Review: Almost American Girl

Almost American Girl
by Robin Ha

Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: January 28th, 2020

Are you looking for a graphic novel to read? Or perhaps, a new nonfiction story that is interesting, heartfelt, and moving? Well, I know the right book for you. Almost American Girl is an illustrated memoir by Robin Ha, who uses drawings to tell the inspiring story of her unexpected move from Korea to America. Robin’s whole life is uprooted, and she suddenly finds herself in an unfamiliar environment, where she doesn’t understand the language or customs, and struggles to make friends. I haven’t read many stories like this in the past, but I will definitely seek them out in the future. I strongly urge you to pick this up off the shelf- you won’t be disappointed!                                                                      

Review: Shout

Shout
by Laurie Halse Anderson

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 12, 2019

SHOUT by Laurie Halse Anderson is, in part, a sequel to SPEAK, Anderson’s critically acclaimed 1999 novel. In SPEAK, Melinda struggles to find her voice and speak out about having been raped. Melinda was a semi-autobiographical version of Anderson herself. However, SHOUT diverges from this fictional character and world, revealing Anderson’s true and heartbreakingly real experience as a girl growing into adulthood (then later, tells of the resistance she faced after writing SPEAK). Written entirely in verse, Anderson begins innocent anecdotes that, with one phrase, devolve into nightmares. Her pin-prick attention to detail and expressive prose is indulgent and gripping at the same time. One of the most moving elements of this book is her portrayal of her parents, conclusively complicated, yet loving and hopeful. Anderson describes her parents with detail and care, remembering vivid, emotional, and colorful moments in which Anderson’s childish perception and mature hindsight both play a part in revealing truth. Anderson’s personal and often emotionally raw verse is effectively moving. Throughout SHOUT, the horrors of sexual abuse and rape are laid bare to the reader. Anderson pulls no punches as she approaches the topic with fury and passion. While beautifully written and incredibly moving (more than one tear was shed), SHOUT is a vessel through which Anderson calls boys and girls, parents and teachers, to awareness and to action.

Review: Hey Kiddo

Hey Kiddo
by Jarrett Krosoczka

Publisher: Scholastic/Graphix
Publication Date: November 13, 2018

HEY, KIDDO is the true story of one family’s struggle with addiction. Jarret Krosoczka’s mother is a heroin addict who signed away her parental rights when her son was a toddler. He’s been raised by his grandparents—tough-talking, whiskey-drinking, no-nonsense people who grew up during the Great Depression. He’s never known his father and he thinks he never will, until one day he gets a letter in the mail…

HEY, KIDDO is a courageous and honest memoir of Krosoczka’s childhood. It’s definitely not a light-hearted read, but it’s no depressing slog, either. The author injects humor, sweetness, love, and passion, and brings it all to life through his gorgeous sepia-toned illustrations. HEY, KIDDO is a triumph. It will probably also leave you on the ground, sobbing incoherently, slightly broken. But it will be worth it. 

Review: Ginger Kid

Ginger Kid: Mostly True Tales from a Former Nerd
by Steve Hofstetter

Publisher: Amulet Books
Publication Date: March 20, 2018

GINGER KID by Steve Hofstetter is a memoir about the author growing up as a kid in New York. He is a quirky kid with tons of wit. He gets bullied in high school. It's really about him grappling with fears as he grows up. I enjoyed this book. It was a funny light read. From the very first page it was witty and interesting. I liked the fact that the author wrote about himself. I feel that takes a lot of guts and is probably extremely difficult.  The writing style was easy to comprehend and fit perfectly with the subject. Since I'm also in high school it's cool to hear about another person's experience.

Review: Girl Code

Girl Code
by Andrea Gonzales and Sophie Houser

Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: March 7, 2017

GIRL CODE by Andrea Gonzales and Sophie Houser is a documentation of Andy and Sophie’s initiation into the world of coding, and their unique experiences as they created video games and lasting friendships. Andy and Sophie’s uplifting attitude during their adventures sends out a positive message about what women can achieve when they set their minds to something. The reader will find herself rooting for Andy and Sophie as they face many trials involving coding, as well as those encountered in typical teenage life. If you are interested in coding, this book is great because it discusses many different concepts and opportunities for young coders. Likewise, if you don’t know much about coding, this book is a great introduction and showcases two girls who knew nothing about coding and the ways they learned to create things they never would have imagined. The reader should keep in mind that GIRL CODE is a record of Andy and Sophie's experiences rather than a story. Therefore it doesn't have a typical climax or exposition. I found some parts of it a bit hard to follow, but overall it was a very positive message and will encourage the reader to achieve their goals.

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: Rethinking Normal: A Memoir in Transition

Rethinking Normal: A Memoir in Transition by Katie Rain Hill
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publishing date: September 30, 2014

RETHINKING NORMAL by Katie Rain Hill is a memoir in which the author shares her personal journey of transitioning from male to female. Katie explains how she never felt comfortable as a boy. Even before high school, Katie realizes that the only thing that would ever make her feel completely comfortable in her own skin is if she were to live her life as a girl. Throughout the novel, Katie reflects on her pain-filled childhood through bullies and her own depression, and the events leading up to the decision to transition fully from one sex to another. I found this book to be very original and interesting, especially considering that I personally haven’t read many books that talk about LGBTQ related subjects written in the first person. This book is completely non fiction, something a bit more uncommon for YA novels. I would recommend this book to anyone who has curiosity on the subject. From reading this book I really learned a lot about gender reassignment surgery and what it actually entails, but I also learned a person’s story that I found brave and genuine. It’s definitely a unique topic, so if you have any curiosity I would definitely recommend it!

Review: This Star Won't Go Out

This Star Won't Go Out: The Life and Words of Esther Grace Earl
Publication date: January 28, 2014
Publisher: Penguin

THIS STAR WON'T GO OUT is a heartwarming collection of diary entries, journals, and thoughts revolving around a thyroid cancer victim named Esther Earl. Despite her passing in 2010, she led a life full of creativity, laughter, and Internet fame though her YouTube videos and involvement in online communities. Esther's charity has raised over $125,000 to help those in need and with the endorsement of personal friend and bestselling author John Green, she spearheaded the campaign to win a $100,000 grant that gives children around the world access to free books.

The book itself is quite interesting. Esther's diary entries are interspersed with thoughts from her family and friends, pages from her parents' blog that chronicled her illness, her drawings and school projects, and even text from her huge internet group chat known as "Catitude"-a group of intellectual young adults that worked closely with the, primarily, online movement known as "nerdfighteria". Esther was very religious and her father is a Christian minister, so the book has strong overtones of faith and belief in God, which some readers may find uncomfortable. In addition, the book is very long. This is mainly because there are so many accounts of Esther's compassion and intelligence and, while I don't doubt them, it would have been nice to read more about her specific actions. These issues, however, are easily overlooked when reading about an amazing girl whose life and death touched so many people, including me.

• If you want to donate to Esther's charity This Star Won't Go Out, go to http://tswgo.org/donate.html 
• Also, International Esther Day, which honors platonic love between family members and friends "like a Valentine's Day, but not for romantic love", occurs on August 3rd, so please celebrate!!!