This is a powerful novel with messages of racism and hate delivers a punch with beautifully crafted characters and a strong storyline that keeps the reader's attention to the end . Whenever I read a book like this, I am reminded that this type of story still happens all too often in the world around us. An important story that reminds us that we need to do and be better.

There is so much to unpack in this book. Set in Romania in the late 1980s, we follow the life of 17yr-old Cristian and his family under tyrannical control of Nicolae Ceausescu. The horrors they live and daily struggles they face are unlike anything most of us have ever experienced. I was a kid in the 80s and knew nothing of this moment in history, so I learned so much reading it. This book is brilliantly written and is one of the best books I have ever read. A must read for everyone!

What a fabulous book! This dystopian novel is full of adventure, suspense and even a bit of romance. Twins Rafi and Frey live with father, the leader of their city. The city believes there is only one daughter because Frey is kept hidden. Rafi is the face of the family, with her father while Frey has been brutally trained by her heartless father to be an assassin and to step in as Rafi in more dangerous situations. When their father makes a deal with another city, he sends Frey under the guise of being Rafi, as collateral in their deal. Frey must pretend to be Rafi and ensure the other leading family, to whom she is hostage, believed that her father has sent his most beloved daughter into this dangerous situation.

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!

Another fantastic LGBTQ+ YA graphic novel memoir that address the intersectionality between race, sexuality and gender. This is another essential read for educators and parents, as well as a must have it all secondary libraries.

Loved this book! Great characters, fantastic repartee, and a fun, and heartwarming, story. Rico is a gas station cashier and sells a jackpot lotto ticket on Christmas Eve. She is fairly certain she knows who it was, and when the woman doesn't claim it, she decides she's going to try find the woman. And maybe, just maybe, get some of the winnings too, which would help her cash-strapped family. She needs help to do this, so she asks rich boy, Zan, to help her out. Will she find the ticket in time and will she benefit from the winnings?

Fun, mysterious and romantic are perfect descriptors for this book. A popular girl disappears and leaves clues for the three people she has kissed, to find her. They don't know each other very well but are thrown together to figure out what happened to Shara and learn a few things about themselves.

A wonderful YA novel about self-discovery. While the storyline is fantastic, what I most loved about this book is that message that figuring out who you are isn't easy or clearcut and that we may stumble along the way.

I have no idea how I came upon this book, but what an amazing tool this is for teens. Filled with thoughtful activities to help teens become more aware of themselves and who they are as an individual, this book would be a great additions to schools and homes.