitethorn Institute – a school we… Continue reading

SF/FANTASY, Uncategorized, YA

4 stars, Book Reviews, Books, Reviews, SF/Fantasy, Young Adult

September 27, 2021

DEAD WEDNESDAY – Jerry Spinelli

‘Worm’ Tarnauer is an 8th grader who prefers to stay out of sight and lets his best friend, Eddie (arguably the most popular guy in school), be the leader in all things school and social life. The one day all 8th graders look forward to is “Dead Wednesday” – a day in which all 8th… Continue reading

CHILDREN’S, Uncategorized, YA

5 Stars, Book Reviews, Books, Children’s Books, Reviews, Young Adult

August 18, 2021

CHRONICLES OF STEELE: RAVEN – Pauline Creeden

Just like her father who trained her, Raven Steele is a ‘Reaper.’ A Reaper is an assassin, but one who lives by a very strict moral code, which can be remembered by it’s poem-like character: Human life has value. The poor living in the gutter are as valuable as the rich living in a manor.… Continue reading

SF/FANTASY, Uncategorized, YA

Book Reviews, Books, Reviews, SF/Fantasy, Young Adult

July 7, 2021

AWAKENING – Julie C. Gilbert

There are certain YA books that I recognize I am probably not going to enjoy. I would base this partly on themes, publisher’s descriptions of the book, and even, yes, book covers. Don’t judge a book by the cover? Well, yes, to some extent you can and should. Why? Well, that’s probably worth a blog… Continue reading

SF/FANTASY, Uncategorized, YA

2 Stars, SF/Fantasy, YA

July 5, 2021

THE LOST WONDERLAND DIARIES – J. Scott Savage

Celia and Tyrus are both library nerds – Tyrus because he loves to read and Celia because her mom is the new librarian in town. The two strike up a fast and sure friendship and Celia reveals to him her personal issue … she’s dyslexic. Most people don’t understand what that means and she’s usually… Continue reading

CHILDREN’S, Uncategorized, YA

4 stars, Middle Grade, YA

June 30, 2021

I AM DRUMS – Mike Grosso

This is a really tremendous book for school-aged readers! Samantha (Sam) really wants to be a drummer. She takes drumming seriously and even though some of the other drummers (all boys) are better than her right now, she’s hoping that with some practice and determination, she will make the jazz band. All she needs is… Continue reading

CHILDREN’S, Uncategorized, YA

5 Stars, Middle Grade, YA

June 3, 2021

AVEREE – graphic novel

Graphic Novel Week Imagine a world where a social media platform has such power as to determine who should like whom, who has enough social rank to get the better jobs and even determine someone’s credit score simply based on their social rank. In the graphic novel, Averee, it’s not just students who are on their… Continue reading

GRAPHIC NOVEL, Uncategorized, YA

4 stars, Graphic Novels, YA

May 28, 2021

THE WILL AND THE WILDS – Charlie N. Holmberg

Charlie N. Holmberg’s The Will and the Wilds is a fantasy that feels deeply rooted in mythology and the tradition of storytelling. Enna lives with her father at the edge of the wildwood – a border to the land of monsters. She was raised to exercise great caution when dealing with Mystings – a part demon, part… Continue reading

SF/FANTASY, Uncategorized, YA

4 stars, SF/Fantasy, YA

May 3, 2021

CURTSIES & CONSPIRACIES – Gail Carriger

Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality is not your ordinary Finishing School. It is also a secret training ground to turn qualified young ladies into spies. Second year student Sophronia uses the skills she learns to listen in on teachers and sneak into places where she doesn’t belong. But then what 15… Continue reading

YA

3 Stars, Action/Adventure, YA