Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
This is the second book in the (Cinder) Lunar Chronicles series. I was incredibly hesitant to start this series as most of my students who love it, also are fans of books I don't really care for. Besides... cyborgs? That's really probably not my thing. But it turns out the books were really good! I like the fairy tale allusions throughout (Cinder is loosely based on Cinderella and Scarlet is Little Red Riding Hood) and the cyborg/alien thing is actually kind of cool. There's lots of adventure, deception, strategy, and a little romance- an excellent dystopian series! I haven't been able to get my hands on Cress yet, but I plan to before Winter (the final book) comes out later this year.
What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen
Do you follow Sarah Dessen on Twitter? If not, you should. She lives in NC and I've had the privilege of seeing/meeting her at several local book signings. I find Dessen's books comforting and relate-able in a way that few young adult authors have managed to accomplish. Her heroines often embark on a journey of self discovery that while often includes a romance, never requires one. These are not girls who need a boyfriend (thank goodness). They have real families and real problems. What Happened to Goodbye is about McLean, who moves frequently with her father. Her parents divorced (after quite the scandal) and mom is remarried. McLean and her mother have a strained relationship and dad is often so focused on his job that McLean is forced to take on a little more adult responsibility. I also love the allusions Dessen makes to her other books. She doesn't write series or even sequels, but her characters often pop up in other books. This book has characters from more than 5 other of her books. Plus, it isn't a real beach trip if you don't read a Dessen book.
Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
This book has appeared on several lists of excellent middle school books and was a popular pick at our school book fair. I wasn't super familiar with this author, but it turns out she was a screenwriter for Angels in the Outfield (what!). The story follows Willow Chance, an adopted genius (possibly on the spectrum?) and several other characters who are impacted by Willow after tragedy strikes her life. It's a feel good (although sometimes emotional) story, about different kinds of people coming together and building family and community. It was an easy read, but I did enjoy it and will be recommending it to my students who aren't quite ready for true YA stories.
Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass
This was another book I read simply because I need to be able to recommend middle school books to my seventh graders. I am a fan of all things I've read by Wendy Mass and she is an author I recommend frequently. Every Soul a Star is about a family who lives on and runs a campground. They picked this particular spot because it will be the best place to total solar eclipse. There are several characters who wind up together on the campground for the eclipse and form and unlikely friendship. It's a cute story and I like the science element thrown in. It also has 2 main male characters so I could easily recommend it to a boy or a girl and not really have to fight them too hard on it.
Hopefully, while I'm at the beach next week I'll read a few more and then we'll be back in school so I'll be reading more often again.
What have you been reading? Thoughts on any of those books?
Find me on Goodreads!
No comments:
Post a Comment