Review of Does My Body Offend You? by Mayra Cuevas & Marie Marquardt

 This book is hands down one of the best that I have read in 2022! It may be listed as YA, but I think even adults need to read this one.

A timely story of two teenagers who discover the power of friendship, feminism, and standing up for what you believe in, no matter where you come from. A collaboration between two gifted authors writing from alternating perspectives, this compelling novel shines with authenticity, courage, and humor.

Review of A Sporting Chance: How Paralympics Founder Ludwig Guttman Saved Lives With Sports by Lori Alexander

Telling the inspiring human story behind the creation of the Paralympics, this young readers biography artfully combines archival photos, full-color illustrations, and a riveting narrative to honor the life of Ludwig Guttmann, whose work profoundly changed so many lives.

Review of Vinyl Moon by Mahogany L. Browne

 

A teen girl hiding the scars of a past relationship finds home and healing in the words of strong Black writers. A beautiful sophomore novel from a critically acclaimed author and poet that explores how words have the power to shape and uplift our world even in the midst of pain.

"A true embodiment of the term Black Girl Magic.” –Booklist

When Darius told Angel he loved her, she believed him. But five weeks after the incident, Angel finds herself in Brooklyn, far from her family, from him, and from the California life she has known.

Angel feels out of sync with her new neighborhood. At school, she can’t shake the feeling everyone knows what happened—and that it was her fault. The only place that makes sense is Ms. G’s class. There, Angel’s classmates share their own stories of pain, joy, and fortitude. And as Angel becomes immersed in her revolutionary literature course, the words from Black writers like Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, and Zora Neale Hurston speak to her and begin to heal the wounds of her past.

This stunning novel weaves together prose, poems, and vignettes to tell the story of Angel, a young woman whose past was shaped by domestic violence but whose love of language and music and the gift of community grant her the chance to find herself again.

Goodreads * Amazon * BN

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**

After a traumatizing event involving her boyfriend, Angel's mother decides to move her across the country to stay with her uncle in Brooklyn. 

She finds herself in a bit of culture shock because life in New York is markedly different than in Cali. But she also gets to enjoy a diverse collection of cultures as she gets to know her classmates and her neighborhood. I know I learned a lot, too, in this story that some have called a love letter to Brooklyn.

More importantly, Angel learns about herself. Her story is narrated in the present with several flashbacks along the way. Some of those flashbacks are repeated, but expanded for deeper reflection and understanding. It takes some time, but Angels does find herself and her niche and in ways that she hadn't anticipated. 

I also loved all of the literary references as she is introduced to new books to read. Some of them I read a long time ago and need to rediscover. Others are new and have been added to my TBR.

Adding to the wonderful coming of age story is the poetic way the author expresses herself. One early quote that I loved was "The two of them chat in floral patterns, speaking warmly with the same words and tones that pepper the air of Flatbush, Brooklyn." This poetric prose adds to the beauty of this story that I highly recommend.

Thank you to the publisher for fulfilling my request via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of 'A Girl Named Summer' by Julie Garwood

Book Blurb:

A timeless romance from New York Times bestseller Julie Garwood, a tale for mothers to share with their daughters, and for women to remember what it feels like to fall in love for the very first time.

Summer never meant to lie. She just wanted to keep the most perfect guy she ever met interested in her. She had been surprised when David began hanging out with her every day... and dizzy with happiness when he kissed her. David seemed to like her unconventional Irish family, even her eccentric Grandpa. Everything was going great - until Ann entered the picture. She collected boys like trophies. How could Summer compete with someone like that?

Before she knew it, Summer was boasting to David about her passion for long-distance running. She never dreamed he'd enter them in a six-mile race. Summer dreaded the moment when he would discover the truth: she couldn't run six blocks. And the flirtatious Ann was already working on David. Then Summer's Grandpa came up with a plan that was just crazy enough to save the day....

Goodreads * Amazon * BN * Kobo

(affiliate link included)

**My thoughts**
This is one of those young adult romances like I remember reading when I was younger. It felt true to life and a situation I could easily see anyone getting into. Sure, Summer is a 15 year-old girl, but I could see myself getting into a similar situation as a woman a couple of decades older.

Summer is a typical teenager. She wants to spend her summer vacation relaxing by the pool, earning some extra cash at the pizza parlor, and making a bunch of new friends. Instead, she is stuck taking care of her little brother. The bonus is that he has a gorgeous swimming instructor who actually takes an interest in her. She wants to impress David, and a little stretching of the truth ends up getting her into some potential trouble. Enter the grandfather who is slowly entering into dementia. He may be a little out of it here and there, but he is still full of sage advice that she takes to heart. Grandparents who care can be very wise and are almost easier to listen to than parents.

You can tell that this is an older story that is being re-released as an ebook. First, the kids refer to dating as "going together," which I don't even remember being said when I was in high school. Also, there is no talk of texting, Facebook, or other modern technology so frequently used by teens today. That is okay. That makes the story timeless. The gist of it holds true no matter what generation you're in.

Thank you to NetGalley for fulfilling my review request. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of Where Have All the Bees Gone? by Rebecca E. Hirsch

Apples, blueberries, peppers, cucumbers, coffee, and vanilla. Do you like to eat and drink? Then you might want to thank a bee.

Bees pollinate 75 percent of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts grown in the United States. Around the world, bees pollinate $24 billion worth of crops each year. Without bees, humans would face a drastically reduced diet. We need bees to grow the foods that keep us healthy.

But numbers of bees are falling, and that has scientists alarmed. What's causing the decline? Diseases, pesticides, climate change, and loss of habitat are all threatening bee populations. Some bee species are teetering on the brink of extinction.

"Accessible and concise" (Kirkus), this book will teach you about the many bee species on Earth -- their nests, their colonies, their life cycles, and their vital connection to flowering plants. Most importantly, you'll discover what you can do to help.

"If we had to try and do what bees do on a daily basis, if we had to come out here and hand pollinate all of our native plants and our agricultural plants, there is physically no way we could do it. . . . Our best bet is to conserve our native bees." --ecologist Rebecca Irwin, North Carolina State University

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * B&N * IndieBound

**My thoughts**
If you like bees and have ever wanted to know anything about them, then this is definitely the book for you! It's chock full of all kinds of information you likely have never known about pretty much every kind of bee that exists. Start with the history of their disappearance being noted, the history of us learning about their importance in relation to plants, notes about the different types, to the theories as to why they are disappearing. You even get ideas on how to help conserve the population.

This book appears to be well-researched and contains many expert quotations. It's totally the kind of book that I would have loved to use for research in my school days. You also get lots of great pictures and some diagrams. The author includes extensive research sources and a bibliography, as well as a glossary and plenty of resources for further information.

It is wordy, so I suggest it for older elementary into middle and high school readers.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a requested review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of Micah McKinney and the Boys of Summer by Nina Chapman

With equal parts humor and heart, Micah McKinney and the Boys of Summer tells the story of twelve-year-old Micah as she embarks on the summer before middle school. More than anything, Micah hopes to undergo a miracle transformation. One that will bring with it new friends, a fresh start, and boobs . . . preferably the round kind. If that happens, then maybe she can finally forget about what happened in the past. About losing her mom, about losing her best friend, and about the disaster she became in sixth grade, when everything fell apart. She and her dad have just moved away from their old neighborhood, and Micah's childhood home, to put some space between themselves and the secret burden they both bear, one that's already changed their lives and has the power to do even more damage. Soon after moving into her new neighborhood, Micah is greeted by the Water twins, Luke and Megan. Micah is surprised to find herself caught between their two worlds. In one world, there's Luke and his band of neighborhood boys, who challenge Micah in feats of strength, crowning her the kahuna at the local pool and vying for her attention, even though she doesn't quite understand why. And then there's Megan, whose world is full of lip gloss and padded bras, and the fine art of being a girl. As Micah awkwardly navigates her way through crushes, friendship, and the challenges of becoming a teenager, she discovers that the real transformation that needs to take place is in how she sees herself.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * Barnes & Noble

(affiliate link)

**My Thoughts**
I loved this book so much. Micah recently lost her mother and had some kind of a crisis with her old friends. She and her father have moved to the other side of town so that they can start over again. We eventually find out what happened and then you really feel sorry for her.

Micah is also at that awkward stage where she is 12 turning 13, so she wants to grow boobs and is trying to find out who she really is. Anyone who went through puberty is going to understand that.

But underneath her questioning and awkwardness is an amazing young woman who has a lot more confidence than she ever realized she had. She also is not into the typical girly-girl stuff that the new girls in her life seem to be. That and her feisty competitive nature help to win her over to the boys in her new neighborhood. They appreciate her for being real, for sharing in their joking, and for keeping up with them in the athletic world. And yes, there are some crushes going on in both directions.

This book reminded me a little bit of Mean Girls with a lot of Judy Blume undertones written for the modern girl. I thought back to my own awkward years and was reminded of a lot of amazing young women I know today. Micah is a young lady worth looking up to and is easily relatable. And again, I just loved this book. I recommend it for all coming of age girls.

I hope the author continues to write more, because I think she is a great voice in this YA world

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for honoring my request for a review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of Apollo 13: A Successful Failure by Laura B. Edge

"Houston, we've had a problem."

On April 13, 1970, the three astronauts aboard the Apollo 13 spacecraft were headed to the moon when a sudden explosion rocked the ship. Oxygen levels began depleting rapidly. Electrical power began to fail. Astronauts James Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise were about to be stranded in the inky void of outer space.

The mission to the moon was scrapped. Now, Apollo 13's only goal was to bring the crew home. With the damaged spacecraft hurtling towards the moon at roughly six thousand miles per hour, there was little hope of success. But the astronauts and mission control were fully prepared to do whatever it took to return the crew to Earth.

This space disaster occurred at the peak of the United States' Space Race against the Soviet Union. But for four days in 1970, the two nations put aside their differences, and the entire world watched the skies, hoping and praying the astronauts would return safely. As missions to Mars and commercial space flight become a reality, the time is now to be reminded of our common humanity, of how rivals can work together and support each other towards a shared goal. Because no matter what happens or where we travel, we all call Earth home.

Book Links

Goodreads * Amazon * B&N * IndieBound

**My thoughts**
My formative years were in the 1980s, so the space shuttles were a big deal. It was a like a party every time one took off, up until that fateful Challenger explosion that marred our childhood memories. But even then, we ate up all of the information we could about the history of the space program. And then in the 1990s, the movie Apollo 13 came out, once again lighting a desire to know more.

This book is great. It opens with that fateful moment leading to the famous words, "Houston, we have a problem." And then it goes into the history and the importance of the space program leading up to this mission. Following that is an account of the rest of the Apollo 13 ordeal, reading almost like a novel. You can almost feel the action and are glued to the pages to find out what is going to happen next. I love that in a nonfiction book.

And then it gets into the aftermath of the trip, including the investigation into what had happened and the last missions to the moon. It's hard to believe it has been almost 50 years since we last touched down there.

So many photographs illustrate the stories, which are one of my favorite things to see. Give me the real photos and not just illustrations. They really make the history come alive. 

And then for those who want more, you can refer to the resources, bibliography, and suggested further reading sections with both books and websites.

I loved reading more about this famous story and learning more than I had known before. I think space afficionados from upper elementary and older will also enjoy it.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my requested review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review of 'Belonging (Temptation #2)' by Karen Ann Hopkins

Description

I left everything I knew behind.

But it was worth it. He was worth it.

No one thought an ordinary girl like me would last two minutes living with the Amish, not even me. There are a lot more rules and a lot less freedom, and I miss my family and the life I once had. Worst of all, Noah and I aren't even allowed to see each other. Not until I've proven myself.

If I can find a way to make it work, we'll be NOAH & ROSE together forever.

But not everybody believes this is where I belong.

**My thoughts**

This is the second book in the Temptation series by Karen Ann Hopkins. I was intrigued by the first book, because the idea of an English teenager considering giving up everything she knows for the Amish boy she loves was something I hadn't yet read. I am a big fan of Beverly Lewis, in particular, but lots of Amish books. I couldn't decide which way I wanted their relationship to go and was conflicted in my opinions about so much of the book. Yet, I felt compelled to finish the series as soon as I could.

In this second book, Rose has decided to give up her English life and has joined the Amish community. She is living with a local family and must try to prove herself before she and Noah will be permitted to spend time together. She quickly learns that it isn't as easy as she had thought it would be. It's difficult to function without those modern conveniences to which she is accustomed. Long, three-hour church services, sitting on a hard wooden bench, mostly being conducted in a language that she doesn't even know, yet, can make her feel even more like an outcast. Her own family still doesn't approve. I admire her determination and don't think I would be able to do it.

Noah's struggle is in constantly having to defend the love of his life to everyone else and resisting the temptation to be with her. The two of them have such a strong pull to each other that it is difficult to not be together as much as possible. They continue to sneak around, which eventually leads to some serious complications in their relationship. Some conniving by friends and family doesn't help matters, either.

Rose and Noah take turns telling their story. Sometimes Rose's brother Sam takes a turn. This helps to really get inside their heads and provides a perspective of the outsiders, as well as the couple in love.

I still have a hard time wrapping my head around the modern language that they use, because I am used to the traditional speech sprinkled with Pennsylvania Dutch. Some of the behaviors of the characters seem somewhat shocking, as well, considering the stereotypes we all know. That isn't to say that some of this language and these activities do not occur in an Amish community, especially if there is a teen who is feeling particularly rebellious. I think we are less prone to hear about it.

I'm still not sure which way I want the characters to go in this. I don't see how they are going to make it work in either world, because their backgrounds are so different. They are so young to be having such intense feelings. Yes, in Noah's world, people tend to mature faster as a part of societal expectations. I think that the forbidden aspect of their relationship definitely adds to the intrigue and temptation that draws them together. We shall see!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Buy links

Amazon \ Barnes & Noble

'Dare You To' by Katie McGarry

Description

Beth’s the bad girl that no-one wanted, not even parents.
Ryan’s the high school hero that everyone wants a piece of – even if no-one knows the real him.
Their paths should never have crossed – now they’re each other’s only life line.

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk’s mum they’d send her mother to jail. So seventeen year old Beth protects her mum at all costs. Until the day she can’t. Suddenly sent to live with her uncle in a small town Beth’s now stuck with an aunt who doesn’t want her, and at a school that doesn’t get her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn’t go anywhere near a girl like Beth. . . .

Ryan Stone is gorgeous, a popular jock and the town golden boy—with secrets he can’t tell anyone. Even his friends. As Ryan and Beth dare to let each other in, they’re treading on dangerous ground – and the consequences could change their worlds forever. 

 

Advance Praise

 

Reviews for Pushing The Limits:

The love story of the year - Teen Now

A real page-turner --Mizz

A romance with a difference --Bliss

I adored everything about this book and think it s an amazing debut. It s definitely one of my favourite contemps of 2012 and I already can t wait for Dare You To a companion novel to Pushing the Limits to come out! Highly recommend to fans of hard hitting, edgy, contemporary and to anyone who loves a smouldering, sexy, consuming love story to boot! --Jess Hearts Books Blog

McGarry s debut YA novel Pushing The Limits is an edgy YA romance that doesn t shy of pulling punches.McGarry is definitely a YA author to keep an eye out for; I m very interested to see what she will write next and she certainly can write sexual tension very well. --Choose YA Blog

Pushing the Limits was a sucker punch of a story, so beautifully and tragically told that now over a week since I finished reading I still can't get it out of my head, full of brilliant one liners and descriptive prose it really is going to be a hard book to beat, without a doubt my favourite contemporary of the year so far. --Read and Repeat Blog

 

Buy links:

 

Visit author Katie McGarry's website http://www.katielmcgarry.com/ 

Review of 'Profiles #5: The Vietnam War' by Daniel Polansky

Description

It takes more than one person to bring about War. This book will follow the lives of six key players during one of the most controversial wars in history.

Profiles is so much more than just your typical biography. The next book in our six-in-one, full-color bio series will focus on the five W's of the Vietnam War--who, what, where, when, and why. Kids will learn all of the biographical information they need to know (background, family, education, accomplishments, etc.) about: Ho Chi Minh (prime minister of Democratic Republic of Vietnam) John F. Kennedy (US president 1961-1963), Lyndon B. Johnson (US president (1963-1969), Ngo Dinh Diem (president of South Vietnam), Henry Kissinger (US National security advisor), and William Westmoreland (US army general). This book will help illuminate one of the most controversial wars in American history for a new generation of readers.

**My thoughts**

 When I was in school, the Vietnam War had been over for several years, yet no one talked about it. It was like a passing mention in a textbook. This book serves to teach the next generation more about what shaped those that came before them and to what so much media refers in our current conflicts. 

The book focuses on six men who were instrumental in the conflict, each with approximately the same number of pages of information given to each one. Each one of them had a different role in the war and different reasons for their participation. Each one had different opinions of the conflict. By presenting all six of them, this book allows for a broader and more balanced look at the controversial war.

Each man's personal history, as it relates to the conflict, is given in his biographical sketch. Political reasoning and maneuvering, and military tactics are both discussed. I felt like I learned a lot from reading this book, that I had missed out on when taking history classes at a younger age.

The only thing that caught my eye was impeachment being defined as "the process by which Congress removes the president from office" when discussing Henry Kissinger and Richard Nixon. Impeachment is actually the process of bringing formal charges against someone in public office, such as the President, but not necessarily removing them from office. Removal from office can result from impeachment, though. A recent example is President Clinton, who was impeached, charged and put on trial for misconduct, but was not removed from office. This stuck out to me, because I remember having this discussion in our limited coverage of the Vietnam War in high school. I also double-checked the definition at Dictionary.com and other sources.

The end of the book also includes a brief timeline outlining the major events of the conflict, a glossary of terms used throughout, and a bibliography for future reference.

I think this book would be appropriate for middle grades through adult, as one reference for studies of the Vietnam War.

I received an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Buy links: Amazon \ Barnes & Noble

  

Review of 'Tillie Pierce: Teen Eyewitness to the Battle of Gettysburg' by Tanya Anderson

Description

Imagine being fifteen years old, facing the bloodiest battle ever to take place on U.S. soil: the Battle of Gettysburg. In July 1863, this is exactly what happened to Tillie Pierce, a normal teenager who became an unlikely heroine of the Civil War (1861-1865). Tillie and other women and girls like her found themselves trapped during this critical three-day battle in southern Pennsylvania. Without training, but with enormous courage and compassion, Tillie and other Gettysburg citizens helped save the lives of countless wounded Union and Confederate soldiers. 
In gripping prose, Tillie Pierce: Teen Eyewitness to the of Battle Gettysburg takes readers behind the scenes. And through Tillie’s own words, the story of one of the Civil War’s most famous battles comes alive.


**My thoughts**

What I loved about this book... I love the real photographs. The Civil War was the first major event that was photographed, thanks in part to Matthew Brady. It was the first time that we saw a true picture of the devastation of war. The Civil War has always felt the most real to me because of that. These pictures are amazing.

I love that Tillie's real words are used throughout the book. Tanya explains the history and then uses Tillie's comments to further illustrate what she is saying. Real eyewitness accounts are significantly more powerful than someone else's interpretations. The fact that these are the observations of a teenager should speak to younger readers, as Tillie is more of one of their peers telling the story. I have visited Gettysburg and have tried to imagine what it was like. Reading her descriptions and feelings, in conjunction with the pictures, brings it more to life as a real event.

I do wish that more of Tillie's words would have been in the book. I think I need to actually find her book and read it to fulfill that desire, though. When I originally read the description, I thought it was going to mostly be Tillie, with a little commentary thrown in. Instead, it was the other way around.

Another aspect of this book that I appreciated was the section at the end that gives follow-up activities and further reading and research that kids can do.

With the amount of reading in this 100-page book and the language used, I would recommend it for middle grades and above. Adults looking for a quick read about the Civil War may also enjoy it.   

Buy links: Amazon \ Lerner Publishing

I received a review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions. 

Get to know author Tanya Anderson: Blog | Website | Facebook 

'A Taste of Heaven' by Meg Tilly

Description

Madison Stokes leads a pretty average life: average mom and dad, average looks, average grades—well, maybe her little sister is MUCH brattier than average—but nothing out of the ordinary.
All that changes when quiet, secretive Alyssa Hawkins moves to town. When Madison takes Alyssa under her wing, the two girls quickly bond over chocolate-chip cookies and become best friends. Amazingly, Alyssa doesn't even mind Madison's bratty sister!

But there are some things Alyssa still won't share. Why won't she talk about her family? And why is she so reluctant to have Madison over to her house? She's harbouring a secret that could put their treasured friendship in jeopardy—and when Madison finds out by accident, Alyssa makes Madison promise not to tell anyone, not even Madison's parents.

But should Madison tell them anyway? When is it all right to tell a little white lie... and when should you come clean with the truth?

Buy links:

'Lexapros and Cons' by Aaron Karo

Book description:

In this hilarious YA debut, Chuck Taylor has some dirty issues mucking up his life.

High schooler Chuck Taylor knows his OCD is out of control. The weird routines that he relies on to keep himself together are scaring everyone off. Yes, he shares a name with the icon behind the coolest shoes in the world-but even he knows his complicated system for which pair of "Cons" he's going to wear on which day is completely nuts. The shrink his parents make him see isn't helping, partly because her patient only pretends to take the drug she's prescribed, and partly because he doesn't like the fact that she wears sneakers in their sessions.

Bad things are definitely going to happen to Chuck. But maybe that's a good thing. Because in order to get a handle on his life, win back his best friend, and have a chance with the amazing new girl at school, he's going to have break some hardcore habits, face his demons . . . and get messy.

This book deals with the mature topic of OCD, even though it is a humorous read. It covers symptoms and treatments, which can be very helpful to readers. Those who have it may recognize themselves in Chuck. Those who don't may develop a better understanding and appreciation for the disorder, which can be debilitating for some. Fair warning: it does contain a lot of swear words! Recommended reading age is 14 and above.

'Touched' by Cyn Balog

This new paranormal teen read is a breakout book for Cyn Balog. Known for her paranormal romances, this fast-paced read appeals to guys and girls and debuts a striking new cover direction.

Nick Cross always listens to the voice in his head. Because if he doesn't? Things can go really, really wrong. Like the day he decided to go off script and saved a girl from being run over . . . and let another one drown. Trying to change the future doesn't work.

But this summer at the Jersey Shore, something's about to happen that Nick never could have predicted. He meets a girl named Taryn and finds out about the Book of Touch. Now the path that he thought he was on begins to shift . . . and there's no way to stop things from happening. Or is there?

In a life where there are no surprises, nothing has prepared Nick for what he's about to discover—or the choice he will be forced to make. . . .

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CYN BALOG has always wanted to be a fortune-teller on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights. She is the author of teen paranormal novels Starstruck, Sleepless, and Fairy Tale and lives in Pennsylvania with her family. Visit her online at CynBalog.com.

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Print Editions:

Format: Hardcover
Publication Date:	August 14, 2012
Pages:	320
Trim Size:	5-1/2 x 8-1/4
ISBN:	9780385740326
List Price:	$17.99 USD
Format: Hardcover
Publication Date:	August 14, 2012
Pages:	320
Trim Size:	5-1/2 x 8-1/4
ISBN:	9780385740326
List Price:	$19.99 CAD

Information provided by the publisher via NetGalley.