YA – Page 3 – One Chapter

Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t Be Better by Mylisa Larsen

5 stars Middle School

This book is a jewel. I loved the character of Quag with his resilience and insight. He remained upright while his mother spiraled around him. With a history of mental illness, Quag knew his mother, so he knew the signs. His mother would slowly start to lose control, and gradually, she would start spinning. Not physically spinning but spinning internally. Quag knew where his mother would eventually land, and this is what he feared. This was his mother, this was his life, this was the life that he was trying to hide.

It was during one of mom’s spin that Quag finds himself on his uncle’s farm. Not a place he wants to be but one that will change his life forever. A time for Quag.

This book was more than I anticipated. The characters were fantastic, and I enjoyed how this book transitioned. I’m glad I picked this one up. 5 stars

“Here are some bad surprises about country living. First, people get up earlier than any other people should ever get up for anything. Second, milk. Quag’s not a fool. He knew it came out of a cow. …. Now, that he’s a little more acquainted with the process, he may be off milk for the foreseeable future. This morning he poured Dr. Pepper on his cereal, which …..”

“The circumstances being that his own mom ditched him on the side of a road, that she is spinning hard.”

“They’re riding that same wild circle they always ride, and his mom, spinning, is the center of that circle.”

Tree. Table. Book. by Lois Lowry

5 stars Middle School Realistic Fiction

Writing a story is making spaghetti sauce, according to Sophie. When I read this, I knew this was going to be a story for me. Sophie Henry Winslow is eleven and her best friend is seven times as old as she is. Sophie Gershowitz, 77, is Sophie’s next-door neighbor and best friend. There’s neighbor Ralphie who lives across the street from the pair, and he goes to school with Sophie W.

I like the closeness that Sophie W. has with her friends. Ralphie and Sophie W. are close friends, yet Sophie W. says Sophie G. is her best friend. Ralphie helps Sophie W. stay grounded and since they’re the same age, they have more things in common. Sophie W. and Sophie G. share a unique bond. They’re close but I think their friendship is constructed with more maturity and compassion. These relationships are important for Sophie since her relationships at school have vanished away.

When Sophie G.’s son comes for a visit, Sophie W. discovers that it’s not just a social visit. Sophie W. hears talk that Sophie’s problem is getting worse and that he’ll be taking her to see the doctor. Sophie G. doesn’t understand what problem Sophie G. has but she knows she must do something. Sophie G. is too important for something to happen to her but what can she do?

Having a mother with dementia, I understood exactly what Sophie W. was trying to do when she talked to her parents and when she consulted the Merck. Sophie W. was determined to help her best friend and the feelings that she was having as she struggled to come to terms with the results were spot-on. Her emotions pulled at my heart as she felt powerless and small when reality started to sink in. So, Tree. Table. Book. Yup, this book hit home. I’m a huge Lois Lowry fan (The Giver is my favorite) and I felt that she created this book just for me. Thanks Lois! 5 stars ++

“Begin on the day that is different” – start your story with this day an author suggested, yet Sophie points out every day is different 😊

“And I think that learning from each other is one of the most important parts of friendship.”

Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy

5 stars Fiction

This was such a sweet story! I will definitely have to reread this one over and over again as I loved its simplicity and the way the story made me feel. The isolation of Helen, how Helen felt when she met Sipsworth and what Sipsworth brought to her and everyone around her. The story felt simple, but it was a powerful story, in its connections and its emotions.

Helen has just returned to her hometown after being overseas for 60 years. Eighty-year-old Helen had just purchased a cottage off the internet and was now making it her home. Something about an 80-year-old woman desire to accomplish this, amazed me. As the book processes, it has been three years, and it seems that Helen has led a secluded life in her new cottage. She watches the neighborhood and she’s alert but she’s not one to partake in life outside her walls.

It’s Friday and she’s noticing her neighbor’s hauling their garbage out to the curb. Garbage day is a big event for Helen as she has scored some big finds for herself out of her neighbor’s trash. There’s something in this week’s trash that sparks her curiosity and so, while no one is watching, Helen sneaks outside. There’s a fish tank which has other items with it. Afraid of missing out on any treasures, Helen takes everything and hauls it all home. I loved how this garbage triggered a memory, and we learned a bit about Helen and her past. Leaving the items in her yard to clean-up tomorrow, Helen gets ready for bed.

Helen hears something that night coming from her backyard. The anticipation was killing me, as I didn’t know what Helen might do. Upon discovering the mouse amongst the items that she rescued from her neighbor’s trash, Helen goes about setting it free. It should be over, it should be out of Helen’s mind now because yes, she set it free. Yet when it starts to rain, Helen can’t stop thinking about the mouse and its safety. I had to smile as I read, for Helen is a loving and caring soul and now, the mouse is her companion. Helen tries to relinquish control by calling the authorities, but her efforts are brief. All thoughts and activities now include the mouse and Helen makes accommodations for her new friend. Bringing this mouse into her life opens the door for Helen as her compassionate and kindness spreads to others around her.

I loved the way the author transitioned through the days; it was such a fantastic technique especially towards the end of the book. As the days passed, I felt the drama, energy, and seriousness of the events unfold. I can’t say enough about this book except read it!! Such a sweet story about friendships, community, and family. 5 stars+

Louder Than Hunger by John Schu

5 stars YA/ Middle School

The nonstop talking.

The control.

It consumed him, it consumed his time.

Yet, he knew no different.

He’s got nothing else.

It’s his companion.

Telling him how to act, how to feel.

And he believes it.

Because he has nothing else.

It all started in seventh grade, and it has escalated since. Middle school stole the life that was once Jake’s and handed it over to the voice that now controls him. In seventh grade, Jake had more bad days than good and he wanted to vanish forever. In eighth grade, as his peers formed their circles, Jake was isolated. Like vultures, the groups would attack their prey, bullying Jake and his tears would fall. With no outlet, Jake began hiding from everyone and internalizing the taunts hurled at him and his own feelings. As the negative chattering flowed, Jake began to believe them, and his inner voice drowned out the rest of the world and took control. Jake had finally found a friend. Someone who seemed to care for him and told him what to do.

This was such a sad reality. To think that he spiraled down because no one was there to lift him up. Written in free verse, this book packs a powerful punch as the words flow across the page. The voice screams to be heard and Jake listens. The outside world produces a mixed choir if Jake could just sift out the beauty and leave the haters to wallow amongst themselves. His inner voice became more demanding, more negative, and louder as time continued and Jake responded. “not enough exercise, you’re growing bigger!” yet Jake was vanishing before everyone’s eyes. Going into therapy, the voice still hammered on as Jake tries to battle between what the therapist wants and what the voice is dictating to him. There are serious results when the tests come back, yet the voice dismisses their diagnosis. The voice is the only one who knows the truth (it believes). The voice is Jake’s friend and his companion, and these therapists are just doctors doing their jobs. Jake needs a miracle which might be standing right in front of him. The relationship that Jake has with his grandmother and the love that he has for her might just be the firepower he needs to battle the voice. Jake needs motivation and support to quiet the voice which has claimed his life. Based on the author’s life, this book is powerful and pulls at your emotions. 5 stars

What Happened to Rachel Riley? by Claire Swinarski

5 stars YA/Middle School

Imagine yourself being a new girl in 8^th grade. You’re in junior high, trying to fit in, and figuring out everything there is to know about this new life of yours. One of your teachers assigns an open-ended assignment which accounts for 85% of your final grade. That assignment: pick any social issue that’s not in the public’s eye, and that issue must matter to you. There are tons of topics that flooded through my head when I thought about this but for Anna, she could only come up with one: what happened to Rachel Riley?

Why Rachel Riley? Maybe it’s the fact that Rachel sits with her head shoved in her book, during lunchtime, totally isolated from everyone. Maybe it’s the fact that during “birthday cheers” in the assembly, the audience went silent when the principal read off Rachel Riley’s name. Even Anna, the new girl, was surprised when she received a few cheers from the audience when her name was called. Maybe it’s the fact that no one will mention Rachel Riley or acknowledge her. Maybe it’s the fact that last year, Rachel Ray was one of the popular girls at the school and she was even on the dance team. How can one of the most popular girls in school become invisible so quickly?

Anna’s teacher discourages her from using this topic but that doesn’t stop her. Being the new girl, Anna uses this to her advantage, as she approaches different individuals who she believes can offer her some insight. No one wants to divulge into the event(s) that have led to this yet with determination and skills Anna uncovers the clues.

I enjoyed how Anna took it upon herself to get to the heart of the matter. When adults and her peers told her to back off, she continued in her search for the truth. I felt that Anna could have taken a safer route, but she didn’t, which showed me what kind of an individual she was. I enjoyed the different formats used in the book as it gave authenticity to the storyline. The story brings up some excellent issues that middle-schoolers and sadly, even younger children experience today. This is a fantastic book that needs to be shared. 5 stars

Issues: bullying, sexual harassment, friendship, gender inequality,

Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow

5 stars YA Realistic Fiction

Read this! This book is fabulous! Although written about a subject we are unfortunately all too familiar with, this book has many laughable moments and moments where you where you want to reach inside the book and hug the characters. Imagine being 12 years old and moving into the National Quiet Zone. What is that? You’d be living in the only place in the United States without internet! No TV’s, cell phones, cable…..think about it. For Simon, this place sounds perfect as finally, the limelight will be off him for a change.

The story of his father’s Blessing of the Animals started the book off but this was just the beginning of the humor that fed through the story. As a Catholic Deacon, dad was trying to perform his duties when things got out of control and the inside of the church erupted in madness and disorder. Dad should have set up more boundaries but now, dad was unemployed, and Simon blamed the llamas for their move to Nebraska. Anxiety plagues Simon and I wondered as I read what caused this. Was his family plagued by bad accidents? Did something happen in his past? It’s as if Simon wants to remain invisible.

Simon meets Agate and she is a feisty character. In the National Quiet Zone, Simon finds that there is a lot of scientific research occurring. Without the internet, scientists can focus on the vast unknown areas of space without interference. When Simon meets Agate, he gets an education in space as she has done her research. Agate is one feisty individual and I loved her personality. She senses that something is wrong with Simon and that he is anxious. When she brought him a puppy, my heart soared, and I laughed as this new adventure with them began.

When Simon met Agate’s dog, I cracked up laughing as the dog retrieved a beer out the refrigerator by himself. As Simon stares, Agate tells Simon that it’s okay, “he only has one.” As a person who trains service dogs, Agate explains to Simon that her dog Todd doesn’t like pleasing people. What a hoot! Later, Ash Wednesday arrives and then comes the incident in the church with the consecrated host, I’m still laughing today about those.

Simon tries to move forward with his new life but every day moves him closer to the anniversary. How will he be able to survive the day? As the truth comes out, I’m lost for words as Simon tries to grasp the extent of being a survivor. Why or why me?

Wowza…. fantastic book that put me on a roller coaster. The fun-facts in the book were interesting and funny too, 5 stars!!!

Impossible Escape by Steve Sheinkin

5 stars YA History

“The Nazis were not really guarding Prisoners at Auschwitz. They were guarding the secret of their massive crimes.”

A story of survival turns into a story of bravery and honor as individuals take it upon themselves to reveal the reality of their daily lives. This mission of hope gives them strength, energy, and determination every day, as they live in an unimaginable nightmare in Nazi Germany. If only they could escape and share their story, other lives could be saved.

It was March of 1942 and I found myself getting to know a young teenager named Rudi. In its second year, World War II was far from being over and Rudi was determined to be a part of it. Armed with a plan, Rudi wanted to fight against Hitler, and he was going to do it his own way. He had to put his plan into motion soon before he was shipped off to who-knows-where with other Jewish boys. I was rooting for Rudi as he put his plan into motion. His plan had worked to some degree, as he covered quite a bit of ground in his travels. Unfortunately, Rudi got stopped and without any papers, his plan had come to an end.

As a prisoner now, Rudi became part of a group of prisoners that were forced to work in the Nazi gas chambers and crematoriums. Able to make friends easily, Rudi does his job well and he keeps his wits about him. I became a part of Rudi’s life as he explains his duties, the situation, and his surroundings. Death and disease are everywhere yet, Rudi’s eyes are open as he watches and observes everything around him. Details are important to Rudi as his head fills with the sights, sounds, and smells of Auschwitz. The gas chamber changing rooms were constructed like a bath house, giving the victims the hope that their lives were important. Hooks, signs, and fans awaited the prisoners as they walked in, only they didn’t realize that they would never walk out. Rudi knew after watching such despair and horror for two years in Auschwitz that something had to be done.

Rudi knew that he needed to make another plan. He needed to tell his own personal story of what he had witnessed firsthand to someone who could warn others. Rudi needed to return home. Rudi needed to return to the place that he once escaped from and give them an account of his past two years. He needed his message to spread as a warning so lives could be.

What a fantastic read! Between the journeys that Rudi tried to make, his time inside Auschwitz and the prisoners, I couldn’t put this book down. As I read Gerdi’s story, this Jewish teen had a different outlook on life as the war raged on. Rudi wanted to make a difference and he was willing to take some risks while Gerdi chose a more sheltered and safe approach to the war. Gerdi had some risks but on a different level than Rudi’s. Two friends, one war, and an uncertain future. 5 stars.

Hungry Ghost by Victoria Ying

5 stars YA Graphic Novel

This is a powerful graphic novel! I wanted to shake, hit, smack (I think you understand) Val’s mother as she definitely had a one-tracked mind with Val suffering because of it. The first pages of this graphic novel, Valerie’s mom is hovering over young Valerie at her own birthday party celebration. Valerie doesn’t seem happy, more reserved. A party complete with pizza, chips, and other goodies, kids running around and an oversized cake. Val is handed a slice of her birthday cake from her mother, as Val witnesses the other kids enjoying the cake. Val mother says to her, “Remember don’t eat, just taste.” Just Taste!! What??!! That’s one of the best things about a birthday party- the cake and she’s just supposed to taste HER own cake. That’s just cruel. Then, when Jordan asks Val if she’s going to eat her piece of cake and Val replies that she’s full, it’s that look on Va’s face as Jordan stabs Val’s cake and eats it, that’s priceless. How can Jordan do that? Why is Jordan allowed to that? Who gives Jordan the right to do that?

I feel that it’s Jordan’s personality that makes her attractive to Val but yet, I think it’s something more. Jordan possesses something that Val wants and as the two of them become best friends, I hoped that Val would listen more to her friend than the voices in her head.

Val hears her mother’s voice in her head about being thin all through her childhood leading her into a life of bingeing and purging. The book does an excellent and I mean excellent job, disclosing the emotions and turmoil that reside inside Val. I liked how the book addresses all the issues that Val is struggling with surrounding her obsession with food. She’s been forced to believe her mother all her life yet now, as a young adult, Val is witnessing the world herself and forming her own opinions which don’t always follow the guidelines her mother instilled in her. How what? Who should she believe? Val wants to be happy but how. Individuals around her are happy and she just wants a piece of it, but she can’t seem to find her way out of the misery that’s been buried inside her. A fantastic YA graphic novel addressing a serious condition for many individuals. 5 stars

““Hi dear. I saw your post on Instagram. I hope you didn’t eat that whole thing.” Got it, stalker. What time is it in San Jose? I guess I’m failing at being good enough.” (Val on trip to Paris with her friends)

“I couldn’t die now and feel like I have lived my life, I haven’t. I’ve lived like a prisoner to my body. “

“She’s doing her best to love you the way she knows how, and her best maybe just isn’t enough. But you can’t rely on her to change. You can’t rely on her to be enough for you. No one ever is. You have to find your own way to be happy. Whatever that means.” (I love this !!)

A Perfect Mistake by Melanie Conklin

5 stars Mystery YA/Children’s

Let’s unravel this mystery together. Where it all begins, we don’t know but we know that it ends with Will, lying in the hospital, in a coma. How he got from A to B they don’t really know, but the fingers keep pointing at Max for the answers. Eleven-year-old Max. Max, the boy who has just recently been diagnosed with ADHD. Max, the child who because of his height looks older than any other kid his age. Max, the child who wishes that they’d never left the house that night. Max, the best friend, realizes that if he doesn’t remember what happened that night, they may never know what happened to his best friend.

I enjoyed unraveling the mystery of what happened that night. It was more than just solving Will’s medical condition(s) as Max is facing some tough issues himself. The characters felt credible and natural, which is one of the qualities I like about Melanie’s books. I was mad with Max when I read that he wouldn’t visit Will in the hospital when he was first admitted. Yet, the more I read about Max, the more I understood why. I thought Max’s friendship with Sam was needed to bring everyone together. Friendship, medical conditions, accountability, and trust were the main issues I thought this book addressed. I enjoyed this book and look forward to more books by Melanie Conklin. 5 stars

Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas

5 stars Graphic Novel YA/Children’s

Resilience. If I were to describe Bree, this word should be at the top of her list. Life starts over as Bree moves with her father to Florida. Bree adores her dad and the time that she spends with him, but she knows Florida will change all that. New opportunities await her father, little does Bree know what opportunities await her. Florida, the state bursting with water, sunshine, sports, swimming, did I mention water? Negative thoughts begin rolling through Bree’s head before the move and intensify when Bree arrives at her new home. Bree likes her new housing complex, it’s the pool that catches her off guard.

Bree is excited to start a new middle school: new possibilities and the list of elective classes have got her pumped. She’s having a great morning as she runs into the girl from her apartment complex, Clara shows her around before leading Bree to the office to sign up for classes. Sorry. Sorry. Full. Full. Every elective that Bree wanted to take was full! Her only choice…..Swim 101. A huge problem considering Bree doesn’t know how to swim.

Bree handles this problem and all the other challenges that come her way, how I would expect a young teen to handle them. Avoidance, denial, hesitation, etc. but as Bree’s character grows so does the way that she handles the conflicts.

Bree tries to avoid the pool but when her homework ends up floating in it, Bree finds herself fighting against the terrorizing waters to free herself. She’s doomed, until Ms. Etta comes to her rescue.

This is a great book about overcoming obstacles and watching a character develop as they become responsible and mature.

This is a good clean book comprising of family, friends, and girlfriend relationships.

The graphics in this book do an excellent job completing the story. Detailed, colored framed boxes provide a good flow as Bree learns to accept Florida as her new home. The text is easy to read, and the story is broken into 8 (eight) chapters. 5 stars