Tokyo Ever After book #1 by Emiko Jean Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) Izumi has always felt like she’s never fit in and seen as different due to her racial features. Since Izumi lives in a mostly white, northern part of California. She and her friends stumble upon the hidden identity of her father when curiosity gets the best of them. They figure out her father’s identity as the … Read more
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
We Are Okay by Nina LaCour LGBTQ+ Realistic Fiction Young Adult Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) When Marin’s grandfather passed away and she learned some uncomfortable truths about secrets he had been hiding from her, she immediately cut ties and left her old life, friends, and relationships behind. She spent the week before her college classes officially started living in a motel room and thinking and simultaneously trying not to think about what … Read more
Different Kinds of Fruit by Kyle Lukoff LGBTQ+ Realistic Fiction Tween * * * * Stars (Great!) When Annabelle returns for her final year at school (6th grade) there are two surprises waiting for her. The first is a new teacher who is interested in students’ input to create their social studies curriculum for the year. The second is a new student – Bailey – who uses they/them pronouns and helps Annabelle learn more about … Read more
Smile Beach Murder by Alicia Bessette Mystery Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) This book takes place on an island off of the Carolinas with a young adult named Callie. She just lost her job as a writer and has returned home with a heavy heart. As her mom died here by jumping off the lighthouse. When returning, there is another person who ends up jumping, and while it … Read more
Heartstopper #3 by Alice Oseman Graphic Novel LGBTQ+ Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) The evolution of the relationship between Charlie and Nick and how they navigate being part of the LGBTQ+ community. This book has great illustrations and an amazing plot! For older teens and adults.
It’s Not Summer Without You Summer I Turned Pretty, book #2 by Jenny Han Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Belly and her family always went to Cousins for the summer, however, this year it was different. Susannah had gotten sick again and Conrad might be out of the picture. Summer used to be something to look forward to, but now Belly was wishing summer would never come. While … Read more
The Inheritance Games Inheritance Games trilogy, book #1 by Jennifer Lynn Barnes Adventure Mystery Realistic Fiction Romance Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Avery Grambs is a poor teenage girl who lives with her sister. She works hard to earn money and to someday get into a good school. Everything changes when a billionaire named Tobias Hawthorne dies and Avery is summoned to his mansion. According to the will, Tobias leaves his … Read more
My Sister’s Big Fat Indian Wedding by Sajni Patel Realistic Fiction Romance Suspense * * * Stars (Pretty good) Zurika’s older sister has pulled out all the stops and is about to be married Bollywood style – a big, fat, Indian wedding, with singing, dancing, and all of the traditional trappings. Zurika is happy for her, don’t get her wrong, but she’s hoping to get into a prestigious musical program/college where she can develop her … Read more
Soar by Joan Bauer Realistic Fiction Sports Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Jeremiah is the world’s biggest baseball fan, but he cannot play the sport due to his heart condition. However, this doesn’t stop Jeremiah’s love for baseball. He decides to become a coach for the new town he just moved to. As scandals of his town’s team arise, Jeremiah is determined to bring his team back. I really liked Jeremiah’s determination … Read more