YA – Page 2 – One Chapter

Dear Manny by Nic Stone

5 stars YA

It’s coming to an end. A white, privileged male faces the hard truth of life. Now that he’s in college, running for office, he’s having to face the reality of a life that has led him to where he is today. Everything that he has learned and been instilled comes into play. What kind of a life had he really been living?

Up against the other candidates, the struggle gets real, and his awareness grows. This powerful story is a three-book series, which I have enjoyed since the beginning. I do think you should start at book one to fully appreciate this story.

Weirdo by Tony Weaver, Jr.

4.5 stars Graphic Novel Memoir

Overload. Tony is trying, I mean really trying to find a place to land. I thought the main character, Tony, acted more mature than those around him which made him different. As Tony enters a new school again, you’d think he’d be used to all the challenges being in a new environment brings. Tony even has a list of survival tips but this time, those tips aren’t working. Tony is being pulled in multiple directions the minute that he arrives at Chambers Academy. He knew that being in the high achiever’s program would be a challenge, but he was not expecting this. It’s not the schoolwork that’s dragging him under but it’s everything else. It was a tense and frustrating time for Tony and for me! Dang, Tony really stuck with it longer than he should have. Once again, Tony is facing another school, another day where he’s the new kid and learning the ropes. Hopefully, this school will be better than the last one– it has to be, right?!?!!

He made it. Tony found somewhere safe. Somewhere where he can be Tony and be accepted. Tony has a voice and with others, they learn to use them.

There’s a lot of hard topics discussed in this book(memoir). Hard topics, real topics that young individuals must deal with today. I liked the honesty and openness that the topics are discussed. The textboxes were easy to follow in this book and there was quite a bit of text to read. For mature audiences: there are mentions of attempted suicide, bullying, depression, and other mental health issues. 4.5 stars.

The Glass Girl by Kathleen Glasgow

5 stars YA mental health

I couldn’t put this book down as I needed to know the fate of these characters. The language and the subtleness of the book was whisking me away. Each puppet carried their own distinct voice and personality and value. The wolf and his comments about his teeth, the king ‘s comments about what he thought his status represented. The owl’s wisdom, the boy’s desires, and the girl’s insight. They each had a vision, a desire, and even though they knew they were puppets, they had hope.

The journey is just beginning for the puppets as they soon find themselves moving. Inside the box, the puppets feel the box moving but where they are going, they do not know. Finally at their destination, two small voices can be heard. Martha and Emma have received the box from their uncle, a box of puppets. Emma and Martha have their own hopes and desires when they see what was inside the box and it becomes one fantastic story as each of the puppets begin their own journey on their own way to fulfill their own destiny. It’s a short story but the journey is quite impressive. I really enjoyed this book.

The pressures were mounting. Issues were stacking inside her head like a Jenga tower, and she needed a release. To the outside of the world, she had it all together, at least she thought she did. The weight and tensions of the world were bearing down on her and those first few sips cooled the fires within her. She could juggle life and a couple drinks to get her through the day but then, those couple drinks began to multiple. A couple of drinks and a light buzz turned into a handful of drinks, a variety of concoctions now flowed through her veins and Bella’s life began to change.

The roles/ titles that Bella once proudly wore were no longer important. Bella: a student, a sister, a friend, a daughter, an employee, these titles took a backseat for now, what was important was where and what drink could Bella get to help her make it through the day. Bella’s situation comes to an abrupt stop when she hits bottom. Finding herself in rehab, she, like many others struggle and this book isn’t glamourous. We don’t find Bella walking out of rehab with a gold star on her chest, this book doesn’t end with a happily ever after because typically, life comes with battles. Battles make us stronger. This book is about struggles, about the push-and-pulls of addiction. Life isn’t easy and Bella shows us her struggles now and the reality that she will continue to struggle throughout her life. Addiction is real, addiction is hard, addiction is everywhere. Addiction is not just alcohol either and it affects everyone. This was an excellent audio book. 5 stars

Visitations by Corey Egbert

4.5 stars Graphic Novel

Oh,Corey. Corey looked to his mother for love and security, but she was dragging him with her. Based on the true life of Corey Ebgert, Corey had a religious upbringing in the Mormon faith. His mother was the center of his life, and he felt the need to watch over her. After his parents’ divorce, Corey and his sister would visit their father according to the arrangement they had set up. Mother would be ready when they returned home with questions about their visits and the battering that went on, mother was just looking for something, anything to “hang on” their father.

Corey and his sister’s life begin to take a drastic change one evening as they prepare to go to their father’s. According to their mother, she tells the children that they don’t have to go to their dads for a visitation and when he arrives, all three of them ignore and hide from him. Mother takes this behavior a bit further as she tells the children to pack their bags and soon the whole family is leaving the house, in their car. They are on the run. Running from everyone. The children listen to mother’s “logic” as their car becomes their home and they have nothing to cling onto but themselves and each other. As a child, I could see how their world would become confusing and scary. Mother is spiraling out of control and taking those small innocent children with her.

This graphic novel was such a powerful story about mental health, religious control, abuse, parental kidnapping and childhood trauma. I commend Corey for writing it and speaking about his own personal story as I’m sure this will help and/or bring comfort to other individuals who read it.

I was a bit confused about the angel images in the later part of the book, otherwise it was a great book for older YA readers. 4.5 stars

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

5 stars Fantasy

This book was so much fun! After reading this book, I went to the library and checked out the audiobook which I highly recommend. Putting actual voices to the characters made this book much more enjoyable and I can still hear each one of their unique personalities as Linus steps on the island so he can investigate the Marsyas Island Orphanage, home to six orphans which are supposed to be extremely dangerous.

Linus takes his job seriously, a job with the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. When summoned by Extremely Upper Management, Linus is given a top-secret mission, a job he must leave immediately for. For one month, Linus must live on the island, assessing the orphanage and report his findings back to upper management. As Linus begins his reports, he’s very structured as he writes about the six orphans and Arthur, the individual in-charge of the orphanage but as his month comes to an end, his reports become more emotional in nature.

Arthur knows exactly why Linus has arrived and he’s protective of the individuals that he’s in-charge of. They’re not just orphans to Arthur; they are his family, and you can feel the love and commitment that Arthur has to these children. Linus, on the other hand, is a character who seems rigid and is one of those by-the-book, kind of individuals when he arrives but as he gets to know the children, he begins to soften. He starts to understand them and appreciates them for who they are. He likes what they have, he likes how he feels around them, and he notices things that he has never noticed before – it’s like Linus has finally woken up. His senses have finally woken up and everything is alive.

The children are a mixed bunch, a group of extremely dangerous individuals, they say. Do these individuals really know who these children are? I can’t tell you how many times I laughed at their comments and/or the things that they would do. I admit, they were a quirky and unique group of children, but they were “magical youths.” I liked how they accepted one another, and they acted like siblings. They each knew their place and were appreciative of each other.

It was an entertaining and fun read. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this story. The world building and the characters were fabulous! 5 stars

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko

5 stars YA Middle School

A child having to act like an adult, when will he ever get those years back? Hank wore his mother’s “hat” while she worked and went out. It’s been a week now and Geri hasn’t returned. Hank and his sister Boo have run out of food, and they’ve just learned that they’re being evicted. What’s an eleven-year-old boy supposed to do with his three-year old sister when they’re all alone?

Hank finds a name listed as an emergency contact on a form, a friend of his deceased grandmother, and it’s Lou Ann, that gives Hank his only hope. Using his mom’s bus pass, Boo and Hank hunt down Lou Ann and hope that she’ll help them. When it rains, it pours, and I felt for Hank as he struggles to be strong and not lose hope when faced with so many obstacles. Lou Ann adores Boo immediately but there is some hesitation with Hank which Hank also feels but Lou Ann welcomes them. Running a daycare, Boo fits in perfectly with Lou Ann’s routine but Hank, it’s a different story. The authorities are contacted, a search for Geri has started, the children need to be reunited with their mother. Hank is introduced to a neighbor, Ray, who is a relative of one of his mom’s friends. Hank finally has another guy that he can hang out with, even though he is older than Hank, and Hank starts a new middle school.

It seems like Hank and Boo have finally gotten into a positive routine, plus and minus a few odds and ends. Boo is learning and growing at the daycare and Hank feels she’s safe and happy. Hank likes school and he’s found that he’s great at basketball. He’s making friends and for once, he doesn’t have to wear the “parent hat” and he can enjoy just being a young adult. The siblings are separated for most of the day and that takes some getting used to as with them having to relinquish control which takes time. If the book could have only continued on with their happily-ever-after story, some pieces of the story would have never been resolved yet the troubles for these two might have been over, but they weren’t. Geri waltzes into the picture and tries to take control…….afterall, she is their mom. What will the children do? What should they do? It makes sense, but life is so hard.

I really enjoyed this book. A great story about life, difficulties and choices. Hank loves his sister so much that he would do anything for her and to make sure that her needs are met. He also feels committed to his mom, even though she’s not perfect. I liked the extra characters as they helped Hank see who he was deep down inside and give him the strength and motivation to succeed. 5 stars

Ultraviolet by Aida Salazar

4 stars YA

A kaleidoscope of colors lit up his world whenever he was close to Camelia. It happened the minute she walked into his life. This bright display of color awoke something within Elio, and he knew immediately that Camelia was “the one”. She said yes when he asked her to be his girl and things changed after that. Paco, his best friend hooked up with Laurette and now, the four of them hang out as couples.

In previous years, the boy’s only group chats centered around mundane subjects. But it’s now 8^th grade and with hormones churning, the boys are chatting it up about girls. Everything about girls is being discussed. I couldn’t believe how much Elio had fallen in love with Camelia already. He was infatuated with her. I was worried about their relationship, and I started to question where things were headed. I felt that Elio was smitten with Camelia, yet she acted like she wasn’t aware of his deep feelings, or she just wasn’t concerned with how he felt.

Pops suggests a new group to Elio, a group where they can discuss “manly things and indigenous Mexican” topics. Although Elio doesn’t like the sound of it, it might be exactly what he needs. With so much happening and his emotions running high, Elio needs an outlet. Elio was with Camelia, or at least he thought he was until Chava comes waltzing into the picture. Talk about drama! What is up with Camelia, is she blind? I was getting more frustrated with Camelia the longer and Chava……I just wanted to punch him. Elio needs to let them be but he can’t and its getting out of control…… the train is coming off the track………

What a book……lots of emotions and drama happening inside this book, told in verse. Elio is in love; it’s his first love and it’s everything. Nothing is sacred as he discloses his life. He hits on the physical, emotional, and “manly” side of things, a guy who tells it like it is. For older audiences, this book hits on some mature topics. I love a book that pulls intense emotions out of me. 4 stars

Dust by Alison Stine

5 stars YA

What if you lived your life without ______ every word that was spoken to ______? It’d be hard to fully engage _____ with others, as you’d have to either _____ what they said or just not ____ yourself in their conversation. Thea’s parents knew about her deafness, yet they did nothing to improve her situation. They had taught Thea to hide her impairment from others and so she had, missing out on bits and pieces of her life.

It’s her father’s rules that lands the family in the dust bowl. Her father saw opportunity, but did he really see the whole picture. It’s all around them……despair and dust. Every morning, the floor is coated before they give it a good sweep and the sandy pieces fall into every dish and surface, swallowing up their little house. Father wants them off the grid, he wants the family to be self-sufficient, but mother-earth has other plans. Experiencing her first dust storm, Thea becomes concerned with their new life and their future. Being isolated now, I liked how Thea began to take an active role in something, and she finally has something to focus on.

With money being tight, her father allows Thea and her mother to work outside the home. Thea’s boss sees a great opportunity and Thea meets Ray. Ray is a volunteer at the library, a wonderful guy, and is hearing impaired. To think that in this little dessert town, in the middle of nowhere, she meets someone like herself, Thea is thrilled! Thea begins helping Ray and Sam as they help others in the community. Thea just shines, as she finally starts breaking out of her shell with the help of Ray until her father gets wind of what Thea has been up to.

“My dads anger stuck to us, like dirt that would never wash off.”

I enjoyed the character of Thea as she grew inside the pages of this book. Her father tried to squash her; to mold her to his liking but she saw life outside his vision and wanted more. How can she have the best of both worlds: her family and the friends for which she has craved for her entire life? 5 stars

Gone Wolf by Amber McBride

3.5 stars YA Science Fiction

Sometimes a book tries too hard for me, and I find myself just reading along as the book pushes me through the motions. I felt this book was doing some of that as the book painted the picture that I wanted to create on my own. Inmate Eleven is living out her life in her cell with her dog, who “goes wolf” within their cell. Pacing back and forth, her dog acts as if there is more out of life than the 4 walls that surround them. A Blue, Inmate Eleven learns that in reality, Blues are not inferior to the Clones and that her “friend” (a Clone) hasn’t been completely honest with her. Her dog is right, there is more to life than the 4 walls that surround them and now, Inmate Eleven is determined to free them.

Flipping to the present day, Imogen is in the middle of the pandemic. Imogen feels confined and overwhelmed as things start closing in on her. As she begins experiencing phobias, the need to get a handle on the situation becomes increasingly urgent. With only her therapist and her mother available, Imogen tries to come to grips with what is happening and gain control of the situation.

I did like the two timelines and how the author tried to link the two events. Both characters had to take control of their own situation to move forward from somewhere they didn’t want to be. This desire pushed and strengthened them. 3.5 stars

Being Toffee by Sarah Crossan

5 stars YA Prose

“Dad badgered me to
grow up
hurry up
shut up
stop being a baby
stop whining
stop moaning
act my age
act like an adult
quit with the crocodile tears,
as though
being a child was a serious problem
and something I could remedy.”

Allison lives with her father, staying in the shadows. You can feel her pain and her desire to be something more as her words fall across each page. Her father expects everything from her, and she tries but it just isn’t enough. Through the years, Allison has realized that the physical pain she has experienced hurts just as much as the emotional pain. The scars from both, last longer than their appearance.

When dad’s girlfriend suddenly takes off, dad’s emotions run high, leaving Allison in his path. The time has come, and Allison needs to make her move. Allison finds temporary shelter in a shed, one belonging to Marla. Allison is good at staying hidden, for she’s been invisible for years. Allison discovers that Marla has dementia, and she starts to form a friendship with her. Allison was very good with Marla, and I enjoyed their friendship. Allison was thriving under these different circumstances, but I knew it couldn’t last forever.

Allison longs to be a part of something but where and what will that be? Will her dad ever miss her and really need her? What will happen to her friendship with Marla? This book was much more than I had anticipated. I will definitely have to read more from this author! 5 stars

“I wasted a lot of time
waiting for my father to be a better person,
wondering if she could change…..

I should have used my time more wisely:
I could have counted the hairs on Sophie’s dog,
I could have emptied a swimming pool
with a spoon;
I could have memorized Shakespeare’s plays,
the sonnets too.”

“I am hiding my whole history ,
hoping I will forget it.
I am hiding everything from you.
If only I could hide it from myself.”