Jameela dreams of being a journalist and when she becomes an editor of the school paper she is thrilled. But life has been tough at home. First her dad lost his job and ended up having to go overseas for work. Then her younger sister ended up with lymphoma. To top it off there is always drama with her sisters and now a boy, Ali, is distracting her. Can Jameela figure out the truth of everyone's story and how to contribute in a meaningful way?
The afterward and promotional material talk about how this is inspired by Little Women. I never would have picked up on it without seeing those bits of info. It is a decent story with good diversity.
I loved this so much. I listened to it on audio and was chuckling a lot.
Sal has a unique ability. He can see into and even get things from parallel universe, like say a chicken that he could put in the bully's locker. But his gift comes with a price - he could be breaking the universe.
With the help of his new friends Gabi he learns how to navigate the multiverse and even help some friends in the process.
This was a rollicking good time.
Hundreds of years ago the McNeil family became cryptid hunters. But traveling around the world in search of cryptids can get expensive. So, along the way, they added hoaxes to their repertoire. Run a hoax for someone, get paid, go on a real hunt, repeat. But lately, Grayson's dad has just done hoaxes and he hates it. He wants his family to have a legit career and he wants to be able to share it with the world.
When his dad agrees to a Grand Slam of 4 hoaxes in just a few days everyone is super stressed but when his dad and grandfather disappear it is up to Grayson and his brother to save the family business. Can they defeat the evil rival hoax family and can Grayson find a way to combine his passions with hoaxing?
This was a lot of fun. Good dynamics, good cryptids, good action. I liked it.
Ebony-Grace has been sent to stay with her dad over the summer while things settle down with her grandfather. She is not happy about it at all especially as it interferes with the imaginary world she and her grandfather have created. Her grandfather works for NASA and has instilled in Ebony a love of Star Trek (Uhura especially) and other science fiction. The problem is, her imagination can make her seem weird to others so it's hard for her to make friends. Can she save the world and get back to her grandfather?
The theme of growing up - especially growing up at different rates - was strong in this. I loved the setting of Harlem in the mid 80s. I had a hard time with the grandfather subplot because it was never fully explained what happened to him. I felt the ending was really abrupt as well.
More than anything else Amara wants to go to NYC with her dad for her birthday. It becomes even more important when she learns about a family history project for school and she realizes how little she knows - in fact, she didn't even know her dad and grandfather haven't spoken for 12 years (the year she was born, the year her grandma died - coincidence?). When her parents finally agree to let her go Amara takes the opportunity to learn more about her family, her roots, and maybe bring healing to her father and grandfather.
This was a good story about family relationships, healing, and also some good African American heritage especially in the Harlem area.
Joyce and her little sister have been living through the Blitz in England during World War II. So far, their family has been safe but others aren't so lucky. When they are evacuated during Project Pied Piper Joyce doesn't know what to expect. Will they be safe? Will her family be safe? Who will be taking care of them and will they be nice?
Together with some children they meet on the train and the daughter of the family that takes them in Joyce embarks on some adventure and a bit of a mystery.
I warmed up to this as it got going. This would be best for readers who are just entering into historical fiction and aren't ready for really meaty work.
This is a tough one for me. I have been to Guatemala many times. I work with a mission's organization there. The government is corrupt, their history is tragic, there is poverty but... I will not disagree that there are areas of the country where issues of gangs, drugs, and violence are issues. But... it isn't everywhere. My fear with books like this is that we are painting a picture and generalizing for the whole country. My wish would be for the government there to step up, to protect their people, to provide a needed structure to create jobs and security so that people didn't believe their only options was trying to get to the US in dangerous ways.
