While laugh-out-loud funny in several places and with unique characters I haven‘t met before (a feat in a book of princesses/princes pulled from fairy tales), this story struggles with a predictable storyline.

Yunho and Myunghee‘s escapes from North Korea were harrowing to read! The descriptions of their existences in North Korea and while on the run were horrible and so difficult to read. Stories like these are so important to remind us that kids (people) in this world live lives much different than ours.

(I had an issue with how Christianity was presented as a miracle, but was able to overlook it.)

Aubrey Hartman is quickly equaling Natalie Lloyd in my mind of being an auto-listen because her worlds are so wonderfully, uniquely magical. Clare‘s journey through grief and acceptance was beautiful to witness, and Gingersnipes‘ growing acceptance of what she is capable of was heartwarming and hopeful. I adored their time together and would love to see what comes next, but it‘s also set up in such a way that it isn‘t necessary.

Bad Badger really is a love story: to ourselves, to each other, and to the world. Its slower pace and offbeat characters (with beautiful grayscale illustrations) make for a reading experience that is just different from most others‘. I enjoyed the character growth, lessons learned, and sweetness of the story. 🩵

While a bit slow to start I ended up enjoying this more the further I got. In a lot of ways this felt like Hunger Games with dragons, but with more camaraderie from the beginning. There was definitely more murder than I anticipated, but it upped the stakes in a satisfying way.

I adored the way A.M. Woody wrote the characters in THEO, so I knew I had to get my hands on this one regardless of its plot. And you know what? I was right! Cameron and Mason were not who I expected. Their life experiences were not what I expected. But I love them so much that that honestly doesn‘t even matter. I feel like I can‘t say much because the book won‘t be out until October, but I adore these characters and their sweet relationship. 🩵

Well, I just read this in one sitting. 😂 There were some problematic character flaws (mainly any and all forgiveness of terrible people), but Grace is just so kick-ass that she smooths over most of them for me. I very much enjoyed the final altercation and was glad that Grace continued standing up for herself.

A sweet ghost-human love story with character growth, loss, a snarky reaper, and new adventures on the horizon. I enjoyed it and the feeling of abundant life in the midst of so much death.

Five kids band together to help someone, but have to fight against prejudice and an evil lunch lady every step of the way. I liked the story, but wished for more resolution for each of the kids. Recommended to me by a kiddo in my Bookworms book club for our next group read.

Adorable! Loved the character growth as Ben figured out a little more about what he wants to do with his life. The food descriptions made me hungry and Ben & Liam‘s adorkable connection made me giggle.

We get a lot more into the world-building and Sunny‘s backstory in this one. The demons are truly scary and I still have no idea what‘s going on. 😅 Can‘t wait to read more!

Picked this up after a patron recommended it. Definitely get some Supernatural vibes with the angels and the demons, but there‘s a lot more religion and politics of churches in here. The world is fascinating and I‘m looking forward to learning more! Plus, you know, I‘m a sucker for an epic fight scene.

I enjoyed this world and its characters a lot! There were so many moments that made me laugh out loud. I am immediately going to find this series online so I can keep reading. 🩵

The romance is sweet, but the FRIENDSHIP between Lancelot, Tristan, and Morgan is my favorite! Magic, adventure, knight/Queen Gwen, and turning some of the original story on its head was super fun. 🗡️

I was impressed by how the author dealt with such heavy topics as seeking asylum, domestic abuse, implied sexual abuse, terminal illness, and infidelity of a parent in ways that were appropriate and approachable for middle schoolers. It was heavy, but stories like these are real and we need to be reminded of them, especially in the world today.

I can see why this won the 2025 Printz! I LOVE this family! The artwork and text twist together in a completely organic way and I adore both. Almudena‘s summer living with her father and slowly expanding her friends and family is masterfully woven into the renovation of her father‘s brownstone. All of the characters are unique and have their own moments of growth on and off page. I love all of them.

I enjoyed following along with Grady as he searches for a long-lost treasure with clues hidden in an embroidery sampler for hundreds of years ago, a diary, and stories from the library, the museum, and the people of the town he lives in. The stakes aren‘t exactly low; one townsperson on has already died as part of the search, and Grady and his dad are about to lose their home to foreclosure.

My good friend Teagan‘s book is being published this September! Her writing is always amazing and I can‘t wait to get my hands on it!! 🤩

Finally got my January #bookspinbingo board put together! They‘ll stay black and white until they‘re read.

A focused memoir written by an 18-year-old woman who grew up with an incarcerated parent. Most of the story takes place once he‘s been released. I wished for a little more fleshing out of the story around the specific topic of her dad teaching her to code and building Photo Patch, but it is a memoir, so it‘s technically not necessary. I‘ve honestly never thought about this subject before, so it was eye-opening in a lot of ways.

This wordless painted graphic novel is stunning in every sense of the word. The illustration is truly breath-taking and the story is quietly transportive. I spent my time both trying to solve the mystery of what happened here while also taking in this strange new world reclaimed by nature in alien ways. It‘s given me a lot to think about. (I also think it‘s fun that the artists have known each other since middle school.)

The perfect start to the year! I love happy queer romances and E.L. Massey does them the best! Matts and Sydney are adorable and nerdy and the best partners to each other. I loved the music (the lyrics!) and how it wove through the entire story. Finished this today with a giant smile on my face.

I enjoyed this sweet look at the life of Emily Dickinson, snippets of her poems, and the most beautiful illustrations. They are so dainty and breathtaking. This was my 100th book of the year! 🥳

The Gumluck books are so adorably silly! The character names, shenanigans, and culmination of story are perfect. 😍

I really liked that all the stories in this anthology were connected. It helps me to enjoy them separately and as a whole. The stories with a more emotional hook were my favorites. I definitely learned a lot about South Asian American culture and the hurdles they continue to face.

I found the story interesting enough without hair as the connecting piece throughout. Every time her hair was referenced I felt pulled back out of the story. But the rest was fun (and relatable).

For as long as I put this off (I have to be in the right mindset to read about WWII) I thoroughly enjoyed it! I would put it with my favorite books of the year. Max‘s adventure is just this side of Lemony Snicket over-the-top ridiculous, without trivializing the overall conflict. I‘ll be watching for the sequel!

Okay, fine, I love to bawl my eyes out right before bed. 😭 A beautiful, heartbreaking, elating, devastating, and hopeful story about family in all its forms. These kids deserve the world and each other. 🩵

It was a strange feeling to read this story about German POWs in lower Michigan during WWII. I never knew POW camps existed in Michigan until I was an adult, and to discover this story has a connection to the teeny (teeny) tiny town I spent my early childhood in was just bizarre. I enjoyed the verse and the POVs of these two characters. I did not enjoy the very abrupt ending, though it's certainly fitting in any book on WWII.

The setup for this book is truly unique; told over the course of a six hour, twelve mile, world record-breaking swim Tully recounts what has brought her to this moment interspersed with the physical and mental struggle of swimming a marathon. I appreciated the way the story was told, but struggled with Tully‘s selfishness in regard to her friend Arch. It certainly looked hopeful at the end, but I had hoped for a more in depth reconciliation.

My friend published a graphic novel! 🤩 I am simultaneously creeped out, intrigued, and wanting to take notes. It feels like there‘s a lot of lore beneath the surface and I‘m anxious to find out what it all is! Loved the visuals of the tomb and the lonely eyeball (!). I‘m looking forward to part two!

A sweet friendship story between new kid Linus and resident weirdo (affectionate) Etta. I loved their friendship, their quirks, and their hand signal 😍, but struggled with the bet storyline. Normally, that setup would prevent me from reading the book at all. Its resolution wasn‘t unexpected, but it did fit the characters well.

Absolutely freaking adorable! Love the vending of gender norms, standing up to bullies (and friends and parents!), and making new friends while being true to yourself. Lots of great support from family and friends (eventually). So sweet!

A wholly unique world and magic system that relies on wizard speech (similar to ASL) and runes. I love the hearing difference and ASL rep throughout, complete with arrows signifying signs in the illustrations. The story has a satisfying end point while raising new questions that beg to be answered in another volume.

Tony Weaver‘s message to embrace your weird is a valuable one! His sharing of his mental health journey in middle school is just as important. I loved seeing him climb out, make friends, and use his ideas to make a difference.

I decided to read this on Thanksgiving to remind myself of all for which I am grateful. Estelle‘s story is devastating, as all Holocaust memoirs are. Being told in graphic novel format makes the story more accessible and forces the reader to confront the travesties occurring right before their eyes.

The fae/gods/etc are a tricky folk. Yet another reminder not to make deals, wishes, or eat food from strangers in the woods! Loved the illustration style and enjoyed the hopeful tone.

My favorite book of the year! Drew‘s voice is so dryly funny it set me off over and over again. I can‘t get over the reviews interspersed in the text giving it all an over the top feel. Serious “Shameless” vibes made me guffaw on more than one occasion. I loved the fierce protectiveness of the siblings and the insane plan they pulled off together. Amazing! 😂

This reads like a magician‘s tell-all of how the tricks are done. It‘s absolutely fascinating, but with added rage when you realize how spiritualists have manipulated vulnerable people out of their money for 150 years. I had no idea Houdini was so wrapped up in exposing the frauds, and learning about Rose Mackenberg (an undercover female detective) in the late 1800s was genuinely inspiring.

Natalie Lloyd‘s brand of magic always feels so organic and unique. The Witching Wind is no exception! Grayson, Roxie and their friends are so sweet and supportive of each other. I loved that what they found wasn‘t quite what they spent so long looking for, but each was exactly what they needed. 🦋

There‘s some fun banter between teammates (heh, “an appointment”, sure Seiji) and solid character introduction, but the issue ends before the first bout, so I‘m left here wanting more.

I love the premise of this book, and wish the execution flowed more smoothly to tell it successfully. The dialogue felt clunky at times, and the climax was undermined by how it was told to the reader. We need more stories about residential schools and the horror that affected children experienced within them, and I wish that had been told more effectively in this one.

A light-hearted mystery reminiscent of The Lost Library. Rami is the only one who can see Blue, the ghost of a young girl who looks eerily similar to the subject of the stolen painting. He teams up with Veda to discover the thief and the two end up on an adventure that will have long-lasting effects on their community. A fun almost-ghost story about the beauty of friendship and the universal need to be accepted as we are.

Nonononono this feels like Sirius Black falling through the Veil. I do not accept this turn of events and need Call to start channeling Constantine to undo it! 😭

Fascinating and presented in an engaging and interesting way! 🎨

A fun mashup of a truly impressive slew of characters staying in the same hotel. When dreamers dream these guys get to have all the fun!

I love feminist retellings of old stories. Too often they‘re told only through a male lens and the egregious wrongs against women become simply part of the story. I loved that Young Hag and the Witches‘ Quest pointed out the wrongs and held the men committing them accountable! It‘s also a fun take on the tales of King Arthur and Camelot! 🗡️

I liked it more than I didn‘t like it, but I had to keep stopping to figure out who was narrating and which person that was every chapter. I‘ve finished the book and I still couldn‘t tell you which one is Canadian. But, I did enjoy their dynamic, and their friend groups were fun.

I laughed allll the way through Phil and Jackson‘s revenge plot; there is just something about terrible people getting what they deserve! 😈 Also, Ronnie 100% stole the show for me; she is unapologetically vengeful and it is simply delightful. The audio narration is stellar and even though I legitimately shrieked when I opened the box from Inkyard (thanks for the free copy in exchange for a review!) I am so glad I listened to this one. 💛

A survival story that flips the script on what survival looks like for each of us. I was on the edge of my seat during Ash‘s adventure (especially at the end!) and my heart hurt for their hurt. I loved this solitary adventure surviving in the wild! 🌲