Category Archives: Hi-Low/Quick Read

Banned books and Sold by Patricia McCormick

I’m discussing the top banned books of the 2023-24 school year over at Be A Cactus. These are the top three: You can look back at the post on Perks and at this one on Alaska if you want to see why I think those books … Continue reading

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No Place for Fairy Tales

By edd tello A transgender teen wants the quinceañera of her dreams No Place for Fairy Tales is a short novel in verse that will appeal to a diverse group of readers. I picked it up in my ongoing efforts … Continue reading

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Happy Book Birthday: Dogs and Humans

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

A Rescue Plan Containing Multitudes

“Gomer knew what coming out was. He had taken the sex-ed classes, and there were gay people in his town, but they tended to come for weekends and the summer, because they had jobs in the city. They were rich … Continue reading

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Time to Support the Local Literary Scene

Note: I have this up on my VictoriaWaddle.com blog, but am adding here because several of the books recommended below would be great for teen reads and in high school libraries. As shut down orders were put in place to … Continue reading

Posted in Biography/Memoir, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Human Rights Issues, Mature Readers, Multicultural, Non-fiction, Short Stories | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Orca Limelights: “The Frail Days”

 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

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Sports Books: “The Final Four”

The Final Four by Paul Volponi    The hoop action between the Michigan State Spartans and the (underdog) Trojans of Troy University is nonstop, heart-pounding excitement. While the semifinal NCAA championship game is played, the novel focuses on four players: … Continue reading

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Drug Abuse “In Ecstasy”

  In Ecstasy by Kate McCaffrey Fifteen-year-old Sophie and Mia are longtime best friends, who, as the novel opens, are getting ready for a big party. Sophie is more outgoing. Mia is socially awkward and just hopes to get through … Continue reading

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Mystery, Romance: “Period.8”

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 , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“Scars”

Scars by Cheryl Rainfield   It’s clear from the cover of Scars that the novel is about a girl who cus herself. It isn’t the first book I’ve read about cutting, but what pulled me into this one was the … Continue reading

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