“Spitting gold” Carmella Lowkis

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Atria Books (Simon & Schuster). To be published May 14, 2024.

It was April of 1866 and, for the past two years, Sylvie thought her former life as a medium was behind her. She and her sister Charlotte had earned their living pretending to banish or raise ghosts for money, learning everything from their parents. After a con gone wrong cost them their business and almost landed them in prison, she married a rich older man who took her away from her drunken, abusive father and the life of poverty she’d led. Though she felt guilty about leaving Charlotte, she needed to save herself and agreed to his request that she leave the life of a medium behind her forever.

One rainy day Charlotte surprised her by showing up at her home begging for help as their father was dying, there was no money, and she needed Sylvie. A rich family was eager to dispel a ghost who had been haunting them and, if successful, the payout would help Charlotte and her father. Sylvie knew what her husband had forbidden her to do but her love for Charlotte overcame her reluctance. Unfortunately, she’d soon find out that ghosts, as well as the living, can be revengeful. The peaceful life she’d led for the past two years was about to forever change.

I LOVED this book! I voraciously read it from cover to cover, eager to see what would next befall the sisters. The author’s research into life in 1866 France for the rich and those living on the outskirts of acceptable society was eye-opening.

Highly recommended for Adults.

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

“And then, Boom!” Lisa Fipps

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin Random House). To be published May 7, 2024. 244 p.

Joe is in 6th grade with a mother who regularly disappears, leaving him with his grandmother. To understand the many changes in his life he uses comic book analogies, knowing change happens with “and then BOOM!” moments. Joe has had many of these, but the biggest came when his mother got arrested, his grandmother put her house up for bail money, but it had to be sold when his mom didn’t show up at court. Now homeless they lived in his grandmother’s car, struggling to find places to wash up and eat.

After a few weeks they found a rickety mobile home, but change came when his grandmother died. Joe’s mom returned but abandoned him. With no money or food, Joe ate the free breakfast and lunch at school plus his teacher’s snacks, but worried about the upcoming summer break. Two friends loaded him up with food before leaving for vacation, but it spoiled when the electricity was turned off. As days and weeks passed without eating, Joe was starving. Will he make it through the summer?

“And then BOOM!” is a heartbreaking story played out across this country, and the world, every day. In her foreword the author indicates Joe’s story is also her story, and she wrote it to let kids like Joe know they’re not alone. THIS is why books need to remain on shelves and not be banned. Every book has a reader who sees themselves, and that book could be the difference between life and death for them. This book would make an excellent middle school book club read, as students could discuss what each “and then BOOM!” moment meant to Joe as well as ways to help kids like him.

Highly recommended for ages 11-14.

“The storm we made” Vanessa Chan

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Marysue Rucci Books (Simon & Schuster). To be published January 2, 2024.

Malaya had been a colony of Great Britain for many years, treating its people like second class citizens while exporting its iron-ore and rubber. By 1934 Cecily had grown tired of the race and class divides between her people and their conquerors. Over the years her husband Gordon had worked up to a high position in the British administration. Through his connections she met General Fujiwara. Cecily was thrilled to learn of Japan’s hopes for a united Asia, where Asians wouldn’t be judged by the color of their skin. It would be a dream come true if Malayans could rule themselves.

Bored with her life, Cecily found excitement in her role as a spy and in her amorous feelings for Fujiwara. Gordon’s work provided them with plenty of material which helped Japan force out the British. Instead of a united Asia Malayans found themselves in terrible situations. The Japanese forced young girls into sexual slavery, boys were kidnapped and sent to railroad slave camps, while traitors were tortured and killed. As terrible things happened to Cecily’s family over the next 10 years, she blamed herself. She had given Malaya over to their enemy, so she had to pay the price of her betrayal.

This is the first time I had ever read about Malaya’s conquest, and the crimes of Japan in that country during World War II. Cecily, her daughters, and her son share the narratives from 1934 through 1945 through flashbacks and real time. Through them readers learn of the brutality of war, and the strength of its survivors. “The storm we made,” is an excellent choice for a book club as themes of good versus evil, relationships, sisterhood, and more will lead to important discussions.

Highly recommended for Adults.

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

“All we were promised” Ashton Lattimore

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Ballantine Books (Random House). Includes “Author’s note.” To be published April 2, 2024.

In 1833 Carrie and her father Jake were slaves on a Maryland plantation. After running away they changed their names and spent the next 4 years in Philadelphia. There James’ light skin enabled him to pursue whiteness and richness as his furniture making business grew, while Charlotte worked as his maid. Her resentment grew at his ability to freely move about while she had to stay home. She was lonely and wanted to make something of her life. After meeting Nell, a rich Philadelphian from a powerful Black family, Charlotte began sneaking out weekly to attend literary and Anti-Slavery meetings with her.

Though Nell had grown up rich and entitled she felt the other rich Black families of Philadelphia could do more for escaped slaves. They felt raising money was enough while Nell believed hands-on work was needed. She was thrilled to discover a kindred spirit in Charlotte and, though she was not of her social circle and her parents did not approve, Nell took her to Anti-Slavery meetings that included one in which a white mob attacked the speaker and the audience.

Evie had toiled alongside Carrie in Maryland and was in Philadelphia with her mistress for a short time. Though she had not seen her in four years, after she caught a glimpse of her at the market, she became obsessed with the idea of escaping. Though scared for her own freedom Charlotte enlisted Nell’s help to figure out a way to help Evie.

What Charlotte, Nell, and Evie didn’t know was that the anger of white Philadelphian’s towards anything or anyone having to do with anti-slavery was about to explode. The newly built Pennsylvania Hall and the Anti-Slavery convention were the sparks that lit the flames which forever changed their lives.

This book is a page turner filled with historical facts. A notable one is that Philadelphia, the so-called “cradle of liberty” and “city of brotherly love” had such a sordid history when it came to black and white relations. Another is its six-month loophole law (meant to keep slavery alive and well) utilized by George Washington and other slave owners to maintain the status quo.

Highly recommended for Adults.

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

“Remember us” Jacqueline Woodson

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin Random House). 182 p. (Includes author’s note “About the Matchbox.”) To be published October 10, 2023.

Every day that summer twelve-year-old Sage, her best friend Freddy, and her friends saw another part of their Bushwick neighborhood burned down. She hated the sound of sirens, worrying fire would find its way into her house. She and her dad loved basketball and she’d grown up playing with him. He was one of several black firefighters and a member of the Vulcan Society so, after he died in a fire, she kept his basketball and continued to perfect her game with Freddy and the boys.

One rainy July day a strange boy watched her play and asked what kind of girl she was, accusing her of thinking she was a boy. He stole her ball, leaving her shaken and afraid. With his hateful words ringing in her ears and her dad’s ball gone, the love she had for the game dried up. Fires raged outside as well as in her heart and mind as questions about what kind of girl she was tormented her. With her world changing all around, Sage will have to figure out her place in it.

Once again Jacqueline Woodson captures readers with realistic characters, as her words allow us to see, hear, and breathe Sage’s world of memories, broken and unrealized dreams, and hope. Middle school readers will find parts of themselves in Sage and Freddy’s lives.

In the late 1970’s Bushwick, Brooklyn and portions of the Bronx were burning. Slumlords from both boroughs set their buildings on fire to collect insurance money, which either killed renters or forced them into homelessness. Sirens were heard at all hours of the day and night, as both real and false alarms sent firefighters scrambling.

I grew up in Brownsville and East New York Brooklyn, a few miles away from Sage’s neighborhood. I moved out in 1975, missing the burnings that happened a few years later, but saw the results in 1985 when I returned to Brownsville to teach. Rows of burned-out tenements, as well as brick and glass-filled lots, were all that remained of people’s lives. Those greedy landlords from the 1970’s got their wishes, as million-dollar condos line the streets of these Brooklyn and Bronx neighborhoods today.

Highly recommended for ages 11-15.

“Cleopatra’s dagger” Carole Lawrence

Rated 3 stars *** ebook. Thomas & Mercer. 2022.

New York City in 1880 is a city of contrasts. The squalid conditions of those struggling for survival in its crime-filled tenements are contrasted with the genteel lives of the rich. Twenty-two-year-old Elizabeth van den Broek comes from a well-heeled family, but pretends she’s a regular New Yorker because she has a job her mother hates, and is not pining because she’s not a member of Mrs. Astor’s “Four hundred.” Occasionally she remembers her fancy apartment, rich clothing, and job are all a result of benefitting from her father’s name and wealth, but quickly relegates such thoughts to the back burner because she takes a train to work and doles out dollars and change here and there to those less fortunate.

As the first female crime reporter with the Herald newspaper, Elizabeth faces scorn from many who believe she doesn’t belong in a man’s job. Despite their disdain she’s determined to prove herself by figuring out the identity of a serial killer who is murdering prostitutes and leaving clues related to Egyptology. What she doesn’t know is that the killer has decided it’s time for Elizabeth and him to get a little closer.

I would have given this book 2 stars but, since I like historical fiction and it talked a lot about aspects of life in New York City during the 1880’s, I upped it to 3 stars. The reason I wanted to give it 2 stars was because too many events were tossed into the mix that didn’t have satisfactory endings or didn’t belong with the narrative. See below my spoiler alert if you want to read more about what I mean.

I will leave it up to you Adults to decide if you want to read it or not.

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I didn’t like how Elizabeth was assaulted with no follow through on solving the crime. Also, young John Astor had nothing to do with the storyline, so I have no idea why he kept being included. In addition, what’s the deal with Simon Sneed? He was introduced as “a sleek, slippery sort of person who seemed to leave a trail of slime in his wake, like a slug.” Elizabeth said she felt his eyes on her from her first day at work, and he made her feel “confused, flustered, and unsure of herself.” Lawrence puts him in almost every chapter, with Elizabeth reverting to the opposite of the strong female character she’s supposed to depict. I don’t understand what the point was of him leering and Elizabeth falling apart over it. Wasn’t she supposed to be a strong woman defying all the odds? Anyway, these are just a few of the issues I had with this book.

“Hester” Laurie Lico Albanese

Rated 5 stars ***** ebook. St. Martin’s Press (St. Martin’s Publishing Group). 2022.

When Isobel was young her mother told her to hide her ability to see colors since one of her ancestors with the same gift had been proclaimed a witch. In 1829, when she was nineteen years old, she and her husband left Scotland and set sail for America. Within a few days of arrival in Salem Edward headed out to sea to make his fortune. Her dreams of opening a dress shop were ruined when she discovered Edward had stolen the money her father had given her. To avoid starvation, she was forced to work for pennies embroidering gloves for rich women.

Twenty-four-year-old Nathaniel Hathorne noticed Isobel and, unable to keep her out of his mind, began to follow her. At first exchanges were perfunctory but, as they spent time together, their mutual attraction became evident. Though she knew it was wrong, Isobel loved him. For his part Nathaniel was drawn to her because she resembled a character in a story he was writing. When she became pregnant, Nathaniel abandoned her. It was up to Isobel to use the strength she inherited from her ancestors to make a way for her daughter and herself.

This book is about a young girl meeting the man who would go on to become the famous author Nathaniel Hawthorne, and how the past can either make or break you. Hester, the adulterous woman forced to forever wear a scarlet “A” in Hawthorne’s classic “The scarlet letter,” is presumed to be based on Isobel. I have never read “The scarlet letter,” but plan to do so and see how it matches this book. I dare you to read or reread it too.

Recommended for Adults.

“The call of the Wrens” Jennie L. Walsh

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Harper Muse (HarperCollins). (Includes “Author’s Note” and “Discussion questions.”) Published November 15, 2022.

The Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRNS) was formed during World War I as part of Great Britain’s Royal Navy so women could fill jobs men couldn’t do because they had to fight. Known as Wrens, the women served heroically in many roles within the organization. After the war it was disbanded but restarted when World War II began. This is the story of the brave women who served their country during both wars.

Marion had lived in orphanages ever since she was born. It was the only life she knew, so she was terrified when she aged out in 1917. Since the nuns had showed her how to type she signed up with the Wrens, but wound up training carrier pigeons and delivering their messages. She was thrilled to serve as a motorcycle dispatch rider alongside Eddie, her best friend. He refused to stay behind in the orphanage and enlisted so they could serve together.

Evelyn was the only child of wealthy parents and resented her mother’s insistence that she attend finishing school, marry, and have children. Evelyn wanted to race cars because she loved the thrill of flying around the track, and a staid life was not in her future. When World War II began and she learned about the WRNS, she defied her mother and signed up to be a motorcycle dispatch rider. As a Wren she could live the adventurous life she craved, without fear of being boxed in by her mother’s demands.

In alternating voices Marion and Evelyn tell their stories of life as a Wren during two different wars. Their stories are filled with longing, hope, fear, love, tragedy, resourcefulness and strength. While both working for the WRNS during World War II, secrets are revealed that will change both of their lives forever.

I loved this book, and learning about the WRNS. I had read books about American women who worked during World War I and World War II, but had never read about Great Britain’s female contributions during these wars. “The call of the Wrens” is an enlightening look into their lives.

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

“Monarch rising” Harper Glenn

Rated 2 stars ** ARC. Scholastic Press (Scholastic). 353 p. Published October 4, 2022.

It’s 2070 in the New United States. It had been 40 years since rich people in the Old United States had been forced into poverty by rebels. In the intervening years the formerly rich became extremely poor while rebels had become rich. Jo had been born in the Ashes across the mountains from New Georgia and was always dreaming of the annual Lineup. She was one of several chosen to go before Georgia’s Rep. If chosen to go to New Georgia, she could leave her poverty behind and fall in love.

Cove’s parents died when he was very young, leaving him to be raised by an evil stepmother. Through her hatred for love, and her many beatings over the years, he had learned he should never fall in love. She taught him how to make girls fall in love with him just so he could break their hearts for her pleasure. Neither Cove nor Jo know that their futures are about to get very complicated.

“Monarch rising” puts aspects of “The Hunger Games” in the storyline with poor versus rich, the annual Lineup of a few of the poor, and the rebel thread running through it. I found the premise of breaking hearts for kicks to be farfetched, and saw many unfinished storylines left to the reader’s imagination. I had a hard time finishing the book, and wasn’t a fan, but will leave it up to you readers ages 16 and older to decide if you want to read it or not.

“A seed in the sun” Aida Salazar

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin Random House). 255 p. (Includes Author’s note and Resources). Published October 25, 2022.

Lula and her farmworker family travel from labor camp to labor camp performing back breaking work under a hot California sun for little pay without any breaks, living in squalid bedbug filled hovels. In 1965 they arrived in Delano to pick grapes, where she was excited to start seventh grade, until Papá forced her to work. The family had unknowingly walked into a strike organized by Filipino workers for better pay and working conditions, but Papá refused to join. Day after day they crossed the picket lines until Mamá became very ill from pesticides. Papá couldn’t afford the money for her care so, when he found out union members could get free medical help, they joined the striking workers.

Lula was fascinated by the leadership qualities of co-union leader Dolores Huerta, while Papá would only listen to César Chávez because he believed men’s voices were more important than women’s. Through their struggles to survive the strong-armed tactics of the rich growers, which included arrests by crooked police and evictions, Lula worked to keep her dream alive – hoping to make her Papá proud and show him she’s important.

In this story seeds are compared to farmworkers. Seeds are strong, hold the memory of those who came before, become something new, and give new life. Though held down for decades by growers and crushed into the soil, farmworkers are seeds fighting to grow and survive. Having worked with migrant farmworker families for years, I find it sad that the battle for their rights continues.

Highly recommended for ages 11-14.