I Woke Up Dead at the Mall by Judy Sheehan Funny Mystery Supernatural Suspense YA Fiction * * * Stars (Pretty good) Sarah wakes up dead at the mall and discovers she was murdered at her dad’s wedding reception. Bertha, an angel and death counselor, meets with her and several other recently murdered teens to help them resolve their unfinished business and move on to whatever comes next (for most, being reborn and having another … Read more
Radium Girls by Kate Moore Nonfiction * * * * Stars (Great!) During WWI a number of young women worked in factories as dial painters – using radium paint to illuminate the numbers and dials of wristwatches and console panels. They did not know then that radium was harmful. Over time, these women developed terrible and debilitating illnesses, many of which proved to be fatal. Those that sought medical assistance were often misdiagnosed and all … Read more
La Belle Sauvage Book of Dust #1 by Philip Pullman Adventure Fantasy Suspense Thriller * * * * Stars (Great!) In this first book of a series that takes place prior The Golden Compass, Malcolm (12 years old) learns of the existence of baby Lyra (said to be the child of Lord Asrael and Mrs. Coulter) who comes to be looked after by the nuns at a nearby convent where Malcolm helps out. He becomes … Read more
One by Sarah Crossan Novel in Verse Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Grace and Tippy are teenaged conjoined (from the waist down) twins who are going to attend private school for the first time (they were homeschooled before) and they’re nervous about how people will react to them. Going out in public is usually an ordeal for them as everyone stares. But, they make a couple of friends quickly and school isn’t … Read more
Drop everything and start reading these graphic novels (there are 2 so far) by Doug Savage about a Moose that shoots lasers from his eyes, and his sidekick/companion, Rabbit Boy and their adventures protecting their forest home from all sorts of dangers! Book #1 – Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy by Doug Savage Funny Graphic Novel Juvenile Fiction Science Fiction Young Adult Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Laser Moose and Rabbit Boy are … Read more
Thunderhead Arc of a Scythe #2 by Neal Shusterman Dystopian Science Fiction Suspense Thriller * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) The Scythedom is split into factions – those who respect the old ways and take their responsibilities seriously, and those who embrace killing for its own pleasure and who would like to repeal their self-imposed restrictions. The Mid-American High Blade’s position is left vacant when Xenocrates accepts a new title – Grandslayer. Whomever is … Read more
The Seventh Most Important Thing by Shelley Pearsall Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Arthur Owens gets in trouble with the law when he throws a brick at a trash-picking, presumably homeless man he sees around his neighborhood. He’s sent to a juvenile delinquent facility for several weeks and at his trial it comes out that the reason he attacked the man was because he saw him wearing his recently-passed-away dad’s hat (his … Read more
Trish Trash: Rollergirl of Mars by Jessica Abel Graphic Novel Science Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Trish lives on Mars with her aunt and uncle, and although she’s only 7 (in Mars years – 15 in Earth ears), she sneaks into the tryouts for the Hoverderby. She’s actually doing great until prima donna “Hanna Barbarian” claims she fouled her. Then the truth comes out. But Trish is able to sign on as skategirl, … Read more
Quiet Girl in a Noisy World: An Introvert’s Story by Debbie Tung Biography Graphic Novel Nonfiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Debbie Tung is an introvert who likes to spend time alone with books and tea and other comforting rituals. She gets run down quickly when she has to spend time with other people – social interactions and casual gatherings can be hard for her. Before she learned that there was an introverted personality … Read more
Surfside Girls: The Secret of Danger Point Surfside Girls #1 by Kim Dwinell Graphic Novel Mystery Supernatural * * * * Stars (Great!) Samantha and Jade (both 12) discover an underwater cave at Danger Point, which has just been bought by a developer that wants to put up a big hotel. When Sam explores further, she meets a whole host of ghosts who want her help to protect the land. Jade can’t see the ghosts, … Read more