raethereviewer's reviews
856 reviews

Very Bad at Math by Hope Larson

informative lighthearted medium-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

Dyscalculia rep is few and far between and this very well may be the first book I’ve read that showed it so clearly. Very Bad at Math is definitely a book I’ll be recommending to middle schoolers. The illustrations and storyline are engaging and it’s definitely the kind of book that will appeal to a wide audience.

Almost Sunset by Wahab Algarmi

medium-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

This is such a great graphic novel for the range of MG readers. It would be great for reluctant readers. I really enjoyed seeing how Hassan’s Ramadan was shown. It felt very true to the experiences of a child and how they would be interpreting the experience. Definitely one I’d recommend for upper elementary and 6th grade. 

Mixed-Up by Kami Garcia

lighthearted reflective medium-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

This is such a needed book for so many kids right now. I think it would make a perfect gift for a child with a recent dyslexia diagnosis or a buddy read to help build empathy. Mixed-Up should be in every upper elementary classroom. This would be more suited for the younger half of middle grade and would be good for helping transition into longer chapter books. There are also a lot of helpful learning tools and resources toward the end that could benefit educators, parents, and librarians working with dyslexic students. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

5.0

This novel was so deeply atmospheric in the way a Gothic should be. There were several nights in a row where I found these characters encroaching their way into my dreams. I became just as obsessed with solving the mystery as Minerva. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest, Violence

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

2.0

This was definitely the book I enjoyed the least of The Hunger Games series. My biggest question throughout reading this was: why? Why was this written and for whom?

It doesn’t add to the series in a way that feels meaningful. It doesn’t change how I feel about any later characters. The addition of Lucy Gray doesn’t make much sense to me and there are way too many songs. The songs themselves were not good or interesting or necessary. It’s clear that Suzanne Collins is drawing inspiration from the Romani peoples for the Covey but she’s not engaging with that in a way that adds any real meaning aside from a snap of the fingers in recognition. This novel feels completely out of sync with the rest of the series.

Uprooted: A Memoir About What Happens When Your Family Moves Back by Ruth Chan

5.0

This was such an accessible and well told graphic novel memoir. It’s definitely one I’d give to middle schoolers. I think a lot of kids would both empathize with and enjoy Ruth’s story. 

Anacaona, Golden Flower by Edwidge Danticat

I’m sad this is out of print because I would’ve loved to get a copy for my collection but thankfully the library had plenty to spare. This was clearly well researched and it helped a lot for drawing inspiration for a project I’m currently working on. 

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

dark emotional reflective tense

5.0

I don’t know how to put into words how much this novel has fundamentally changed me. 

Kaveh Akbar is so prescient in the poetry community and that seems to extend wonderfully into this debut novel. I loved the explorations of addiction, recovery, life, death, and the significance of it all.

Sunrise On The Reaping by Suzanne Collins

dark emotional sad tense fast-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

5.0

I didn’t reread the original series before starting this but I felt instantly transported back to Panem from the very first page. It’s been over 10 years since I read the books but the memories of them flooded back to me and the world that Suzanne Collins has built remains an ever tangible one. Seeing it from Haymitch’s perspective, getting a glimpse of him before, learning how his intentions were misconstrued by the Capitol and President Snow, it all added so much to the original. This isn’t one of those prequels that feels misplaced or incongruent. It brings in context to Haymitch’s character and his later actions that we don’t get to see in the original trilogy. The emphasis on propaganda and media control was well done and this is definitely the kind of book I could see myself handing to a teenager.

Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen

5.0

I loved how many layers this had. From explorations of grief to aging to why we even want to be in relationships. It was so well done and very steamy.