The Turtle of Oman

I've had The Turtle of Oman by Naomi Shihab Nye on my to-read list for awhile and recently got it on Kindle from the library. The book description says, "Aref does not want to leave Oman. He does not want to leave his elementary school, his friends, or his beloved grandfather, Sidi. He does not want to live in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where his parents will go to graduate school. His mother is desperate for him to pack his suitcase—but he refuses. Finally, she calls Sidi for help. But rather than pack, Aref and Sidi go on a series of adventures. They visit the camp of a thousand stars deep in the desert, they sleep on Sidi’s roof, they fish in the Gulf of Oman and dream about going to India, they travel to the nature reserve to watch the sea turtles. At each stop, Sidi finds a small stone that he later slips into Aref’s suitcase—mementos of home."

This was a beautiful read. I don't even know what it was, but it was just a gentle, happy book that addressed the hard things Aref was facing by showing the love and wisdom of his grandfather. I felt like the book was just so beautifully written, and then I saw at the end that the author was a former Young People's Poet Laureate, which makes a lot of sense. I just loved Sidi (Aref's grandfather) and the adventures they went on and the things they experienced and commented on. I also loved the introduction it gave me to Oman and their culture. This was just such a unique read, and I can't quite put my finger on why. But I really liked it.

* * * (3/3 = Loved it)

These Silent Woods

I read These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant for book club. The book description says, "No electricity, no family, no connection to the outside world. For eight years, Cooper and his young daughter, Finch, have lived in isolation in a remote cabin in the northern Appalachian woods. And that's exactly the way Cooper wants it, because he's got a lot to hide. Finch has been raised on the books filling the cabin’s shelves and the beautiful but brutal code of life in the wilderness. But she’s starting to push back against the sheltered life Cooper has created for her―and he’s still haunted by the painful truth of what it took to get them there. The only people who know they exist are a mysterious local hermit named Scotland, and Cooper's old friend, Jake, who visits each winter to bring them food and supplies. But this year, Jake doesn't show up, setting off an irreversible chain of events that reveals just how precarious their situation really is. Suddenly, the boundaries of their safe haven have blurred―and when a stranger wanders into their woods, Finch’s growing obsession with her could put them all in danger. After a shocking disappearance threatens to upend the only life Finch has ever known, Cooper is forced to decide whether to keep hiding―or finally face the sins of his past."

This book was SO GOOD! I was just about 1 chapter in when we got on a flight to go to Utah and then read it and finished it during the flight because it was so engaging. I loved the story and characters. At first I felt like there was no way for the book to end well, but I was pretty satisfied with the ending. I was pretty much sobbing by the end of the book and had to try to not be an embarrassment to my family haha. I really enjoyed this read.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Scattergood

I read Scattergood by H.M. Bouwman after seeing it recommended on one of the children's book pages I follow on social media. The book description says, "Growing up a farm girl, Peggy’s life has never been particularly exciting. But a lot changes in 1941. Her friend Joe starts acting strange around her. The Quaker hostel nearby reopens to house Jewish refugees from Europe, including a handsome boy named Gunther and a troubled professor of nothing. And her cousin and best friend, Delia, is diagnosed with leukemia—and doesn’t even know it. Peggy has always been rational. She may not be able to understand poetry and speak in metaphors like Delia, but she has to believe she can find a way out of this mess, for both of them. There has to be a cure. And yet the more she tries to control, the more powerless she feels. She can’t make Gunther see her the way she sees him. She can’t help the Professor find his missing daughter. She’s tired of feeling young and naive, but growing up is proving even worse."

This was a really good read. I was super engaged in the story (enough that I had to return it to the library when it was overdue, so I went through the effort to put it on hold again and find my spot and continue reading). The book was heavy at times and had so many bad/sad/hard things happening that it was almost too much to bear. But things came around enough that I still loved the book. The characters were really real and complex, and I really loved Peggy. The book had me crying in the end (but I was sitting in public while my son had a class, so I had to keep it together) and just had some beautiful parts at the end. I really liked the part with Peggy and her mom where the mom said, "I think--I think it's okay to be mad at God....I think God can take our anger." Peggy responded, "I'm not mad at God....Not anymore....I don't believe in God." And her mom replied, "Well, I think God can take that, too."

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

The Wrong Way Home

The Wrong Way Home by Kate O'Shaughnessy has been on my to-read list ever since it won the Newbery honor this year, and I finally got it from the library to read on my Kindle. The book description says, "Fern’s lived at the Ranch, an off-the-grid, sustainable community in upstate New York, since she was six. The work is hard, but Fern admires the Ranch's leader, Dr. Ben. So when Fern’s mother sneaks them away in the middle of the night and says Dr. Ben is dangerous, Fern doesn't believe it. She wants desperately to go back, but her mom just keeps driving. Suddenly thrust into the treacherous, toxic, outside world, Fern can think only of how to get home. She has a plan, but it will take time. As that time goes by, though, Fern realizes there are things she will miss from this place—the library, a friend from school, the ocean—and there are things she learned at the Ranch that are just...not true. Now Fern will have to decide. How much is she willing to give up to return to the Ranch? Should she trust Dr. Ben’s vision for her life? Or listen to the growing feeling that she can live by her own rules?"

This was such a good read! I was engaged from the very beginning and loved following the story. There were great characters, some great/stressful action, and meaningful lessons learned. I loved Fern and enjoyed watching her figure out herself and her strengths. I definitely think this was a well-deserved Newbery and one I'll recommend to my daughter.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

The Trouble with Heroes

I read The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner after seeing it recommended on one of the children's book accounts I follow on social media. The book description says, "Finn Connelly is nothing like his dad, a star athlete and firefighter hero who always ran toward danger until he died two years ago. Finn is about to fail seventh grade and has never made headlines . . . until now. Caught on camera vandalizing a cemetery, he's in big trouble for knocking down some dead old lady's headstone. Turns out that grave belongs to a legendary local mountain climber, and her daughter makes Finn an unusual offer: she'll drop all the charges if he agrees to climb all forty-six Adirondack High Peaks in a single summer. And there's just one more thing--he has to bring along the dead woman's dog. In a wild three months of misadventures, mountain mud, and unexpected mentors, Finn begins to find his way on the trails. At the top of each peak, he can see for miles and slowly begins to understand more about himself and his dad. But the mountains don't care about any of that, and as the clock ticks down to September, they have more surprises in store. Finn's final summit challenge may be more than even a hero can face."

This was a great read. The story was super engaging, and it was one of those books with a beautiful character arc where you get to watch a character grow and change. I loved the premise of the book (paying back his mistake by climbing the peaks) and the message about the power of being out in nature. I liked that the author herself has climbed the 46 Adirondack High Peaks as well. The book also had some great side characters and some cool ways things came together in the end. This book was kinda in between liked it and loved it, but I think it made it into the loved it level.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Octopus Moon

I saw Octopus Moon by Bobbie Pyron shared somewhere as a new book coming out and got it from the library. The book description says, "Pearl loves watching the majestic loggerhead turtles and octopuses glide through the water at the aquarium. Pearl finds it especially easy to identify with the octopuses, who have millions of touch receptors all over their bodies. They feel everything. Sometimes, Pearl wishes she was more like a turtle, with a hard outer shell—it hurts too much to feel everything.And the changes at the start of fifth grade don’t feel good to Pearl at all. New teachers, lockers, and being in different classes than her friends is unsettling. Pearl tries her best to pretend she’s fine, but she starts to struggle with things that used to come easy, like schoolwork, laughing and skateboarding with her best friend, Rosie, running and even sleeping. After a disastrous parent-teacher conference, her parents decide to bring Pearl to Dr. Jill, who diagnoses her with depression. At first Pearl is resistant to Dr. Jill’s help; she doesn’t like feeling different, but she also doesn’t want to continue feeling so bad all the time. When Dr. Jill asks Pearl to try one Impossible Thing each day, like running, skateboarding, or walking her dog Tuck, she decides to try. For each impossible thing she attempts, Pearl puts a bead on a string. Bead by bead, and with the support of family and friends, Pearl finds her way back to herself. She discovers just like the moon is always there in the sky, even if it isn’t full, she’ll always be herself even when she doesn’t feel whole."

This was a great read. I definitely liked it throughout, but once I finished it and read the author's note, I was like, wow, this was an amazing book, and I should share it with others. I think it would definitely be an important read for any child struggling with depression. I liked how there were a wide variety of characters in her life who all handled her depression in different ways (easy for the reader to know who you should be emulating if you have a friend who is struggling). The book was really real, and though it could be a little heavy at times, it was beautiful to watch Pearl work through things with Dr. Jill. I also loved that Dr. Jill was such a perfect therapist. Maybe not realistic but really nice for the book. :) I liked Pearl's relationship with her grandpa. Overall I think this was a great read.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

The Strongest Heart

I saw The Strongest Heart by Saadia Faruqi on a list of new books and got it from the library since I've read other books by the author. The book description says, "Mo is used to his father’s fits of rage. When Abbu's moods shake the house, Mo is safe inside his head, with his cherished folktales: The best way to respond is not to engage. Apparently, his mama knows that too—which is why she took a job on the other side of the world, leaving Mo alone with Abbu. With Mama gone, the two move to Texas to live with Mo’s aunt and cousin, Rayyan. The two boys could not be more different. Rayyan is achievement-driven and factual; Mo is a 'bad kid.' Still, there is a lot to like about living in Texas. Sundays at the mosque are better than he’d expected. And Rayyan and his aunt become a real family to Mo. But even in a warm home and school where he begins to see a future for himself, Mo knows that the monster within his father can break out and destroy their fragile peace at any moment…"

This was a great read. The story immediately pulled me in, and I was really rooting for Mo. He had a heavy life he was carrying with both parents being difficult in different ways, so I was so grateful for his aunt and cousin that gave him some stability and made the read more bearable. I thought the book did great character development/growth and taught some important lessons about mental health conditions. The author's note at the end also shared that the book was based on the author's own experiences growing up, and I always appreciate authentic books like this.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

The Maid

I read The Maid: A Novel by Nita Prose for book club and listened to it on audiobook. The book description says, "Molly Gray is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misreads the intentions of others. Her gran used to interpret the world for her, codifying it into simple rules that Molly could live by. Since Gran died a few months ago, twenty-five-year-old Molly has been navigating life’s complexities all by herself. No matter—she throws herself with gusto into her work as a hotel maid. Her unique character, along with her obsessive love of cleaning and proper etiquette, make her an ideal fit for the job. She delights in donning her crisp uniform each morning, stocking her cart with miniature soaps and bottles, and returning guest rooms at the Regency Grand Hotel to a state of perfection. But Molly’s orderly life is upended the day she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black, only to find it in a state of disarray and Mr. Black himself dead in his bed. Before she knows what’s happening, Molly’s unusual demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect. She quickly finds herself caught in a web of deception, one she has no idea how to untangle. Fortunately for Molly, friends she never knew she had unite with her in a search for clues to what really happened to Mr. Black—but will they be able to find the real killer before it’s too late?"

This was SUCH a fun read! I was engaged from the beginning and just loved Molly's character. It was such a fun premise, and it was just a happy, clean read. I enjoyed the book the whole way through until 2 little things at the end that I didn't love plot-wise, but I can't let those take away from the fact that I loved the rest of the book. There were lots of great characters and a happily ever after ending. I saw that the author has 2 more books in the series, and I'd definitely read them.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

The Small and the Mighty

I heard about The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement by Sharon McMahon after friends in my book club were going to her book signing a few months ago. I hadn't heard of her or the book but looked into it and started following her on Instagram and then finally got the book from hold on the library. The book description says, "In The Small and the Mighty, Sharon McMahon proves that the most remarkable Americans are often ordinary people who didn’t make it into the textbooks. Not the presidents, but the telephone operators. Not the aristocrats, but the schoolteachers. Through meticulous research, she discovers history’s unsung characters and brings their rich, riveting stories to light for the first time. You’ll meet a woman astride a white horse riding down Pennsylvania Ave, a young boy detained at a Japanese incarceration camp, a formerly enslaved woman on a mission to reunite with her daughter, a poet on a train, and a teacher who learns to work with her enemies. More than one thing is bombed, and multiple people surprisingly become rich. Some rich with money, and some wealthy with things that matter more. This is a book about what really made America – and Americans – great. McMahon’s cast of improbable champions will become familiar friends, lighting the path we journey in our quest to make the world more just, peaceful, good, and free."

This was a great read. I really loved learning about the inspiring people she introduced. Most were pretty new to me, while some (Claudette Colvin) I had already read about before and knew a lot about. The stories were engaging, though sometimes I had trouble following how she connected separate people's stories. I thought the book had a valuable message about how the strength of America is in individual people who make a difference in the ways they can.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

All the Blues in the Sky

I saw that Renée Watson had written a new book, so I got All the Blues in the Sky from the library. The book description says, "Sage's thirteenth birthday was supposed to be about movies and treats, staying up late with her best friend and watching the sunrise together. Instead, it was the day her best friend died. Without the person she had to hold her secrets and dream with, Sage is lost. In a counseling group with other girls who have lost someone close to them, she learns that not all losses are the same, and healing isn't predictable. There is sadness, loneliness, anxiety, guilt, pain, love. And even as Sage grieves, new, good things enter her life-and she just may find a way to know that she can feel it all."

I LOVED this book. It was beautifully written (not surprising since I love most anything Renée Watson writes). I loved Sage as a character and watching her work through her grief. The plot and side characters were just flawless in how everything came together. The book had me tearing up, and I feel like it was just an important, relatable book for young people who are dealing with the loss of someone they love. Great read.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Radiant

I don't even remember how I came across Radiant by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, but I put it on hold at the library. The book description says, "As school begins in 1963, Cooper Dale wrestles with what it means to 'shine' for a black girl in a predominantly white community near Pittsburgh. Set against the historic backdrop of the Birmingham church bombing, the Kennedy assassination, and Beatlemania, Radiant is a finely crafted novel in verse about race, class, faith, and finding your place in a loving family and a complicated world. Cooper’s primary concern is navigating fifth grade, where she faces both an extra-strict teacher and the bullying of Wade Carter, the only child of a well-to-do white family, whose home Cooper’s mother cleans for extra income. How can she shine when her mother works for the meanest boy in school? To make matters worse, Cooper quietly wishes she could be someone else."

I loved this book! It was a quick and engaging read, and I loved Cooper as a character. I loved that there was nothing overwhelmingly heavy in her life and instead she had deep empathy for someone else dealing with something heavy. (Just different than the plot of many books.) I thought the book had great messages and was just an uplifting read. I really enjoyed it.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

The Women

I read The Women by Kristin Hannah for my newest book club with the young friends at church. The book description says, "Women can be heroes. When twenty-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath hears these words, it is a revelation. Raised in the sun-drenched, idyllic world of Southern California and sheltered by her conservative parents, she has always prided herself on doing the right thing. But in 1965, the world is changing, and she suddenly dares to imagine a different future for herself. When her brother ships out to serve in Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps and follows his path.
As green and inexperienced as the men sent to Vietnam to fight, Frankie is over-whelmed by the chaos and destruction of war. Each day is a gamble of life and death, hope and betrayal; friendships run deep and can be shattered in an instant. In war, she meets―and becomes one of―the lucky, the brave, the broken, and the lost. But war is just the beginning for Frankie and her veteran friends. The real battle lies in coming home to a changed and divided America, to angry protesters, and to a country that wants to forget Vietnam."

Wow! What a book! This book was so engaging, and by the end, I was exclaiming so many things (No! Oh my gosh! Oh no!) that Connor basically needed a play-by-play of the last third of the book haha. The book was so well written with well developed characters (those I loved and hated and some that were flawed and yet came around) and a solid story. I don't read enough historical fiction, and I don't think I've ever read anything from the Vietnam period so this was super eye-opening and enlightening. I learned a lot and would definitely be interested in reading more on the time period, especially about women during the Vietnam War. There were times toward the end chunk of this book that I couldn't see how the story could end well, but I was so satisfied with the ending and just found this a really great read. I was so inspired by Frankie and her journey. There is some bad language and some other adult stuff, so I'd definitely classify this as an adult book. I have heard of this author before but haven't read any of her other books but definitely will now. I think the one I've heard about the most is The Nightingale. 

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

And Then, Boom!

I'm putting off reading several book club books and found And Then, Boom! by Lisa Fipps at a library book testing event. The book description says, "Joe Oak is used to living on unsteady ground. His mom can’t be depended on as she never stays around long once she gets “the itch,” and now he and his beloved grandmother find themselves without a home. Fortunately, Joe has an outlet in his journals and drawings and takes comfort from the lessons of comic books—superheroes have a lot of “and then, boom” moments, where everything threatens to go bust but somehow they land on their feet. And that seems to happen a lot to Joe too, as in this crisis his friend Nick helps them find a home in his trailer park. But things fall apart again when Joe is suddenly left to fend for himself. He doesn’t tell anyone he’s on his own, as he fears foster care and has hope his mom will come back. But time is running out—bills are piling up, the electricity’s been shut off, and the school year’s about to end, meaning no more free meals. The struggle to feed himself gets intense, and Joe finds himself dumpster diving for meals. He’s never felt so alone—until an emaciated little dog and her two tiny pups cross his path. And fate has even more in store for Joe, because an actual tornado is about to hit home—and just when it seems all is lost, his life turns in a direction that he never could have predicted."

I LOVED this book. I finished it in one morning because it was written in verse and was a quick, engaging read. I loved Joe as a character and his relationship with his grandma. I liked how the book opened my eyes to kids who are living in poverty and hunger, and I liked how the book had such solid, helpful adults in Joe's life (besides his mom)--teacher, therapist, landlord, foster parents, case worker, etc. I feel like in lots of these types of books, the kid has a deadbeat caseworker or a bad foster home or something like that, so I was glad Joe just got a break in the end. This was a great read and one I'd recommend. I noticed that the age range online says 10-13, so it's kinda an upper middle grade or younger YA book. I also now want to read the author's book Starfish, a book I've seen for years but never got around to reading.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Just Mercy

In my book club group chat this month, someone recommended everyone share some of their top reads from the year. One person recommended Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, and then several other people commented how much they loved the book and called it things like transformative, important, wrenching, amazing, etc. I was like, wow, I've got to read this, so I got it on audiobook. The book description says, "Bryan Stevenson was a young lawyer when he founded the Equal Justice Initiative, a legal practice dedicated to defending those most desperate and in need: the poor, the wrongly condemned, and women and children trapped in the farthest reaches of our criminal justice system. One of his first cases was that of Walter McMillian, a young man who was sentenced to die for a notorious murder he insisted he didn’t commit. The case drew Bryan into a tangle of conspiracy, political machination, and legal brinksmanship—and transformed his understanding of mercy and justice forever. Just Mercy is at once an unforgettable account of an idealistic, gifted young lawyer’s coming of age, a moving window into the lives of those he has defended, and an inspiring argument for compassion in the pursuit of true justice."

This book was SO GOOD. I was completely engaged throughout and always anxious to read more. The stories were just heavy and haunting, and I was so inspired by Bryan's dedication to help people in desperate need. The book really impacted my perspective on lots of things (like children being tried as adults and the death penalty), and I came away from this book being so grateful for all it opened my eyes to. This was an excellent read.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

The Happiest Man on Earth

I had The Happiest Man on Earth: The Beautiful Life of an Auschwitz Survivor by Eddie Jaku on my to-read list (can't remember where I originally heard of it) and got it from the library. After I got it, one of my book clubs decided to do a read-any-memoir this month, so this worked out nicely. The book description says, "Born in Leipzig, Germany, into a Jewish family, Eddie Jaku was a teenager when his world was turned upside-down. On November 9, 1938, during the terrifying violence of Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, Eddie was beaten by SS thugs, arrested, and sent to a concentration camp with thousands of other Jews across Germany. Every day of the next seven years of his life, Eddie faced unimaginable horrors in Buchenwald, Auschwitz, and finally on a forced death march during the Third Reich’s final days. The Nazis took everything from Eddie—his family, his friends, and his country. But they did not break his spirit. Against unbelievable odds, Eddie found the will to survive. Overwhelming grateful, he made a promise: he would smile every day in thanks for the precious gift he was given and to honor the six million Jews murdered by Hitler. Today, at 100 years of age, despite all he suffered, Eddie calls himself the 'happiest man on earth.' In his remarkable memoir, this born storyteller shares his wisdom and reflects on how he has led his best possible life, talking warmly and openly about the power of gratitude, tolerance, and kindness. Life can be beautiful if you make it beautiful. With The Happiest Man on Earth, Eddie shows us how."

This was a super good read. I liked that it wasn't an overly long memoir--like the author just told his story in a succinct way without unnecessary tangents. It was a simple book that tells the story through a first-person narrative. I thought the book was well organized and easy to follow and also balanced out the story with advice and lessons learned. Eddie went through the unthinkable, and it was inspiring to read about his bravery and resilience and the power of friendship. True accounts of the Holocaust are always very heavy, but I also think it's important to read the stories of what happened so we never forget.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Unsettled

I saw Unsettled by Reem Faruqi on the library shelf, and it caught my eye because I've liked books by this author before, and with a glance inside, I saw it was written in verse. The book description says, "When her family moves from Pakistan to Peachtree City, all Nurah wants is to blend in, yet she stands out for all the wrong reasons. Nurah’s accent, floral-print kurtas, and tea-colored skin make her feel excluded, until she meets Stahr at swimming tryouts. And in the water Nurah doesn’t want to blend in. She wants to win medals like her star athlete brother, Owais—who is going through struggles of his own in the U.S. Yet when sibling rivalry gets in the way, she makes a split-second decision of betrayal that changes their fates. Ultimately Nurah slowly gains confidence in the form of strong swimming arms, and also gains the courage to stand up to bullies, fight for what she believes in, and find her place."

This was such a good book! I love books written in verse because they can be really quick reads. The author did a great job developing the characters for such a fast book. (I especially loved Nurah and her new friend Stahr.) The plot was engaging and I could just feel the emotions of all the different things going on. I also liked the lessons about kindness and finding yourself. At first I was in between for "liked it" and "loved it" for this book, but there were a few spots that I really just LOVED (the part about Stahr's mom helping Nurah's mom, Nurah's bravery on the bus, the kind girl at lunch, etc.), so that bumped it up. I also loved that the book is based on some of the author's own experiences.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Not Nothing

I saw Not Nothing by Gayle Forman on a list of Newbery contenders for next year, and it looked like the type of book I'd like. The book description says, "Alex is twelve, and he did something very, very bad. A judge sentences him to spend his summer volunteering at a retirement home where he’s bossed around by an annoying and self-important do-gooder named Maya-Jade. He hasn’t seen his mom in a year, his aunt and uncle don’t want him, and Shady Glen’s geriatric residents seem like zombies to him. Josey is 107 and ready for his life to be over. He has evaded death many times, having survived ghettos, dragnets, and a concentration camp—all thanks to the heroism of a woman named Olka and his own ability to sew. But now he spends his days in room 206 at Shady Glen, refusing to speak and waiting (and waiting and waiting) to die. Until Alex knocks on Josey’s door…and Josey begins to tell Alex his story. As Alex comes back again and again to hear more, an unlikely bond grows between them. Soon a new possibility opens up for Alex: Can he rise to the occasion of his life, even if it means confronting the worst thing that he’s ever done?"

This was such a great read. I got through it in just a couple days (partially because the kids and I had a readathon so I had some uninterrupted, dedicated reading time at my disposal). The story was super engaging with characters I loved. I really liked the messages in there about rising to the occasion, about a person's capacity to change, about the power of stories. The story got me teary-eyed at the end, and I think it was just a meaningful read.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

I'm From Here Too

I saw I'm From Here Too by Kashmira Sheth recommended on a list of new middle grade books and so got it from the library. The book description says, "Anoop is many things: a brother, a son, a grandson, a friend, a middle school student, and a budding writer. He is also Indian American and Sikh. When he joins a new class, separated from longtime friends, aspects of his identity—especially his long hair, covered with a patka—draw attention in new and uncomfortable ways. At the same time, his beloved grandfather in India is nearing death, leading Anoop to think about faith and identity and his place in the world, especially as attacks on American Sikhs accelerate and he is reminded of his grandfather’s experiences during Partition. Can the tenets of his faith—equality, justice, service, honesty—help Anoop navigate life? Can he even maintain them?"

This book was SO GOOD. I was originally a little turned off by the cover (yes, I sometimes judge books by their covers) but wanted to give it a chance. The book was written in verse and pulled me in from the beginning. I always wanted to pick up the book to keep reading. I loved Anoop's journey with his faith and trying to handle things in the right way with his bullies. I loved how this book will help children better understand the Sikh faith and be more understanding of kids who wear a patka to school. I loved Anoop's friendship with his friend Jacob, his relationship with his siblings, his trip to India, his teacher, etc. Lots of great stuff in this book.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Black Cake

I read Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson for a book club with my mom and her friends. The book description says, "In present-day California, Eleanor Bennett’s death leaves behind a puzzling inheritance for her two children, Byron and Benny: a black cake, made from a family recipe with a long history, and a voice recording. In her message, Eleanor shares a tumultuous story about a headstrong young swimmer who escapes her island home under suspicion of murder. The heartbreaking tale Eleanor unfolds, the secrets she still holds back, and the mystery of a long-lost child challenge everything the siblings thought they knew about their lineage and themselves. Can Byron and Benny reclaim their once-close relationship, piece together Eleanor’s true history, and fulfill her final request to 'share the black cake when the time is right'? Will their mother’s revelations bring them back together or leave them feeling more lost than ever?"

This was such a great book! It took me a few chapters to get into it, but then once I had some uninterrupted reading time to dedicate to the book, it pulled me in. I loved the story, the mysteries in it, the characters and the heavy things each one carried. I thought the flashbacks and switching perspectives were handled perfectly by the author--I was never confused or lost even with lots going on. I really liked how things came together in the end and just thought this was a beautiful story.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

Shark Teeth

I found Shark Teeth by Sherri Winston when searching online for recommendations of new middle grade books. The book description says, "Sharkita 'Kita' Hayes is always waiting. Waiting for her mama to mess up. Waiting for social services to be called again. Waiting for her and her siblings to be separated. Waiting for her worst fear to come true. But Mama promises things are different now. She's got a good job, she's stopped drinking, stopped going out every night--it's almost enough to make Kita believe her this time. But even as Kita's life is going good, she can't shake the feeling that everything could go up in flames at any moment. When her assistant principal and trusted dance coach starts asking questions about her home life, Kita is more determined than ever to keep up appearances and make sure her family stays together--even if it means falling apart herself.  As the threat of her family being separated again circles like a shark in the water, the pressure starts to get to Kita. But could it be that Kita's worst fear is actually the best thing that could happen to her family . . . and to her?"

This was SUCH a good book! The book pulled me right in, and I often wanted to pick up the book to read more. I loved Kita as a character and thought the author did a wonderful job making her real. She went through such difficult things, and I loved her relationship with her siblings, her best friend, and the wonderful adults at her school. The book had me crying at the end, and I just loved the balance of the ending between happily ever after and realistic. Great read. 

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)