Young Adult

The Poet X

by Elizabeth Acevedo

★★★★

I’m so glad I snagged this as an audiobook via @libby.app! While I could have read the ebook version like I did for With the Fire on High or for Clap When You Land, I feel like the print version would have lost the beauty Acevedo created through spoken-word style poetry. The flow of the story was beautiful and powerful. I have learned a little bit more about the experiences faced by Dominican American families with each of her books, and I find myself wanting to learn even more. Xiomara is strong, passionate, and compelling. Her conflicting portrayal of mamí is heartbreaking, as it speaks to the struggles of immigrant families and parenthood. I have heard many similar stories from family friends about their parents' high expectations placed on them; they had given up everything for their children to have the opportunity to get an education, so they fully expected that their children would succeed. It might have been harsh, and arguably toxic, but their households are full of love; Xiomara’s household is the same. As the story was enhanced by hearing Acevedo tell it orally in the way she intended for it to be heard, I will definitely be getting all future texts from her in audiobook format when possible.

A Warning About Swans

by R. M. Romero

★★★★★

I snagged this beauty via @netgalley since I enjoyed The Ghosts of Rose Hill. Like TGORH, A Warning About Swans was a quick read written in prose; this story is suitable for middle school students and adults alike, so I would love to put a copy in my class library. I found our protagonist, Hilde, fits well within what we expect of our fairy tale women (as well as a non-human woman can). She is curious, passionate, and just wants to find her own place in the world without others telling her who she must be; she represents the struggles of identity and purpose felt by many women just for existing. On the other hand, we have our antagonist, Richter; he’s our classic fairy tale’s wolf in sheep’s clothing (although I’d argue he is worse- at least wolves do not hide their intent to eat you alive). While I will not spoil what happens between Hilde and Richter, it is ultimately her relationship with a third character (Franz) that shows her who she wants to be. This story is full of magic, charged emotions, and experiences that everyone can connect with in one way or another. I highly recommend checking this one out when it releases in July 2023.

Reclaim the Stars

Edited by Zoraida Cordova

★★★

This Latinx-written short story anthology focuses specifically on Latinx characters within sci-fi and fantasy; this addresses largely under-discussed sub-genres and representation problems while providing readers with various beautiful stories. I found that I struggled to get into the initial stories, as I’m not a sci-fi fan myself, but I loved many of the fantasy tales that were included. The anthology is broken into three parts: “To the Stars,” “The Magical Now,” and “Other Times, Other Realms.” I found myself primarily enjoying the stories of the final category, and I struggled to enjoy the stories from the first. I will acknowledge the skillful writing that is seen through every story included; the characters are complex, their worlds are detailed, and every story has a message that is relatable for readers. Important topics such as love, feminism, faith, independence, and much more feature throughout the anthology and make the stories shine. No matter my own feelings about this collection, it was one that I have no regrets about snagging off Amazon to add to my classroom library.

Clap When You Land

by Elizabeth Acevedo

★★★★

If you are looking for a book that is both beautiful and heartbreaking, Clap When You Land is the book for you. The story follows Yaharia and Camino in their respective homelands, and we see how they process their grief and work toward healing after the death of their father. Their story is written in prose, so the 400 or so pages just fly by. This would probably be a great audiobook, but the Kindle book was still aesthetically pleasing. Acevedo doesn’t shy away from the difficulties associated with poverty, split households, half-siblings, and grief. Acevedo shows the beauty of both New York and the Dominican Republic, and yet, she does not shy from some of the harsh realities of either place. This story shows just how much hardship and strength Acevedo has witnessed. 

The Benefits of Being An Octopus

by Ann Braden

★★★★

This book is a good tribute to the kids that are struggling with poverty or stuck living in an abusive home (even if it isn’t physical). Zoe shows how wise yet naive a young teen can be all at once when forced to perform adult responsibilities at a young age; her younger siblings (Bryce, Aurora, and Hector) are perfect examples of the different reactions that young children can have in these circumstances. The story shows the love and power that individuals in their position can reclaim, such as by joining a club, alongside the difficulties that their temporary powerlessness can create. Readers also get to learn some fun octopus facts while they face these darker topics too, so that’s a bonus. I found TBOBAO on @libby.app as an audiobook, so check if your local library has a copy.

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder

by Holly Jackson

★★★★

This was officially the first audiobook I have ever completed. I hated audiobooks, as I typically found them hard to focus on. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder showed me that some audiobooks can actually be entertaining; while this narrator wasn’t my favorite and I wish alternative speakers were used for more than just interview recordings, it did encourage me to give audiobooks another chance. I found the story itself interesting, and I kept trying to predict the ending as Pippa got new information. I liked that it was full of mistakes and unethical choices since it shows the real difficulties of conducting an unofficial investigation, although I wish they acknowledged that some of the information would never be admissible in court as such. I enjoyed learning about the characters, and I would give Jackson’s other novels a chance.

Once Upon An Eid

Edited by S.K. Ali & Aisha Saeed

★★★★

So I decided during the Christmas season to try to fit some non-Christian holiday stories as well; one of these books ended up being Once Upon An Eid. I found the stories very intriguing, as I loved getting to see the world from a different perspective. I also found the collection to be informative, as I had not previously known much about Eid or its significance within Islam. I learned about the beauty of young women first adopting the hijab, the emphasis placed on family, and the preaching of love. While I knew that the media often unfairly (and offensively) portray Muslim characters, I was thrilled to experience these stories that showed how beautiful Islam can and is meant to be. This anthology would be a great way to open the discussion between parents and their children about different cultures and beliefs, as these stories are told from the perspectives of younger children and teens. These stories display how despite all of our differences in cultural practices, we are all human- ultimately we all need to love and be loved. I found this anthology on accident while browsing the seasonal reads category on Libby, but I encourage you now to go find this one with a purpose- to build understanding and to learn of a holiday that likely holds significance for someone within your own community.

The Ghosts of Rose Hill

by R. M. Romero

★★★★

I snagged this beauty via @libby.app after finding this in the poetry category. I’m not huge on poetry, but I really enjoyed following along as Iliana explored Prague. Romero explores the identity struggles faced by Jewish Latinx people, especially as individuals like Iliana are still trying to heal from the multi-generational trauma. I loved the way Romero emphasized the beauty of music and Iliana’s love for Hebrew traditions, as these were critical parts of who she is. The love shared between Iliana and the other characters also added to the magic of the story, though I’ll acknowledge the ghosts helped with that one too. I would definitely recommend this story to others, and I’m hoping to snag a copy for my class library!

Firekeeper's Daughter

by Angeline Boulley

★★★.5

While I didn't find myself hooked on this book like other people, I want to emphasize that this is a high-quality read that discusses very important topics. Boulley captures the struggles of Native Americans post-2000. Firekeeper's Daughter addresses everything from the increased risk of sexual and violent crimes against Natives (especially women), drug abuse, the micro-aggressions performed by non-Natives, the discrimination of Natives towards "lesser" Natives, and the lack of support by the government and law enforcement. Each of these issues are still prevalent within tribal communities today, so it is extremely important that Boulley is drawing further attention to the issue. With multiple relatives and friends that still live on tribal land and follow their traditional rules, I have heard growing concern about every one of these issues. The fear of Native parents for their children's safety is heartbreaking,  as I know many of them are stuck worrying if their children (especially their daughters) will be victimized for a wide variety of reasons. Did you know that Native Americans statistically are more likely to develop alcohol and drug addiction? This is believed to be partially because of the targeting of Native communities by dealers and manufacturers, and this is worsened by the traumas inflicted upon Natives both within their tribal communities and outside ones alike. I think this could easily be a four-star read for most people, and this would be one way for teachers to have some important discussions with their students.

Long Live the Pumpkin Queen

by Shea Ernshaw

★★★★

I let my fiancé pick some titles for me, and he chose well! I love The Nightmare Before Christmas, as well as Disney’s line of Twisted Tales. While Long Live The Pumpkin Queen is not a part of the Twisted Tales line, it seemed right up my alley. Ernshaw managed to capture the magic of TNBC within LLTPQ, and yet it was not merely just a sequel. I loved getting to know Sally more thoroughly, and I loved learning more about the alternate holiday worlds that we do not see during Jack’s travels. The story has the right amount of suspense to complement the storyline. I would definitely gift copies of this one to my book-loving friends!

Foul Lady Fortune

by Chloe Gong

★★★★★

First, I’d like to say thank you to @netgalley for my ARC of this book. I found myself wanting to learn more about Shanghai as I read about Rosalind’s adventures as a 1930s spy. I love a good whodunnit, and I found myself changing guesses every chapter or so; Gong really kept me on my toes. I feel like Gong also did well by her characters; they felt authentic, and I appreciated that she could show some of the downsides/concerns of immortality and other genetic changes. I didn’t know much about the Nationalist/Communist/Imperial war over territories in China, so this left me wanting to learn more. I don’t want to share any spoilers, but I will say that this book was addictive; I found myself engaged and had no desire to put it down each time I started reading it. If you love mysteries or historical fantasy, I suggest snagging this title when it releases later in the month.

The Black Flamingo

by Dean Atta

★★★★

"He is me, who I have been, who I am, who I hope to become. Someone fabulous, wild, and strong. With or without a costume on."

I've had this one on my shelf for a while, so I really wanted to incorporate it in my pride-themed reads this month. I normally hate prose/poetry, but I actually loved this. The main character, Michael, is so relatable as he focuses on trying to find himself without apology. Although I can never fully understand the experiences of discrimination and (often accidental) bigotry towards queer POC, I am all too familiar with the gender expectations that Atta sets out to challenge. I was one of the girls growing up that was always being told that the things I liked were "too boyish" or "not for little girls." Thankfully, my father didn't care even at times when my mother did. Multiple of my siblings have come out as queer over the last few years, and it breaks my heart when they face many of the struggles that Mikey does. While it can be heartbreaking at times, I love how authentic the story and his struggles are. Atta doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of homophobia. Atta realistically addresses the struggles with racism and identity faced by POC with multiple ethnicities as Michael navigated being Greek, Jamaican, and British. It is hard enough to find a good queer representation in the mainstream media, but it is even harder to find queer POC main characters. I honestly think this book could be a game changer for many teens that are working on accepting themselves in the same way Mikey does. I love that readers get to follow along as Michael grows, and his confidence by the end of the novel is inspiring. The prose was well crafted, so the book still read beautifully. Although I wish I could have read a bit more about The Black Flamingo, I do recognize that his first performance is a symbolic ending.

Heartstopper

by Alice Oseman

Volume 1 ★★★★

Volume 2 ★★★

Volume 3 ★★★

Volume 4 ★★★★

I decided to check out Heartstopper since I kept hearing my teenage sister talk about it. I try to keep up with the trending books so I can continue adding to my class library, and I do think I will be adding Heartstopper to mine. I would like to note that I thought the stories were cute in a shy teenage romance sort of way, although it wasn’t quite my cup of tea. I found that Volume 1 and Volume 4 stuck out to me, primarily due to their focus- discovering one’s sexuality and mental health. Volume 2 and Volume 3 essentially felt like fluffy filler to me. It was cute to see how Nick and Charlie’s relationship evolves, but that’s about it. If you’re looking for a quick and simple read, Heartstopper is the series for you. 

Places We've Never Been

by Kasie West

★★★★

I read this novel for the "road trip" reading challenge prompt, and it was the perfect light read! I would definitely buy a copy of this for my class library, as this YA novel touches on a ton of important life lessons that many teens need to hear. As Norah and Skyler explore their childhood friendship through their current young adult experiences, a completely believable story is born. The development of their friendship to strangers to lovers feels authentic, and I could see their love story serving as the basis of a YA romance movie. Overall, this book is worth checking out. I found this one via Libby, so check with your local library! 

Number the Stars

by Lois Lowry

★★★★

If you are looking for a book to help you talk to your children (ages 9-12) about the Holocaust, this is an age-appropriate way to begin the conversation. Number the Stars helps show the atrocities of WW2 from a child’s perspective, so this may make the history of it all easier for a child to comprehend. Although the Holocaust was now more than 70 years ago, hatred is still very much alive today; it is critical that we teach our children about the cruelties of humanities’ past so we can ideally prevent it from occurring again. Our main character, Annemarie, is a prime example of courage; she acknowledges her fear as she helps protect her friend Ellen, but she does what she believes is right anyway. This story is perfect for introducing your child(ren) or students to the darker side of history and encouraging the values we need in society (courage, love, and perseverance). 

Tahira In Bloom

by Farah Heron

★★★★

I snagged this title months ago as my Prime First Reads choice... Let me start off by saying that I made the right choice. Although I kept putting this one off for whatever reason, I was completely hooked once I picked it up. It was fun, relatable, and really captured the essence of a growing teen. I loved that this novel also shares a voice that is typically ignored in literature- that of a young woman that is both of Indian descent and Muslim growing up in Canada. Heron helped remind me to be conscious of microaggressions within my community, but she also reminded me of how beautiful life can be when everyone is treated well. Moving beyond the diversity found within the characters, I enjoyed Heron's style of humor. I love that the story was able to successfully be a rom-com and slice of life all at once; most of the rom-coms I read aren't very realistic, so it's a nice change of pace. I won't spoil the ending, but I will note that it was a nice touch and supported the novel's overall themes and messages.

Great or Nothing

by Joy McCullough, Tess Sharpe,  

Jessica Spotswood & Caroline Tung Richmond

★★★★

What do you read while on your lunch break? I chose this ARC since I enjoyed Alcott’s Little Women. This reimagining of LW brings the characters to life in a unique way- they are now navigating life during WW2. Jo, still our lovable tomboy, finds herself going to work in the factories building military equipment. Amy enlists in the Red Cross, while Meg stays home and tries to better her local community. Each mourns Beth, as she only has a voice in this novel via poems. The characters got to be portrayed as deeper and more relatable in this version of the story, and the setting made the story a little easier to follow. With four perspectives and four authors, each character clearly has their own attitudes and beliefs. The March girls are still strong, independent, and bold. I loved getting to follow the characters along for the journey, especially since we miss most of Amy’s in the original Little Women. The authors bring the passion, anger, and desperation of the sisters to live in a way that Alcott did not. If you love historical fiction and woman-centered stories, this one is worth your time! 

Felix Ever After

by Kacen Callender

★★★★

In honor of National Coming Out Day this week, I bring you a YA LGBTQ+ read that many readers can find themselves relating to. Felix's journey to be accepted as a guy is tough, especially with a father that is unable to let go of his pre-transition past and bullies that want to publically out him. In search of revenge, Felix is able to truly find himself. Callender will break your heart, but at least he takes the time to put it back together again.

Tahira In Bloom

by Farah Heron

★★★★

I bought this title by itself and again as a series bundle quite a while ago. I wish I would have read this one sooner! I found myself rooting for Feyah every step of the way. I had this idea in my head that it was going to be similar to Beauty and the Beast, but it definitely surpassed my expectations. I loved the concepts of faeries as both good and evil, and that humans are no different. I found her character extremely relatable, and Tamlin warmed my heart. I will admit that I found myself thinking about this book quite often, and I never wanted to put it down once I picked it up. The writing is strong, the story is compelling, and the characters are believable. I haven’t been very into series reads lately, but I’m already two chapters into the next book and loving it. If you liked The Hunger Games and Beauty and the Beast, you’ll love this! 

Juliet Takes a Breath

by Gabby Rivera

★★★★

Juliet finds herself quickly feeling like an outsider; her Puerto Rican family has reservations about her being a lesbian, but she also quickly becomes fascinated with her favorite author (a gay, feminist white woman). As Juliet tries to learn about the world beyond the Bronx, she is faced with the reality that queer Latinas are often overlooked by the mainstream media. Juliet spends her internship summer learning about herself, and the importance of claiming her identity as she dives into the world of west coast feminism. Books, laughter, heartbreak, and a summer fling leave Juliet with the personal insights that she hoped to gain before returning to the Bronx, and readers just might learn something about themselves along the way.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower

by Stephen Chbosky

★★★★★

Chbosky was brutally honest and raw about being an outsider, a wallflower. I absolutely fell in love with Charlie. I loved his awkwardness, his sense of humor, and how he is always analyzing the world. Charlie reminds me of my fiance, in so many ways that it isn't even funny. Each of his friends brought so much realism into the story so well that I could almost picture myself at the parties with them. This story bleeds of youth, exploration of self, and the realities of working through trauma. This is one of the very few books that actually had the ability to make me laugh and cry all within the same chapter. Oh, what I would give to read the letters of Charming Charlie again for the first time!

My Sister's Keeper

by Jodi Picoult

★★★★★

This was the book that introduced me to Jodi Picoult when I was a junior in high school, as my teacher had this in her class library. I absolutely loved it. It completely crushed me emotionally, but I had never felt so compelled by a novel before. My Sister's Keeper follows Anna as she fights for her right to autonomy after her parents decide they want to perform another medical procedure on her to assist her sister, Kate. Kate has had leukemia longer than Anna has been alive, and Anna was genetically planned specifically with the plan for her to be Kate's donor. Essentially being left to feel like an organ farm with no voice or control, Anna decides to fight for herself. The sisters' love for one another and desire to be independent is beyond relatable, and the desperation of their parents is almost tangible. Picoult uses powerful language that would make an unemotional reader's heartbreak. I highly recommend keeping tissues handy if you choose to read this!

With the Fire on High

by Elizabeth Acevedo

★★★★

This book will leave you feeling snackish, but its a perfect read for foodies. As teen mom Emoni Santiago learns of a new culinary class at her high school, she finds herself struggling with the conflict between what she wants and what she thinks she can have. She doesn't know if she has time to cook, let alone learn to cook a whole different way than she did in Abuela's kitchen. Emoni can find time to play by the rules and master the fundamental dishes Chef has in mind- that are unsurprisingly white- or she can continue to try and make food her own way. As Emoni learns that there is more to the kitchen than being able to make decisions based on taste, she must learn what it means to start with the core lessons of the culinary world. Emoni faces the challenge of asserting her identity as a black Puerto Rican woman while caring for her daughter, and yet she is determined to take her cooking to the next level. Emoni is relatable, fiery, and beyond lovable if you get through her busy mom exterior.

Cemetery Boys

by Aiden Thomas

★★★★

Queen fiction meets spooky season in this charming read. This tale follows a Puerto Rican teen's journey to gain his family's acceptance- as a man and as a brujo- due to cultural barriers and transphobia. As the lead character is preparing to release a (cute) teen boy's spirit, he also has to navigate the risk of becoming to attached to the dead.

Educators: Cemetery Boys is a great read to discuss the role of cultural beliefs and transphobia. This is also perfect to help your students embrace fall by discussing the practices of Dia de los Muertos. 

The Book Thief

by Markus Zusak

★★★★★

This is the title that introduced me to historical fiction. I read this book while I was in early high school, and curious Liesel drew me in from the very first page. It broke my heart to learn about the difficulties Max experienced during the war, as I had not yet learned about the World Wars in school. I love that Zusack also reminds readers that many German citizens were not in favor of the war effort, and many were even less supportive of Nazis' treatment of their victims. Although the overall knowledge of the Holocaust deeply disturbed me, I love that The Book Thief showed the depth of humanity's bond through Liesel's family. I can only hope that even 1/4 of the population has the thirst for knowledge and stories that Liesel demonstrates.

Fat Vampire

by Adam Rex

★★★

While it was extremely cheesy, I found myself laughing through it all. I can't say the quality of the writing was anything special, but the overall concept was entertaining. We always wonder what happens to the "fat" or "ugly" teen if they get turned, and Rex answers just that. Not only did the main character, Doug, find himself stuck in his still-developing teenage body, but is one example of what happens when beauty isn't a side-effect of vampirism. Pursued by an annoying T.V. vampire hunter, Doug has to navigate being a vampire and a horny teenage boy simultaneously. Sadly, Doug does not maintain his laughable persona, as he becomes a terrible character (and person) as the story continues. Be prepared for an ending that doesn't seem to fit, characters that evolve for the worse. If you're looking for a lesser known Halloween read, this may be the book for you.

The Twilight Saga

by Stephanie Meyer

★★★★★

I first read the books when I was about 11-years-old, and it helped kick off my love of reading. While the writing quality isn't anything special, the story stuck with me. It was the first book(s) that I remembered the most insignificant details of (like how many bites Bella finished her granola bar in during Twilight). To this day, the Twilight Saga is one of the only series I have bothered to reread (along with After, discussed further down). I have also thought about the series regularly for years. It filled me with excitement to be able to see the books come to life during the midnight premiers of Breaking Dawn, even if the vision scene seriously messed with my head. Let me just say that I am thrilled that Meyer is writing two more Saga universe novels, and I just hope they live up to the hype. I'm ready for some more sparkly vampires and terrible wolves!