Review: When You Know What I Know

When You Know What I Know
by Sonja K. Solter

Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 24th, 2020

After school, on the couch in the basement, Tori’s uncle does something bad. Tori tells her mother, but she doesn't believe Tori. The aftermath of sexual abuse is filled with so many emotions; fear, anger, shame. Solter captures these emotions in her book When You Know What I Know.

When You Know What I Know is written from the point of view of the main character, “10-almost-11” year old Tori. The book follows her in the wake of violation. Written in verse, Solter’s book is beautifully articulated. Tori’s character is perfectly evolved throughout the novel and her conflicting sentiments are composed accurately. This book covers important but mature subject matter, I recommend it for ages 11+

Review: Internment

Internment
by Samira Ahmed

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 19, 2019

Samira Ahmed, author of LOVE, HATE, AND OTHER FILTERS, follows up her bestselling novel with a hard-hitting, startling dystopian thriller. INTERNMENT is the story of a society that has begun to detain Muslim citizens and place them in an internment camp. As horrible as that sounds, the description of the book describes it as just “in the near future.”  INTERNMENT follows the reaction of a young girl, Layla, to the horribly Islamophobic times in which she is stuck. In this internment camp, Layla teams up with a group of unlikely heroes in an attempt to expose the camp to the entire nation. Along the way, she learns a lot about faith, identity, and what it means to stand up for yourself in times of strife.

This was a deeply impactful novel. Ahmed does not hold back in her description of the atrocities committed by the internment camp, and because of this, I found myself rooting for the characters more than most books I read. I feel like INTERNMENT was such an emotional novel because even though it was dystopian, it built itself upon a realistic base. Layla’s situation is much like one that could be on the news today. Even more so, I was alerted to my own passivity through Layla’s representation of the American people standing idly in their own positions of privilege, only caring about an event for a news cycle or two. In the end, INTERNMENT was incredibly successful in baring some very deep truths all the while giving the reader a character to root for with whom they can identify.

Review: Finding Yvonne

Finding Yvonne
by Brandy Colbert

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: August 7, 2018

Eighteen-year-old Yvonne is at a crossroads. A violin prodigy, she’s always known she wanted to be a musician. But lately she worries she’s falling out of love with the instrument. She has another decision to make: Her almost-boyfriend Warren is a safe and familiar option; Omar, his polar opposite, is exciting and dangerous and a musician, but Yvonne fears he isn’t telling her everything. To make matters worse, lately her dad’s been more interested in getting high than he’s been in spending time with her. Just when it seems like her life is spinning out of control, she falls pregnant. 

FINDING YVONNE is a moving read. It’s a compassionate coming-of-age-story about teenage friendship, romance, and big decisions. Brandy Colbert deftly handles some of the weightier subject matter. She’s able to keep the book a relatively light-hearted read. 

Review: The Astonishing Color of After

The Astonishing Color of After
by Emily X.R. Pan

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 20, 2018

THE ASTONISHING COLOR OF AFTER by Emily X.R. Pan is a story of a girl desperate to hold on to her mother’s past. After committing suicide, Leigh’s mother has turned into a bird. When Leigh finds a note from her mom with the words, “I want you to remember” scratched out, she sets her sights on discovering her mom’s past and figuring out what it is she needs to remember. Her dad surprises her with a plane ride to Taiwan to meet her mother’s parents, whom she had never met before. Multiple visits from the bird and memories of times before her mother's death haunt her as she increasingly loses grip on reality. Frantic to hold on to her mother, she nearly destroys relationships, the most important being that with her best friend and true love, Axel. As the reader progresses through the story they follow Leigh as she discovers her grandparents’ past, learns about her culture and, while sifting through her own memories, finds herself. In the end, Leigh learns that all she can do is let her mother be free and embrace the present rather than the past.

This book is fascinating. It mixes reality with fantastic magical elements, so that the reader can’t predict whether something is real or just a figment of Leigh’s imagination. Pan incorporates compelling stories, spanning multiple generations of Leigh's family, that fit together in ways the reader might not expect. The language Pan uses is beautiful and expressive. While Leigh experiences things like the ghost festival, and eating pig's blood cake, the reader also gets to learn about the traditions of her family and heritage. Emily X.R. Pan’s debut novel is stunning.

Review: Twelve Steps to Normal

Twelve Steps to Normal
by Farrah Penn

Publisher: Jimmy Patterson/Little, Brown
Publication Date: March 13, 2018

In TWELVE STEPS TO NORMAL by Farrah Penn, the story is told from the perspective of Kira as she tries to recover her old life. After having to leave her whole life behind for for a year because of her dad’s alcohol addiction, she returns to her town as a junior in high school and must figure out what friendships and relationships are worth saving after so much time has passed. She comes home to many surprises (some good and some not so good) that she must face head on and fix before she loses everything… But will she really? I thought this book was very well written and it was very easy to relate to her attitude as a teenager and some of the struggles she faced with relationships, freedom, and parents.

Review: The Cruel Prince

The Cruel Prince
by Holly Black

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 2, 2018

THE CRUEL PRINCE by Holly Black tells the story of Jude, a young girl whose parents were murdered while she and her two sisters were whisked away to the High Court of Faerie. Yet despite this, Jude still wants nothing more than to fit into this mysterious world. But many of the Fey despise humans, and none more than prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest prince. To prove her place among the Fey, Jude must defy him and prove her worth all while navigating through royal conspiracies and a kingdom approaching civil war.

When I first began this book, I thought it was slow and wanted to put it down. But boy was I wrong. Both the characters and the plot develop so much during the course of this book and it was for the better. The book ends in a way that you don’t at all expect, and frankly the title does this book wrong. This book is such a great example of showing instead of telling. Everything had great detail and many layers; at times you think one thing would happen, but something else entirely is going on. Several YA cliches are at play in this book, yet the author finds a way to twist them in new ways. I loved the way that Mrs. Black wove in the magic of this world with our world to give a depth to things that we might not have previously thought about. Many books featuring magic often dismiss many things about the real world, yet she does not shy away from it.

If you are looking for a magical tale of political intrigue filled with great characters and an ever-changing plot, you won’t be let down with this book. If you can last through a slow beginning, you will be happy that you stuck with it. I would recommend this book for older readers because of a few scenes of violence. I can’t wait for book two!

Review: Bang

Bang
by Barry Lyga

Publisher: Little Brown
Publication Date: April 18, 2017

BANG by Barry Lyga is about a boy named Sebastian who shot his baby sister with his fathers gun when he was 4 years old. The book takes place 10 years later, when Sebastian is a suicidal teen. He meets a girl named Aneesa who makes him forget about his past and he altogether forgets about committing suicide. This is a very eye opening story and I truly loved it. It actually brought me to tears. It was so real and beautifully written. It is very heavy. I really enjoyed the plot. It is a hard book to face but once you start reading it, you get wrapped up. BANG is a totally amazing book you must read.

Review: Defy the Stars

Defy the Stars
by Claudia Gray

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 4, 2017

DEFY THE STARS is a fast-paced action novel that adds a new immersive universe to the world of sci-fi. Noemi is a soldier born and bred to protect the world from an ancient and powerful race that sends machines to fight battles. The twist? Noemi's enemy is none other than Earth, which hungers to regain control over her rogue colony. After a disastrous surprise attack leaves her stranded, Noemi stumbles across one such machine soldier, Abel, whose programming forces him to help Noemi execute a plan to save her world. As the two traverse the galaxy, Noemi learns that the struggle for freedom is far more complex than it seems, and Abel questions his creation in the wake of new feelings.

While in some ways a typical "Beauty and the Beast"-esque romance, it is the writing that sets DEFY THE STARS apart. The universe in which Noemi and Abel live is rich, engaging, and impossible to look away from. Each planet and moon is so distinct and is filled with incredible detail that both supports character development and captivates our imagination in the best way possible.

Review: Stranger Than Fanfiction

Stranger Than Fanfiction
by Chris Colfer

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: February 28, 2017

STRANGER THAN FANFICTION by Chris Colfer is a coming-of-age novel that makes deeper connections to friendship, sexuality, and the true meaning of fame. The story follows four friends obsessed with Wiz Kids, a hit television series starring actor Cash Carter. As a joke, the friends invite Carter on a road trip, but when he accepts, they find themselves immersed in a narrative that reveals hidden truths about Carter and each other. While I thought that this novel was well-written overall, I felt that some of the characters could have used more development. The storyline incorporated a diverse cast of characters in terms of race and sexuality, but it did sometimes feel as if certain stereotypes were reinforced rather than disproved. Overall, though, this was a book with a light plot and some more rich insights. I would caution readers that it contains repeated, explicit references to alcohol, sex, and drug use, so it is probably most appropriate for more mature readers.

Review: A Tragic Kind of Wonderful

A Tragic Kind of Wonderful
by Eric Lindstrom

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: February 7, 2017

In A TRAGIC KIND OF WONDERFUL, Mel Hannigan is a sixteen-year-old girl living with bipolar disorder and struggling to make sense of the complex web of relationships surrounding her. While struggling with the death of her brother, Nolan, Mel carefully organizes her world in order to keep her feelings in check. Author Eric Lindstrom sheds light on the difficulty of living with bipolar disorder while also showcasing Mel’s determination to not be defined by her mental illness. While I personally don’t have experience with bipolar disorder, I found Mel very easy to connect with due to a somewhat weird but very effective combination of cynicism and optimism that enriches her as a character. While this book certainly has a romantic angle, it is primarily focused on Mel’s personal journey, which helps to overcome the more cliched love story. I would highly recommend this book to fans of ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES and ELEANOR AND PARK.

Review: Love and First Sight

Love and First Sight
by Josh Sundquist

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 3, 2017



LOVE AND FIRST SIGHT by Josh Sundquist is a romantic comedy about 16 year old Will Porter who was born blind. When he starts at his first mainstream high school, he struggles to fit in and at the same time falls in love with a girl, Cecily. When he decides to have a surgery to potentially give him eyesight for the first time, he sees the world for the first time. Along with the author's captivating writing style, this story was very fresh and a nice change from the stereotypical high school rom-com book because of the author making the decision to make the main character blind.

Review: My Best Everything

My Best Everything by Sarah Tomp
Publication date: March 3, 2015
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Yesterday, I found myself thinking about Lulu and Mason driving into the forests of the Blue Ridge Mountains to go river rafting, as if it were a memory from my own life; that's how vivid and alive this book felt to me. The summer after high school, Lulu is desperately trying to make enough money to send herself to college, by making moonshine with the help of Mason and her two best friends. Sarah Tomp does a fantastic job of telling the story of a girl who realizes the rest of her life might depend on whatever happens in one summer. Lulu has always wanted nothing more than to get out of the small town of Dale, yet now she finds it hard to imagine truly saying goodbye to all she has known, and to the possibilities of what life could be like if she stayed. As Lulu faces bigger decisions than she ever had to before, she wonders about whether fate really does exist: is there such a thing as someone or something that's meant to be? This story perfectly captures emotions about the overwhelming idea of one's future I have often found so hard to articulate. I loved this book and wished it didn't have to come to an end! I would recommend it for anyone!

Review: We Should Hang Out Sometime

We Should Hang Out Sometime by Josh Sundquist
Publication date: December 23, 2014
Publisher: Little, Brown

WE SHOULD HANG OUT SOMETIME is a hilarious and sarcastic memoir by Josh Sundquist, a Paralympic ski racer and cancer survivor. Sundquist goes on a "scientific" journey to discover why he has only ever had one girlfriend...for 23 hours...in eighth grade. The book is funny and has cute little graphs drawn throughout the book. I enjoyed the sarcasm and relatable writing style. It was hard to put down and very well organized in the format of a scientific experiment. I highly recommend this book. There is nothing overtly inappropriate about the book; there are a few mentions of sex, but nothing graphic. I would say that it is appropriate for ages 12 and up (the publisher's recommendation). However, I think slightly older readers, perhaps 15 and up, would be able to appreciate the story and humor more.

Review: The Prince of Venice Beach

The Prince of Venice Beach by Blake Nelson
Publication date: June 3, 2014
Publisher: Little, Brown

THE PRINCE OF VENICE BEACH is another great book that I have recently read. This tale describes a young man, Robert “Cali” Callahan and his adventures on Venice Beach. He spends most of his days playing basketball or skateboarding until he is approached by a private detective who seeks to hire him. After two of these jobs, Cali gets approached with an offer that seems too good to be true. For four times the pay, Cali began to comb the boardwalk until he runs into his target, the beautiful Reese Abernathy, and his whole life is changed. One of the reasons this book is so good is due to the simple fact that it’s interesting. Who doesn't want to read about someone who is disadvantaged their whole life making a name for themself in the often cutthroat world of private investigating? I would probably rate this book 4 out of 5 stars because it kept me occupied, interested, and most importantly, reading. This book can be read and enjoyed by anyone from ages 14 to 18.

Review: Roomies

Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando
Publication date: December 24, 2014
Publisher: Little, Brown

When East Coast native Elizabeth receives her freshman year roommate assignment, she has no idea what she’s in for. Elizabeth’s first email to San Franciscan Lauren begins a strange friendship that not only changes each girl’s summer, but also begins to spark questions that make the girls wonder if they will ever be able to live together. Meanwhile, relationships with family and friends are becoming more difficult each day for Lauren and Elizabeth, and suddenly, the only people they can rely on are each other.

The point-of-view in ROOMIES rotates between Lauren and Elizabeth. Normally, this can become confusing, but each chapter is labeled, making it very clear who is narrating. In addition, I loved how different Lauren and Elizabeth are, yet, both girls are realistic, and anybody reading this book can relate to their fears and insecurities. The authors did a great job of addressing all the questions that come with trying to form a friendship with a person you don’t actually know. Each girl wonders about what the other looks like, whether or not they will get along, and what will happen when they make the big transition from home to college. ROOMIES has a perfect balance of romance, friendship, and family, and I would recommend it to anybody who is a fan of contemporary fiction.

Review: The Walled City

The Walled City by Ryan Graudin
Publication date: November 4, 2014
Publisher: Little, Brown

THE WALLED CITY is a lawless, run down town filled with violence and vagrants, ruled by the feared Brotherhood. Jin stays invisible, always trying to stay safe and keep a secret. Dai is trying to attain a well-protected object before the clock runs out. Mei Yee was sold into a brothel in the Walled City two years ago and is losing hope on gaining her freedom. How will these three teens come together to race the clock and escape the lawless labyrinth?

THE WALLED CITY has become one of my favorite books. The plot line is extremely unpredictable and suspenseful, and I thought that the many conflicts introduced and solved throughout the book were very creative. It was fascinating to me to find out that the Walled City in the book was, in fact, a real place in China. I thought that the personalities of all the characters were extremely relatable and accurate, and that the story was well-developed. Although this book is very well written, I do feel as though the conflict in the end dragged on a little longer than necessary. Other than this, though, the book is a must read. I would definitely recommend this book for ages 13 and up, as there is some violence and a few sexual references.

Review: Why We Broke Up

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler
Publisher: Little, Brown
Publication date: December, 27, 2011

Told as a series of flashbacks in the form of a long letter written by sixteen-year-old Min to her ex-boyfriend Ed, Why We Broke Up is a bittersweet love story. In each chapter, Min describes another gift from Ed that she is giving back, and the memory that goes along with it. As Min writes this letter, she is reliving every moment in her mind, and I felt myself thinking and breathing along with her; her thoughts became my thoughts, I fell for Ed as she fell for Ed, and I turned page after page because I too wanted answers to the questions Min was still asking herself. The beautiful illustrations of each gift at the start of every chapter are a perfect addition to the story that already makes you want to just keep reading, and find out really, why did they break up?