Review: Lasagna Means I Love You

                       

Mo's grandmother died, leaving her in the care of her uncle. But her uncle never agreed to take Mo and he has his own military career to consider. Mo becomes a ward of the state. 

At the social worker's office, Mo discovers a family cookbook. She loves the idea of passing down recipes, stories, and traditions. She doesn't have anything from her grandmother, MO had to pack everything in one suitcase. 

At the first place, Mo doesn't get along with the other kids, but the second one has promise. Mo decides to start up a blog, asking people for family recipes and stories to share. She tries cooking some of the recipes and discovers she enjoys it. But how can she have a family recipe of her own when she doesn't have a family?

My Thoughts: This was an excellent story - it tugged at my heartstrings. I loved it for so many reasons:

Recipes

Traditions

Stories

Blogging

Friendship

Foster Families (we need more of these stories)

Found Family

Finding Yourself

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Source: My Library

Library Recommendations: A must have book for your school and public library collection!

Review: Better Than the Best Plan

Ritzy can't believe her whole summer changed. One day her mom was talking about leaving and the next day...she was gone. Ritzy carries on like nothing's changed, but someone finds out.

When social services can't get a hold of her mother, Ritzy's placed into foster care. She uncovers the truth about her past - that she's been in the system before. Her former foster mother takes her in.

Kristin seems nice, so does her husband. She's trying really hard. But Ritzy's been taking care of herself for as long as she can remember; she's not used to rules.

How can you plan for the future when everything changes?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book. My heart broke for Ritzy has her whole life was turned upside down. And then she learned about her past. I enjoyed Kristin and her husband - how they tried to help her. I liked the friendship and the romance. I enjoyed watching Ritzy navigate through a different social world. - that part reminded me of Rory Gilmore. I enjoyed the family dynamics here - because sometimes people do get to chose their families. I really liked seeing a book about foster families - especially in older YA. And of course right before all the really hard decisions about the characters future. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My library
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your school and public libraries!

Review: Ana of California

Ana's running out of options; at fifteen she's been in foster care for years. She doesn't last at any of the houses or the group homes. Her case worker has one option left - she can travel north to a farm that needs help.

Ana agrees, although she knows nothing about farming. She lives on the farm with a brother and sister. Abbie's happy to have her, but Emmett doesn't believe she'll be of any help.

She makes several costly mistakes, but she works hard. She begins to enjoy the work and learn to love the farm. Just when she allows herself to hope, trouble finds her once again.

My Thoughts: I really loved this Anne of Green Gables inspired story. I loved being on the farm with Ana and the crew. I enjoyed their chatter and their banter. I loved Abbie and my mouth watered at all her baking. Emmett grew on me too. I love how Ana found herself a friend. I liked the forbidden romance. I liked learning about Ana's past and her time in the foster care system. Reading this one made me want to revisit Green Gables.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: Gifted from my #OTSPsecretsister
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for school and public libraries - not because of the Green Gables inspiration (although adult readers will grab it because of that) but because of the foster family aspect.