Category Archives: Contemporary

Review: Moonrise by Sarah Crossan

By | | , ,
Comments Off on Review: Moonrise by Sarah Crossan

Moonrise by Sarah CrossanMoonrise
Sarah Crossan
Bloomsbury Children’s
Published on May 8, 2018

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About Moonrise
‘They think I hurt someone.
But I didn’t. You hear?
Coz people are gonna be telling you
all kinds of lies.
I need you to know the truth.’

As Joe’s older brother nears his execution date, Joe journeys to visit him before the end. He struggles to understand what happened from the night Ed’s accused of murder through the twists and turns in the justice system. Now, barely able to provide for himself, Joe tries his best to support his brother and hold onto the hope that his … Continue reading →

Review: Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett

By | | , ,
Comments Off on Review: Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett

Starry Eyes by Jenn BennettStarry Eyes
Jenn Bennett
SimonPulse
Published on April 3, 2018

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About Starry Eyes
Ever since last year’s homecoming dance, best friends-turned-best enemies Zorie and Lennon have made an art of avoiding each other. It doesn’t hurt that their families are the modern day, Californian version of the Montagues and Capulets.

But when a group camping trip goes south, Zorie and Lennon find themselves stranded in the wilderness. Alone. Together.

What could go wrong?

With no one but each other for company, Zorie and Lennon have no choice but to hash out their issues via witty jabs and insults as they try to make their … Continue reading →

Review: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

By | | , , ,
2 Comments

The Hate U Give by Angie ThomasThe Hate U Give
Angie Thomas
Balzer + Bray
Published on February 28, 2017

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About The Hate U Give

Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Khalil was unarmed.

Soon afterward, his death is a national headline. Some are calling him a thug, maybe even a drug dealer and a gangbanger. Protesters are taking to the streets in Khalil’s name. Some … Continue reading →

Review: Chaotic Good by Whitney Gardner

By | | , ,
Comments Off on Review: Chaotic Good by Whitney Gardner

Chaotic Good by Whitney GardnerChaotic Good
Whitney Gardner
Knopf
Published on March 13, 2018

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About Chaotic Good
Cameron’s cosplay–dressing like a fictional character–is finally starting to earn her attention–attention she hopes to use to get into the CalTech costume department for college. But when she wins a major competition, she inadvertently sets off a firestorm of angry comments from male fans.

When Cameron’s family moves the summer before her senior year, she hopes to complete her costume portfolio in peace and quiet away from the abuse. Unfortunately, the only comic shop in town–her main destination for character reference–is staffed by a dudebro owner who challenges every woman who … Continue reading →

Review: More than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer

By | | , , ,
Comments Off on Review: More than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer

More Than We Can Tell by Brigid KemmererMore Than We Can Tell
Brigid Kemmerer
Bloomsbury Children’s
Published on March 6, 2018

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About More Than We Can Tell
Rev Fletcher is battling the demons of his past. But with loving adoptive parents by his side, he’s managed to keep them at bay…until he gets a letter from his abusive father and the trauma of his childhood comes hurtling back.

Emma Blue spends her time perfecting the computer game she built from scratch, rather than facing her parents’ crumbling marriage. She can solve any problem with the right code, but when an online troll’s harassment escalates, she’s truly afraid.

… Continue reading →

Review: Ghosts of Tupelo Landing by Sheila Turnage

By | | , , , ,
1 Comment

The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing by Sheila TurnageGhosts of Tupelo Landing (Mo and Dale Mysteries #2)
Sheila Turnage
Kathy Dawson Books
Published on February 4, 2014

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

About Ghosts of Tupelo Landing
Small towns have rules. One is, you got to stay who you are – no matter how many murders you solve.

When Miss Lana makes an Accidental Bid at the Tupelo auction and winds up the mortified owner of an old inn, she doesn’t realize there’s a ghost in the fine print. Naturally, Desperado Detective Agency (aka Mo and Dale) opens a paranormal division to solve the mystery of the ghost’s identity. They’ve got to figure … Continue reading →