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: Frankly in Love

Frankly in Love by David Yoon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am frankly in love with Frankly in Love, and that is no lie. This book is the perfect YA romance; it has first love, first heart break, dysfunctional family dynamics, all while helping the reader understand the Korean culture. I know very little about the Korean culture, so I loved getting a glimpse into the family life and cultural perspectives. I feel certain that this book will end up nominated for plenty of young adult awards; I wouldn't be surprised if it gets optioned as a movie. I know I would pay to go see it!

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Review: Hey, Kiddo

Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This graphic novel memoir is rough and not advised for young readers (high school appropriate unless the student will be upset by the profanity). I say that it's rough because the author is brutally honest about his upbringing. His mother was addicted to heroin. He didn’t know who his father was. He was raised by his grandparents who used lots of profanity around him and could be aggressive. But one thing saved him from becoming like his mother, and that was art.

His grandparents encouraged his artistic ability by paying for him to take art classes at the Worcester Art Museum. His art gave him an outlet to explore his ghosts rather than run from them. The detailed author’s note at the end was my favorite part. He recognizes that he became who he both in spite of and because of his mother. He learned from her mistakes; while she squandered her artistic talent, he was determined to make a career out of his. Despite a life full of turmoil, Krosoczka is a successful author & illustrator; his story will be inspirational to students being raised in similar homes. Recommended for mature students.

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