Katrina

Thanks to the publisher and Libro.fm for the alc!

This is a difficult book to “like”, but I don't regret reading it. It's very quietly intense, occasionally horrifying, and often beautiful. Stunning narration by January LaVoy, obviously.

Thanks to Libro.fm and the publisher for the audio arc!

A timely and immersive story spanning decades, this book examines several social issues through a podcaster delving into an old murder case. I really enjoyed the audio production and would definitely recommend.

Thanks to the publisher and Libro.fm for the arc!

Solid thriller with a twist I saw coming and one I didn't. Nice audio production, and I liked how it ended.

Thanks to Quarto Kids for the DLC!

I really enjoyed this one. I felt the story had a lot of momentum, and the world building was natural. Would definitely recommend to fans of action/fantasy manga! I would definitely pick up the next volume.

Thanks to the publisher and Libro.fm for the audio arc!

Great audio production. I was really invested in the story of these two teens who are both struggling with their mental health. Their relationship had the potential for some major toxicity, so I was really pleased with how the author handled each character. I thought there was a lot of hope alongside some heavy topics and realism. I also loved Shelbi's parents! Would definitely recommend for a teen (especially a teen who might be struggling with addiction or their mental health) who wants a romance with a little more substance.

Thanks to Libro.fm and the publisher for the alc!

This was an enjoyable mystery set in the world of comic book publishing. Mystery and comic fans will find plenty to dive into. The audio production was really one of a kind. I would recommend.

I totally want this to be a movie. Great characters, epic battles, and a backdrop of political intrigue. Loved the art too!

All the twisty turny unreliable narrator YA murder vibes you could hope for. Great audio. Recommended for fans of Sadie.

3.5 rounding up. A very sweet YA romcom brimming with love of every kind! I loved Zuri & Naveen, and the way the author brought me into all the joyful chaos of an Indian wedding. Would definitely recommend.

This graphic memoir is so engaging and I flew through it. I wasn't familiar with Tommie Smith's story, so a lot of the information about how intensely some Black athletes were involved in the larger call for social justice was new to me. I also found the story distressingly relevant. Smith and Carlos took their public stand in 1968, and they paid a heavy price. More than 50 years later, America hasn't learned its lesson. Slapping “End Racism” on a football helmet does nothing to hold the organization accountable or earnestly change the culture. I hope many people will read this. I hope young Black athletes will read this and feel inspired and seen, and I hope white people (especially in the sports world) can receive this story and work towards actual change.

Really sweet concept and exciting art.

An interesting overview of internet culture. Worth a read if you're interested in the behind the scenes journey of how we ended up with our current online environment.

This was a gritty, strange, almost ethereal collection of fascinating stories. I'm here for it. I can't even really pick a favorite because they're all so wildly different, but G. Neri and Jason Reynolds probably had the most accessible stories of the bunch and I really liked them. It's a wild ride of a collection and worth a read. That being said, I do not know a teen I would give this to.

Excellent addition to middle grade verse novels addressing mental health. The format makes it engaging for younger readers, despite the heavy topics included.

It's a bit slow on pacing for me, but I think it was worth the journey. There's some really beautiful writing and a unique plot that has a lot to say, especially regarding our relationship to social media and the larger world.

Simply gorgeous in all respects.

I have to say the world building was impeccable. Hardinge does a great job of making you feel like you know a place and the people who live there. There were some slow moments, but overall I found it to be a captivating ocean fantasy. It's one of those stories with deep themes, danger, and almost Lovecraftian discomfort. Side note: the character names are EXCELLENT.

Thanks to Bloomsbury for the e-arc!

Um. This was wild. There's a lot to unpack here. While I found some of it riveting, I found other parts unnecessarily confusing. I think part of the confusion is the author's intention to keep the reader off balance (achieved), but I did find myself wishing for a few more concrete “rules” to help me keep track of the plot and parse the multiple metaphors. A highlight for me was the relationship between Jade and her sister. Overall, not exactly my cup of tea, but there was some really great writing, content, and atmosphere that kept me reading. Would recommend for teens who can get swept away by a haunted house, an unreliable narrator, and insect-oriented body horror.

I think I liked the concept more than the execution. I definitely found myself spacing out while listening, as it didn't grab me as much as I had anticipated.

A quiet but intense story that focuses on family and relationships. I thought the characters were realistic and relatable, and a lot of teens would appreciate the subject matter. Also some really lovely writing. Would definitely recommend.

A very inventive magical medical mystery! I liked the characters and the world-building. I did find it predictable so I ended up getting bored, but I would still recommend to teens. I think other people will enjoy it more than I did, especially if they are interested in medicine.

In the wake of tragedy, Jess and Lucas are struggling with new family dynamics and their own grief. They aren't doing so well on their own, but it seems like they can help each other cope. A romantic and hopeful story about two teens helping each other to rebuild a shattered life.

I just love Tamora Pierce so much. This was a totally engaging fantasy, perfect for fans of her previous books or magical coming of age stories. It even felt a bit like Harry Potter in respect to three best friends learning magic, navigating school, becoming aware of complex political and power structures, and dealing with injustice. Interesting characters within an intriguing plot that is destined to unfold brilliantly in subsequent novels.

3.5 rounding up. I think this book will definitely find its reader. A teenage coming-of-age romance that encompasses all the light and dark of firsts, featuring a MC that learns and grows in a realistic way.

I was shocked that so much of this rhymed, and I suspected it might not work. It totally worked. It's amazing the amount of characterization Elliot achieved through different forms of poetry! Give to the teen who recently discovered Poe and is into it. Or adults who love fairy tales. Suspense, magic, and angst.