No Place Left to Hide by Megan Lally Mystery Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) After an incident that occurred several months before, Brooke focuses hard to maintain her squeaky-clean image. She has kept it perfect for many years in order to get into her dream school and to live up to her family name. But someone knows something about what happened in the incident. And they won’t stop until the … Read more
Monster by Walter Dean Myers Mystery Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) “Monster” by Walter Dean Myers tells the story of Steve Harmon, a 16-year-old Black teenager from Harlem on trial for felony murder as an accomplice in a robbery that resulted in a store owner’s death. The novel is uniquely presented as a screenplay Steve is writing in his jail cell, interspersed with his personal journal entries. “Monster” is highly … Read more
Ground Zero by Alan Gratz Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) In New York City on September 11, 2001, nine-year-old Brandon is at the World Trade Center with his father when the terrorist attacks begin. He must navigate the chaos and destruction to escape the collapsing towers. Eighteen years later, on September 11, 2019, in Afghanistan, eleven-year-old Reshmina lives in a war-torn village, dreaming of a peaceful future. When a battle … Read more
Two Degrees by Alan Gratz Realistic Fiction Thriller Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) “Two Degrees” follows three distinct storylines of young people facing the devastating immediate effects of climate change: Akira battling a massive wildfire in California, Owen and George escaping starving polar bears on the melting Canadian tundra, and Natalie struggling to survive a catastrophic hurricane in Miami. Though separated by vast distances, their harrowing survival experiences ultimately connect them and … Read more
As Good As Dead A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder #3 by Holly Jackson Mystery Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) In this book Pip looks into another case about the duct tape killer after the mom of the supposed killer calls Pip because she doesn’t believe he is the killer. Review #2 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) “As Good As Dead” by Holly Jackson, is the conclusion to … Read more
Confessions of a Murder Suspect Confessions #1 by James Patterson Mystery Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) In this book the main characters parents die and they go through interviews and conduct an investigation of their own to figure out who did it. For middle and high school teens.
Aurora Aurora #1 by Red Adventure Fantasy Graphic Novel Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) The city of Vash has fallen to a mysterious mage known as the Collector, who has taken the soul of its god. Kendal, the city’s sole survivor, has been tasked to retrieve said god. He soon encounters Alinua, a hermit who is finally free to see the world. The two set off on an adventure neither of … Read more
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher Fantasy * * * * Stars (Great!) Cordelia’s mother Evangeline is a sorceress who often makes her behave by taking control of her body. She’s not allowed any privacy, and if her mother disapproves of anything she does she is punished by being made to be obedient. It is the most horrible feeling/experience. When their current benefactor stops paying the bills, Evangeline decides that it’s time for … Read more
From Wonderland with Love Code Name: Alice, book #1 by Jeffrey Westhoff Fantasy Funny Mystery Suspense Thriller * * * * Stars (Great!) While reminiscing about her adventures in Wonderland and Looking-Glass, Alice is once again surprised by the White Rabbit, who has come to enlist her aid in a matter of National Security! When she left Wonderland, the Knave of Hearts had been accused of stealing tarts and managed to sneak away in all … Read more
The Wrong Way Home By Kate O’Shaughnessy Realistic Fiction * * * * Stars (Great!) Frankie (Fern) and her mom (Jamie) live in an “off-the-grid, self-sustaining community” run by Dr. Ben. On the “Ranch” they eschew technology and practices that are harmful to the Earth, and chemicals that are bad for the environment. They grow their own food and make their own clothes – all under Dr. Ben’s guidance. Fern worships Dr. Ben and when … Read more