Read Your Way Homewood

The Truth About Stacey Ann M. Martin's The Babysitters Club #2 Graphic Novel by Raina Telgemeier I remember enjoying the books as a kid, but not overly so. I don't think I owned any, just got them from friends or the library every so often.  This is an amazing update. The artwork is fresh, the telling does not feel at all dated, and I wanted to read more. I did not read #1, I just grabbed this off the library shelf. I didn't feel lost (partially because of what I remembered) but mostly because the story is pretty self contained. You can follow along really well without much help. Great middle grade graphic novel. - Miss Kelly

Blackbird Fly by Erin Entrada Kelly Apple doesn't like herself much. The way she looks, the way her mom talks and cooks, her name... all of it is a reminder that she is *different* and she hates it. Until a list and a series of events bring her to some new people who help her see the great things about standing out in a crowd instead of fading into it. This is a really nice middle grade book for self esteem, issues of ethnic minorities feeling bullied, and kids who are searching for their way. Favorite line was towards the end, and was about a former friend who was obsessed with being popular and cool: "I realized that's how she would always be: going where the crowd goes and then getting lost." - Miss Kelly #ComingOfAge #FamilyTies #FriendshipBonds #MiddleGrade #Realism #SchoolStories #WeNeedDiverseBooks

Endangered by Lamar Giles Fast paced, thrilling, diverse cast, well utilized (and not dead) parental units, not too easy to figure out, satisfyingly UNsatisfying ending. No sunshine and roses in this one, but it all WORKS. I really enjoyed this and will be looking for more from this author. Side note, at the beginning, I really liked and identified with Panda (as the reader is supposed to do) Then, in the middle, I started having second thoughts about her and her motivations and methods, right when she started having second thoughts about herself. And THAT is a great thing. To be able to make us like someone and then STILL question whether they are a good person doing good things, is very nice to read. Review by Kelly

The Magicians (The Magicians, #1) by Lev Grossman Oh. My. Goodness. On someone else's recommendation, I have wasted HOURS of my life listening to some rich privileged kid whine and wallow in ennui... Ugh... Don't waste your time... It is talked about as if it is "Harry Potter for grown ups" but it isn't. At least, not any group of grown ups I want any part of. There is now a show based on these books on SyFy channel. If you see those previews, where there are a bunch of late teens doing magic to get high and throw people across a room and graffiti a wall... yeah. I prefer not to. I did read the whole thing. And I wish I hadn't. Gouging my eyes out with a meat cleaver would be less painful. -Miss Kelly