Let me address the content warning up front. I put it there because some of my readers will be offended by the portrayals and themes in this book. I usually only give a content warning for gratuitous language, violence or sex—when they’ve been thrown in for the shock value alone. THIS IS NOT ONE OF THOSE BOOKS! I soooo loved this book! I don’t even know how to describe how much I loved it. Amy Harmon is a talented writer and this book pulled me […]
I read this as part of one of the book clubs I’m in. I have mixed feelings about it. First, the good stuff. I love this to-do list that Sloane sends Emily. I love how it pushes her boundaries and that she struggles to check things off. I like the character growth seen in Emily, how she finds the determination and courage within herself to defy her limits and step outside her comfort zone. I think this is a good lesson for all humans. Most […]
Just Like Elizabeth Taylor is an excellent read for girls who need to know they can be brave. This book deals with some tough issues—specifically abuse by a stepfather. I hate that we need books like this in our library, but I believe that we do. I was lucky. I had kind and loving parents. But as a young girl and teen, I had several friends whose parent (one or the other or both) regularly beat the crap out of them. I was too young […]
The Ugly Stepsister Strikes Back by Sariah Wilson is amazingly fun! It’s got all the humor and sass of Meg Cabot and Louise Rennison, but without all the inappropriate stuff (language, sexiness). If you like those authors or Janette Rallison’s funny Young Adult reads, you’ll definitely like this book! I always like to get the down-side of a review over with first. So, book cover. Meh. Not really a good one. But don’t let that stop you from giving this book a try. It’s also […]
The Chosen One is a heart-rending account of Kyra’s struggle. She loves her family very much—that’s obvious in her story. But like all teens, she is trying to find her own way between what she was taught as a child and what she truly believes. This coming-of-age is complicated by the fact that Kyra is part of a religious sect where women and children are controlled by the iron fists of the men around them. Kyra’s life hits a turning point when she realizes she […]
When Annika’s little brother faces the prospect of surgery, she is determined that he will pull through successfully. A firm believer in the power of positive thinking, she convinces Jeremy that she has a magic lamp that will grant him a successful surgery and his greatest desire—which she believes is a Teen Robin Hood action character. Jeremy upsets her well-made plans when he wishes instead to meet the “real” Teen Robin Hood, an actor from his favorite TV show. Annika sets off to make Jeremy’s […]
Heaven Scent (isn’t that a gorgeous cover?) is Rebecca Cornish Talley’s debut novel. Written for LDS teens, this book will be particularly enjoyed by young women, ages 12 to 16. Rebecca stopped by for a visit. Many of my readers are published authors or are in the process of writing a book for the first time. They are always interested in the writing process. Where did you get the idea for writing Heaven Scent? How long did it take you to finish it? My mother […]
Due to subject matter, I recommend this book for older teens, 16 and up. Although not offensive, it deals with some tough subjects. Suzanna “Cue” Quincy has had a rough life—an abusive mother, emotionally absent father, drugs and alcohol. If that’s not enough, she discovers she’s pregnant and isn’t sure who the father is. Suzanna’s mother kicks her out of the house because she won’t get an abortion. Her friends abandon her because she will no longer party with them. With nowhere else to turn, […]