It's the summer of 1920, and if the 19th Amendment is ratified by one more state, it will pass. This history book, adapted for young readers, is the sIt's the summer of 1920, and if the 19th Amendment is ratified by one more state, it will pass. This history book, adapted for young readers, is the story of the fight for that last state, Tennessee.
In this book, we see the players on both sides of the fight. We see the women who are fighting tooth and nail to get the State Congressman to ratify the Amendment, and the women who are adamantly against its passing. We see bribery and trickier and Congressmen who make promises to both sides. We see some staunch fighters for traditional gender roles and plenty of sexism. We see the sad reality that racism plays in the fight against the ratification.
I like that this book focuses on this one moment in the fight for the passing of the 19th Amendment.
It's 1992 in LA, and Ashley has a good life. She goes to one of the best schools and lives in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the LA area. She'It's 1992 in LA, and Ashley has a good life. She goes to one of the best schools and lives in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the LA area. She's fallen in with the popular crowd at school, and so what if the price of being one of the group is putting up with a myriad of microaggressions (not that Tracy has the vocabulary to label them) on a daily basis. Then the police brutality against Rodney King that culminates in sweeping riots forces her to confront her identity and the racial inequities that are right in front of her.
I thought this book was really excellent. I love the historical setting and how it allows us to examine this moment from the past through a teenager's eyes. And, unfortunately, this is a very timely book, as these events have many parallels in today's America. The writing itself is also really good. It has a rhythm and tone to it that I, personally, loved. ...more
Tracy Beaumont's father is in jail for a crime he didn't commit. Every week she writes letters to Innocent X organizA stellar debut from Kim Johnson.
Tracy Beaumont's father is in jail for a crime he didn't commit. Every week she writes letters to Innocent X organization asking for help with her father's case. Then her brother is accused of killing a popular white girl, and Tracy can see that history will repeat itself if she doesn't do something.
This Is My America tackles really serious topics of racial inequity in a fast-paced, thriller-like plot. It shines a light on huge social problems and is really hard to put down! ...more
I really enjoyed this book. It has a melancholy tone that just hits me right.
Adelaide Buchwald is floundering. Her family has been through a lot, andI really enjoyed this book. It has a melancholy tone that just hits me right.
Adelaide Buchwald is floundering. Her family has been through a lot, and it is impacting her emotionally and mentally. She has one summer to pull together a decent project or be kicked out of the boarding school she began attending when her dad got a job there.
Again Again is a parallel realities story where multiple timelines play out across Adelaide's summer. Parallel reality books usually work for me, and this one was no exception. But, as I said, it was the tone that really made it special. I also loved the contemporary art gallery.
I've been waiting for this book since I read I See London, I See France in 2017.
This book is getting a lot of bad reviews because of the relationship,I've been waiting for this book since I read I See London, I See France in 2017.
This book is getting a lot of bad reviews because of the relationship, but I don't see the relationship between Sam and Gavin as being celebrated at all. I can see why Sam is caught up with Gavin (it's partly because summer camp is a weird bubble), but he's kind of the worst. What I really liked about Just a Boy and a Girl in a Little Canoe is that it shows how you can be doing awesome in one aspect of your life (it was so gratifying to see Sam hit it out of the park with those campers) while simultaneously really flubbing up another aspect of it. It's not pretty, but it is very realistic.
This book is definitely on the older side of YA. Sam has just finished her freshman year of college, and so this book is not appropriate for younger reader of YA.
Jacaranda is just trying to make ends meet, but when a video of her singing at the grocery store where she works goes viral, she is suddenly the recipJacaranda is just trying to make ends meet, but when a video of her singing at the grocery store where she works goes viral, she is suddenly the recipient of a scholarship to a performing arts boarding school thanks to an anonymous benefactor.
I enjoyed this retelling of Daddy Long Legs. It was fun to see Jacaranda succeed at the new school. Also, it was the second book I read this year that made me want to watch Into the Woods.
We Are Not Free tells the story of a group of young Japanese Americans who must leave their homes in San Francisco for the Japanese Incarceration CampWe Are Not Free tells the story of a group of young Japanese Americans who must leave their homes in San Francisco for the Japanese Incarceration Camps of the World War II Era.
I loved that Traci Chee told this story with 14 narrators. It allowed her to explore the whole range of experiences and attitudes that went along with life in the camps. She was also able to move beyond the camps to the war front itself as some of her characters joined the 442 Regimental Combat Team that was made up primarily of Nisei soldiers. The multitude of narrators also allowed her to move beyond one single camp along with the characters who were relocated mid-war. At the same time, the connection that all the characters had to one another and their home in San Francisco really kept the story grounded.
This graphic memoir recounts the years George Takei spent in Japanese Incarceration camps as a child during World War II.
Personally stories like thisThis graphic memoir recounts the years George Takei spent in Japanese Incarceration camps as a child during World War II.
Personally stories like this really help to humanize history. To know the camps existed is one thing. To see how they impacted real people is another. It helps that George Takei is a household name these days. These events are not the distant past. ...more
It's 1958 and, in the wake of her father's death, Ruth Robb has moved from New York City to Atlanta to live with her grandparents. Ruth desperately waIt's 1958 and, in the wake of her father's death, Ruth Robb has moved from New York City to Atlanta to live with her grandparents. Ruth desperately wants to fit in, and, if fitting in means not telling any of her new friends that she's Jewish, maybe she's okay with that.
But Ruth soon finds she's balancing two lives, the debutante life with her new friends and maybe boyfriend, and her life based around temple and the social justice work they are doing. In 1958 it doesn't seem like these two worlds could ever merge.
I really enjoyed In the Neighborhood of True. It tackles some important topics, like racism and antisemitism. Ruth has to make some tough choices, and I found her to be really relatable and honest. She's at time shallow and inconsiderate, but she also wants to be a good person. She's young, and she's learning. It was nice to see her growth as the book went on.
Cassie Worthy was supposed to have the perfect summer before heading off to college. But it's not two minutes into her new job at AmThe 90s are back.
Cassie Worthy was supposed to have the perfect summer before heading off to college. But it's not two minutes into her new job at America's Best Cookies when she finds out her boyfriend fell in love with the Bath and Body Works girl while she was out with mono. Now she's working at Bellarose Boutique with her former best-friend Drea.
The Mall is pretty silly. It was fun though. Drea and Cassie rekindle their friendship and go on a mad-cap scavenger hunt to find the legendary treasure of the Parkway Center Mall. As someone who spent a fair amount of time in the mall in the 1990s, this was kind of a fun throwback.
This one is about Muiriel who has spent her entire life in foster care. In her last few months in the systI've really enjoyed Jennifer Longo's books.
This one is about Muiriel who has spent her entire life in foster care. In her last few months in the system she finds herself in an island community off the coast of Seattle, and, despite her best efforts, and all the lessons she's learned in her many years in foster care, she starts to put down roots.
What I Carry is a really beautiful story about how relationships can be healing. ...more
This is the only book by Emma Mills that I've read, but I think I should read more. I'm pretty sure I would like them all.
This story is about Sloane This is the only book by Emma Mills that I've read, but I think I should read more. I'm pretty sure I would like them all.
This story is about Sloane who is trying to track down a missing painting for her friends. One of the big themes in this book is the relationships between parents and children.
After the year we've had this scandal feels like it was forever ago.
Admission was inspired by the college admission scandal. Julie Buxbaum gives us aAfter the year we've had this scandal feels like it was forever ago.
Admission was inspired by the college admission scandal. Julie Buxbaum gives us a look into the type of family that could have been involved in this scandal. The big question of this book is how much did Chloe really know about the strings her parents were pulling? How complicit is she?
I enjoyed this book. I've liked all of Julie Buxbaum's books, and I'd have to say that this one is a little different than her other stories. It was interesting to try and get into the heads of the the real people involved in scandals like this.
A graphic memoir about Robin Ha's first years in the United States. Robin and her mother live in Korea until her mother announces that she's getting mA graphic memoir about Robin Ha's first years in the United States. Robin and her mother live in Korea until her mother announces that she's getting married and a family trip to Huntsville, Alabama becomes permanent.
I really enjoyed this book. The drawings are fun. I love that she created a graphic novel about the role that comics played her as she was trying to find her place in American society....more
Winnie Friedman is funny. Comedy has always been something she's done with her dad, and when she finds out he has ALS, she decides to face her fears aWinnie Friedman is funny. Comedy has always been something she's done with her dad, and when she finds out he has ALS, she decides to face her fears and join the Improv team at her high school.
This is a book about how laughter and sorrow can go hand in hand, and I really liked it....more
I found this book about Lucy's struggle with her faith after finding out that her mom's cancer has returned to be so poignant and heartfelt. I found this book about Lucy's struggle with her faith after finding out that her mom's cancer has returned to be so poignant and heartfelt. ...more
I read quite a few Young Adult and Middle Grade history books this year both on my own and with my boys. This one was my favorite. The twelve essays cI read quite a few Young Adult and Middle Grade history books this year both on my own and with my boys. This one was my favorite. The twelve essays cover a wide range of topics from the French Revolution and Marie Antoinette's favorite portraitist to Sally Hemings' years in Paris with Thomas Jefferson to the Mutiny on the Bounty. It really was a fascinating look at a fascinating year, and I want to read the other book in the series, 1968: Twelve Authors Explore a Year of Rebellion, Revolution, and Change, as well. ...more
Naturally we followed up Rivals! with Rivals! 2. The kids and I all agreed that this second installment isn't quite as good as the first,but it was stNaturally we followed up Rivals! with Rivals! 2. The kids and I all agreed that this second installment isn't quite as good as the first,but it was still fun and informative. ...more
I listened to this book with my boys, and we all really enjoyed it. I've always been intrigued by The Bone Wars, so it was fun to introduce them to thI listened to this book with my boys, and we all really enjoyed it. I've always been intrigued by The Bone Wars, so it was fun to introduce them to that. I also liked the shoe rivalry a lot. ...more
This YA thriller truly had me on the edge of my seat. I did guess one key plot point, but, overall, I was not at all sure how tMy final read of 2020.
This YA thriller truly had me on the edge of my seat. I did guess one key plot point, but, overall, I was not at all sure how this was going to come together.
Also, definitely do audio on this one, as it has a whole podcast aspect to it that is really well done. Fans of Sadie by Courtney Summers should pick this one up. ...more
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