Staff Reviews

Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish – book review

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Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish by Pablo Cartaya Realistic Fiction Tween * * * * Stars (Great!) Marcus Vega is an enterprising 14-year-old, who looks much older than his actual age (6 feet tall, 180 lbs, mustache). To help his single-parent mom out with bills and emergencies, he runs a number of different businesses – charging kids at school for littering or using their cell phones (both against school rules), and offering a fee-based protection … Read more

By Night – book review

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By Night  vol. 1 by John Allison Comics Science Fiction Supernatural * * * * Stars (Great!) Jane and Heather go way back, but haven’t seen each other since they graduated from college. Now they’re both back in their hometown, Spectrum, where exactly nothing happens ever. Heather has a great idea that’s sure to be fun – the Charleswood Estate, abandoned for years, has officially run out of money to fund its security man (conveniently, … Read more

Forbidden Orchid – book review

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The Forbidden Orchid by Sharon Biggs Waller Adventure Historical Fiction Romance Suspense Thriller * * * * Stars (Great!) Elodie Buchanan is the eldest of 10 daughters in a family that’s being torn apart by her plant collector father’s continued absence. Unspeakable things happened to him on his last trip to China and he remains haunted and broken in his apartment at Kew gardens. When his employer threatens to take everything they own to recoup … Read more

New Kid – book review

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New Kid by Jerry Craft Graphic Novel Realistic Fiction Tween * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Because seventh grader Jordan Banks’ parents want the best education for their son, he ends up attending Riverdale Academy Day School instead of art school (but you get to see lots of his artwork/comics here!). It’s a wealthy, fancy pants place far from his neighborhood. At first Jordan doesn’t think he’s going to like it – it’s low … Read more

Prince and the Dressmaker – book review

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The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang Graphic Novel Young Adult Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Frances is a young seamstress who finds a position as the Prince’s “dressmaker” when one of her designs – very risqué – debuts at a ball held in his honor. Prince Sebastian loves her ideas and wants her to make eye-catching, traffic-stopping gowns for him when he dresses up as Lady Crystallia. Together, they have the … Read more

Thanks for the Trouble – book review

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Thanks for the Trouble by Tommy Wallach Realistic Fiction * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Parker Santé hasn’t spoken in 5 years when he meets the mysterious, silver-haired Zelda Toth, whom he’s attempting to rob in the dining room of the Palace Hotel. He’s so distracted by her presence that he leaves his notebook at the scene of the crime. When he returns to retrieve it, she’s reading it. Intrigued by what she’s read … Read more

My Heartbeat – book review

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My Heartbeat by Garret Freymann-Weyr Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Ellen, 14, is close to her older brother Link (short for Lincoln) and his best friend James. She’s had a crush on James for as long as she can remember, which both Link and James think is adorable. They often allow her to tag along on their adventures and be a part of their conversations. It’s not until Ellen starts high school … Read more

Proud – book review

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Proud: My Fight for an Unlikely American Dream by Ibtihaj Mohammed Biography/Autobiography/Memoir Nonfiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Ibtihaj Muhammad describes her path to the 2016 Olympics from her childhood, where her parents encouraged all of their children to participate in sports, discovery of fencing (her mother was actually the one who saw the fencing team practicing at the high school Ibti was to attend and pushed her to try out), and how her … Read more

To Night Owl from Dogfish – book review

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To Night Owl from Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan & Meg Wolitzer Funny LGBT Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great) Bett Devlin and Avery Bloom first “meet” when Bett discovers that their dads are secretly dating, secretly sending them to a fancy schmancy summer camp, and secretly planning to explore China by motorcycle.  The girls are outraged.  They like things fine just the way they are.  As they continue to exchange messages, however, … Read more

Stronger, Faster, and More Beautiful – book review

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Stronger, Faster, and More Beautiful  by Arwen Elys Dayton Science Fiction Short Stories * * * Stars (Pretty good) These linked stories take place in the near and then distant future as human beings find ways to extend life, eliminate disease, and modify their bodies in new and exciting ways.  Factions emerge as the modifications go beyond medical and into cosmetic and bizarre – those who believe that the human form should be pure and … Read more