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.
A friend who has a daughter working with Friends of the LA River took a few of us on an LA River tour for our birthdays. It was odd to see the sections of the river that have a soil, … Continue reading →
I know I’ve been slacking on my book reviews, but only because I’ve been working on some other teen-centric literary stuff, including getting the word out about the teen issue of Inlandia Literary Journeys. I’m so excited about all the … Continue reading →
I was excited to learn that Isabel Quintero wrote a new YA book because my students had enjoyed Gabi: A Girl in Pieces so much. (I only use the past tense because I retired; they are most likely still enjoying it.) … Continue reading →
Posted in Biography/Memoir, Family Problems, Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction/Historical Element, Young Adult Literature
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Tagged creativity, Graciela Iturbide, graphic nonfiction, hi-low reading, Isabel Quintero, nonfiction, photography, YA literature, Zeke Pena
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Stella Wing (because it sounds more ‘new-punk’ than Wang) with her nose piercing and fire-engine-red hair is no Disney princess. She’s a drummer in a nameless band that needs a singer. Jacob is her guitarist and Miles plays the bass. … Continue reading →
Posted in Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Humor, Young Adult Literature
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Tagged book reviews, books, Gabrielle Prendergast, humor, music, Orca Limelights Series, Orca Soundings Series, quick read, reluctant readers, teen reads, YA fiction, YA literature
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Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman “‘But dreams give you insight,’ I point out. “The captain leans closer, the acrid smoke of his pipe stinging my eyes. ‘Not these dreams.’” Fifteen-year-old Caden Bosch is sure that someone at school is trying … Continue reading →
Posted in Adventure Stories, Fiction, Young Adult Literature
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Tagged adventures, art, artists, medication, mental hospitals, mental illness, parent-teen relationships, sailing, schizophrenia, ships, teenage boys
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Simon and the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli Although Simon believes that coming out as gay isn’t going to be a big problem in his life, he is hesitant to do it. His family will still love and support … Continue reading →
Posted in bullying, Family Problems, Fiction, Romance, Young Adult Literature
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Tagged book review, book reviews, coming out, cyberbullying, Georgia, humor, LGBTQ, romance, theater arts students
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My Kind of Crazy by Robin Reul Hank Kirby comes up with a great idea for asking popular Amanda Carlisle to the prom. How then does he manage, with just a box of sparklers, to light up Amanda Carlisle’s … Continue reading →
Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Grief, Humor, Young Adult Literature
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Tagged book reviews, family problems, friendship, high school students, parent-teen relationships, romance, school problems, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature
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