Welp I read this one in this sitting, it is a bonefide page turner. I think the folks who were annoyed that Aveinieu didn’t turn into some modern day Narnia are kind of missing the point. This is a really quick, fascinating read about needing an escape and how middle schoolers deal with not having an outlet for that escape. The dialogue with the parents is tense and as a parent I really empathized with them. I will say, the kid dialog definitely felt like an adult talking through a kid.

3.5 stars. Somehow the first book I’ve ever read by David Levithan!

I like the idea of this book as a jump start to an actual classroom discussion. However, for the age range this seems to be targeted at, the narrator transitions are confusing. It took me a while to glom on to the fact that some of the objects worth saving tied into other student's narrations. I liked it for what it was, but I struggle to identify who I'd recommend it to. It was very brief.

This thought provoking picture book took a turn I was not expecting at all. If you have no exposure to it, the less said the better. Highly recommended, my own branch doesn't carry this but I'm hoping we can add a copy for our collection soon. Terrific illustrations by Christian Robinson.

Engaging middle grades graphic novel about a girl who goes to live with her recently divorced mom on a farm the mom and her new boyfriend have started. The new boyfriend is a real piece of work in this book and at times I wished someone was advocating better for the main character.

Aside from that, really cute artwork. Tons of cute little chickenz!

Very cute graphic novel about an aspiring roller derby player. I love that Astrid struggles. I don't love that for her, but I love what it shows the reader. That's something my own kids struggle with, putting in the work. I feel like this graphic novel does a good job showing that growth over time. Artwork is very cute and the location is very clearly defined. It definitely felt super Portland as I was reading it.

Graphic novel about late 19th century logging camps from the perspective of the Chinese daughter of a camp cook. This was enjoyable! For a graphic novel that leans on folklore pretty heavily it’s also very grounded in the historical reality of the time. It’s age appropriate so some of the harsher realities of logging are a bit sanitized for younger readers. The art wasn’t particularly mind blowing but I did really like the color palette.

Great teen graphic novel read. The art is terrific but the writing is also very well paced! The characters are pretty well developed and the conflict is clearly defined. This was like if a competent writer picked up a CW script if that makes any sense. Giving a lot of Teen Wolf meets Mean Girls vibes. Recommended!

Loved everything about this one. You can tell Molly Knox Ostertag put a lot of herself into this one. Great concept and great execution. So excited this is a series!

This murder mystery takes place in period of history I knew nothing about, 19th century Korea. I’d recommend it if you’re interested in historical fiction. The plot was fairly convoluted for a YA novel. It did hold my interest though.

This is a really beautiful, sorrowful book. I have lost both of my parents and so much of what is described here takes me back to those moments. The pleading of my dad that he never be put in a home. The exhaustion of taking care of my mother during her cancer. The despair of dealing with doctors who withheld information because they felt they knew best. Not knowing what the next day would bring. That was always the hardest thing. You never know, you simply endure. I'd recommend this to people with aging parents or people interested in medical nonfiction.