Review: Finale

Finale by Stephanie Garber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Two months have passed since the final Caraval was completed. Legend has claimed the empire’s throne and the Fates have been freed from the cards. Tella does not believe that Legend is the rightful heir to the throne and will risk more than she imagined to see her plans through. Scarlett has not gotten over Julian and is ready to meet with her former fiancé or is she? Scarlett has decided to have her own game where the winner gets to marry her. Is Scarlett in control of her destiny or are larger powers at work? Will Tella be able to stop Legend or is his fate part of her destiny?

Finale is the third and final book in the Caraval trilogy. The sisters have learned a lot about love and magic over these last few months and now they must determine what their own hearts desires are. Garber’s world is a wonderful place to escape into and readers who invested time in Scarlett and Tella during the first two books will not be disappointed to learn their fate. I am glad I was able to read all three books in a short amount of time because this trilogy is definitely devour worthy.


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Review: The Lovely and the Lost

The Lovely and the Lost by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Kira doesn’t remember much about her childhood, but she does recall being lost in the woods and being found by Cady Bennett and her search-and-rescue dog. Although she was adopted by Cady, she still has trouble feeling like she belongs in a family. She has no difficulties interacting with the canines used with the search-and-rescue business and she hopes to continue with this endeavor into her adult years. When Cady and her team are asked to help search for a missing child in the Sierra Glades National Park, Kira can’t stop thinking about this missing girl and her own experience being lost in the wilderness.

The Lovely and the Lost is a stand-alone mystery that leaves a lot to be desired. Even though there were some twists and turns as the pages were turned, overall there was just something lacking in the novel. Barnes usually has dynamic characters that make readers want to know more, yet these characters were a little flat and didn’t make me want to stay with the story. Overall I liked the ending and decided I liked the book, so I encourage those who want to read it to stick it out till the end because it is worth it.


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Review: We Are Here to Stay: Voices of Undocumented Young Adults

We Are Here to Stay: Voices of Undocumented Young Adults by Susan Kuklin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

These nine young people have a story to tell. They all have lived in the United States for most of their lives, but they are undocumented. They come from a variety of countries: Columbia, Mexico, Ghana, Independent Samoa, and Korea. They came for different reasons; most for an education, some were running away from violence and others were trying to leave a life of poverty. They all have a story to tell and this is it.

We Are Here to Stay is a non-fiction book filled with truths and heartache. These young adults have not only overcome the obstacles of getting to the United States, but they have also navigated a system that is not always looking out for their best interests. This was originally scheduled to be published in 2017, but with the changes in immigration procedures, this book was released later without many of the pictures originally planned. Kuklin is hopeful that the book will be re-released in the future with all of these pictures. Whether readers are current about all of the DACA information or this is their first glimpse at these issues, We Are Here to Stay will be an eye-opening read for all.

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Review: Shout

Shout by Laurie Halse Anderson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It has been twenty years since Anderson published her book Speak, yet people of all genders are still struggling with talking about sexual assault and schools are still restricting access to content about sex and rape. In this book filled with verse, Anderson tackles a tough topic and leaves the reader thinking hard … long after the pages have been finished. She tells about her early childhood, her own sexual assault and the years following the publication of Speak. Whether readers have experienced sexual assault, know of a survivor of sexual assault or just wants to know more, Speak is the book that must read, must be considered and must be shouted about.

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Review: Summer of '69

Summer of '69 by Todd Strasser
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lucas’ plans for the summer are simple: hang out with friends, smoke some weed and take some pills along the way. His plans go off track when he finds out that he did not get into college. He is now at risk of being drafted and sent to the Vietnam Conflict. Also, his girlfriend is spending time in Canada and his friend Tinsley wants to practice her free love by temping Lucas to cheat on Robin. If his life wasn’t crazy enough it looks like his parents might be getting a divorce and his friend in Vietnam is in constant danger. What will Lucas do to avoid ‘Nam? What else will life throw at him?

The Summer of ’69 is a coming of age story inspired by the author’s own time in this iconic era. The drugs are abundant and the choices are less than noble, but the story will be appealing to readers of all ages. Since this is the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, some young readers may see articles and shows that talk about the events, yet this story will help them understand what was going through many young people’s minds in the months and weeks leading up to the festival. Strasser has based his characters and events on his own life and stories he heard from friends and this makes this book just a little bit more appealing.


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Review: The Honey Bus: A Memoir of Loss, Courage and a Girl Saved by Bees

The Honey Bus: A Memoir of Loss, Courage and a Girl Saved by Bees by Meredith May
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Meredith knew her parents fought a lot, but her world was turned upside down when her mother left her father and moved them to live with her grandparents in California. Her mother could not cope with the ending of her marriage and isolated herself from everyone. Meredith tried to just stay out of everyone’s way until her grandfather invited her to help with his beekeeping. She now had a way to escape her hectic reality and learn life lessons from these small creatures along the way.

The Honey Bus is a poignant memoir that reads like a novel. This book takes readers through the early years of a confused child and gives them a chance to watch her grow into a strong young lady. The memoir parts are great, but so are the lessons about bees and beekeeping. I recommend The Honey Bus to those who enjoyed The Glass Castle and The Secret Lives of Bees. It is a wonderful story about making a home where love is and the truths that can be learned about the life of bees.


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Review: Sky Without Stars

Sky Without Stars by Jessica Brody
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It has been 500 years since Laterre was colonized and it is time for a revolution. It turns out that the planet wasn’t as perfect as excepted and the wealthy are living the extravagant life while the lower classes barely stay alive. It doesn’t help that the world is twenty-five years into an eclipse that has them in perpetual night. Chatine would do anything to leave her situation, including spying on a boy who has only shown her kindness. Marcellus is the grandson of the general and also the son a very famous traitor. Alouette fled underground with her father many years ago and has been trained to protect the secret library. These three young people have an unexpected role to play in this upcoming revolution. Will they have what it takes to stand their ground? What will they learn about themselves along the way?

Sky Without Stars is the first book in the System Divine series. This science fiction novel takes place on a distant planet in a distant future, yet the issues that are expressed are mirrored in society today. Brody has taken a timeless storyline and brought it to an audience that will enjoy this new spin. The story is told in the alternating voices of the three protagonists and readers will be blessed with the additional insight into the narrative. I recommend Sky Without Stars for all young adult science fiction fans and maybe even those who aren’t usually into young adult fiction. It is a real page-turner.


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