“Flawless girls” Anna-Marie McLemore

Rated 2 stars ** ARC. ebook. Feiwel & Friends (Macmillan Publishing). To be published May 24, 2024.

For years Isla, an intersex teen, has been tormented by her peers. She’s also tormented herself, wanting to be like her beautiful sister Renata. After spending most of her life trying to fit in, she and Renata enroll at the Alarie House. At this prestigious finishing school Isla is sure she’ll become a perfect girl. What she doesn’t know is that it’s also where monsters and nightmares live.

I was not a fan of the book, as there were too many fantastical things going on that distracted me. This is a book English teachers would want to tear up for its symbolism, leaving some readers like me scratching our heads in puzzlement that such symbolism existed where we saw only words and phrases.

I will leave it up to my readers, ages 16 and older, to decide if they want to read it or not.

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

“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.

“Thirsty” Jas Hammonds

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Roaring Book Press (Holtzbrinck Holdings Ltd.). To be published May 14, 2024.

Blake is getting ready to leave for college in a few months with her best friend Annetta and her girlfriend Ella. When she came out as a Lesbian four years ago her parents barely cared, though her father seemed disappointed. Though he’s Black her White mother never took an interest in Blake’s Blackness, leaving her to figure out how to manage her hair and find Black role models. When she was with Ella and her rich parents in their beautiful home, Blake could forget about her issues and pretend their wonderful life was hers.

Though she and Ella had been together for years Blake felt tremendous feelings of insecurity and doubt that had followed her since middle school. They only went away when she was drinking, so Blake drank a lot. When she was drunk, she became Big Bad Bee, loving how she became the life of the party.

The three of them are all pledging the Serena Society, an exclusive group of powerful women of color. Blake believes having them as role models will be her ticket to belonging. Unfortunately the more pressure she puts on herself to live up to Society standards during the pledging process, the more she drinks. Though others warn her she has a drinking problem, Blake assures them she’s fine. But is she really?

This story of a young woman’s struggles with alcohol, insecurity, doubt, and racial identity is why librarian S.R. Ranganathan once said many years ago “For every book there is a reader.” Thank you Jas Hammond for pouring your soul into “Thirsty”, opening up about your own struggles with alcohol through Blake’s actions. Young readers facing the same difficulties will know there is hope for them too.

Highly recommended for ages 15 and older.

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

“The secret library” Kekla Magoon

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Candlewick Press. (To be published May 7, 2024).

Delia is almost 12 years old and misses her grandfather terribly. After he died, her mother is more determined than ever that Delia learns to become a proper businesswoman to eventually take over the family business. Delia doesn’t want to sit behind a desk with boring business work. She wants to have adventures but, without her grandfather, feels stifled and lonely. At the reading of his will he left her a brown envelope that her mother promptly locked away for her 21st birthday. With cunning and skill Delia retrieves the envelope from her mother’s locked safe and finds a letter from him as well as a mysterious map.

The map takes her to an abandoned field which turns into a magnificent, secret library. Inside Delia is directed to shelves filled with secrets from people across the centuries. Whenever she chooses a book, she goes on adventures in different times and places where she learns about her family’s history. She sees her dad alive, years before her parents got married, and also gets to see a side of her mother that she’d never seen in the past.

As Delia learns more about her family’s past, she becomes troubled as well as elated and proud. Her family held onto a lot of secrets on their way to becoming the Peteharrngton’s. She’ll have to draw on that strength to become the girl she wants to be, in order to change her present into her past.

I absolutely LOVED this book. It would make an excellent Newbery winning title. That’s how good it is. Well done, Kekla. Well done.

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

“The one that got away with murder” Trish Lundy

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Henry Holt books for Young Readers (Macmillan). To be published April 16, 2024.

To get away from things that almost ruined her life, Lauren and her mom moved across the country to a small town in Pennsylvania. There she began a secret romance with Robbie, who she soon finds out is part of the richest family in town and has been accused of murdering his girlfriend. As if that isn’t bad enough, Robbie’s brother is accused of killing his girlfriend too. This should have been enough to scare Lauren off, but she knows what it’s like to have secrets. Robbie tells her he’s innocent and she believes him.

The girls on the soccer team aren’t so forgiving, and ice Lauren out of everything. Soccer has always been her escape from everything that happened in California, but now it’s become another burden. Soon after Lauren finds evidence that incriminates Robbie, the evidence disappears. As she gets closer to learning the truth Lauren doesn’t realize the killer is closer than she thinks, and that she’s his next planned victim.

This book will have readers sitting-on-the-edge of their seats, turning pages until its satisfying conclusion.

Highly recommended for ages 16 and older.

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

“The house on Biscayne Bay” Chanel Cleeton

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. ebook. Berkley (Penguin Random House). (Includes “Author’s Note.”) To be published April 9, 2024.

Henry Flagler had just built his railroad, and people were starting to trek down to Southern Florida. After twenty-two years of marriage Anne thought she knew her husband very well but was shocked when he presented her with “Marbrisa” by Biscayne Bay. She hated Florida on sight and couldn’t understand why he’d want to build a lavish 61 room home in the middle of nowhere. With the Great War over he believed Florida was going to be a huge tourist draw and was determined to build the biggest house in Miami as his legacy. Anna didn’t know that, because of him, Marbrisa would forever be associated with the events of one spine-chilling evening.

America was on the verge of war in 1941, and Carmen was on her way from Havana to join her sister Caroline in Florida after her parent’s deaths. Her older sister had married a rich American who bought a huge estate named “Marbrisa,” which was unwelcoming and foreboding. When Carmen found out animals were being killed and two women had been murdered there over the years, she was fearful. Within days her life was turned upside down and, as she tried to figure out who was behind the catastrophe, she didn’t know the killer had his eyes set on her.

This page-turning thriller told through Carmen and Anna’s alternating voices had me sitting on the edge of my seat. I was sure I knew who the murderer was but kept being foiled. The author did a great job keeping that identity hidden until the book’s final, gripping pages.

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.

“Beholder” Ryan La Sala

Rated 4 stars **** ARC. Push (Scholastic). 340 p. To be published October 3, 2023.

Athanasios’ parents died in a fire when he was six years old, so he grew up with his yiayia and her superstitions. His Greek grandmother spent her life whispering into a hand mirror, warning him about an evil eye coming after them. Though yiayia cautioned him against looking into mirrors he disobeyed, discovering they allow him to see into the past. Whenever he glances into a mirror he is mesmerized, as he feels something evil rushing towards him.

Years passed and Athan has become weary of his grandmother’s delusions. When he is accused of murder after everyone is killed at a party he attends and yiayia disappears, everything begins to unravel. Dom, a boy who hid him during the party and with whom he’s fallen in love, is the only one who can help him find her and make sense of what turned his life upside down. Can they stop a monster that has killed many over the years and is hungry for more blood?

Those of you who’ve read anything by La Sala know he has a very imaginative writing style that makes you leave all the lights on while reading at night. Prepare for a large electric bill with “Beholder.” Cue an evil laugh, eerie music, lightning flashes, and thunder rolls. Don’t say you weren’t warned…

Recommended for ages 17 and older.

“I am not alone” Francisco X. Stork

Rated 5 stars ***** ARC. Scholastic Press (Scholastic). 306 p. (Includes “Author’s note” and “Mental health and Crisis resources.” Published July 18, 2023.

Alberto is 18 and has been living illegally in the United States for three years with his sister and her young son. He works at odd jobs, sending half of his earnings to his mother and sister in Mexico, while trying to earn his high school equivalency diploma. Alberto was upset when he started to hear a voice calling him names or telling him to do bad things. Hoping to keep the voice at a distance he called it Captain America, but the voice grew louder. When a woman was murdered at a job he was working, Alberto couldn’t remember what happened. The police wanted to arrest him, but Alberto went on the run – hoping to prove his innocence.

Grace had her life planned out. In a few months she would graduate, attend college with her boyfriend, and become a psychiatrist. When her parents divorced, she seemed to lose focus. School and her boyfriend paled in importance as she struggled to figure out her place in the world. When she met Alberto, he was cleaning the windows in her apartment and seemed nice. They shared time together making pottery which he’d learned how to do in Mexico, so Grace was surprised to hear he was accused of murder.

His illegal status, the voices he heard, and the murder accusation were red flags signaling her to stay far away, but Grace was certain she needed to help him. However, time is running out because Captain America has decided Alberto doesn’t belong in this world and Alberto is listening to him.

Stork realistically portrays Alberto’s mental state of mind, while Grace’s character depicts a bystander who sees this struggle and decides to either turn away or help. Stork emphasizes not losing sight of the person behind a mental illness.

I believe this should be a 2023 Pura Belpre Young Adult Author winning title. Here’s hoping the January 2024 announcements from the American Library Association’s Youth Media Awards will prove me correct. I will be in attendance that day to root for “I am not alone” to win.

Highly recommended for ages 17 and older.