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Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Middle Grade Books Featuring a Magic School

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Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Middle Grade Books featuring a Magic School

Happy Tuesday, everyone! This week’s Top Ten Tuesday prompt is to pick a past topic to reboot. I made it easy on myself, and kind of went for a freebie type post because I’ve been wanting to do a Middle Grade Books Featuring a Magic School list for a little bit. In case you’re unfamiliar with Top Ten Tuesday, it’s a weekly meme hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. It’s a great way to connect with other bloggers and find new books for your reading list.

So, I’m going to assume you’re already familiar with the boy wizard series and Rick Riordan’s books featuring magic schools, as well as the Ever After High series, which was a favorite in our house. Instead, I’ll talk about some really great, more recently published middle grade books featuring a magic school. Here we go!

10 Middle Grade Books Featuring a Magic School

Skandar and the Unicorn Thief by A. F. Steadman

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A magical school that trains unicorn and rider pairs! A boy who must stop a powerful thief from stealing unicorns. This one is a lot of fun.

Release Date: May 3, 2022 | My Review

The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy by Anne Ursu

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Magic and friendship. A boarding school packed with secrets. Girls who are told they’re broken discovering their true strength. Still a favorite of mine.

Published October 12, 2021 | My Review

Rise of the School for Good and Evil Series by Soman Chainani

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: This series tells the origin story of The School for Good and Evil and the two brothers tasked with maintaining a balance between good and evil magic. Packed with the same twisty storytelling and fun energy of the original series.

Published May 31, 2022 | Full review coming soon!

Witchlings by Claribel Ortega

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A magical town, and an opportunity to join one of five covens… unless you’re a Spare like Seven, forced to complete an impossible task in order to keep her powers.

Published April 5, 2022

A Taste of Magic by J. Elle

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A Black girl with prowess in the kitchen on top of newly discovered magic fights to save her magical school from closing. A super fun read packed with delicious food and family.

Published August 30, 2022 | My Review

Spell Sweeper by Lee Edward Födi

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Quirky characters. A fun and fantastic story about the under-appreciated crew trained at their school to clean up after spellcasters.

Published November 30, 2021 | My Review

Mystwick School of Musicraft by Jessica Khoury

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A school that teaches musicians to create magic. A student on her last chance, who just might be the only one who can save her school from a mysterious, powerful storm. Music and magic make a great pairing here.

Published September 5, 2019

The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A magic school where students gather to practice cultural arts, and a girl who’s first of her ability to be admitted to the school. When her teacher goes missing, it’s up to her and her new friends to rescue him.

Published May 3, 2022

The Storybook of Legends by Shannon Hale

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A magical school that trains warriors to use their hidden powers. A girl with powerful magic that links her to an infamous traitor who’s determined to find her parents, no matter the cost.

Published March 1, 2022

Secret of the Shadow Beasts by Diane Magras

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Night is ruled by toxic beasts which can only be defeated by children who are immune. When Nora reluctantly joins their ranks, she uncovers secrets that leave her questioning everything. A wild ride of a story.

Published June 14, 2022

What are your favorite magic school books?

Do you like middle grade books featuring a magic school? What are your favorites? Let me know if you’ve read any of the books on my list, or if there are others I should add.

30 Most-Anticipated Young Adult Books Coming Spring 2023

Lists, News and Fun, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , ,

Spring is here! And with it comes some amazing YA books. I’m so excited about SO MANY titles coming out this season. This list contains authors I’ve been following closely, plus some authors I’ve wanted to read PLUS debut or new-to-me authors. All I can say is that I’m going to spending a lot of time reading this season. We have a hammock under the trees in the backyard, and I can tell I’m gonna be using it! Here are my top 30 most-anticipated young adult books coming spring 2023.

30 Most-Anticipated Young Adult Books Coming Spring 2023

My Dear Henry: A Jekyll and Hyde Remix by Kalynn Bayron

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: A retelling of the story of Jekyll and Hyde set in 1880s England with queer Black main characters. I really enjoyed her middle grade novel, THE VANQUISHERS, last year, so I was excited to read more of her books. I think she knocked it out of the park with this one.

Release Date: March 7, 2023

Missing Clarissa by Ripley Jones

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: A missing girl who was never found. A true crime podcast featuring the case. Two girls who must decide whether the secrets they uncovered would destroy an innocent man or identify Clarissa’s murderer. Twisty and intense! Read if you loved SADIE or THE AGATHAS.

Release Date: March 7, 2023

I Will Find You Again by Sarah Lyu

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A best friend and first love disappears, leaving only snapshots of grief and secrets behind. This one looks like the kind of book that can wreck you. I’m totally in.

Release Date: March 14, 2023

The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway by Ashley Schumacher

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A Renaissance Faire under new management. A girl who liked the old faire better. A boy who pulls her into the new theatrical experience. I have loved both Ashley Schumacher’s other novels, so I’m dying to read this one.

Release Date: March 14, 2023

Stateless by Elizabeth Wein

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A girl chosen to represent Britain in Europe’s first air race for youth. Sabotage and secrets. Maybe even… murder?? I’ve loved both the books I read by this author before, so I’m expecting the same great storytelling and unforgettable characters here.

Release Date: March 14, 2023

Castelon (Wraithwood #3) by Alyssa Roat

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: CASTELON is the final book in the Wraithwood series, which I’ve really been enjoying. It’s got some Merlin-based lore and magic. A slow-burn romance. I have to know how it all ends.

Release Date: March 15, 2023

You Wouldn’t Dare by Samantha Markum

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A best friendship nearly wrecked by a summer fling. A surly new stepsister. A community theater production in jeopardy. Sounds like Junie is juggling a lot of big things, and they’re all about to come crashing down. I loved Markum’s debut, and this one looks like it’ll deliver the same sparky tension and hilarity.

Release Date: March 28, 2023

Last Sunrise in Eterna by Amparo Ortiz

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: This looks like magical realism or maybe a portal story? A girl who supports her family by scavenging elf corpses. The elf prince whose fate is tied to hers. Looks like it could have some THE LUMINARIES vibes?

Release Date: March 28, 2023

Greymist Fair by Francesca Zappia

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Described as “a suspenseful and inventive murder-mystery inspired by the lesser-known fairytales of the Brothers Grimm.” I read KATZENJAMMER last year and absolutely loved Zappia’s vivid, powerful writing. As soon as I saw her name on this cover, I was in.

Release Date: March 28, 2023

Spell Bound by F. T. Lukens

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Two rival apprentices team up when their mentors are both attacked. Looks like an enemies-to-allies-to-lovers story with magic? I like all those words.

Release Date: April 4, 2023

The Hunt for Eden’s Star by D. J. Williams

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Secret supernatural societies. A global adventure. Diverse cast. This one sounds like an edge-of-your-seat read.

Release Date: April 4, 2023

The Paper Daughters of Chinatown (Adapted for Young Readers) by Heather B. Moore and Allison Hong Merrill

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Based on the true story of two friends who help rescue immigrant women and girls in San Fransisco’s Chinatown in the late 1890s. I love the trend lately of novels inspired by little-known female heroes in history. I’m super excited to read this one.

Release Date: April 11, 2023

The Other Side of Infinity by Joan F. Smith

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A girl with a gift of foreknowledge uses it to save a life… and inadvertently puts the rescuer’s life in danger. Described as “THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END meets THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT.” I liked both, so I’m super excited to read this one.

Release Date: April 25, 2023

Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Transition to college! Fake dating! Friends to… more? I enjoy Becky Albertalli’s books so much, and this one looks packed with fun, depth, and heart.

Release Date: May 2, 2023

Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A team of teens determined to return ancestral remains from a museum to their tribe amid mysteries and secrets possibly connecting to missing women. I love that this story draws attention to a very real issue, and I’m excited to read the book.

Release Date: May 2, 2023

The Last One to Fall by Gabrielle Lepore

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Six teens were present when someone was murdered, but which one is guilty? I really enjoyed Lepore’s debut, THIS IS WHY WE LIE, which came out last year. This looks like one to read if you loved ONE OF US IS LYING.

Release Date: May 9, 2023

Beauty Reborn by Elizabeth Lowham

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Beauty and the Beast retold with Beauty as an assault survivor, who retreats to the Beast’s castle following her attack. I’m always interested in reimagined fairy tales, and I am really curious about this one.

Release Date: May 9, 2023

You Don’t Have a Shot by Racquel Marie

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Rivals to lovers. Soccer. Summer camp. All packaged up in a story penned by the incredible Racquel Marie, whose debut is an absolute favorite of mine.

Release Date: May 9, 2023

If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come by Jen St. Jude

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A girl in love with her best friend and clinically depressed (undiagnosed) finds her plans to take her life thwarted by an announcement that there are only 9 days left before a life-ending asteroid strikes the Earth. Looks like one that will plumb the depths of the heart.

Release Date: May 9, 2023

Julieta and the Romeos by Maria E. Andreu

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Described as “YOU’VE GOT MAIL meets a YA BEACH READ” which sounds like lots of fun. A writer trying to uncover the identity of a mysterious online collaborator. Sounds super cute and just what I need after some of the more serious titles on here!

Release Date: May 16, 2023

The Secret of the Moon Conch by David Bowles and Guadalupe García McCall

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Two people, two timelines, connected by a magical conch shell…. communicating across time, and falling in love. I love a good timetravel/time-pretzel romance, so I can’t wait for this one.

Release Date: May 16, 2023

Don’t Ask If I’m Okay by Jessica Klara

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Complicated grief. A boy who’s desperate to prove he’s not grieving when he absolutely is, and what happens when his broken heart is truly laid bare. There’s something really special and brave about a book that explores a soul-crushing grief. I really want to read this.

Release Date: May 16, 2023

All the Dead Lie Down by Kyrie McCauley

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A girl escaping her own grief takes a job as a governess in a haunted house. The description of this one reminds me a lot of THE TURN OF THE SCREW by Henry James. I loved McCauley’s last novel, so when I saw her name, I couldn’t wait to read this.

Release Date: May 16, 2023

Venom & Vow by Anna-Marie and Elliott McLemore

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A transgender prince doubling for his brother. A queen’s lady-in-waiting who is also a boy assassin, determined to destroy the prince’s brother. Looks like this is packed with political drama and identity exploration, and no one could do it better than this author duo.

Release Date: May 16, 2023

Rubi Ramos’s Recipe for Success by Jessica Parra

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A girl desperate to keep up appearances for the high-achieving expectations of her parents faces a crossroads when a baking competition she’s sure she could win comes to town. This reminds me a little bit of SALT AND SUGAR by Rebecca Carvalho, and looks like tons of fun!

Release Date: May 16, 2023

Constellations by Kate Glasheen

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A graphic novel set in 1980s New York. A portrait of a queer teen living on the margins and recovering from alcohol addiction. Looks heartbreaking yet hopeful.

Release Date: May 23, 2023

A Starlet’s Secret to a Sensational Afterlife by Kendall Kulper

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Enemies to allies to lovers set in 1930s Hollywood. Described as having “romance, vengeance, and a hint of the supernatural.” Yes, please!

Release Date: May 23, 2023

Something Like Possible by Miel Moreland

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A high school election campaign leads to the discovery of a pattern of harassment within the student government. From Goodreads: SOMETHING LIKE POSSIBLE is a love letter to ambitious girls, queer solidarity, and how to keep moving forward when the world seems set on pushing you back.

Release Date: May 23, 2023

The Night in Question by Kathleen Glasgow and Liz Lawson

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: The sequel to THE AGATHAS! Alice and Iris are back to solve another murder mystery in Castle Cove when a school dance at the site of an infamous unsolved murder is interrupted by a violent assault. I loved the first book in this series, so I’m thrilled about this one.

Release Date: May 30, 2023

No Perfect Places by Steven Salvatore

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: From the cover copy: A thought-provoking novel about grief, family secrets, and figuring out how to belong against the odds. Salvatore is an auto-buy author for me. I’ve loved both their previous books, and this one hits a lot of elements I tend to love, namely grief and siblings.

Release Date: May 30, 2023

What are your most-anticipated young adult books coming spring 2023?

Are you looking forward to any of the titles on my list? What’s coming out that I didn’t list but absolutely must add to my TBR? Leave a comment and let me know! I’d love to add more books to my list.

20 Most-Anticipated Middle Grade Books Coming Spring 2023

Lists, Middle Grade 8-12, News and Fun, , ,

I don’t know about anyone else, but I am super ready for spring– especially when I look at all the incredible middle grade books coming out this season! As I started putting together this list, I was amazed to realize that, for me, there are 20 most-anticipated middle grade books coming spring 2023.

I’ve included a few nonfiction titles on this list, which is unusual for me, but they were such great books that I couldn’t NOT talk about them. I hope you enjoy the list and find lots to add to your reading lists.

20 Most-Anticipated Middle Grade Books Coming Spring 2023

Total Garbage by Rebecca Donnelly and John Hendrix

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Where does trash go? What are we throwing away? How does it impact our world? I love that this book answers these and other questions in an accessible, frank way.

Release Date: March 7, 2023

Rebel Girls Rock: 25 Tales of Women in Music by Rebel Girls

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Lizzo, Dolly Parton, Ella Fitzgerald, Queen Latifah, and so many more biographies of incredible women (and bands!) in the music industry. Rebel Girls books have been on my TBR for a long time, and I’m excited to read this one!

Release Date: March 7, 2023

Making More: How Life Begins by Katherine Roy

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: This book gives an overview of how different types of animals and plants reproduce. I loved the straightforward science simplified perfectly for young readers.

Release Date: March 7, 2023

What Stays Buried by Suzanne Young

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A girl with the ability to speak to ghosts for a limited time is the only one who can solve the disappearances of missing children. Looks spooky and intense! I loved the YA duology that begins with GIRLS WITH SHARP STICKS by Suzanne Young, so I’m super intrigued to read a middle-grade title by her.

Release Date: March 7, 2023

A Bit of Earth by Karuna Riazi

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A reimagining of THE SECRET GARDEN featuring a Pakistani girl who moves to Long Island after her parents’ deaths. Looks immersive and beautiful– like everything I’d want from a reboot of a treasured childhood classic.

Release Date: March 14, 2023

Wild Bird by Diane Zahler

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: 14th Century Europe. A lost girl who can’t remember her name travels from Norway to England looking for safety from the plague. A really intriguing premise from an author I’ve enjoyed before.

Release Date: March 21, 2023

Mirror to Mirror by Rajani LaRocca

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Identical twins drifting apart agree to swap places for the summer. Whoever does a better job impersonating her sister gets to decide where they’ll go to school in the fall. This looks like a fun, fresh spin on a sister story– and I am desperate to read it.

Release Date: March 28, 2023

Kelcie Murphy and the Hunt for the Heart of Danu (Academy for the Unbreakable Arts #2) by Erika Lewis

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Celtic mythology. A magical boarding school. A girl who must overcome her people’s prejudices against her to recover a stolen artifact before the world is plunged into darkness. I didn’t read the first book in this series, but this one looks awesome.

Release Date Update: Originally March 28, but has been pushed back to July 25, 2023.

Deadlands: Hunted by Skye Melki-Wegner

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Described as WINGS OF FIRE meets JURASSIC PARK. Five dinosaurs must work together to save their kingdoms from ruin. Looks exciting and different.

Release Date: April 4, 2023

Nic Blake and the Remarkables by Angie Thomas

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Inspired by African American folklore and history and packed with suspense and fun. A girl must learn to use an unfamiliar magic to save her father. Angie Thomas is another author whose YA I’ve read and loved, so I’m excited to read her middle-grade debut.

Release Date: April 4, 2023

A Vanishing of Griffins by S. A. Patrick

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Book two in the Songs of Magic series. Three friends continue their adventure to find secrets about Griffins. Honestly, I’m interested in this one partly because I’ve enjoyed so many books by this publisher. It looks like a fun, fantastical adventure, too!

Release Date: April 11, 2023

The Swallowtail Legacy: Betrayal by the Book by Michael D. Beil

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: The sequel to THE WRECK AT ADA’S REEF brings us back to Swallowtail Island where a writer’s conference featuring Lark’s favorite author is underway. More mystery, fun, and excitement!

Release Date: April 18, 2023

Fireborn: Phoenix and the Frost Palace by Aisling Fowler

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Hailed as perfect for fans of The School for Good and Evil series, which I loved. A girl with powerful magic must make a journey into darkness and face a terrible foe in order to save a long-lost witch clan.

Release Date: April 18, 2023

The One and Only Ruby by Katherine Applegate

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: The story of Ruby, a young elephant from Katherine Applegate’s novel THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN. Looks like such a sweet, fun story.

Release Date: May 2, 2023

Fall of the School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Two brothers: one good, one evil, with one goal: protect the School, preserve the balance. What happens when they fail? I loved the first book in this duology, and it ended in a pretty dramatic way, so I can’t wait to read this one.

Release Date: May 2, 2023

Only Only Marisol Rainey by Erin Entrada Kelly

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A neighbor’s dog escapes, sending Marisol into worries about a ferocious beast roaming the streets. Can Marisol face her fears and help the lost dog find his way home? I’ve had my eye on this series, so I’m excited to check this one out.

Release Date: May 2, 2023

Squire & Knight by Scott Chantler

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A brainy, bookish squire and an inept knight. A demonic dragon plaguing the countryside. A town with secrets. Who will save the day? I’m super excited about this graphic novel.

Release Date: May 9, 2023

Ruby Lost and Found by Christina Li

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: Scavenger hunts left behind by her grandfather. A Chinese bakery on the brink of closing its doors. An unlikely friend in a boy from school who teams up with Ruby. This reminds me a little bit of both IT’S BOBA TIME FOR PEARL LI and FINALLY SEEN, so I’m super excited to read this.

Release Date: May 16, 2023

Spare Parts: The True Story of Four Undocumented Teenagers, One Ugly Robot, and an Impossible Dream (Young Readers’ Edition) by Joshua Davis and Reyna Grande

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: A true story of four undocumented teens and their robot, Stinky. Described as timely and empowering, and I can’t wait to read it.

Release Date: May 30, 2023

Falling Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: 2193 and a humanity that’s solved all its problems (Or have they?). What if nothing Zola sees is the truth? A middle-grade thriller by a bestselling author. I am excited about this one, too.

Release Date: May 30, 2023

What are the middle grade books coming spring 2023 that you’re most looking forward to?

Are you looking forward to any of the books on this list? Which middle-grade books are you most looking forward to this spring? Leave a comment and let me know!

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Books for International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Blogger's Favorites, Historical, Lists, Middle Grade 8-12, News and Fun, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , , , , ,

Top 10 Books for International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Friday, January 27 was International Holocaust Remembrance Day. On that date in 1945, the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated. Some of the stories listed here share the lives of some of those who were imprisoned there. Some were imprisoned at other camps. Still others fled their homes in Europe in an attempt to escape the Nazis.

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday topic is “freebie”, so I’ve chosen to share some of the books I’ve read or that are still on my reading list that feature stories based on historical events or family history. Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl in which bloggers share their top ten book choices. Here are mine for this week.

10 Books to Read for International Holocaust Remembrance Day

The Boy Who Followed His Father into Auschwitz: A True Story Retold for Young Readers by Jeremy Dronfield

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: The true story of two Austrian-Jewish brothers in WWII. One escapes to America. The other goes with his father into concentration camps, first Buchenwald and then Auschwitz.

Release Date: January 24, 2023

Boy From Buchenwald: The True Story of a Holocaust Survivor by Robbie Waisman with Susan McClelland

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: How the author and 472 other boys (including Elie Wiesel) survived imprisonment in Buchenwald and found hope when Albert Einstein and Rabbi Herschel Schacter brought them to a home for rehabilitation.

Release Date: May 11, 2021

Hedy’s Journey: The True Story of a Hungarian Girl Fleeing the Holocaust by Michelle Bisson

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: The story of the author’s mother and her journey through WWII Germany to escape to America.

Release Date: August 1, 2017

The Librarian of Auschwitz: The Graphic Novel by Antonio Iturbe, Salva Rubio, and Loreto Aroca

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: Based on the true story of a fourteen-year-old girl imprisoned in Auschwitz becomes the guardian of 8 books slipped past the guards. I enjoyed this graphic novel a lot and thought of Dita when reading another book that mentioned books in Auschwitz.

Release Date: January 3, 2023

MAUS:

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | Reviews: Book 1 . Book 2

What you need to know: A man navigates a challenging relationship with his father, a Holocaust survivor, who tells the tale of his experiences.

Release Date: November 19, 1996

28 Days: A Novel of Resistance in the Warsaw Ghetto

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: Ruthie and her family board the St. Louis to escape from Germany and the concentration camps. When they’re denied entrance to Havana, Ruthie is determined to help find a place she and her family will be safe. A novel in verse based on real historical events.

Release Date: May 1, 2021

28 Days: A Novel of Resistance in the Warsaw Ghetto

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | TBR

What you need to know: When she learns of plans to murder everyone living in the Warsaw Ghetto, sixteen-year-old Mira joins the resistance, holding the Ghetto for 28 days. Based on the author’s family history.

Release Date: March 14, 2014

Letters from Cuba by Ruth Behar

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | TBR

What you need to know: After fleeing to Cuba with her father, Esther writes letters to her sister, who remains in Poland with the rest of the family. She records all her experiences as she waits, desperately hoping the rest of her family will be able to make their escape from the Nazis as well. Based on the author’s family history.

Release Date: August 25, 2020

Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | TBR

What you need to know: In 1938 Italy, six-year-old Lia’s life is turned upside down by war. As danger grows, Lia and her sisters hide at a convent where she grows into a young teen, waiting for the day she can be “just a girl” again. A memoir adapted for young readers.

Release Date: January 1, 1994

The Length of a String by Elissa Brent Weissman

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | TBR

What you need to know: Imani, an adopted girl, discovers her grandmother’s diary in her search for her birth parents. In it, she discovers the story of Anna, her great grandmother, a Jewish girl who fled Nazi-occupied Luxembourg to the US where she was adopted herself.

Release Date: May 1, 2018

Have you read any books on the Holocaust or World War II?

If you have, which ones stick with you the most? Have you read any of the books on my list of ten books for International Holocaust Remembrance Day? Let me know! I would love to add more books to my reading list.

Top Ten Tuesday: Best Books by New Authors I Read in 2022

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Top Ten Authors New to Me that I Read in 2022

2022 was a great year for me in terms of finding debut authors whose books I loved and finally trying books by authors that I’d had on my TBR for a while. For this week’s Top Ten Tuesday, I’m sharing the top ten best books by new authors (or new to me authors) I read in 2022.

Out of the 171 books that I agreed to review in 2022, 121 of them were authors who were new to me. That doesn’t include the backlist titles that I read, which I am not doing a good job keeping track of right now. I would guess that I’ve read a majority of new authors in backlist titles as well, including Dean Atta, Bethany C. Morris, and Alice Oseman.

So, apparently I read a lot of new authors! Of all those authors, here are the books I ranked as the best six young adult and best four middle grade titles I read in 2022 by authors new to me.

Also, a couple weeks ago I posted a list of the best books I read in 2022. Several of those were by authors who could have been on this list, but honestly I read so many great titles last year that I decided to make a fresh list without overlapping the titles I mentioned before.

Note: Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl.

Top Ten Best Books by New-to-Me Authors

It Looks Like Us by Allison Ames

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: Did I mention that I’m not usually into horror? I couldn’t get enough of the Antarctic setting. The tenuous friendships disrupted by an alien or infection. Also, there’s a wildly rich, rocket launching, electric car manufacturing guy named Anton Rusk. Lol.

The Darkening by Sunya Mara

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: A city surrounded by a powerful storm filled with magic and monsters. A reluctant prince. A failed revolutionary determined to save her people no matter the cost. I loved the writing and the story kept me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait to read more.

My Mechanical Romance by Alexene Farol Follmuth

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: A robotics team superstar and guy who’s good at everything. A tinkerer who only joins the team under duress and isn’t impressed by him. This was such a fun story. I loved the banter and enemies to lovers elements of this one. Total win.

Year on Fire by Julie Buxbaum

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: This one definitely had WE WERE LIARS vibes for me. I got totally wrapped up in the characters and their connections to one another. Julie Buxbaum has other books out, and I cannot wait to read them all.

Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove by Rati Mehrotra

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: A girl with a bond to her queen who will do anything to protect the two princes. Until she learns a secret that causes her to question every loyalty she’s ever felt. I found the cover copy of this one confusing, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I devoured it in less than twenty-four hours. Loved it.

Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: I had heard really great things about the adult version of this book, so when I saw that there was a young adult version, I jumped at the chance to read and review it here. I loved the introspective questions, the history and ecology lessons woven together in perfect harmony.

Lotus Bloom and the Afro Revolution by Sherri Winston

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: Another title longlisted for the National Book Award– and so deservedly! Lotus is vibrant and talented. I loved the way she heard music in everything. Great writing, and fabulous story.

Ghostcloud by Michael Mann

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: A kidnapped boy is forced to work in a power plant. Then he discovers a ghost who may be able to help him escape. Totally fresh, fascinating story. I loved the ghostly world and relationships between characters.

The Insiders by Mark Oshiro

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: Three friends connected by a mysterious room that appears when they most need an escape from school. I loved the characters and the way the room responded to their stories. Super great book for anyone experiencing bullying and needing an escape.

Set Me Free by Ann Clare LeZotte

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads | My Review

What you need to know: A Deaf girl from Martha’s Vineyard is hired to teach a young girl who cannot speak. This one went straight to my heart. I loved Mary and walking with her as she processed her own trauma and found healing through helping another girl. Fantastic historical novel.

What are the best books by new authors you’ve read lately?

Do you read a lot of books by new authors, or do you tend to stick with tried-and-true authors you know? If you read new authors, which new authors or new-to-you authors are your current favorites?

Have you read any of the books on my list? What did you think of them? Leave a comment below and let me know!

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Goals for 2023

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Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Goals for 2023

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s topic is a really great one– bookish goals for 2023!

Every year I intend to do a post about this, but most years I don’t manage it. This year I’m being smart(er): I’m not waiting until the holidays get underway to begin thinking about my goals for the new year. As I’m starting this post, it’s October. It will take several sittings to complete the whole post, but my goal is that I won’t be sitting down to a blank screen in January when it’s time to get this queued up to share.

Bookish Goals for 2023

Reading Goals

  • Read at least 150 books. Last year I read over 200, so this is probably a conservative goal, which doesn’t bother me. A lot of my other goals are more ambitious, so it balances out in the end.
  • Say no when my calendar is full. I’m having a really hard time managing my blog calendar lately. There are too many great books out there that I want to read and talk about. For a long time, using a Google Calendar worked to help keep me from overcommitting. I may need a new strategy this year.

Backlist Reading Goals

  • Read and review a 3-5 classics that either are very timely, (hello, FAHRENHEIT 451 and THE FIRE NEXT TIME!) are by BIPOC authors, or are frequently challenged/banned books.
  • Read and review 3-5 backlist nonfiction titles, specifically history/social commentary/relevant self-help books. STAMPED and RADIUM GIRLS are both on this list for me.
  • Read and review 10-12 fiction titles that have been sitting on my shelves for way too long!

Book List Post Goals

  • Participate in 3-4 Top Ten Tuesday posts each quarter. This is a bit of a challenge, since I really agonize over TTT posts and sometimes the topics are just too hard for me to figure out. (I’m horrible at coming up with a list of warm fuzzy bookish moments, for example. I try and my mind goes utterly blank.)
  • Continue posting seasonal most-anticipated lists and wrap-up lists with my favorites from my reading list. These posts are a lot of fun and actually help keep me organized. They also get more engagement than a review post, which makes them super fun.
  • Post reading lists for monthly celebrations like Black History, Women’s History, AAPI Heritage, Pride, etc. This also requires that I’m reading books in those categories. I don’t want to talk the talk without walking the walk.

Retail and Goodreads Reviews

  • Keep up with retail and Goodreads reviews this year. Amazon made this UNBELIEVABLY HARD for me this past year, and I ended up kind of just giving up, which stinks since I know those reviews really help authors.
  • Create a reliable system for posting retail/Goodreads reviews, including when to write those reviews. I work best when I have a set point in my day or week when it’s time to do a task like this.

Work on My Own Bookish Projects

  • Publish a second e-book for indie authors. Years ago I published a short e-book called “Reviews Wanted” with a goal of publishing two more books in the blogger/author relationship vein. This year, I want to complete the second e-book. I’ve already got it outlined and a couple sections written, so I hope to finish that by the end of February.
  • Finish writing a young adult contemporary novel of my own. There’s a project that I’ve left mid-process for a long time that I really want to finish and send out into the world. My goal is to get that done this year after my blogger e-book is done.

What are your bookish goals for 2023?

Do you have any bookish goals for this year or New Year’s resolutions that you’d like to share?

Leave a comment and let me know what goals or resolutions you’ve set for yourself. I’d love to hear about them.