Gorgeous illustrations. The text is pretty good. But oh, the illustrations.

I liked this one. I wasn't 100% sold on the way Gray described Holdo, which is really why I was reading the book. I didn't get the impression that Holdo was ever like a version of Luna Lovegood, but that is what I got from this book. Ignoring Holdo, this did feel very much like the way a teenaged Leia would act, including how she would get involved in the Rebellion and learn what that really meant. I also liked the way it gave nuance to different ways one might react to oppression: best for the whole, or best for what you love?

Still so cool.

I think this is an important book. It explains Cubans fight for freedom through Jose Marti, a poet and freedom fighter. This book is told in verse, both English and Spanish. It cover his whole life.

Honestly, it wasn't my favorite, but I don't think it was made to please me, white lady in her early thirties. I enjoy learning about new figures do that was fun.

I liked this one a lot. It's colorful and fun, but also gives you an idea of the situation In Cuba. The cars are fun to see, but they are there because of embargoes. They also have to be repaired by whatever people can find. Cars are also not always common, so they need to give people rides. It's a good book to feel immersed in Cuba.

I liked this one. It tries to compare life to being a boat. It isn't always successful, but it does have cute illustrations.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me this book to read. I am sorry it took so long. Henry Page has never been in love until he meets Grace Town. As an adult, you will recognize that this book is about a romance that will end badly, but as a teen, I think you would ride along for a little bit. I enjoyed how fleshed out all the characters were (though Murray dropped a little at the end.) Each character is wonderfully flawed. I enjoyed it.

I read the next series a while ago, but read this one recently. I can see why kids like it, even if I don't feel the urge to go back and read more.

You can hear more of my thoughts, as well as two other bright people, here: http://www.frowl.org/worstbestsellers/episode-91-warriors/

I loved this one. Mamie reminded me a bit of myself. As a kid, I would have picked the least popular thing because I was afraid it would feel bad and then tell people it was really the best. I love episolatory novels, like this one and I think the style really works. I also thought the potential disintegration of the family made sense. I didn't like that it was happening, but it felt real. This is a great story.

I expected a mystery, and it isn't, really. It's more of a historical research book. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I were more familiar with English history and the succession of the throne. I can barely keep Henry VIII's wives in my head, so this, even with a family tree in the front, just didn't work well for me (other than for putting me to sleep.) Still, if that is something you enjoy (history! research! kings!) I think you will like it.