Review: On the Block: Stories of Home edited by Ellen Oh

On the Block: Stories of Home edited by Ellen Oh

On the Block: Stories of Home
Edited by Ellen Oh
Crown Books for Young Readers
Published October 22, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About On the Block: Stories of Home

From We Need Diverse Books comes a heart-warming middle-grade anthology that follows the loosely interconnected lives of multigenerational immigrant families inhabiting the Entrada apartment building. Edited by Ellen Oh, a founding member of WNDB.”The beauty of their shared home does not come from any single person, but instead from the sum of their experiences” -Meg Medina, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature

12 Families. 12 Cultures. … Continue reading

MMGM Review: Just Lizzie by Karen Wilfrid

Just Lizzie by Karen Wilfrid

Just Lizzie
Karen Wilfrid
Clarion Books
Published November 14, 2023

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Just Lizzie

A 2024 LAMBDA AWARD FINALIST

In this beautifully written contemporary middle grade debut, an eighth grader’s study of asexuality in science class leads her to understand her own asexual identity as she embarks on a journey toward self-discovery and self-advocacy. For readers of Alex Gino and Ashley Herring Blake.

“There’s the part of me that doesn’t understand kissing or cuteness or attraction, and then there’s the part of me that feels so lonely. How do I make sense of those two parts? Maybe I’ll never … Continue reading

Review: Under the Fading Sky by Cynthia Kadohata

Under the Fading Sky by Cynthia Kadohata

Under the Fading Sky
Cynthia Kadohata
Atheneum
Published April 22, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Under the Fading Sky

A teen boy thinks his vaping habit is harmless until it becomes a crippling addiction of nightmarish dimensions in this searing young adult novel from Newbery and National Book Award winner Cynthia Kadohata.

Sixteen-year-old Elijah is pretty damn sick of his parents always being on his case about vaping. It’s not like he’s shooting up or knocking back pills. Until something changes, so slowly Jacob isn’t even aware it’s happening. Instead of vaping every now and then when he wants to, he’s vaping all … Continue reading

Review: Dragon Spear by Jessica Day George

Dragon Spear by Jessica Day George

Dragon Spear
Jessica Day George
Bloomsbury
Published May 12, 2009

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Dragon Spear

The third and final installment in New York Times bestselling author Jessica Day George’s dragon fantasy series races to a dramatic finale.

As far as Creel is concerned, all is finally right with the world. For the first time in centuries it seems dragons and humans might be able to live together in peace. So what better time for Creel and Luka to plan their wedding.

But then the dragon queen, Velika, is kidnapped by a band of rogue dragons in need of a ruler. When … Continue reading

Review: Joy to the World by Kai Shappley and Lu Bunker

Joy, to the World by Kai Shappley and Lisa Bunker

Joy to the World
Kai Shappley and Lu Bunker (writing at the time as Lisa Bunker)
Publisher
Published May 9, 2023

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Joy to the World

A young Dumplin’ meets Melissa in this joyful and energetic middle grade novel about a twelve-year-old girl living her life to the fullest, celebrating her love for sports and fighting for her right to cheer.

Joy, a twelve-year-old trans girl, just moved to Texas with her mother and older brother. Her family has accepted Joy as the girl she is early in her transition, with little fuss, leaving Joy to explore her love of … Continue reading

Review: Keeper Chance and the Conundrum of Chaos by Alex Evanovich

Keeper Chance and the Conundrum of Chaos by Alex Evanovich

Keeper Chance and the Conundrum of Chaos
Alex Evanovich
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published October 8, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Keeper Chance and the Conundrum of Chaos

For graduates of Percy Jackson comes the adventure-filled story of an average boy offered a life of villainy that’s about good vs. evil, mischief vs. mayhem, and making your mark on the world, by acclaimed author Alex Evanovich. 

If you’ve ever lost a sock in the dryer, it might have been the work of the Evil Villains International League, EVIL. And if your feet smell so bad, they keep … Continue reading