​Dr. Shanah Salter
  • ABOUT
  • Writing Craft
  • BOOKS
  • POETRY
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Contact
  • Medical Presentations
  • Medical Blog

Book Reviews

Debating Darcy

3/31/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
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.
0 Comments

Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry

3/31/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
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.
0 Comments

The Library of Lost Things

3/31/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
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.
0 Comments

Follow Your Arrow

3/22/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
FOLLOW YOUR ARROW
By Jessica Verdi


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

This young-adult novel by Jessica Verdi is a fun, fast-paced read brimming with important conversations surrounding the power of social media (positive and negative), sexuality and identity, and the challenges of being a teen growing up in today’s complex world.

Cece is a likable, anxious main character with good intentions. She is a bisexual social media influencer who begins losing followers after parting ways with her social influencer gay-identifying girlfriend and beginning a relationship with a heterosexual boy who is social media clueless. The plot is relatively straight-forward, allowing the reader to focus on the profound impact Cece’s online world has on her off-line world and vice versa and how her experiences in these two different spheres have shaped her character and ultimately move her in a direction of growth and change.

Emails and tweets Cece sends and receives are a fun stylistic addition.

This is a great book to help frame discussions around social media as well as LGBTQ+ issues. Grab a donut and enjoy!

@kidlitexchange #bookstagram #kidlitexchange #kidlit @scholasticinc
0 Comments

How to be a Girl in the World

1/10/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
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
0 Comments

Flying Over Water

1/10/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
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
0 Comments

Abby, Tried & True

11/29/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
ABBY, TRIED AND TRUE
By D. Gephart


On sale Date: 3/9/2021

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

From award-winning middle-grade author, Donna Gephart, comes a powerful novel about friendship and family.

Seventh-grader Abby is a softy-spoken, endearing protagonist who must find inner strength when her brother, Paul, is diagnosed with testicular cancer and her best (and only) friend moves away.

Through Abbie's eyes, Gephart honestly explores the impact of Paul's cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment on the family unit. 

The heaviness of this situation is lightened by Abby's developing feelings for her new neighbor, the cute and sensitive Conrad. Her supportive mom's and extended family are equally endearing.

An extended author's note provides information about Gephart's personal struggles with ovarian cancer as well as information specific to testicular cancer.

This is an important read for those wishing to learn more about cancer treatment or supporting a loved one with cancer. Hopefully, it will also increase awareness of testicular cancer (and the importance of early diagnosis) amongst middle-grade readers.

@kidlitexchange #bookstagram #kidlitexchange #kidlit 
0 Comments

Sing Like No One's Listening

7/9/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
SING LIKE NO ONE'S LISTENING
By Vanessa Jones


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

Set
 in London, this turbulent young adult novel features Nettie, a talented singer/songwriter who is accepted into a top performing arts school but grapples with finding her voice while grieving the death of her ballerina mother.

Nellie's character is distinct and the backdrop of the school is rich with detail and provides a fascinating peek behind the curtain's of the theater world. Plot twists and turns, including an intense love interest, bullies, and pressure from the teachers to perform and overcome her voice hurdles, keep the book steaming along. An enjoyable read!

@kidlitexchange @peachtreepublishing #bookstagram #kidlitexchange #kidlit 


0 Comments

Hello From Renn Lake

6/15/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
HELLO FROM RENN LAKE
By M. Weber Hurwitz


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

This sweet middle-grade story centers on the effects of an algal bloom (caused by pollution) on a Wisconsin lake. It is told from two main points of view—the lake itself, and 12-year-old Annalise, a girl who holds the lake dear. 

The development of Annalise's character is well done, including the mysterious circumstances surrounding her entry into the world. Her mission to save the lake and her family's lakeside vacation rental business is believable and relatable and a great message for readers—children have the power to create change in the world.

The educational elements of the algal issue are explained in simple terms appropriate for middle-graders and the entire Renn Lake community's involvement and activism to improve the health of the waterway are encouraging and hopeful.

A perfect summer read!

@kidlitexchange #bookstagram #kidlitexchange #kidlit @randomhousekids #wendylambbooks @micheleweberhurwitz
0 Comments

If We Were Us

6/15/2020

0 Comments

 
Picture
IF WE WERE US
By K.L. Walther


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

​A light-hearted YA rom-com novel for high-schoolers contemplating relationships, college, and adulthood. This dual POV story, set in a boarding school, focuses on Sage and Charlie, lifelong best friends.


During the course of the story, Sage falls in love with Charlie's twin—Nick. While Charlie, who is coming to terms with his sexual identity, falls for a family friend—Luke.

The alternating POV chapters in this story work well and allow for deeper character development, though their voices could have been a little more distinctive. 

There are plenty of small plot twists and bumps to keep up the pace and ensure readers stay engaged and turning pages.

A fun summer read.

@kidlitexchange #bookstagram #kidlitexchange #kidlit @sourcebooksfire
0 Comments
<<Previous
    Picture

    Archives

    March 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    August 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    October 2017

    Categories

    All
    Acceptance
    ADHD
    Adoption
    Adventure
    Alzheimer's Disease
    Animals
    Asthma
    Autism
    Boarding School
    Cancer
    Cats
    Chapter Book
    Christmas
    Consent
    Crocodile
    Dance
    Deaf Culture
    Dinosaur
    Diverse Ability
    Divorce
    Dog
    Dyslexia
    Early Reader
    Eating Disorder
    Environment
    Epilepsy
    Family
    Fantasy
    First Crush
    First Words Book
    Friendship
    Gingerbread Man
    Grief And Loss
    Heart Transplant
    Historical Fiction
    Hoarding
    Humor
    Immigration
    Japan
    Kindness
    Leukemia
    LGBTQ+
    Library
    Magic
    Mental Illness
    Middle Grade
    Monkey
    Mystery
    New Home
    Novel-in-verse
    Parent In Prison
    Performing Arts
    Pet
    Picture Book
    Race Relations
    Refugees
    Rhyme
    Roller Derby
    Romance
    Russia
    Schizophrenia
    School
    Seizures
    Sensory Processing Disorder
    Series
    Sexual Abuse
    Shark
    Skill Acquisition
    Social Media
    Spelling
    Stage-fright
    STEM
    St Patrick's Day
    Summer Camp
    Superhero
    Swimming
    Talent Show
    Team Work
    Travel
    Vehicles
    Wordless Picture Book
    Young Adult

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • ABOUT
  • Writing Craft
  • BOOKS
  • POETRY
  • BOOK REVIEWS
  • Contact
  • Medical Presentations
  • Medical Blog