The Green Bicycle by Haifaa Al Mansour

Title: The Green Bicycle
Author: Haifaa Al Mansour
Pages: 352
Publisher: Dial Books
ISBN: 9780525428060
Publication Date: September 22, 2015
AR Levels: Book Level - 5.6, Interest Level - 4th-8th grades, Points - 11.0
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24611690-the-green-bicycle

In a nutshell: What Wadjda wants more than anything in the world is something many 11 year old girls want - a bike. But as a girl growing up in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Wadjda will face challenges aplenty on her quest for bike ownership.

I'd recommend it to grades: 4 to 7

I'd recommend it to: those who enjoy coming-of-age stories, fans of The Higher Power of Lucky and the Ramona series, and anyone who enjoys learning about other cultures

What I liked most about this book: This book and Wadjda herself both have a lot of heart. From page one, you'll find yourself rooting for her, and at times, she'll have you laughing out loud at her money-making schemes and joking jabs at her friend Abdullah. I also loved that I learned so much about Saudi culture, especially the treatment of women. The book doesn't shy away from discussing those issues, but it does so in a way that is hopeful and lighthearted. Wadjda is equally strong and spunky, and she's not without her flaws either, making her as relatable as the girl next door even if she lives thousands of miles away in a culture that's vastly different from yours. She's one of those characters that you'll miss after you close the cover. 

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): One of Wadjda's most successful entrepreneurial schemes is her mixtape business. The way she discovers a way to record banned music from an antenna on her house and sell the mixtapes to her classmates is both dangerous and clever, and it reminds me of the mixtapes and CDs we used to make in middle school. Oh, Spice Girls. I miss you. ;)

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 4 stars 

Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson

Title: Roller Girl
Author: Victoria Jamieson
Pages: 240
Publisher: Dial Books
ISBN: 9780525429678
Publication Date: March 10, 2015
AR Levels: Book Level - 3.2, Interest Level - 4th-8th, Points - 2.0
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23493697-roller-girl

In a nutshell: Best friends Astrid and Nicole were attached at the hip until the summer Astrid discovered a passion for roller derby that Nicole doesn't share. Feeling abandoned after Nicole signs up for summer dance camp, Astrid enrolls in a roller derby camp and quickly realizes her abilities don't quite live up to her passion. But Astrid throws herself into her new dream of being a derby star, and though there are bumps and bruises along the way (literally!), her summer is definitely a game-changer.

I'd recommend it to grades: 3 to 7

I'd recommend this book to: graphic novel readers and roller derby enthusiasts (obviously) but really anyone who's experienced a curve ball in a friendship or discovered a hobby you adore. Fans of Smile by Raina Telgemeier will also eat this up and so might Wimpy Kid readers.

What I liked most about this book: Sometimes it takes a whole lot of courage to try learning something new...especially when you're trying alone. Astrid discovers that if you are brave enough to stick with something that makes you happy even when none of your friends want to and even if you're not so great at it, you just might find some rocking new friends and develop some mad awesome skills too. It's a wonderful lesson that's taught with rainbow socks, roller skates, and blue hair, and the emotional depth may surprise you. It's my new favorite graphic novel.
 
Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): I can't say too much, but it takes Astrid a while to figure out what her roller derby name should be, and when she does, it's fantastic and perfect.

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars

The Vanishing Season by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Title: The Vanishing Season
Author: Jodi Lynn Anderson
Pages: 256
Publisher: HarperTeen
ISBN: 9780062003270
Publication Date: July 1, 2014
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18634726-the-vanishing-season

In a nutshell: Maggie and her parents move to the small town of Gill Creek just as autumn is fading into winter, and as it disappears, so are local girls. Amid a backdrop of snow, fear, and paranoia, friendship and love blossom on Water Street when Maggie meets her neighbors, Pauline and Liam, but the trio will discover just how harsh winter and relationships can be.

I'd recommend it to grades: 10 and up

I'd recommend it to: anyone who likes their romance with a dash of eeriness and fans of We Were Liars

What I liked most about this book: Besides the fact that I am always, always, always enamored with Jodi Lynn Anderson's haunting writing style (If you haven't read Tiger Lily, DO IT NOW!), this one drew me in with its rich characters and keep-you-guessing twists. It's a beautifully disturbing mash-up of The Great Gatsby and The Lovely Bones. There's a coldness to it that lures you from page one. I feel like I read it in the wrong season though. It's the perfect read for a long winter's night or a snow day.

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): There's way too much to accidentally give away here, so I'll just say that part of what grabbed me from the beginning was the description of Maggie's house on Water Street, which was built in the 1800s and, much like the characters in the novel, is both broken and beautiful.

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 4 stars

Blackbird by Anna Carey

Title: Blackbird
Author: Anna Carey
Pages: 256
Publisher: HarperTeen
ISBN: 9780062299734
Publication Date: September 16, 2014 (I received an ARC of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss.)
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20483089-blackbird

In a nutshell: What would you do if you woke up on a subway track with a train coming? What if you had no clue who you are or how you got there, and what if the only thing you knew was that someone is trying to kill you? Such is the premise for this insanely creative second-person thriller by the author of the Eve trilogy.

I'd recommend it to grades: 10 and up (for language and romantic situations)

I'd recommend it to: adrenaline junkies and mystery fans

What I liked most about this book: I couldn't put this one down, guys. I read it in one sitting. That second-person puts you right in the thick of the action, and it's a twisted race from start to finish. For a girl who has no clue who she is, the nameless protagonist is impressively self sufficient and basically kicks major butt, making the most of a dire situation. Nothing is as it seems in this thriller, and you can't trust anyone! I don't know how I'll wait for book two in this duology.

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): It's next to impossible for me to tell you nearly anything about this one without spoiling something, so you're just going to have to take my word that it's awesome and read it. :)

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 4 stars 

Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew Quick

Title: Sorta Like a Rock Star
Author: Matthew Quick
Pages: 355
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publication Date: January 1, 2010
AR Levels: Book Level - 5.4, Interest Level - 6th and up, Points: 10.0
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6763730-sorta-like-a-rock-star

In a nutshell: Even though Amber Appleton and her mom have recently been kicked out of her mom's boyfriend's apartment, forcing them to live in her mom's big yellow school bus (affectionately called "Hello Yellow"), Amber refuses to let life get her down. Between teaching English and R&B tunes to the Korean Divas for Christ, volunteering at the Methodist retirement home, befriending a lonely haiku-writing Vietnam War veteran, caring for her rescued pup Bobby Big Boy (a.k.a. BBB, 3B, or Thrice B), and leading the Marketing Club (a.k.a. The Five or Franks Freak Force Federation), Amber stays busy spreading the joy all over the down of Childress. But when an unspeakable tragedy strikes her, will she be able to remain optimistic and still reign as the "Princess of Hope?"

I'd recommend it to grades: 10 and up

I'd recommend it to: John Green fans and hopefully optimistic types ;)

What I like most about this book: Amber isn't sorta like a rock star; she IS a rock star! I haven't met a character quite like her before, but it's a breath of fresh air to read about a teen character who's not angst-ridden and moody but instead hopeful and uplifting. Amber deals with some serious pain and depression, as well as having a crisis of faith, making her one of the most-developed characters I've read in a while. You will adore her adorkableness, lightness, and honesty. You'll laugh out loud at her and cry with her, and you'll be thinking about this book days after you read it. 

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): Any of the parts with Bobby Big Boy. He is one rock star of a canine sidekick.

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 rockin' stars!

Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere by Julie Lamana

Title: Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere
Author: Julie Lamana
Pages: 320
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Publication Date: April 8, 2014*
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17815784-upside-down-in-the-middle-of-nowhere

In a nutshell: It's the end August 2005, and Armani is turning ten years old - a landmark birthday that she is tickled pink about. She can't stop thinking about every little detail of her party, but her plans are interrupted when one of the most devastating hurricanes in history comes barreling through her Ninth Ward home, uprooting her family and testing her mettle. Armani must fight for hope in this touching novel about family, bravery, and love.

I'd recommend it to grades: 5 to 8

I'd recommend it to: anyone who liked Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes, anyone who's experienced a natural disaster, and readers who enjoy heroic female main characters

What I like most about this book: I have to be honest; I have a soft spot for Katrina survival books since I lived in South Louisiana at that time, and this one is the best one I've read since the aforementioned Ninth Ward. The narration of 10-year-old Armani is honest, brave, and funny (at times), and the setting is completely realistic and captures the terror, chaos, tension, despair, and hope of post-Katrina New Orleans. I was moved in more ways than one. You'll need a box of tissues for this one. Don't say I didn't warn you. :)

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): I really don't want to give away too much, but there's a scene at the Superdome where you truly see what little Armani is made of, and it's one that equally heartbreaking and empowering.

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): Absolutely 5 stars. I know it's only February, but this may very well end up in my top 10 for 2014.

*I received an ARC of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss.

Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle

Title: Let It Snow
Authors: John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle
Pages: 352
Publisher: Speak
Publication Date: October 2, 2008
AR Levels: Book Level - 4.7; Interest Level - 9th-12th; Points - 10.0
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6883008-let-it-snow

In a nutshell: On a snowy Christmas Eve in Gracetown, North Carolina, six unsuspecting teens will find love in the strangest places. Three of YA lit's biggest hitters each compose a short-ish story that blends beautifully into the plots of the other two. This trio of intertwined holiday novellas is a Christmas miracle!

I'd recommend it to grades: 8 and up

I'd recommend it to: anyone in need of a good old-fashioned Christmas romance, fans of non-sappy, laugh-out-loud romances...and Nerdfighters ;)

What I liked most about this book: Let me break it down this way. John Green's is my favorite (of course), but I liked the other two too. Maureen Johnson's story gets the medal for best character (Jubilee), John's wins for cutest couple, and Lauren Myracle's story gets the cutest teacup pig award. Overall, it's the perfect blend of laugh-out-loud humor and not-too-sappy-sweet romance.

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): As someone who grew up in the Deep South, currently lives in North Carolina, and is terrible at driving in the snow, I got more than a giggle out of the scene where Tobin, JP, and The Duke are trying to get the car up the snow-covered hill and out of the neighborhood.

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 4 stars
(the gold kind that go on top of Christmas trees!)*

*Individually, I'd rank the novellas this way: John Green - 5 stars, Maureen Johnson - 5 stars, Lauren Myracle - 3 stars
 

Jane, the Fox & Me by Fanny Britt

Title: Jane, the Fox & Me
Author: Fanny Britt (translated by Christine Morelli and illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault)
Pages: 104
Publisher: Groundwood Books
Publication Date: September 1, 2013
AR Levels: Book Level - 4.1, Interest Level - K to 3rd (although I disagree), Points - 0.5
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17214302-jane-the-fox-and-me

In a nutshell: When Helene's friends turn their backs on her and begin to ruthlessly make fun of her, she escapes into Jane Eyre and finds hope and solace in its tale of an outcast like herself.

I'd recommend it for grades: 3 to 7

I'd recommend it to: tween girls, anyone who's ever used literature as an escape, and anyone who's ever felt like an outcast

What I liked most about this book: It's hard to find a book that deals with bullying, low self-esteem, and weight issues that's realistic and doesn't shy away from the issues while still being uplifting in a creative way. From page one, I could relate to Helene, and I enjoyed this immensely. The use of black and white and color is genius. In Helene's world, everything is black and white, and everything in Jane's world is in color, but as Helene begins to come out of her fog, color begins to bleed into her world, ushered in by a new friendship. It's beautiful.

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): In one scene, Helene goes swimsuit shopping with her mother and sees herself as a sausage in a cute suit; the illustration is of a personified sausage in a bathing suit and not of Helene looking plump in any way, and by illustrating it that way, it shows what Helene is seeing and not what's really reflected in the mirror. It's an incredibly realistic scene that I completely related to, and I'm sure many other girls will too.

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars

The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppett by Tom Angleberger

Title: The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppett
Author: Tom Angleberger
Pages: 224
Publisher: Amulet Books
ISBN: 9781419708589
Publication Date: August 6, 2013
AR Levels: Book Level - 4.9, Interest Level - 4th-8th grades, Points: 4.0
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17802191-the-surprise-attack-of-jabba-the-puppett

In a nutshell: Things at McQuarrie Middle School have never been worse. After failing to pass their standardized tests the previous school year, the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders must all be subjected to the torturous educational videos known as FunTime, and p.s. all their electives have been cancelled. In order to foil the school board's plot to bore them to tears and ruin their favorite classes, students from all grades come together to form a Rebel Alliance, and it's all hands (and finger puppets) on deck.

I'd recommend it for grades: 4 to 8

I'd recommend it to: Star Wars fans, Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans, and teachers/educators (who will love the central conflict in this one)

What I liked most about this book: This one is definitely my favorite in the series so far because of the sheer volume of new Star Wars origami puppets. Most of the key players in the Alliance have brand-new puppets that will not disappoint you. The surprise plot twist at the end is pretty amazing too. The book does a good job of showing both the students' and teachers'/administrators' perspectives on the standardized testing debate, and in true Origami Yoda style adds a healthy dose of humor into the situation. You'll finish this one wishing you could read the next one immediately.

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): any of the parts with Padme Origamidala because she has the best Star Wars origami puppet name (and because she's one of my favorite Star Wars characters!)

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 fully-operational Death Stars ;)

Skinny by Donna Cooner

Title: Skinny
Author: Donna Cooner
Pages: 272
Publisher: Point
ISBN: 9780545427630
Publication Date: October 1, 2012
AR Levels: Book Level - 4.2, Interest Level - 6th and up, Points - 8.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11958583-skinny

In a nutshell: After Ever Davies' mother dies, she begins using food to ease the pain, and soon she feels like a prisoner in her own body. A toxic voice, whom she names "Skinny," haunts her thoughts with hateful words of discouragement that she'll never amount to anything and that she'll always be alone. But through the process of gastric bypass surgery, this obese teen discovers that she's not as alone as she thinks, that her dreams aren't impossible to obtain, and that her worth is not determined by her weight.

I'd recommend it for grades: 7th and up. I'd say it's written for high schoolers, but middle schoolers will enjoy it too, and it's appropriate content-wise for them as well. I wish I'd had this book in middle school!

I'd recommend it to: fans of contemporary realistic fiction and anyone who has struggled with worrying about what other people think of them or feeling unhappy in their own skin

What I liked most about this book: This is a superbly written novel about a subject that rarely gets tackled in teen lit. I've never read another book about gastric bypass surgery in YA lit, and even if you've never struggled with weight issues, there are important lessons about looking beyond yourself to be learned here, and I think every teen would benefit from reading it. The Cinderella references in this book are fun (if a bit over-used), and I love all the references to Broadway songs (Ever uses a Broadway playlist to help her through her post-surgery life.).

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): I don't want to give away too much, so I'll just tell you that Rat is by far my favorite character. He's mature yet nerdy and adorable, and he's one of the best examples of true friendship I've seen in a book in a while.

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 4 stars

Island Eyes, Island Skies by Richard Levine

Title: Island Eyes, Island Skies
Author: Richard Levine
Pages: 268
Publisher: Feathered Tale Books
ISBN: 9780982926901
Publication Date: January 5, 2011
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13824887-island-eyes-island-skies

In a nutshell: Rob and D.C. are just two normal teens who meet at a party and find that spark between them, but when family tragedy strikes each of them separately, their flame is cut short. Fortunately, Rob and D.C. get a second chance at love and help each other process their grief.

I'd recommend it to grades: 6th and up

I'd recommend it to: younger teens and tweens struggling through first love and/or tragedy

What I liked most about this book: I enjoyed hearing this story told from the perspectives of both Rob and D.C. It's interesting to see what's going on in their heads while experiencing the same events. It makes their characters easy for tweens to relate to as well.

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): The dance/party scene in the beginning rings so true for awkward tween gatherings. It's both funny and painful to read!

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 3 stars

*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Ketchup Clouds by Annabel Pitcher

Title: Ketchup Clouds
Author: Annabel Pitcher
Pages: 272
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780316246767
Publication Date: November 12, 2013 (in America...originally released in the UK in November 2012)
AR Levels: unavailable
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17242447-ketchup-clouds

In a nutshell: Zoe has a secret, a secret so terrible she can't tell anyone, but she has to tell someone what she's done or the guilt may consume her. Zoe's solution? Become pen pals with an inmate on Death Row in Texas. Through this series of letters, "Zoe" (who does not reveal her real name) begins to process her grief and intense guilt over murdering a boy in her life. Who is this boy? What could have caused a nerdy teenage girl to murder him? "Zoe" answers these questions and creates more for readers in this dark yet romantic novel that is sure to keep you guessing.

I'd recommend it for grades: 9 and up (mature content and mild language)

I'd recommend it to: mystery lovers and dark humor fans

What I liked most about this book: It's a backwards whodunnit with a lot of heart too. I laughed, I got a little misty-eyed, and I could not put this one down. It's a tough thing to introduce your main character as a murderer in the first chapter, but "Zoe" immediately draws your sympathy with her vulnerability and humor. I've never read another book like this one, and I mean that in the best of ways.

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): There is so much I can't give away in this one, but let's just say "Zoe" works part-time shelving books in a library, and there's some sweet nerdy flirting in the stacks that made my librarian heart happy. Also...any moment with "Zoe's" deaf little sister Dot is my favorite. She's adorable.

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 4 stars

Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel

I have to admit--this book has been sitting on my shelf for over a year.  On numerous occasions, I picked it up to read it and then put it back down.  Now that summer break is upon me, I finally decided to read it.  I could not put it down!!  It is a phenomenal book that had more heart than I ever could imagine.  It also reminded me of a '90s movie that I absolutely loved--Born to Be Wild (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113533/).

Title:  Half Brother
Author:  Kenneth Oppel
Pages:  377
Publisher:  Harper Collins
ISBN:  9781554686117
Publication Date:  September 1, 2010
AR Levels:  Interest level--4th to 8th; Book level--4.4; Points--13.0
Goodreads link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8700023-half-brother


In a nutshell:  Ben is your average teenager; his family, however, is a different story.  His parents are both scientists who embark on an experimental journey that will change lives in a way they never hypothesized.  Around Ben's 13th birthday, his parents bring home a baby chimp that they plan to raise like a human and teach it sign language.  The chimp, Zan, quickly becomes Ben's little brother and the bond they build blurs the line between experiment and family.  At the same time, Ben is trying to adjust to living in a new city, going to a new school, making new friends (including the breathtaking Jennifer), and coming to terms with the many ways his parents' experiment have changed his life forever.  While Ben sees Zan as another member of the family, his father intends to keep things purely scientific, which causes a rift between them and sets into motion a series of events that will keep your heartstrings on the edge of their seat.

I'd recommend it for grades:  6th +; I really do think adults would love this one, too.

I'd recommend it to:  Animal lovers; anyone who's into social science, sociology, anthropology, or zoology.

What I liked most about this book:  The conflicts are deeper than a lot of YA fiction.  This one has both internal and external conflicts and forces you to ask yourself questions about a lot of topics.

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y):  There's one point in the book in which Ben walks into Zan's room and sees him playing with his toys in a way that almost resembles a child's tea party.  

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious):  5 stars

Period.8 by Chris Crutcher

Sorry for the delay in posting this; I actually finished it last week.  I can't lie--I saw this one in a bookstore and was intrigued by the cover.  It was a pretty good book, but it seemed disjointed at times.  It starts out angsty, gets mysterious in the middle, and then turns into a James Patterson novel by the end.

Title:  Period.8

Author:  Chris Crutcher

Pages:  320 pages

Publisher:  Harper Collins

ISBN:  9780061914805

Publication Date:  March 26, 2013 

AR Levels: Book Level-- 4.2; Interest Level-- 9-12; Points-- 7.0

Goodreads Link:  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15789615-period-8

In a nutshell:  Paul Baum is a swimmer (like many of Crutcher's protagonists).  The story opens with Paul revealing to his girlfriend that he cheated on her.  Their relationship deteriorates quickly and she wants revenge.  Period.8 is a lunch club run by one of their teachers where students can go and share things in a safe environment.  Through the course of the book, all of the Period.8 members become entangled in activities that can best be described as as mysterious and shady.  Bad things are happening and one of their own might be causing it all.

I'd recommend it for grades:  10-12+.  Language and "romantic" content

I'd recommend it to:  Anyone who likes a good book that combines teen angst and suspense

What I liked most about this book:  I liked that it wasn't sappy or cheesy.  The conversations seemed authentic and could actually be said by teenagers.

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y):  Mr. Logs is the teacher in charge of Period.8.  During one conversation with a student, he references Ferris Bueller AND quotes a very colorful former Louisiana governor.

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 4 stars

Being Henry David by Cal Armistead

Title: Being Henry David
Author: Cal Armistead
Pages: 320
Publisher: Albert Whitman Teen
ISBN: 9780807506158
Publication Date: March 1, 2013
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16042447-being-henry-david

In a nutshell: When a boy wakes up in Penn Station in New York City with the clothes on his back, $10 in his pocket, a copy of Henry David Thoreau's Walden and no memory of who he is, he names himself "Henry David" or "Hank" for short and sets out to find out where he came from, but there a darkness in him that's telling him he may not like what he finds out when his memories begin to return. This thriller takes you through the underbelly of life on the street in New York and then to the idyllic woods of Walden Pond in Massachusetts, where "Hank" hopes the words of Walden and its setting might give him clues as to who he is and why he is on the run.

I'd recommend it for grades: 10 and up

I'd recommend it to: adrenaline junkies, thriller lovers, and fans of mysteries

What I liked most about this book: It grabs you from the first sentence and never lets you go. I read it in two sittings only because I had things to do. I was a bit skeptical because I thought this book was in danger of being a complete bore since it was based around Thoreau's Walden (which I hated), but I was wrong! It's a fast-paced thriller that also has a deep psychological and self-introspective narrative too. Best of both worlds!

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): This book features a motorcycle-riding, tattoo-sporting research librarian who acts as a Good Samaritan toward "Hank." There are all sorts of awesome in that character, and he's very believable.

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 3 stars

This Is What Happy Looks Like by Jennifer E. Smith

Title: This Is What Happy Looks Like
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Pages: 416
Publisher: Poppy
ISBN: 9780316212823
Publication Date: April 2, 2013
AR Levels: TBD
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15790873-this-is-what-happy-looks-like

In a nutshell: When movie heartthrob Graham Larkin accidentally emails small-town girl Ellie O'Neill, they strike up a friendship, but each of them has secrets to keep. Ellie doesn't know that she's chatting with a movie star, and she has no clue that Graham's arranged to film his next movie in her hometown in Maine in order to meet her. Graham has no idea that Ellie is hiding a huge secret about her identity too. It's a charming tale that's part You've Got Mail and part Win a Date with Tad Hamilton.

I'd recommend it for grades: 9 and up

I'd recommend it to: fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedies

What I liked most about this book: I love epistolary novels, and while this one isn't completely written in emails, the one it includes are adorable. The main characters are also instantly loveable, and the plot has a quick and steady pace to it. I enjoyed it, but I still like Smith's The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight better.

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): All my favorite moments are too spoiler-y, but I will tell you one of my favorite characters is Ellie's beagle, Bagel. Bagel the beagle...how precious is that?

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 3 stars

My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher

Title: My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece
Author: Annabel Pitcher
Pages: 224
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780316176903
Publication Date: August 14, 2012 (originally published January 1, 2011 in the United Kingdom)
AR Levels: Interest Level: 4th-8th grades; Book Level: 5.2; Points: 9.0
Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12860626-my-sister-lives-on-the-mantelpiece

In a nutshell: Ten-year-old Jamie has twin sisters. His sister Jasmine is 15 and going through a pink hair phase, and his sister Rose was killed by a terrorist bombing five years ago and lives in an urn on the mantelpiece. Every year his dad tries to sprinkle her ashes in the ocean, but he just can't manage to do it. It's one of the many things his mom and dad argue about with the biggest one being how his mom is leaving them for another man. Jamie's dad packs up Jamie and Jas and Rose and moves them out of London into the Lake District to start afresh, or so Jamie hopes. Now he's going to a new school he hates, trying not to provoke the classroom bully/teacher's pet, and getting frustrated with how much attention his dad pays to Rose when he barely notices Jamie and Jas. That's when Jamie meets Sunya, and it's the beginning of a beautiful friendship...but not an easy one. In fact, if his dad found out, he'd go berserk.

I'd recommend it for grades: 6th and up (for language and subject matter)

I'd recommend it to: anyone dealing with grief or tough family issues...but really just anyone (It's excellent.)

What I liked most about this book: Jamie's narration is blunt, honest, funny, and heartbreaking all at the same time. You like him by the end of the very first paragraph. While this book is mainly the story of a family and how they each individually deal with their grief, it's also about love, the intense desire to be visible, the heartache of broken promises, and friendships that look past differences. This is one of the most well-written books about grief written from the perspective of a ten-year-old that I've read in a long time, and it's also one of the best books I've read all year.

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): For reasons that I won't go into (since that would be a spoiler), Jamie wears the same Spider-Man t-shirt for weeks on end, and soon it starts to smell a bit...adolescent boy-ish. In an act of sisterly love and acting as a substitute mom, Jas doesn't make him take it off but instead lovingly gives him a stick of deodorant and tells him he's starting to stink. It's a really sweet and funny moment. Their relationship is one of my other favorite parts of this book.

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 5 stars

Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley

When I first started reading Where Things Come Back and noticed that it is set in Arkansas, I researched the author, John Corey Whaley, to find that he is a fellow educator AND a fellow Louisianian.  This book had me hooked by page 4, and it read much like a John Green novel but with its own flair.  Part heart wrenching, part humorous, and part philosophical, Where Things Come Back makes you ask whether things happen for a reason or if life is a series of coincidences.  

Title:  Where Things Come Back

Author:  John Corey Whaley

Pages: 256

Publisher:  Atheneum Books for Young Readers

ISBN:  9781442413337

Publication Date:  May 3, 2011

AR Levels:  Interest Level: 9th-12th; Book Level: 5.7; Points:  9.0 

Goodreads Link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12162432-where-things-come-back

In a nutshell:  Cullen Witter is a rising high school senior in small town Lily, Arkansas.  Over the summer, he loses his cousin to a drug overdose and his beloved and revered brother Gabriel disappears; at the same time, his town is in a frenzy over an extinct woodpecker that has suddenly reemerged.  Meanwhile, on the other side of the world in Africa, a missionary struggles to find true meaning in his life.  Their stories collide in a way that leaves you wondering and questioning til the very last page.

I'd recommend it for grades:  8th-12th+.  The book does contain some cursing and the philosophical/religious elements might be too much for younger middle grades.

I'd recommend it to:  Anyone who's dealt with loss or who enjoys a good, well-crafted story.

What I liked most about this book:  I liked that the book allowed us into the mind of all different kinds of people who are experiencing the main events.

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y):  Cullen's brother, Gabriel, keeps a journal of random thoughts, musings, song lyrics, etc.  I was very excited to see shout outs to one of my favorite musicians--Sufjan Stevens.  

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 3 stars is atrocious):  4 Stars

She Reads His Pick: Playground by 50 Cent

Chris and I thought it would be fun from time to time to pick a book for each other to read that we might not normally read. He picked this one for me, and I'll admit, I was skeptical, but I ended up liking it.

Title: Playground
Author: 50 Cent
Pages: 314
Publisher: Razorbill
ISBN: 9781595144348
Publication date: January 1, 2012
AR levels: Interest level: 6th and up, Book level: 5.4, Points: 7.0
Goodreads link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9754801-playground

In a nutshell: Butterball is sent to see a therapist after attacking a friend on the playground at his school. To the casual bystander, it appears to be an unprovoked act of violence, but through the eyes of this troubled teen, the reader begins to see just what lead to his actions, and it's anything but what one might think. Take a walk in Butterball's shoes, and you'll learn what it feels like to be a bully and to be bullied too. This is a book for anyone who's ever felt misunderstood or had a misunderstanding derail his or her life.

I'd recommend it for grades: 9 to 12 (There is a good deal of cursing, references to some mature themes, and off-screen drinking and violence.)

I'd recommend it to: future filmmakers (Butterball loves making movies and talks a lot about film), anyone who's ever felt bullied or been tempted to bully someone themselves, and professionals who work with tweens and teens

What I liked most about this book: My favorite thing about this book is that you get to see the horrors of bullying from both sides of the coin in one character. Butterball lashes out at others because of pain in his own life, and he also is a victim of bullying himself, finding himself eating lunch alone in the restroom many days. Yet, he finds a way to stop being the bully and stop being bullied. It'd be a great read for a kid who's bullying others or being bullied himself. Also, Butterball is just so loveable. You really feel for this kid. You hurt when he hurts. You cringe when he does something wrong. You cheer for him when he does something right. The relationship between him and his therapist is both emotionally charged and sweet too. There's lots of great character development in this book, and the writing style is melodic too. 50 Cent definitely has a way with words.

Single favorite moment (without getting spoiler-y): There's a moment when Butterball and his dad are shopping for new shoes when he sees the most beautiful pair of sneakers he's ever seen and he describes them, saying, "they were really incredibly beautiful - the way a sunset or the last shot of Planet of the Apes, the original I mean, not that remake..., the way it cuts from the beach to that wide shot of the Statue of Liberty" (111). At the beginning of this book, I was a bit worried I'd be able to relate to Butterball as a character, but by page 10 or so I was already feeling him. After this scene where he falls in love with some shoes, I was definitely understanding him because who hasn't done that? It's such an innocent and universal moment that quickly turns sour, but that's spoilers. ;)

Star rating (where 5 stars is awesome and 0 stars is atrocious): 3 stars