Katrina
It was interesting, although not my favorite work by either of them. I feel like I remember working through similar situations at that age, and I appreciated the messy realism of that.
Very inventive. It didn't blow me away, but I enjoyed the story and I was pleased with the resolution. I'd definitely hand it to teens looking for adventure.
Thanks to Libro.fm and the publisher for the arc!
This was my first Irby book, so I wasn't totally sure what I was signing up for. Honestly, if Saeed Jones recommends something, I will more than likely pick it up. So! Absolutely no shade on the writing. Strong humor writing abounds here. I got a little lost in the sauce on some of the topics (I have never seen an episode of Sex and the City) which I think impacted my overall enjoyment. That being said, when Irby writes about tough topics I can't relate to (like a parent dying or going into anaphylactic shock) I found myself the most engaged and weirdly laughing the most. Was the whole book up my alley? Nope. But I get the feeling that a) she does not care, and b) I will still recommend to others.
I listened to this one on a recommendation from my friends on the Vibe Check Podcast. They have never steered me wrong, and they didn't with this essay collection either. Humorous, thoughtful, and written with a strong voice that spoke right to my aging millennial heart. Would recommend.
So excited to give this to the middle schoolers this summer! Action, intrigue, and humor reminiscent of Douglas Adams makes this such a fun read.
I don't like rating memoirs, it never feels fair to rate someone's experience. This graphic memoir starts out in a harrowing situation as Pham and his family flee Vietnam, and ends with Pham as an older man becoming an American citizen. I did appreciate the device of using food to represent different times in Pham's life. That being said, I thought the time jumps were a little disorienting/disconnected. One of my favorite parts was actually the few pages at the end where he illustrates talking to people in his memoir about the memoir! I found that highly engaging. The art wasn't my personal favorite. I think readers of graphic memoirs, especially immigrant/refugee stories, will find this highly appealing.
I put this one on the back burner because it was so ridiculously popular. Finally got around to it, and honestly I couldn't put it down.
I loved it. It's beautifully written with deep feeling. I felt so connected to Sadie and was emotionally invested in her journey. It was well-balanced, felt so authentically “teen”, and addressed anxiety, queerness, and police brutality thoughtfully without ever seeming heavy-handed. I will be hand-selling this one hard. Highly recommend.
Thanks to the publisher and Libro.fm for the ALC!
Slater provides a thoughtful and nuanced accounting of the events in question. The chapters are very short and engaging, the book is thoroughly researched, and the story itself is very much worth examining. Highly recommend for teens AND adults that either work with or parent teens. The audio was well-produced.
An important story with some very powerful and intense themes (and realities). Absolutely no regrets about picking this one up, and it's given me some insight and some further research to do. I think the main reason I couldn't bring myself to love it was because of the relationship between Khadija and her younger brother. I think Khadija is a tough character to love sometimes. She's flawed and working through a lot, and I respect that. But there was something about that particular relationship that made me not trust her? Difficult to explain. I was grateful for Leene's perspective, but sometimes the dual narrative between two such different girls left me a little unstable.
This one shook me. Some things I was already aware of, but his explanations brought some topics into a whole new light. I wish everyone would read this book. Desmond is just so eminently REASONABLE in the way he discusses the systems that keep Americans in poverty and the steps we could take to effectively end it. It's really given me a lot to think about. And in case you think he's just speculating and being utopian, trust me that he brings receipts.
This is a very well written accounting of America and all the systems we built here. The author included many stories and interviews that highlight each of the issues she examines. Overall, I found it thoroughly effective and honest. I sincerely hope many people will read either edition of this work.
I don't know that I loved it, but I do know that I could not put it down! If you're looking for an edge-of-your-seat teen thriller with dark secrets and a body count, look no further. It helped that I really felt for the main character, Red. Lots of interesting relationships and an abundance of tense moments make for a quick, juicy read.
I really enjoyed this feminist take on the Arachne myth. She's such an interesting figure, and the verse was beautiful. Save this one for your myth-obsessed teens who can handle some darker themes.
This was a pretty unique high school mystery with some twists I did not see coming. I don't know how relatable the characters are, but I was definitely invested in the story. I think the ending could have been wrapped up a little more clearly, but I enjoyed the ride!
Many thanks to Libro.fm and the publisher for the audio arc!
One of the best audio productions I've heard in a while. The characters are so distinct and really skillfully narrated. Fast paced and insightful, Promise Boys is a timely mystery that packs a punch. Loved the unlikely friendships that develop. Would definitely recommend.
This novel in verse tackles a lot. A political/climate refugee and the musical child of telenovela stars work towards a more sustainable future. Some of the scenes are honestly harrowing, but the verse helps deliver hard truths. There is also a very sweet love story, which provides a bit of hope through the rest of some weighty (and realistic) circumstances. I think teens interested in climate justice will really appreciate these two strong characters who show that taking action and choosing hope is not impossible.
Many thanks to Libro.fm and the publisher for the arc!
It might be my fault, but based on the description I was expecting more fantasy/mythological elements and more romance. I think it was really well-written historical fiction with a hint of magic and a hint of romance. The pacing was pretty slow. It reminded me of a somewhat less exciting version of “The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock”. The last 15% was really where I felt all the elements I was expecting came into play more and the pacing picked up. Overall, I would recommend to historical fiction fans over fantasy readers, because it was quite a good period piece.
