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Changling, Karen Abbott
Changling, Karen Abbott
Children's Book and Media Review
Members of Sarah Smith’s family are indentured to the austere Winter household. The Winters have a reputation in the magical community that they staunchly maintain, so when Sarah unexpectedly exhibits magical powers, she is forced to become a ward of the Winter family to protect everyone from shame and imprisonment. With a new identity as Cassandra Reed, she is sent to a prestigious school of magic where an ancient book selects her as "The Translator.” This distinction is both a blessing and a curse for a girl who wants to go unnoticed, but its revelation allows Sarah and her two …
The Moon Within, Amanda Bishop
The Moon Within, Amanda Bishop
Children's Book and Media Review
Celi isn’t as excited about her changing body as her mother is. She is nervous about the changes it will bring in her life, and isn’t sure if she is ready to become a woman. But this doesn't stop her mother from insisting on a Mexica Moon Ceremony to celebrate her first period. Her mother is deeply involved in holistic healing and the celebration of the female body as well as incorporating their history. As Celi dreads her impending initiation, she latches onto the things in her life that she enjoys the most, particularly Bamba dancing while her best friend …
One True Way, Amanda Morgan
One True Way, Amanda Morgan
Children's Book and Media Review
After moving to a new school for seventh grade, Allison meets Sam, and they become best friends. Before that, Allie’s life had been falling apart. Her brother passed away and her Dad left, and now her Mom is overly protective of her. Sam makes all of that better. Allie’s nothing but happy when she thinks of her, and when they touch, her heart beats fast. She would call it a crush, but living in a small town in the mid-1970s, most people Allie knows would tell her it’s wrong for her to like girls. Especially Sam’s parents. With the help …
Honeysmoke, Amanda Morgan
Honeysmoke, Amanda Morgan
Children's Book and Media Review
Simone’s mom is black and her dad is white, but she doesn't know what color she is. Her mom says that color doesn't matter. Her dad says that Simone is a little bit of black and a little bit of white. But Simone wants her own color. She asks her school friends what color she is, but they don't know either. She’s not the color of any of her crayons or any of her toys. Simone has to think deeper to find a color that fits her just right.
Born Bad, Jaimee Pease
Born Bad, Jaimee Pease
Children's Book and Media Review
Born Bad is a playful story surrounding the struggles of identity. Wolf is unhappy in who he is supposed to be and wanders around the animal kingdom, hopeless that he will ever be able to change. Along his journey, he meets many animals, each with their own shortcomings. Only when he observes the self-confidence and mutual support of his new friends does Wolf find the courage to embrace who he wants to be. C.K. Smouha’s simple phrases and diverse characters pair vividly with Stephen Smith’s bold illustrations to offer a humorous spin on clichéd idioms.
The Authentics, Amanda Bishop
The Authentics, Amanda Bishop
Children's Book and Media Review
Daria and her friends strive to be the “authentic” kids at their high school among many who hide who they truly are. But after she is assigned an ancestry project and sends off her DNA to be analyzed, she discovers some shocking truths about herself. Daria was adopted, but her parents never told her. Feeling betrayed and confused, Daria goes on the search for her biological mother. What she discovers is a step-brother, and they instantly fall for each other. Together they scheme for the best way to introduce mother and daughter, as well as to tell both families about …
Black Enough: Stories Of Being Young And Black In America, Amanda Bishop
Black Enough: Stories Of Being Young And Black In America, Amanda Bishop
Children's Book and Media Review
No abstract provided.
My So-Called Superpowers, Loretta Farnsworth
My So-Called Superpowers, Loretta Farnsworth
Children's Book and Media Review
Veronica is intent on joining the “Est” club, where the prettiest, sportiest, smartest, and other “best” students of the school congregate. However, the “Ests” consider Veronica to be too average. Veronica is sure she can impress them by decorating the gym for the Spring Formal. Unfortunately, her emotions begin to cause very literal problems. When she’s afraid, she turns invisible; when she’s angry, fire bursts from her mouth; when she’s happy, her body forces her to dance for joy. Struggling to hide her powers from her dad, her bully, and her nosy school counselor, Veronica and her best friend Charlie …
I'M A Girl!, Loretta Farnsworth
I'M A Girl!, Loretta Farnsworth
Children's Book and Media Review
I’m a Girl! depicts a little blue donkey who is frequently mistaken for being a boy. She wears necklaces and plays with dolls, but she also makes messes, runs fast, and plays her music loudly. Throughout all her activities, she is quick to remind others that she is a girl, despite not being sweet all the time. The book concludes with her dancing with her friend, a lion, who celebrates being a boy just as the donkey celebrates being a girl.
Smile, Emma Patton
Smile, Emma Patton
Children's Book and Media Review
Sometimes, it takes courage to smile. After Raina knocks out her two front teeth, she embarks on a journey of surgeries, procedures, and orthodontia that will last for many years to make her teeth look “normal.” At every turn, some new development pops up and prolongs the amount of time she’ll have to wait for her “real” smile to be ready. Amidst drama with her teeth, Raina faces conflicts with friends, boys, and the transition to high school. It is difficult for Raina to maintain hope that her dental drama could finally end one day, but she is ultimately able …
George, Amanda Bishop
George, Amanda Bishop
Children's Book and Media Review
George is the story of a young girl who, biologically, was born male. Everyone sees George as if she were a boy, but George knows that inside she is female. George sees her opportunity to let the world know who she really is inside when the school play is announced. She desperately wants to be cast as Charlotte in the upcoming school play, but her teachers and fellow classmates don’t think that a boy should play Charlotte. With the help of her best friend, Kelly, George devises a plan to show everyone that she can make a great Charlotte. She …
The First Rule Of Punk, Amanda Bishop
The First Rule Of Punk, Amanda Bishop
Children's Book and Media Review
Malú is moving away from her home of Florida to live with her mom in Chicago and leaving behind her record shop-owning, punk rock father. At least Malú has her creativity for making zines to help her navigate the journey. Malú often feels confused about her identity. She refers to her mother as “SuperMexican” because she is always trying to transform rebellious punk Malú into a perfect Mexican señorita. But Malú knows exactly who she wants to be, even if that means she doesn’t always fit into her mom’s vision or how her new classmates will view her. Malú befriends …
Meant To Be, Meagan Andrus
Meant To Be, Meagan Andrus
Children's Book and Media Review
Agatha Abrams has just turned eighteen, which means the Name of her supposed soulmate, Meant-To-Be, or MTB, appears tattooed over her heart. Aggy has always been skeptical of MTBs and is now actively rebelling against the thought of the universe picking out her one true love for her. So she decides to pursue Luke Jacobs, a coworker, to prove that she can have romantic relations with someone other than her MTB. At first, their summer fling is fun, flirty, and not too serious. It soon, however, turns to boring and blasé and not at all what Aggy wants. Beyond her …
Daughter Of Deep Silence, Meagan Andrus
Daughter Of Deep Silence, Meagan Andrus
Children's Book and Media Review
When Frances Mace was fourteen, she survived the mass slaughter on and subsequent sinking of the luxury yacht Persephone. Her parents were killed, and her best friend Libby died minutes before she and Frances were rescued at sea by Libby's father. Frances wants to find to find out why the murders and carnage aboard the ship were covered up by the only two other survivors: Senator Wells and his son, Grayson. Now, four years later, Frances has re-entered society as Libby, and she has dark plans of revenge. The first thing she has to do is get close to Grayson …
Ivy Aberdeen's Letter To The World, Meagan Andrus
Ivy Aberdeen's Letter To The World, Meagan Andrus
Children's Book and Media Review
Twelve-year-old Ivy Aberdeen's house is destroyed in a tornado, but this is only one of the horrible things Ivy is having to deal with. Her older sister, who used to be her best friend, is not someone she can trust anymore, and Ivy has a lot of things that are confusing her. She also experiences her first crush, but it's on a girl: June Somerset. The more time she spends with June, the more she realizes that her feelings for June are not platonic. But Ivy has no one to turn to. It takes some anonymous notes, many drawings, and …
The Mesmerist, Tessa Mcmillan
The Mesmerist, Tessa Mcmillan
Children's Book and Media Review
Ever since Jessamine Grace’s father was killed, she and her mother have earned a living working as spiritualists for London’s elite. Their work is a sham until one job causes Jessamine to actually receive deadly messages from the supernatural cult, Mephisto. Realizing Jessamine has the gift of mesmerism, communicating and interacting with the dead, her mother takes Jessamine to Balthazar, a half-faerie man who heads a small league of gifted youth dedicated to thwarting Mephisto and other evil forces. While Jessamine is training with Balthazar’s league, Jessamine’s mother is killed by Mephisto’s ghouls. Jessamine joins in the fight against Mephisto’s …
The Kidney Hypothetical, Meagan Andrus
The Kidney Hypothetical, Meagan Andrus
Children's Book and Media Review
Higgs Boson Bing graduates high school in five days. In that time, he plans on winning the Student of the Year award, having fun with his girlfriend Roo during graduation festivities, and packing for Harvard. But apparently the universe has it out for Higgs and wants to see him fail. Roo breaks up with him because of some insignificant (to him) hypothetical situation, his name is slandered throughout the school, and Harvard receives an anonymous tip that Higgs lied on his application. Everything comes crashing down and Higgs doesn't know what to do. He meets an enigmatic girl named Monarch, …
Incarnate, Shelly Darringrton
Incarnate, Shelly Darringrton
Children's Book and Media Review
For thousands of years the souls of Range have been reincarnated, keeping all memories and experiences from their past lives. When Ana is born, an old soul inexplicably disappears. Ana is a NewSoul; a completely new person who has never lived before. Rejected by her parents, Ana decides to travel to the city of Heart, the hub of life in Range. But her journey is difficult, and she is rescued from the sylph, strange monsters that burn and destroy, by Sam, a soul that doesn’t treat her with hatred. Sam and Ana become closer as they travel to Heart together. …
Cut Me Free, Lisa Packard
Cut Me Free, Lisa Packard
Children's Book and Media Review
Piper has barley escaped with her life from the Parents. She runs to Philadelphia to start a new life and meets Cam. He helps people that are in trouble to start a new life with a new name. Piper is now Charlotte. As she starts to trust again, especially Cam, she notices things around her that no one else does. One day she sees a little girl with burn marks and cuts all over her body being dragged around by a man. Charlotte follows them and sets the girl, Sanda, free but in the process kills her captor. Charlotte doesn't …
Dead To You, Lisa Packard
Dead To You, Lisa Packard
Children's Book and Media Review
Ethan has finally found his family. He was taken as a child and raised by a woman named Ellen, but she abandoned him. He realizes that Ellen is not his true family and after searching, he finds them, the De Wildes, in Minnesota. As he tries to get used to being in a family again with people who love him, his younger brother Blake doesn't trust him. Blake insists he's a fake, especially if Ethan can't remember anything before the abduction. He doesn't even remember grandparents or neighbors and it causes distrust and torment in his family. Just as he …
Nooks & Crannies, Tessa Mcmillan
Nooks & Crannies, Tessa Mcmillan
Children's Book and Media Review
Life for Tabitha Crum has been difficult because of neglectful parents and a harsh school bully. The two things that help Tabitha survive are taking care of her pet mouse Pemberley and reading the Inspector Pensive mysteries. Just when her parents are about to abandon her, Tabitha receives an invitation from the Countess of Windermere to stay for the weekend. The Crums postpone their trip hoping they can cash in Tabitha for the Countess’s fortune. However, they learn five other children have been invited as well. When all the guests arrive at the Windermere estate, they are greeted by an …
Withering-By-Sea, Tessa Mcmillan
Withering-By-Sea, Tessa Mcmillan
Children's Book and Media Review
While residing at a health resort with her three stingy aunts, Stella Montgomery witnesses the murder of an elderly hotel patron, Mr. Filbert. But before his death, Mr. Filbert entrusts Stella with an ancient bottle to keep away from his murderer—a magician known as The Professor. The Professor forces his young assistant, Ben, to use his seer-ability to discover the bottle’s location. When Stella’s part is revealed, The Professor kidnaps Stella and holds her at the local theater. Stella tricks The Professor’s goons and finds sanctuary with two theater performers: Mr. Capelli and the dancer, Gert. But before Stella is …
Mila 2.0: Redemption, Liz Kazandzhy
Mila 2.0: Redemption, Liz Kazandzhy
Children's Book and Media Review
MILA 2.0 begins as a story of a seemingly typical 16-year-old girl named Mila. She struggles with the recent death of her father, deals with high school drama, and quickly falls for a new boy in town named Hunter. However, she soon discovers that she is actually a recently-created robot designed by the government for espionage purposes, and her “mom” is actually one of her designers who broke her out of the government facility because she recognized the uniquely human qualities in Mila. While trying to escape together to a foreign county, Mila and her mom outrun one group of …
Mila 2.0 #2: Renegade
Children's Book and Media Review
After the murder of her mother, the girl android Mila follows a lead with the hope of discovering who she really is. She is joined by Hunter, the boy she met in her hometown just weeks earlier, and together they travel around the eastern U.S. searching for answers. Because of her own insecurities and the desire to protect Hunter, Mila struggles to be honest with him, and this causes rifts in their relationship as Hunter slowly realizes that Mila and her life are far from ordinary. After making their way from one lead to another, all the while running from …
Mila 2.0
Children's Book and Media Review
MILA 2.0 begins as a story of a seemingly typical 16-year-old girl named Mila. She struggles with the recent death of her father, deals with high school drama, and quickly falls for a new boy in town named Hunter. However, she soon discovers that she is actually a recently-created robot designed by the government for espionage purposes, and her “mom” is actually one of her designers who broke her out of the government facility because she recognized the uniquely human qualities in Mila. While trying to escape together to a foreign county, Mila and her mom outrun one group of …