I've read this book more than once in the span of a few months, gushed about it to MANY people in person and online, and I still can't stop thinking about this powerful novel in verse. As an added bonus, the cover is just as breath-taking as the contents! Two years after Moth’s family is killed in a car accident, she meets a new classmate, Sani. Both feeling abandoned and uprooted, they set out on a summer road trip to reconnect with those roots and the ghosts they left behin

I sped right through this! I thought the story was engaging, timely, and well-written. This fast-paced novel follows 17 year old Josie, a talented writer struggling with anxiety. When she wins a contest to join a movie promotion tour and interview the hot new star, Marius, she's equally thrilled and terrified. Chaperoned by her older sister, Josie is flung into this new world. While she is charmed by Marius and determined to write the best profile ever, she soon realizes that

Alright this one really caught me off guard. I picked it up for a light read and I got hit with some major feels. Skye Shin is talented, and she knows it. She also happens to be plus size, and she knows that people can be really cruel about that. So when she decides to audition for a televised K-Pop competition, she isn't necessarily surprised that her body becomes a target for negative commentary. Skye sets out to prove that she can dance and sing with the best, even when th

This is an interesting perspective that I’m very glad I took the time to read. "Patron Saints of Nothing" follows high school senior Jason (Jay), born in the Philippines and raised in the Midwest, on a journey of discovery. After he finds out his cousin and childhood best friend has been killed, Jay takes it upon himself to return to the Philippines and investigate. His family back in the Philippines is unwilling to speak about what happened to his cousin Jun, which only prom

"What I Carry" tells the story of Muiriel, so named for the John Muir Medical Center that nurses found her abandoned outside of as a baby. Now 17 and rapidly approaching her departure from the foster care system, Muir is getting a little panicked. For as long as she can remember, she's been preparing to strike out on her own. Every move has been carefully orchestrated to NOT rock the boat. Pack light, don't get too close to anyone, always be on time, blend in. She holds to th

Michigan, I'd be on your team any day. This contemporary novel follows Michigan Manning, a dedicated hockey player and high school junior. When the school cuts the girl's hockey team due to lack of funds, Michigan is left with only two options: give up hockey, or try out for the boy's team. There's no way she's giving up hockey. If Michigan is anything, she is not a quitter. Even though she is a skilled player who out-skates quite a few of the guys, the coach and her teammate

If you are looking for a well-written YA murder mystery, then look no further! I started reading Maureen Johnson's "Truly Devious" series when I saw that the third and final novel was being published in January of 2020. A whole mystery series to binge! In the first novel we are introduced to a dazzling cast of characters, including our main character, Stevie. Stevie never thought she was all that special, and she applies to the prestigious, highly selective, and rather myster

Don't be fooled by the cotton candy cover! This novel surprised me with its depth. The main character, Allie Abraham, is an American-born Muslim of Circassian descent. The book starts off with a bang, as Allie's father is persecuted before her eyes for speaking Arabic on a plane. Other such incidents indicate a growing Islamophobia to Allie, and she's beginning to come to grips with her feelings about it. Her parents are essentially non-practicing Muslims, and Allie has grown

Yes! Highly recommend. First of all, Alaine is an engaging character with a strong voice. I felt like I knew her (and totally wanted to hang out with her) by the end. After a bit of a kerfuffle at school, Alaine is sent to Haiti to work with her aunt's non-profit group for the spring semester of senior year. Alaine doesn't know all that much about her family's country, but that is all about to change. Told entirely through emails, journal entries, and news clippings, Alaine u

If you're in the mood for a contemporary mystery/thriller, look no further! One Of Us is Lying markets itself as "The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars", and that's pretty accurate. You've got the jock, the nerd, the princess, and the bad boy. What brings these high-school students together? A murder investigation in which they are all suspects. This novel uses rotating perspectives so we get a glimpse of each character and what they're going through. I had a little t

Frank Li is a Korean-American living in Southern California. It's his senior year of high school, and he's finally found a girl he'd love to date. One problem: his parents only want him to date Korean girls, and his crush is white. Frank's friend Joy is in a similar predicament, so they hatch a scheme to fake-date each other to get their parents off their backs. Will this go disastrously wrong? Maybe! David Yoon provides a well written perspective I don’t often see in contemp