

Review of Tokyo Dreaming (Tokyo Ever After #2) by Emiko Jean
In the second book in Emiko Jean's fun young adult series, princess Izzy balances pressures, privilege, and expectations in Japan while...
Jul 13, 2022


Review of The Impossible Destiny of Cutie Grackle by Shawn K. Stout
Stout's recently published middle-grade story is irresistibly strange, full of difficulties and a tough young heroine's gritty...
Jun 2, 2022


Review of See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Rachel Lynn Solomon crafts another sweet, quirky, funny, romantic young adult story that plays with time and is centered around...
May 24, 2022


Review of Steelstriker (Skyhunter #2) by Marie Lu
With intriguing questions about loyalties and motivations, gutsy skirmishes, deep friendships, familial duty, and a smoldering romance...
May 10, 2022


Review of Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves by Meg Long
I was hooked by Meg Long's debut young adult science fiction novel about tough young Sena, her skittish fighting wolf Iska, and their...
Jan 25, 2022


Review of Six Crimson Cranes (Six Crimson Cranes #1) by Elizabeth Lim
I was captivated by Lim's fairy tale of a fantasy novel, particularly the vivid magical realism, Shiori's strength and abilities, and...
Jan 6, 2022


Review of Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
I was intrigued by the Chinese folklore influences and the story's feminist leanings, although I felt bogged down at times by...
Dec 28, 2021


Review of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
Robinson's 1971 classic for young readers is a wonderful read-aloud during the Christmas season. "Hey! Unto you a child is born!" We read...
Dec 24, 2021


Review of Pretty Funny for a Girl by Rebecca Elliott
Elliott's book for young readers offers a boy-crazy, truly funny main protagonist in Haylah Swinton. I delighted in watching her come...
Dec 20, 2021


Six Royally Magical Young Adult Series
Royalty, intrigue, and magically wonderful stories--even if no magic is involved (see number 1 below)! It's tough to fall in love with...
Dec 9, 2021


Review of Warcross (Warcross #1) by Marie Lu
You may see much of this young adult story coming, but Warcross is an action-packed quest to right wrongs in an immersive video game and...
Nov 8, 2021


Three Books I'm Reading Now, 11/5/21 Edition
The Books I'm Reading Now I'm reading Natasha Pulley's The Kingdoms, which involves historical fiction and time travel; I'm listening to...
Nov 5, 2021


Review of The Hired Girl by Laura Amy Schlitz
ICYMI: This young adult historical fiction story was a five-star read for me. I adored it. “My books promised me that life wasn’t just...
Oct 13, 2021


Review of The Project by Courtney Summers
Summers's young adult fiction begins with a fascinating premise--sisters are torn apart by tragedy and then further separated by a...
Oct 12, 2021


Three Books I'm Reading Now, 10/8/21 Edition
The Books I'm Reading Now I'm listening to Conversations with Friends, Sally Rooney's book about a young poet hyper-focused on her...
Oct 8, 2021


September Wrap-Up: My Favorite Reads of the Month
My very favorite books from September! These are the books I most loved reading during the past month. I included two titles from my...
Sep 30, 2021


Review of The Story Thieves (Story Thieves #1) by James Riley
Riley has crafted a middle-grade fantasy book with humor, adventure, characters to root for, and heart and depth that surprised me. I'll...
Sep 22, 2021


Review of Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean
Emiko Jean's young adult light fiction is delightful, youthful, sometimes wonderfully silly, and heartwarming. The irresistible premise...
Sep 14, 2021


Review of Good Girl, Bad Blood (A Good Girl's Guide to Murder #2) by Holly Jackson
In Holly Jackson's young adult mystery sequel, we revisit the brave, faulted, irresistible character of Pippa Fitz-Amobi, who is drawn...
Sep 7, 2021


Review of Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon
This light fiction young adult novel offers (reluctant) romance, best friendships, dance lessons, glimpses into the future, a reimagined...
Aug 19, 2021