Loved the fan-fiction and nerdy elements of this fantastic story. Also a really fun modern retelling of Cinderella.

Oh, my heart! Another amazing book by @alan.gratz. I have read all of his books over the past few years and this one is another homerun. Devastatingly sad, this is an incredible story about two lives impacted significantly by 9/11 years apart. Storytelling at its finest. Certainly one of my best reads of the year and a favourite with my students.

Considering that the book I talked about yesterday was about a potato who wants pants, this is quite the jump. Not sure where to start with this book. This book is brilliantly written and such a compelling read, and quite frankly, very scary. Micky is a rising star in the world of highschool softball with so many opportunities open to her. She gets into a terrible accident which nearly destroys her leg. She is given OxyContin in her recovery and becomes addicted as it becomes her crutch while simultaneously trying to cope with her pain and be ready for spring softball training. Her secret takes over her life and her lies to family and friends spin out of control. This book holds no punches and gives the reader an honest and haunting look into the life of an opioid addict. Such a powerful and important read.

I'm not sure that I can properly explain the power of this book. Jerome is a black 12yr old boy who is shot by a police officer in Chicago. And there begins the story of forgiveness and awareness. I just finished this as a read aloud with my grade 6s today and I think we all walk away from this with changed hearts and minds.

Loved the first book in the Heartstopper graphic novel series and loved the second one even more. Nick and Charlie continue to navigate their lives, their relationship, and their friends’ and family’s reaction to their budding romance. Looking forward to the third and fourth books in the series too!

Amir is a gay grade 12 student of Iranian descent who hasn’t come out to his family because he doesn’t think they will accept him. A classmate discovers his secret and blackmails him- he must pay him or he will announce Amir’s secret at grad. Amir is terrified and runs away to Rome. The story begins with his family being interviewed separately by airport police after they had a fight on the flight home from Rome. Between interviews and flashbacks to his life before and in Rome, we learn about the struggles Amir has faced being Iranian and gay, as well as what learns about himself in Rome. This story is brilliantly written and balances humour and the sadness of his story masterfully. A must read!

This gripping thriller will keep many teen readers reading to the very last page. 16yr old Cheyenne, who is blind, is accidentally kidnapped when she is resting in the back of her mom's car, as it is stolen. Told from both her perspective, and that one the young kidnapper, this story is both terrifying and gripping.

Absolutely love this #graphicnovelseries Heartstopper. This third installation of the series might just be my favourite. Charlie and Nick continue to figure out their relationship and whether they want to “go public” with all of their friends. On a school trip to Paris they learn more about each other and we, the readers, see the stresses and anxiety young gay people face as they figure out who they are and seek acceptance from those around them.

So much to love about the messages in this books. Be yourself, acceptance, kindness just to name a few.