Reading about Benji continuing to stand up for himself and his family throughout the book was inspiring. Following along with his journey felt worthwhile: I wanted to know how he was going to tackle the various problems that were thrown at him, and to see him grow and change as the book progressed. … More Benji Zeb is a Ravenous Werewolf by Deke Moulton
How far would you go for a reality show? What if you had nothing left to lose? After Dex’s life collapses when his ex-girlfriend dumps him publicly on a stream, he receives a once in a lifetime opportunity to escape his real life and star as one of six contestants on Dropped!, an internet reality show. … More Dropped! by Alice Kuipers
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 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
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
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
YAing News is back for the week of July 8th! … More YAing News: Week of July 8
Each one of her ancestors comes to life through their respective poems, with their own voices, wants, and beliefs. In this, the picture of Weatherford’s family feels whole and complete. Weatherford shares earnestly what she both knows and imagines to be her family’s thoughts and experiences, urging the reader to connect and empathize deeply with the text’s characters. … More Kin: Rooted in Hope by Carole Boston Weatherford, art by Jeffery Boston Weatherford
An interview with Emily de Angelis … More 5 Questions for Emily De Angelis
Heilman tells this story through the alternating perspective of these three girls, and the insight she gives us into each of their psyches leads to heart wrenching moments of personal discovery and inner conflict. Each girl is earnest and open in their own chapters, confessing their own deepest anxieties and secrets, while still swiftly maintaining the image of ‘having it all together’ to one another. The layers of lies and pressures— from Renzi’s complicated relationship with Davis’s ex, to Jae’s burgeoning queer identity suppressed by her distant mother— build themselves into a painfully realistic and relatable recreation of the high school experience. … More Badass(ish) by Jaymie Heilman
YOUNG ADULTING 