American History has long been a favorite school subject of mine, but it is heartbreaking sometimes to remember a history laced with such violent upheaval as ours. I do not remember learning about the Civil Rights Movement, for example, until I was in fourth or fifth grade, whether because we never got to it, or … Continue reading Angel of Greenwood, by Randi Pink →

For once, I seem to be on brand (and on time) with the books I review in a given month. And this one is no different, since it concerns ghosts: a whole city of them, if we may judge by the title. The tag line promises “an adventure unlike any other,” which I knew was … Continue reading City of Ghosts, by Victoria Schwab →

I really like psychological thrillers, though more as a reader than a writer. I can’t imagine how much meticulous planning it takes to get the tension and the suspense just right. In any case, I felt both those things when it came to Before I Let Go, but I feel torn on whether or not … Continue reading Before I Let Go, by Marieke Nijkamp →

I’m a sucker for magical girl stories, as I’ve stated before. Whether it’s a group of girls with magical powers saving the world or just making spellbinding shenanigans, I’m all for it. I was delighted in that case to happen across When We Were Magic, even if the material seemed a little heavy for my … Continue reading When We Were Magic, by Sarah Gailey →

During my very first semester teaching college freshmen English, I assigned my students an evaluative essay to review any piece of media that they recently consumed. Several of the girls in my class reviewed the newest Netflix teen drama Dumplin’, and the vote was unanimous: this movie was capital-G great! I did not know it … Continue reading Dumplin’, by Julie Murphy →

It was actually quite tempting to not write a review of this book. What could I talk about in this book that would not invite spoilers from the previous one? I also had so many thoughts turning in my head of what an excellent Shakespearean dramady this book also was, much like the first. So … Continue reading Majesty: American Royals II, by Katherine McGee →

For how familiar people are (not to mention infatuated) with the story of Peter Pan, I have not seen very many modern iterations of the boy who never grew up. People have certainly dared to imagine Peter Pan in alternate fantasy universes, and even when would happen if he did grow up. But I'm not … Continue reading Lost in the Never Woods, by Aiden Thomas →

At one point, Kiera Cass seemed to be an up-and-coming force in the YA world. When the Selection series was still a thing, I recalled a few people talking about them and I myself enjoyed them, in spite of their cliches and flaws. And so, when I first found The Siren, I was intrigued seeing … Continue reading The Siren, by Kiera Cass →

TRIGGER WARNING: Here, there be talk of sexual violence and rape against a minor. You have been warned. I realize I am at least twenty years late talking about this book, but no matter. Speak is one of the most acclaimed YA novels of all time because it tackles pretty heavy themes for a teenage … Continue reading Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson →

There are some books that are so predictable there’s no use in reading them at all. But gosh darn it, the narrator has such a natural, charming, authentic voice that you need to read in to learn how her story ends. Such is the voice of Bianca Piper, the protagonist of the YA “classic,” The … Continue reading The DUFF, by Kody Keplinger →