 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
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 SHOW ME A SIGN
By Ann Clare LeZotte Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own. SHOW ME A SIGN is a beautifully written middle-grade, historical fiction novel. Set in 1805, it tells the story of Mary Lambert, a girl growing up on Martha's Vineyard. Many people on the island are Deaf, including Mary, and use sign language to communicate. Her island life is in many ways idyllic, though she doesn't realize this until she is forced to face life on the mainland. In Boston, there are very few Deaf people, minimal understanding of sign language, and even scientists and medical professionals are under the misapprehension that deafness is an infirmity. Mary is an ideal heroine—smart, curious, adventurous, and imaginative. Readers will undoubtedly fall under her spell from page one and stick with her through the terrible ordeals she faces as the story unfolds. LeZotte, a Deaf librarian, handles so much so well, from the Deaf experience and the intricacies of sign language versus spoken language to intolerance, cultural issues, and racism. The back matter is equally rich. Wonderful and essential reading for all! @kidlitexchange #bookstagram #kidlitexchange #kidlit @scholasticinc  THE SPACE BETWEEN LOST AND FOUND
By Sandy Stark-McGinnis On Sale Date: 4/28/20 Thank you to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own. From the author of EXTRAORDINARY BIRDS comes THE SPACE BETWEEN LOST AND FOUND. A moving story about a girl coming to terms with her mother’s progressive memory loss due to early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. This is a bittersweet tale of family and friendship which will tug on the heart strings of all readers. The girl, Cassie, who loves art and math, is well characterized and full of heart. Her declining mother is realistically portrayed- having both ‘good’ and ‘bad’ moments and unpredictable behavior consistent with her diagnosis. Cassie’s strung-out but supportive father and soccer-loving estranged best friend are also memorable. An ideal read for anyone who knows what it is like to love someone with Alzheimer’s or anyone who wants to know what it is like. @kidlitexchange #bookstagram #kidlitexchange #kidlit @starkmcginnis @bloomsburypublishing  REENI'S TURN
By Carol Coven Grannick On Sale Date: 9/13/2020 Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own. REENI'S TURN follows the journey of shy ballet enthusiast, Reeni, as she prepares for her first solo ballet performance. But preparing for the limelight isn't the only thing that's new in eleven-year-old Reeni's life—her womanly figure is emerging and it isn't at all like she imagined. Encouraged by her newly image-conscious friends, Reeni spirals into a world of dieting, binge eating, lies, and obsessing about her appearance and weight. Grannick is a master poet and each line of this award-worthy novel-in-verse about identity and self-acceptance is brimming with raw emotion and intensity. From line one, readers are sure to be swept up in Reeni's journey and are likely to be left thinking about Reeni long after the final page. A perfect conversation starter for addressing body image issues with tweens and teens, whether they are dancers or not. Find a cozy spot, settle in, and prepare to be twirled into Reeni's world. @kidlitexchange #bookstagram #kidlitexchange #kidlit @carolcovengrannick @fitzroy_books  CAN YOU SEE ME?
By Libby Scott & Rebecca Westcott Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own. This middle-grade novel centers around sixth-grader Tally and her experiences starting middle school. But as well as adjusting to life in a new school and her "friends" changing before her eyes (becoming boy-crazy and into make-up), Tally has the added challenge of managing her autism and keeping the struggle silent. Tally's journey is based on Ms. Scott's own experiences with autism and is a moving story about what it means to be "normal." It is told in close third person with interspersed diary entries written by Tally. No doubt this book will prove to be an integral part of any school and library collection and an important conversation-starter for communities seeking to better understand autism and provide accommodations for autistic members. @kidlitexchange #bookstagram #kidlitexchange #kidlit  THE DERBY DAREDEVILS: Kenzie Kickstarts a Team
By Kit Rosewater (Illustrations by Sophie Escabasse) On Sale Date: March 2020 Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own. This new chapter book/early middle-grade series set in Austin, Texas, features the sport of Roller Derby and a diverse cast of characters. The reader follows Kenzie on her mission to put together a roller-derby team as mighty as the one her Mom plays on. With the help of her best friend, Shelly, Kenzie unites a group of eccentric individuals and teaches them the basics of the sport just in time for try-outs. She also admits to herself that she may have feelings for one of the girls she enlists. This straightforward story carries important themes including friendship, self-acceptance, and balancing individuality with teamwork and team spirit. The short chapters and simple language are well-pitched for the intended audience and the character's voices read as authentic and age-appropriate. Lace your skates and enjoy! @kidlitexchange #bookstagram #kidlitexchange #kidlit @abramskids  NOT IF I CAN HELP IT
By Carolyn Mackler This is a sweet middle-grade story featuring Willa, a dog-loving girl with Sensory Processing Disorder. Willa lives with her father and brother in a New York City apartment during the week and visits her mother and step-father on the weekends. She has regular sessions with a therapist and a reliable best friend, Ruby, who keeps her grounded at school. But Willa's world is flipped upside down when she discovers her father has fallen in love with Ruby's mom and intends to marry her. Readers will quickly connect with likable Willa and empathize with her need for stability and her dislike of change. The detailed aspects of her disorder are well integrated into the story without them overtaking the plot or Willa's character development. Strong themes of friendship, family, self-acceptance, and honesty abound as Willa grapples with disclosing her diagnosis to Ruby and contemplates how she will function with a new sister and step-mom in her daily life. Grab some gummy bears (Willa's favorite candy!) and enjoy. #bookreview #kidlit #bookstagram  THE STORY WEB
By Megan Frazer Blakemore Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own. A contemporary story with touches of magic, THE STORY WEB largely follows the story of a young girl, Alice, who struggles to cope when her father goes away for treatment of depression/PTSD. His departure coincides with strange activities in the local community—forest animals come to town and an ice storm begins with no end in sight. It is said, these events are due to the break down of the story-web; a web woven by spiders from the telling of truthful tales. A web so crucial that without it, society will break down and the world will freeze. This story is told from multiple points of view including the likable Alice, her two friends, and various forest animals. The action rises slowly and is charged with emotional intensity. It includes themes of family, friendship, the importance of truth/honesty, mental illness, and the impact of rumors/gossip/fear-mongering. A great read for a quiet weekend or to fuel a deep classroom or family discussion. @kidlitexchange #partner #bookstagram #kidlitexchange #kidlit @bloomsburypublishing @megbmore  HALFWAY NORMAL
By Barbara Dee HALFWAY NORMAL is a wonderful contemporary story about Norah, a seventh-grader returning to school following a prolonged absence for leukemia treatment. As well as the standard middle-school parent, friendship and relationship dilemmas, Dee brilliantly weaves in the added pressures of being labeled a cancer-survivor and having an impaired immune system and the impact that has on Norah's reintegration into the school community and her interactions with others. Norah is a likable character on a journey towards self-acceptance and a new normal. Her story is filled with hope and inspiration making this a must-read for all.  WEIRD LITTLE ROBOTS
By Carolyn Crimi (Illustrated by Corinna Luyken) Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book. All opinions are my own. From acclaimed picture book writer, Carolyn Crimi, comes the sweet and quirky middle-grade novel, WEIRD LITTLE ROBOTS. A story about a lonely, robot-making eleven-year-old named Penny Rose who wishes for a friend but gets a whole lot more than she ever dreamed. The gentle and wise narrator's voice will draw readers in from the first page and the rising action and unexpected events that occur as the plot unfolds will keep readers intrigued until the final word. The character's (both human and robot) are vividly captured by Crimi's words and Luyken's art and their choices, actions, and reactions are well explored. Their love of science, creating, and repurposing discarded objects adds an additional layer of intrigue and wonder to the story. This delightful, early middle-grade story is a worthy addition to home bookshelves and classroom libraries. Buckle up your tool belt and enjoy! Release Date: 10/1/2019 @kidlitexchange #partner #bookstagram #kidlitexchange #kidlit @carolyncrimi1228 #carolyncrimi @corinnaluyken @candlewickpress #weirdlittlerobots |
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