Like other Ruta Sepetys books I’ve read, I Must Betray You focuses on little-known – but major – events in world history. I knew almost nothing about Romania in 1989, […]
Category: Oppression / Revolution
Attack of the Black Rectangles : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
On one hand, Attack of the Black Rectangles is timely and important. On the other hand, it’s preachy and addresses way too many woke issues at once. I enjoyed the […]
The Grace Year: A Librarian’s Perspective Review
The Grace Year, a creepy dystopia from Kim Liggett, will stick with you long after you close the pages. I personally didn’t love the ending, but it works for the […]
Sold : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Sold has been on my TBR for years now, and I finally read it to check content for a ninth grade English class. The teacher is interested in offering this […]
Refugee : A Librarian’s Perpsective Review
How much did I love Refugee? The 2018 Newbery Medal will be awarded in about two weeks. I’d be shocked if Refugee by Alan Gratz isn’t at least a contender. […]
Flawed : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I loved Flawed! I read it in one day, could not put it down for anything. Engaging right from the start, this dystopia about criminalizing unsavory morals and ethics was […]
Every Falling Star : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
If you are in charge of purchasing for your school or library, Every Falling Star is a must. The vast majority of today’s students know little to nothing about North […]
The Boy on the Wooden Box : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
The Boy on the Wooden Box is, to my knowledge, one of only two memoirs written by a Schindler’s List survivor. The other is I Will Plant You a Lilac […]
The Hate U Give : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
How important is The Hate U Give right now? When a substantial portion of our population repeatedly and emphatically says there is something broken within our system, I think our […]
The Pants Project : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I didn’t love The Pants Project, nor did I hate it. Liv was born a girl but is a boy inside. Unfortunately, Liv’s new school requires girls to wear a […]
A Long Walk to Water : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Though I know A Long Walk to Water is a popular novel among middle school teachers, it was a student’s recommendation that got me to read it. I loved the […]
Blood for Blood : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I have been anxiously anticipating Blood for Blood. Its predecessor, Wolf By Wolf was one of my favorite books last year! This one did not disappoint, but it did lose […]
Salt to the Sea : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Oh, beautiful, heartbreaking book! Salt to the Sea is a must-read. Easily one of my 2016 favorites. The chapters alternate among four characters and are short – I think this […]
Genesis Girl : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
If Genesis Girl were a movie, it would be Armageddon, that Bruce Willis action movie from the late-1990s. Armageddon is one of those “summer blockbusters” that are high on intensity […]
An Ember in the Ashes : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I am one of like 5 people in the world that did NOT like An Ember in the Ashes. Underdeveloped characters, poor world-building, and extreme violence turned me off so […]
Fear My Mortality : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Fear My Mortality has so many problems that I feel I cannot possibly list them all in a short review. To keep things fair, I will start with some positives… […]
Beyond the Red : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Beyond the Red begins with so much potential. I loved the otherworldly setting, and half-blood Eros reminded me a little of Nathan in Half Bad. The action began quickly with […]