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
Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valor Winterborne Home, bk #1 by Ally Carter Adventure Mystery Supernatural Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * * * Stars (Great!) Through numerous foster homes, and most o fthem terrible, April is waiting for one thing: the return of her mother. She was dropped off on the front doorstep of the fire station with a note stating her name, and a promise from her mother (who said she was returning). … Read more
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder book #1 by Holly Jackson Mystery Suspense Thriller Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Pip is a student who is working on her capstone project. For her topic she chooses to investigate a murder case that happened in her home town. Her goal is to cast doubt on the original investigation, but as she continues, new evidence comes to light and soon Pip realizes that someone … Read more
Odder by Katherine Applegate Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) What is life like for a wild otter? Living off the coast of California, near the Monterey Bay Aquarium (though it is called Highwater in her world), Odder delights in play. “Water means play, and play is their purpose.” When she was a child, barely a few months old (though otters grow much faster than human children) a storm swept … Read more
Auggie & Me (sequel to Wonder) by R.J. Palacio Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) “Auggie & Me” consists of three new chapters from three different characters that were in the book, “Wonder.” It takes place after the book and follows bully Julian, Auggie’s oldest friend Christopher, and his classmate Charlotte. It gives an insight into how Auggie has touched their own lives and where they go and what they … Read more
Diper Overlode Diary of a Wimpy Kid #17 by Jeff Kinney Funny Illustrated Fiction Realistic Fiction Grades 5+ Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) This book is about Rodrick, the older brother, and his band. Rodrick and his band want to be very famous so they decide to enter a competition. They practice a lot, but at one poin tthey stop because they think it has gotten too extreme for them. Rodrick now … Read more
Lines of Courage by Jennifer A. Nielsen Historical Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) One wrong turn. That was all it took to fire Austria-Hungary and Germany into war after the assassination of their Archduke. Of course, this war grew as other countries joined their allegiances. The war was titled, “The War to End All Wars.” WWI. The story is told from five different points of view. Felix Baum – a … Read more
Strong Poison Lord Peter Wimsey series, book #6 by Dorothy L. Sayers Mystery Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * * * Stars (Amazing!) Lord Peter is solving another mystery. This time, it’s the mystery of mystery novelist Harriet Vane – who supposedly murdered her own fiancée. But as he is investigating the mystery, Peter finds himself falling in love with Harriet. Before long, he is racing to prove her innocence – and get her … Read more
Thrones and Dominations Lord Peter Wimsey series, book #12 by Jill Paton Walsh and Dorothy L. Sayers Mystery Realistic Fiction Review #1 * * * Stars (Pretty good) Lord Peter Wimsey and Harriet have returned from their slightly chaotic honeymoon and are now moving into life together. Before they come back they meet a couple in Paris – Rosamund and her husband who backs plays. Wimsey’s slightly incorrigible sister organizes a dinner for them to … Read more