Category Archives: Contemporary

Review: The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

By | | , , , ,
Comments Off on Review: The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar

The Henna Wars
Adiba Jaigirdar
Page Street Kids
Published on May 12, 2020

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

About The Henna Wars

WHEN DIMPLE MET RISHI meets SIMON VS. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA in this rom com about two teen girls with rival henna businesses.

When Nishat comes out to her parents, they say she can be anyone she wants—as long as she isn’t herself. Because Muslim girls aren’t lesbians. Nishat doesn’t want to hide who she is, but she also doesn’t want to lose her relationship with her family. And her life only gets harder once a … Continue reading →

Review: The Elephant’s Girl by Celesta Rimington

By | | , , ,
Comments Off on Review: The Elephant’s Girl by Celesta Rimington

The Elephant's Girl by Celesta Rimington

The Elephant’s Girl
Celesta Rimington
Crown Books for Young Readers
Published May 19, 2020

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

About The Elephant’s Girl

An elephant never forgets…but Lexington Willow can’t remember her past. When she was a toddler, a tornado swept her away from everyone and everything she knew and landed her near an enclosure in a Nebraska zoo, where an elephant named Nyah protected her from the storm. With no trace of her family, Lex grew up at the zoo with her foster father, Roger; her best friend, … Continue reading →

Review: The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly by Jamie Pacton

By | | , , , ,
Comments Off on Review: The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly by Jamie Pacton

The Life and Medieval Times of Kit Sweetly by Jamie Pacton

The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly
Jamie Pacton
Page Street Kids
Published on May 5, 2020

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

About The Life and (Medieval) Times of Kit Sweetly

Kit Sweetly slays sexism, bad bosses, and bad luck to become a knight at a medieval-themed restaurant.

Working as a wench―i.e. waitress―at a cheesy medieval-themed restaurant in the Chicago suburbs, Kit Sweetly dreams of being a knight like her brother. She has the moves, is capable on a horse, and desperately needs the raise that comes with knighthood, so she can help … Continue reading →

Review: Hope is a Dangerous Place by Jim Baton

By | | , , ,
Comments Off on Review: Hope is a Dangerous Place by Jim Baton

Hope is a Dangerous Place by Jim Baton

Hope is a Dangerous Place
Jim Baton
Published February 5, 2020

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

About Hope is a Dangerous Place

Seventy-five years ago, fifteen-year-old Hope McCormick disappeared. To remember her, the newly incorporated town was named “Hope.” When high school friends Kelsey and Harmonie begin looking into this unsolved mystery, they discover that someone will do anything to make sure the town’s secrets never come to light. Which neighbors are allies, and which face masks a violent enemy? And what will it take for their struggling town to fulfill its original destiny of hope?

… Continue reading →

Review: Music for Tigers by Michelle Kadarusman

By | | , , , ,
Comments Off on Review: Music for Tigers by Michelle Kadarusman

Music for Tigers by Michelle Kadarusman

Music for Tigers
Michelle Kadarusman
Pajama Press
Published April 28, 2020

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

About Music for Tigers

Shipped halfway around the world to spend the summer with her mom’s eccentric Australian relatives, middle schooler and passionate violinist Louisa is prepared to be resentful. But life at the family’s remote camp in the Tasmanian rainforest is intriguing, to say the least. There are pig-footed bandicoots, scary spiders, weird noises and odors in the night, and a quirky boy named Colin who cooks the most amazing meals. Not the least strange is her Uncle Ruff, with his unusual … Continue reading →

Review: The Space Between Lost and Found by Sandy Stark-McGinnis

By | | , , ,
Comments Off on Review: The Space Between Lost and Found by Sandy Stark-McGinnis

The Space Between Lost and Found by Sandy Stark-McGinnis

The Space Between Lost and Found
Sandy Stark-McGinnis
Bloomsbury USA Children’s
Published April 28, 2020

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound | Goodreads

About The Space Between Lost and Found

Cassie’s always looked up to her mom, a vivacious woman with big ideas and a mischievous smile. Together they planned to check off every item on a big-dream bucket list, no matter how far the adventure would take them. But then Mom was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, and everything changed.

Now, Cassie tries to keep Mom happy, and to understand some of Dad’s restrictive new rules. She tries to focus on math lessons and … Continue reading →