 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
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 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  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  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 |
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