I loved The Wolves Are Waiting and plan to seek out more books by Natasha Friend. AUTHOR: Natasha Friend SERIES: no PUBLISHER: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers PUBLICATION DATE: […]
Category: Realistic Fiction
The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen is a Lonestar Reading List book for the 2023-2024 school year. While I am no longer a librarian in Texas, I know the […]
Perfectly Parvin : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Perfectly Parvin by Olivia Abtahi is just what I needed to read after my latest run of “serious” dystopian books. I loved the adorably flawed protagonist, the character diversity, and […]
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 […]
Girls Like Us by Randi Pink: A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Girls Like Us is the first book I’ve read by Randi Pink, and I definitely enjoyed it. I was born after the story’s events, but I remember this issue coming […]
Stolen by Lucy Christopher: A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Stolen by Lucy Christopher was popular in my Grade 6-12 library a few years ago. I had three copies, and they were never on the shelf. Concerned about the possibility […]
Parachutes : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I read the Parachutes by Kelly Yang audiobook in just 4 days, and I relished every minute of it! I am trying very hard to get back to my book […]
You’d Be Home Now: A Librarian’s Perspective Review
You’d Be Home Now by Kathleen Glasgow is my first book review in nearly a year! Since the Pandemic began almost two years ago, I’ve been in a serious reading […]
Before the Ever After : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I so enjoyed Before the Ever After! A great story with a sympathetic protagonist. It has SIX (well-deserved) starred reviews, and it won the 2021 Coretta Scott King Award for […]
Yes No Maybe So : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I read Yes No Maybe So on audiobook, and I think may be the first audiobook fiction I’ve ever finished. I do great with nonfiction audio, but I tend to […]
The New David Espinoza: A Librarian’s Perspective Review
With its focus on high school steroid use, The New David Espinoza reminds me of Gym Candy by Carl Deuker, which I read several years ago. A book with a […]
The Benefits of Being an Octopus: A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I needed The Benefits of Being an Octopus when I was 12. Zoey is responsible for her three younger siblings. All day, every day. She does not get a break, […]
Exit Pursued By a Bear: A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Exit Pursued by a Bear is a weird title, to be sure, but it’s a nod to Shakespeare! I really loved how strong the 17-year old protagonist is after she […]
Pumpkinheads : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Awww, Pumpkinheads was all the cuteness I needed two weeks before Halloween! Put on your PJs and curl up with your favorite pumpkin spice latte because this may be the […]
New Kid: A Librarian’s Perspective Review
A scene in New Kid reminds me of a scene in American Born Chinese, where a white teacher introduces new student Jin Wang as “coming all the way from China.” […]
If I’m Being Honest: A Librarian’s Perspective Review
If I’m Being Honest is a fun twist on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. If you or your students love rom-coms like Ten Things I Hate About You and […]
Girls on the Verge: A Librarian’s Perspective Review
First, an important disclaimer: I know that some of my readers will disagree with my stance on abortion, but there is no way to review this book without making my […]
Patron Saints of Nothing: A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Two Christmases ago, my family and I hopped a plane to The Philippines for the holidays. Manila is only a three-hour flight from Shanghai, and Boracay only one hour from […]
My New Crush Gave to Me : A Librarian’s Review
For this year’s YA Christmas book, I’m going with My New Crush Gave to Me, a cute rom-com for teens by Shani Petroff. AUTHOR: Shani Petroff SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Swoon […]
Forget Me Not : A Librarian’s Review
I knew little of Tourette Syndrome before Forget Me Not. Every summer, my husband, boys, and I visit our family in the USA for several weeks. This past summer, we […]
Losing the Field : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Ugh, the Field Party series gets worse with every book, and Losing the Field is no exception.. I’ve mentioned in many reviews that I am a former fat girl, so […]
Twelve Steps to Normal : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Goodreads reviews have a lot of love for Twelve Steps to Normal by Farrah Penn, but it was just average for me. I appreciate the author’s purpose for writing it […]
Long Way Down : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
No doubt about it, Long Way Down is another home run from popular author Jason Reynolds. I’m sure by now, many of you have at least heard about this book, […]
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 […]
When My Heart Joins the Thousand : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
When My Heart Joins the Thousand is a weird and beautiful book about an autistic girl who falls for a disabled boy. It’s slow-paced but worth it in the end. […]
Finding Perfect : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Finding Perfect is a very necessary addition to every school library. I know that after reading, I will never joke about someone who is meticulous being OCD again. It isn’t […]
Asking for It : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Asking for It by Louise O’Neill has been on my TBR for awhile now. I’ve heard lots of talk about it, and that front cover just says it all, doesn’t […]
Bad Romance : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Years ago, I read a book called Go Ask Alice. You’ve probably already heard of (and maybe read) Go Ask Alice, which was originally published as an anonymous diary of […]
Love That Dog : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Do you teach upper-elementary or middle school English? This book is a MUST for poetry units! You could plan a whole unit around the poetry references in Love That Dog! […]
Love Letters to the Dead : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I’ve had my eye on Love Letters to the Dead for a long time, so when a one of my 100-book challenge students recommended it to me a couple of […]
Saving Red : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I’m once again on the prowl for holiday books for teens! Saving Red came out last year, but I’ve only just gotten around to reading it. What I loved most […]
Mr. 60% : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
What teens can learn from reading Mr. 60%: Cancer is horrible, messy, and painful. If you are poor and get sick, no one in the medical community wants to help […]
The Border : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Steve Schafer’s The Border made me thirsty; I had to keep an icy glass of water next to me while reading. The Border chronicles four teens ages 15-17 running for […]
Towers Falling : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Towers Falling has been on my TBR for quite awhile now, and my OverDrive hold came in right before Sept. 11. Perfect timing! I didn’t love or hate this one; […]
Ghost : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Holy-freakin-fantastic! Ghost is easily among 2016’s best, and I can’t think of a more perfect book for seventh graders who “can’t find any books they want to read.” I’m ordering […]
Windfall : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I didn’t love Windfall or hate it. The plot will be easy to booktalk, and I’m betting this will be a hit in my library. Though the characters are 18-year […]
Piecing Me Together : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Considering the tremendous success of The Hate U Give earlier this year (and still going strong), I think Piecing Me Together got a bit…overlooked. Released in February, just two weeks […]
Coming Up for Air : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Well, I am tired once again. I stayed up way too late reading Coming Up for Air, and I’m suffering the consequences today. More coffee, please! If you’ve followed my […]
If I Were You : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
If I Were You is such cute “Friday the 13th”-esque for tweens! I just bought the book from our school book fair, and I know it will be easy to […]
Will & Whit : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I am kind of surprised at the relatively low (3.71) Goodreads rating on this title. Many reviewers said that not enough happens in the book, and I will agree that […]
Red Butterfly : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Are you looking to add more multicultural books to your elementary or middle school library? Red Butterfly by AL Sonnichsen has it all! It’s set in both China and the […]
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 […]
Tell Me Three Things : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Do you have a student who has recently lost a parent? Tell Me Three Things is a must-read for any student struggling with grief. The writing is authentic, and students […]
One : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Though I found One by Sarah Crossan a tad predictable, I thoroughly enjoyed this unique story of 16-year old conjoined twin sisters. When I booktalked this with my students, they […]
Lily and Dunkin : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I LOVED Lily and Dunkin! I always say that the world would be a better place if everyone read Palacio’s Wonder. Now, I can say that about a second book: […]
Enter Title Here : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Enter Title Here is one odd book. Well-written with interesting characters, Enter Title Here was interesting enough that I read it in one sitting. A couple of parts made me […]
Review: Zac & Mia (Betts)
I’ve wanted to read Zac & Mia for quite awhile now! The author, A.J. Betts, came to our school last March and went down like a storm. She was interesting, […]
Defending Taylor : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Having read all the previous six books in Miranda Kenneally’s Hundred Oaks series, I was excited to be able to read an advance copy of Defending Taylor. I’m feeling a […]
Roller Girl : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Roller Girl is a cute graphic novel that is a must for any library serving tweens. It’s beautiful, clean, and has many positive messages. Images are colorful, and faces are […]
Cherry Crush : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I don’t think I would have picked up Cherry Crush on my own, so I am very happy that one of my students recommended it to me! It’s a cute, […]
Finding Audrey : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I read Finding Audrey because it was nominated for the Panda Booklist (it didn’t make it, sadly) and because it was written by Sophie Kinsella. I have read several Sophie […]
The Crossover : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I read The Crossover in preparation for our recent Battle of the Books competition, where author Kwame Alexander was to be our special guest. I checked out this book from […]
Page By Paige : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Page By Paige is an adorable realistic fiction graphic novel. The artwork is beautiful, and there is a light romance. AUTHOR: Laura Lee Gulledge SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Amulet PUBLICATION DATE: […]
Review: This Raging Light (Laure)
This Raging Light needs a little more raging and a lot more memorable characters. It’s a fun distraction from real life, but I won’t remember This Raging Light by the […]
Anyone But You : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
AUTHOR: Kim Askew, Amy Helmes SERIES: Twisted Lit, book 3 PUBLISHER: Merit Press PUBLICATION DATE: January 18, 2014 ISBN: 9781440570018 PAGES: 224 SOURCE: NetGalley GENRE: realistic, romance GIVE IT TO: […]
Review: That Time I Joined the Circus (Howard)
AUTHOR: J.J. Howard SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Point PUBLICATION DATE: April 1, 2013 ISBN: 9780545433815 PAGES: 272 SOURCE: NetGalley GENRE: contemporary/realistic GIVE IT TO: MS, HS SUMMARY: After the sudden death […]
Review: Things I Can’t Forget (Kenneally)
AUTHOR: Miranda Kenneally SERIES: Hundred Oaks, book 3 PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Fire PUBLICATION DATE: March 1, 2013 ISBN: 9781402271908 PAGES: 304 SOURCE: NetGalley GENRE: contemporary romance GIVE IT TO: HS girls […]
Stealing Parker : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
While Stealing Parker will not appeal to everyone (more on that in a minute), for me, it was a page-turner. I read the entire book in one sitting–I just could […]
The Sweetest Thing : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
I didn’t love or hate The Sweetest Thing. It’s predictable and follows many common tropes in rom-com style books for middle schoolers. It just feels like I’ve read books just […]
Review: Trafficked (Purcell)
AUTHOR: Kim Purcell SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Viking Juvenile PUBLICATION DATE: Feb. 16, 2012 ISBN: 9780670012800 PAGES: 352 SOURCE: ARC from publisher GENRE: realistic GIVE IT TO: HS girls and guys, […]
The Sweetheart of Prosper County : A Librarian’s Perspective Review
Jill Alexander’s The Sweetheart of Prosper County is perfect for middle school libraries in Texas! I recommend librarians purchase the paperback rather than the hardcover of this one because the […]
Review: Thirteen Reasons Why
AUTHOR: Jay Asher SERIES: none PUBLISHER: Razorbill PUBLICATION DATE: October 18, 2007 ISBN: 9781595141712 PAGES: 288 SOURCE: My library GENRE: Realistic/problem fiction RECOMMENDED FOR: upper MS, HS OVERALL RATING: Neutral […]