Archive for November, 2021

Kisses and Croissants by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau

Published November 26, 2021 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Romance and # of Pages: 313

Mia was accepted into an elite ballet program in Paris for the summer and she very much wants to make the most of this opportunity, but along the way she really wants to immerse herself in the culture as well. Unfortunately, shortly after she arrives she learns that her rival back home was also accepted to the program and she must face her ridicule all summer. She also meets a very cute boy on the steps of her dorm and he helps her out of a tough situation early on which endears him to her all the more. Mia’s also curious about a family legend in which it is believed her ancestor was a famous ballerina. Some believe the legend wholeheartedly while others claim it is a myth. Her new Parisian friend offers to help her find out if the story is true. As they spend more time together she begins to wish she never had to go back home, but then her romance is exposed and she is shamed for having a summer romance when her focus should be entirely on ballet. She is heartbroken and embarrassed, but she can’t help but wonder how her romance was exposed. Was it her ballet rival? Was it someone else who wanted her spot in the final showcase? Is it possible to work hard and still have a little fun this summer?

This fun romance offers quite a setting with both the ballet school and Paris and readers will want to know as much as possible about Mia’s amazing opportunity, both inside and outside the classroom. Mia is thrilled to be in Paris and truly wants to enjoy the food, sights, museums, and friendships along the way. The ballet school is depicted as being difficult, but she seems to manage the stress with ease as she balances work and fun. She also easily makes friends with the other ballerinas and there isn’t a huge sense of competition among them. Still, the story is fun and you can’t help but pull for her to get everything she wants. This story has a little bit of everything to impress fans of romance novels.

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

Published November 19, 2021 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Realistic Fiction and # of Pages: 288

Nora has grown so unhappy with her life that she has decided that if she ended it no one would miss her. One night she decides to take a lot of pills to end it all and instead of dying she goes to the Midnight Library, which is a place in between life and death. The Midnight Library has infinite books that all depict her life had she made different decisions. She is able to go into each life to see which one would have made her the happiest. In one life, she goes through with her engagement and finds herself married and owning a bar in a small town. In another life she is an Olympic swimmer who now gives motivational speeches. There are many choices she has made throughout her life, some big and some small, so there are many possible outcomes she can now experience to see which one leads her to the most fulfillment. In each life once she feels a sense of disappointment she leaves that life and returns to the Midnight Library. Can she find a life where she is happy before it’s too late? Will she ever find what she’s looking for?

Anyone can relate to Nora in this story as she struggles to find out where she belongs and what she should do with her life. Everyone has decisions in which they ask “what if” and in this book Nora is able to truly see what her life would be like if she had made different choices. The changes in each life chosen are often staggering and affect everyone else around her as well. Sometimes even if her life appears to be better she finds herself wishing for more. This story gives readers a lot to think about regarding how best to make the most of the life we are given and not focus on what we wish were different.

The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson

Published November 12, 2021 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Mystery and # of Pages 383

Stevie and her friends, head to a summer camp as camp counselors, but really they are there to try and solve the unsolved case of four teenage camp counselors who were murdered at that same camp in the 1970s. What happened to them has become legend over time and the new camp owner would like to have the case solved so the town can move on and try to start forgetting the terrible tragedy. Stevie soon learns that back in the seventies four teenagers snuck into the woods late one night and were not seen alive again. One of the boys was found on the path to the woods as if he’d been running for help when he was struck down and the other three were stacked neatly in a box in the woods. Stevie finds that while the case was several decades ago, the biggest challenge is that many people still remember it vividly and are having trouble with yet another person digging it all up again so she makes it her mission to solve it this time. Shortly after they arrive there is another murder and Stevie knows that someone out there definitely knows more than they are sharing. Can she find who killed those teens back in the 70s and learn why? Can she solve the murder of the recently discovered victim?

Fans of the Truly Devious series will enjoy this title since it features many of the same characters and it’s all wrapped up in one book this time. The story has a campy Halloween horror movie feel for readers, which many readers will enjoy. The town is full of colorful characters who all bring something to the solving of this case. This is a fun, suspenseful mystery for mystery lovers. Hopefully we will see more of Stevie and her friends in future mystery stories.

Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam

Published November 5, 2021 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Realistic Fiction/ 386 p.

Based loosely on Yusef Salaam’s real life, Amal and his friends, who are all black, get into a fight with a group of all white teens. Amal and his friends all go to jail, with Amal’s being the worst sentence, while the white teens are not charged with anything. Amal maintains that he just threw a single punch and is not responsible for the damage they say he inflicted, but no one is listening. His family is struggling with his conviction as they always feared something like this would happen to him based on where they live and how he looks. They are trying to be supportive, but his situation seems almost hopeless. Amal is a talented artist and poet, however, and that seems to get him through the tough days of prison. He struggles to convey his emotions because he is angry, but showing anger seems to make him a target for further ridicule and abuse around him. Is there any hope to finding out the truth of what happened that fateful night? Does he have any chance of a future now that this has happened to him?

Written in verse, this powerful story is the product of a passionate author and a man who’s real life situation inspired this story. Many readers will identify with Amal because he feels trapped not only in the prison system, but in his situation in life. He fears that no matter what he did with his life he was destined to end up right here. He has dreams and goals, but is almost afraid to think about them because they seem so unrealistic for someone like him. This story will get people talking, in a good way. Recommended especially for reluctant readers.

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