Catch Me if You Can is a semi-autobiographical novel based on the novel’s author, Frank W. Abagnale, criminal venture into being a con-man and exploiting multiple companies and the FBI. In this partly fictionalized yet riveting story, the reader follows Abagnale’s criminal beginnings as a teenager to his attempts to become a law-abiding citizen in adulthood.
One year has passed since the destruction of These Violent Delights, and Shanghai is on the brink of upheaval. Whispers of civil war hang in a mist over the streets, and the Scarlet Gang is stretched thin between the leadership of Juliette and her ruthless cousin Tyler, who threatens to usurp her.
Axie Oh’s XOXO is an adorable contemporary romance novel. All Jenny wants is to be accepted into a prestigious music conservatory, but when she meets Jaewoo at her uncle’s karaoke bar in Los Angeles, her life will change drastically. Suddenly, Jenny finds herself moving to South Korea to take care of her sick grandmother. Unbeknownst to her, the boy she met in the karaoke bar is a famous K-pop idol.
The Cruel Prince is the first novel in The Folk of the Air trilogy, a young adult fantasy series by Holly Black. Jude Duarte is a mortal raised in the realm of the fey. Trained by her adopted father, a formidable fey general, Jude becomes vicious and cunning. She wants nothing more to belong among the people that hate her for being mortal, and when a great betrayal threatens the existence of Fairie, Jude must form an alliance with the person she hates the most to save the realm.
Both Sides Now by Peyton Thomas is a contemporary young adult novel that focuses on LGBTQ+ issues. Finch is about to go to the debate National Championships in Washington D.C., but the debate topic is transgender rights. Finch is a trans man that dreams of becoming the first transgender member of Congress, but his financial and emotional turmoil may keep him from his dream of Washington D.C.
Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo is the second book in the Shadow and Bone series. It’s a young adult/fantasy novel that was recently made into a Netflix show. The reader continues to follow Alina Starkov, a powerful summoner of light as she tries to evade the Darkling. The Darkling, a nearly immortal summoner of shadows, wants to use her to aid in his goal of ruling their country, Ravka.
This is the first book of the series Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard. In The Sword of Summer, 16-year-old Magnus Chase lives on the streets of Boston when he discovers that he is the son of Norse god Frey. His uncle tasks him with finding a sword to protect him from a fire giant named Surt. Magnus attacks the fire giant but dies saving the civilians on the bridge. Magnus wakes up in Hotel Valhalla, the place where einherjars go for their bravery.
3 African American women changed the way of science, space, and math forever. Katherine Johnson was the first African American woman to lift into space. The women created history and changed history forever. I absolutely loved this book. The background behind this book is so much. Seeing that three women helped create history is mind blowing. This book is for kids who want to be inspired who can learn that anything is possible if you believe. This 10 out of 10 book is a top favorite of mine.
Two sisters go on a road trip with their parents to embark on a new journey. Memories come back to young Raina Telgemeier when her sister and she were close and happier than ever. When the memories of simpler times ever be real again? This book had a tight grab on my heart. Raina telling the story of her and her sisters’ relationship when they were younger has that personal touch to the graphic novel. This book is great for kids with siblings to understand that finding is not always the way out. This book is a 10 out of 10 in my book!!
Becca is a new girl in high school which is never easy. Luckily, the popular girls take her in and while they expect some things of her that she isn’t quite comfortable with, she goes along with it. Until it turns out there’s a reason the girls run this high school, and it’s not pleasant. Squad is a story that talks about the struggles of being out of place. It shows how conforming isn’t always the best idea and can lead to issues. It addresses themes such as patriarchal issues, LGBTQ+ representation, being different, and not being complacent. I rate Squad 4 out of 5 stars.
