I read & enjoyed the first Backstagers comic and wasn't sure what this prose novel would be? But I checked it out because I was curious about Andy Mientus as an author. (He's Broadway famous, not regular famous, but I was excited.) It's a really sweet and funny story, and it's something separate from the comics, although I think it helps to have had the (very inclusive cast of) characters introduced in the comics? Def recommended for all the theater nerd tweens & teens.

I HATED THIS GROSS BOOK SO MUCH >:(

http://www.frowl.org/worstbestsellers/episode-110-red-rising/

This book is so big-hearted and great and just such a good boooook. Mia's such a great character to root for. A must-read. I can't say more, I'm tearing up again just thinking about it.

This is the kind of book that's not for everyone, but it is for me! I like a bit of slower-paced, well-researched historical fiction. I was persuaded to pick this up after I saw Makiia Lucier at a book festival and she talked about all the research she did, down to looking at old street maps and then going to an antiques car show to look at the kind of car Cleo would have driven. So...check this out if you're into that kind of thing!

dang.

Clumsy but well-meaning? Absurd but sometimes entertaining? Not great, but not terrible.

http://www.frowl.org/worstbestsellers/episode-111-stranger-than-fanfiction/

This is important information presented in a straightforward way. It's a short, easily-understood text that would be great in a classroom setting.

A beautiful & inclusive work of magical realism.

All of M.T. Anderson's books are so weird and I love them so much. He's such a funny, incisive author no matter what he's talking about. This book was a real trip. I also loved Eugene Yelchin's illustrations, and the whole conceit is so clever and so well-excecuted.

I feel like this has appeal and accessibility for a wide range of ages--the language is pretty simple and straightforward but the story and concepts are complicated. I think it would be great to discuss in a classroom or book club setting.

A funny, weird book that I think will especially appeal to philosophical teens who will happily join Elena in grappling with the concept of free will. Also great to see bi and ace/aro teens represented in genre fiction. (Though I'm not really sure what genre to even categorize this as?)