By:
On:
In: General Book Reviews, Mystery & Suspense (YA), Young Adult Book Reviews
With: 0 Comments

Set in Massachusetts at Hancock High School, Kill the Lax Bro by Charlotte Lillie Balogh is a murder mystery complicated by relationship webs. Balogh invites her readers to sift through the details to determine why Troy Richards was killed, where he was killed, and who has motive. As Balogh shares details, readers learn that Troy Richards is a popular Lacrosse star whose father has high expectations for him. He seems to have a reputation as a heart breaker. However, we also see Troy’s aggressive, bullying side and his devil-may-care attitude. To Troy, everything is just one big game. Because many students believe that “Troy RichardsRead More →

By:
On:
In: General Book Reviews, Realistic Fiction (YA), Young Adult Book Reviews
With: 0 Comments

Retro by Sofia Lapuente and Jarrod Shusterman shares the sound track to Luna Maria Valero Inglesias’ life and her efforts at revolution. Living in Northern California and attending El Dorado High School, Luna learns the hard way that a screen shot can be as lethal as a gunshot. After her supposed friend Samantha Darby sets her up as a shoplifter, Luna takes revenge by posting a character-damaging video that leads to Samantha’s suicide attempt. Now ridden by guilt and clinging to hope, Luna reaches out to Limbo, the app that served as the gasoline to the match she lit that set Samantha ablaze. Surprisingly, LimboRead More →

By:
On:
In: General Book Reviews, Realistic Fiction (YA), Young Adult Book Reviews
With: 0 Comments

As the title implies, a reader should be prepared to be confused when reading Katzenjammer by Francesca Zappia. The novel takes the reader down a nightmarish path of distress experienced by the main character, Cat. While it is clear that Cat suffers from depression and bewilderment in a world that makes no sense to her, the reason for that distress is not made clear until the novel’s conclusion. Through Cat, readers encounter a version of school that is unfortunately all too real for some students who experience bullying because of their differences. The dichotomy of us versus them is set out early in the novel.Read More →