Reviews Juvenile Books

Wildfire by Rodman Philbrick 2019

January 26, 2021

Whew! This compelling survival story about a wildfire in Maine reads like wildfire too! How these kids survived and if they would, pulls the reader forward at breakneck speed. Evacuated from summer camp when the fire . . . read more »

From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks 2020

January 26, 2021

I had to read this all in one gulp. At first the plot seemed implausible, but once I was further into the story, I set that judgment aside and really enjoyed getting to know Zoe . . . read more »

When You Trap a Tiger, by Tae Keller 2020

January 10, 2021

 by Tae Keller 2020 A quick enchanting read that manages to tackle the pain of growing up in a another culture and the loss of the family matriarch. The Korean grandmother has told her granddaughters . . . read more »

A Place to Belong, by Cynthia Kadohata, 2020

January 10, 2021

This is historical fiction done so beautifully, that we are changed by the observations and realizations of a young girl. She manages to find strength and hope in incredibly difficult circumstances. It’s a tough story to . . . read more »

Aquicorn Cove, by Katie O’Neil, 2018

August 29, 2020

A sweet fantasy about a young girl and her aunt who are shown how fishing with plastic nets is damaging the coral reef in Aquacorn Cove and how the reef has protected their small village . . . read more »

New Kid, by Jerry Craft, 2010

August 29, 2020

This book was so much fun! I hope it’s ok to say that. Much of it is told through a sketch book journal. Main character and budding cartoonist, Jordan faces the usual challenges of being . . . read more »

A Home For Goddesses and Dogs, by Leslie Connor, 2020

August 29, 2020

A down to earth story with lots of sweetness, depth and heart. I wanted to stay in it; and live there for awhile with the women who are all about healing stray creatures. At 13, . . . read more »

Praire Lotus by Linda Sue Parks 2020

August 29, 2020

I feel lucky to have been guided to these books about the Asian American experience. Downstairs Girl, A Place to Belong, When you Trap A Tiger, and Prairie Lotus, all chronicle the abuse, prejudice, virtual . . . read more »

When You Trap a Tiger

August 29, 2020

by Tae Keller 2020 A quick enchanting read that manages to tackle the pain of growing up in a another culture and the loss of the family matriarch. The Korean grandmother has told her granddaughters . . . read more »

The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu 2020

July 16, 2020

The book goes back and forth between reality and fantasy. The telling is inspired with crystalline images from the fantasy world and interesting historical details of Mozart’s time.  I was fascinated by the main characters, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart . . . read more »