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Book Title/Cover: When the Stars Wrote Back by Trista Mateer - Poetry

Justification: The title of this book is what initially drew me in, the concept of the stars writing you back, of answering your letters and your cries. Poetry is a genre that I am both familiar with and fond of, so choosing a title for this was fairly easy for me. The description of this text also drew me in “Trista Mateer explores the intricacies of love, loss, taruma, heartbreak, and loneliness in this powerful collection.” Overall, this book was very interesting to me on a personal level as I too struggle with many of the topics Mateer covers.

Reader’s Response: Although a few of the topics Mateer covers, I am unfamiliar with, such as addiction, there are many topics that speak to me on a personal level such as loneliness, depression, and heartbreak. As a creative writer myself, poetry is the only form of writing I do, which makes this book more personal to me overall. Also, the relationship with her mother that Mateer describes is very similar to the relationship I have with my own mother. Mateer writes “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree but it tried to” is something I feel myself, I am very similar to my mother although I wish I were not (Mateer 138). (a.) Mateer also covers topics such as body positivity as she shares her own struggles with accepting the body she inhabits. These topics are very important to me and are not discussed as often or to the degree I feel as if they deserve. (b). Overall, I enjoyed this text greatly but did not necessarily view it as a sense of entertainment but more so a work of art that allowed me to further my own personal growth. (f.)

Conclusion: Mateer’s When the Stars Wrote Back was a very enjoyable and personal experience for me due to the topics she covered as well as the way it resembled pieces of myself and my own life. I enjoyed the topics she covered and I discovered more about myself in the process. Although I was unable to relate to all aspects of this text, I still had a very enjoyable and educational experience that I am very thankful for. Ultimately, this text allowed me to examine myself and my relationships in a very genuine and enjoyable manner.

Reference: Mateer, T., & Cruickshank, J. (2020). When the Stars Wrote Back: Poems. Random House Books for Young Readers.

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Book Title/Cover: Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley - Realistic Fiction

Justification: Fighting Words was a Newbery Honor, which illustrates the quality of this text very well, as this was a wonderful text. This text highlights very tragic and real issues that many children endure within our society, which made me feel compelled to read this, so that I can hear their voices and better understand their situations. Kimberly Brubaker Bradley is an award winning author for her text The War that Saved My Life, which intrigued me enough to read other books of hers - Fighting Words. Overall, this text captured my attention due to the praise it has received as well as the difficult subjects it covers.

Reader’s Response: Although this text follows ten year old Della, I personally relate to her older sister Suki. I have a younger brother who is currently eleven, which is the same age I was when he was born. At that time I was severely suicidal and depressed, but his entrance into the world ultimately saved my life. I felt compelled to stay alive in order to be the big sister he deserved and needed, and he is the only reason I am alive today. Therefore, I understand Suki and her struggle at finding reasons to live when her life has been nothing but difficult. (a.) Fighting Words also touches on the sometimes tragic reality associated with our foster care system, which is something I care about greatly. There are numerous children that the system has failed, similar to Della and Suki, but this text gives readers like myself a new perspective to endure as I have no experience with the foster care system myself. (d.) This text is very in line with what I deem right and wrong, which many of the things Della and Suki experience are very wrong and tragic such as Suki’s sexual abuse, their drug addict mother, and the fact she is in prison and unable to care for them. (b.) Overall, this text is extremely tragic but written so beautifully and in such a genuine nature, it was easy to enjoy.

Conclusion: Although this text touches on very difficult topics such as addiction, the foster care system, and child sexual assault, it was a very wonderful book to read. Fighting Words allowed me to see through a lens and a perspective that will always be unfamiliar to me, so I enjoyed the opportunity to see new experiences through this narrative. The characters within this story were both lovable, such as Suki and Della, but others were more difficult to experience such as Clifton, Della’s teacher, and their foster parent Francine. Overall, this text was a great learning experience with a very emotional subject that allowed me to examine my own self along with the life I am living and the choices I am making.

Reference: Bradley, K. B. (2020). Fighting Words. Dial Books.

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Book Title/Cover: Jane Against the World: Roe v. Wade and the Fight for Reproductive Rights by Karen Blumenthal- Biography

Justification: Although I am typically not a fan of nonfiction or biographical texts, Jane Against the World intrigued me from the very beginning. Abortion is a very highly discussed topics within the political realm of our country, and it is a topic I am passionate about myself. I took this assignment as an opportunity to further my own education by reading this text, which I am very pleased with overall.

Reader’s Response: Studying Women and Gender Studies in my undergraduate degree introduced me to very many new and interesting topics in greater detail such as the women’s rights movement and reproductive rights. (a.) Due to my educational background, this text was very intriguing to me as I am on the “Pro-Choice” side of the abortion argument, which is very important to me overall. Jane Against the World allowed me to further understand my own side of this sensitive issue. (d.) This text educated me a great deal, as these topics are not going to be taught to me during school, at any level, unless I seek them out myself. Jane Against the World educated me on the history of birth control and abortions, dating back to the 1800s, as well as notable people in the reproductive rights movement such as Margaret Sanger, Martha Scott, and Jeanne Galatze-Levy. Although my views on reproductive rights have not changed, I am better educated overall. (c.) Overall, I am a better advocate and more educated after reading this text, which I am very thankful for as some people do not have the privilege of being able to access such tools and resources.

Conclusion: Jane Against the World was a very interesting text to read as I know very little about this movement due to the fact we do not teach this in detail in public schools or college classes. After reading this text I feel as if I am a better advocate and can better defend and support this topic with research and knowledge to back that. Reproductive rights are a very important and personal topic to me, which initially made me choose this text, so therefore this reading experience was very personal. Overall, I am thankful for the chance to educate myself further and I am pleased with the knowledge I gained from doing so.

Reference: Blumenthal, K. (2020). Jane Against the World: Roe v. Wade and the Fight for Reproductive Rights. Roaring Brook Press.

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Book Title/Cover: From Darkness by Kate Hazel Hall - Science Fiction

Justification: From Darkness is not a very popular book, but it is very mysterious and creepy, with the mention of the underworld and the possibility of upsetting life’s balance. The thought of losing a best friend is extremely sad, but having your dead best friend be the person who attempts to escort you to the underworld, is even worse. The tragic and mysterious nature of this text is what initially caught my attention, and I am pleased with the book overall.

Reader’s Response: Although I have not lost a best friend the way that Ari loses Alex, I understand the loneliness associated with grieving a best friend - even if the grief only comes due to the friendship ending. Due to this, I feel personally connected to Ari as she navigates her new life without Alex by her side. (a.) The debate about what happens to someone after they die is very common, as many people have very strong opinions about this. The fact that Alex is now the person who escorts people to the underworld after they die, is a very interesting concept to me, and a quite sad one at that. The existence of the underworld is very interesting to me, and overall made me question my own beliefs about what occurs when we die. (c.) The terrible things that occur as Alex tries to keep Ari from the underworld are very interesting to me as well, such as missing children, savage dogs who kill pets and livestock, and even the fishermen who catch ghosts in their nets. All of these situations make me believe that there is a balance of life that needs to be kept in order, that when it is your time to die, you must do exactly that. I feel as if it is quite wrong to try and cheat death as this is the one sole situation every single person is set to experience. (b.) Due to the nature of this text and the mysterious things that occur after Ari’s trip to the underworld is interrupted, this text was very entertaining to me as I was very unsure of what events would occur next. (f.) Overall, I enjoyed this text greatly as well as the topics that were discussed.

Conclusion: From Darkness was a very interesting and mysterious text that follows two young girls as Ari’s trip to the underworld gets interrupted by her dead best friend’s presence. Due to the unusual topics discussed, I found this text very interesting as it made me question the existence of the underworld and what my own personal thoughts are on the afterlife. This text allowed me to question my own morals and beliefs while watching the consequences unfold when the balance of life is interrupted. Overall, this text covers the strong bond of friendship while touching on somewhat terrifying subjects such as the underworld and the force of nature and life as a whole. I was pleased with my reading experience and the way in which it caused me to question my own beliefs further.

Reference: Hall, K. (2020). From Darkness. Interlude Press.

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Book Title/Cover: The Beast Player by Nahoko Uehashi - Printz Honoree

Justification: As this book is recognized as one of the 2020 Printz Award Honorees, it is clearly very well written and worthy of being read. The japanese origin of this text also intrigued me due to my admiration for many other japanese works of fiction, and I was not disappointed by any means. The Beast Player intrigued me due to the fictional beasts present and the way in which Elin can communicate with them, something that is unfamiliar to me and my world. Ultimately, this book caught my attention for multiple reasons and I am very happy with my choice in reading this text, it was overall very enjoyable and beautifully written.  

Reader’s Response: The Beast Player is a very adventurous and emotional story of a young woman, Elin, coming to age in a very unique situation as she is caught between two very different worlds. Elin’s loss of her mother reminds me of my own relationship with my mother, as my mother was not actively in my life until I was in high school. Although my mother is still alive, there is a sense of disconnect and longing between us that resembles Elin’s relationship with her mother as well. (a.) As this is a fictional story that takes place in a foreign world, the conflicts are unfamiliar to me but remind me of the own political struggle present within my society - the “us vs. them” or “Democrat vs. Republican” mentality that I myself am guilty of at times. The different groups of people, and the two beasts, the Toda and Royal Beasts, reminds me of our own political state - extremely disconnected and very broken. Elin’s ability to almost understand both sides of the story is something I envy in our own society, but is not something I am able to do myself at this time due to the severity and importance of subjects at hand. (b.) Although this book is extremely emotional as you witness Elin’s mother die, as well as a brutal war between two opposing sides, The Beast Player was both highly entertaining and also written in a very beautiful and artistic manner. (f.) Due to the level of enjoyment and entertainment I received from reading this text, I plan to read the sequel The Beast Warrior and hope to have a similar experience with that text as well.

Conclusion: The Beast Player was an outstanding book filled with sensitive topics, beautiful creatures, a great deal of character development, and a very intriguing plot. I was able to relate to this text on a personal level, while also being able to look at my own society and where I stand within that, which was interesting and enjoyable as I felt a genuine connection with the text. The magical aspects within this book were also very interesting to me such as the concept of having magical beasts that can be trained and communicated with, it was truly an exciting thought. Overall, this text was very entertaining, it was intriguing, and also possessed a great deal of artistic qualities that enhanced my reading experience as a whole.

Reference: Uehashi, N. (2020). Beast Player. Square Fish.

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Book Title/Cover: Every Single Lie by Rachel Vincent - Mystery

Justification: This book intrigued me due to the mysterious and sad plot of finding a dead baby in your high school locker room and not knowing who it belongs to. Clearly, the nature of this text caught my attention, but the way in which the text is structured added to the overall enjoyment of the narrative, where each possibility felt as if it were the real answer. Overall, this text possesses an interesting and mysterious plot with several lovable characters, and a very tragic event that brought a community together, which all contributed to the enjoyment I experienced while reading this text.

Reader’s Response: As Beckett is still grieving from her father’s overdose, she discovers a dead baby in her high school locker room, which is extremely tragic and mysterious as the mother of the child is unknown. Beckett faces a great deal of harassment and abuse online and in person due to the assumption she is the baby’s mother, an entirely false assumption at that. In addition to that abuse, she also faces harassment due to her father’s drug habits and overdose, something which is entirely out of her control. The abuse she faces reminds me of the importance of ultimately being kind, as well as the severity of online bullying. (d.) In addition to the tragic situation she has experienced, she is also dealing with a breakup, a damaged friendship, and a very complicated family. I too, come from a very complicated family with many secrets and tragedies, one very similar to Beckett’s. (a.) Overall, this text was extremely entertaining as the plot covers many possibilities in determining the baby’s parents, all of which seem and almost feel true. It is a rare occurrence for me to feel like all possibilities of the narrative could be accurate, and this text does just that - each possibility feels as if it has some truth to it. Vincent’s Every Single Lie has loveable characters, an interesting plot, and very intriguing relationships/connections between all characters, therefore making it much more entertaining for me as a reader. (f.)

Conclusion: Every Single Lie is a wonderful and entertaining text that covers difficult topics such as addiction and teenage pregnancy, but did so in a very enjoyable way that made the book less traumatic for the readers. The multiple plot twists and the loveable characters made this text very intriguing and entertaining for me. I felt as if this book kept me engaged without making the twists easily guessed or too unrealistic. Overall, I really enjoyed this text and the way in which it is written, and I am very pleased with my experience as a reader.

Reference: Vincent, R. (2021). Every Single Lie. Bloomsbury YA.

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Book Title/Cover: Horrid by Katrina Leno - Horror

Justification: Katrina Leno’s Horror was very intriguing to me due to the mysterious description of the book - “the storage room is not as inhabited as her mother made it out to seem.” Personally, I avoid the horror genre as much as possible, but the possibility of someone or something living in your house without your knowledge both terrifies and intrigues me. Overall, the terrifying and mysterious nature of the plot made me feel compelled to read Horror.

Reader’s Response: Although Jane moves across the country due to her father’s death, I can still relate to her situation as I have recently moved across the country myself, to a house that has familial connections but is ultimately unfamiliar to me. (a.) Jane’s relationship with her mother is similar to my own, and something I entirely disagree with. Although Jane’s mother does a great job at caring for Jane, there is always a sense of disconnect between the two, which is unfair to them both. I am pleased with the fact Jane’s mother finally came to terms with her own trauma rather than shielding Jane away from an important part of her life. (d.) Due to the description of the book and the way in which the plot is structured, it is clearly a mysterious and intriguing narrative, which kept me engaged and entertained until the very end. Although the narrative hints at certain possibilities, and even states a few assumptions, I am never sure of what the true answer is until the end of the text, which kept me entertained. (f.) Overall, this text was very intriguing and entertaining as the narrative kept me engaged without making the plot entirely too easy to guess.

Conclusion: Horror was just that - horrifying, but in a very creative and intriguing way that made it overall a very enjoyable experience. This text kept me engaged and entertained while also reminding me of my own relationships and situation. The mysterious nature of the plot, where the reader is unaware of the true reason behind the weird instances in the house until the very end, made this book more exciting. The drastic conclusion of this text is one I am still working through due to the unexpected manner in which it concluded. Overall, this text was very intriguing and enjoyable as it kept me guessing while also keeping me engaged.

Reference: Leno, K. (2020). Horrid. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

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Book Title/Cover: King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender - National Book Award Winner

Justification: Clearly this book is worth the read as it won the National Book Award in 2020, and after reading it, I completely understand why. The fact that King feels as if his older brother Khalid has reincarnated into a dragonfly, was very interesting to me and what initially caused me to choose this book. Dragonflies are something I often forget about but am always pleased to remember again. I feel as if a dragonfly is a wonderful choice to be reincarnated as. Ultimately, I chose this book due to the award it has received and the subject matter present.

Reader’s Response: King and the Dragonflies was an extremely beautiful text worthy of the awards and praised it has received. This text is a clear coming of age story for the main character, King, as he navigates his grief, his friendships, and he tries to discover his place in the world. Although I have not experienced the death of a sibling like King has, I understand the struggles he faces within his own friendships. (a.) Personally, friendships are the foundation for everything within my life - my relationship with my spouse, my parents, my siblings, and of course my friends, are rooted in friendship. Therefore, I understand King’s struggle as he navigates his friendship with Sandy. (b.) Overall, I felt as if this text was a beautiful tale of friendship and self acceptance that served as not only entertainment but also a work of art. King and the Dragonflies was so well written with such multi dimensional characters that I was left rather speechless. This text caused me to go on a path of self discovery and acceptance as I accompanied King through his own journey. (f.)

Conclusion: King and the Dragonflies was a very enjoyable book due to the genuine nature of the plot as well as the lovable characters present and the character development they experience. Not only did I journey through King’s self discovery, but I was also prompted to embrace my own emotions and dive deeper into my own friendships. This text was crafted so beautifully and was also extremely enjoyable and entertaining. Ultimately, this book allowed me to examine myself and my values in ways that I do not commonly experience in my day to day life. King and the Dragonflies was a wonderful book and I am thankful for the experience I gained while reading it.

Reference: Callender, K. (2020). King and the Dragonflies. Scholastic Press

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Book Title/Cover: Wilder Girls by Rory Power - Free Choice

Justification: Wilder Girls was a very intriguing concept for me due to the fact that we are currently in a global pandemic ourselves, even if it is very different from the pandemic occurring at Raxter. The book cover was also very interesting to me, as it resembled a fantasy type world that also appears very terrifying due to the damage done to the girl’s face. One of the videos I watched for our Community Reading Project mentioned this book, and it had been on my “to read” list ever since. Overall, this book was very intriguing to me due to the pandemic we currently live in and the mysterious nature of the book as well. Reader’s Response: Although the Tox present at Raxter, the school where this book takes place, is very different from the global pandemic currently present within our own society, it reminded me of the struggles many of us are facing today. Hetty, and all the other young girls, are not allowed to visit their family, which is true for me as well for I have not seen my family in almost one year. (a.) The brutality that the girls faced in this novel were very difficult to read at times, especially the cruelty from the teachers. As an educator it is your job to protect the children in your care, which is something these teachers failed to do. (d.) I found this text to be extremely sad in every aspect, while also possessing a great sense of mystery as well. Due to that, I enjoyed this text greatly as a piece of entertainment. Not only was the pandemic or the “Tox” interesting, but also the ways in which Hetty navigated this difficult situation kept the entertaining aspect alive for me as a reader. (f.) Overall, this text was very dark and sad, but also very interesting and entertaining. Conclusion: Wilder Girls was a very interesting read for me due to the dark and mysterious nature of the plot as well as the favorable characters present. Not only was this text extremely relevant due to the pandemic we currently live in, but also very intriguing due to the way in which the plot is executed. While reading this text, you appear to discover things as the main character Hetty, does herself, which made this more enjoyable for me overall. The occasional switch in perspective from Hetty to Byatt was very interesting and added to the overall plot by allowing the readers to see things that Hetty herself cannot. Overall, this text was very interesting and intriguing for me and I found that I can personally relate to several aspects within the text as well. Reference: Power, R. (2020). Wilder Girls. Ember.

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Book Title/Cover: Dearest Josephine by Caroline George - Romance

Justification:

As this book was published at the beginning of 2021, I felt compelled to read it as its newness excited me. Dearest Josephine follows the story of Josie, who finds old letters in her father’s house from the 1800s addressed to some with her exact name. This concept was very intriguing to me due to my love for hand written letters and the overall personal nature they possess. Dearest Josephine was a very good book with a unique and interesting perspective, which pushed me to choose this book over others.

Reader’s Response:

Although this book has no relation to my own personal life, I felt connected to Josie over the fact she felt fairly lonely and isolated before finding these letters. Also, Josie’s relationship with her mother is very like my own - as Josie said she loves her mother, but doesn’t trust her, and that is exactly how I feel as well. (a.) Just like Josie, I feel as if some things are simply fate, that certain people are meant to experience certain things, such as her finding those letters. Josie’s personal connection she formed to these letters and the characters present, is something I find very important in life. Forming connections with people and discovering your own feelings and desires is an important part of life. (b.) Overall, I really enjoyed this book as a sense of entertainment as it intrigued me and gave me a sense of enjoyment. I cared for the characters present and enjoyed the journey Josie went on throughout the narrative. (f.)

Conclusion

: Dearest Josephine was very enjoyable for me overall as this was an easy read but still extremely satisfying. I loved the characters, the plot, and the layout of the text as well. Although I have no similar experiences to Josie’s, I still related to her and her emotions on a personal level which made this text more enjoyable for me as well. Ultimately, this text was easy and light hearted, with interesting characters, and multiple different perspectives, and I enjoyed all aspects of it!

Reference

: George, C. (2021). Dearest Josephine. Thomas Nelson.

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Book Title/Cover: All-American Muslim Girl by Nadine Jolie Courtney - Religious Themed

Justification:

This book initially captured my attention due to the fact that I have little to no knowledge about Islam and the Muslim religion, which is why I wanted to read this text, to further my education on subjects unfamiliar to me. Religion is a very uncomfortable subject for me, so I was reluctant to read a book associated with the subject. However, I was more comfortable reading a book about a religion unfamiliar to me, rather than the religion I grew up with which is Christianity. This book intrigued me due to the subject, and the combination of being American and Muslim - which is an idea that I find very comforting. I hope all people feel welcome and accepted within America.

Reader’s Response:

Being tasked with reading a religious themed book was very difficult for me due to my own negative experience with religion.

All-American Muslim Girl

gave me a new and more positive experience with religion, a very educational experience. Not only did I learn about the Muslim religion, but I also learned about myself as this text supported my views and morals. (a.) Although I myself dislike religion, I strongly believe that everyone should have religious freedom, which this text supported. Inclusivity and equality are both extremely important concepts to me on a personal level, and this text truly resonated with me due to the topics discussed. (d.) As I am not religious, I have a sense of privilege that Allie does not have - the privilege to fly under the radar and to remain unseen, very similar to the white privilege I also possess. Due to my privilege, this text was difficult for me to read in the sense that I will never fully understand Allie’s struggles, even if I sympathize with her.

All-American Muslim Girl

taught me a great deal about Islam, about acceptance, and about the overall importance of remaining true to yourself. (c.) Essentially, this text was very enlightening for me and overall very educational. I am thankful for my experience reading this text, and I enjoyed the basis of the plot as well.

Conclusion

:

All-American Muslim Girl

was a very educational text that provided me with a great deal of insight and knowledge about a religion unfamiliar to me. I was very pleased with the subject of this text, as well as the characters present and the way in which the plot was delivered. Religion is a very difficult topic for me personally, but I still found this book extremely enjoyable and felt as if it was well written as well. Ultimately, this text was wonderful and I am very glad I took the time to read such an interesting narrative, one very unfamiliar to me.

All-American Muslim Girl

gives readers like myself a new perspective on religion that can further our understanding about Islam and the Muslim religion.

Reference:

Courtney, N. J. (2021). All-American Muslim girl. New York: Square Fish, Farrar, Straus, Giroux.

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Book Title/Cover: Time Travel for Love and Profit by Sarah Lariviere - Free Choice

Justification: The cover of this book is what initially intrigued me, as well as the title of the book - Time Travel for Love and Profit, which is an interesting concept. Time travel has been an interesting concept that our society has dabbled with through outlets such as film, tv shows, and books, and I felt like it was a great time for me to jump into the topic. I felt as if this book was a great introduction to the concept of time travel through the lens of a teenage girl who is hoping to mend a friendship, but ends up finding much more than she bargained for. Time Travel for Love and Profit was a very intriguing book for me, and it is one that I enjoyed very much. Reader’s Response: Time Travel for Love and Profit follows freshmen Nephele as she navigates high school and the uncertainties it possesses, including her rocky friendship with her best friend Vera. Nephele decides to travel back in time to the first day of freshman year in an attempt to start over and rebuild her friendship with Vera; a situation I am all too familiar with. Teenage girls are very complicated, and I too often struggled with friendships, which made me feel quite alone as well. (a.) Friendship is a very important aspect of life, if not the most important. I am a firm believer that your family, and your romantic relationships should all have a foundation in friendship - which makes Nephele’s situation so lonely, she has no friends, and her family is slipping away from her as well. I support Nephele’s emotions related to friendship, but I am saddened by the way it changed her relationship with her parents, as both are almost equally important to me. (b.) Lariviere did a wonderful job at creating a text that was both entertaining and artistic; the characters were enjoyable, the plot was executed very well, and the overall narrative was enjoyable and relatable. I was pleased with this text and would gladly read it once more. (f.) Conclusion: Time Travel for Love and Profit was a wonderful book filled with loveable characters, interesting perspectives, and an intriguing conflict - being stuck living your freshman year over and over again! I enjoyed how easily I could relate to this text as well as how entertaining the overall plot was. Time travel will always be an intriguing topic to me, and I was pleased to see it paired with such a unique romance/friendship story of a teenager. Overall, this book was very well written, with beautiful moments of connection and loneliness, that I am pleased to have experienced through reading this text. Reference: Lariviere, S. (2021). Time Travel for Love and Profit. Random House Children's Books.

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Book Title/Cover: We Are Okay by Nina LaCour - Printz Winner 2018

Justification:  Clearly, We Are Okay is a fantastic book as it received the Printz award in 2018, but the description of the book is what pushed me to read this book. This text appears to be an emotional narrative about a young woman coming to terms with her family history and her own emotional trauma, which intrigued me greatly. I was very satisfied with this text as it is beautifully written and possesses wonderful characters that go through immense character growth. Reader’s Response: While reading We Are Okay, I was reminded of my own relationship with my mother, as I have not lived with her since I was four years old. Marin struggles in remembering her mother as she died when Marin was a young child, which I relate to greatly as I have very little memories and photos of me and my mother growing up. (a.) Marin’s relationship with her grandfather impacts her view of her mother, as she struggles to remember her, and as it pains her grandfather to remember her mother. Marin’s grandfather and the way he handles his emotions reminds us how people handle grief, and how this can drastically change a person altogether. Although we all experience death and grief, I do not agree with the way in which Marin’s grandfather handled his own grief - he deprived Marin of important aspects of her life. (b.) Despite my disagreement with some of the main characters, I truly enjoyed this text and the narrative it possesses as it is written exceptionally well. We Are Okay was truly a beautiful experience for me, while also creating a sense of entertainment as well. This text allowed me to further examine grief, friendship, and my own emotions on a much deeper level while still keeping me engaged with the text - it was truly wonderful. (f.) Conclusion: We Are Okay was one of the most amazing books I have ever been lucky enough to read, it was beautifully written, with loveable characters, and it allowed you to embark on your own emotional journey alongside Marin. I feel as if many people can relate to this text on a personal level, even if their situation or experience is not similar to Marin’s - this book simply captivates you to such a degree you feel personally connected to the narrative. Overall, I am very pleased with this text and the way in which I connected with it as well as the overall talent present within the writing. Reference: LaCour, N. (2017). We Are Okay. Dutton Books for Young Readers.

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Book Title/Cover: Crave by Tracy Wolff - Fantasy

Justification:  After recently discovering “Book Talk” - the book side of Tik Tok, I have seen this book, and the entire series, recommended time and time again. This book is regularly compared to Twilight as it is a romance story between a human and a vampire, and as a Twilight fan myself, I felt compelled to read this book. Although Twilight is extremely corny and very unrealistic - with vampires that sparkle - I still adore it, but Crave was extremely disappointing for me in every single aspect. Not only was this book poorly written, the pacing of the plot was extremely hard to follow as it quickly changed paces without build up or without warning. However, I enjoyed the subject of the text and found some of the characters very loveable. Reader’s Response: Although I was ultimately disappointed with this text, I was introduced to new concepts within the fantasy realm that were unfamiliar to me before, such as shape shifting dragons! This was my first encounter with such a creature, as all dragons I am familiar with are simply just that - a dragon, with no human form. (c.) Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this text very much at all due to the stereotypical nature of the plot - a young girl falls in love with an attractive and dangerous vampire and now he is the most important aspect of her life. Even when Jaxon almost kills someone in front of Grace, she still adores him endlessly, and I feel as if that narrative is harmful to young audiences. (f.) Within some descriptions of this text, it is listed as a “feminist perspective” which I find extremely false, and almost offensive. As I consider myself to be a feminist, I found there to be little to no feminist qualities about both Grace and the overall narrative, which was very disappointing for me as a reader. I disagree with the overall message and plot of this text, and I wish it were focused on female empowerment rather than females submitting to male dominance for the sake of a romance story. (d.) Ultimately, I was very disappointed with this text from the very beginning, and unfortunately, my disappointment continued to grow the further I read. I did enjoy the overall concept of the text - a supernatural boarding school, as well as a few of the characters such as Macey, but this is not a book I will ever consider reading again. Conclusion:  Although this book was one I did not enjoy at all, it still provided me with interesting and new perspectives that I will carry with me on my reading journey. This book almost transported me back to middle school, when Twilight was a large part of my entertainment, but I prefer to stay in the present. I feel as if I read this book in middle or high school, I would have enjoyed it much more, but I have simply outgrown books such as these, which is perfectly okay. Crave serves as a reminder on how far I have come in my reading journey, and how I will continue to grow as my taste in books evolves. Reference: Wolff, T. (2020). Crave. Parker, CO: Entangled Publishing.

[reaganreads]

Book Title/Cover: They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera - LGBTQ+

Justification: This book has been extremely popular on social media platforms such as Tik Tok, and within several reading communities, which initially compelled me to read this book. I was also intrigued by the overall concept of the text, that yes both characters are going to die at the end, and the author is preparing you for that from the initial introduction of the text through the title. The concept that each person is notified the day they will die is also very interesting and intriguing. Overall, the popularity of this text, the subject matter present, and the way in which this book is presented are what convinced me to read this text.

Reader’s Response: As I read They Both Die at the End, I was reminded of life’s fragility and how vital it is to express your love and appreciation for the people in your life before death has been introduced. Due to their notification of dying, Rufus and Mateo have the privilege to notify their loved ones before departing this world, which many people, myself included, will most likely lack - which has reminded me of life’s uncertainties. Upon this reminder, I plan to cherish my life and the way it has intertwined with the lives around me. (d.) Similar to Mateo, I feel as if I am simply existing rather than truly living my life due to the pandemic we currently live in. I am hoping this text has given me the courage to experience life in new ways as Mateo did on his final day, to finally live life rather than cower in fear of the unknown. (a.) Although, I myself identify as straight, the LGBTQ+ community is extremely important to me as my brother identifies as queer. Mateo’s struggle to accept his sexuality is something I witnessed my brother experience, which is something I will never endure or understand. Mateo’s acceptance of himself and his overall character growth brings me joy and comfort knowing that he no longer has to hide such an important part of himself, which I am hoping my brother feels as well - a sense of freedom by embracing his authenticity. (b.) Overall, this book possessed outstanding characters, was beautifully written, and covered topics important to me on a personal level, and for that I am forever thankful for getting the chance to read this text.

Conclusion: Adam Silvera does a brilliant job at creating this text through the loveable characters, many different interesting perspectives, and the way in which the narrative comes full circle at the end of the text. This text reminded me of life’s fragility and the way in which we need to ensure our loved ones are aware of their importance to us, as death is inevitable for us all. Silvera’s creation of Mateo gave me a wonderful example of how I should be living my life - I should be courageous enough to live my life freely, without fear or limitations. Overall, this book was beautifully written with a brilliant plot and very loveable characters, and it is a text I would recommend to anyone, it is that amazing.  Reference: Silvera, A. (2017). They Both Die at the End. Vancouver: Provincial Resource Centre for the Visually Impaired.

[reaganreads]

When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed - Graphic Novel

Publication Date: April 14, 2020 

Rating: 5/5

Justification: Although I typically avoid graphic novels, I am very pleased to have read this book as it was a National Book Award finalist, and is overall an amazing read. Being born and raised in America, refugee camps are something I rarely think about due to my privilege. I was intrigued to read about an experience unfamiliar to my own, an experience that I could learn from, which is exactly what happened when I finished this book. Overall, this book was extremely sad, inspiring, and well written. 

Evaluation:

Illustrations As this is a graphic novel, the illustrations within this text are a large part of the narrative overall. The illustrations support the narrative present and help the reader visualize certain aspects of the plot that would be difficult to do with text alone. If you are unfamiliar with refugee camps like myself, then these illustrations truly help you understand what refugee camps are like. For example, the way in which the tents, and the entire camp itself, is set up, is something I wouldn’t have been able to visualize accurately on my own. These illustrations show the harsh reality of living in a refugee camp as well, the lack of food, the long line at the water station, the amount of darkness that takes over once the sun has set, and many other aspects. Also, all of the characters wear the same outfits everyday, which is common in graphic novels, as this helps differentiate some characters from one another. These small details allow the reader to better understand and visualize Omar’s situation. Additionally, during stressful or sad moments, the speech bubbles are yellow as opposed to the normal white, this shows the reader the importance of those moments. Overall, the illustrations as a whole help the reader visualize Omar’s living situation, the responsibilities he has, and what life at a refugee camp looks like. Without these illustrations, many of these important aspects would be lost in translation. 

Characters The characters within this text are very likable, such as Omar, Hassan, their friends, and their foster mom, Fatuma, and there is a large amount of character development as well. Although Hassan is a main character, he often falls in the shadow of Omar himself, which may be due to his lack of speech, and the focus on Omar’s perspective overall. However, Omar himself experiences a great deal of character development throughout this narrative. Omar begins as a worried boy who refuses to leave his brother, to a boy who finds a passion for school, as he tries to navigate his sometimes selfish behavior. When Omar and Hassan are chosen for an initial interview, Omar is visibly excited, but when his friend Nimo gets approved for resettlement, he becomes a very negligent friend to Nimo and Jeri. Even though Omar completely abandons his friends in their time of need, they end up resolving their issues as Omar realizes his mistakes. Upon this realization, Omar becomes more considerate and overall less selfish. This is evident in his character development throughout the plot, as he is the character who undergoes the most change. It is also important to note that Hassan’s character has revealed important details at the conclusion of this narrative as well. The only word Hassan says throughout the story is “Hooyo,” and until the end of the book, the audience does not know what that means. It is revealed that the meaning behind that word is “Momma,” meaning that after all of these years Hassan is still hoping their mother will return. This realization is important to Hassan’s character, as it can be assumed he is not fully aware of their situation, but his use of that one word proves that theory false, Hassan is more aware and more capable than initially portrayed. Ultimately, all of the characters present within this story contribute to the plot to some degree, but Omar is still the main character who experiences the most growth overall. 

Plot/Pacing The plot of this narrative was extremely enjoyable, as it keeps the reader engaged enough to continue reading. With that, the pacing of this plot was done very well also, the tension gradually builds with a few small moments of conflict or climax such as the moment Hassan gets hurt, the scene where he runs away, or the dramatic moment Omar is told he is on the list for an interview. These moments of conflict or climax keep the reader engaged while still allowing the plot to stay focused on the greater issue at hand; getting Omar and Hassan out of this refugee camp and reuniting them with their mother. Although they do not find their mother within this narrative, the real life summary at the end of the text shows that the boys found their mother after all. Overall, the gradual but interesting pace of the plot was very enjoyable and kept me both engaged and satisfied as a reader. 

Conclusion: This graphic novel was absolutely stunning in both illustration and narrative, as it covers topics unfamiliar to myself, but that are important within our society on a global scale. I was both pleased and saddened to see this was a true story, and Omar himself co-wrote this book, as I did little research before reading. With this being a true story, it is completely inspiring to see someone overcome so many intense obstacles and still become successful. Overall, I was very pleased with this graphic novel, I fell in love with the characters, and I benefited from the illustrations accompanying them; this book was wonderful. 

Reference: Jamieson, V., Mohamed, O., & Geddy, I. (2020). When Stars Are Scattered (Illustrated ed.). Dial Books.

Sources: Young, T., Bryan, G., Jacobs, J., & Tunnell, M. (2019). Children’s Literature, Briefly (7th ed.). Pearson.

[reaganreads]

What Do You Do With A Voice Like That? The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan by Chris Barton - Texas Bluebonnet Award

Publication Date: September 25, 2018 

Rating: 5/5

Justification: This book was part of the Texas Bluebonnet Award 2020-2021 Master List and I am extremely glad I read this book. I originally chose this text because I had never heard of Barbara Jordan before, and felt as if I owed it to myself to learn about this amazing woman. 

Evaluation:

Illustrations The illustrations present within this text enhances the narrative by creating more detailed depictions of Barbara’s story through art. For example, in the scene where the text mentions the path Barbara is heading on, her graduation photo can be seen in the background of the illustration, as well as newspaper headlines about her victory in an oratory contest. Newspaper articles and other political items such as buttons or stickers can be seen during the moment Barbara runs for three elections after losing the first two. The illustration on this page holds much more detail due to the way in which Barbara’s silhouette can be seen, but is filled with and almost over-shone by documents from her elections such as “I’m a Barbara Jordan volunteer” and “Barbara Jordan is my hero”. These small additions add to the overall narrative by showing a new perspective, and adding detail to the perspective we already have. Additionally, when the narrative discusses that Barbara has multiple sclerosis, the illustration accompanying this scene is a doctor showing Barbara medical scans of her brain. If you are unaware of what multiple sclerosis is, this illustration can help you interpret it is related to the brain. Overall, these illustrations add to the overall narrative in a way that the text is incapable of doing alone. 

Accuracy As this book can be considered informative or as Historical Fiction, it is important to have a certain level of accuracy present within the text, which is done very well here. I was pleased to see quotes from Barbara herself within the text, as well as what appears to be her actual graduation photo faded into the distance of one illustration. The text mentions details such as where she went to high school, the town she grew up in, and even the name of her grandfather. Some of these details are not important to her story overall, but I was still pleased to see them included. I also enjoyed the timeline, the author’s and illustrator’s notes, as well as other recommended books about the congresswoman. The timeline and other details help put this narrative into a historical perspective for the reader as many of these readers, myself included, were not alive during the height of Barbara’s career, much less familiar with the timeline. Mentioning things such as President Nixon help put this narrative into perspective for the readers. Ultimately, I was beyond pleased with the accuracy of information present and was surprised at the amount in which I learned myself. 

Pacing/Plot The pacing of this plot is easy to understand due to the chronological order in which it is told. Most children understand how time works in a very basic sense, they understand that people grow up and get bigger or older, which makes this plot easy for them to understand. This narrative begins when Barbara is a child, and then ends when she is older and retired, which is easy to follow for young readers. The pacing felt like an appropriate speed for the target audience as well, as the text covers Barbara’s entire life, but takes the time to break down these events in smaller and easily digestible sections. This narrative covers her childhood, it mentions her high school career, it follows her college experience, and then highlights the path of career as a lawyer and then her introduction into politics. This text also mentions the times in which Barbara lost two of her elections, which is important to her overall success story. Essentially, I felt as if the pacing of this plot was very beneficial in getting children to understand the narrative entirely. 

Conclusion: Ultimately, I was very pleased with this text due to the subject matter, the way in which the illustrations added to the narrative, and the overall inspiration associated with this story. Not only does this text teach young children and young girls that they can accomplish wonderful things, but it teaches them that they are capable of using their voices for great things, that they are capable of making a real difference within our world. Overall, I am happy I got the chance to read this book, and I am thankful for the knowledge I gained from doing so. 

Reference: Barton, C., & Holmes, E. (2018). What Do You Do with a Voice Like That?: The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan (Illustrated ed.). Beach Lane Books.

Sources: Young, T., Bryan, G., Jacobs, J., & Tunnell, M. (2019). Children’s Literature, Briefly (7th ed.). Pearson.