Tag Archives: grief

Review: How to Talk to Your Succulent by Zoe Persico

By | | , , , ,
1 Comment

How to Talk to Your Succulent by Zoe Persico

How to Talk to Your Succulent
Zoe Persico
Tundra Books
Published April 1, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About How to Talk to Your Succulent

After the loss of her mother, Adara struggles to communicate with her family about her grief. When a sympathetic ear arises in an unlikely place, Adara can finally find her words — but can she find the time to listen? A stunning graphic novel for middle-grade readers about family, friendship and magic in unlikely places, for fans of The Witches of Brooklyn and Raina Telgemeier.

Eleven-year-old Adara and her … Continue reading →

Review: The Siren’s Kiss by Leslie Vedder

By | | , , , ,
Leave a comment

The Siren's Kiss by Leslie Vedder

The Siren’s Kiss
Leslie Vedder
Abrams/Amulet
Published September 1, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Siren’s Kiss

Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Little Mermaid in this swashbuckling Sapphic fantasy!

Three years ago, Dead Shot Rayleigh laid hands on the legendary ruby the Siren’s Kiss andsuffered the wrath of the sea god, Red-Handed Roger.

Now bound as captain of his cursed ship, The Revenant, eighteen-year-old Rayleigh hatches a plan to win her freedom. Everyone knows that Red-Handed Roger’s heart was stolen by the Sea Witch. If she can get it back, she … Continue reading →

Review: Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

By | | , , ,
Leave a comment

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

Walk Two Moons
Sharon Creech
HarperCollins
Published October 6, 2009

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Walk Two Moons

“How about a story? Spin us a yarn.”
Instantly, Phoebe Winterbottom came to mind. “I could tell you an extensively strange story,” I warned.
“Oh, good!” Gram said. “Delicious!”
And that is how I happened to tell them about Phoebe, her disappearing mother, and the lunatic.

As Sal entertains her grandparents with Phoebe’s outrageous story, her own story begins to unfold — the story of a thirteen-year-old girl whose only wish is to be reunited with her … Continue reading →

Review: How to Lose Yourself Completely by Peter Bognanni

By | | , , ,
Leave a comment

How to Lose Yourself Completely by Peter Bognanni

How to Lose Yourself Completely
Peter Bognanni
Balzer + Bray
Published June 2, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About How to Lose Yourself Completely

An incredibly poignant story about a teen grappling with grief and anxiety who is sent to wilderness “adventure therapy,” where he meets a group of friends who will change his life forever. With its captivating voice and dry wit, this novel is perfect for fans of Jandy Nelson and John Green.

Ever since Sean’s death, Case’s anxiety has been spiraling. Sean wasn’t just his older brother—he was also Case’s best friend. The only person who really got him.

When his parents suggest “adventure therapy,” Case … Continue reading →

Review: The Labyrinth of Waking Dreams by Michelle Kulwicki

By | | , ,
2 Comments

The Labyrinth of Waking Dreams

The Labyrinth of Waking Dreams
Michelle Kulwicki
Page Street YA
Published April 21, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Labyrinth of Waking Dreams

In this adventure-packed portal fantasy, three teens discover a gateway to a mythical Labyrinth in the Appalachian Mountains

Barren’s Peak, West Virginia, is not a place anyone would call magical, but Thea LaGuerre calls it home. A high school drop-out whose mother died in an accident, Thea is stuck working part-time jobs just to make ends meet. The most she has to look forward to are barn parties where she can make out with Callum, … Continue reading →

Review: Creepy Kid by Caleb Roehrig

By | | , , ,
Leave a comment

Creepy Kid by Caleb Roehrig

Creepy Kid
Caleb Roehrig
HarperCollins
Published August 25, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Creepy Kid

A hilariously creepy middle grade novel from award-winning author Caleb Roehrig! Poe has spent his whole life wishing he could meet a ghost, but when he moves into a real-life haunted house, he discovers that communing with the other side might be a little more than he bargained for.

Twelve-year-old Edgar Alden, also known as “Poe,” has always been an outcast. Obsessed with the macabre, he’s never remotely hit it off with other kids. Only Grandma ever really understood his love for the … Continue reading →