I Love You So Mochi
by Sarah Kuhn
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: May 28, 2019
Kimi Nakamura loves fashion and designing bold, beautiful outfits. But her mom has worked hard to be an successful painter and expects Kimi to follow in her footsteps as a “Great Asian American Artist.” After they have an explosive, emotional confrontation, Kimi gets a letter from her mother’s estranged parents inviting her to visit them in Kyoto and seizes the opportunity to escape for spring break. She is dazzled by Japan’s attractions, which include Akira, a part-time mochi mascot who dreams of being a doctor. By getting to know her grandparents, Kimi learns more about her mother and herself, and sees they are more alike than she thought.
I LOVE YOU SO MOCHI by Sarah Kuhn is full of personality. Kimi’s fun and creativity really come through in Kuhn’s writing, and her vivid descriptions of Japan made me want to hop on the next plane there! Kimi’s romance with Akira is adorable. I think it is a little fast-moving, but it can be forgiven considering Kimi’s limited time in Japan. The relationships in the book are well-written, especially those of Kimi, her mom, and her grandparents. I LOVE YOU SO MOCHI is an introspective yet sweet book about love for your family, your crush, and your passion.
Sorry For Your Loss
by Jessie Ann Foley
Publisher: Harperteen
Publication Date: June 4, 2019
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS is a poignant and endearing story about grief, family, and expression. Pup Flanagan is one of eight siblings, so he’s used to being ignored. When Patrick, his older brother, dies, Pup is left to grieve while his family tries, in their own ways, to forget their pain. Lost and flunking his photography class, he throws himself into capturing the painful and miraculous things in his life through the lens of the camera.
Foley masterfully tackles the bond between loss and creation. The reader follows Pup as he forges new relationships and watches others fall apart, all the while trying to find beauty in the dissolution and idiosyncrasies in his life. Pup’s connection with his siblings is a driving force of the plot. His family acts as a barrier, safety net, catalyst, and home for Pup as he attempts to survive high school and protect his only other brother, Luke, from himself. Despite family craziness, Pup is grounded in his photography and a sweet classmate who invites him into her own life. As Pup collects artifacts of his life through his photography, we see him learn how to navigate life and come to terms with Patrick’s passing while dealing with Luke’s self-destruction. The final pages reveal Pup’s portfolio, an expression of what he holds dear and how he sees and loves the people in his life. Art provides Pup the painful revelation and the catharsis he needs. This book was very touching and insightful. The ending, especially, was very moving and profound (it might have even drawn tears). I highly recommend this book to those looking for a wonderful realistic fiction book with a focus on grief and art.
Leah on the Offbeat
by Becky Albertalli
Publisher: Balzer & Bray / Harperteen
Publication Date: April 24, 2018
LEAH ON THE OFFBEAT by Becky Albertalli, a sequel to her bestselling book SIMON VS. THE HOMOSAPIENS AGENDA, follows Simon’s best friend Leah Burke through her senior year of high school as she navigates friendship, love, and life. Unlike her friends, Leah doesn’t come from a wealthy family, and lives only with her 35-year-old mother. She’s bisexual, though she’s only told her mom, and loves to draw, though she’s afraid to show people her art. Relationships begin to strain and tensions are high as Leah and her friends prepare for prom and college in their last semester of high school, especially as she becomes closer with one of them and realizes their feelings for each other are stronger than Leah knew.
This was a book I really enjoyed reading. There were so many lines that made me laugh out loud, along with some sweet moments. Leah’s inner (and often outer) voice is sarcastic, cynical, and very explicit. Although she could be uncomfortably blunt sometimes, I found her comments were usually funny and relatable. I liked that the teenagers actually spoke like teenagers, something that I haven’t found very often in the world of YA. There were some parts and plotlines that bothered me a bit, because they felt awkward and out of character. However, Albertalli’s writing fits the story’s tone so well, it keeps the reader moving and involved. This book doesn’t have one clear arc. Instead, it weaves through Leah’s experiences, in a very real way. Life doesn’t have a clear plot, and this book reflects that. It really captures the feeling of knowing that one stage of your life is ending, and everyone is going in different directions. For anyone looking for a coming-of-age book with queer romance and plenty of snark, LEAH ON THE OFFBEAT is for you.
Girls of July
by Alex Flinn
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: June 4, 2019
In the month of July, four girls sharing a cabin in the Adirondack mountains go from strangers to close friends. There’s Meredith, a hardworking student who may be a little stressed out; Britta, a talkative drama queen who came to get away from it all; Kate, a socialite hiding away from her family’s scandal; and Spider, an aspiring filmmaker with chronic pain who feels isolated from other teens. When Spider and her grandmother rent out rooms in their summer home to Meredith, Britta, and Kate, there’s plenty of tension between the different personalities. Over their month together, the girls learn not to judge others by their first impression and become good friends.
GIRLS OF JULY is a very character-driven book. Each girl has her own character development, for example, Meredith learning there’s more to life than perfect grades and it isn’t the end of the world to be imperfect. Accompanying the main four is a cast of side characters, with their own development and stories. They get some focus, but in a way that reflects the main characters’ development rather than distracting from it. There are some parts that feel a little tropey, such as the bonding-through-telling-deep-personal-stories-over-the-campfire, but they fit with the story and aren’t too cheesy. The girls have their individual plotlines with points of intersection that keep the book interesting without over the top drama. I wouldn’t call it groundbreaking, but it is an interesting and thoroughly enjoyable story.
Let Me Hear a Rhyme
by Tiffany D. Jackson
Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books/HarperCollins
Publication Date: May 21, 2019
LET ME HEAR A RHYME is about the death of teenage rapper, Steph. His sister and two friends decide to keep his legacy alive and try get him a record deal. It is told from three different perspectives: Jazz, Quadir, and Jarrell. I really enjoyed this book. As a big fan of rap and the culture, I appreciated it greatly. The slang was well used and relevant with teens today. The author did a great job of describing the situation that they live in. The character relationships were well thought out and the plot came together nicely. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and I think you would too. It's really relevant in today's society.
How It Feels to Float
by Helena Fox
Publisher: Dial Books/Penguin
Publication Date: May 7, 2019
Get ready to feel all the feelings in Helena Fox’s emotional debut novel, HOW IT FEELS TO FLOAT. Biz is an outsider at school in every sense of the word. She has to deal with confusion about her sexuality, the process of losing her best friend to a boy, cruel rumors, and above all, getting over the death of her dad. It doesn’t make it easier that she frequently imagines her dad coming back to talk to her. Later on, after a breakdown, Biz starts to take a photography class. It is here where she discovers that the pictures she takes literally talk to her. This inspires Biz to start on a road trip where she hopes to find memories of her dad in the places he has lived.
I loved this novel from the first chapter. Biz is a perfect example of a flawed protagonist, and her mental health issues are presented beautifully. I felt like I was in the story right along with Biz which led to me rooting for her heavily the entire time, feeling the highs and lows with her. The friendships that Biz makes and breaks throughout, along with her relationship to her mom, brought me closer to her. Biz’s grief, pain, and happiness felt so real and at the end of the novel, I felt like she was someone I knew in real life. HOW IT FEELS TO FLOAT is a stunning debut by an author with a lot of promise and I highly recommend it.
Her Royal Highness
by Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons/Penguin
Publication Date: May 7, 2019
Reading HER ROYAL HIGHNESS is like being offered a glass of water on a really hot day; you didn’t know you wanted it, but it hits the spot. Refreshing, light, sweet, simple, goes down quick, and leaves you wanting more. Our endearing protagonist, Millie, leaves Texas for her senior year of high school in Scotland when she finds that her kind-of girlfriend has gotten back together with an ex-boyfriend. Mille finds herself a bit overwhelmed by the extravagance of Gregorstoun, an exclusive boarding school where the elite of Scotland reside. After meeting her snide, arrogant, bratty roommate, Millie discovers that she is the Princess of Scotland. Numerous run-ins with the princess, Flora, bring Millie into bar fights, close to expulsion, and stranded in the wilderness, yet still Millie is drawn in by the short-tempered princess. Millie develops a crush and tries her best to ignore it, scared of the side effects of dating royalty. We can probably guess what actually ends up happening. At times, the pressure of constant scrutiny from tabloids and royal family members seems too much for Millie. Was their relationship doomed from the start?
I’d characterize Her Royal Highness as a fun spring/summer read. It reads as one would expect, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. If you're looking for a sweet love story in Scotland then you’d love this book.
Hope and Other Punchlines
by Julie Buxbaum
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Publication Date: May 7, 2019
Julie Buxbaum’s newest novel, HOPE AND OTHER PUNCHLINES, tells the tale of resilient Abbi Goldstein. Abbi is fifteen years old and is desperately trying to get out of the shadow of the “Baby Hope” photo, taken of her on her first birthday, September 11th, as the Twin Towers collapsed in the background. The photograph, invented by the author, became very famous and was seen as a portrait of hope in times of despair. In an attempt to shake off this legacy that has become too much to bear, Abbi decides to be a summer camp counselor where she hopes no one will recognize her. Alas, her summer might not go the way she wanted. Medical concerns, family trouble, blackmail, turbulent friendships, and a boy all stand between her and her perfect summer of anonymity.
This book was a very quick read for me. The dual perspectives of Abbi and fellow camp counselor Noah keep things moving and provide alternate outlooks on the same events. Buxbaum does a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life in a very realistic way, and I found myself truly caring about what happened to them. All together, HOPE AND OTHER PUNCH LINES is a poignant and meaningful novel about moving on, accepting your legacy, and the importance of hope. While this was not my favorite book, there is a lot to like about it.
Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heartbreak
by Adi Alsaid
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Publication Date: April 30, 2019
BRIEF CHRONICLE OF ANOTHER STUPID HEARTBREAK tells the tale of Lu, a teen writer who is struggling with writer's block after being dumped by her senior boyfriend. When she finds a couple she may be able to write about, it makes her question the meaning of her own relationships and what might be worth saving. This book was very cute, and it was exciting to be on Lu’s journey alongside her.
Eleanor & Park
by Rainbow Rowell
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Publication Date: February 26, 2013
Love stories are the hardest stories to write. The pitfalls are common, deadly, and all too easy for authors to stumble into: clichés, unrealistic dialogues, two-dimensional characters. Rainbow Rowell’s ELEANOR AND PARK is a love story of the highest order, and not just because she avoids the pitfalls. She succeeds because she draws characters so realistic that by the end you not only understand why they love each other—you love them too.
Eleanor is poor, heavyset, from a broken family, and “weird”—the kind of girl who was destined to be unpopular from the moment she stepped into the bus on her first day of tenth grade. Park is half-Korean, half-white, and at war with himself. It’s no surprise to any reader that they rescue each other; what’s by turns sweet, beautiful, and tragic is how they do it. The book is not about what happens to them, it’s about them.
What I like most about ELEANOR AND PARK is that it’s no fairytale. It’s about 16-year-olds with adult problems. It’s gritty and at times vulgar. It’s real.
Brawler
by Neil Connelly
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
Publication Date: March 26, 2019
BRAWLER is about Eddie MacIntyre, an amazing wrestler who loses all his scholarships when he attacks a referee. He is such a great wrestler because of his rage that he keeps deep inside. But when it comes out, the consequences are devastating. He is sought out by an agent from a secret organization of brawlers who make money off illegal street brawls. Mac leaves with a warrant for his arrest and moves in with Khajee, who is to be his brawling trainer. Mac must correct his wrongdoings while dealing with a disturbing past. I liked this book a lot. The plot had many layers that were quite interesting. It kept me reading the book, that's for sure. The complex wrestling moves were described in a simple and understandable way. I specifically enjoyed the relationship between Mac and Khajee. There was a lot of effort put into their relationship and it worked. I enjoyed the fast paced action and the writing was excellent.
XL
by Scott Brown
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 26, 2019
In his moving new novel, Scott Brown tells the story of 4’11” Will Daughtry. With best friend and stepbrother Drew and longtime crush Monica at his side, Will is set to conquer the world in spite of his short stature. But on the day of his sixteenth birthday, nothing goes right for Will and he is left wondering if he is destined to be invisible for the rest of his life. Then, against all odds, Will starts to grow. And grow. And grow. Suddenly, he’s no longer invisible. But that comes with its own set of problems, problems that Will must overcome with the help of his best friends. XL is a heartwarming novel about what a pain it is to grow up and how to embrace change.
It felt somewhat ironic that I, a 6’3” sixteen year old, was reading this book. I’ve never had to deal with the problem of being short, and so my eyes were really opened by Will’s strife. Throughout XL, I was rapt, each chapter leaving me more engaged with the story and yearning to find out more. The book’s only downfall was an ending that left me wanting just a bit more. Despite this, XL was a fantastic book, filled with humor, intelligence, and irrefutable truths. Let’s just say that the next book I read will have some big shoes to fill.
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.
Night Music
by Jenn Marie Thorne
Publisher: Dial Books
Publication Date: March 19th, 2019
NIGHT MUSIC is the story of an unlikely romance set against the backdrop of race, family relations, and music during a summer in New York City. Ruby, the youngest in a family known globally in the classical music scene, has lost the love she once held for the piano and faces a newly uncertain future. The insecurity and jealousy Ruby feels when her father takes young prodigy Oscar under his wing, and into their house, fades into admiration and maybe even love. As Oscar becomes the poster child for a prestigious music school, he must deal with the historically white nature of the industry as unsettling truths come to light. Ruby and Oscar must fight these head on to ensure both her family’s reputation and his future.
This is a delightful rom-com that tackles real issues, fleshed out enough that it's not just a “trashy” romance novel. The prejudice Oscar faces and expectations others have for him are grounded in the unfortunate truth of modern society and aren’t glossed over to further the plot. Rather, race relations and classism make up a large part of the story and feel integral to the novel as a whole. Ruby feels inadequacy and failure, but she is able to push forward to a degree, a rare presentation of such a storyline being told in a realistic and relatable manner. All the characters have personal flaws that are fleshed out, which is not often seen in this genre.
Pretend She's Here
by Luanne Rice
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Publication Date: February 26, 2019
Emily feels Lizzie everywhere. It’s been nearly a year since her best friend died, and she still feels her presence so strongly that she talks to her out loud. But when Lizzie’s parents come back into town to speak to her, Emily finds herself questioning if she can trust them—or anything she thought she knew. From established YA author comes a captivating story of loss and danger. I enjoyed Luanne Rice’s twisty, fast-paced style, and I thought she gave appropriate attention to the grief without allowing it to derail the primary plot. In Rice’s deft hands, PRETEND SHE'S HERE is a thrilling blend of suspense and tragedy.
Immoral Code
by Lillian Clark
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: February 19, 2019
IMMORAL CODE by Lillian Clark is an honestly written Robin Hood-like story about coming of age, fighting for what’s right, and the rollercoasters of friendship. IMMORAL CODE focuses on a plan to rob the privileged and callous billionaire known as Robert Foster, whose eccentric wealth is also the reason his daughter, Bellamy, does not qualify for MIT financial aid. Since Foster’s only presence in Bellamy’s life is childcare payments, Bellamy’s dreams of MIT and space travel are practically over; at least, until her tech-wiz friend Nari comes up with the heist to end all heists. Bellamy and her group of friends pack up for a Spring Break trip consisting of donuts, horror movies, and taking seven thousand dollars right out from under Foster’s nose; you know, normal teenage stuff.
I have to admit, the writing in this book primarily focuses on each character’s inner monologues, right down to every specific thought and detail; in the beginning, I wasn’t sure if I liked the writing style, but it soon grew on me, as it made the characters feel much more fleshed out and was really funny. Clark did a great job at creating each of these characters' unique personalities and relationships to each other, especially staying true to the complicated yet endearing terms of friendship. IMMORAL CODE was a delightful read, and I recommend it to those who enjoy hilarious shenanigans and adventure!
The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali
by Sabina Khan
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: January 29, 2019
Sabina Khan’s debut novel, THE LOVE AND LIES OF RUKHSANA ALI, is an emotional ride about family, identity, and acceptance. Living in Seattle, 17-year-old Rukhsana Ali has worked hard to make her conservative Muslim parents happy, keeping the parts of herself they wouldn’t approve of undercover. With a few more months until she graduates and goes to Caltech, her future is looking bright... until her parents catch her kissing her girlfriend Ariana. They are furious and fearful of how the Bangladeshi community will react if word gets out. They trick Rukhsana into going with them to Bangladesh and won’t let her leave until she finds a suitable Bangladeshi boy to marry. Luckily, Rukhsana finds people who accept all of her identity and are willing to help. The book shows Rukhsana’s struggle between the two parts of her life and the importance of finding understanding and acceptance. I really liked THE LOVE AND LIES OF RUKHSANA ALI. It shows the experience of being queer and from a culture that’s generally not so accepting of it. The book does point out that not everyone raised in a culture like that will be close-minded; you can’t paint them all with one brush. There are some emotionally brutal parts that can be painful to read, so look out. But there are lighter moments that show what Rukhsana loves about being Bangladeshi and feature her happier relationships. I particularly love the relationship between Rukhsana and Shaila, her cousin who lives in Bangladesh. Despite the fact that they don’t get to see each other very often, they’re as close as sisters. If you want a realistic fiction story with a gay protagonist that’s more than just a romance, I highly recommend this book.
Let's Go Swimming on Doomsday
by Natalie C. Anderson
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons
Publication Date: January 15, 2019
LET'S GO SWIMMING ON DOOMSDAY by Natalie C. Anderson is about a sixteen year old named Abdi. His family is kidnapped by the U.S. military in Somalia. The only way to get them back is for Abdi to infiltrate a terrorist group called Al Shabab and pass on information to the U.S. His brother was abducted by Al Shabab when they were growing up so Abdi is hopeful his brother will give him the information needed. But his brother has turned into a believer of the movement. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was very relevant in today's society where children soldiers around the world are a real thing. Also the topic of terrorism is so relevant at this time and I believe the author tackled the subject in a truly powerful way. It was a heart wrenching story. I found it quite hard to put down. I liked the plot immensely. There were many plot twists and I couldn't see them coming at all.
The Field Guide to the North American Teenager
by Ben Philippe
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: January 8, 2019
In Ben Philippe’s sharp-tongued and witty debut, we follow the misadventures of Canadian-turned-Texan Norris Kaplan as he careens throughout life, work, and love. Norris has just been displaced from his native city of Montreal and is forced to adapt to life in the sweltering heat of Austin, Texas. It is by no means an easy transition, and Norris records his musings and snide remarks in a notebook given to him by the school guidance counselor. In no time at all, Norris has a best friend, a part-time job, and a love interest. But how long before he screws it all up?
This charming debut has the heart and fast pacing to land itself on the bookshelves of teens across the country. Norris is a quirky and relatable teen who, despite being unlikable on occasion, is fully capable of carrying this novel. The other characters are fully defined and interesting, with no shortage of internal conflicts. The place where this novel comes up a bit short in is originality - it falls into quite a few cliches, especially those surrounding high school and love triangles. In the end, THE FIELD GUIDE TO THE NORTH AMERICAN TEENAGER is a fun and enjoyable read.
Watch You Burn
by Amanda Searcy
Publisher: Delacorte
Publication Date: October 23, 2018
WATCH YOU BURN by Amanda Searcy is about a girl named Jenny who experienced a traumatic childhood event which sparked her obsession with fire. She moves to New Mexico to live with her dad and to get away from the fire investigation happening in her home town. A series of wildfires in the nearby forest and the tingling feeling that someone is watching her have Jenny on edge. I had a fun time reading this book. It was fast paced and filled with unexpected turns. One thing I liked in particular was the characters. They were developed nicely throughout the novel and the back stories came together well.
