Tag Archives: BIPOC

Review: I Shall Never Fall in Love by Hari Connor

Graphic Novel or Adaptation, Historical, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , ,
I Shall Never Fall in Love by Hari Conner

I Shall Never Fall in Love
Hari Conner
HarperAlley
Published November 19, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About I Shall Never Fall in Love

George has major problems: They’ve just inherited the failing family estate, and the feelings for their best friend, Eleanor, have become more complicated than ever. Not to mention, if anyone found out they were secretly dressing in men’s clothes, George is sure it would be ruination for the family name.

Eleanor has always wanted to do everything “right,” including falling in love—but she’s never met a boy she was interested in. She’d much rather spend time with her best friend, George, and beloved cousin Charlotte. However, when a new suitor comes to town, she finds her closest friendships threatened, forcing her to rethink what “right” means and confront feelings she never knew she had.

Inspired by Jane Austen and queer history, I Shall Never Fall in Love shines a light on what it means to be true to yourself and rewrites the rules for what makes a happily ever after.

My Review

Elisabeth at The Dirigible Plum recommended this book during a KidLit chat recently, and I immediately requested a hold on it through my library. After reading Renegade Girls: A Queer Tale of Romance and Rabble-rousing by Nora Neus, I craved more historical graphic novels, so this fit perfectly into that need for me.

I didn’t spot the connections to Pride & Prejudice and Emma by Jane Austen right away, but once I saw the parallels, I found them delightful. There are certain scenes that can’t help but call to mind moments from Austen’s novels. I love that.

I also loved the evolution of the characters, especially Ellie and George. At the start of the book, Ellie assumes that she simply doesn’t want to marry anyone. As the story progresses, she begins evaluating her feelings more closely and discovers that she has romantic feelings for someone unexpected.

George always seems to walk this tightrope line in which they know they’re unusual and make uncompromising choices regardless of societal norms. At the same time, they hide parts of themselves that they worry are “too much” or too far outside the expectations of others. As they find a supportive community, they grow more comfortable being their true self.

The romances develop in such a sweet way, too. I loved Charlotte’s romantic story, and especially the backstory about her family and their desires for her. Ellie’s romance really shows the giddiness that comes from finding your person, someone who truly sees you and being able to celebrate that wholeheartedly.

If you like regency-era fiction and graphic novels, don’t miss this fabulously fun story.

Content Notes for I Shall Never Fall in Love

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
mild profanity used very infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
None.

Drug Content
I think there’s a brief reference to drinking alcohol, but nothing on-scene, if I’m remembering right.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I borrowed this book from my library. All opinions are my own.

Review: Monster by Walter Dean Myers

Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , ,

Monster
Walter Dean Myers
HarperCollins
Published May 1, 2001 (Orig. 1999)

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Monster

This New York Times bestselling novel and National Book Award nominee from acclaimed author Walter Dean Myers tells the story of Steve Harmon, a teenage boy in juvenile detention and on trial. Presented as a screenplay of Steve’s own imagination, and peppered with journal entries, the book shows how one single decision can change our whole lives.

Fade In: Interior: Early Morning In Cell Block D, Manhattan Detention Center.

Steve (Voice-Over)
Sometimes I feel like I have walked into the middle of a movie. Maybe I can make my own movie. The film will be the story of my life. No, not my life, but of this experience. I’ll call it what the lady prosecutor called me … Monster.

My Review

I’ve had this book on my reading list for probably ten years, which feels surreal. I read On a Clear Day by Walter Dean Myers back in 2015, and after that, I looked up more of his books for my reading list. So here I am, finally circling back for Monster.

I read this book as an audiobook with a full cast, which I think helped me imagine the story as a movie. It’s a really quick read. I believe the audiobook runtime is less than three hours.

Powerful storytelling fills the pages of this book. I felt immediately connected to the characters and especially the plight of Steve as he prepares for a trial that will determine whether he spends decades in prison. It was easy to read between the lines of dialogue in the scenes, though, and feel like I understood what was going on in the characters’ heads or between the lines.

The story gives readers space to think about what makes someone a monster as each witness appears or each lawyer speaks. Though the author limits the content, keeping the story appropriate for its intended audience, he doesn’t flinch from hard truths about life in prison. The juxtaposition of Steve’s youth and inexperience against the harsh reality of prison life is shocking. I couldn’t help but think of real-life teens in similar situations as I read.

The ending really got me, too. I won’t spoil what happens, but I was impressed with the nuance and the impact of the scene in which the jury delivers its verdict. That scene will replay in my head for a long time.

I recommend this book for anyone interested in fiction about incarcerated teens, especially for younger teens.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 13 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Two uses of mild profanity.

Romance/Sexual Content
One scene very briefly mentions sexual assault. Some characters reference assault or a fear of being assaulted.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
References to gun violence (happened off-scene). References to and brief descriptions of fighting. Reference to domestic violence (happened off-scene). References to sexual assault. References to cutting someone with a knife (happened off-scene).

Drug Content
References to smoking cigarettes.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. All opinions are my own.

Review: The Rez Doctor by Gitz Crazyboy, et al

Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Graphic Novel or Adaptation, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , ,

The Rez Doctor
Gitz Crazyboy
Illustrated by Veronika Barinova
Coloring by Azby Whitecalf
Lettering by Toben Racicot
Highwater Press
Published September 10, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Rez Doctor

Young Ryan Fox gets good grades, but he’s not sure what he wants to be when he grows up. It isn’t until he meets a Blackfoot doctor during a school assembly that he starts to dream big.

However, becoming a doctor isn’t easy. University takes Ryan away from his family and the Siksikaitsitapi community, and without their support, he begins to struggle. Faced with more stress than he’s ever experienced, he turns to partying. Distracted from his responsibilities, his grades start to slip. His bills pile up. Getting into med school feels impossible. And now his beloved uncle is in jail. Can Ryan regain his footing to walk the path he saw so clearly as a boy?

This inspiring graphic novel for young adults is based on a true story.

My Review

I didn’t realize when I read this book that it was inspired by someone’s life. The story follows Ryan as he struggles in school, navigates growing up in a Native community, and becomes inspired to go to medical school and serve his people as a doctor. He faces challenges both in and out of school and college, and nearly gives up more than once. Ultimately, he finds his way through school and family life and leaves readers with an uplifting message about achieving one’s dreams.

The story does show some alcohol consumption and some harmful consequences. For example, Ryan’s uncle comes home drunk with his face bruised. Later, Ryan visits him in jail. In college, Ryan goes out drinking with friends and quickly discovers his grades suffer if he does this, so he quits. I think those scenes make it a little tricky to find the right reader age group. The length of the book will appeal to younger readers, but the content seems targeted more toward older readers.

All in all, this is an inspiring story that shows the importance of resilience and persistence. It’s a really short book– only about 60 pages– and written in graphic novel format, so it’s great for reluctant readers. I could see this being a useful aid for a social studies or career-focused school unit.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
One instance of mild profanity.

Romance/Sexual Content
One image shows a couple kissing. Another image shows a couple at a wedding.

Spiritual Content
Ryan asks tribal leaders and Creator for help.

Violent Content
A man comes home with a black eye and tells Ryan he was in a fight.

Drug Content
References to a family member drinking and getting into trouble (happens off-scene.) Ryan and his friends go out drinking. At one point, a friend offers him some pills.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: The Others by Cheryl Isaacs

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The Others (The Unfinished #2)
Cheryl Isaacs
Heartdrum
Published September 16, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Others

In this haunting sequel to her deliciously scary debut, Cheryl Isaacs (Mohawk) explores the sharp edges of lingering trauma and the bonds of love that heal us.

Only weeks ago, Avery pulled her best friend, Key, from the deadly black water. The cycle from her family’s Kanyen’kehá:ka (Mohawk) stories is finally broken, the black water is now a harmless lake, and her problems are far from All Avery wants is a normal summer with Key, her now-boyfriend.

The trauma, however, casts a long shadow over the town. Some victims never returned. Terrifying memories threaten to resurface, but Avery pushes them down. Who she’s really worried about is Key. The two are supposed to be closer than ever—so why does he feel so distant?

Wracked by anxiety, Avery begins to see a chilling reflection in every mirror, one that moves on its own—and she’s not the only one. With her family’s safety in the balance, Avery must Run away to the safety of normal life with Key, or return to lake’s edge and face her reflection, before her home is subsumed by darkness once and for all….

My Review

I read the first book in this series recently, and I’m still blown away by how creepy the small pond in the story is. In this sequel, the story again takes something that we encounter all the time and makes it unsettling. This time, Avery starts seeing reflections behaving in ways that are not quite right. Isaacs nails that hackles-raising sensation of looking at something and not being able to say why it’s wrong, but being unable to shake the feeling.

If you didn’t read the first book, I think you could still follow this one. The narrative has some brief explanations of what happened in The Unfinished for readers who’ve forgotten the details or skipped straight to this novel.

I found myself wishing that there was a little more romance, especially toward the end. I wanted to see them finally connect after nearly two books of obstacles in their way. That said, I think keeping the romance on the back burner as the pacing sped up and the intensity deepened was the right call. It always feels a little false when characters who are in life-and-death situations seem to forget the danger they face because they’re attracted to each other. This book neatly avoids that potential pitfall.

I sped through this book even more quickly than Isaacs’ debut. If you’re looking for an eerie Halloween read that turns simple things into sinister things, put this one at the top of your list!

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 13 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing. Vague speculation about two adults who begin living together.

Spiritual Content
One character shares a Mohawk prayer of thanksgiving. Avery remembers this prayer and prays at a critical moment.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Someone attempts to murder someone else. Avery finds herself in a dangerous landscape populated with unseen monsters.

Drug Content
Avery and her boyfriend sip alcoholic drinks at a party.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: A Mastery of Monsters by Liselle Sambury

Fantasy, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , , , , ,

A Mastery of Monsters
Liselle Sambury
Margaret K. McElderry
Published July 29, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About A Mastery of Monsters

Ninth House meets Legendborn in this thrilling first book in a dark academia fantasy series about a teen who’s willing to do anything to find her brother—even infiltrate a secret society full of monsters.

When August’s brother disappears before his sophomore semester, everyone thinks the stress of college got to him. But August knows her brother would never have left her voluntarily, especially not after their mother so recently went missing.

The only clue he left behind was a note telling her to stay safe and protect their remaining family. And after August is attacked by a ten-foot-tall creature with fur and claws, she realizes that her brother might be in more danger than she could have imagined.

Unfortunately for her, the only person with a connection to the mysterious creature is the bookish Virgil Hawthorne…and he knows about them because he is one. If he doesn’t find a partner to help control his true nature, he’ll lose his humanity and become a mindless beast—exactly what the secret society he’s grown up in would love to put down.

Virgil makes a proposition: August will join his society and partner with him, and in return, he’ll help her find her brother. And so August is plunged into a deadly competition to win one of the few coveted candidate spots, all while trying to accept a frightening reality: that monsters are real, and she has to learn to master them if she’s to have any hope of saving her brother.

My Review

I was really on the edge about whether or not to read this book. It’s almost 600 pages, and I tend to struggle with longer books like that. I had heard such great things about the author, though, that I decided to give the book a try.

Sometimes when I read a long book, I find myself skimming large sections and thinking the book could easily have been 100 pages shorter. I did not do that with A Mastery of Monsters. So. Much. Happens. In this book. It’s nonstop packed with action from start to finish.

August is such an intricately crafted character. She’s still reeling from grief over her mom’s disappearance, but she also has this (understandable) complex where she hyperfixates on fears of disappointing people. Those fears end up becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy as she self-sabotages again and again. Her distrust of others and lone-wolf mentality were so easy to relate to.

In the story, August becomes involved with a group called the Learner’s Society. It’s supposed to seem very high brow and elitist, and yet has these ideals of equity and inclusiveness. Right away, August has questions. It feels like a cult to her, and though she needs them to help her find her brother, she’s committed not to trust the organization. I loved that tension between her and the group.

I thought the ending was also well-balanced. It answers the questions that the premise promised and introduces a new conflict for readers to look forward to in the second book. If the next book is as long as this one, I don’t know whether or not I’ll continue with the series.

Conclusion

I enjoyed the story. I think the length was warranted. It’s just hard for me to commit that much time to one book at this point in my reading life, so we’ll see. I think contemporary fantasy fans will really enjoy this book.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used here and there.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
Some characters transform into monsters. If they bond with a non-monster person, through a special ritual, the non-monster can help the monster retain control of their actions and change back into a human form. A select few have the ability to control any monster, even those they haven’t bonded with. Powerful items offer the ability to control monsters.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Brief graphic descriptions of monster-induced injuries. Brief graphic descriptions of combat.

Drug Content
The opening scene shows a drunk college girl leaving a club and heading for her dorm. August also gets drunk to escape heightened grief or overwhelm. A couple other scenes show college students sharing a glass of wine.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

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Swim Team
Johnnie Christmas
HarperAlley
Published May 17, 2022

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Swim Team

Bree can’t wait for her first day at her new middle school, Enith Brigitha, home to the Mighty Manatees–until she’s stuck with the only elective that fits her schedule, the dreaded Swim 101. The thought of swimming makes Bree more than a little queasy, yet she’s forced to dive headfirst into one of her greatest fears. Lucky for her, Etta, an elderly occupant of her apartment building and former swim team captain, is willing to help.

With Etta’s training and a lot of hard work, Bree suddenly finds her swim-crazed community counting on her to turn the school’s failing team around. But that’s easier said than done, especially when their rival, the prestigious Holyoke Prep, has everything they need to leave the Mighty Manatees in their wake.

Can Bree defy the odds and guide her team to a state championship, or have the Manatees swum their last lap–for good?

My Review

I’ve heard so many great things about this book– I’m really glad I finally had a chance to read it. Bree’s relationship with her dad is so sweet. When the story opens, they’re driving to Florida, where a new apartment awaits them. Bree makes new connections, from the neighbor who helps with her care, to a girl living in the apartment complex, and eventually, to a whole team of girls on the swim team.

As Bree explores her fears of the water and braves learning to swim, she learns some of the history behind why many Black Americans don’t feel safe at a public pool or have experience swimming. Her neighbor explains the impact of segregation. She talks about how it prevented people of color from accessing pools or beaches in the past.

I had never really thought about this myself until several years ago when one of the contestants on the show Survivor spoke about it. I just hadn’t put those pieces together, but as soon as the contestant explained, it made (awful) sense.

In light of that history, watching Bree claim ownership of her skills and find joy in the water as a swimmer and member of a competitive team is really moving. I also loved the way the relationships in the book are portrayed. I especially enjoyed those between the girls on the team, Etta and Bree, and Bree and her dad. The ending, which shows Bree sharing her expertise by helping someone else overcome a fear of the water, is absolutely perfect.

This is a fabulous choice for readers interested in swimming as a sport or looking for a graphic novel about friendship.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
A few mean comments from one girl to another. References to segregation in America and how it affected Black citizen’s access to public pools. One page shows protests against segregation.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. All opinions are my own.