Tiny Dancer by Siena Cherson Siegel and Mark Siegel

Tiny Dancer is the beautiful graphic memoir from Siena Cherson Siegel, with artwork by Mark Siegel.  Both the story and the art are memorable and done in a way that each enhances the other.  This is the story of a young dancer who struggles to find her fit in the world after giving up the thing that has always defined her.  How do you find your place when you have dreamed of only one thing for your entire life?  

In this memoir, Siena Cherson Siegel tells us of how she always dreamed of being a ballerina, in particular a ballerina in the New York City Ballet.  We learn of all the hours and all the work that went in to achieving this dream.  But when she decides to step away, where will she fit.  This beautifully told story will dive into Siegel's young life as she navigates a world that looks different from the one she always dreamed of.  

I can't wait for my tiny dancer to read this moving story one day!

 

From Amazon: 

A teenage ballet dancer struggles to find her next step, and her place in the world, in this exquisite graphic memoir—a follow-up to the Sibert Honor–winning To Dance.

All her life, Siena has dreamed of being a ballerina. Her love of movement and dedication to the craft earned her a spot at the School of American Ballet, with hopes of becoming a member of George Balanchine’s world-famous New York City Ballet company. Siena has worked hard for many years to be a professional ballet dancer, but injury and doubt are starting to take their toll.

Maybe it’s time to look beyond the world of dance—but Siena’s whole identity has been shaped by ballet. When you have spent your entire life working toward something, how do you figure out what comes next? And how do you figure out who you are without the thing that defined you? This is a moving and beautifully drawn memoir of a dancer struggling to find her next step—and a young woman finding her true footing in the world.

 

You'd Be Home Now by Kathleen Glasgow

You'd Be Home Now is the newest novel from Kathleen Glasgow.  This story is powerful and moving and important.  It is a story that tackles the disease of addiction, specifically the opioid crisis that is all to common.  It tells of one family's struggles to find help and acceptance amid the constant pull of addiction.  You'd Be Home Now tackles not only the struggles of those with addiction, but also the effects addiction has on the family and friends of those who fight this disease.  In this deeply personal novel, Glasgow gives the reader a deeply moving story about family and how to find our place in a world that too often tries to force us in to a box not of our choosing.  This is such a good and important read!

 You'd Be Home Now is the story of Emory, a girl dealing with the fallout of her brother's addiction, in particular a car accident that not only injured her, but killed one of their classmates.  As she returns to school and Joey returns from rehab, she must find a way to handle the world around her.  A world that blames her and her brother for the accident.  A world that often fails to see her for who she really is.  A world that constantly poses chances for Joey to relapse, no matter how much Emory supports him.  And as we all know, this is a world that is relentless.  But while trying to protect Joey, can Emory discover who she is and who she can be?  

 

From Amazon: 

From the New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces comes a stunning novel that Vanity Fair calls “impossibly moving” and “suffused with light”. In this raw, deeply personal story, a teenaged girl struggles to find herself amidst the fallout of her brother's addiction in a town ravaged by the opioid crisis.

For all of Emory's life she's been told who she is. In town she's the rich one--the great-great-granddaughter of the mill's founder. At school she's hot Maddie Ward's younger sister. And at home, she's the good one, her stoner older brother Joey's babysitter. Everything was turned on its head, though, when she and Joey were in the car accident that killed Candy MontClaire. The car accident that revealed just how bad Joey's drug habit was.

Four months later, Emmy's junior year is starting, Joey is home from rehab, and the entire town of Mill Haven is still reeling from the accident. Everyone's telling Emmy who she is, but so much has changed, how can she be the same person? Or was she ever that person at all?

Mill Haven wants everyone to live one story, but Emmy's beginning to see that people are more than they appear. Her brother, who might not be "cured," the popular guy who lives next door, and most of all, many "ghostie" addicts who haunt the edges of the town. People spend so much time telling her who she is--it might be time to decide for herself.

A journey of one sister, one brother, one family, to finally recognize and love each other for who they are, not who they are supposed to be, You'd Be Home Now is Kathleen Glasgow's glorious and heartbreaking story about the opioid crisis, and how it touches all of us.
 

You'll Be the Death of Me by Karen M. McManus

It's been almost two weeks since I finished You'll Be the Death of Me by Karen M. McManus, but because life often gets in the way, I'm just getting around to writing this. McManus is a must read for me.  If she has a new book being released, it will immediately go to the top of the TBR pile.  And her latest novel did not disappoint.  She is a master of suspense and mystery.  She always creates an ending that will shock you. You'll Be the Death of Me checks all of the boxes.  This one was so much fun and I can't wait to see what McManus has in store for us next!

From Amazon: 

INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the author of One of Us Is Lying comes a brand-new pulse-pounding thriller. It's Ferris Bueller's Day Off with murder when three old friends relive an epic ditch day, and it goes horribly—and fatally—wrong.

Ivy, Mateo, and Cal used to be close. Now all they have in common is Carlton High and the beginning of a very bad day. Type A Ivy lost a student council election to the class clown, and now she has to face the school, humiliated. Heartthrob Mateo is burned out from working two jobs since his family’s business failed. And outsider Cal just got stood up . . . again. 
 
So when the three unexpectedly run into each other, they decide to avoid their problems by ditching. Just the three of them, like old times. Except they’ve barely left the parking lot before they run out of things to say. . . 
 
. . . until they spot another Carlton High student skipping school—and follow him to the scene of his own murder. In one chance move, their day turns from dull to deadly. And it’s about to get worse. It turns out Ivy, Mateo, and Cal still have some things in common...like a connection to the dead kid. And they’re all hiding something. 
 
Could it be that their chance reconnection wasn’t by chance after all? 
 
Fans of the hit thriller that started it all can watch the secrets of the Bayview Four be revealed in the One of Us is Lying TV series now streaming on NBC's Peacock!

Me (Moth) by Amber McBride

Wow! I'm not even sure what else to say about Me (Moth), the debut novel from Amber McBride.  This novel in verse blew me away and messed with my head, but in the best way possible.  I finished this book in the morning while my students were free reading and I felt like I needed to take the rest of the day off to deal with this book.  Me (Moth) was a Finalist for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature and I completely understand why.  First of all, the written language in this book is just beautiful. The poetry and storytelling of McBride is breathtaking.  Second, the ending of this story completely caught me off guard and shook me to the core.  The journey of Moth and Sani culminates in a place of peace and understanding and will make you look back and question every word that got you to that place.  This is definitely one of my favorite (if not #1) reads of 2021!

This is the story of Moth, a girl who was the sole survivor of a car accident that took the lives of her whole family.  She now lives with her aunt and continues to deal with the guilt of being the lone survivor.  She has given up everything she ever loved and is ignored by the people in her school.  Her aunt has never really embraced her and gives little help to her guilt.  All this changes when Moth meets Sani, a new boy at school who seems to be on the same path as her.  With summer now here, they take off on a road trip to the Navajo Nation in the hopes that Sani can reconnect with his roots and help ease the depression he suffers from.  Along the way, Moth tries to reconnect with the ancestors that her Grandfather said would always be watching over her.  These two will search for their place in a world that has seemingly forgotten them.  They will discover love and understanding and acceptance along this unforgettable journey. 

 

From Amazon:

FINALIST FOR THE 2021 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR YOUNG PEOPLE'S LITERATURE

A debut YA novel-in-verse by Amber McBride, Me (Moth) is about a teen girl who is grieving the deaths of her family, and a teen boy who crosses her path.

Moth has lost her family in an accident. Though she lives with her aunt, she feels alone and uprooted.

Until she meets Sani, a boy who is also searching for his roots. If he knows more about where he comes from, maybe he’ll be able to understand his ongoing depression. And if Moth can help him feel grounded, then perhaps she too will discover the history she carries in her bones.

Moth and Sani take a road trip that has them chasing ghosts and searching for ancestors. The way each moves forward is surprising, powerful, and unforgettable.

Here is an exquisite and uplifting novel about identity, first love, and the ways that our memories and our roots steer us through the universe.

In The Wild Light by Jeff Zentner

I have been a huge fan of Jeff Zentner since his debut novel, The Serpent King.  His newest novel, In the Wild Light, lives up to the promise of his first three books.  This story is wonderful, one of my favorite reads of the year.  This story screams Jeff Zentner.  If I started reading it without knowing who the author was, I would have figured it out pretty quickly.  Zentner's beautiful style is all over this book.  In the Wild Light is a story about family and grief.  It is about young love and finding your voice amid the chaos of the world.  The language of this story is beautiful and it is a book I won't soon forget.   

In the Wild Light is the story of Cash Pruitt, a young man growing up in small town Tennessee.  He has faced his share of tragedy already, with the passing of his mom from an opioid addiction and the slow on-coming death of his grandfather from emphysema.  But his best friend, Delaney, has recently made a big scientific discovery and has received a scholarship offer from one of the best prep schools in the country.  But she's not going if Cash can't come with her.  After much deliberation and hesitation, he agrees to join her at Middleford Academy.  When he struggles to adjust to a school he doesn't feel he belongs in, the support around him continues to grow.  From new friends to incredible teachers to his grandfather who's health is continuing to decline, Cash starts to find a place where he can not only survive, but one where he can grow and thrive.  In Jeff Zentner's beautiful writing, we see the story of a boy who not only finds where he fits in, but discovers a way to blaze a trail along the way.  

 

From Amazon:
 

From the award-winning author of The Serpent King comes a beautiful examination of grief, found family, and young love.

Life in a small Appalachian town is not easy. Cash lost his mother to an opioid addiction and his Papaw is dying slowly from emphysema. Dodging drug dealers and watching out for his best friend, Delaney, is second nature. He's been spending his summer mowing lawns while she works at Dairy Queen.

But when Delaney manages to secure both of them full rides to an elite prep school in Connecticut, Cash will have to grapple with his need to protect and love Delaney, and his love for the grandparents who saved him and the town he would have to leave behind.

They'll Never Catch Us by Jessica Goodman

My newest review is for the thrilling new novel by Jessica Goodman, They'll Never Catch Us.  This book combines cross country and murder mystery....I mean, how could I not like this one?!?!  I love a good mystery and this story doesn't disappoint.  It is fun and fast-paced and will keep you guessing as you try to unravel what has happened to Mila Keene.  If you are a fan of such writers as Kara Thomas and Karen McManus, you will enjoy this novel from Goodman.

They'll Never Catch Us is the story of the Steckler sisters, Stella and Ellie.  These two sisters are the stars of the Edgewater cross country team, a town and a team with a dark past.  Edgewater has moved on from this past and the team is focusing on bringing home a state championship.  With the addition of Mila Keene, a transfer student who is one of the best runners in the region, things look promising.  But when Mila goes missing during an early morning run, questions start swirling.  Is the old Deadwater killer back?  Did Stella, with her violent past, feel the need to eliminate her biggest competition?  Goodman does a fantastic job of creating suspense and mystery as the story unfolds.  If you are looking for a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, you can't go wrong with They'll Never Catch Us.

From Amazon: 

**A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER**

From rising star Jessica Goodman, author of They Wish They Were Us, comes a new fast-paced thriller about two sisters vying for the top spot on their cross-country team—until a teammate’s disappearance throws their lives off course.
 
"An utter page-turner. Goodman's voice is razor-sharp and keenly precise. Perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn!" —Tiffany D. Jackson NYT Bestselling Author of White Smoke and Grown

Stella and Ellie Steckler are only a year apart, but their different personalities make their relationship complicated. Stella is single-minded, driven, and she keeps to herself. Cross-country running is her life and she won't let anything get in the way of being the best. Her sister Ellie is a talented runner too, but she also lets herself have fun. She has friends. She goes to parties. She has a life off the course.

The sisters do have one thing in common, though: the new girl, Mila Keene. Both Stecklers' lives are upended when Mila comes to town. At first, Ellie and Stella view the new star athlete as a threat. But soon Ellie can't help but be drawn to her warm, charming personality. After her best friend moved away and her first boyfriend betrayed her, Ellie's been looking for a friend to share her secrets. Stella finds herself noticing the ways she and Mila are similar. Mila is smart and strong--she's someone Stella can finally connect with. As the two get closer, Stella becomes something she vowed she'd never be: distracted.

With regionals approaching and college scouts taking notice, the pressure is on. Each girl has their future on the line and they won't let friendships get in their way. But then, suddenly, Mila goes out on a training run and never returns. No one knows what happened, but all eyes are on the Steckler sisters.
 

White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson

My latest read is White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson.  If you have ever read my reviews before, you probably know about my feelings for Jackson's writing.  The author of such incredible books as Allegedly and Monday's Not Coming, Jackson is one of the best YA authors of the time.  With her newest novel, she does something new, taking a dive into the world of horror.  In doing that, she is also able to keep some of the psychological thriller elements that often make her novels so memorable.  If you are a fan of hers like I am, White Smoke will not disappoint.  

Mari has a troubled past and is all set up for a fresh start.  Her mom is recently remarried, has accepted a new job in a new town, and has even been given a home to live in free of charge as she completes her job.  But Mari's new little sister isn't the easiest to live with and the new home isn't what it is cracked up to be.  Renovated in a run down part of Cedarville, the new house seems to take on a life of its own.  Mari eventually discovers that the city of Cederville and the house itself has a dark history.  While trying to keep her sanity amid the growing chaos that surrounds her, Mari starts to understand that the Sterling Foundation, her mom and step-dad's new employer, isn't the generous and well-meaning group that it appears to be on the outside.  The house itself is closing in on Mari and her family and she must find a way to survive when it seems like the odds are increasingly growing against her.  

This one continues to build the suspense and creepiness as the novel progresses.  It culminates in a twist that Tiffany D. Jackson has come to perfect.  If you are a fan of Jackson's or just a fan of horror, this novel should be right up your alley.   

 

From Amazon: 

The Haunting of Hill House meets Get Out in this chilling YA psychological thriller and modern take on the classic haunted house story from New York Times bestselling author Tiffany D. Jackson!

Marigold is running from ghosts. The phantoms of her old life keep haunting her, but a move with her newly blended family from their small California beach town to the embattled Midwestern city of Cedarville might be the fresh start she needs. Her mom has accepted a new job with the Sterling Foundation that comes with a free house, one that Mari now has to share with her bratty ten-year-old stepsister, Piper.

The renovated picture-perfect home on Maple Street, sitting between dilapidated houses, surrounded by wary neighbors has its . . . secrets. That’s only half the problem: household items vanish, doors open on their own, lights turn off, shadows walk past rooms, voices can be heard in the walls, and there’s a foul smell seeping through the vents only Mari seems to notice. Worse: Piper keeps talking about a friend who wants Mari gone.

But “running from ghosts” is just a metaphor, right?

As the house closes in, Mari learns that the danger isn’t limited to Maple Street. Cedarville has its secrets, too. And secrets always find their way through the cracks.

 

Once A Runner by John L. Parker, Jr.

Okay, so it has been a while since I have done one of these.  Life has been busy and I just never found the time, so here goes the first of two new book reviews.  The first is for John L. Parker, Jr.'s Once A Runner.  You will often see this one described as the best running book ever written.  And while I haven't read them all, I think you would be hard pressed to find one better than this.  I am not a runner myself, but my son is and he has turned me into a student of the sport.  Even though it was fictional, this novel gives some great insight into the training and mental state of elite level runners.  

 Once A Runner is the story of Quenton Cassidy, a star collegiate runner at Southeastern University in the 1960's.  He dreams of breaking the 4:00 barrier in the mile and is willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish this goal.  Amid growing discontent among the athletes and athletic department policies, Quenton spearheads a protest.  And as the face of this protest, he faces the most severe consequences, indefinite suspension.  This means no more running for the university he has so proudly represented.  But his good friend, mentor, and Olympic gold medalist Bruce Denton gives him an alternative.  Go live by yourself in the woods and train like you have never trained before.  In preparation for a race against the world's best miler, Quenton takes Bruce's advice and pushes himself to the limit in the hopes that he will find a way into the race that could change his life.

This story is fun, heartwarming, and inspiring and would be a fantastic read for anyone who likes a good story.  You don't have to be a runner to find yourself rooting for Quenton Cassidy as he sprints down the homestretch!

 

From Amazon: 

The undisputed classic of running novels and one of the most beloved sports books ever published, Once a Runner tells the story of an athlete’s dreams amid the turmoil of the 60s and the Vietnam war.

Inspired by the author’s experience as a collegiate champion, the novel follows Quenton Cassidy, a competitive runner at fictional Southeastern University whose lifelong dream is to run a four-minute mile. He is less than a second away when the turmoil of the Vietnam War era intrudes into the staid recesses of his school’s athletic department. After he becomes involved in an athletes’ protest, Cassidy is suspended from his track team. Under the tutelage of his friend and mentor, Bruce Denton, a graduate student and former Olympic gold medalist, Cassidy gives up his scholarship, his girlfriend, and possibly his future to withdraw to a monastic retreat in the countryside and begin training for the race of his life against the greatest miler in history.

A rare insider’s account of the incredibly intense lives of elite distance runners, Once a Runner is an inspiring, funny, and spot-on tale of one individual’s quest to become a champion.

Sorry For Your Loss by Jessie Ann Foley

Sorry For Your Loss by Jessie Ann Foley is my latest read and absolutely one of my favorite books that I have read this year.  This is such a powerful book about grief and trauma, how it affects us, and the things we can do to start to heal.  This is a story that is going to stick with me for a long time, a story that I won't soon forget.  This is a novel about the devastation of losing a loved one, the different ways in which we deal with it, but most importantly the hope that can surface when we can find peace.  I just can't say enough good about this beautiful novel!

Sorry For Your Loss is the story of Pup, the youngest of eight Flanagan children.  Being the youngest, he is often overlooked by those around him, especially as the family is still dealing with the death of Pup's older brother, Patrick, from just a couple short years ago.  With Pup about to fail his art class, his eccentric teacher gives him one more shot at redemption.  When he absentmindedly snaps a picture of his brother passed out on the roof, he sets into motion a budding love for photography and more importantly a chance to start healing as a family.  Through the portfolio he starts building for an art competition, Pup gracefully captures the grief his family still feels, but also the ways in which they can overcome this grief and find peace with the loss they have all suffered.   

 

 

From Amazon: 

From Printz Honor winner and Morris Award finalist Jessie Ann Foley comes a comitragic YA novel that will appeal to fans of Jandy Nelson and Jeff Zentner.

As the youngest of eight, painfully average Pup Flanagan is used to flying under the radar. He’s barely passing his classes. He lets his longtime crush walk all over him. And he’s in no hurry to decide on a college path.

The only person who ever made him think he could be more was his older brother Patrick. But that was before Patrick died suddenly, leaving Pup with a family who won’t talk about it and acquaintances who just keep saying, “sorry for your loss.”

When Pup excels at a photography assignment he thought he’d bomb, things start to come into focus. His dream girl shows her true colors. An unexpected friend exposes Pup to a whole new world, right under his nose.

And the photograph that was supposed to show Pup a way out of his grief ultimately reveals someone else who is still stuck in their own. Someone with a secret regret Pup never could have imagined.

Winner of the 2020-2020 North Star YA Award

Named to YALSA's Best Fiction for Young Adults list

 

That Weekend by Kara Thomas

Kara Thomas is an automatic read for me.  If she has a new novel coming out, I'm going to read it.  That Weekend is her latest novel and it lived up to all of my expectations.  Thomas is a master storyteller.  She creates novels that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you try to figure out the plot twist that you know is coming.  If you are looking for a fast-paced mystery, That Weekend will surely fit the bill.

 Claire is excited to spend prom weekend at the lake house of her best friend's grandma.  Claire and Kat, along with Jesse, Kat's boyfriend, are going to get away from all the drama that prom is sure to bring.  But when a camping trip goes terribly wrong, Claire is discover on the mountain with no memory of what happened and two missing friends.  Claire will try to piece together what exactly took place over that weekend and the reader will be left grasping at their own theories as the discover the truth behind what really went down on that mountain.  

 

From Amazon:
 

 "A bold and expertly plotted page-turner." --Courtney Summers, New York Times bestselling author of Sadie

From the author of The Cheerleaders, comes a thriller about best friends on a weekend getaway that goes horribly, dangerously wrong.

THREE BEST FRIENDS, A LAKE HOUSE, A SECRET TRIP -- WHAT COULD GO WRONG?

It was supposed to be the perfect prom weekend getaway. But it's clear something terrible happened when Claire wakes up alone and bloodied on a hiking trail with no memory of the past forty-eight hours.

Now everyone wants answers--most of all, Claire. She remembers Friday night, but after that . . . nothing. And now Kat and Jesse--her best friends--are missing.

What happened on the mountain? And where are Kat and Jesse? Claire knows the answers are buried somewhere in her memory. But as she's learning, everyone has secrets--even her best friends. And she's pretty sure she's not going to like what she remembers.

Flight of the Puffin by Ann Braden

I'm way behind on getting a couple of book reviews done, so here we go.  Flight of the Penguin is a middle grade novel by Ann Braden. This was an incredible story about the power of kindness.  I loved Braden's previous novel, The Benefits of Being an Octopus, so I was really excited to read her latest.  It did not disappoint!  It is such a heartwarming story that shows us what can happen when we start showing the world a bit of kindness.  We learn that our past doesn't have to be our future.  Through kindness we can change the life of a stranger.  This is such a wonderful novel and one that I am sure will bring a smile to your face.   

 

From Amazon:

One small act of kindness ripples out to connect four kids in this stirring novel by the author of the beloved The Benefits of Being an Octopus.

Libby comes from a long line of bullies. She wants to be different, but sometimes that doesn’t work out. To bolster herself, she makes a card with the message You are amazing. That card sets off a chain reaction that ends up making a difference in the lives of some kids who could also use a boost—be it from dealing with bullies, unaccepting families, or the hole that grief leaves. Receiving an encouraging message helps each kid summon up the thing they need most, whether it’s bravery, empathy, or understanding. Because it helps them realize they matter—and that they're not flying solo anymore.

As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds

As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds is a wonderful novel that tells a story of family, forgiveness, and what it really means to be brave.  In this award winning novel, the incredible Jason Reynolds helps teach the reader about the importance of family and the bonds we share.  He teaches us about forgiveness and learning how to let go of the past.   Maybe most importantly, he shows us the real meaning of bravery and how we all show it in different ways.  You will love seeing the dynamics of this family as they grow and change and figure out how to answer the questions that are being asked.  

Reynolds tells us the story of two brothers, Ernie and Genie, from Brooklyn.  When mom and dad need to take some time to figure out their marriage, the two boys end up spending a summer with their grandparents in Virginia, grandparents that they barely even know.  The country living is a shock from the very start, but the biggest shock comes from the discovery that their Grandpop is blind.  As the summer moves on, the boys become more comfortable in their summer home and begin to enjoy the country life.  But a series of accidents will make their time in Virginia more difficult.  As their summer winds to a close, they will learn that there is a lot more to being brave than they ever could have imagined.  As usual, Jason Reynolds has given us a beautifully told story that will deeply engage the reader into Ernie and Genie's world 

From Amazon:

Kirkus Award Finalist

Schneider Family Book Award Winner

Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book

In this “pitch-perfect contemporary novel” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review), Coretta Scott King – John Steptoe Award-winning author Jason Reynolds explores multigenerational ideas about family love and bravery in the story of two brothers, their blind grandfather, and a dangerous rite of passage.

Genie’s summer is full of surprises. The first is that he and his big brother, Ernie, are leaving Brooklyn for the very first time to spend the summer with their grandparents all the way in Virginia—in the COUNTRY! The second surprise comes when Genie figures out that their grandfather is blind. Thunderstruck, Genie peppers Grandpop with questions about how he hides it so well (besides wearing way cool Ray-Bans).

How does he match his clothes? Know where to walk? Cook with a gas stove? Pour a glass of sweet tea without spilling it? Genie thinks Grandpop must be the bravest guy he’s ever known, but he starts to notice that his grandfather never leaves the house—as in NEVER. And when he finds the secret room that Grandpop is always disappearing into—a room so full of songbirds and plants that it’s almost as if it’s been pulled inside-out—he begins to wonder if his grandfather is really so brave after all.

Then Ernie lets him down in the bravery department. It’s his fourteenth birthday, and, Grandpop says to become a man, you have to learn how to shoot a gun. Genie thinks that is AWESOME until he realizes Ernie has no interest in learning how to shoot. None. Nada. Dumbfounded by Ernie’s reluctance, Genie is left to wonder—is bravery and becoming a man only about proving something, or is it just as important to own up to what you won’t do?

The Sky Above Us by Natalie Lund

The Sky Above Us by Natalie Lund is a fantastic story about tragedy, grief, and the friendships that help us deal with these things.  In her second novel, told in multiple POVs and alternating timelines, Lund gives us a story of three girls suffering from the loss of three boys they cared about in different ways.  As they deal with the tragedy and grief this accident has brought them, they find that the bond they share may be stronger than any of them thought.  Through this friendship they are able to find peace and understanding as they begin to navigate their own futures.  Beautifully written, The Sky Above Us will draw you in and keep you attached until the final pages.  

As Janie, Cass, and Izzy wake up on the beach after a beer-fueled party, they are shocked to see a small plane crash into the ocean in front of them.  What they soon find out is that the only three on the plane were Nate (a best friend/love interest), Shane (an ex-boyfriend), and Isreal (a twin brother), three boys they cared deeply about.  In the ensuing days, these girls must learn to find a future while also searching for answers to what exactly led the boys to steal an airplane.  Told in alternating view points of the girls in the days after and the boys in the days leading up to the accident, The Sky Above Us fills in the details of these three relationships and what may have caused the boys to try and find an escape from the problems of their past.  What we end up with is a beautiful story about how we handle tragedy and find a way to move forward without those we have lost.

From Amazon: 

"A compelling, well-voiced look at how teenagers deal with tragedy." -- School Library Journal
 
"Powerfully crafted and captivating." --Midwest Book Review

From the author of We Speak in Storms comes a compelling mystery about three friends searching for the truth in the aftermath of a plane crash.

The morning after their senior year beach party, Izzy, Cass, and Janie are woken by a thundering overhead. Then they and their classmates watch in shock as a plane crashes into the water. When the passengers are finally recovered, they are identified as Izzy's twin brother, Israel, Cass's ex-boyfriend, Shane, and Janie's best friend, Nate. But Izzy can feel when her brother is in pain, and she knows he's not really dead. So she, Cass, and Janie set out to discover what actually happened that day--and why the boys were on the plane.

Told in alternating timelines and points of view, this powerful and captivating novel follows the three boys in the weeks leading up to that fateful flight, and the girls they left behind as they try to piece together the truth about the boys they loved and thought they knew. A spellbinding story about the ripple effects of tragedy, the questions we leave unanswered, and the enduring power of friendship.

Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri

My latest read is Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri.  This is an inspirational coming of age story about family, friends, and doing what's right.  Based on the real-life black cowboy culture of Brooklyn and Philadelphia, Neri gives us a story about a young boy who discovers himself while learning the ins and outs of doing things the Cowboy Way.  He learns about forgiveness and family and how friends will always have your back.  In growing up, he finds his voice in the face of great adversity.  This is a fast-paced read that will leave you wanting to know more about the real inspiration of this tale.

Ghetto Cowboy tells the story of Cole, a young man who has found himself in constant trouble.  His mom, who has raised him by herself since Cole was a baby, is at her wit's end.  When Cole gets in trouble again at school, she decides to drive him to Philadelphia and leave him with his father, a man he doesn't even know.  Cole is shocked to find out that his father is part of a deep-rooted black cowboy culture, right in the heart of the city.  This is so far from what Cole has known growing up in Detroit.  He fights it at first, but soon finds himself with a growing admiration for his new life.  When the city decides they are going to shut down the stables, Cole takes matters in to his own hands and decides to fight this injustice the only way he knows how, the Cowboy Way.  

 

From Amazon: 

Now a feature film, Concrete Cowboy, starring Idris Elba

“Original in theme and inspirational in tone and content.” — Booklist

From a Coretta Scott King Author Award Honor winner comes a street- smart tale about a displaced teen who learns to defend what’s right — the Cowboy Way. Inspired by the little- known urban riders of Philly and Brooklyn, this compelling tale of latter- day cowboy justice champions a world where your friends always have your back, especially when the chips are down.
 

Switch by A.S. King

Switch is the newest novel from the incomparable A.S. King.  Like usual, Amy delivers an incredible novel that will make you think about the world we live in as you frantically turn the pages.  In this novel, King has us contemplating time and how we use that which we are given.  She makes us consider how we treat each other and how that might make a difference in the world around us.  And maybe most important, she helps us understand trauma and how we can heal from it.  I can't tell you how many times I had to set this book down and think about what I had just read.  This story is so beautifully an A.S. King book that I would have known she had written it without ever being told who the author was.  

In Switch, time has stopped.  The world continues to go on, but time no longer exists.  Kids in school have been tasked with finding a solution to this problem.  Truda Becker believes the problem lies entirely with how we treat each other and maybe even more so, how we treat ourselves.  And as her family deals with the aftermath of a destructive sibling, her life continues to turn (quite literally) out of control.  There is a switch inside Tru's house that nobody is allowed to touch.  In fact, her father has build a wooden box around it to keep it safe.  He then built a box around that box, and he continued to do the same thing over and over until the house was just a series of boxes, one inside of the other.  But as she works to heal her family, she is determined to find out what will happen when she flips that switch.  Just maybe, the world will be right-side-up once again. 

 

From Amazon: 

A surreal and timely novel about the effects of isolation and what it means to be connected to the world from the Printz Award-winning author of Dig.

Time has stopped. It's been June 23, 2020 for nearly a year as far as anyone can tell. Frantic adults demand teenagers focus on finding practical solutions to the worldwide crisis. Not everyone is on board though. Javelin-throwing prodigy Truda Becker is pretty sure her "Solution Time" class won't solve the world's problems, but she does have a few ideas what might. Truda lives in a house with a switch that no one ever touches, a switch her father protects every day by nailing it into hundreds of progressively larger boxes. But Truda's got a crow bar, and one way or another, she's going to see what happens when she flips the switch.

The Initial Insult by Mindy McGinnis

The Initial Insult by Mindy McGinnis is the newest novel from another one of my favorite authors.  McGinnis is a master at creating dark and disturbing stories, and I mean that in the best way possible.  The Initial Insult is another incredible tale of a friendship lost and the plot for revenge that comes along with that.  Drawing inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe (there are SO many references to his work), this is the first book in a duology.  I can't wait to find out what the second book has in store.  

The Initial Insult is told in alternating points of view, that of former best friends Tress Montor and Felicity Turnado.  When they were in fifth grade, Tress's parents mysteriously disappeared without a trace.  Felicity was with them, but seems to have no memory of what happened.  But as their senior year is winding down, Tress is determined to get answers and she is willing to do anything to get them, even commit murder.  

With the intensity that Mindy McGinnis always brings to her writing, The Initial Insult will appeal to fans of McGinnis and Poe, along with those who love a good revenge story.  As usual, McGinnis has delivered another incredible story!

 

From Amazon:  

In the first book of a suspenseful YA duology, award-winning author Mindy McGinnis draws inspiration from Edgar Allan Poe and masterfully delivers a dark, propulsive mystery in alternating points of view that unravels a friendship . . . forevermore. Perfect for fans of One of Us Is Lying and Truly Devious!

Tress Montor’s family used to mean something—until she didn’t have a family anymore. When her parents disappeared seven years ago while driving her best friend home, Tress lost everything. The entire town shuns her now that she lives with her drunken, one-eyed grandfather at what locals refer to as the “White Trash Zoo.”

Felicity Turnado has it all: looks, money, and a secret. One misstep could send her tumbling from the top of the social ladder, and she’s worked hard to make everyone forget that she was with the Montors the night they disappeared. Felicity has buried what she knows so deeply that she can’t even remember what it is . . . only that she can’t look at Tress without feeling shame and guilt.

But Tress has a plan. A Halloween costume party at an abandoned house provides the ideal situation for Tress to pry the truth from Felicity—brick by brick—as she slowly seals her former best friend into a coal chute. Tress will have her answers—or settle for revenge.

The Project by Courtney Summers

My latest read is The Project by Courtney Summers.  As I have stated before, I am a sucker for cult books.  Summers never disappoints, and The Project is no different.  While I call it a cult book, this really is a story about love and the connections between sisters.  It is a story about how far we will go for those we care most about.  It is beautiful and haunting and a story that is going to stick with me for a long time to come.  

The Project is the story of Lo Denham.  When she was just thirteen, she was in a car accident that took the lives of her parents, but spared her own.  Her older sister, Bea, was not with them, but was lost to Lo all the same.  It was at this time that Bea became fully immersed in The Unity Project and its leader, Lev Warren.  Years later, Lo is still yearning for the lost connection to her sister, but all attempts to contact her are shot down by The Project. When the opportunity arises for this aspiring journalist to get an in depth look at Lev and his group, she goes for it in the hopes of finding her sister. But can Lo resist the manipulation of Lev long enough to discover the truth about Bea, or will she lose sight of her purpose? Courtney Summers has once again given us an enthralling story that will keep you turning the pages as you follow Lo's journey to find the truth about the person she loves the most in this world.  

 

From Amazon: 

The #1 Spring 2021 Kids’ Indie Next Pick

An Amazon Best Young Adult Book of the Month for February Selection

A Rolling Stone Top Pop Culture for March Pick

A Book Riot Most Anticipated Books of 2021 Selection

Three starred reviews from Kirkus, School Library Journal, and Booklist!

Featured in over 20 “Most Anticipated” lists, including BuzzFeed, Den of Geek, Book Riot, Bustle, Publishers Weekly, PopSugar, Entertainment Weekly, Frolic, and B&N Reads!

"In this compelling and absorbing YA novel, two sisters make the most painful of choices based on their love for one another." ―Shelf Awareness

From Courtney Summers, the New York Times bestselling author of the 2019 Edgar Award Winner and breakout hit Sadie, comes her electrifying follow-up―a suspenseful, pulls-no-punches story about an aspiring young journalist determined to save her sister no matter the cost.

Lo Denham is used to being on her own. After her parents died in a tragic car accident, her sister Bea joined the elusive community called The Unity Project, leaving Lo to fend for herself. Desperate not to lose the only family she has left, Lo has spent the last six years trying to reconnect with Bea, only to be met with radio silence.

When Lo’s given the perfect opportunity to gain access to Bea’s reclusive life, she thinks they’re finally going to be reunited. But it’s difficult to find someone who doesn’t want to be found, and as Lo delves deeper into The Project and its charismatic leader, she begins to realize that there’s more at risk than just her relationship with Bea: her very life might be in danger.

As she uncovers more questions than answers at each turn, everything Lo thought she knew about herself, her sister, and the world is upended. One thing doesn’t change, though, and that’s what keeps her going: Bea needs her, and Lo will do anything to save her.

"This book is brave and raw and exciting and wise―wise about girls and women, weakness and strength, and the bittersweet beauty of being human." ―Melissa Albert, New York Times bestselling author of The Hazel Wood Series

"This is a beautifully-written, compelling book about the lengths to which someone will go in order not to lose their sense of belonging. It’s full of twists and turns, keeping its readers guessing until the very end. The characterization is masterfully done and so empathetic that the reader will find it almost impossible not to sympathize with the characters even if they are seemingly going down the wrong path. It’s a tour de force, unflinchingly posing uncomfortable questions and forcing its readers to dig deep into themselves in order to find the answers." ―The Nerd Daily