Carol Lynch Williams, . . Dell/Yearling, $4.99 (136pp) ISBN 978-0-440-41810-8
PW wrote that "many middle-grade girls will nod in recognition [with the] 12-year-old narrator of this chirpy, occasionally cloying novel," who is perplexed that her mother has gone "from cool to geek" seemingly overnight. Ages 8-12. (Aug.)
"She embarrasses me more than should be allowed," says the 12-year-old narrator of this chirpy, occasionally cloying novel. "She" is Laura's impulsive mother, a model turned Continue reading »
An 11-year-old girl and her younger sister enjoy a summer that is full of adventures but cut short by tragedy. ``A distinctly Southern flavor, swift pace and ebullient characters distinguish this Continue reading »
Elyse Donaldson, the plucky narrator of this touching book, plans to write her first novel during her eventful 12th summer. She knows how to write it (with different colored crayons for each Continue reading »
In this teen comedy cum love story, Williams (The True Colors of Caitlynne Jackson) alternates the points of view of Sage and George, two high school wannabe-authors secretly enamored with each Continue reading »
Aspiring novelist Elyse's devotion to her grandmother, a victim of Alzheimer's disease, is mixed with embarrassment and sorrow. ""In place of pat solutions, the author offers small but honest Continue reading »
Williams picks up where she left off at the end of Kelly and Me, when 11-year-old Leah Orton is left to cope with the sudden death of her younger sister, Kelly, victim of an aneurysm. A highly Continue reading »
During the first disturbing chapters of this novel set in Florida, Williams (Kelly and Me; Adeline Street) graphically describes the abuse of two sisters by their apparently psychotic mother. Mrs. Continue reading »
""If my great-grandmother Ola hadn't died, I might never have known her,"" begins 10-year-old Josie in this sketchy novel about her pilgrimage into the Ozarks to attend Ola's memorial service. During Continue reading »
Williams (The True Colors of Caitlynne Jackson) pens another story of a girl in deep distress, this time profiling ninth-grader Carolina McKinney, struggling to cope with the accidental deaths of her Continue reading »
Jun, whom end papers reveal has recently moved from
Hong Kong to an American suburb, stands at a bus stop one Monday, the translations of three words scrawled on one palm. Jun Continue reading »
“On breathtaking mountains, where coffee beans grow,/
I carry my friends to the green hills below.” In an exuberant debut, Hernández foregrounds La Chiva, “a colorful rustic Continue reading »
“Long before a slave ship sailed,/ we shined like bright stars—/ brilliant and beautiful.” In an insightful picture book, Oso (Buster the Bully) offers an empowering portrait of Continue reading »
Nonbinary teen Ash is struggling with feeling disconnected from their life. Their parents don’t understand their identity, their classmates are more concerned about following Continue reading »