This was an excellent read. It humanizes the immigrant experience in the current political landscape. It was very interesting to read about it from a young person’s perspective. Shifa Safadi explains things in a way that middle grade students with be able to understand and appreciate what happened and continues to happen. 
Congrats on the NBA award, well deserved. 

Thank you @katerockbooktours @amyhagstromauthor @lakeunionauthors @brilliancepublishing for my gifted arc and alc. 

WOWZA!!! What a compelling thrill ride this was! I was locked in for Mel, Sam, and True’s decisions and outcomes. Mel, the small town fire chief battling the fire but worrying about her youngest daughter, seemed like she had the most on the line. But, Sam, taking care of the two girls- especially Annie with a heart condition- and having to make difficult choices in order to care for them but ALSO worry about his family home as the fires become dangerously close and all that brought with it felt the most relatable for me having been in his shoes with hurricanes and my own health to consider. True, on a river rafting guide trip and caring for her guests but also engaging in dangerous activity to help Mel and Sam take care of their daughter seemed to be putting the most at risk. I also liked the  LGBT and trans rep within True’s story. 
Could not put this one down!

The premise of this sounded so good and I was intrigued at first. I liked the connection that Honor and Strike had and Honor and Grace’s backstory was compelling. Where I had issues were the characters themselves. They seemed too flat and one note. I wouldn’t loved to get more of an introspective on their feelings. 
Overall, this was a good read. 

Heartbreaking but there are definitely Midlle Grade students who will see themselves in Joe. They deserve representation. 

This was such a struggle for me. I would’ve DNFd this normally but I really wanted to know what happened. I think there was too much extemporaneous stuff going on. Definitely could’ve been edited more.