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: 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: 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: 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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Review: Count Me In

Count Me In by Varsha Bajaj
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After witnessing her grandfather and friend be attacked by an angry racist man, Karina becomes an "accidental activist" by sharing pictures from the scene of the crime, her grandfather's recovery, as well as a picture of him and her grandmother not long after they immigrated to the United States. She begins tagging her posts with #CountMeIn. When asked by a reporter what her hashtag means, she shares that she will no longer be silent; she can be counted on to speak up against hate and intolerance. While Karina's parents and grandfather are at first upset that she is choosing to share so much of their private life with the world, she helps them understand that social media is her "drum," and she wants "the drums to be loud, so that everyone will hear our outrage."

Bajaj's novel shows both positive and negative aspects of social media in today's society. Karina feels encouraged and supported by the outpouring of positive comments that her photos receive, but the few negative comments from haters really get to her. While she is happy when her first #CountMeIn post goes viral, she quickly realizes that the media is relentless, and they will not leave her family alone until they agree to give an interview about the attack. At one point, Karina posts a photo with the caption "what is an American?" This question will hopefully spark important conversations amongst teachers, students, and parents. I am a white woman whose ancestors immigrated from England, Scotland, and various other European countries in the late 1600s. Why should I be considered more American than a second or third generation American? I assume that my ancestors came to the colonies looking for a better life; more recent immigrants likely have similar stories. During today's sermon at my church, the pastor asked us to look at our lives and evaluate our righteousness resume. We all have some aspect of our life that gives us validation. For some people, it might be work righteousness, and others might feel righteous in their parenting. It has become very apparent that there are those who are righteous in their race or in their generations of heritage. We really all just need to get ourselves; this book reminds us of the importance to look for what we have in common instead of what makes us different.

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Review: The Inside Battle

The Inside Battle by Melanie Sumrow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Melanie Sumrow's second novel continues in the same vein as her first, The Prophet Calls, in that it tackles difficult topics. In The Inside Battle, publishing March of 2020, Rebel Mercer's father is suffering from PTSD, and he has become disillusioned with society. He decides that the best thing for him and Rebel is to go live in the middle of nowhere with a militia group called the Flag Bearers. Rebel quickly realizes that the Flag Bearers are dangerous, hateful people. While avoiding his dad, Rebel meets a young African American girl named Calliope, and they hit it off. Unfortunately, when Rebel's dad discovers that his new friend is not white, he makes quite a scene in public. Rebel is faced with an extremely difficult choice: stand up to his dad and tell him he doesn't agree with his beliefs or say nothing and lose his friendship with Calliope. When Rebel finds out what the Flag Bearers' secret mission is, he has to take a long hard look at his dad, and decide if the man he used to know is still there, or has he become someone who could hurt innocent people.

Sumrow's first novel featured a very strong-willed and opinionated young girl as her main character. I quickly fell in love with Gentry's character because of her feisty nature. It took longer for me to like Rebel. Rebel is afraid of speaking his mind, so he often stands by and says nothing even when he sees something bad happening. This aspect of his character made him harder to like, but I was rooting for him all along to speak up to his father. The publishers have suggested this book for children ages 12 and up. While there are not any scenes of graphic violence of profane language, it is probably better suited for the upper middle-grade crowd. This book would make for an interesting companion to a novel like Ghost Boys. I think students would be able to have important discussions about racism and hate. I also think that Sumrow's novel will show students the importance of "if you see something, say something." In the aftermath of a violent act, we often see that there could have been warning signs that the perpetrator was planning to harm others. Students will hopefully see that even though it may be hard to speak out against a loved one or friend, sometimes it's the only thing you can do to help that person.

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Review: Each Tiny Spark

Each Tiny Spark by Pablo Cartaya
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Emilia has a hard time focusing on topics that don't interest her, but when she is interested in something, she becomes laser-focused on it. This neuro-diversity makes school challenging; her mom tries to help her compensate by planning out her school week for her and staying on top of her assignments. How is Emilia supposed to cope when her mom goes out of town for business at the exact same time her father is returning from deployment. To make matters worse, her grandmother is becoming super annoying; all she wants to talk about is how Emilia is going to be a young lady soon. Gross! Abuela wants to buy Emilia dresses and start prepping for her quinceanera, which is only three years away. Emilia would rather spend her time fixing up old cars with her dad or making horror movies with her best friend Gus.

When her favorite teacher asks her class to come up with a tourism guide for their hometown, Emilia discovers disturbing information about the treatment of immigrants in her state and community. This information along with a highly contested district rezoning makes her see her community and old friends in a new light. Is Emilia willing to stand by and let things happen to those she loves, or will she take a stand for what is right?

Pablo Cartaya's latest novel is very timely. His main character learns that immigrants were asked to come to Atlanta to help build the Olympic park and stadium; however, once their work was done, people expected them to leave. With immigration reform at the forefront of the next presidential election, this book may help middle-grade students develop their own opinions about the topic. I think it would be really interesting for teachers to use this book as a catalyst to inspire students to research their own communities and the contributions immigrants have made to them.

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Review: Give and Take

Give and Take by Elly Swartz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Maggie keeps things that are sentimental to her and stores them in boxes in her room. She doesn't want to forget anyone or any experience like her grandmother forgot her. Everybody keeps mementos, but Maggie keeps items that most people throw away: gum wrappers, sticks, and empty milk cartons to name a few. If anyone in her family dares to get close to her boxes and find out her secret, she gets enraged. Maggie wants to hold onto everything and everyone she loves, so she is having an especially hard time with the fact that her baby foster sister, Izzie, is about to leave her home to live with her forever family. How can she let go of someone that she already loves so much?

Elly Swartz has tackled a topic that I've never seen in children's literature before: childhood hoarding. This book hit close to home for me because someone I love very much could be considered a hoarder. This person cannot throw anything away, and I've never understood why. It infuriates her if someone suggests that she throw her "junk" away. After reading this novel, I feel like I understand her a little better now. Maggie's hoarding stems from her anxiety about loss, and sometimes her anxiety causes big anger to bubble up and explode. I have seen my own child struggle with anxiety, and I'm sure it is way more common in children than we realize. Children who personally struggle with anxiety or live with someone who does will feel seen and heard after reading this book. Give and Take is a must-add to your MG collection.

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Review: All of Me

All of Me by Chris Baron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ari is overweight, and it seems like that is the only thing most people notice about him. He is extremely conscious of his body and how it fits and looks in clothes. His dad is mostly absent, and while his mom is around, she's not exactly present with him. He has dealt with some major bullying, and he just needs a break from his everyday life. He finds an escape with his friends, Lisa and Pick, at the beach. During their summer break, Ari and Lisa become extremely close, and he begins to notice that he feels like he is on fire around her, which just complicates his life a little more. It's hard "being in love" with your best friend when you think there is no possible way she could ever like you back because or your size. Ari goes on a weight loss journey with the support of his friends, and as he loses weight, he finds himself. Finally, he realizes that he likes who he is, but he has been the same person all along.

This verse novel deals with some heavy topics: self-harm, alcoholism, bullying, and crumbling marriages. While all these topics are handled well by the author, I would recommend it for middle school and up, rather than the younger audience suggested by the publisher (grades 3 - 7). At one point Ari's mom talks to him about his father's "lovemaking." Ari and Lisa down a bottle of champagne and Ari hurts himself. As a school librarian, I think it is much more appropriate for the upper MG sect. That being said, this novel should be added to all middle school libraries as it tackles a topic not often discussed in children's literature: male body image.

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Review: Because of the Rabbit

Because of the Rabbit by Cynthia Lord
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As a fellow autism mom, I'm a big fan of Cynthia Lord's books, and her latest book lived up to all my expectations. It is a sweet tale of discovering oneself and what it means to be a friend.

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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: Birdie

Birdie by Eileen Spinelli
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For someone who struggles with change, I completely understood Birdie's emotions in this novel. Seeing your best friend start dating your other friend is difficult no matter what your age. Even if you want both those people to be happy, it's hard to see them being happy without you. Imagine that emotion times three. Not only does Birdie feel left behind by her best friend, but her mom and grandmother start dating people as well. All of a sudden, it feels like Birdie is the only one who is still mourning the death of her father. This novel-in-verse will tug at your heartstrings.

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Review: Far Away

Far Away by Lisa Graff
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A psychic medium communicates with a parent who has passed away. Sounds fun & sad all at the same time, right? It is both those things, but it is also heart-felt, a little twisted, and full of mystery. CJ Ames can only communicate with her deceased mother through her aunt who makes her living as a medium, but according to her aunt, her mom's spirit has gone to the Far Away, which means she can no longer reach her. CJ is determined to pull her mom’s spirit back from Far Away no matter what it takes, even if it means destroying her relationship with her aunt, the only mother she has ever known.

This story takes a deeper look at what it means to be a family. It shows that sometimes doing something "wrong," might be the best thing you can do to help someone. Recommended for 4th -8th grade.

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Review: Hair Love

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a wonderful picture book showing how far fathers will go outside their comfort zone to make their daughters feel beautiful.

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Review: My Papi Has a Motorcycle

My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this lyrical picture book, a father shows his love for his daughter by taking her on motorcycle rides around their hometown. The words and illustrations are beautiful. Feels like an award winner to me.

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