A nicely woven story of five fourteen-year-old girls and their lives after each receives a different fortune from an arcade game. Viewing each girl separately, the reader enters into their worlds and responsibilities. While each teen has a different scenario, family situation, and interests, they have all found a basis for friendship. The reader enjoys … Continue reading Five Fortunes by Barbara Venkataraman
Young Adult
Find the Moon – Book Blitz – Lone Star Literary News
FIND THE MOON By Beth Fehlbaum Young Adult / Social Issues / Family Issues Publisher: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press Pages: 298 pages Expected Publication Date: January 10, 2023 For as long as she can remember, Kylie Briscoe's been searching for the moon even though she has no idea why it soothes her. Placed … Continue reading Find the Moon – Book Blitz – Lone Star Literary News
But I’m Eponine by Christine Dzidrums
SEE THE POD/VIDEO CAST REVIEW HERE! High school can be rough for anyone, but it is especially challenging for Lyric. After growing up way too quickly as she cared for her younger brother and a mother who ran the gambit of emotions, her world was ripped away. Her mother died, leaving her and her brother … Continue reading But I’m Eponine by Christine Dzidrums
Call Me Madeleine by Kate S. Richards
I have read other books by this author so when this one crossed my screen, I was intrigued. Since the author is a librarian, her books always have the authentic feel of knowing her audience. The main character is a young woman from New Zealand dealing with school, friends, parents, all the normal high school … Continue reading Call Me Madeleine by Kate S. Richards
The Sugar Skull by Manuel Ruiz
This is the perfect read for the high school/young adult – and even some of us way past that. It is on the scary side but a bit eerier. The main character is a 17 year old boy trying to keep not only his life together but also the lives of his family and friends. … Continue reading The Sugar Skull by Manuel Ruiz
The Watermelon Pump by Gretchen Rix
A cantankerous owner of a small town newspaper named Dearie Darling who has a pet chicken – what more do you need? I loved this character! And all the others that populate this story. I could hear the Texas twang in the dialogue, taste the grape jelly beans, feel the rumble of the frequent train, … Continue reading The Watermelon Pump by Gretchen Rix
Not So Common People by T. Gamache
Do you know someone obsessed with music and it’s in all aspects of their life. They can’t wait to get back to it when life takes them away from it – that is Nathan, the main character in this book. At first, Nathan appears as a man-child. But as the story develops, his family and … Continue reading Not So Common People by T. Gamache
The Stash by Benjamin Bradley
While the author has labeled this a YA book, it could easily hold its own against adult thrillers. I am very hesitant writing this review because there are some beautiful twists and I know as soon as I say that other readers will spend time looking for the twist instead of just letting themselves be … Continue reading The Stash by Benjamin Bradley
Love At The Library by Amanda Kai
The author states that this is a clean, wholesome contemporary romance, and that is a perfect description. It is a sweet story of two characters who each have experienced relationships they would rather have skipped but by maturing and growing, they take a chance on each other. With Jane Austen and her books playing a … Continue reading Love At The Library by Amanda Kai
Operation Varsity Blues (A Kahale and Claude Mystery Book 3) by Timothy Baldwin
This is a great mystery series for middle and high schoolers. And frankly, I have also enjoyed it. The author is a teacher who has vast experience with middle school and high school, so he is spot on when it comes to exactly knowing what this reader will enjoy. The series involves four friends who … Continue reading Operation Varsity Blues (A Kahale and Claude Mystery Book 3) by Timothy Baldwin