Ride On – book review

Ride On by Faith Erin Hicks Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) No one is more curious about the newest rider (she’s really good!) at Edgewood Stables than Norrie. But when the new girl gives her a serious brush off, Norrie vows to SHUN her. Her friends Sam and Hazel go along with her, until new girl (Victoria) decides she wants to make amends. She apologizes and gradually shares some of … Read more

Cleopatra in Space: Fallen Empires – Read It and Rate It

Fallen Empires Cleopatra in Space, book #5 by Mike Maihack Action Adventure Comedy/Funny Graphic Novel Science Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Cleo (Cleopatra) goes hiding after a mysterious death at Yasiro Academy, and she and her friends set out to uncover the spy who must be working within the school ranks. I liked this book because it is mysterious and interesting for me.

Smaller Sister – book review

Smaller Sister by Maggie Edkins Willis Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction Tween * * * * Stars (Great!) Lucy and Olivia are sisters and best friends – they even have their own secret code. Once Olivia becomes a teenager, though, things start to change. She becomes anxious and depressed and obsesses over her body/how she looks. Worst of all, she no longer has time or energy or patience for younger Lucy. When Olivia is officially diagnosed … Read more

Legend of Auntie Po – book review

The Legend of Auntie Po by Shing Yin Khor Graphic Novel Historical Fiction Tween Grades 6+ * * * * Stars (Great!) It’s 1885, and Mei lives in a logging camp with her father who runs the kitchen, while she makes the most delicious pies. She sees all of the inequalities between the white workers and the Chinese ones (and other people of color), though – in pay, room and board. She also sees it … Read more

Miss Quinces – book review

Miss Quinces By Kat Fajardo Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction Tween (grades 6+) * * * * Stars (Great!) Suyapa loves manga and drawing comics and wishes she could go to summer camp with her friends (who are into the same things), but her mami is very strict (she says NO, absolutely not), and the family is going to Honduras to visit family. While they are there, Suyapa learns that her mami has planned a surprise … Read more

Astronauts – book review

Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier written by Jim Ottaviani illustrated by Maris Wicks Biography Graphic Novel History Nonfiction Tween (grades 5+), Teen, Adult * * * * Stars (Great!) This nonfiction graphic novel written from the point of view of astronaut Mary Cleave, tells the story of how women made their way into space (specifically looks at the history and achievements of Russian and American female astronauts)! It was initially a struggle to get … Read more

Catherine’s War – book review

Catherine’s War by Julia Billet illustrated by Claire Fauvel translated by Ivanka Hahnenberger Graphic Novel Historical Fiction WWII/Holocaust (for grades 5+, teens, and adults) In 1942, teenager Rachel Cohen finds herself at the Children’s Home boarding school in Sevres France, after her parents send her there for her safety. World War II is being fought throughout France and the Germans are invading. As a Jewish person, Rachel is in an even more dangerous position and … Read more

Twins – book review

Twins by Varian Johnson Illustrated by Shannon Wright Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction Tween * * * * Stars (Great!) Maureen and Francine are identical twins who are starting 6th grade. Although they’ve spent all of their lives together up until now, on the first day of school it becomes clear that Francine wants to reinvent and distance herself from Maureen and their group of friends, which really hurts Maureen’s feelings. Francine has always been more … Read more

Aster and the Accidental Magic – book review

Aster and the Accidental Magic book #1 by Thom Pico and Karensac Adventure Fantasy Graphic Novel Tween * * * * Stars (Great!) Aster is not super thrilled when her parents move them from the city to a small mountain town so Aster’s mother can continue work on her robo-birds (that will save them all from the enormous crow migration that’s about to take place). After she meets a mysterious old lady shepherd who gives … Read more