Graphic Novel Review: Under the Moon

From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Myracle (ttyl) and artist Isaac Goodhart, comes a poignant coming of age graphic novel about a troubled teen who leaves her turbulent home life behind for a new start on the dangerous streets of Gotham City. A powerful story about domestic abuse, survival and self-discovery, Under the Moon: A Catwoman Tale is an important read.

Selina Kyle is fiercer than she knows. But when her mom’s current boyfriend, proves crueler than all the others combined, Selina reevaluates her dismal life and since Dernell won’ leave, Selina must.

Life on the streets is rougher than Selina expects – until by chance (or fate?), she falls in with a heist-happy gang of street kids like herself. What Selena doesn’t see coming is how appealing life in a pack can be, and how tempting it is to accept the comfort that comes from trusting others. But trust leads to vulnerability, and vulnerability leads to weakness – and Selina Kyle refuses to be weak. Selina soon learns that figuring out how to survive is simple compared to figuring out how to be. - Summary from the publisher. My Thoughts: My heart aches for Selina and all that went through - from her mom's crappy boyfriend, to the death of her cat to living on the streets. The world can be cruel and life can deal crappy hands. But I like that Selina took herself out of a terrible situation. I enjoyed her learn Parkour. I'm glad that she found herself a family. I liked Bruce Wayne. I loved her moments with Rosie and how they interacted. I like how Selina came into her own. The art work is great and the colors intensify the story. I really enjoyed this book - I hope this story continues! Cover Thoughts: Awesome Source: Book sent for Review Library Recommendation: A great graphic for public library

Review: Dragon Overnight

* Book 4 in Upside Down Magic series *

Nory and her friends are going on an overnight field trip for the first time ever - to Dragon Haven. Not only do they get to hang out together, but they get to see dragons up close and personal. They can't wait to get there.

Unfortunately - there's another school joining them. Nory's heart sinks when she realizes it's her father's school and that he's also there with his students. Her father's strict with his students and they can do magic properly.

Nory's worried the other students might laugh at her and her friends because their magic isn't the same. But most of the student seem to enjoy their variations of magic. They might even become friends with them...

My Thoughts: Another cute edition to this series - I love how Nory's magic isn't the same as everyone else's. I love how the other students made new friends and shared their differences. I would love going on an overnight to a dragon haven - so I loved tagging along with Nory and her friends. I enjoyed the moments she had with her father and their frank conversation. I admired her for stepping up. I can't wait to see what happens next!

Cover Thoughts: Cute and matches the others really well.
Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: Great for public and school libraries - grab up this series for the action, the magic, and the empathy.

Tween Tuesday Review: Upside Down Magic

Nory's family has perfect magical powers and she doesn't. She's about to take her admittance test to Sage Academy. The same school where he father oversees the school and her brother and sister attend.

She will attend there too if only she can control her magic.

When Nory attempts magic, something strange always seems to happen. It's not normal. The harder she tries and the more she fights for control, the worse it seems to get.

When she loses control during the test, she's forced to move in with her aunt and attend public school. She's beyond humiliated, especially when she's placed in the Upside Down Magic program. Will Nory ever get her magic under control?

My Thoughts: I really loved Nory - she was smart, brave, and sweet. I loved her out of control magic -the creatures she created made me laugh. Plus I loved what happened when she turned. My heart went out to her when she was cut off her from home life and her family life. I really liked Ms. Starr and her instructional teaching. I love her outside of the box thinking and how she wanted to make the school a positive environment for everyone. I loved learning about the other kids in the class - from their insecurities to their own brand of magic. I can't wait to read more in this series.

Cover Thoughts: Super Cute!
Source: Sent for Review/BEA book

Final Thoughts: This book is super cute; I LOVED everything about it. It's heartwarming story about being different and owning it! I can't wait to share it with my niece this summer. 

Look for this book at the end of September!

Upcoming Book Review: YOLO

 * 4th book in the Internet Girls series *

Maddie, Angie, and Zoe are back. They're attempting to survive their 1st semester at college -without each other. Navigating long distance relationships, pledging a sorority, and dealing with roommates isn't easy all while trying to stay connected with your BFFs from home.

My Thoughts: I've always been a fan of this series and I love seeing the girls go off to college and spread their wings. I love that it's still told through texts and chat messages. I enjoyed seeing the girls acclimate to their new surrounding and deal with relationship drama, friendship drama, and classes. I admire how tight they remain, not losing touch, and always being there for each other - it's impressive. A fun read with familiar friends.

Favorite part: You only Live Once - so LIVE.

And it's true. Lately I've realized that I have done things because I'm afraid of failure. (This could be a whole different blog post) I think everyone's afraid of failure, but I can't let fear stop me from trying - because then of course I'll never accomplish my dreams.

Cover Thoughts: I Like how they match the others
Source: BEA Arc
Release Date: August 26th

Luv Ya Bunches

Katie Rose doesn't have any friend at school. She's really hoping that over the summer popular girl Milla will ditch her not so nice friends and want to hang out with Katie Rose. Mila's not too sure who she wants to be friends with, her friends aren't always nice, but she doesn't want to be a social nobody either. A new girl Violet enters and she's waiting to see which social group she should join. She's not afraid of resident mean girl Modessa. Soon Katie Rose befriends Yasaman who loves computers. She's made her own website where firends can chat with each other. When Milla's good luck charm disappears, the outcome changes everything. Will the four girls find their way navigating through social pressures?

The first book in a new tween series mention Myracles's characters from her other popular series TTYL. Luv Ya Bunches reads as a younger version of that series and will contain three more books. It's a very cute book - with IM chat and mini screenplays included. Tweens will love this one, I sure did!

Let It Snow: Book Trailer