The author, Katie Van Heidrich did a great job writing this memoir in verse. The In-between is a book about a teen trying to get through middle school and learn about themself as her family deals with financial struggles and divorce. While there are some places that might be hard to get through, stick with them because you will not be disappointed. Using descriptive and precise words and some repetition Heidrich was able to show emotion and let us see into the mind of the character. If you like novels in verse this book is for you. The review was written by a Washington Middle School student.
A fascinating review of the history of information dissemination, how misinformation/disinformation gets around, and, most importantly, what to do about it. This work looks at disinformation/fake news and all associated/related concepts that dominate the modern political and social landscape. There is a good analysis of definitions and there are reasonable recommendations for how to counter the impacts of disinformation. It is comprehensive and precise, richly grounded in social science research. Non-fiction, There is a good analysis of definitions and there are reasonable recommendations for how to counter the impacts of disinformation. Targeted at a young adult audience, Dr. Yasmin doesn’t tell kids what to think but helps them think about their own views and prejudices that make it harder to see the perspectives of others. Reviewed by a Washington Middle School Student
They Call Her Fregona by David Bowles brings up topics of Latinx and societal discrepancies with prose that keeps you coming back. The main character, Guero’s, girlfriend struggles with conflicts related to gender norms and the deportation of her family. Guero struggles with conflict related to how he will be a good boyfriend and how he will keep his friendships strong. This text is an important story of life in a border town from a voice that is rarely amplified. Hearing this story helps us to understand topics of judgment that readers might not have considered before. The use of verse as the main character’s journal entries makes this book an incredibly well-done piece. There are individual entries that are dedicated to characterization for supporting characters, there is a glossary in the back that helps the reader to access the name-calling, slights, and other Spanish terms that might otherwise go unknown. The prose has some elements of rhyme, but it isn’t overly used and helps to emphasize the importance of the topic the author is highlighting. Middle-grade readers will like the relationships and issues presented in the text. LGBTQ+ book fans will enjoy the seamless weaving in of societal topics related to gender norms and language. The representation of LGBTQ+ supporting characters confronts heteronormative literature.
Ransom Riggs has another “non-fiction” companion volume to other guidebooks of the peculiar world. Museum of Wonders is a guidebook for new particulars. It provides background and advice for surviving the peculiar world. If you are a new peculiar and need information on “strange events in history,” or need to “locate hidden time loops” this book is for you. I love how the author takes actual black-and-white photos and incorporates a whole made-up peculiar story around them. Vintage photos and wood prints mix with Riggs’ peculiar voice – something akin to a turn-of-the-century spiritualist pamphlet. It reads like a non-fiction tour guidebook. Fans of the peculiar world will love it as well as folks that are just getting started. It reads like a non-fiction tour guidebook of a world you would be fascinated to visit. Review created by a Washginton Middle School Student.
This realistic fiction novel will be a sure winner with early intermediate readers. Melody and her mother live together in New York City while her father works in South Korea. He visits Melody and her mother three times each year. All of the sudden, Melody is told that she and her mother will be moving to Korea for her senior year in high school. How will she ever survive leaving her new best friend while learning to love a culture that she does not feel a part of? Melody enters a whole new elite world in Korea that is vastly different than the life she left behind. Korean culture, Korean fook, and language are infused throughout the book which is absolutely wonderful.
The novel The Road To After by Rebekah Lowell written in verse with beautiful illustrations will surely be a wonderful hit among middle-grade readers. Lacey and her sister and mother have long been kept captive by her father without realizing it, and now that her grandparents are here to set them free from his grip, Lacey now has the opportunity to explore outside with nature and maybe even make some friends. The wonderful descriptive language found in this novel, and the pictures alongside that are truly a marvel. It is a powerful story that will touch the emotions of readers. Review was written by a WMS Middle School student.
This story, My Own Lightning by Lauren Wolk, the sequel to a dashing book will pull you straight into the world it tells of and changes the way you perceive your own. Following the events of Wolf Hollow, My Own Lightning brings about summer to the story once more; with a tremendous storm to come with it. The story following the storm tells of growing up and finding ways to cope with change or to be the change. The figurative language and fantastical imagery leave your mind spinning with beautiful pictures created by the brilliant words in My Own Lightning A brilliant historical fiction gives you not only an intriguing image of the past but deep and wonderful characters to pull you into the words with them. If the intriguing image of the past is created by this historical fiction, the thorough figurative language will strike even the most reluctant readers as simply beautiful!
Fly by Alison Hughes is a novel in verse that is sure to leave a mark. Felix Landon Yarrow or more commonly known as FLY sits in a wheelchair at the age of 14. Although this makes life harder FLY sets out to save his crush from a drug-dealing boy named Carter. When his original plan falls apart he realizes it’s time to rock the boat. The creative format of the verses generates an interesting, more inventive way of understanding the words on the page. This book would appeal to fiction and YA readers. The representation of FLY’s feelings as a teenager is both relatable and comforting. Even for readers who aren’t attracted to young adult fiction, the adventure in verse will pull them in. (Reviewed by a WMS student)
The F.A.R.T. Diaries is an adventurous comedy that will entice anyone looking for some wacky fun! A diabolical plot by a group of parents and teachers (also known as F.A.R.T.) to brainwash kids into obedience is discovered by FP, and it’s up to a tween boy to figure out how to stop it. The boundless humor and wacky characters were bound to interest anyone who lay a finger on this book! This daring book takes the character vs. society conflict above and beyond with unmatched creativity! People who dislike reading could pick up this book and immediately be engrossed, dystopian readers will appreciate the challenge of authority, but all the action and comedy can be enjoyed by all!
Cloud Town by Danial McCloskey represents a dystopian world with monsters and crazy events. This book is perfect for readers that enjoy science fiction and exploring a whole different world. Two friends, Olive and Pen forever head each other backs, until a giant android that protects their town from huge monsters almost steps on them. Only one of them can drive the android to protect the townspeople. Their friendship then becomes threatened by abandonment, and feelings of betrayal. The miraculous creativity and imagination the author used to create this crazy adventure of a story were compelling. This Dystopian graphic novel mixes adventure, contemporary art, and ridiculous characters all to create this masterpiece.
