Just because a story makes you crazy and tries to break your heart, doesn’t mean it’s not worth reading. That’s all I’ll say on my end because I don’t want to give too much away. In the end, I wanted to hate this book. But it affected me too much to give it a poor review.
Category: YA Friendship
Tiny Pretty Things
This series interested me because I’m a former competitive figure skater who has a deep knowledge of the fierce atmosphere created by females vying for the top position–a world where you must be both strong and beautiful (and encouraged to take measures to “look” a certain way).
Star Girl
Star Girl is different. And that’s a good thing. Here’s why readers and writers might give it a whirl.
Inheritance Games
The Inheritance Games is a story that goes far beyond a nice girl getting rich. We can only dream what it must be like to inherit billions of dollars from someone we don’t know. But Barnes does a great job showing us just how complicated such a situation might be.
Admission: A Novel
This novel, which was inspired by the college admission scandal that put two famous actresses in jail (not for long, but they did serve time), really captures so much beyond the intrigue of that scandal. Life’s not fair, and the college admissions process is not a perfect one.
Six of Crows
Kaz and his crew (including the brave Inej and charming Jesper) offer some of the most entertaining segments in the Shadow & Bone series, and Six of Crows, although it takes a moment to wade into it, delivers this fascinating trio (and then some) right to its pages. It’s a little grittier than Shadow, but this unpredictable cast will keep you reading for sure.
That’s Not What Happened
I came across this young adult novel while searching for thrillers. So when I started reading it, I was surprised at the plot. However, although this deals with one of our society’s greatest tragedies–school shootings–this story was urgent and moving.
An Abundance of Katherines
Quirky is the only word to describe Green’s An Abundance of Katherines. From the main character-narrator, to the story itself, it’s a quirky good read with moments of emotional depth and poignancy.
The Future of Us
The Future of Us is a thoughtful piece of fiction about what social media can really tell us about our lives (but also very pacey–this is a quick read because the story really moves). The story takes place in the late nineties (the ages of the characters matched my own at the time–so I found this incredibly satisfying as a blast through the past!).
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
I’d never read anything by Sherman Alexie before. The book was funny, heart-wrenching, and at times, shocking. Only a Native American could write such an honest piece with any authenticity, and I am forever grateful for the recommendation.
What Light
This book by Thirteen Reasons Why author Jay Asher is a different kind of story from the hard-hitting bestseller. This light and beautiful Christmas story is classified as a middle grade plus, making it appropriate for young middle schoolers, all the way through high school.
Kid List 