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ashylibrarian's reviews
975 reviews
Nayra and the Djinn by Iasmin Omar Ata
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A nice addition to middle-grade graphic novels. The artwork is unique, and the story is informative and likely relatable for younger readers.
I do wish some of the plot was built out a bit more, including the resolution at the end.
I do wish some of the plot was built out a bit more, including the resolution at the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Islamophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Hearts Still Beating by Brooke Archer
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Without picking things apart, this was a good zombie book. I feel those describing it as The Last of Us meets Warms Bodies were exactly right.
I do really wish the pacing was better on this book, though. I think that would have helped me enjoy the details of this story much more. The ending grabbed my attention, but the first half to three quarters felt a little off.
I do really wish the pacing was better on this book, though. I think that would have helped me enjoy the details of this story much more. The ending grabbed my attention, but the first half to three quarters felt a little off.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Absolutely lovely! I am living in my Cozy Fantasy Era and this book brought me everything I needed.
I move to say that we all need Tea Monks in our lives. And a 7-foot robot friend who is looking to explore the world with us.
This is my first Becky Chambers book, and I cannot wait to read more of their work!
I move to say that we all need Tea Monks in our lives. And a 7-foot robot friend who is looking to explore the world with us.
This is my first Becky Chambers book, and I cannot wait to read more of their work!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Erno Rubik and His Magic Cube by Kerry Aradhya
informative
fast-paced
4.75
A beautiful and uniquely illustrated picture book about the inventor of the Rubki's Cube. Written in short phrases with nice breaks, this book lends itself to being a great read-aloud. One of my favorite features is the way the art style changes as we learn more about how Erno came up with the idea for the Rubik's Cube. At one point, Erno's head becomes a cube as the text tells how much he was thinking about the puzzle.
Back matter supplies readers with more information about the Rubik's cube and its creator.
Back matter supplies readers with more information about the Rubik's cube and its creator.
The Loudest Silence by Sydney Langford
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Sydney Langford hit it out of the park with their debut novel, The Loudest Silence!
This is a YA realistic fiction with duel POV for readers who love robust and diverse casts of characters, messy friendships, platonic love, and High School Musical.
16-year-old Casey has dreamed of becoming a professional singer. The universe had other plans for her, though - sudden, permanent, and profound hearing loss. Casey and her family are set to move across the country, and now she not only has to navigate starting at a new high school but she is also faced with learning to navigate the world as a Deaf-Hard of Hearing person.
Hayden, the new soccer team captain, is expected to follow in the footsteps of the three-generation fútbol legends in his family, including his older brother. Hayden is hiding a big secret, though. He wants to quit soccer to pursue his dreams of performing on Broadway. What is stopping him from sharing this with others? His Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Both Casey and Hayden are determined to hide who they truly are, even from those closest to them. After their paths cross at school, however, they begin to bond over a shared love for music and, though maybe reluctantly at first (at least for Casey), learn how to support and encourage each other.
The Loudest Silence is a new and unique YA contemporary story that brings together themes of grief, friendship, found family, and self-discovery. I absolutely adored this novel! From cover to cover, it carries readers through an emotional roller coaster of messy teens trying to find themselves in the world.
The cast of characters is just delightful, too! Readers get to see so many of them open up throughout the book, and the friendships that formed into found family truly warmed my heart.
While I am reading this book from an adult reader's lens, I know it will be one that many teen readers will see themselves in with its diverse cast of characters, strong conversations about difficult topics, and big dreams.
This is a YA realistic fiction with duel POV for readers who love robust and diverse casts of characters, messy friendships, platonic love, and High School Musical.
16-year-old Casey has dreamed of becoming a professional singer. The universe had other plans for her, though - sudden, permanent, and profound hearing loss. Casey and her family are set to move across the country, and now she not only has to navigate starting at a new high school but she is also faced with learning to navigate the world as a Deaf-Hard of Hearing person.
Hayden, the new soccer team captain, is expected to follow in the footsteps of the three-generation fútbol legends in his family, including his older brother. Hayden is hiding a big secret, though. He wants to quit soccer to pursue his dreams of performing on Broadway. What is stopping him from sharing this with others? His Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Both Casey and Hayden are determined to hide who they truly are, even from those closest to them. After their paths cross at school, however, they begin to bond over a shared love for music and, though maybe reluctantly at first (at least for Casey), learn how to support and encourage each other.
The Loudest Silence is a new and unique YA contemporary story that brings together themes of grief, friendship, found family, and self-discovery. I absolutely adored this novel! From cover to cover, it carries readers through an emotional roller coaster of messy teens trying to find themselves in the world.
The cast of characters is just delightful, too! Readers get to see so many of them open up throughout the book, and the friendships that formed into found family truly warmed my heart.
While I am reading this book from an adult reader's lens, I know it will be one that many teen readers will see themselves in with its diverse cast of characters, strong conversations about difficult topics, and big dreams.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Ableism, Grief
The Code of Life: All About Genes, DNA, Genetic Engineering, and Why You Are the Way You Are by Carla Häfner, Mieke Scheier
informative
slow-paced
This is a strong informational book about genes, DNA, and genetic engineering. Though there is a lot of text on each page, the illustrations, questions, and connection between each section make it an engaging book for readers.
I love that there are questions for the readers to solve mixed in with the information text, allowing readers to apply what they have just learned. There are many strong graphics to support the text, as well.
The back matter is fun, encouraging readers to conduct their own experiments and sharing the answers to the questions asked earlier in the book.
I love that there are questions for the readers to solve mixed in with the information text, allowing readers to apply what they have just learned. There are many strong graphics to support the text, as well.
The back matter is fun, encouraging readers to conduct their own experiments and sharing the answers to the questions asked earlier in the book.
Lunar Boy by Cin Wibowo, Jes Wibowo
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A beautifully queer science fiction graphic novel that celebrates its characters and challenges what society wants us to be.
The characters are beautifully diverse and have strong and hopeful conversations. The found family was like a warm hug and the intricate and unique art style helped to bring everything together.
An amazingly queer science fiction graphic novel that celebrates its characters and challenges what society wants and expects us to be. I adored this graphic novel and want everyone to know about it! The characters are beautifully diverse and have strong and hopeful conversations together. There are so many important conversations about identity that happen within the pages of this book, and the authors handle them beautifully by using insightful and thoughtful dialogue with compassionate illustrations. The found family was like a warm hug and the intricate and unique art style helped to bring everything together.
The characters are beautifully diverse and have strong and hopeful conversations. The found family was like a warm hug and the intricate and unique art style helped to bring everything together.
An amazingly queer science fiction graphic novel that celebrates its characters and challenges what society wants and expects us to be. I adored this graphic novel and want everyone to know about it! The characters are beautifully diverse and have strong and hopeful conversations together. There are so many important conversations about identity that happen within the pages of this book, and the authors handle them beautifully by using insightful and thoughtful dialogue with compassionate illustrations. The found family was like a warm hug and the intricate and unique art style helped to bring everything together.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deadnaming, Transphobia
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I read the first half from the physical book. I listen to the second half on audio. I wish I would have started this on audio from the start...
I adore the children in this book.
I adore the children in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Xenophobia
Minor: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
What a lovely cozy fantasy that carries thought-provoking characters and plot.
I want to be Kiela the librarian and I want a sentient spider plant as an assistant. I want us to live on a lovely little island and make jam and secretly market low-stake spells to the caring folks in the town. I want to befriend the baker and the neighbor and grow a garden and help everyone feel like they belong.
Since I can't do all that, thanks to Sarah Beth Durst for allowing me to escape to all of this for a little bit.
I want to be Kiela the librarian and I want a sentient spider plant as an assistant. I want us to live on a lovely little island and make jam and secretly market low-stake spells to the caring folks in the town. I want to befriend the baker and the neighbor and grow a garden and help everyone feel like they belong.
Since I can't do all that, thanks to Sarah Beth Durst for allowing me to escape to all of this for a little bit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Grief, War
Not Your Average Jo by Grace K. Shim
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A unique YA novel about a Korean American teen looking to make a name for herself in the music industry. Earning her spot at a prestigious music school for her senior year, Riley is excited to get her music career off the ground.
Unfortunately, Riley is met with racist comments from both her advisor and bandmate. Riley is stuck between keeping quiet to hopefully move up her music career and talking about her experiences and giving herself a chance in the spotlight.
Unfortunately, Riley is met with racist comments from both her advisor and bandmate. Riley is stuck between keeping quiet to hopefully move up her music career and talking about her experiences and giving herself a chance in the spotlight.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism