Author Archives: Victoria Waddle

About Victoria Waddle

I'm a high school librarian, formerly an English teacher. I love to read and my mission is to connect people with the right books. To that end, I read widely--from the hi-lo for reluctant high school readers to the literary adult novel for the bibliophile.

Happy Book Birthday: Dogs and Humans

Posted on February 25, 2023 by Victoria Waddle

In her chapbook memoir, The Mortality of Dogs and Humans, Victoria Waddle explores her (our) relationship with dogs, the joy and comfort of their companionship, and the lessons they can teach us about being better humans. Continue reading →

Posted in Biography/Memoir, Grief, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Non-fiction | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Censoring Empathy: Let’s Challenge Erasure

Posted on August 8, 2022 by Victoria Waddle

Book censorship is far more threatening than it was ten years ago because it erases anyone who doesn’t look or think like the censor. Continue reading →

Posted in "Banned Book", Controversial Issue/Debate, Fiction, Human Rights Issues, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Small Town Monsters: Book Review

Posted on July 25, 2022 by Victoria Waddle

Joan of Arc at the stake couldn’t have sounded like she was in more pain. Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Grief, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Serious Summer Reading

Posted on June 18, 2022 by Victoria Waddle

Want beach reads but summer is your only chance to read intellectually stimulating books? The solution: A ‘Serious Summer Reading’ list. Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Grief, Human Rights Issues, Mature Readers, Non-fiction, Supernatural, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Tales of an Inland Empire Girl

Posted on May 20, 2022 by Victoria Waddle

It’s the story of loving but dysfunctional parents, of being one of a pair of ‘Wonder Twins’ who use their superpowers to defeat the forces of disruption and poverty. Continue reading →

Posted in Biography/Memoir, Family Problems, Grief, Humor, Multicultural | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Girl Made of Stars

Posted on May 15, 2022 by Victoria Waddle

A realistic portrayal of how people react to learning about the rape of a classmate. Continue reading →

Posted in bullying, Family Problems, Fiction, Mature Readers, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Almost Somewhere: Twenty-Eight Days on the John Muir Trail

Posted on February 18, 2022 by Victoria Waddle

Three Young Women on the John Muir Trail As a college graduation gift to themselves, the author, Suzanne Roberts, and her friend Erika decide to hike the John Muir Trail. They cover the 211 miles from Mt. Whitney to Yosemite, … Continue reading →

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Portrait of a Deputy Public Defender: How I Became a Punk Rock Lawyer

Posted on February 16, 2022 by Victoria Waddle

This little book is full of hope for teens who are not succeeding in high school. It’s a reminder that their futures are not set yet. Continue reading →

Posted in Biography/Memoir, Controversial Issue/Debate, Human Rights Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Face for Picasso

Posted on February 1, 2022 by Victoria Waddle

Ariel looks less and less like herself, a circumstance that makes her feel her identity is being stripped. Eventually, she describes her face as a mask she can’t remove. Continue reading →

Posted in Biography/Memoir, bullying, Human Rights Issues, Over 375 pages | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Girlz ’n the Hood

Posted on January 3, 2022 by Victoria Waddle

Girlz ‘n the Hood: A Memoir of Mama in South Central Los Angeles by Mary Hill-Wagner Hill-Wagner is one of eleven children who grew up with an often single mother in South Central LA. Though her mother worked as a … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography/Memoir, Family Problems, Human Rights Issues, Multicultural, Non-fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment