Review: Tune It Out

Tune It Out by Jamie Sumner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jamie Sumner has written another excellent book about a young girl who isn't like everyone else. In Tune It Out, readers meet Lou who struggles with loud noises and physical contact because they are painful for her. Teachers have suggested that perhaps she is on the spectrum, but her mother refuses to get Lou a diagnosis. Lou and her mom are struggling financially and living in their truck. Her mom tries to earn extra money by having Lou perform at clubs and fairs. She wants Lou to score a record deal for her amazing singing talent, but performing is extremely difficult for Lou.

After an accident causes Lou to be taken from her mom, she moves across the country to live with her aunt and uncle that she doesn't even know. They enroll her in a fancy private school, and it's the first time Lou has had stability in her life in years. Through the help of her new friends, aunt and uncle, and a guidance counselor, Lou starts to understand and know herself better than she ever has. She also sees her mother for who she truly is, and it isn't a pretty picture.

I loved Sumner's first book Roll with It because even though the main character had a disability, she was fierce and did not let it define her. In the beginning of this story, Lou allows herself to be defined by her disability. At first, she doesn't have a name for her issues, but she later learns that she has Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). She (and her mother) allowed her SPD to prevent her from making friends or even going to school in the past. I really appreciate Sumner's writing because she shows how someone with SPD would truly struggle; she doesn't just gloss it over, and make her some tough superhero who easily overcomes her SPD. While she does work towards finding ways to cope with SPD, Sumner shows that it is difficult for her to be touched even if only for a few seconds.

My son is on the spectrum, and he struggles with sensory processing as well. Loud unexpected noises were torture for him years ago, but with time, therapy, and exposure, he has gotten much better at handling these types of noises. When he was 3, he would cry and beg to leave my husband's basketball games because the buzzer hurt his ears; now at 8, he sits on the bench with the team. I look forward to sharing this book with students at my school so they can learn about the challenges that some of their peers face on a daily basis.

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Say Yes Summer by Lindsey Roth Culli

If you are looking for a lighthearted YA romance, look no further. Culli's Say Yes Summer makes for a perfect beach or poolside read. Rachel has spent her entire life doing whatever it takes to become valedictorian and get into a great college; basically, she's been all work and no fun. With her best friend out of town for her last summer before moving away, Rachel decides to say yes to every opportunity that comes her way, even if it is at the expense of others she cares about. When Rachel says yes to dating two different boys she has cared about for years, life gets much more complicated. She realizes that saying yes to one person means you have to say no to someone else. How will she decide which boy is her "yes" and which one is her "no?" While the plot is fairly predictable, it is certainly a fun, quick read. I enjoyed seeing Rachel's character realize that there is more to her classmates than what they put on social media, which is an extremely important lesson for teens and adults alike. Most people don't air their dirty laundry on Instagram, so we have to remember they they are only sharing the good parts of their life. I will certainly recommend this books to fans of Jenny Han.

More Than Just a Pretty Face by Syed M. Masood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I'll be the first to admit that I shamelessly love YA romances. I love the drama, angst, and all the feels of first love. It throws me right back into high school when my life was full of those same emotions. Most of the YA romances I read are from a girl's point of view, and I expected this book to be same based on the title; obviously, I was wrong.

More Than Just a Pretty Face is about Danyal Jilani, a self-proclaimed handsome idiot who wants to be a chef. As a Muslim teen, Danyal isn't allowed to touch the girl of his dreams (Kaval), so he spends his time shamelessly flirting with her. She just happens to be his best friend's twin sister, which is another reason she is off limits. When Danyal's parents set up an arranged marriage meeting with Bisma Akram, Danyal is thrown for a loop. She isn't drop dead gorgeous like Kaval, but there is something about her that intrigues him. She is sad and lonely, and he just wants to make her smile. When Danyal is selected as a participant in his school's Renaissance Man competition, he is forced to choose between the girl he has always longed for and the girl who keeps haunting his thoughts.

One of the things that I loved most about this book was that it's about a culture different than my own. I know the bare minimum about Islam, and I enjoyed seeing what the Islamic religion expects of its believers. I cannot imagine being a Muslim teenager full of hormones and knowing that I'm not supposed to be alone with someone of the opposite sex. Danyal's character was very well-written; while he may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, he is passionate and kind. His desire to shed light on a seemingly heroic historical figure made me love him even more. He stood up for what he believed in, even though he knew it would be hard. I adored his playful banter with Bisma and how nervous he got around her. Syed M. Masood did an excellent job of showing readers that falling in love isn't always fireworks and wind blowing through a girl's hair. Sometimes falling in love is more like a ride on a lazy river: slow and comfortable.

Fans of David Yoon's Frankly in Love will swoon over More Than Just a Pretty Face.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.







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Review: Roll with It

Roll with It by Jamie Sumner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved Ellie and her feisty nature. If you are a fan of Dusti Bowling's novel Life of a Cactus, you will be equally enamored with Roll With It. Ellie has cerebral palsy and must use a wheelchair. At school, she has an aid who helps her during class change and when she has to use the bathroom, which is extremely annoying to her. When Ellie's mom surprises her by moving them from Tennessee to Oklahoma, at first, Ellie is really excited. She doesn't really have friends in Nashville, and she will get to live with her grandparents. After her first day at our new school, she is ready to tap out. Fortunately, things start to get a little better at school, and she actually makes friends with two other kids who live in her trailer park. Ellie spends most of her free time trying to come with a great recipe for an upcoming bake-off. When the day of the bake-off arrives, Ellie is very confident in her creation, but when her grandfather disappears from the event, nothing else matters. This novel will make an excellent addition to middle-grade libraries and classrooms.

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Review: The Map from Here to There

The Map from Here to There by Emery Lord
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am a fan of Emery Lord's novels, so I was super excited to get an ARC of The Map from Here to There. I usually don't enjoy sequels more than the first book in a series, but I truly liked this one more. My favorite aspect of this book is that it wasn't full of profanity or sex. I feel like most YA novels are all about sex or the pursuit of sex; if not that, they are full of rough profanity. I get that teenagers swear and have sex. I remember what high school was like, and I taught it for eleven years, so I'm not naive about what happens outside of school. However, I always feel uncomfortable telling a teen how much I love a certain book when it contains tons of sex or profanity. Lord's newest novel is one that I would feel extremely comfortable recommending to students or parents. She tackles first love and heartache without making it too mature for younger teen readers. This novel (and the first in the series, The Start of Me and You) would make a great read for mature middle schoolers and more innocent or sheltered high schoolers.

Readers who have dealt with anxiety and/or loss will connect to Paige and her worrisome nature. Lord's writing took me back to my first serious relationship in high school when every kiss and touch felt like magic, but it also reminded me of gut-wrenching those first fights and misunderstandings could be. Every decision felt so monumental at that time in my life, and Paige definitely feels that way. She truly loves Max, but she's to0 worried about how much it will hurt to lose him that she forgets to enjoy what they have. Any reader who has ever questioned the seriousness of their relationship will understand Paige's internal conflict.

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Review: Catherine's War

Catherine's War by Julia Billet
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I had really high hopes for this book because I love reading about World War II, the Holocaust, and the French Resistance. I just knew that a graphic novel about a French Jewish girl taking on a fake identity during WWII would be right up my alley. Catherine's War was originally a novel written in French. It has since been translated and adapted into a graphic novel. While the illustrations were beautiful, I think the story probably suffered in the adaptation. It felt like the plot jumped around too quickly, which meant there wasn't enough time to develop the characters and their relationships. I was honestly disappointed in the story, but I'm hopeful that I wouldn't feel that way after reading the original novel. If you teach WWII, this book would be a fine addition to your literature circles or book clubs, especially for struggling readers. However, I wouldn't recommend this book for upper elementary students. While there is no outright sexual content, there is a scene where French women are getting their heads shaved because they slept with German soldiers. Thes women are referred to as sluts and whores. I think that scene alone makes this book more appropriate for middle schoolers and up.

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Review: Chirp

Chirp by Kate Messner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mia has just moved back to Vermont from Boston. She and her parents want to be closer to her grandmother who suffered a stroke a few months ago. Mia is really excited to be able to help her grandmother with her cricket farm. Unfortunately, things seem to be going mysteriously wrong left and right at the farm. Mia's grandmother suspects that someone is trying to sabotage the farm so she will be forced to sell it, but so far, there is no way to prove her theory.

Per her mother, Mia has to pick two summer activities: one for her body and one for her brain. She decides to participate in Launch camp (a maker space for kids) and Warrior camp so she can learn the tricks behind one of her favorite tv shows. Warrior camp happens to be right beside a gymnastics facility. We learn that Mia was a great gymnast in Boston, but after breaking her arm and undergoing surgery, she hasn't wanted to compete again. It's obvious that something bad happened to her at her old gym other than breaking her arm, but it takes a while to learn that her former coach was very inappropriate with her.

After forming new friendships with girls and women who have also been the victims of sexual harassment or inappropriate touch, Mia finds her voice and finally confides in her mother. At the same time, these friends help her figure out who is the mysterious mishaps at the cricket farm. These friendships allow Mia to rediscover the joy in her life and regain a part of her old self.

When I first heard that Kate Messner's upcoming novel was about a cricket farm, I thought that was really strange. I have loved every book of hers that I've read, but I couldn't see myself feeling super enthusiastic about this one. We all know the old adage "don't judge a book by its cover;" my new philosophy is going to be don't judge a book based on its setting or plot. Messner uses female crickets as a symbol for women who are scared to be vocal when men are misogynistic or inappropriate with them. She delicately unravels Mia's suffering for the reader without making it too graphic for her intended middle-grade audience. This book is so important for young girls to read. I imagine that every woman has been the victim of some type of sexual harassment during her life. We would love to think that it doesn't happen to girls in elementary school, but it does. I can say that confidently from my first-hand experience. It happened to me in first grade; a few boys touched my butt on the playground. In fourth grade, a male classmate asked me if I was a virgin. I, of course, had no idea what that meant, but I knew that it was a question he shouldn't be asking me. Now, I don't think those boys were being sexual predators; looking back on it now, I think they were probably doing things that they had seen or heard older boys or men doing, but it made me feel dirty, even though I had done nothing wrong. It's important for young girls to know that they are not in the wrong in these situations. This book is also important for young boys because they need to know that there are lines that should never be crossed. Messner does an excellent job of sensitively teaching both those lessons.

Chirp needs to be in every elementary and middle school library, and I'm not just talking to librarians who have a robust budget. Buy this with your own money if you must; it's that important for our children to read.

*Review based on an ARC given to #BookPosse.

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