Julia On the Go! Swimming into Trouble by Angela Ahn, illus. Julia Kim

August 1, 2024

Julia is courageous, determined, and confident, but still, above all, she identifies as a swimmer. Therefore, when she feels like that part of herself is stripped away, she begins to question who she truly is and spirals over what her future will be like if she cannot be the swimmer she always dreamed of becoming. … More Julia On the Go! Swimming into Trouble by Angela Ahn, illus. Julia Kim

The Ballad of Darcy and Russell by Morgan Matson

July 30, 2024

The dynamics of Russell’s family were definitely a highlight of my reading experience. His family is very unconventional, but the scenes where they interact made me laugh and want to know more about them. Most of the scenes they appear in, they are setting up a game of Fishbowl which I would have loved to be a part of. … More The Ballad of Darcy and Russell by Morgan Matson

The Longest Shot by Chad Soon and George Chiang, illus. Amy Qi

July 25, 2024

The Longest Shot uses tools to make its occasionally heavy information easily digestible. Soon and Chiang wisely split Larry’s life story into eight shorter sections, giving the chapters titles based on their contents. I found this format helpful for divvying up reading time and seeing what might come next in Larry’s life. The two authors also collaborated with illustrator Amy Qi to bring life to Larry’s story. Qi’s vibrant images draw the eye to key moments in Larry’s life, reaffirming them in the reader’s mind. … More The Longest Shot by Chad Soon and George Chiang, illus. Amy Qi

Final Cut by Marty Chan

July 18, 2024

Although Mason doesn’t undergo significant character development, he does learn to let go of revenge and in-doing so a mutual respect arises between Denise and Mason. For readers worried that such a sappy ending will lessen the impact of this revenge novel, worry not: Marty Chan still delivers a satisfying finale and Mason finds a way to leave his former bullies to their just desserts. … More Final Cut by Marty Chan

So This Is Ever After by F.T. Lukens

July 16, 2024

This book reads like a real labour of love because the amount of tropes Lukens’ manages to cram in is unreal. Trapped in a room together, sharing a bed, truth potion, sword fighting, and romantic rescue are all methods of seduction Arek tries on his friends. Through fateful happenstance, or subtle subterfuge, Arek somehow only ever manages to succeed with Matt. … More So This Is Ever After by F.T. Lukens