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Review: The Insiders by Mark Oshiro

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The Insiders by Mark Oshiro

The Insiders
Mark Oshiro
HarperCollins
Published September 21, 2021

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About The Insiders

San Francisco and Orangevale may be in the same state, but for Héctor Muñoz, they might as well be a million miles apart. Back home, being gay didn’t mean feeling different. At Héctor’s new school, he couldn’t feel more alone.

Most days, Héctor just wishes he could disappear. And he does. Right into the janitor’s closet. (Yes, he sees the irony.) But one day, when the door closes behind him, Héctor discovers he’s stumbled into a room that shouldn’t be possible. A room that connects him with two new … Continue reading →

Review: The Bone Spindle by Leslie Vedder

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The Bone Spindle by Leslie Veddar

The Bone Spindle
Leslie Vedder
Razorbill
January 11, 2022

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About the Bone Spindle

Fi is a bookish treasure hunter with a knack for ruins and riddles, who definitely doesn’t believe in true love.

Shane is a tough-as-dirt girl warrior from the north who likes cracking skulls, pretty girls, and doing things her own way.

Briar Rose is a prince under a sleeping curse, who’s been waiting a hundred years for the kiss that will wake him.

Cursed princes are nothing but ancient history to Fi–until she pricks her finger on a bone spindle while exploring a long-lost ruin. Now she’s stuck with the spirit of Briar Rose until she and Shane can … Continue reading →

Review: Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves by Meg Long

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Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves by Meg Long

Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves
Meg Long
Wednesday Books
Published January 11, 2022

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About Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves

After angering a local gangster, seventeen-year-old Sena Korhosen must flee with her prize fighting wolf, Iska, in tow. A team of scientists offer to pay her way off her frozen planet on one condition: she gets them to the finish line of the planet’s infamous sled race. Though Sena always swore she’d never race after it claimed both her mothers’ lives, it’s now her only option.

But the tundra is a treacherous place, and as the race … Continue reading →

Best Young Adult Books from 2021

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Best Young Adult Books from 2021

Best Young Adult Books from 2021

2021 was quite a year! I had lots of ups and some pretty dark downs, but one of the things I’m truly thankful for is the books. Some of the best young adult books from 2021 kept me company on long sleepless nights and provided a safe place to escape for a few hours.

I’ve been a fan of YA since before I started blogging, both as a reader and writer. I’m always excited to see new, fresh takes on familiar themes or entirely new ideas and broader representation bursting from the pages. These books are a mix of all those things. They really only have one thing in common, … Continue reading →

Review: Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy by Emmanuel Acho

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Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy by Emmanuel Acho

Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy
Emmanuel Acho
Roaring Brook Press
Published May 4, 2021

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Boy

UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS WITH A BLACK BOY is an accessible book for children to learn about systemic racism and racist behavior. For the awkward questions white and non-black parents don’t know how to answer, this book is an essential guide to help support communication on how to dismantle racism in our youngest generation.

UNCOMFORTABLE CONVERSATIONS WITH A BLACK BOY  creates a safe, judgment-free space for curious children to ask questions they’ve long been afraid to verbalize. How … Continue reading →

Best Middle Grade Books from 2021

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Best Middle Grade Books of 2021

Best Middle Grade Books from 2021

Well. 2021 was certainly a mixed year for me. It had a really rough start, not a great middle, and a painful and chaotic end. But, it also had some really great books!

Maybe it feels silly to think that the books were one of the brightest spots in the year, but to be honest, they kinda were? I mean, some other good things happened, too, and I have a lot to be grateful for, but the books… those are one of the best gifts from this past year to me.

2021 was a good year for me particularly for middle grade books. When I first started blogging, I only … Continue reading →