Tag: friendship

REVIEW: More Than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer

REVIEW: More Than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Emma is a coder. She’s only a junior in high school, but she’s already designed her own game and other people are playing it online. Once she gets it perfect, she will show it to her dad. As a game designer, he’ll “get” how huge this is. And his approval is everything to Emma. She won’t mention the troll who is sending hateful, harassing emails to her through the game, though. That’s just how it is for women in gaming. She has to show her dad she can handle the jerks on her own.

Rev hasn’t seen his father since he was removed from the home for abuse when he was seven. At first, he didn’t even talk to his foster family. The first day, he ran away and hid at the neighbor’s. That’s how he and Declan became best friends. Now Rev’s 18. He’s in his last year of high school. His foster parents adopted him. He has a real family now. So why does the letter from his biological father throw him into such a tailspin?

Emma and Rev are both dealing with family issues. Neither one feels like they can tell the people closest to them what they are going through. But maybe they can rely on each other.

Review

Brigid Kemmerer is the real deal! After I felt in love with Declan and Juliet’s story (Letters to the Lost) last year, I started to follow her on Twitter and I tried her fantasy series (The Elementals) and loved it. This is her latest book, and it takes place in the same world as Letters. And it is another triumph.

I feel this is a darker, edgier story than Letters. The harassment Emma experiences is no joke. And the abuse Rev and other characters have suffered is horrific. But these pieces are also compelling. I have loved Rev since he first appeared in Letters. I enjoyed learning more of his story. Overall, the horrors the characters are experiencing give other people a chance to show up for Rev and for Emma. The protectiveness some people show for these characters when they are at their most fragile reminded me of all the best moments of another 2017 favorite, A List of Cages. Both books are inspiring. Oh, that we would care for others so fiercely.

I adored this story. I didn’t want it to end. I wanted more moments with these characters after the story is resolved. More of just them and life and caring for one another. I don’t want to give anything away, but I’ll just say – Matthew. Oh, this character. I’d love to read more of his story some day.

I loved everything about this! From now on, if Brigid Kemmerer writes something, I’m reading it immediately. Check her books out – I highly recommend her work. (Language, trigger warning for abuse/harassment)

Many, many thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for the opportunity to read an electronic review copy of this fantastic book in exchange for an honest review. I honestly adored it!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Turn It Up! by Jen Calonita

REVIEW: Turn It Up! by Jen Calonita

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Bradley Academy boasts two a capella groups on campus – the all-boys group, the Kingfishers and the all-girls group, The Nightingales. While the Kingfishers are at the top of their game, the Nightingales have had a string of bad luck. New co-captains (and best friends) Lidia and Sydney are hoping to end the five-year slump.

But before the school year even starts, the best friends are barely speaking. Sydney was supposed to be getting to know Lidia’s crush, Griffin, so she could point him in Lidia’s direction. But Griffin falls for Sydney instead, and Lidia sees him kiss Sydney. When Sydney tries to play it off as no big deal, hoping Lidia will get over it so they can get back to a capella, Lidia quits the Nightingales.

The girls’ huge fight is a distraction the Nightingales don’t need. It keeps people from auditioning and leaves Sydney with a rival as her “co-captain.” Can the Nightingales pull it together or are they doomed for good?

Review

It took me awhile to get into the rhythm of this one. I was frustrated with Sydney and didn’t have a lot of sympathy for her in the fight with Lidia. But I loved that the fight gave Lidia a chance to find her own path away from the Nightingales. That path had seemed chosen for her in some ways. I was thrilled that they author let Lidia follow a new course all the way through the story. Lidia’s storyline kept me reading.

This is a fairly simple plot. The tension and suspense is minor. The conflicts are, too. The biggest stakes were Julianna’s stage fright and the future of the Nightingales. But every story doesn’t need a life or death conflict.

This is a fun, clean and simple friendship story with a side of light romance (kissing, holding hands). I could hand this to any kid in 5th grade and up without hesitation. There are some open ended threads that could be woven into a sequel, and I would readily read it.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Upside Down Magic: Dragon Overnight

REVIEW: Upside Down Magic: Dragon Overnight

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Nory and the Upside Down Magic (UDM) kids are taking a field trip to Dragon Haven, a sanctuary for injured and orphaned dragons. The only thing that can dampen their excitement is the fact that they aren’t the only school group at Dragon Haven. What if the other kids are snobby? What if they make fun of the UDM kids and their “wonky” magic?

Andres is getting weary of the struggles that come with his magic. He feels like the leash that keeps him from floating away is a punishment. The leash makes him feel like a baby. People forget about him – or the “brickpack” he needs to stay on the ground. When will he ever have a chance to be independent?

Nory is in for some surprises on this field trip, too. While everyone is feeling nervous about the other school of kids, Nory has extra pressure. The kids are from Sage Academy – her dad’s school! And her dad is on the field trip. How will he treat her? What does he think of her Upside Down Magic?

Review

Identity is one of my favorite themes in books. And the Upside Down Magic series does a great job exploring that theme for young readers. While Nory is the main character for the series, each of the other kids gets a book where their story is explored. This time it’s Andres’ turn. He’s a flyer but not in the usual way. He flies all the time. Only ceilings, a leash, and a backpack full of bricks protect him from floating away. But those things also make him dependent on others and limit his freedom. I was frustrated by how often the adults charged with Andres’ care neglected his needs or forgot about him. But at Dragon Haven, Andres gets to shine and it is so enjoyable.

The setting for this story was fantastic. Lots of creative dragon types for this world. And the setting also let the UDM kids interact with another group of kids. I enjoyed how things played out with the two groups.

In some ways this story is simple. But the setting and the identity pieces made it enjoyable for me. Fans of the series will enjoy this addition and getting Andres’ story.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: In 27 Days by Alison Gervais

REVIEW: In 27 Days by Alison Gervais

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Hadley is stunned to hear that Archer Morales committed suicide. They had had a class together two years ago as freshmen. He’d been quiet. Hadley remembered the annoyed look he always gave her in class. He was something of an outcast at school. And now he was gone.

After the funeral, Hadley meets Death who offers her a unique opportunity. Hadley can go back in time 27 days and try to keep Archer from taking his own life. There are no guarantees it will work. And it’s likely to be a lot harder than Hadley can even imagine. But how can she not try?! So Hadley signs Death’s “contract,” and finds herself 27 days in the past.

Archer is quiet and withdrawn for a reason. Hadley is going to have to figure out a way through his defenses if she’s going to have any chance to make a difference. And her days are zooming by.

Review

I was engrossed from page one. The premise was so clever, it hooked me from the beginning. When I got to know more about earnest and hopeful yet lonely Hadley and withdrawn, angry and protective Archer, I couldn’t put the book down. Not only did I want Hadley’s 27-day mission to succeed but I wanted so much more for both of these characters.

There are “forces” at work against Hadley, an evil force that insists that some tragedy must happen, someone must die. Some sort of trade off will have to take place if Archer ends up not dying. This part of the story was an odd twist for me, and I’m not sure how I feel about how that section and plot point played out. But everything else was perfect. I adored these characters and would absolutely read this again in order to spend more time with Hadley and Archer!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Apartment 1986 by Lisa Papademetriou

REVIEW: Apartment 1986 by Lisa Papademetriou

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Callie’s in something of a new stage of life. Her dad recently got a new job, and the family moved to NYC. Her mom’s given up her social work job to start a soap business. Callie has changed schools and is trying to find her way with a new crowd.

When Callie’s dad loses his new job, everything starts to shift again. Callie feels the need to keep up with her friends which right now means $250 for a concert ticket. But her parents are tense, and this is NOT the time to ask for that kind of money. But the money is only one issue at school. She’s also having issues with her history teacher. And if she gets one more tardy, the school will call her parents.

When Callie oversleeps one day, she decides to skip school all together (text in an excuse, avoid another tardy) and spend the day at a museum. It’s educational! She’ll go back tomorrow. But one day becomes two and then becomes a pattern. The time away from school temporarily postpones her issues there, and gives her time for a new friend, time to reconsider an old friendship, and time to gain new insights into her family. But problems rarely disappear when you avoid them.

Review

This was delightful! I loved Callie. She’s smart and earnest and a little quirky. Her friendship with Cassius is great. While she doesn’t share much with him about the things swirling in her life, he’s a sounding board for her – a safe place to think.

I loved Callie’s family, too. The family side of Callie’s story – the relationships, the things she learns about her family – was my favorite part. I discovered great layers to the characters as the story went on. I found the sections where the family talks about Callie’s uncle were really well-done.

In some ways, as I was reading, I felt the story meandered in several different directions. There’s the family stuff and the money stuff and the new vs. old friends stuff and then the Callie-centric stuff. It all holds together, though, with Callie at the center of it all, figuring out life one step at a time. Loved it!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Mr. Lemoncello's Great Library Race by Chris Grabenstein

REVIEW: Mr. Lemoncello’s Great Library Race by Chris Grabenstein

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Mr. Lemoncello has a new game for Kyle Keely and the other members of the Lemoncello Library board of trustees. The winners – and there will only be two of them – will get to travel to libraries across North America and share new holographic exhibits with them. The game is Mr. Lemoncello’s Fabulous Fact-Finding Frenzy.

Twenty-four kids in two-person teams will compete for five slots for the Frenzy. In the Frenzy, those players will research five historic figures who are going to be honored with special exhibits at the library. The winners will also get the first copies of Mr. Lemoncello’s newest holographic game!

While the kids are competing for fun prizes, rival game makers have come to Ohio to stir up trouble for Mr. Lemoncello. The kids will need everything they are learning about research if they have any hope of saving their library and their friend.

Review

I can’t think of a better middle grade series to hand to any and every kid you know than the Mr. Lemoncello books. When I was teaching, these books clicked with a variety of readers (including adults). This is the third installment of a book- and library-loving series that I would recommend for home, classroom and library use across the board.

This book shakes up some of the usual characters. Kyle is still front and center – and I love him. He’s a flawed character, but earnest and teachable. Fans of the series will recognize other kids in the story from previous books. But Kyle gets a new partner in puzzle-solving this time around. It’s a great way to see him grow!

The story reminded me of book two in this series and a little of the Harry Potter books in that Mr. Lemoncello is in danger but he steps back to let the kids work to save the day kind of like Dumbledore often does in Harry Potter. Mr. Lemoncello trusts the kids with his livelihood, his reputation, and his future. And the kids rise to the occasion. I thoroughly enjoyed this, especially the final conversation Kyle has a the very end of the book. So fun!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Well, That Was Awkward by Rachel Vail

REVIEW: Well, That Was Awkward by Rachel Vail

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Gracie is a fairly typical 8th grader. She has a couple best friends and a larger circle of kids she hangs out with. Her parents are mostly okay, except they are overprotective. She can’t really go anywhere alone, she’s not allowed to have a pet, and she doesn’t feel like she can show anyone her true feelings. She’s smart, a reader, and she cares about charity, raising money for turtle rescues and book charities.

But things start to change in 8th grade. Gracie starts wondering about her parents and how they survived what happened to her sister. And she wonders what her role is in her family in light of her sister. Then there are the crushes. Gracie finds herself in a Cyrano DeBergerac-like role between her best friend Sienna and Gracie’s own maybe-crush AJ. And, in typical middle school fashion, there’s a stuck up mean girl and plenty of questions and doubts about physical traits and identity. When all of those pieces collide – family, friends, crushes, and mean girls, Gracie may find herself standing alone.

Review

I ADORED this! When I tried to summarize it, I realized how much is going on in this story! It’s hard to put it all together and keep it concise. But in the reading, it all hangs together perfectly!

Gracie tells the story in first person, so you get her stream-of-consciousness thinking, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Her “voice” is excellent! It has a funny, fast pace to it that really clicked for me. If this book existed when I was a teen, I would have read it over and over until it fell apart. I would have completely identified with Gracie.

I enjoyed the whole ensemble in this story. The development between Gracie and her parents is lovely and touching. I liked the evolution in the group of girls around Gracie, watching them wrestle with growing up and identity. And her other best friend, Emmett, is so cool and endearing.

This was an absolute delight! I hugged the book when I finished. I will be recommending this one often and reading it again in the future.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Real Friends by Shannon Hale

REVIEW: Real Friends by Shannon Hale

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Shannon Hale shares stories of her elementary school years, mostly focused on school friendships in this graphic novel memoir. Girls’ friendships in those years can be fraught with cliques, and girls can get caught up in the ebb and flow of in-crowds and outcasts. Shannon shares experiences from both sides of that continuum. She also faced backlash at home from an older sister who was also struggling with social relationships and friend issues.

Review

This is a lovely graphic novel memoir along the lines of Raina Telgemeier’s Smile or Cece Bell’s El Deafo. If I was still teaching, I would want to have multiple copies of this one because my students would keep this in circulation all year.

For every Queen Bee clique leader in school, there are 3-10 girls who feel the rush of acceptance and the sting of being shunned that cycles in these circles. Even though Shannon’s story is anchored in the late 70s and early 80s pop culture (Charlie’s Angels, Wonder Woman, Michael Jackson, Chicago 17), the friend experiences – and some sibling experiences – span generations.

The art work is beautiful and will grab the attention of graphic novel fans. Also, the end notes explain some of the story factors – anxiety and minor OCD behaviors – as well as sharing a little of the “epilogue” that is Shannon’s life today.

This book can give readers a sense of hope and feeling of being understood. They will hopefully glean that they are not alone in the struggle. Perfect for school and home libraries.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Greetings from Witness Protection by Jake Burt

REVIEW: Greetings from Witness Protection by Jake Burt

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Charlotte Trevor is in 7th grade, oldest child of Harriet and Jonathan Trevor, big sister to Jackson. She’s an average student. She plays on the basketball team at school, but they’ve never won a game. She has a handful of good friends, but she tries to blend into the background.

That’s because Charlotte Trevor doesn’t exist.

None of the Trevors really do. Harriet and Jonathan and Jackson are in Witness Protection because Harriet testified against her mob family. Charlotte’s real name is Nikki. She’s been in foster care and out-of-home placements for years after her grandmother died. But the US Marshals think Nikki is book smart and street smart enough to pose as part of this family so they can become a family of four if anyone’s trying to find them.

But the rules for secrecy and safety are strict. And Nikki’s past is no joke. There’s a lot for her to overcome if she’s going to pull this off. Everyone’s lives depend on her getting this right.

Review

I have loved the idea of this book since I first heard the premise. But the actual execution of the story exceeded my expectations. There’s lots of humor and lots of heart to this story. I loved it from start to finish.

Nikki/Charlotte is a fantastic character. When you consider all she does to stay under the radar at her new school, you get the idea that she is wicked smart. She has some unhealthy coping mechanisms from her past, but her past doesn’t make her angry or keep her from making attachments to others. She’s confident and wise. She uses her past to help in her new “assignment” with the Marshals.

The story holds together so well. There’s the witness protection piece, the piece that focuses on Nikki’s past, and then the present piece of a 13-year-old girl (who comes off a little older) trying to negotiate a new family and a new middle school. I was thrilled with how it all clicked into place. I recommend this book highly!

Many thanks to the folks at Feiwel & Friends and Netgalley for providing an electronic review copy in exchange for an honest review. It was a treat to read this book!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: The Perfect Score by Rob Buyea

REVIEW: The Perfect Score by Rob Buyea

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

As their sixth grade year begins, these five kids have a lot going on:

  • Gavin loves football but isn’t so hot on school. His dad dropped out to take over the family business, so Gavin thinks that is his destiny, too, unless football gives him another choice.
  • Randi’s whole life is about gymnastics. And early on she enjoyed that. But now she’s practicing 6 days a week, including three hours on school nights. But she’s somehow supposed to keep her grades up, too. And her mom wants her to ace the CSAs (state standardized tests) so she can be placed in the highest levels in 7th grade.
  • Natalie is the teacher’s pet of the class. She’s never really had friends before but things may be starting to change this year. Once she has friends, what is Natalie willing to do for them?
  • Scott is crazy smart but also something of a naive goof ball. He doesn’t realize some of the guys in his class aren’t teasing him because they like him. They are mocking him.
  • Trevor doesn’t care about much more than cutting up with his friends at school and steering clear of his older brother and his crew at home. Those guys have always told Trevor he was a mistake. And Trevor has started to believe them.

In the middle of these individual stories, there’s the larger story of a class of 6th graders, their teachers/administrators, and the state standardized tests. As the kids lose more and more of what has made the year special to make space for test prep, they become more and more desperate to ace the test and put it behind them. Whatever it takes.

Review

Wow, this was FANTASTIC! I loved all the kids – well, the punkish one won me over in the end. Their concerns and actions felt genuine. I cared about them from the first page. The adults were fantastic, too – not perfect by any means. But they felt real, and they were trying to do the right things (even when they failed to).

I loved the author’s previous series about another teacher, Mr. Terupt, and his students. But because it’s so special, I worried that this wouldn’t live up to it. My worry was unnecessary. This was a delight to read from start to finish. Buyea does an awesome job with this format of a handful of kids telling the story. Each has a distinct voice and style. It’s great. There’s so much more nuance to the story than just the test at the center of the plot. Every part of it worked for me. I was thrilled to hear that he’s already been working on a sequel.

Many thanks to Delacorte books and Netgalley for an electronic review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥