DEBATING DARCY
By S. Dasgupta

This was a fun Pride and Prejudice retelling set in the interesting world of school speech and debate tournaments. The large cast of characters added a fun dynamic to the overall story and played off well against the sassy heroine, Leela.

Firoze Darcy was brilliantly written as Leela's antagonist turned more and had a deep and layered past that was expertly woven into the story.

A humorous read filled with witty banter and literary references.

EXCUSE ME WHILE I UGLY CRY
By J. Goffney

This is an emotional YA read about a list-obsessed teen who's private journal falls into the wrong hands leading to blackmail via social media.

She teams up with the last person to see the journal, cute and practical Carter, in an attempt to try and get it back before her reputation is completely ruined. Along the way, she learns a lot about herself, her family, her friend group, and the type of person she wants to become. Not to mention, the type of boy she wants by her side.

Topics explored include race, identity, authenticity, friendship, bravery, and living honestly. Highly recommend.

THE LIBRARY OF LOST THINGS
By L. Taylor Namey

From the author of A Cuban Girl's Guide to Tea and Tomorrow comes another story about family and love.

Darcy is a caring, book-loving heroine who's daily struggles to keep her mother's pathological hoarding a secret from the world could cost her the college life she dreams of, not to mention her growing connection with a boy from school—Asher, who's battling issues of his own.

Supported by a caring and full of life best friend, Darcy takes on extra work to meet the financial expenses of the household while juggling school, her challenging mother, and moments with Asher.
​
This is one for readers who like their heart strings tugged and slow, slow, slow burn romance.

THE EDGE OF SUMMER
By Erica George

This was such an enjoyable YA read. The main character, Cor, visits Cape Cod for an internship with a marine conservation center the summer after senior year. She arrives weighed down with baggage following the ocean drowning of her best friend, a life event she has yet to make peace with.
There she meets local boy Mannix who has his own struggles.
Together, they support and help each other face the obstacles in their paths.
Along with a cast of diverse characters and plenty of whale love, this sweet story is a perfect beach (or anytime of year) read about first loss, first love, and learning to trust and believe in oneself.

WHAT TO SAY NEXT
By J. Buxbaum

Read this one with a full box of tissues, talk about a powerful tear jerker.

This is a dual POV story. Kit is a popular girl struggling to make sense of life in the aftermath of her father's death (motor vehicle accident). David is a neuroatypical loner with a high IQ. They come together when Kit chooses to sit near David one day and an unlikely friendship develops. She appreciates his blunt honesty and he appreciates her respect and attention. David is eager to help when Kit requests assistance with figuring out the details of her father's accident, but the results are far from what he expected and possibly too much for their new friendship to weather.

NO PLACE LIKE HERE
By C. June

For those who enjoy summer camp stories, this is a good one!
Ashlyn returns home from boarding school to discover that her father is being sent to jail for tax evasion and her mother is checking herself into a rehab facility for depression. She is sent to a forested sleep-away camp to join her cousin as a camp counsellor. There she questions her toxic relationship with her father, strengthens ties with her cousin and extended family, finds love, and proves her worth when the camp struggles under new leadership.

HOW TO BE A GIRL IN THE WORLD
By C. Carter

​Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

HOW TO BE A GIRL IN THE WORLD is an important middle-grade novel about standing up for oneself and speaking the truth, no matter how awkward doing so may be. It will hopefully become an invaluable resource for parents and educators in opening up discussions over body positivity, touch boundaries and consent, and handling inappropriate sexual behavior. Topics that, historically, have not received the attention they deserve.

Lydia isn't sure why some of her school friends like it when boys call them names and try to see up their skirts or why she doesn't. Is there something wrong with her? And is her mom's boyfriend just overly friendly or inappropriate when he gives her long hugs or touches her knee? Too scared to articulate these concerns, Lydia turns to layers of clothing to hide her body and searches for answers and protection in a book of magic spells.

Carter does a wonderful job of letting the reader inside Lydia's head and showcasing just how difficult speaking up can be, especially when trusted adults are dismissive of one's concerns. This book is a must-read for tween girls and is sure to have a positive impact on the lives of many.

@kidlitexchange #bookstagram #kidlitexchange #kidlit @caelacarter 
@harpercollinsch

FLYING OVER WATER
By S. Hitchcock & N. H. Senzai

Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This page-turning dual point-of-view middle-grade novel tells the stories of Noura, a Syrian refugee, and Jordyn, the student ambassador who welcomes Noura and her twin brother to their new school in Tampa, Florida. 

As the girls become better acquainted, they realize they are both battling demons and set about helping each other. But bigger issues are going on around them. There is unrest in the community. The mosque Noura and her family attend is burnt by arsonists and the U.S President has announced a Muslim ban. Other minority groups are suffering, too. 

This is a wonderful, much-needed novel for introducing middle-graders to the important concepts of immigration, what it means to be a refugee, prejudice/racism, and discrimination. It also provides readers with a deeper understanding of the Syrian refugee experience. Read and share widely—with increased tolerance and understanding the world will move closer to becoming a better place for all.

@kidlitexchange #bookstagram #kidlitexchange #kidlit @scholasticinc