I value the message about the importance of healthy, natural foods (not that GMO mess), but the execution felt too slapstick to me. 

<blockquote>”The most radical thing you can do is love yourself and each other.”</blockquote> 
I didn’t care too much about the romance here, but I liked the characters, especially JT! The romance is more so in the background while Nala’s character development is in the front.

As someone who has been involved in community organizing, especially for black and environmental issues, I definitely understood Nala’s feelings with the activists. Sometimes you meet people so passionate (they eat, breathe, sleep it) about something, you feel your zeal doesn’t compare to theirs. I also enjoyed that Nala was self-aware to understand her cousin Imani’s feelings may have stemmed from resentment. 

Let this be a lesson: Sit cho’ behind down and stop lying all the doggone time. Seriously, even the littlest lies can catapult into something big. Just be honest even if it’s uncomfortable. Still, I think the story managed to show this without getting too preachy.

Great! I thought Karen felt like a real, little kid with some of her thinking. She acts like a certified brat in this book, but these are all ways I've seen kids act out, especially when she gets mad Andrew gets a toy instead of her.

 If we can all stop DROOLING over the gorgeous, FULLY-COLORED artwork (I don’t even wanna think about how long it took to use watercolors for each scene), let’s talk about the story. This is a spaced out, quirky love story when you boil it down to its ingredients. There’s even a ragtag bunch of pirates who are fun and more than just fodder for the good guys to beat up. 

Sazan’s bashful and a little dopey but kind-hearted, and he meets Mina when she gives him a ride home from work. Trouble follows her everywhere, but Sazan doesn’t mind. I like that Mina has a bit more character than the usual manic pixie girl. She doesn’t just fall in love with the first person who shows her kindness. Sazan also has more agency than just sitting around waiting for somebody to make him interesting. 

The initial connection between the two is fast and cute. The way Mina innocently looked at him so wide-eyed honestly, reminded me of Ponyo, and I try my best not to rely on comparisons. It’s insta-love, but it works so well.

it's romantic without there really ever being a kiss. there is one on the cheek tho! ;)

Also, the characters are in their twenties too! I’m so used to reading YA fiction I was a bit taken back to see characters my own age. 

Lastly, y’all never learn with these doggone robots!

well-intentioned robot or AI without emotions goes down the destroying-humans path? It’s been done before, but it’s how ya do it. I didn’t mind the trope here

 

I loved reading this! I felt like I just watched a movie. I had a great experience and I cheering the characters on every step of the way. 

Well, I never thought I would read “molesting the avocados” in a story, but here we all. 

Overall, I enjoyed reading this. I almost read this all-in-one sitting. Normally, watching characters make mistake after mistake can get tiring, but I didn’t mind Gabrielle’s journey to self-acceptance. Gabrielle’s immigration experience is not easy and she feels othered in Brooklyn, New York. The weight of all of Haiti (though really, it’s just her fam back home) is on her shoulders to fit in and not cause any trouble. That’s a lot. I think many first- and second-generation and newly immigrated kids will find this story relatable. There is magical realism throughout this story, but the ending felt a little on the nose. 

Ending spoiler:

great twist with Tiana. often bullies are the most insecure

  

 I have always heard about Black Wallstreet and I knew the unfortunate ending, but I liked seeing this fictional take on it. We get to see how life may have been for those living in this sort of Black oasis. The people in the community felt real to me. The Booker T. Washington vs. W.E B. Du Bois conversations where their two ideologies are contrasted were good as well. For those more interested in the historical aspects, they may be disappointed by how much the story focuses on Isaiah’s development, Angel’s need to help, and innocent romance (slightly insta-lovey but fitting). The actual events don’t take place until the last hundred pages, choosing instead to focus on our main characters’ lives instead. 

I enjoyed (as much as you can with the subject matter) reading Angel of Greenwood, and I wish there was more attention given to it. This is a split pov with Angel and Isaiah. Angel is the girl with a heart of gold who is always caring for others and not herself, while Isaiah is a secretly decent guy led around by his nasty friend Muggy jr. 

I did not know how early on would the book touch on the vile massacre, so there was an impending sense of dread for me. However, the lightheartedness of Isaiah getting his junk together and his beautiful, lovesick poems he wrote about Angel were a welcome distraction. 

While I generally don’t read much historical fiction featuring African-Americans/Black Americans (I’m always left with a mixture of anger and sadness afterwards; it can be emotionally-draining at times), I don’t regret reading this. We, descendants from North American chattel enslavement, have truly had an enduring time in this country. Still, Angel of Greenwood shows that black life isn’t/wasn’t this all-consuming suffering. People have lives, aspirations, hopes and dreams and whatnot too. 

Anyway, this is worth reading (and talking about!) 

Bug Boys: Outside and Beyond gets trippy and philosophical and breaks the 4th wall often! But I enjoyed  it just as much as the first book. Stag-B and Rhino-B are still as adorable as ever. The artwork is oh-so lovely with green foliage and cartoony expressions. 

I would recommend this for middle grade readers because some of the more philosophical bits may confuse younger kids (but also an opportunity to create discussion). Also, Stag-B’s insecurities about his friend growing up faster than him will probably resonate more with middle grade readers because they’re in a transitory period.