Hollow Fires by Samira Ahmed Mystery Racism Realistic Fiction Supernatural Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Safiya Mirza dreams of someday being a journalist. In order to achieve this dream, Safiya becomes the editor of her school’s newspaper. As editor, she learns something; it’s her job to find the facts in Jawad’s case and not let personal bias overcome her when she finds Jawad. You may be wondering, “Who is Jawad?” Jawad … Read more
Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson Adventure Historical Fiction Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) It’s the first World war. Hattie Inez Brooks lives with her rather harsh and VERY opinionated aunt, and her passive and a bit kinder uncle. She’s living a humdrum life, nowhere close to where she wants to be, when she gets a letter from her Uncle Chester. In it, he deeds his homestead in Montana … Read more
Goodbye, Stranger by Rebecca Stead Friendship Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) Bridget (Bridge) Barsamian is an accident survivor. Her life has never been the same since a near-death roller-skating accident left her paralyzed for a year. Her nurse’s words about her surviving for a reason haunt her mind and she often wonders what that reason is. 2 years ago Bridge, Tabitha (Tab), and Emily (Em) made a pact to never, … Read more
You Have a Match by Emma Lord Mystery Realistic Fiction Romance * * * Stars (Pretty good) When Abby’s best friends convince her to get a DNA test she doesn’t expect to find that she has a secret older sister. But the more she learns the more indisputable the facts are. After meeting Savannah (Savvy), who has a huge social media presence, Abby decides to attend the same summer camp where Savvy is working – … Read more
One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus Mystery Realistic Fiction Suspense Thriller * * * * Stars (Great!) Four high school students end up in detention together under false pretenses, and become suspects in a murder investigation when the only other teen in detention with them suddenly dies. Traces of peanut oil (he was highly allergic) are found on the cup he drank from and his epi pen is missing (as are emergency … Read more
Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson Mystery Realistic Fiction Suspense * * * * Stars (Great!) Fifteen year old Mary Addison is in a halfway house after being released from “baby jail” where she’s been since she was convicted (at the age of nine) of killing a baby. Alyssa (the baby) was left in Mary’s mother’s care while her parents were out, and when neither Mary nor her mother could calm her (she wouldn’t stop crying), … Read more
Sister of the Bollywood Bride by Nandini Bajpai Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) The book “Sister of the Bollywood Bride” follows the protagonist, Mini Kapoor (short for Padmini), whose older sister Vinnie Kapoor is getting married over the summer. Vinnie is known as the over-achiever Indian daughter who is currently in the second year of her medical residency. She met her future husband there and he is named … Read more
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika Sanchez Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter” follows the protagonist, Julia, who is a high school student in the esteemed city of Chicago. Her older sister, Olga, dies due to a bus accident – as she was crossing the street she was hit by a bus. Olga was known as the most perfect daughter, but … Read more
One of Us Is Next One of Us Is Lying, book #2 by Karen McManus Mystery Realistic Fiction Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Afer all the drama at Bayview High involving Simon’s (now dead) gossip blog, it has sparked some new creativity into the incoming underclassmen. Now Maeve, Bronwyn’s younger sister, and all of her friends have to deal with the wannabe sites that are just like Simon’s. When … Read more
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Diper Overlode Diary of a Wimpy Kid #17 By Jeff Kinney Humorous Illustrated Fiction Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Greg Heffley narrates the saga of his older brother’s trials and tribulations as he and his band Loded Diper attempt to rocket themselves into stardom. Trying to follow in the footsteps of their idols, Metallichihuahua, they’re supposed to perform in a battle of the bands competition, but before … Read more