Auggie Pullman is just a normal kid. But that isn’t how everyone else sees him. Auggie has a facial deformity, and other kids think he’s a “monster” and different from them because of his “scary” face. Auggie has been homeschooled his whole life, but is starting middle school at the local public school, where he doesn’t know anyone but everyone knows him, because of his face. This is the story of Auggie’s first experience with school, with friends, with bullies and trying to blend in. In R.J. Palacio’s debut novel, it’s about getting past the outside to see what’s on the inside. An incredible story, Wonder will be a a cherished book for ages to come. My thoughts: This was a WONDERful book. (See what I did there? :-) It’s very realistic and thinking about the events in this book happening in real life, you realize that no matter what someone looks like they’re as normal as you are. It is sad yet uplifting read at the same time. You just fall in love with Auggie, he’s such a sweet boy. Ugh, Julian. There’s always a Julian and you just have to find a way to not let them get to your head. If I knew Auggie, I would teach Julian a lesson. I recommend this book to everyone, and it is a great reminder to ALWAYS “Choose Kind!”

Auggie Pullman is just a normal kid. But that isn’t how everyone else sees him. Auggie has a facial deformity, and other kids think he’s a “monster” and different from them because of his “scary” face. Auggie has been homeschooled his whole life, but is starting middle school at the local public school, where he doesn’t know anyone but everyone knows him, because of his face. This is the story of Auggie’s first experience with school, with friends, with bullies and trying to blend in. In R.J. Palacio’s debut novel, it’s about getting past the outside to see what’s on the inside. An incredible story, Wonder will be a a cherished book for ages to come. My thoughts: This was a WONDERful book. (See what I did there? :-) It’s very realistic and thinking about the events in this book happening in real life, you realize that no matter what someone looks like they’re as normal as you are. It is sad yet uplifting read at the same time. You just fall in love with Auggie, he’s such a sweet boy. Ugh, Julian. There’s always a Julian and you just have to find a way to not let them get to your head. If I knew Auggie, I would teach Julian a lesson. I recommend this book to everyone, and it is a great reminder to ALWAYS “Choose Kind!”

Cress has been trapped in a satellite for 7 years. She is the evil Queen Levana’s computer programmer and hacker, and yearns to get out of the satellite. So, when she gets in contact with Cinder and her crew, she jumps at the chance to leave. But all of a sudden, a quick turn of events has them all separated from each other. Cress and Thorne are stuck in a falling satellite. Cinder and Wolf are in Africa. Scarlet is trapped with the thaumaturge, heading to Luna. As Cress’s story starts and intertwines with Cinder and Scarlet’s, action, adventure and suspense rise with Kai and Levana’s wedding coming up and Cinder’s gang trying to figure out a way to stop the evil queen. The third installment of The Lunar Chronicles, fans of Cinder and Scarlet will devour this mixed-up futuristic Rapunzel retelling. My thoughts: Cress is a fabulous threequel. It introduces Cress (Rapunzel), who has been alone most of her life and has never been to Earth while continuing the story of the characters introduced in Cinder and Scarlet. It has steady rising action and builds excitement for the last installment, Winter. With a unique plot and a well-developed world, this series takes fairytales to a whole new level—dystopian and sci-fi. It’s just so cool seeing the aspects of the original fairytale taken to this whole new level and seamlessly stitched into the fabric of the futuristic world. Needless to say, I am in love with this series. The idea is just brilliant. I can’t wait for Fairest and Winter, and I can’t wait to see what Marissa Meyer will do next!

Cress has been trapped in a satellite for 7 years. She is the evil Queen Levana’s computer programmer and hacker, and yearns to get out of the satellite. So, when she gets in contact with Cinder and her crew, she jumps at the chance to leave. But all of a sudden, a quick turn of events has them all separated from each other. Cress and Thorne are stuck in a falling satellite. Cinder and Wolf are in Africa. Scarlet is trapped with the thaumaturge, heading to Luna. As Cress’s story starts and intertwines with Cinder and Scarlet’s, action, adventure and suspense rise with Kai and Levana’s wedding coming up and Cinder’s gang trying to figure out a way to stop the evil queen. The third installment of The Lunar Chronicles, fans of Cinder and Scarlet will devour this mixed-up futuristic Rapunzel retelling. My thoughts: Cress is a fabulous threequel. It introduces Cress (Rapunzel), who has been alone most of her life and has never been to Earth while continuing the story of the characters introduced in Cinder and Scarlet. It has steady rising action and builds excitement for the last installment, Winter. With a unique plot and a well-developed world, this series takes fairytales to a whole new level—dystopian and sci-fi. It’s just so cool seeing the aspects of the original fairytale taken to this whole new level and seamlessly stitched into the fabric of the futuristic world. Needless to say, I am in love with this series. The idea is just brilliant. I can’t wait for Fairest and Winter, and I can’t wait to see what Marissa Meyer will do next!

Frank Einstein is a science genius. He works on inventions and helps his grandpa with his shop while his crazy parents are traveling around the world for their travel blog. But Gramps is about to lose the shop because of the lack of finances, and Frank is convinced that he can win the Science Fair and win the money he needs to keep it open. On the night he tries to bring his robot to life, he misses his chance. Or so he thinks—a spark creates a chain reaction and builds two robots; and Frank is oblivious. After his failed invention, he wants to create something bigger, and better with the robots help, but his arch-nemesis may prove to be an obstacle. In a science-filled story, Jon Scieszka writes an illustrated adventure that is great for younger readers. My thoughts: I thought this book was a fast and fun read. I liked everything about this book, and I think young readers will love it, as well as fans of science. The illustrations were amazing, and I love the cover. This was a wonderful start to a sure-to-be-loved middle-grade series!

When they go for their daily swim in the Rio Bravo, Odilia and her four sisters would never in their wildest dreams imagine that a dead man would come floating down the river, and the journey he would take them on. After the initial shock of the discovery, the cinco hermanitas fish the dead body out of the water and investigate. He lived in Mexico, and a few of the sisters have the crazy idea of taking him back to his family—not tell the authorities or their mamá, and nothing bad will happen. That was their plan. What Odilia didn’t know was that the next day they would be driving to Mexico, to do exactly that. None of them knew it would take longer than a day, and they would encounter many obstacles along the way. Things take a turn for the worse, and they seek help wherever they can. But some of the “help” is leading them straight into a trap… In McCall’s second novel reminiscent of The Odyssey, five sisters forever together embark on a journey that is not quite as easy as it seems. My thoughts: This book was very unique. I really did enjoy it. The idea of this book is awesome—uh, yeah, PLEASE give me a cool Aztec folktale modern odyssey retelling! I loved the mystery of it all—the dad is nowhere to be found, and how is the mom going to react when she finds out her five daughters have gone missing? There was this part at the quinceañera where dread washed over me and THINGS WENT DOWN. I had a few minor problems with this book: the characters, and the transition. Ok, the characters. I am sorry, but they have SUCH bad judgement. I figured things out like 30 pages before they did and I kept waiting for the moment when they would realize. Yeah, follow that talking donkey who says he knows how to get you where you want to go, right after someone warns you of a warlock who is in an innocent disguise. I mean really. And that is NOT the only time that happened. Next, the book started out realistically. Then, all of the sudden, creepy owls and chupacabras and Aztec goddesses come and you’re like, “Huh?” But even after those problems, I have to give this book a good rating because I just loved reading it and it was such an interesting and lovely story.

Gabe and Lea were meant to be together. They like each other, but they are not willing to admit it to each other. This is the story about them, during college, told from the viewpoints of their friends, baristas, and even a squirrel. From the creative writing teacher’s obsession with trying to get them together to the Chinese food delivery guy giving them advice, the one thing they all want is for Gabe and Lea to get together. A cute, summery debut, Sandy Hall writes an adorable story told from unique points of view. My thoughts: I thought this book was awesome! It was so cute, and I really enjoyed it. First, THAT COVER. It’s GORGEOUS. I loved all the viewpoints in this story. Because of the 14 viewpoints, it can get a little confusing but do NOT not read this book because you think you are going to be confused. It tells you who the POV changes to every time, and it makes the book better. It is so cool hearing from everyone, and having Gabe and Lea’s love story being told by everyone but them is so different and awesome. I thought this book was really fun and happy and a fast read that you should definitely pick up.

Jarrett’s mom takes in foster babies. He is used to getting less attention than the foster babies and life is pretty predictable. Until Kevon comes. Kevon is a foster child a little older than Jarrett who gets taken in to be fostered. Jarrett and Kevon immediately dislike each other. But Jarrett doesn’t trust Kevon—he knows something is off. A nice, light read that touches on hate, this is a story about two kids who could just as well be brothers. My thoughts: This book was enjoyable. I had some problems with it, but overall I found it to be an easy and fast read. Ok, these kids HATE each other. I could not STAND it. Jarrett does this, so Kevon does that and Jarrett gets him back and it’s not my fault it’s his fault. AAAAAAAHHHHHHH. “Why does he have to share a room with me?” Me: “Why are you so selfish? He came from bad circumstances and ALL HE DOES IS SHARE A ROOM WITH YOU. Oh. My. Gosh” *end rant* Other than the aforementioned craziness, I did actually think this book was great. It was a nice story, and I loved how real it was. You connected with the characters (even if two of them could be jerks) and I really liked Kevon’s sister, Treasure. she is kinda sorta really cute. Even though I had problems with the characters, I understand that the book was ABOUT trying to be friends and kinda being like brothers. The back is why I picked this up at BEA: “Kinda Like Friends. Kinda Like Enemies. Kinda Like Brothers.” I just love that. So, this book did well emphasizing how people can be ignorant and could care less about someone else, and it shows you that if you just dislike someone just because, it will lead you nowhere. The book conveyed its message.

Jarrett’s mom takes in foster babies. He is used to getting less attention than the foster babies and life is pretty predictable. Until Kevon comes. Kevon is a foster child a little older than Jarrett who gets taken in to be fostered. Jarrett and Kevon immediately dislike each other. But Jarrett doesn’t trust Kevon—he knows something is off. A nice, light read that touches on hate, this is a story about two kids who could just as well be brothers. My thoughts: This book was enjoyable. I had some problems with it, but overall I found it to be an easy and fast read. Ok, these kids HATE each other. I could not STAND it. Jarrett does this, so Kevon does that and Jarrett gets him back and it’s not my fault it’s his fault. AAAAAAAHHHHHHH. “Why does he have to share a room with me?” Me: “Why are you so selfish? He came from bad circumstances and ALL HE DOES IS SHARE A ROOM WITH YOU. Oh. My. Gosh” *end rant* Other than the aforementioned craziness, I did actually think this book was great. It was a nice story, and I loved how real it was. You connected with the characters (even if two of them could be jerks) and I really liked Kevon’s sister, Treasure. she is kinda sorta really cute. Even though I had problems with the characters, I understand that the book was ABOUT trying to be friends and kinda being like brothers. The back is why I picked this up at BEA: “Kinda Like Friends. Kinda Like Enemies. Kinda Like Brothers.” I just love that. So, this book did well emphasizing how people can be ignorant and could care less about someone else, and it shows you that if you just dislike someone just because, it will lead you nowhere. The book conveyed its message.

Jarrett’s mom takes in foster babies. He is used to getting less attention than the foster babies and life is pretty predictable. Until Kevon comes. Kevon is a foster child a little older than Jarrett who gets taken in to be fostered. Jarrett and Kevon immediately dislike each other. But Jarrett doesn’t trust Kevon—he knows something is off. A nice, light read that touches on hate, this is a story about two kids who could just as well be brothers. My thoughts: This book was enjoyable. I had some problems with it, but overall I found it to be an easy and fast read. Ok, these kids HATE each other. I could not STAND it. Jarrett does this, so Kevon does that and Jarrett gets him back and it’s not my fault it’s his fault. AAAAAAAHHHHHHH. “Why does he have to share a room with me?” Me: “Why are you so selfish? He came from bad circumstances and ALL HE DOES IS SHARE A ROOM WITH YOU. Oh. My. Gosh” *end rant* Other than the aforementioned craziness, I did actually think this book was great. It was a nice story, and I loved how real it was. You connected with the characters (even if two of them could be jerks) and I really liked Kevon’s sister, Treasure. she is kinda sorta really cute. Even though I had problems with the characters, I understand that the book was ABOUT trying to be friends and kinda being like brothers. The back is why I picked this up at BEA: “Kinda Like Friends. Kinda Like Enemies. Kinda Like Brothers.” I just love that. So, this book did well emphasizing how people can be ignorant and could care less about someone else, and it shows you that if you just dislike someone just because, it will lead you nowhere. The book conveyed its message.