It isn’t surprising that author Laura Shovan, who won several distinctions for her thoughtful novel-in-verse, THE LAST FIFTH GRADE OF EMERSON ELEMENTARY, has a new book out this week. However, fans of her last novel might be surprised to learn that the new one is about…wrestling. So let’s begin this review by pointing out […]
Category Archives: New Book Reviews
May
13
Hello, Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly – Book Review by Lynne R. Dorfman
posted by CBethM
“The stars tell us everything. It’s fate, Gen. Fate in the stars. There are no coincidences.” (p. 101) The 2018 Newberry Award winner by Erin Entrada for middle schoolers will capture them in its honesty, its mystery, and its charm. The book is written in short, easy-to-read chapters in the perspectives of the four […]
March
22
The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton Review by Alexandra Cornejo
posted by CBethM
Mentally rich and decadent — this is how I would describe The Belles. I listened to The Belles on Audible with Rosie Jones (@rosiejonesactor) as the narrator. She did a wonderful job at her narration, which makes all the difference. Her English accent added such an elegant air to an exquisitely written book. However, I […]
March
13
THE TRAIN OF LOST THINGS by Ammi-Joan Paquette – Reviewed by: Bridget Hodder
posted by CBethM
“Late at night, that’s when the magic was strongest. When stories swirled like fog and trembled like dreams made real.” There’s a tender, shimmering enchantment to be found at the heart of Ammi-Joan Paquette’s new Middle Grade novel, THE TRAIN OF LOST THINGS. In Middle Grade literature, it’s rare to find the […]
December
20
A Short History of the Girl Next Door, by Jared Reck – Review by Aileen Hower
posted by CBethM
I just had a new book break into my top ten favorite books of all time. Seriously. I had been hearing great things about the young adult novel, A Short History of the Girl Next Door. Because Mr. Reck teaches in a neighboring school district, I eagerly noticed the attention his debut book […]
December
17
You Bring the Distant Near by Mitali Perkins – Review by Kacy Smith
posted by CBethM
What do you keep, and what do you leave behind? This is the question that shapes You Bring the Distant Near, the latest YA novel from Mitali Perkins, a sweeping, multi-generational, female-centric story of a family immigrating from Ghana to London to New York City. The title is taken from the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore, […]
December
06
FAR FROM THE TREE by Robin Benway – Review by Kate Olson
posted by CBethM
Let’s be real here. I’m a 37-year-old school librarian – I am in NO WAY considered a young adult, right? So then, what makes this genre one in which I consider myself a qualified reviewer? I always find it fascinating that adults are the ones deciding which kidlit is quality or not, and in […]
November
29
Dear Social Media: Thank you for Dear Martin by Rebecca Marsick
posted by CBethM
My Twitter and Instagram feeds are heavily weighted toward authors and readers who share what they are reading, and my social media scales tip even more toward YA. This means that I am constantly buying books that will serve two purposes: I think my students will like them. I think the book will offer […]
November
23
The Thing With Feathers, by McCall Hoyle – Review by Millicent Flake
posted by CBethM
“I just love the metaphor in this book!” I overheard this exclamation from an 8th grade girl sitting on the couch in my middle school library one morning. The student was reading an advance copy of The Thing with Feathers, the debut novel by McCall Hoyle, a high school English teacher from Gainesville, Georgia. […]
September
28
Heartprint Books and Ba-Bump Moments: The Way to Bea by Kat Yeh – Review and Interview by JoEllen McCarthy
posted by CBethM
“There is this thing I do when I’m deciding about a book. Waiting to see if I’ll connect with it. If I’ll feel that bah-bump in my chest. —-“ Bah- bump. Bah-bump. You know that moment when you truly connect to something? Your heart starts racing. Whether it’s a book or a poem or a […]
