When I read a book I often want to know what becomes of the main character. A couple of days ago I talked about Stone’s book “Dear Martin” and after reading it I held hope that things would continue to go well for Justyce. The sequel, “Dear Justyce” not only gave me a follow up to where he’s at, but also a reality check on the truths that young black boys face every day. Justyce had a good education and strong people supporting him and he still faced racism, bias and intolerance. In “Dear Justyce” we remeet his friend Quan, who we are introduced to in the first book. Unlike Justyce Quan grew up in a poor and abusive home where he felt responsible to try and take care, and protect, his siblings. Quan was a smart kid but he didn’t have anyone in his corner who believed in him. He ends up in jail and writes letters to Justyce, where we learn about his past and what he faces everyday. A very powerful read.

A super fun and dark retelling of the Wizard of Oz. Amy Gumm lives in a trailer park in Kansas and when it's hit by a tornado she finds herself tossed into a mysterious world. She quickly realizes she is in Oz and is pulled into this new version of Oz where Dorothy reigns supreme. This twisty version of the Wizard of Oz is full of sass and attitude and incredibly fun to read.

This book is another one of those books that really packs a punch. Della (short for Delicious) is 10 and in grade 4 and has experienced more horrors in her life than many adults. Her mom is a meth addict who blew up a hotel room and is now in jail, and up until the beginning of this story, she and her older sister, Suki, have lived with her mom’s boyfriend, who is away most weekdays but home on weekends and he is abusive to them, for the past 5 years. They have now been placed into a foster home after a harrowing escape from the boyfriend’s house. Della and Suki are used to taking care of themselves and find the adjustment into care difficult because they aren’t accustomed to people caring for them. Della is full of spunk and doesn’t take garbage from anyone. Told in the first person, Della tells their story with heart and honesty, and she has promised Suki that in telling their story, she won’t swear so she replaces all the swears she used in the actual situations with “snow” (or snowflake or snowman). This adds some humor to an otherwise tragic story of abuse and healing. One of the best reads of the year.

This has been on my TBR list for ages and I finally got to it yesterday. I started and couldn’t stop, it was so powerful. Amazing, profound, important, I could go on and on. This book impacted me in the same way that Ghost Boys (by Jewell Parker Rhodes) did- it will stay with me for a long time.
Justice decides to start a project to be more like Martin [Luther King]. As he experiences injustices and racism, he writes letters to Martin, often looking for advice on how he would have dealt with these situations. Told with brutal honesty, and reflective of the world black people live in today, this book is a winner. Even better, there is a sequel, which is what I plan to read today. I am quickly becoming a super-fan of Nic Stone and her writing.

Late to the game with this book, and oh how I loved it! Willowdean (aka “Dumplin’ by her mom) is an overweight high schooler living in Texas. She lives with her mom and, until recently, her aunt Lucy who has passed away. Lucy was Willowdean’s favourite person because she always felt loved, no matter her size, by her aunt. Lucy also introduced her to everything Dolly Parton, who is Willowdean’s idol. Willowdean and her mom have had long-standing contentious relationship because Willowdean has always felt judged by her mom about her size. It also doesn’t help that her mom manages (and is a previous winner) of the local teen pageant. When Willowdean discovers an old registration form Lucy had filled out, but never completed, for the beauty pageant (she was very overweight as well), Willowdean decides to register for the pageant. Willowdean has struggled with her self-confidence and has never felt she could be in a pageant because of her size, but decides to do it for her aunt. Willowdean is also being pursued by a handsome and athletic classmate, and feels that there is no way that this relationship can happen because fat girls like her don’t deserve handsome, kind guys like Bo. Willowdean is forced to face her insecurities and self-loathing as she prepares for the pageant and considers a relationship with Bo.

I have had to mull over how to properly put my love and admiration for this book into words. This is without question one of the most brilliant books I have ever read. The strong First Nations protagonist, Daunis, is a powerful model for young women and the honest and raw way that she deals with loss, injustice, love, and trauma is remarkable. The thriller element of this story sucked me in and I could not put it down (I began to resent all the adulting that was required and that took me away from this book). Rarely do I feel like turning back to page 1 of a book once done to read it again, but with this one I did. Remarkable, amazing, magnificent are all words I would use to describe this book. Not only will teens want to read this story, but adults as well. Read this book!!

I don't know if I have the right words to properly explain this incredible book. Devastating, gut-wrenching, raw, and powerful are words that come mind, yet it is so much more than that. The story is intricately told through the weaving of Nate's deposition in his friend's case and their relationship, which started a year previous. While we learn about Nate and Cam's history, we also watch as Nate deals with a tragic past, an abusive situation at home, and his devotion to the Catholic Church. This books will stay with me for a long time!

A fun, competitive and high paced graphic novel series about fencing in a private school. Definitely want to read volume 2 now.

What an powerful graphic novel. I hadn't heard much about about this book when I saw it on a "best of" list a while back so I decided to check it out. While some might find this book crude, it's an honest portrayal of a teen boy trying to figure out who he is, despite being told by many that who he might be is wrong. Fighting his inner feelings and the intolerance of others, Aiden is at summer camp and desperately seeking clarity on who he is. Confronted with homophobia, intolerance and regular bullying from fellow campers he begins to understand who he is and feel acceptance from the people who matter in his life.