YA Librarian

Dead Weight: Murder at Camp Bloom – book review

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Dead Weight: Murder at Camp Bloom written by Terry Blas & Molly Muldoon illustrated by Matthew Seely Graphic Novel Horror Mystery Suspense Thriller * * * * Stars (Great!) Teens attending a summer camp for weight loss are witnesses to the grisly murder of one of their senior counselors.  When they learn that the camp director is either knowingly or unknowingly covering up the truth about what really happened, they decide to launch their own … Read more

Agony of Bun O’Keefe – book review

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The Agony of Bun O’Keefe by Heather Smith Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) When Bun O’Keefe’s mother (a hoarder) tells her to “Get out!” Bun does.  Homeless and not sure what to do or where to go, Bun approaches a busker/musician who, charmed by Bun’s quirky character, takes her under his wing and back to his temporary lodgings.  Bun goes on to charm his housemates with her forthrightness and they form a … Read more

Starfish – book review

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Starfish by Akemi Dawn Bowman Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Kiko Himura (half-Japanese) is hoping to get into the art school of her dreams – Prism – in New York.  She can’t wait to leave home, where her self-obsessed mother makes her and her siblings miserable.  But she doesn’t get in.  And her uncle, who sexually abused her, is moving in with them.  As she grasps at the straws of her future, … Read more

War I Finally Won – book review

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The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Historical Fiction Juvenile Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Ada and her brother Jaimie are now permanent wards of their guardian, Susan, who took them in when they were evacuated from London.  The first thing Susan does is arrange for Ada to have surgery to correct her clubfoot, which has long been a source of pain and shame for her.  The recovery process is long … Read more

Love and Other Foreign Words – book review

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Love and Other Foreign Words by Erin McCahan Realistic Fiction Romance * * * * Stars (Great!) Josie is part of a close-knit family who understand her even if they don’t always speak the same language.  Josie is pretty particular about her likes and dislikes and when her older sister brings home her fiancé, Geoff, she takes an immediate dislike to him.  He is SO obnoxious – talks far too much, makes ridiculous assumptions about … Read more

Hungry – book review

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Hungry by H. A. Swain Dystopian Science Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Thalia’s mother helped create the innovative nutritional substitute and drugs that feed everyone and suppress their appetites and other urges (Synthamil).  No one really eats or cooks anymore and there isn’t any food (there may not be any plants or animals either, as previous generations poisoned the Earth).  Now her parents work for the company that distributes Synthamil – One World … Read more

Science of Breakable Things – book review

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The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller Realistic Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Natalie is in 7th grade and she has a goofy science teacher who really wants his students to love science as much as he does.  Natalie has a hard time taking him seriously, but she’s having trouble taking anything seriously right now, as her mother has fallen into a depression and won’t come out of her room.  Natalie doesn’t … Read more