Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, by Becky Albertalli, is a realistic fiction novel. The book is about Simon Spier, a sophomore in high school, who is gay but not out. He hasn't told anyone except Blue, his secret pen pal. Neither Simon nor Blue know each other's real identities and correspond through emails. However, Simon forgets to log out of his email account on a school computer and his secret is threatened.
Heartstopper (Volume 1), by Alice Oseman, is a young adult, LGBTQ+ graphic novel. It is the story of two boys, Nick and Charlie, who meet at school and become friends. Soon, Charlie starts to fall for Nick despite thinking that he would never get what he wants. However, Nick is questioning things about himself that he had previously been sure about.
The Ruby Circle is the sixth and final book in Richelle Mead’s Bloodlines series. After Sydney and Adrian’s romance is revealed, they are trapped in the moroi Royal Court as they endure wrath from the Alchemists and the moroi. One of Sydney’s old enemies has kidnapped Jill; Sydney, Eddie, and Jackie Terwilliger must get her back. While Sydney’s looking for Jill, Adrian discovers a secret about spirit that could change everything.
The Fiery Heart is the fourth novel in the Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead. This novel was good, but it wasn’t anything special. Sydney struggles to balance her life between her Moroi friends, her magic, and her sister. As Sydney dives deeper into the world of magic, she must be cautious with the threat of Alchemist reeducation on the horizon. I didn’t love Sydney or Zoe; I found them too harsh and quick to jump to conclusions.
Richelle Mead’s The Indigo Spell is the third book in her Bloodlines series. In this novel, Sydney must try to find the line between her current thoughts and the Alchemist beliefs she was taught as she discovers the magic within her. While Sydney deals with her internal struggle, she must find Marcus Finch, an ex-Alchemist rebel, to help stop Jackie Terwilliger’s rogue witch sister.
The second novel in the Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead, The Golden Lily, definitely lives up to the first book. Sydney continues to become more immersed in the world of her Moroi comrades, making it difficult for her to distinguish what is right, especially when she begins to feel drawn to Adrian.
Exile by Shannon Messenger is the second book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities fantasy series. In this book, Sophie Foster is safe at home with her friends and family. She is trying to put all her focus into working with the new alicorn, Silveny. She is the second alicorn to be found, and she is incredibly valuable. Sophie is struggling to keep some her friendships after an accident she believes was her fault.
Siblings Isaac and Ivy both have a lot going on in their life. Isaac has an ankle injury that has left him unable to play and needing pain relief. Ivy’s ADHD is affecting her schoolwork and she needs something to keep her focused. Isaac turns to Roxy and Ivy turns to Addison. They follow different journeys with the drugs they’re taking but both end up in the same precarious situation. How will they deal with the repercussions of the things they’re taking?
Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger is the first book in this fantasy series. In this book, Sophie Foster is living with humans. However, she soon discovers that she is an elf instead. She must leave her human family and learn how to live with the elves. But, between her human upbringing and stronger abilities, she still does not have a normal life. While she settles into her new home, she makes new friends who help her along the way.
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman is the story of Lyra Belacqua, a young girl living at Jordan College, in a world similar to ours. However, in this world, people have companions called daemons that are bonded with their souls and take the form of animals. Lyra, with her daemon Pantalaimon, have to face a dangerous journey to rescue her friend Roger from the Gobblers. These Gobblers take children to perform experiments, and work for the mighty Magisterium.
