Tag Archives: book reviews

From Ash to Ashes

Posted on May 30, 2024 by Victoria Waddle

From Ash to Ashes by Krishna Tuli Arora is the story of an immigrant Sikh family in Long Island, New York during the 1990s. It moves through multiple POVs, but is centered on the life of protagonist Mira. I picked … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith-Based/Religious Element, Family Problems, Fiction, Grief, Multicultural, Young Adult Literature | Tagged arranged marriage, book reviews, family problems, parent-teen relationships, Sikhs, suicide, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature | Leave a comment

Book Challenge and Ban Updates

Posted on April 29, 2024 by Victoria Waddle

About half of my weekly Substack posts are on the latest news in book challenges and bans in the U.S. Please find the last two weeks at the links below and consider subscribing: https://victoriawaddle.substack.com/p/primed-to-be-cultish https://victoriawaddle.substack.com/p/sympathy-for-the-devil-oops-antagonist My Substack is called “Be … Continue reading →

Posted in banned books, censorship, Human Rights Issues | Tagged banned books, book banning, book reviews, censorship | Leave a comment

No Place for Fairy Tales

Posted on March 6, 2024 by Victoria Waddle

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 →

Posted in bullying, Family Problems, Fiction, Hi-Low/Quick Read, Human Rights Issues, Multicultural, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, bullying, child-parent relationships, coming of age, family problems, friendship, gay teens, hi-low reading, high school students, LGBTQ, parent-teen relationships, reluctant readers, Teen Issues, YA fiction | 1 Comment

Bucking Expectations: Breaking Pattern

Posted on December 6, 2023 by Victoria Waddle

Rodeo is at the heart of Breaking Pattern, with great visual detail, fast-paced action, intense emotionality, and fabulous horses. Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, family problems, friendship, horses, parent-teen relationships, rodeo, rodeo competition, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature | Leave a comment

Unheard Witness: The Life and Death of Kathy Leissner Whitman

Posted on November 6, 2023 by Victoria Waddle

Five years after she graduated from high school, Kathy Leissner Whitman was stabbed to death by her husband Charles Whitman after he killed his mother and before he committed a mass shooting from the tower at the University of Texas, Austin. Unheard Witness is the story of how Kathy became a victim of domestic violence and then murder. Continue reading →

Posted in Biography/Memoir, bullying, Family Problems, Human Rights Issues, Non-fiction | Tagged Adult books for teens, book reviews, Charles Whitman, domestic abuse, Jo Scott Coe, Kathy Leissner Whitman, Unheard Witness, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas tower shootings | Leave a comment

Journey to Merveilleux City by Stephanie Barbé Hammer

Posted on October 23, 2023 by Victoria Waddle

When Mack Macdonald Flores takes a train from the Northeastern US to Canada, a passenger goes missing. Magic is afoot as Mack teams with Allison to find the disappeared man. Continue reading →

Posted in Fiction, Horror/Mystery/Suspense, Movie Tie-In | Tagged Adult books for teens, book reviews, Journey to Merveilleux City, mystery, novella, Stephanie Barbe Hammer, trains in fiction | 1 Comment

Meet the Moon

Posted on August 30, 2023 by Victoria Waddle

A teen girl’s journey through grief after her mother dies in a car accident. Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Grief, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, death, family problems, grief, parent-teen relationships, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature | Leave a comment

Two Seasonal Books

Posted on August 4, 2023 by Victoria Waddle

Whiteout would be a good book to display or book talk before the winter holidays. One with the Waves would work before spring break. Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Romance, Sports, Young Adult Literature | Tagged Black authors, Black youth, book reviews, coming of age, friendship, romance, small press publications, surfing, Teen Issues, YA fiction, YA literature | Leave a comment

Pest by Elizabeth Foscue

Posted on June 29, 2023 by Victoria Waddle

Pest is a fun, short and offbeat YA novel. It’s pretty wacky and some fun for those who are looking for the not-so-typical novel. Continue reading →

Posted in Family Problems, Fiction, Humor, Young Adult Literature | Tagged book reviews, family problems, friendship, parent-teen relationships, pest control, romance, Santa Barbara, Teen Issues, working teens, YA fiction, YA literature | Leave a comment

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 book reviews, chapbook, dogs, large dogs, old dogs, quick read, small press publications | 1 Comment