Tag Archives: book review

Get a Grip by Alyson Shelton

Posted on September 29, 2026 by Victoria Waddle

This compact novel (186 pages) is narrated in free verse. It has wide appeal, but is an especially good purchase for librarians seeking work on sibling death and grief, competitive gymnastics, changes in friendships that take place as kids get older, and hi/lo literature for tweens and teens. Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Sports, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sometimes We Tell the Truth

Posted on October 6, 2025 by Victoria Waddle

Sometimes is, in fact, a modern telling of Chaucer’s tales with teens as the pilgrims. Except that these pilgrims are not making a commitment to the Almighty. They are going to Washington D.C . on a six-hour bus trip with their Civics class teacher. Continue reading →

Posted in bullying, Family Problems, Fiction, Grief, Literary Read Alike, Mature Readers, Over 375 pages, Young Adult Literature | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Uncultured: The Children of God Cult

Posted on April 7, 2025 by Victoria Waddle

Mestyanek Young grew up in the Children of God cult (often referred to as ‘the Family’). Her experience there is horrifying. Her childhood traumas are so numerous, it’s hard to understand how the cult even exists. Why don’t its members run the other way? Continue reading →

Posted in bullying, Faith-Based/Religious Element, Family Problems, Non-fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Alex Stern Books: Ninth House and Hell Bent

Posted on March 29, 2023 by Victoria Waddle

Musings on Leigh Bardugo’s Alex Stern series, trigger warnings, and books in the high school library. Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Mature Readers, Supernatural | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

LQBTQ+: “Simon and the Homo Sapiens Agenda”

Posted on October 21, 2016 by Victoria Waddle

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 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Adult books for teens: Biography: “Until Tuesday”

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Victoria Waddle

Until Tuesday by Luis Carlos Montalvan      Montalvan returned from two extended tours in Iraq a wounded warrior. Two Iraqis attempted to assassinate him because he was working hard to stop bribery and a thriving black market of US … Continue reading →

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