It took me a little while to get into this one, because I didn't know a lot about Bolivia and I was having a hard time picturing some of the different areas. I also don't speak Spanish, and although there is a glossary at the end, I appreciated the slight confusion and working to figure things out.

Ximena is the decoy for the ousted condesa of Inksasia, and very few people know. When the fake king, Atoc, claims the condesa as his bride, she goes in the real condesa's place. In the palace, she tries to bring about the downfall of the fake king by finding a powerful relic. But what does Ximena really know about Inksasia's history?

This is a book that doesn't have easy answers. History is complicated, and often difficult to find the right answers after a war has gone on. I like that this book keeps it complicated. I did think it took Ximena a little longer to catch on than I would have liked, but I do have to admit that strong prejudices take time to change. And maybe I don't want to admit that about myself.

Would be nice if there were an updated version, but it was a good overview for me of the different types of homeschoolers and some ways to start helping them out more in the library.

A diverse group of fairies are just out of sight of a little girl.

Beautiful illustrations and a great take on a classic story.

SO CUTE OMG NEED MORE

LOVE IT FEEL SO CUTE

This is a blood-soaked book. I have not read Damsel, although I've heard it's controversial. I'm not sure if it would have prepared me for this or not? It also has some of the more graphic sex scenes I've read in a YA book. The tense is second person. To me, a lot of these things should somehow combine to make a book that is hard to read and absorb. And at times, it is. And at times, the period talk is so frank that you are surprised, and then feel disappointment that something that happens to roughly 51% of the population is so shrouded in mystery. There was something about this book that reminded me of Rory Power's work, so I think those would be interesting to read in conjunction.

This was so beautifully written, and I feel like I have a better idea of what the Hmong people went through. This book captures one family's journey from Laos to Thailand to the United States, and the efforts to keep the ties of seven children together by the grandmother. Highly recommended.

Read it in a weekend. Pretty good, definitely liked the parts with the Queen and Queen Mother.

This book is very, very cute. I enjoyed seeing Liz Lighty come out of her shell, and there was definitely a lot of relatable teen moments. There are times when I think I have been Gabi, and there have been times where I have been Liz (and maybe even times when I have been Jordan.) Stone made me laugh every time she was on the page. This book also has some tough issues in it, and I think it will make teens think.