Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango A novel in verse. I know it will be packed full of emotion. This one especially! Iveliz is going through something. At first, not much is revealed. She talks about how much she loves her dad and how well they get along, but then she mentions how … More Iveliz Explains It All
Witch Hunt by Andrea Balis and Elizabeth Levy Nonfiction. This book takes place right after World War II and the start of the Cold War. I didn’t realize how much was going on during this time. I do love history, I guess I just never paid enough attention to the timelines. I thought many of … More Witch Hunt
Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt Another novel in verse. I am ready for all the feels with this one. First impressions: I was already feeling sad and angry from the first poem. Selah, who has autism, is describing the first time she had a meltdown in public, and although her mother is very supportive, … More Good Different
A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall by Jasmine Warga This is the same author who wrote A Rover’s Story! I loved that book! Rami’s mom works at the museum, so he spends a lot of time there when he is not in school. One of the paintings goes missing, and soon after, Rami starts … More A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall
Read at Your Own Risk by Remy Lai This one is sort of a graphic novel. If you have ever read Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, it’s like that but spooky instead of funny. The book features numerous drawings throughout, but not enough to truly qualify as a graphic novel. This is the journal … More Read at Your Own Risk
Mine by Delilah S. Dawson Four out of Five Magical Coffee Cups Spooky book! Lily and her family have moved from Colorado to Florida for her dad’s new job. There is hinting at the fact that Lily did something and that is why the family decided to move and give her a fresh start. Lily … More Mine
A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits #1) by Lisa Yee Four out of Five Magical Coffee Cups Another Caudill nominee. Already getting ready for next school year. I like to do quick little booktalks at the end of the year on the award nominees so that students have something to read over the summer. Olive is … More A Royal Conundrum (The Misfits #1)
Summer Vamp by Violet Chan Karim Four out of Five Magical Coffee Cups Graphic Novel Maya loves cooking. Her dad just told her that his girlfriend is about to move in with them, but as a treat, they are sending her to summer culinary camp! She is thrilled! They bring her to the spot where … More Summer Vamp
The Road to After by Rebekah Lowell Four out of Five Magical Coffee Cups Book in verse I know by now that these books are always going to be emotional. This book starts with her grandparents showing up at her house with police to help them escape their home. Lacey, her little sister, and her … More The Road to After
Ghost Book by Remy Lai Four out of Five Magical Coffee Cups Fun graphic novel. This is also a Caudill nominee. Caudill is an Illinois book award that is voted on by kids and only kids. I like to read these each year to be ready to book talk to my students at the start … More Ghost Book
Literary Coffee 