So good, but it was dark. Darker than I normally read. I'm not sure if it contributed to my mood when I came home, but while I was listening to it, I would get in the house and be angry. I'm glad I read it.

Slow and steady did I read this one. It was the book on my phone, which almost always takes a backseat to whatever I'm reading in print. I did enjoy this one quite a lot. I wasn't as familiar with the characters as I would have liked, but it gives me something to research later. Mbalia does an excellent job as a debut author, and I can't wait to see where the story goes next.

I'll be honest--as I read this book I could feel my apprehension growing. Reading stories from teen boys' perspectives where I know their feelings about girls will be discussed are tricky reads for me. I've read books where the male protagonist's thoughts are toxic and that isn't really addressed, and it reminds me why I tried to give up seeing men as much as possible in college. I will say that this book, while I felt uncomfortable at moments, does not leave toxic masculinity as a positive thing. It was worth the awkward moments, because I needed to hear where Del was to see where he would grow.

I listened to this book, so I'm not 100% on how some of the character's names are spelled, but Cheyenne was a particular favorite of mine, as well as Cressie.

Some reviewers have noted mixed feelings about the pastor character, and I do agree, although I also think that is very true to life.

I really liked this one. Tavia and Effie are sisters, although not by blood. Tavia is hiding the fact that she is a siren, since they are feared. Effie is...perhaps something? We don't know yet. We do see the struggles they go through. Morrow does an excellent job of mapping her fantastical word on our own, with many parallels between what happens to sirens and what happens to black people in general.

This was so good, I read it in two days. I thought it might border YA, but this is a solidly middle grade novel, about a pelesit and the humans he serves. This book was just so good. It's a little creepy and a little funny in places. Recommended for kids who want something creepy, or kids looking for something immersive.

This is a stunning look at the moon landing. I especially appreciated the focus on all the different parts that went into making the moon landing possible--which factories were used, how was it transferred over, etc? Most stories I read focus specifically on the astronauts and mission control.

At first I wondered about not using photographs, but Rocco's author's note at the end helped me understand his choice and I do think it works. This is a beautiful book.

The Astro-Nuts are a secret explorer group sponsored by NNASA (Not the National Aeronautic and Space Agency). Four animals have been made into super explorers designed to find the next planet that humanity can live on. There’s Alphawolf (the leader), SuperHawk (the planner), LaserShark (nurse, security, chef), and Stinkbug (pilot, engineer). Their rocket lives in Thomas Jefferson’s nose on Mount Rushmore, and the catalyst for their mission is that we have exceeded 400 PPM of CO2 in the atmosphere. On The Water Planet, we travel to a mostly aquatic planet, where tests are derailed by politicians telling us that everything is fine and great, appealing to Alphawolf’s ego, but secretly a revolution is brewing from the underclass.

Each book is packed with environmental facts. The Planet Earth narrates sections, and she lets you know how humanity has screwed up the environment and continues to do so. You’ll also see the scientific method in action, and see how we test things over and over again to come to facts. One of my favorite parts are the gorgeous collage illustrations. Weinberg uses art from the Rijksmuseum (Dutch National Museum) that you can find online and then colored it. He explains the process in the back of the book. There is also a bit of potty humor in these books too, as Stinkbug just can’t help himself sometimes.

These books are perfect for fans of Sciezka’s other books (like Time Warp Trio), Captain Underpants, and other zany tales. Book one (Plant Planet) in the series is already out, and The Water Planet comes out in August.

This is my favorite sports book I've read so far this year. I think this is what I wanted the ice skating book I read earlier to be. Susannah was a phenom in the water. Then puberty hit, her body changed, and she's been struggling ever since. Can a new coach and a new boy help, or will they be a distraction?

This book deals with some heavy issues related to mental health. I liked that it wasn't sugarcoated. I did have some issues with the abusive coach, but I think Jarzab handled it well and that he is an accurate coach. Harry broke my heart. I have found that, this year, one thing I'm quite into are

Spoiler

grown-up relationship endings. This one reminds me of Alexis and Ted from Schitt's Creek, ending despite the love because you know it's best for each person. It breaks my heart into a million pieces, but I also just..am really into it?

The side characters are mostly fleshed out, but this is really Susannah's story. My eyes are watering now.

So this is kind of like Quidditch plus that Nickelodeon show where the kids had to try to run up the mountain and there were avalanches and stuff? I'm forgetting the name. This is a world like our own, only there are dragons, and they bond with humans. Many dragons are involved in a sport called Blazewrath (which I kept calling Blazewraith, ooops) where some people try to get a rock through a hoop while others block and if they do that, this runner without a dragon can try to run up a mountain while avoiding dragon fire and fighting blockers.

One thing that threw me (and honestly, this shows my white privilege/racism) is that Puerto Rico is a country in this book (yes, in the fantasy book about dragons my brain was arguing that Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States. I have a lot to unlearn.) There are parts where the protagonist, Lana, doesn't feel as much of a Boricua as she could be. There's also a mystery with a terrorist, and it gets really creepy at parts, especially the end. The mom seems emotionally abusive at the beginning, but comes around by the end. I could see this appealing to fans of fast-paced reads.

I can't recall there being any romance, which is sometimes hard to find in a YA book.

I read this all in one sitting. It was so cute. I love prickly Snap, and her acceptance of other people as they are, and how she helps her friends reveal their true selves. Just an excellent title all around.