Mini Book Reviews

Efren Divided (MG)

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by Ernesto Cisneros Efren is an American-born child of illegal Mexican immigrants living in Southern California. When his mother is caught by immigration officers and deported, Efren must balance caring for his younger twin siblings with his own school work and friendships, while also helping his father find a way to bring his mother back. […]

Mini Book Reviews

Instructions for Dancing (YA)

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by Nicola Yoon Evie’s faith in love has been shaken by her parents’ divorce (and the secret knowledge of her father’s prior affair). A strange encounter at a Little Free Library leads to a startling discovery: when Evie sees a couple kiss, she can see their whole romance, start to finish. As she seeks answers, […]

Mini Book Reviews

The Crossover (MG)

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by Kwame Alexander Told entirely in short poems/rap, this is the story of Josh Bell and his family—including his twin brother and their basketball star father. I’m not big on basketball or poetry, but this was an incredibly cool way to tell a story, and a lot of the poems were really poignant. I loved […]

Mini Book Reviews

The Belles (YA)

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by Dhonielle Clayton The Belles were created to bring beauty to Orleans. But the people of Orleans have become too obsessed with beauty, and so has their power-mad princess. It’s up to one Belle to make a change… This book was beautifully written with vivid characters and loads of action and intrigue. (It reminded me […]

Mini Book Reviews

Amulet: The Stonekeeper (MG)

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by Kazu Kibuishi After Emily’s father dies, her family moves to mysteriously missing great-grandfather’s house. When her mother is abducted by a monster in the basement, Emily and her brother must rescue her or risk losing another parent. I had mixed feelings about this book. I really like the premise, characters, and art. But there […]

Mini Book Reviews

The Birchbark House (MG)

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by Louise Erdrich Follow Omakayas, a young Ojibwa girl, through one year, spring to spring, and see how it will change her life forever.  This is a well-told, beautiful story with rich characters. The cultural details immerse the reader in Omakayas’ world. The chapters on smallpox are a bit intense, so use caution with younger […]

Mini Book Reviews

The Sun is Also a Star (YA)

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by Nicola Yoon Neither Natasha nor Daniel is looking for their true love today. A string of random chances bring them together. But Natasha is being deported back to Jamaica tonight—will the random events continue, keeping them together, or will more chances tear them apart? This book was beautifully written. I loved the points of […]

Mini Book Reviews

New Kid (MG)

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by Jerry Craft Jordan is starting seventh grade at a new school—an expensive private school in a high-end neighborhood—when he’d rather go to art school. He must survive middle school, make new friends, and reconnect with old ones, all while navigating his primarily white school as a person of color. This Newbery-Award-winning graphic novel was […]