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Showing posts from December, 2019

The Horn Book Choices for the Best Books of the Year

Horn Book Inc. Here are Horn Book's choices for best books of the year for teens! FICTION With the Fire on High written by Elizabeth Acevedo; HarperTeen (High School) High school senior Emoni Santiago is a proud Afro-Latinx young woman, an aspiring chef, a teenage single parent — and just about anything else she puts her mind to, assisted by her supportive abuela and caring friends and teachers. Acevedo ( The Poet X ) creates fully realized characters with complex lives to whom many readers will connect — and through them feel seen.  Lovely War written by Julie Berry; Viking (High School) Greek goddess Aphrodite narrates the interwoven stories of four young mortals swept up in World War I to make her case for true love. Short, well-paced chapters carry readers across years, continents, and multiple perspectives; Berry skillfully addresses war, racism, loss, and love in all their complexity. A vividly described and achingly moving tale.  Beverly, Right He

Books About Doing Time-Titles on Criminal Justice and Families Experiencing Incarceration

"Read Woke" by Cicely Lewis School Library Journal/November 2019  Many children suffer and emotionally "do time" along with their parents when a parent is incarcerated. They can feel embarrassed and alone, never speaking about their parent being in prison. These titles below may help deal with the fear and anxiety these children may be feeling. The Disturbed Girl's Dictionary by NoNieqa Ramos Grade 9 and up, 2018 Macy's school officially classifies her as "disturbed," but Macy isn't interested in how others define her. She's got more pressing problems: her mom can't move off the couch, her dad's in prison, her brother's been kidnapped by Child Protective Services, and now her best friend isn't speaking to her. Writing in a dictionary format, Macy explains the world in her own terms―complete with gritty characters and outrageous endeavors. With an honesty that's both hilarious and fearsome, slowly Macy reveals w