Such an important novel and not surprised at all that it is a YRCA nominee. Set in a private middle school, a young girl questions the school's dress code when the school insists all girls wear skirts. This wonderfully written story about a girl questioning her identity and where she "fits" in the world reflects the questions many young people ask themselves everyday.

I first read this book a year or so ago and it has stuck with me since. Jason witnesses his mom be arrested by immigration officers and it sure she is being deported. He recently has learned that his mom is in the USA illegally. Jason leaves to find his only family, his aunt, in NYC and on the way suffers an accident that lands him in hospital. In hospital, he meets a girl named Max, and together they escape the hospital in an attempt to find Jason's aunt. This fast-0ced story emphasizes the importance of family, friendship and staying hopeful.

Oh how I love this book! I have read this with multiple groups of kids and they have all loved it too. This is the story of Marin, a 11yr old girl who has lived in foster care since she was 4, who finally has someone who wants to adopt her. She is resistant to this because she wants to find her birth mother because she is certain her mom would want her back. This beautiful story is told through the different lenses of each character and we learn their stories and how they are intertwined. As these characters collide in their stories, so too do the tectonic plates beneath this San Francisco story setting, until they all erupt.

A pre-teen girl dealing with her mom's mental illness and her desperate need to fix her mom makes this incredible story a must read. With chapters set up in a STEM format, Natalie works tirelessly to win a science competition so that she can use the winnings to find her mom what she believes she needs. Honestly told, with touches of humour from Natalie's friends, this a fantastic read.

I have had this book in my TBR pile for ages and I had no idea what I was missing! “Danny” (Danielle) is 17 and is afraid of everything from headaches to falling to meeting new people. Much of her fear comes from an accident as a young child where she lost one of her eyes, and has felt the precariousness of the world ever since. Her parents are separated and she could not be more different than her adventure-loving-TV-star father. He invites her to join him on his next production in Peru. Danny is terrified but decides to do it anyway, despite every fear she knows she will face, in hopes of connecting more with her dad. On their flight to the show location, deep in the Amazon jungle, the plane crashes. Despite grave injuries among the crew and no help in sight, her dad decides they must record their journey to being found. In this amazing, Hatchet-esque story, Danny must braver and stronger than she ever thought possible, in hopes of surviving.

A bomb has been set off in a school and there are 6 kids trapped inside, all with reasons to be the bomber. As we meet and learn about each of the characters, we learn about each one’s struggles and the demons they face. An amazing thriller that is impossible to put down. 

I loved Warga’s book, Other Words for Home, and enjoyed this one just as much. Two young girls, Cora and Quinn, have both faced tremendous loss and their stories are intertwined in a devastating and horrific way. Can these two find a way to reconnect and rebuild their friendship, despite the tragedy they both have faced?

A YRCA contender this year at the intermediate level, and a book I so loved reading. Mystery, finding true friendship and learning to believe in yourself is all part of this amazing book.

It makes me so happy when a sequel lives up to the wonderful first book, as did Tokyo Dreaming. More royal fun and love in this fantastic sequel.