Review: Look Both Ways

Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Everyone has a story that we know nothing about; that adage is very clear in Jason Reynold's newest book. In each chapter, we meet different students from the same middle school. They are all on their way home from school. Some of their stories are heartwarming, while others are heartbreaking (I'm looking at you, Low Cuts Crew). Each story gives us glimpse into the homelife of these students. In one chapter, kids turn pennies into ice cream; in another chapter, we meet a boy who is scared to death of walking home. These unique stories are sure to grab the reader's attention and keep him or her hooked.

As with all of Jason Reynold's books, the writing is lyrical and beautiful. While the publishers have recommended this book for 5th grade and up; I don't see any issue with putting in the hands of younger readers. There is no profane language or graphic violence (full disclosure: one student does get beaten up pretty badly, but I think younger kids can handle it). If you have the budget to buy it, add Look Both Ways to your collection.

View all my reviews

Review: Guts

Guts by Raina Telgemeier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Based on the author's childhood, Guts is a graphic novel about anxiety and stomach issues. After Raina catches a stomach bug, she develops a fear of vomiting. Even the word makes her feel sick. She begins missing school frequently for stomach problems. She feels sick, but the doctor says she is healthy as a horse. Raina's parents realize that she needs to talk over her fears with someone, so she begins seeing a therapist. She is worried about what her friends will think if they find out, so she tries to keep it a secret.

I have never personally dealt with anxiety, but my son does, so it was interesting for me to see what he might feel like when his anxiety is high. Students who are struggling with similar issues will appreciate Raina's honesty with her own anxiety. Fans of her other graphic novels are sure to enjoy the story and artwork in her newest book.

View all my reviews

Review: Maybe He Just Likes You

Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When does harmless flirting cross the line and become sexual harassment? Mila knows that the basketball boys are giving her creepy feelings, so it can't be flirting. When she tries to describe some of the comments guys have been making and the inappropriate touching, one of her best friends counters with "maybe he just likes you." Why is it that we so often excuse a boy's bad behavior? We say "boys will be boys" like that makes anything they do okay. But the thing is, it's not okay. As a woman who was once a young girl with wide hips and a big butt, my body has been touched many times without my permission. I can vividly remember bending over to tie my shoe and having a male classmate grab a handful of my butt. He laughed, and the guys around him laughed, and I just kept on going with my day because it wasn't the first time it had happened, and I knew it wouldn't be the last. It wasn't always touching that crossed the line; as an adult, I often got suggestive emails or propositions from coworkers. None of this was ever okay, but I never felt brave enough to do anything about it.

Mila was in the same position as me. She knew what was happening to her wasn't right, but she didn't know what to do about it. Mila couldn't put the right word on what these boys were doing to her until she finally confesses everything to a teacher. Her teacher helps her understand that she is being sexually harassed and gives her the courage to confront her harassers. Barbara Dee's latest novel should be required reading for all middle school boys and girls, as well as teachers.

View all my reviews

Review: Redwood and Ponytail

Redwood and Ponytail by K.A. Holt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What could a shoulder-punching volleyball player and a hair-flipping cheerleader have in common? In Redwood and Ponytail, it's that they have a crush on each other, and it seems to come as a surprise to both of them. Tam is tall like a Redwood, and Kate has perfect ponytail; these two girls run in different circles, but when they meet, it's electric. There's a spark there, and they both know it. Kate starts neglecting the rest of the cheerleading squad and spending all her time with Tam. They lose track of time when they are together, and their pinkies always seem to end up linked together, but what could that mean? Do pinkies "hugging" mean that Kate could be gay? When she confesses to her mother that she is 75% gay, her mom quickly tells her that she can't be. Kate is jealous of how comfortable Tam feels in her own skin, but what she doesn't know is that Tam feels like has never fit in anywhere. Kate is scared not to be perfect and do what everyone expects of her. Tam is just scared of losing Kate.

K.A. Holt's newest novel-in-verse is a much-needed addition for middle/high school libraries. Any girl who has questioned her sexuality will relate to Kate, but this book isn't just for girls who are attracted to other girls. Readers who have felt pressured to be someone other than who they want to be will also connect to Kate. Tam's character is sure to resonate with readers who feel like they just don't fit; maybe they don't like the same things most other girls like, or maybe they feel more comfortable around boys. No matter what the reader's background is, he or she is sure to find some way to connect to Tam and Kate.

View all my reviews

Review: Allies

Allies by Alan Gratz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When I think of Alan Gratz, I think of amazing historical fiction novels, and his upcoming book, Allies, is no exception. Gratz weaves together multiple stories, which all take place within one 24 hour period: D-Day. The book is divided into different operations, but as always, the characters within each operation connect in various ways throughout the book. We first meet Dee, a young "American" who is actually a German ex-patriot, fighting beside his best friend Sid who happens to be Jewish and does not know Dee's true identity. Gratz also introduces us to a Canadian soldier who enlisted after his town held a mock invasion by the Nazis. Another operation features a young Algerian-French girl whose mother is taken away by Nazi soldiers while trying to deliver a message to members of the French Resistance. One thing remains constant within the different operations: the characters are all young and scared; they all fear that this day may be their last one on Earth, but they all face their fears head-on because they know that the success of D-Day depends on each one of them and the success of their respective operations.

During my study abroad in France, I had the opportunity to visit Normandy; we toured the beaches where Allied soldiers landed and stood on the cliffs above German bunkers. Those beaches and cliffs are some of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. Standing in those picturesque spots, it's impossible to fathom the hell that Allied soldiers endured while storming those beaches. I wasn't able to visualize the atrocities of that day until I watched the first fifteen minutes of Saving Private Ryan, and Gratz's words reminded me of scenes from that movie. His novel does not shy away from the raw violence that took place on that horrible day during World War II, so it is most appropriate for 5th grade and up. If you teach WWII, Allies needs to be added to your classroom library.

View all my reviews

Review: A Monster Like Me

A Monster Like Me by Wendy S. Swore
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Sophie was completely normal when she was born, but as a baby, she developed a large hemangioma on her face. Sophie knows that this mark doesn't just make her look like a monster; it's a sign that she really is a monster on the inside. She must have been cursed by a witch. She carries around her big book of monsters at all times so she will be able to pick out any other demons and monsters. Sophie is often bullied because of her birthmark so she tries to hide it as much as possible. She is deathly afraid that her mother will find out she isn't really human, and if she does, there's no way she will still want to have Sophie as her daughter. Sophie and her friend Autumn try desperately to find a cure for Sophie so she can turn back into a human, but things keep getting in the way of her cure.

I liked the concept of this book: someone feeling like a monster because of the way she looks and the way people treat her. However, I felt like Sophie's character went too far. I couldn't imagine how someone her age would truly believe she was a monster and that others were demons, fairies, etc. That was just completely unbelievable to me. I think that one aspect tainted my appreciation for this book. I just couldn't get over that one point. I also struggled with the names of the monsters. I have always disliked reading books where I can't figure out how to pronounce the names/words; when that happens, the book just loses me.

This book has gotten lots of buzz and is on many mock Newbery lists, but it just wasn't for me. That being said, I will still add it to my school library because I'm sure there are plenty of students who will love Sophie's story.







View all my reviews