“Heroes: A novel of Pearl Harbor” Alan Gratz

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. Scholastic Press (Scholastic). 219 p. (Includes “The Arsenal of Democracy” comic, “Author’s note,” “About the story,” “Asian Americans in Comics”, and “The Legacy of Pearl Harbor.”) To be published February 6, 2024).

Thirteen-year-old Frank and his best friend Stanley shared a love for comic books, where they lived on the Pearl Harbor base in Hawaii where their dads worked. Frank was the writer, while Stanley made the storyline come alive with amazing drawings. At his father’s last posting Frank had a bad experience, which made him afraid of everything. Before he could do anything, he spent minutes thinking of things that could go wrong and forgot how to live his life. Fear coated everything he did.

Everything was peaceful until the morning of December 7, 1941, when hundreds of Japanese planes attacked Pearl Harbor. The boys had been on the Utah, visiting his sister’s boyfriend Brooks, when the attack began. The Utah was hit, and they had to abandon ship, but Frank was petrified with fear. Brooks had to shake him out of it and helped him escape, then disappeared. When he was found dead Frank blamed himself.

As he and Stanley frantically tried to reunite with their families Frank realized his best friend was now seen as the enemy because his mother was Japanese. Though Stanley was born in the United States everyone only saw his face and didn’t care that he was Japanese American. With America now at war, if Frank wanted to keep their friendship in the strange new world which they were both now part of, he would have to grow a backbone and overcome his fear of being afraid of everything.

Middle school readers will learn not only about the Pearl Harbor attack but what it was like to be Japanese American during a time of anti-Japanese sentiment in Hawaii and the rest of the country. Alan Gratz does an excellent job with his research and end notes to help his young readers learn more about this troubled period of history.

Highly recommended for ages 12 and older.

“Gator country: Deception, danger, and alligators in the Everglades” Rebecca Renner

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Flatiron Books. Published November 14, 2023.

The Everglades used to encompass 4000 square miles, home to countless insects, birds, trees, plants, and alligators. The craze for hat feathers in the Victorian era caused birds to be killed by the millions, many to extinction. The unrelenting slaughter was followed by draining water that had given life for millennia to the Everglades. Florida’s population was increasing so, with farmland considered more profitable than swampland, the Everglades’ land, as well as its flora and fauna, began to decrease.

To combat this loss Everglades National Park was established in 1947. Hunting without a license was now illegal. Gladesmen, who had made their living there for generations, didn’t take kindly to the laws so didn’t change their lifestyles. Often arrested or fined for poaching, they continued to hunt for their families while conserving the land in which they’d lived their entire lives.

It was into this world that Jeff Babauta, an officer with the Florida Wildlife Commission’s (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement, was thrust. Alligators had almost been hunted to extinction, and they had to protect the ones in the Everglades. After learning that thousands of alligator eggs were illegally being poached, Jeff’s job was to go undercover and find the thieves. For more than a year he lived in the Everglades, creating a persona as an alligator farmer. His love for nature, and his job, conflicted with his understanding of the needs of the Gladesmen to survive. “Gator country” is their story, as well as the story of the Everglades.

The author immersed herself in the points of view of not only the Gladesmen and Jeff, but of the Everglades and her love for nature. The greed of man caused the Everglades to dwindle to less than half of its original size, losing 70% of its water flow over the years. “Gator country” reminds us of its history, as well as its continued potential for greatness.

Highly recommended for Adults.

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

“Maizy Chen’s last chance” Lisa Yee

Rated 5 stars ***** Random House Children’s Books (Penguin Random House). 276 p. 2022. (Includes “Author’s note,” and “Resources.”)

Eleven-year-old Maizy Chen expected to be bored when she and her mother left Los Angeles to spend the summer with Oma and Opa in Last Chance, Minnesota. Their restaurant, the Golden Palace, had been in the family for over 100 years and was the only restaurant in town. As she spent time with her sick grandfather he told her stories about its former owner, her great-great grandfather Lucky. Lucky’s travels from China to the United States and the work done by him and other Chinese immigrants on the railroad were just some of the family histories he shared.

While learning about the prejudice endured by Chinese immigrants, the Golden Palace was hit by a series of hate crimes. She had already experienced microaggressions in town from those who believed she’d come directly from China and not Los Angeles, that her family always ate rice, and referring to her as “you people.” However, when a hate-filled note, vandalism, and a racial slur painted on their mascot were directed at her family, Maizy was determined to find the culprit. She was not going to let prejudice ruin her family.

Historical anecdotes about Chinese life in America’s 19th century eerily resemble the current hate crimes against Asian Americans. Lisa Yee did an excellent job relating Maizy’s life to her ancestors, reminding us everyone needs to do their part to make sure prejudicial sins from the past are not repeated in the present.

Highly recommended for ages 11-14.

“Woke up like this” Amy Lea

Rated 5 stars ***** ebook. ARC. Mindy’s Book Studio (Amazon). To be published September 5, 2023.

After her parent’s divorce, Charlotte coped with anxiety by writing lists to organize her life. One of the most important things on her list for senior year was to become Student Council President, but her arch enemy J.T. Renner waltzed away with the title. That created one more barricade in the wall of insults he’d built against her ever since he didn’t show up to take her to the Homecoming dance in 9th grade. Everyone knew she and Renner were oil and water. Her best friends always tried to calm her when they were near each other, but he lived to annoy her.

While decorating for prom Char fell off a ladder into Renner’s arms. When she woke up, they had jumped 13 years into the future. They were 30 years old; it was 2037, and they were getting married in a week. Char was horrified at the thought and did everything she could think of to return them back to 2024. While they bumbled around trying to figure out how to return to their past lives, the two of them finally took the time to listen to each other. What they found was they had more in common than they thought. Will they be able to return to their senior year, or spend the rest of their lives regretting the 13 years neither remembered?

This book was laugh out loud funny, as it showed teens why they should lighten up on their present, so they don’t lose today worrying about tomorrow. I highly recommended it for ages 16 and older.

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

“Strangers we know” Elle Marr

Rated 5 stars ***** ebook. Thomas & Mercer. 2022.

Thirty-year-old Ivy was adopted when she was just a few days old and has recently developed a mysterious illness. Both of her adoptive parents dead and she has no information about her birth family’s health history, so submits her DNA to be analyzed. Before she receives the results letting her know she has a cousin, an FBI agent tells her she is related to a serial killer in Washington State who kills during a full moon and asks her to figure out who in her birth family is the murderer.

When Ivy is invited to meet her cousin and extended family, she’s nervous because she also wants to learn about her birth mother. Instead of a possible reunion she learns her mother fell to the serial killer shortly after she was born. She is equally horrified when she finds out many family members belong to a cult. As Ivy seeks out more information about her mother and the murderer, she doesn’t realize that as she gets closer to the truth, the serial killer is getting closer to her. He’ll make sure the upcoming full moon finds him doing what he loves to do best.

This book had me turning pages late into the night, as I couldn’t put it down until I reached its thrilling conclusion. I’m sure you’ll be equally as enthralled.

Recommended for Adults.

“Top story” Kelly Yang

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Scholastic Press (Scholastic). Front Desk #5. To be published September 5, 2023.

Mia and Lupe are spending Christmas break in San Francisco’s Chinatown for writing bootcamp and a math competition. When Jason and Hank join them because the cook at their hotel quit, Mia’s cup is full. As she learns about Chinatown’s history and the racist laws passed against the Chinese over the years, Mia is outraged. Sharing about their people’s struggles are the types of articles she and the other two kids of color want to write about, but their stories are ignored in favor of the rich kids in their group. As Mia’s eyes are opened to these injustices, she and her friends work together to tackle grown-up problems with grown-up solutions.

While Mia and her new friends figure out how to keep their writing dreams alive, she’s hampered by feelings for Jason she doesn’t want to reveal. Jealousy rears its ugly head over his infatuation with a local girl, but Lupe’s decision to enter college early is especially unsettling. How will she make it through high school without her best friend by her side?

Highly recommended for ages 11-14.

I received a digital advance reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

“Key player” Kelly Yang

Rated 5 stars ***** Scholastic Press (Scholastic). Front Desk #4. 274 p. (Includes “Author’s note”). 2022.

Mia is thrilled to have a chance to attend journalism camp but, to do so, she needs all A’s. Unfortunately, she’s awful at soccer so, when she gets a low grade in PE, she offers to raise it by interviewing either the Chinese women’s soccer team or the American team who are coming to California for the World Cup. Mia has no idea how she’s going to accomplish this feat, but nothing is going to stop her from going to journalism camp.

While Mia struggles, her parents and friends are having their own issues. Lupe is burdened with Math competitions and a team coach who doesn’t want to coach. Jason is crushed because his father constantly criticizes him. Hank is trying to expand his hamburger business, while Mia’s parents desperately search for a house.

Everyone in Mia’s life has an issue, but their love for each other and strength of character combine to show readers there’s nothing they can’t accomplish if they put their minds to it.

Highly recommended for ages 12-14.

“A scatter of light” Malinda Lo

Rated 4 stars **** ARC. ebook. Dutton Books. Published October 2022.

Eighteen-year-old Aria was supposed to be hanging out on Martha’s Vineyard with her two best friends for their last summer before college. Instead, her invitation was rescinded, and she was banished to her grandmother’s house in California for something that wasn’t her fault. Aria expects to be bored out of her mind but soon finds herself attracted to Steph, her grandmother’s gardener.

Though Aria had been with guys before, she’d never felt anything emotional with them. However, the more time she spent with Steph, the more she felt as if they were two halves of a whole. Throughout the summer she, Steph and her Queer friends had movie nights, attended concerts, and hung out. While realizing she was in love with Steph, wasn’t Straight, and working out what all that meant, Aria also had to face the fact that she was only in California for the summer and Steph already had a girlfriend. Would this be the best summer of her life, or the worst?

Malinda Lo writes convincingly of what it feels like to make an important, life changing self-discovery. Though I liked the book I thought the transitions were too abrupt. One minute Aria is doing something, or thinking about something, and in the very next paragraph she’s moved on to something completely different or is in a different day. Sometimes I had to go back and reread to make sure I hadn’t missed anything (I hadn’t.) I’ll still recommend it for my readers, as it contains helpful information for anyone wondering about their own feelings for either the opposite or the same sex.

Recommended for ages 18 and older.

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

“Last night at the Telegraph Club” Malinda Lo

Rated 5 stars ***** Dutton Books (Penguin Random House). 2021.415 p. (Includes “Author’s note,” “Select bibliography,” and “Discussion guide.”)

In the 1950’s of San Francisco’s Chinatown, Lily Hu had always been a good Chinese girl. Though the girls in her neighborhood knew their futures involved husbands and children, Lily dreamed of flying a rocket ship while her fellow classmate, Kath Miller, wanted to fly airplanes. Lily felt different around Kath. She felt heard and seen, and something about Kath made her heart beat faster.

When Kath invited her to the Telegraph Club, Lily discovered a new world. There women impersonated men and held hands with other women. She and Kath were thrilled by their newfound feelings for each other, but Lily knew that outside of the club she could never let anyone know about them. The FB had revoked her father’s citizenship papers for not calling someone a communist, while homosexuality was against the law. She had to be careful not to get her father in trouble, but trouble has a way of showing up uninvited.

During Lily’s last year of high school Malinda Lo masterfully tackled how Chinese Americans were treated in the United States, the struggles of the Lesbian community, communism and more. Each issue was brought to life in a thorough way, and it’s easy to see why this book won the National Book Award, the Stonewall Book Award, the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature as well as the Michael L. Printz and Walter Dean Myers Honor Awards.

Highly recommended for ages 17 and older.

“Camp Zero” Michelle Min Sterling

Rated 3 stars *** ARC. ebook. First Atria Books. (Simon & Schuster). To be published April 4, 2023.

In 2049, most of the United States is unlivable due to global warming. Poor air quality, heat stifled cities, and flooding have become the norm. With cities and towns ruined the only truly livable place has been created artificially, but only the rich can afford to live in the Floating City where Rose works as an escort. When her rich boss tells her he wants her to spy at a remote camp in Canada, and she’ll be given a free apartment in the Floating City with her mother, Rose jumps at the chance.

In the Canadian wilderness, a group of female American soldier scientists known as White Alice have been living off-grid for decades. Abandoned by their home base, and with supplies running low, the women make tough decisions to ensure their survival. Grant Grimley wants to get away from his riches and father. He ends up in the Canadian wilderness living an unfamiliar life while trying to run away from a memory.

In alternating chapters Grant, Rose and White Alice tell their stories. As narratives unspool, readers are drawn into a web of lies, deception, murder, love, courage, camaraderie, friendship, and survival. Though their stories seemed “out there,” the author did a good job describing what will happen in our future if we don’t stop climate change. Her descriptions of man’s incessant greed and need for power were spot on.

Recommended for Adults.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review