Middle Grade Review: Goodbye French Fry

 

Ping-Ping's having a hard time. At school, there's a boy bullying her. Her father might get a new job - in Korea. Her little brother Xy is worried about moving. She's 100% American but doesn't feel like it. She doesn't feel Chinese either. Why can't life be easy for once?

My Thoughts: There's a lot of drama in this book - friendship, family, and school. I felt really bad for Ping-Ping and all her troubles - especially the bullying. I wanted to wrap her and Xy in big hugs. But I admired the way they handled themselves. 

Cover Thoughts: Powerful

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Highly recommended for your school and public libraries. 

Middle Grade Review: Parachute Kids

 

* Sequel to Parachute Kids * 

The Lin siblings have been living on their own for seven months in California. They're doing ok. But their aunt and cousin are coming to stay for a little bit before they move to LA. They will stay for two weeks. When they arrive, Josephine isn't like they remember. She looks down upon her cousins. 

When their grandfather becomes very ill, their aunt leaves to be by his side. She leaves Josephine in the care of her cousins. Jessie is the oldest, but even so, she's seventeen. Nothing is easy for the Lin family. At school, Josephine becomes the it girl. And all of Ann's friends abandon her. She's so unhappy. Bro found himself a new friend that could turn into something more. But things get awkward when their sisters find out. Will the Lin siblings find their happiness?

My Thoughts: My heart hurts for the Lin siblings; they're going through so much and nothing is easy for them. I think this is a really powerful book. There's a lot packed into this graphic novel: family drama, classism, homophobic people, illegal immigrants, bullies, and trying to live your best life. The ending surprised me. I hope there are more books coming because I want to know what happens next. 

Cover Thoughts: Great, it plays up the different dynamics

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have graphic novel for your library's collection

Middle Grade Review: Right Back at You

Mason's parents have separated. He's very angry at his dad. Guys at school are bulling him. His mom has checked out and drinks too much. He's at his wit's end. His therapist suggests he write a letter to someone. He chooses Albert Einstein because of the book he's reading. After he writes the letter, he places it in his closet so no one will find it.

However, the letter travels through a wormhole to a girl's closet in 1987. At first Mason doesn't believe Talia, but after they exchange more letters, he can't help but trust in this strange phenomenon.

Talia has bulling troubles of her own. The boys in her class are bullying her because she's Jewish. None of the adults are taking it seriously, except for her parents. But that just makes everything worse.

The more they write letters, the more they become a lifeline for each other.

Why I read this book: Loved the concept and I love epistolary novels

My Thoughts: I loved this book. It had so many important pieces. I'm so glad that Mason and Talia found each other. The time difference added some humor to the story. I wanted to give them both hugs for all they were going through with family drama and bullying. I really love how the two friends supposed each other. The antisemitism was hard to read, but I was proud for Talia and how she stood up for herself - even if her friends would not. I love how that storyline turned out. This is an important read that clearly still relevant today. as bullies are everywhere. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute - Love all the pieces of the keychain

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have book for school and public libraries 

Middle Grade Review: Confessions from a Group Chat

Virginia has three best friends, but she doesn't always feel that they're friends. Virginia hasn't found her niche yet. Her friends pigeonhole her, making it hard for her to grow. In reality, Virginia hides her hobbies from her friends because she knows they won't "approve" because her hobbies are not cool. After a terrible fight, her friends leak her mean texts from the group chat on a school social media account run by students.

Viriginia knows it was wrong to make those comments. And most of them she didn't even mean. She felt pressured by her friends to be someone she doesn't want to be. Luckily, she has the help of her older sister and a new friend to guide her through this friendship crisis. 

My Thoughts: This one has ALL the friendship drama. I just wanted to give Virginia a hug. She had terrible friends (who were really bullies/mean girls). I loved her relationship with her new friend whom she texts when things go sideways.  They have great chemistry. I love the public librarian and how she tried to steer Virginia in different directions. I love how Virginia started playing around with photography and had conversations with her former friend about pictures. I loved the text messages in this one. This book was hard to read at times, but I also didn't want to put it down. Can't wait to see what Jodi Meadows writes next.

Cover Thoughts: Adorable

Why I Read This: I adored Bye, Forever I Guess by the same author

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have for school and public library collections

BookTok: Work in Progress

Chatting about this powerful book!

* ARC sent for review 

@yabooknerdlibrarian Don’t miss this powerful book A WORK IN PROGRESS- this novel in verse will stick with you long after you finish reading. #poetry #novelinverse #bullies ♬ original sound - Jennifer @YA Book Nerd 📚📚📚

Mini Review: Army Brats

The Bailey kids' mom has just been assigned to Fort Patrick, and it'll be the family's first time living on an army base! Tom, Charlotte, and Rosie get to make new friends, explore the neighborhood, and cool off in the huge pool. Unfortunately, they also have to deal with the base bully, who seems determined to make Tom's life completely miserable by telling everyone he's a wimp.

When the Baileys discover a mystery on base--an abandoned building long rumored to be haunted--they know that this is the way to show the world how brave Tom truly is. But when they go to investigate, they find there's more to the house than some old rumors. What is that weird equipment? And who is that suspicious man sneaking around inside?
It's up to Charlotte, Tom, and Rosie to figure out the base's secrets-and prove to everyone that no bully can keep the Bailey kids down. - summary from the publisher.

Why I liked it: 
Army Base
Military Mother
Adopted child
Siblings
Spying
Finding True Friends
Dogs

Cover Thoughts: I love the wrap around cover
Source: My Library

Picture Book Review: I Walk with Vanessa

Vanessa's getting bullied. One girl sees this happening and at first she isn't sure how to help. But then an idea strikes her.

A wordless picture book about friendship, bullies, standing together, being kind, and with a sweet message. There's parent information in the back of the book to help jump start a conversation about bullies.

An excellent book for school and public libraries.