All Gretel wants to do is hike and work on her hiking guide, but everything keeps getting in the way, from the weather to the strange, mean girls at school. The E.V.I.L. Society is up to something bad, and Gretel is in danger…especially once she runs into a candy cottage.

What I Loved:

GRETEL PUSHES BACK in the eighth installment of the popular Grimmtastic Girls series, which does quick reimaginings of popular young women in fairy tales. Though this is several books into the series, since each focuses on a different character, it’s easy to catch up to what’s previously happened. This time we hear Gretel’s, from Hansel and Gretel, story. The twists on the original tale are creative and fun. The relationship between Gretel and her brother is quite the realistic sibling relationship, full of bickering but underlying affection. The best part about the story, however, is the positivity about finding and exploring your passion. Gretel loves to hike, and she has her own goals about the outdoors and what she wants to do with her passion.

What Left Me Wanting More:

While there is much to enjoy in this story, the characters do rely fairly heavy on gender norms in parts. Having that isn’t necessarily a negative aspect, but it would have been nice to see some diversion from them.

Final Verdict:

GRETEL PUSHES BACK is a nice addition to the Grimmtastic Girls line-up, excellent for young readers, especially those who love lengthier chapter books.

Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/20783-gretel-pushes-back-grimmtastic-girls-8

Drift is a snowman with little more than snow to his name. He wishes he had things the other snowmen have: a hat, a scarf, mittens, and a carrot nose. He gets teased for his lack of accessories, and he believes that if he could only have them, he would be normal and would fit in. When Drift finally gets what he wants, he couldn’t be happier. But then, a blizzard comes in, and there are others in need who could use his fancy new accessories. Drift has to decide if he can give up what he thought mattered to him most of all.

Chris Britt’s THE MOST PERFECT SNOWMAN is an excellent winter read. The soft, light colors capture the season well, making it a great choice to enjoy snuggled up with a blanket. The shading is especially impressive since there is so much white with the snow. The details in the shadows of the trees and snow covered roofs on the town houses show just the right amount of background fun.

Though the illustrations are lovely, the story is ultimately what won my heart. In just a few simple sentences, Britt captures Drift’s loneliness, as well as his pain from the bullying from other snowmen. Drift shows that it’s normal to want to fit in with the crowd and be part of something, but he also learns that there are more important things than going along with what everyone else says is acceptable. He finds his own human friends who spend time with him, and when a blizzard scatters the items the children gave him, he is challenged to look beyond what he wants to assist those in need.

THE MOST PERFECT SNOWMAN will help show young readers what it means to be kind and find authentic friendships, rather than changing oneself to fit in.

Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfiction/20793-the-most-perfect-snowman

Charlie Reese has been making wishes since the fourth grade- or rather, she’s been making the same wish since then. After being sent to live with unfamiliar relatives far away from the city, she doesn’t think her wish will ever come true. As she befriends a boy named Howard, a dog named Wishbone, and gets to know her family more, she might find that her wish isn’t what she wanted after all.

As always, I love a good story set in the south. WISH takes place in rural North Carolina, outside of Asheville, and the author captures the setting magnificently. The visual descriptions are excellent, and Charlie’s family and friends are very realistic in terms of Southern representation. Charlie’s slow acceptance of her new living situation is both heartbreaking and touching. One of my favorite parts about Charlie is her anger. It’s not too common for a book to feature a very angry 11 year old girl, but WISH does it perfectly. Charlie is upset about a number of things and is easily angered, and a big part of her journey is learning to manage that anger with the help of her friend, Howard. She makes mistakes, but she learns how to take responsibility for her actions and apologize when necessary.

WISH is an emotional, touching story of a girl, her family and friends, and her dog that will leave you with hope.

Originally posted at The Forest of Words and Pages: http://www.forestofwordsandpages.com/2016/10/review-wish-barbara-oconnor/

When Caroline’s autistic little brother, Dylan, is rescued from a kidnapper after a few days, the police also find, Ethan, a teen who has been held captive for four years. Now that both of them are back, and in the same neighborhood, both families are dealing with the new changes. Caroline wants to know what happened to Dylan, but Ethan can barely remember it, let alone safely discuss it. As the families cope in their own ways, Caroline and Ethan find that the one thing they might need most of all is a friend.

After loving THE TRUTH ABOUT ALICE, I’m always excited for a new Jennifer Mathieu book, and AFTERWARD has all the beautiful staples I’ve come to expect from her: strong, sometimes devastating emotion, powerful friendships, and nuanced discussions of families. AFTERWARD is told from two perspectives, Caroline and Ethan. Both are dealing with the aftermath of the kidnappings. Ethan’s side focuses a lot on healing, therapy, and how to find a normal again. Caroline is devastated about what might have happened to her brother, and she often has to take care of him while her parents fight every day. The hesitant friendship that grows between them is absolutely beautiful. They both mess up, they argue, they cry, but at the end of the day, they know the connection between them is meaningful.

I love the contrast between Caroline and Ethan’s families. Caroline’s family isn’t well off financially, and her parents are far from happy. Between their fighting and taking care of Dylan, she is often neglected, and she turns to alcohol and boys as a distraction. Ethan’s family is financially secure, and they hover over him since his return. They all go to therapy, and they learn how to give each other space.
Final Verdict:

AFTERWARD is an emotional journey about friendship, family, and the aftermath of severe trauma. Readers should have tissues nearby while reading and room in their hearts for two new, incredible characters.

Originally posted at The Forest of Words and Pages: http://www.forestofwordsandpages.com/2016/09/review-afterward-jennifer-mathieu/

The majority of Riley Beckett’s interactions with her father have taken place in the visiting room of a prison. Her father is on death row, a convicted serial killer, and for years, he has sworn his innocence. When the execution date looms darker than ever, her father confesses his guilt to her, but then takes it back shortly after. Unsure of what is the truth and what are the lies, she starts investigating herself, though the answers might change everything.

Finding books with children of incarcerated parents is rare, let alone books with a child of a parent on death row. J.R. Johansson captures what that reality might look like perfectly, nailing the dynamic between Riley and her father, as well as Riley’s every day life. Riley has to be homeschooled because of her father’s very public case, but she and her mother are still harassed by the neighborhood. Though we only get glimpses of the prison life from Riley’s father, Johansson smoothly incorporates some great, subtle notes on police brutality and the treatment of inmates.

The mystery behind the case is fantastic, twisting and turning at all the right parts. Riley has someone helping her with the case (a boy, though I won’t say who because of potential spoilers), and their slow uncovering of the truth (and all the smaller, hard-to-swallow truths in between about Riley’s family) will keep readers on their toes. The big finale is jaw dropping, and just when you think you know what’s happened, another twist slams in and changes everything.
Final Verdict:

With a nuanced main character, thrilling mystery, and exciting premise, THE ROW is one you don’t want to miss.

Originally posted at The Forest of Words and Pages: http://www.forestofwordsandpages.com/2016/09/review-row-j-r-johansson/

"Megan McKnight prefers to be on a soccer field, scoring a winning goal, than participating in a debutante season in Dallas. When her mother secretly enters her into the season anyway, Megan is angry, but soon, she realizes exactly what being in the season means for her family. As she attends parties, fails at social graces, and catches the eye of sweet and charming Hank Waterhouse, she discovers she's in for a wild ride that she won't forget." Full review at Fresh Fiction: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=60729

Lydia Bennet is not a fan of the country life. Her older sisters do their own things, and she’s left bored. When a regimen arrives in town, Lydia is ready for some excitement. The handsome Wickham is the perfect entertainment, except he seems to be more interested in her sister than her. When Lydia travels to Brighton for the summer, she runs into Wickham again and finds new friends that show her a world she always dreamed of. Lydia must decide what will really make her happy before it’s too late.

THE SECRET DIARY OF LYDIA BENNET is a hilarious, touching take on the life of one Lydia Bennet, youngest daughter of the Bennets. Natasha Farrant is a master storyteller and captures Lydia’s voice and personality perfectly. Lydia is an incredibly complex combination of stubborn, fierce, naïve, enthusiastic, and passionate, but her quirky determination is what makes her so easy to root for. Her journey, though it involves Wickham, is clearly her own. Farrant doesn’t shy away from showing Wickham both as swoony and problematic, and their relationship evolves in a very realistic way.

While I enjoy the inclusion of all the other Bennet sisters and the timeline of the original Pride and Prejudice, there were times when the story seemed to focus too much on Lizzie and Jane than Lydia. However, once Lydia goes to Brighton, she takes a firm center stage. The dynamic between her and Kitty is also wonderfully explored through letters once Lydia departs.

Readers who love quirky and endearing takes on classics will adore THE SECRET DIARY OF LYDIA BENNET. Lydia’s voice comes to life on page as she navigates sisterhood, romance, and a society that isn’t ready for her yet.

Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/20416-the-secret-diary-of-lydia-bennet