Tag Archives: abuse

Review: Liar’s Kingdom by Christine Calella

By | | , , ,
2 Comments

Liar's Kingdom by Christine Calella

Liar’s Kingdom
Christine Calella
Page Street YA
Published January 14, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Liar’s Kingdom

Ell has spent years slaving away for her cruel stepfamily. So when Prince Bayard—who seems to have difficulty recognizing faces—shows up at her door with a glass slipper, Ell allows him to believe she danced with him at the ball. There’s just one problem: Ell didn’t attend the ball and she’s never met the prince before in her life. But if it’s a choice between moving to the royal palace or staying home, Ell is willing to say anything to escape.

However, Ell finds that being … Continue reading →

Banned Books Review: Tricks by Ellen Hopkins

By | | , , ,
Leave a comment

Tricks by Ellen Hopkins

Tricks
Ellen Hopkins
Margaret K. McElderry Books
Published August 25, 2009

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Tricks

Five teenagers from different parts of the country. Three girls. Two guys. Four straight. One gay. Some rich. Some poor. Some from great families. Some with no one at all. All living their lives as best they can, but all searching … for freedom, safety, community, family, love. What they don’t expect, though, is all that can happen when those powerful little words “I love you” are said for all the wrong reasons.

Five moving stories remain separate at first, then interweave to tell a … Continue reading →

Review: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

By | | , ,
Comments Off on Review: Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Wuthering Heights
Emily Brontë
Viking Classics
Published November 22, 2022 (Orig. 1847)

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Wuthering Heights

“Whatever our souls are made out of, his and mine are the same.” -Catherine

Emily Brontë’s 1847 gothic novel is set on the windy moors of Yorkshire and depicts the tragic and ill-fated love between Catherine Earnshaw and her father’s adopted son, Heathcliff.

Using vivid imagery to portray their volatile, passionate relationship, Brontë has crafted a timeless masterpiece that honestly depicts the pain and anguish felt from love, hatred, and revenge.

For over 150 years, millions of readers … Continue reading →

Review: In the Orbit of You by Ashley Schumacher

By | | , , ,
2 Comments

In the Orbit of You by Ashley Schumacher cover shows a girl with reddish hair in a bun wearing a turtleneck sweater kissing a boy's nose. The boy is lying in the grass wearing a jacket and jeans.

In the Orbit of You
Ashley Schumacher
Wednesday Books
Published March 19, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About In the Orbit of You

In the Orbit of You is a YA story of enduring love from acclaimed author Ashley Schumacher, where a personality test reunites two friends and makes them second guess their careful plans.

It’s been years since Nova Evans last saw Sam. She was too young then to understand why he had to move … Continue reading →

Review: It’s Only a Game by Kelsey Yu

By | | , ,
Comments Off on Review: It’s Only a Game by Kelsey Yu

It's Only a Game by Kelsea Yu

It’s Only a Game
Kelsey Yu
Bloomsbury YA
Published July 9, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About It’s Only a Game

In this twisty, fast-paced YA thriller, a dangerous game becomes all too real when Marina and her friends are framed for murder.

When Marina Chan ran from her old life, she brought nothing with her-not even her real name. Now she lives in fear of her past being discovered. But when her online gaming team is offered a tour of their favorite game company, Marina can’t resist accepting, even though she knows it might put her fake identity at risk.

Then … Continue reading →

Review: Hurdles in the Dark by Elvira K. Gonzalez

By | | , , ,
Comments Off on Review: Hurdles in the Dark by Elvira K. Gonzalez

Hurdles in the Dark by Elvira K. Gonzalez

Hurdles in the Dark: My Story of Survival, Resilience and Triumph
Elvira K. Gonzalez
Roaring Brook Press
Published May 28, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Hurdles in the Dark: My Story of Survival, Resilience and Triumph

A Mexican-American teen girl dreams of winning an athletic scholarship against all odds in a Texas border town. This true story of survival, strength, and triumph is perfect for fans of Educated and Athlete A.

Twenty-four that’s how long fourteen-year-old Elvira Gonzalez is given to come up with the $40,000 she needs to save her kidnapped mother from a drug cartel. It’s 2006 … Continue reading →