About Victoria Waddle
Victoria Waddle is a Pushcart Prize-nominated writer and has been included in Best Short Stories from The Saturday Evening Post Great American Fiction Contest. Her books include a collection of feminist short fiction, Acts of Contrition, and a chapbook on grief, The Mortality of Dogs and Humans. Her YA novel about a polygamist cult, Keep Sweet, launches in June 2025. Formerly the managing editor of the journal Inlandia: A Literary Journey and a teacher librarian, she contributes to the Southern California News Group column Literary Journeys. She discusses both writing and library book censorship on her Substack, “Be a Cactus.” Join her there for thoughts on defiant readers and writers as well as for weekly library censorship news.
I Will Save You by Matt de la Peña I Will Save You opens with a startling scene as Kidd Ellison appears to throw himself and his old frenemy, Devon, into wild danger in an irrational attempt to save Olivia, … Continue reading →
Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Grief, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Young Adult Literature
|
Tagged book reviews, family problems, friendship, hi-low reading, I will Save You, Matt de la Pena, parent-teen relationships, reluctant readers, romance, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature
|
Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson The Lusitania, a British ship in the Cunard Line, was considered the most elegant passenger liner of its day. It was fast and luxurious, and a trip aboard was … Continue reading →
Posted in Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Non-fiction, Over 375 pages
|
Tagged Adult books for teens, American History, book reviews, Dead Wake, Erik Larson, history, Lusitania, nonfiction, submarine warfare, submarines, U-boats, US History, Woodrow Wilson, WW I
|
The Night She Disappeared by April Henry Gabie agrees to switch nights working at Pete’s Pizza so that Kayla can do something else. Probably go on a date although she’s recently broken up with her boyfriend and doesn’t say … Continue reading →
Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Read 180
|
Tagged April Henry, book reviews, family problems, hi-low reading, mystery, Night She Dusappeared, parent-teen relationships, Read 180, reluctant readers, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature
|
Girls and Sex by Peggy Orenstein For adults who really want to be honest with teens about sexuality, this is the books we’ve been waiting for. For teens–guys as well as girls–who are having trouble navigating teen sexual culture, … Continue reading →
Posted in bullying, Human Rights Issues, Mature Readers, Non-fiction
|
Tagged Adult books for teens, book reviews, bullying, child-parent relationships, family problems, gay teens, high school students, nonfiction, parent-teen relationships, romance, Teen Issues, teen sexuality, teenage boys, teenage girls
|
Last Good Place of Lily Odilon by Sara Beitia Eighteen-year-old Lily Odilon has been in trouble before. When Albert Morales meets her, there are plenty of rumors swirling around her–she had been a party girl, but isn’t anymore; she … Continue reading →
Posted in Adventure Stories, Family Problems, Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Romance, Young Adult Literature
|
Tagged book reviews, child abuse, child sexual abuse, family problems, high school students, parent-teen relationships, romance, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature
|
Period.8 by Chris Crutcher The problem with having too great a time span between reading Chris Crutcher books is that I forget how good they are. Forget how the fast-talking, conscience-driven teens can connect with teachers who care about them. … Continue reading →
Posted in bullying, Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Mature Readers, Read 180, Young Adult Literature
|
Tagged book reviews, bullying, Chris Crutcher, family problems, friendship, hi-low reading, high school students, JLG, Junior Library Guild, parent-teen relationships, Period.8, Read 180, reluctant readers, romance, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature
|
The Girl Who was Supposed to Die by April Henry A teen girl comes to consciousness on the floor of a cabin in the woods. She can’t remember anything. She’s sore and when she touches her fingers to the … Continue reading →
Forever for a Year by B. T. Gottfred Fans of romance, teen angst, realistic fiction, child-parent relationship issues–this is your next read! Yes, all of you. I’m so glad I went to the Ontario Teen Book Fest and found … Continue reading →
Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Mature Readers, Over 375 pages, Romance, Young Adult Literature
|
Tagged B.T. Gottfred, book reviews, family problems, Forever for a Year, friendship, high school students, parent-teen relationships, romance, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature
|
School Library Lady 