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mamadaughterbookclub's reviews
37 reviews
Dating and Dragons by Kristy Boyce
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The Favorites by Layne Fargo
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Sensational! I was hooked from the very first page and found myself staying up way past my bedtime to finish this book. I was thoroughly entertained, and fully immersed in the world of elite ice dancing. I found a few of the twists to be predictable, but that did not take away from my enjoyment of this fast paced, riveting, couldn't look away book.
The story centers around a dynamic ice dancing pair, Kat Shaw and Heath Rocha. Unlike most elite skaters, Kat and Heath grew up poor and without any support. Partnered since they were children, a pair both professionally and romantically, Kat and Heath have their lives changed when they get an invitation to join the prestigious Lin Dance Academy, run by two time gold medalist (and Kat's childhood idol) Sheila Lin. The stars of the academy and their main rivals? Sheila Lin's twin children, Bella and Garrett.
What happened next was a decade of drama, betrayal, scandal, heartbreak, and so much more. It was like my favorite soap opera playing out over 3 Olympic cycles. I could not look away. I was enthralled.
I listened to the first third of the book on audio (full cast was terrific) and then finished it on my ereader because I could not stop reading. Definitely going to be on some top lists this year!
The story centers around a dynamic ice dancing pair, Kat Shaw and Heath Rocha. Unlike most elite skaters, Kat and Heath grew up poor and without any support. Partnered since they were children, a pair both professionally and romantically, Kat and Heath have their lives changed when they get an invitation to join the prestigious Lin Dance Academy, run by two time gold medalist (and Kat's childhood idol) Sheila Lin. The stars of the academy and their main rivals? Sheila Lin's twin children, Bella and Garrett.
What happened next was a decade of drama, betrayal, scandal, heartbreak, and so much more. It was like my favorite soap opera playing out over 3 Olympic cycles. I could not look away. I was enthralled.
I listened to the first third of the book on audio (full cast was terrific) and then finished it on my ereader because I could not stop reading. Definitely going to be on some top lists this year!
On Again, Awkward Again by Erin Entrada Kelly, Kwame Mbalia
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A lower YA book coauthored by two-time Newbery winner Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia? Yes please!
Just as I was looking in the universe for some YA books featuring freshmen for my own 8th grader, this popped up on my radar. I could not request it fast enough! And for extra fun, I read it out loud with my 13 year old. She declared it to be cringe which is pretty much the highest compliment a middle school can give.
Let's talk about Cecil. We LOVED Cecil. Stylish, allergic to everything, IBS ridden, djembe drum playing, unique Cecil. They don't make high school love interests like him very often. Super relatable, very endearing, and just so entertaining. Cecil is not a character, Cecil is a movement. Very quickly after we began reading this, we referred to it solely as the Cecil book. Thank you Cecil, and thank you Filipino Soul.
That's not to say that Pacy wasn't beloved by us either. She was! Her entire family was! Star Trek loving, accident prone, One-Hit Wonder super fan Pacy. She was the best! And perfect for Cecil. The two of them together was comedy gold. My daughter laughed out loud while hiding her face in a pillow during most of their scenes together. Here's to Pae-Pae, Va-va, Gigi, and the whole family.
Enjoyed the side characters and friend group. Very fun plot device of planning the freshman dance. Lots of pop trivia and while the kids might not appreciate it, I cracked up at the hip hop references, especially the locked in a dark corner with Flavor Flav (side note - I watched Flavor of Love a couple of decades ago and I don't regret a moment of it).
All in all, a perfect book for middle graders venturing into young adult. And a reminder that this Lower YA age range is missed, and we need more of this!
Just as I was looking in the universe for some YA books featuring freshmen for my own 8th grader, this popped up on my radar. I could not request it fast enough! And for extra fun, I read it out loud with my 13 year old. She declared it to be cringe which is pretty much the highest compliment a middle school can give.
Let's talk about Cecil. We LOVED Cecil. Stylish, allergic to everything, IBS ridden, djembe drum playing, unique Cecil. They don't make high school love interests like him very often. Super relatable, very endearing, and just so entertaining. Cecil is not a character, Cecil is a movement. Very quickly after we began reading this, we referred to it solely as the Cecil book. Thank you Cecil, and thank you Filipino Soul.
That's not to say that Pacy wasn't beloved by us either. She was! Her entire family was! Star Trek loving, accident prone, One-Hit Wonder super fan Pacy. She was the best! And perfect for Cecil. The two of them together was comedy gold. My daughter laughed out loud while hiding her face in a pillow during most of their scenes together. Here's to Pae-Pae, Va-va, Gigi, and the whole family.
Enjoyed the side characters and friend group. Very fun plot device of planning the freshman dance. Lots of pop trivia and while the kids might not appreciate it, I cracked up at the hip hop references, especially the locked in a dark corner with Flavor Flav (side note - I watched Flavor of Love a couple of decades ago and I don't regret a moment of it).
All in all, a perfect book for middle graders venturing into young adult. And a reminder that this Lower YA age range is missed, and we need more of this!
Dinner at the Brake Fast by Renee Beauregard Lute
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Great mental health representation in this book about a girl who works at her family's diner, who suffers from anxiety, while watching her own father deal with depression. At its heart, this is a story about family, friendship, and being there for the ones you love. It's also about bullies and finding your passion. The main story takes place in a single day which is always fun to read (there are some flashbacks and an epilogue to wrap things up). Really enjoyed seeing the friendships between the kids develop, and also standing up to bullies. And I really appreciate the in-depth portrayal of anxiety and depression covered here.
Lots of quirky touches and a small-town feel make this one feel incredibly cozy and warm. Recommended for ages 9+ as there are mature themes and it takes a bit to get into the story.
Lots of quirky touches and a small-town feel make this one feel incredibly cozy and warm. Recommended for ages 9+ as there are mature themes and it takes a bit to get into the story.
Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Very strong middle grade fantasy novel that will delight young readers! The execution was spot on, and although it's tough to be original (and there were a few similarities to other books), it was a great story. The characters were enjoyable, especially the adult side characters, and the quest was quite epic. World building was satisfactory and the sheer number of mythical creatures was impressive. Probably enjoyed the sphinxes the most!
I listened to this on audio, and the narration was absolutely fantastic! What a terrific job with many different voices for all the characters in this wide cast. I was duly impressed. Reminded me a bit of The Girl Who Drank the Moon in terms of overall storytelling and the magicalness of it all.
A delightful read for fantasy readers! Recommended for ages 8+.
I listened to this on audio, and the narration was absolutely fantastic! What a terrific job with many different voices for all the characters in this wide cast. I was duly impressed. Reminded me a bit of The Girl Who Drank the Moon in terms of overall storytelling and the magicalness of it all.
A delightful read for fantasy readers! Recommended for ages 8+.
Sunrise Nights by Brittany Cavallaro, Jeff Zentner
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My 13 year old read this first, declared that it was the angsty-est book she's ever read and that it stressed her out, and then recommend I read it. I was intrigued, and living with a teenager myself, know all about angst.
The thing I love about YA romance books, is that they capture teenage embarrassment so well. And the things that bother me in adult contemporary books (miscommunication, love triangles, overreacting, drama) ... they don't bother me in YA. Because that's how teenagers are! They are a ball of hormones and emotions and moods and all of that is captured so well with Jude and Florence.
I adored the premise of the this book. If you're a woman in your mid-forties you're pretty much destined to have feelings about the movie Before Sunrise. And this book is based on that movie. Sunrise Nights are a tradition at the art camp that both Jude (photography) and Florence (dance) attend. On the last night of camp, campers are allowed to stay up all night until sunrise.
They meet, develop feelings, and take a vow to not contact each other for an entire year. And so it begins. For 3 straight years, Jude and Florence are only together on Sunrise Nights.
The book is in verse, and told in alternating POVs between Jude and Florence. Absolutely recommend for ages 12+ and for moms who want to talk YA romance with their kiddos! Because I've had some fun conversations with my daughter about this, and how maybe she could find some romance at a sleepaway camp in the future too.
The thing I love about YA romance books, is that they capture teenage embarrassment so well. And the things that bother me in adult contemporary books (miscommunication, love triangles, overreacting, drama) ... they don't bother me in YA. Because that's how teenagers are! They are a ball of hormones and emotions and moods and all of that is captured so well with Jude and Florence.
I adored the premise of the this book. If you're a woman in your mid-forties you're pretty much destined to have feelings about the movie Before Sunrise. And this book is based on that movie. Sunrise Nights are a tradition at the art camp that both Jude (photography) and Florence (dance) attend. On the last night of camp, campers are allowed to stay up all night until sunrise.
They meet, develop feelings, and take a vow to not contact each other for an entire year. And so it begins. For 3 straight years, Jude and Florence are only together on Sunrise Nights.
The book is in verse, and told in alternating POVs between Jude and Florence. Absolutely recommend for ages 12+ and for moms who want to talk YA romance with their kiddos! Because I've had some fun conversations with my daughter about this, and how maybe she could find some romance at a sleepaway camp in the future too.
Banned Together: Our Fight for Readers' Rights by Ashley Hope Pérez
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
Powerful and very timely collection of YA authors and illustrators sharing works of fiction, memoir, poetry, graphic narratives, essays, and other genres which shows how book bans impact many of the teens who need it the most. Not only did I enjoy the writing pieces, many of which were deeply personal, I absolutely loved the recommendations of banned books to read that many of the contributions to this anthology included. All of the contributors have banned books themselves, and have experienced their books being targeted by conservative and misinformed groups, often times parents. I'm of the position that we shouldn't censor or ban any books, and the ones written by these authors are especially important, as it gives marginalized and often underrepresented teens a sense of belonging and being seen.
Highly recommend for high school and middle school classrooms. Recommended for ages 12+ and all adults.
I read a digital e-galley of this on a kindle so it was difficult to see some of the illustrations and graphic narratives. This doesn't take away from the book but I think a physical copy would be better suited. I plan on compiling a list of all the recommended banned books and reading them too (many I've already read).
Highly recommend for high school and middle school classrooms. Recommended for ages 12+ and all adults.
I read a digital e-galley of this on a kindle so it was difficult to see some of the illustrations and graphic narratives. This doesn't take away from the book but I think a physical copy would be better suited. I plan on compiling a list of all the recommended banned books and reading them too (many I've already read).
Right Back at You by Carolyn Mackler
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this ahead of publication date. I really enjoyed the first book and was looking forward to the conclusion. It was even better than the first - enthralling, captivating, and unputdownable.
I can't think of a better character than 13 year old Max. A Jewish teenager who escaped from Germany, only to return to his home country as a spy for the British? This book had it all. It was action packed, tense, and nerve racking. Max was in so much danger every step of the way, at any time he could be discovered not only as being Jewish, but also being a spy. There were so many moments where my heart was pounding and I was terrified for Max.
Gidwitz does a fantastic job in showing what Nazi led Germany was in the early 1940s. How could a nation of 70 million believe the lies and propaganda from Hitler and the Nazi party? How could everyday Germans stand by and watch was happening to the Jewish people, the Romany, the disabled, the gay, and other marginalized groups? How could it have happened in modern times?
The horrors and tragedies of genocide were also portrayed, and done so in a way that was suitable for middle grade readers while still showing the depravity and evilness of German concentration camps. I can't stress how important it is to have books like this for kids today. We must never forget the past and the darkest moments of history.
Recommended for readers 10+ due to mature themes.
I can't think of a better character than 13 year old Max. A Jewish teenager who escaped from Germany, only to return to his home country as a spy for the British? This book had it all. It was action packed, tense, and nerve racking. Max was in so much danger every step of the way, at any time he could be discovered not only as being Jewish, but also being a spy. There were so many moments where my heart was pounding and I was terrified for Max.
Gidwitz does a fantastic job in showing what Nazi led Germany was in the early 1940s. How could a nation of 70 million believe the lies and propaganda from Hitler and the Nazi party? How could everyday Germans stand by and watch was happening to the Jewish people, the Romany, the disabled, the gay, and other marginalized groups? How could it have happened in modern times?
The horrors and tragedies of genocide were also portrayed, and done so in a way that was suitable for middle grade readers while still showing the depravity and evilness of German concentration camps. I can't stress how important it is to have books like this for kids today. We must never forget the past and the darkest moments of history.
Recommended for readers 10+ due to mature themes.
Max in the Land of Lies : A Tale of World War II by Adam Gidwitz
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this ahead of publication date. I really enjoyed the first book and was looking forward to the conclusion. It was even better than the first - enthralling, captivating, and unputdownable.
I can't think of a better character than 13 year old Max. A Jewish teenager who escaped from Germany, only to return to his home country as a spy for the British? This book had it all. It was action packed, tense, and nerve racking. Max was in so much danger every step of the way, at any time he could be discovered not only as being Jewish, but also being a spy. There were so many moments where my heart was pounding and I was terrified for Max.
Gidwitz does a fantastic job in showing what Nazi led Germany was in the early 1940s. How could a nation of 70 million believe the lies and propaganda from Hitler and the Nazi party? How could everyday Germans stand by and watch was happening to the Jewish people, the Romany, the disabled, the gay, and other marginalized groups? How could it have happened in modern times?
The horrors and tragedies of genocide were also portrayed, and done so in a way that was suitable for middle grade readers while still showing the depravity and evilness of German concentration camps. I can't stress how important it is to have books like this for kids today. We must never forget the past and the darkest moments of history.
Recommended for readers 10+ due to mature themes.
I can't think of a better character than 13 year old Max. A Jewish teenager who escaped from Germany, only to return to his home country as a spy for the British? This book had it all. It was action packed, tense, and nerve racking. Max was in so much danger every step of the way, at any time he could be discovered not only as being Jewish, but also being a spy. There were so many moments where my heart was pounding and I was terrified for Max.
Gidwitz does a fantastic job in showing what Nazi led Germany was in the early 1940s. How could a nation of 70 million believe the lies and propaganda from Hitler and the Nazi party? How could everyday Germans stand by and watch was happening to the Jewish people, the Romany, the disabled, the gay, and other marginalized groups? How could it have happened in modern times?
The horrors and tragedies of genocide were also portrayed, and done so in a way that was suitable for middle grade readers while still showing the depravity and evilness of German concentration camps. I can't stress how important it is to have books like this for kids today. We must never forget the past and the darkest moments of history.
Recommended for readers 10+ due to mature themes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Genocide and War
The Secret Language of Birds by Lynne Kelly
adventurous
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Really strong middle grade book with an overall message of acceptance and coming of age. Enjoyed the setting at a summer camp in Texas, where the main character Nina is spending a summer with her Aunt Audrey, who is the camp director. Nina is different and has trouble making friends at school because she will sometimes get intense about a certain thing, and she struggles with picking up on nonverbal clues. She loves the outdoors and is especially passionate about birds, so her parents reason that spending a summer at the camp in the middle of a marsh is a great experience.
There's a group of misfits at camp that Nina instantly befriends. She discovers by accident that a whooping crane may be living in the marsh. Which is a really big deal because whooping cranes haven't been seen in Texas in years! She sets about, with the help of her friends, learning more about whooping cranes and their extraordinary lives.
Recommended for ages 8+.
There's a group of misfits at camp that Nina instantly befriends. She discovers by accident that a whooping crane may be living in the marsh. Which is a really big deal because whooping cranes haven't been seen in Texas in years! She sets about, with the help of her friends, learning more about whooping cranes and their extraordinary lives.
Recommended for ages 8+.