A Tragic Kind of Wonderful

The Bookworm says... Definitely. A Tragic Kind of Wonderful by Eric Lindstrom is a new, YA novel that follows a young lady named Mel Hannigan. Mel is sixteen and she struggles with bipolar disorder. Between hiding her condition, dealing with the past, and friendship troubles (not unlike any other teenager), Mel is struggling to stay afloat. Her method of dealing with the past is pretty much ignoring it, until her once best friends raise questions about the way their friendship ended. When the past is smacking you in the face, it becomes pretty hard to ignore. As she becomes forced to confront the past, the barriers which Mel built so carefully begin to crumble.

"In the vein of It's Kind of a Funny Story and All the Bright Places comes a captivating, immersive exploration of life with mental illness." I read this, claiming similarity to two of my all time favorites, and my expectations were immediately high. After reading, I can confidently say that my expectations were well met, if not exceeded. Lindstrom deals with mental illness both gracefully and truthfully; he draws the important distinction between "You are bipolar" and "You are a person who has bipolar disorder", something that I feel is often overlooked. The system that Mel uses to describe her mental state, comparing parts of her body to animals whose emotions determine her state, is ingenious and incredibly effective; it allows the reader to empathize with someone struggling with bipolar disorder. The story is organized in such a way that the reader is forced to turn the pages as fast as they can, whether they want to know what happened or not. A truly wonderful sophomore novel for Eric Lindstrom; fans of Ned Vizzini, Jennifer Niven, and John Green will eat this up.

"I can't bear the thought of how they'd look at me, and treat me, if they knew how many pills I take every morning just to act more or less like everybody else."

DISCLAIMER: Review is based on an uncorrected proof, Tentative release date is January 2017.

A Boy Called Bat

The Bookworm says... Yes!! A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold wonderfully depicts the life of a young person with special needs, and it's written for those who need it most: young people. Bixby Alexander Tam, nicknamed Bat, lives with his sister and his mom (a veterinarian) and spends every other weekend with his father.When his mother brings home a baby skunk from work, Bat falls in love immediately. As soon as his mom tells him that they only get to keep the skunk for a month, until he's old enough to go to a wild animal shelter, Bat begins to brainstorm ways to keep him forever. Bat knows that the skunk is meant to be his, he just as to convince his mother.

This is exactly the sort of new middle grade that I LOVE to see. Middle Grade readers are at the perfect age to start learning about the world, and there's no better method of learning than a book. Through A Boy Called Bat, readers learn lessons of empathy, kindness, and perseverance; they also learn what it's like to be a child with autism, and to love someone with autism. All of the characters are lovable, but more importantly, they are authentic. The illustrations scattered throughout the novel are adorable and beautifully enhance the mood. I won't be forgetting about Bixby Alexander Tam anytime soon.

"He likes the parts of her that everyone else thinks are weird."

DISCLAIMER: Review is based on an advanced reading copy made from uncorrected proofs. Tentative on-sale date is March 14th, 2017.

Lily and Dunkin

The Bookworm says... Yes! Donna Gephart's Lily and Dunkin is a fantastic new piece of middle grade fiction. Tim McGrother- wait, scratch that- Lily Jo McGrother has always known she is a girl, but it's hard for her to show that because she looks like a boy. It's even harder because her dad is not supportive AND she's in eighth grade. Her only friends are her best friend Dare and her older sister,, Sarah. When a new boy named Norbert moves into Beckford Palm Estates, he and Lily are fast friends. She nicknames him Dunkin after he admits he is embarrassed by his given name. Dunkin just moved to Florida from his life-long home in New Jersey and is having a hard time adjusting to the heat in Florida, and all the changes brought by the move.  The adaptation process is even harder when coupled with the fact that Dunkin struggles with bipolar disorder. In an attempt to fit in at his new school, Dunkin befriends the group of jocks that run the eighth grade- the same boys that love to bully Lily. Lily and Dunkin are both trying to survive eighth grade, but with the baggage they each carry it's sure to be difficult.

I have one (and only one!) negative thing to say about this novel, so I'm going to write that first: one of the protagonists is named Norbert "Dunkin" Dorfman, and is referred to as Dunkin most of the time. From my perspective that's much too similar to The Fingertips of Duncan Dorfman by Meg Wolitzer. Enough negativity!! This book is SO important- it's exactly what Middle Grade needs more of. It features a transgender child, a child with bipolar disorder, a lesbian couple, a peaceful protest to save wildlife, and more. Most importantly, it's written for Middle Grade readers!! There's a huge problem in society with inequality and injustice based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and luckily that is a widely recognized fault. A major part of this problem is our reluctance to have conversations with young people about different sexual orientations, and about the fact that there are more than two genders that one can identify as. That is why books like Lily and Dunkin are so important. They not only teach young readers important life lessons, they start conversations and open doors. Who knows- a child may read this book and realize that they feel exactly like Lily does, and then be comforted by the fact that they aren't alone. A child with bipolar disorder may read this book and feel less isolated when they see a character that struggles with the same things they do. Books can do amazing things, and I have a feeling this one will. Perfect for fans of Alex Gino's George. 

"A long time ago, Mom taught me that when someone makes you suffer, it's because his own pain is spilling over."

You're Welcome, Universe

The Bookworm says... Definitely. You're Welcome, Universe by Whitney Gardner is a debut novel that is sure to have an excellent reaction from YA readers everywhere. Julia is a sixteen year-old Indian American girl who attends the Kingston School for the Deaf. And yes, she is Deaf. When a sexist slur degrading her best friend appears on the wall behind the gym, Julia paints a graffiti mural over it. Her supposed best friend rats her out, and Julia is expelled from Kingston School. Forced to integrate into a mainstream public high school with the help of an interpreter, Julia is lonely and treated like an outcast. She takes to painting anywhere she can get away with-street signs, scoreboards, overpasses- desperate to make her mark through her art. After someone starts adding their own touch to her pieces, Julia retaliates. She unknowingly gets herself into a small-scale tagging war, and she's willing to risk everything to show her rival what she's made of- she won't  let some small town vandal take away the one thing she truly understands. 

There are so many reasons that I love this book as much as I do. First of all, it is a shining example of the diversity we need in YA: a Deaf Indian-American girl with two moms living in New York. What's not to love about that? When I initially heard the premise of the story, I was excited by the potential but also scared by how bad that could go very quickly. That being said, I wasn't disappointed in the slightest. I love the way Gardner explores Deaf culture- insightful and educational. I feel like I learned a lot about Deaf culture while reading this. Throughout the whole novel there is betrayal, romance, jealousy, disappointment, and fear, all of which (as a high school student) I struggle with weekly. My only negative comment is the derogatory use of the "r-word". That is something I can never get behind, no matter what. To quote the Goodreads page for the book, "A vibrant, edgy, fresh new YA voice for fans of More Happy Than Not and Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, packed with interior graffiti." Also perfect for those that enjoyed I'll Give You the Sun. Fans of Adam Silvera, Becky Albertalli, and Jandy Nelson, come running! 

"How do I explain the rules of a game that has no rules?"

DISCLAIMER: Review is based on uncorrected advance proofs bound for review purposes. Tentative publication date is March 7, 2017. 

*****EDIT 8/18/16 5:54 PM: The "r-word" will not appear in the hardcover version of the book when it is published. Looks like I have nothing negative to say about You're Welcome, Universe :)

Shiny Broken Pieces

The Bookworm says... Yes!!! Shiny Broken Pieces, sequel to Tiny Pretty Things, by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton is a gripping story that exposes the nasty side of the ballet world. As they enter their senior year at the ABC Conservatory, June, Bette, and Gigi are competing for the two apprentice spots at the American Ballet Company. With their futures on the line, there's no room for playing nice. June has to choose between ballet and true love. Bette has to fight her way back into the conservatory after being suspended for harming her rival dancer. Gigi has to show all the girls that bullied her that she is resilient and they won't keep her down. Combining these struggles with the pressure of senior year at ABC Conservatory someone is destined to crack. Which two dancers will continue to work with ABC as apprentices, and which dancer will have to  sacrifice her dream?

Shiny Broken Pieces does a beautiful job exposing the ugly side of the ballet world: the eating disorders, drugs, gossip, bullying, sex, and scandal. The most meaningful praise I can give to this novel- I didn't even realize it was a sequel, nor had I read Tiny Pretty Things, but I still loved it. Aside from being slightly confused on several occasions, I still really enjoyed it. The narrator changes each chapter, alternating between the three girls. That switch helps the reader become more invested in each dancer, and allows them to choose one dancer to root for the whole time (team Gigi!). Perfect for fans of The Clique series by Lisi Harrison and for fans of Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard.

"You love to dance. You live to dance. But dying to dance? No... This I will not allow."

Thicker Than Water

The Bookworm says... Yes! A harrowing tale of drug addiction, Thicker Than Water by Kelly Fiore stands out from other YA fiction. After a knee injury forces Cyrus out of soccer, he falls into the grip of a painkiller addiction. As his drug habits overtake him, they overtake the whole family. Cece is at a loss, standing by and watching her brother waste away- her mom passed away and her dad turns a blind eye, so it's up to her to save Cyrus. It doesn't make sense that Cece would kill him, but that's what the police are saying: that Cecilia murdered her elder brother.

Thicker Than Water is terrifying, horrible, ugly, and above all, honest- all the things a story about drug addiction should be. Kelly Fiore experienced the effects of drug addiction on a family first hand, and she did a beautiful job of describing it in ways that YA readers can understand and relate to. Nothing was sugar coated or covered up, which I appreciated greatly. The brutal honesty in Cece's story sets Thicker Than Water apart from its YA counterparts.

"In the end, it's not about where you came from, but where you're going."

Ask Me How I Got Here

The Bookworm says... Maybe. Ask Me How I Got Here by Christine Heppermann is a YA fiction novel written completely in verse. When cross-country star Addie gets pregnant, her whole life is put on hold. Once she makes the decision to have an abortion, everything changes. She sees new sides of people she thought she knew, and gets closer to people she didn't.

Though I enjoyed reading this, I wouldn't say I loved it. The story was simple and short, with the major conflict being seemingly resolved very early on. I found the way the novel is structured to be distracting and I think the verse takes away from the reading experience. It was short and sweet and perfect fro anyone looking for a quick beach read.

"They pull us in, push us down, cover our mouths with hands we thought we knew."

Places No One Knows

The Bookworm says... Yes! Places No One Knows by Brenna Yovanoff is a super unique, captivating piece of YA fiction. Waverly Camdenmar is a text-book definition perfect student. She takes AP classes, has the best GPA, runs cross-country (and wins most meets!), is part of student council, and has popular friends. Since she is such a perfect student, it's surprising that she falls for Marcus Holt. Marcus Holt is a text-book definition slacker. He parties all the time, smokes between classes, skips school, and almost never does homework. Waverly has one flaw that draws them together- she doesn't sleep for days at a time. One night when she finally hypnotizes herself into a deep sleep, she dreams herself into Marshall's bedroom. From that night on, she must decide if she can risk everything she stands for for a a boy she knows only in her dreams.

I really, truly loved Places No One Knows. I picked up an advance reader's copy at ALA Midwinter back in January, and I'm so happy I finally had a chance to read it. I think the main reason I enjoyed it so much is that I see myself in Waverly. Not  in the sense that I stay up all night and dream my way into the bedrooms of mysterious boys, but more in the sense that I understand the pressure Waverly puts herself under. Whether or not you consider that a bias is up to you, but I really love this book.

"The effectiveness of your persona is inversely proportional to what people know about you."

Replica

The Bookworm says... Maybe. Replica by Lauren Oliver is a very interesting read.
Gemma is a teenage girl who has been in and out of hospitals her entire life with a varying slew of illnesses. Gemma's parents are extremely protective, and as she grows older she begins to question her family's past. She also tries to understand her father's mysterious connection to the Haven center of research, something that is near impossible because of the high security surrounding the center.
Lyra, also known as 24, is an experimental subject at the Haven research center. After disaster strikes at Haven, she and a boy known only as 72 are left to fend for themselves in the real world.
When Gemma and Lyra cross paths, they each find answers to questions they didn't know they should be asking.

The concept behind Replica is very creative, and I found it very intriguing. The book has two sides- Gemma's story and Lyra's story. It can be read starting with Gemma's side, starting with Lyra's side, or alternating chapters. I opted to read Gemma's side first, and I thought it was excellent. But, when it was time to flip the book over and read from Lyra's point of view, I became very bored. I truly cannot see the appeal in re-reading the exact same story from another point of view, and I don't think that too much new information was revealed from the other side. This book would have been better if it was written with the chapters alternating point of view- it would be smoother and much more enjoyable. My boredom with the second side may also be a result of the incredible amount of other books I have to read, but I truly think that reading the second side was a colossal waste of time.

"A strange and baffling truth: that the people we're supposed to know best can turn out to be strangers, and that near strangers can feel so much like home."

Previously reviewed by Lauren Oliver: Before I Fall, Panic,

DISCLAIMER: Review is based on an advanced reading copy made from uncorrected proofs. Tentative release date is October 4th, 2016.

A Shadow Bright and Burning

The Bookworm says... ABSOLUTELY!!! A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess is one of the best things I have read recently, and maybe ever. Henrietta Howel is a teacher at Brimthorn School for Girls. She also happens to be the first female sorcerer in hundreds of years. She ALSO happens to have the ability to control flames. Henrietta is the one that the prophecy calls for to defeat the Ancients and save Europe from the hands of war. Is she really the young sorcerer they are looking for?

I kept this summary brief in order to avoid spoilers, so that does not (by any means) do this incredible book justice. The world that Jessica Cluess creates, a Victorian England with a society of sorcerers, is vivid and burning with detail. Each character is so poignantly developed that they honestly could have stepped right off the page and I wouldn't be surprised. The plot is gripping and exciting and I was hanging off the edge of my seat the whole time. It's been a while since I stayed up until three o'clock in the morning reading a book, but that's exactly what I did last night. I truly cannot convey how much I love this book, nor how excited I am for the rest of the world to feel the effects of it. A Shadow Bright and Burning is the YA Harry Potter of 2016, and I am ecstatic to see the world sway in wake of this incredible novel. The story telling exhibited is incomparable to that of any other novel published recently, and the romantic element is a well appreciated bonus feature. I don't know how I can possibly await the release of the next installment in the Kingdom on Fire series; I will await the continuation of Henrietta Howel's adventure with greatest anticipation.

"Knowledge is as powerful as fire. The brighter it burns, the more it devours."

DISCLAIMER: Review is based on an uncorrected proof. Tentative release date is September 20, 2016.

Every Single Second

The Bookworm says... Yes! Every Single Second by Tricia Springstubb is utterly fantastic! Nella is twelve years old, and she feels like her life is falling apart. Her once "secret sister", Angela, can barely be considered an acquaintance. Her new best friend, Clem, is completely focused on how to spend the "leap second"- a second that is being added to the official world clock. With her two closest friends feeling further and further away, Nella begins to feel truly alone. Angela's older brother makes a mistake that turns everything upside down, and forces Nella to make some choices. Stand up or stand by? She tries to act with Angela's interests in mind, but also following her heart. Can she really trust what her heart has to say?

Every Single Second, as I said above, is utterly fantastic. In a society where racial divides tear us apart, it is absolutely essential that we acknowledge this fatal flaw. Books are the perfect way to examine the problem and spread awareness, especially to middle grade readers. My only problem with this book is that I felt the first hundred or so pages were extremely confusing and I felt that the confusion lingered throughout most of the book. With that trivial detail set aside, I have nothing but pure admiration for this book. A must read for all children- the children who wonder why hate grips our nation so strongly. 

"Forward! That is the way of our cosmos. The future is urgent, irresistible, and majestic."

Flying Lessons & Other Stories

The Bookworm says... Maybe. Flying Lessons & Other Stories is an anthology edited by Ellen Oh, co-founder of We Need Diverse Books, that includes work by Kwame Alexander, Kelly J. Baptist, Soman Chainani, Matt de la Pena, Tim Federle, Grace Lin, Meg Medina, Walter dean Myers, Tim Tingle, and Jacqueline Woodson. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories, and I love how there is a common theme between all of the pieces. The common theme that I felt to be most important? Success cannot be achieved without overcoming hardship. Another thing that I appreciate about this collection is the absolute diversity shown in all of the stories. With stories featuring protagonists of different backgrounds, cultures, and situations, each one exhibits a different walk of life. This is a special grouping of short stories that I feel could positively impact lots and lots of middle grade readers. We need more books like this one.

"Papi chose to be invisible today so you won't ever have to be." (from Sol Painting, Inc. by Meg Medina)

DISCLAIMER: review is based on an uncorrected proof. Tentative release date is January 3, 2017.

The Sun Is Also A Star

The Bookworm says... Yes! The Sun Is Also A Star is truly a shining sophomore novel for the lovely Nicola Yoon. Natasha and Daniel collide in a near fatal moment on a corner in Times Square. It is a big day for each- Natasha's family is being deported, and Daniel has an interview with a Yale alumnus. Natasha is a firm believer in science and the accuracy of the scientific method; her only mission is to reverse her father's mistakes and keep her family in America. Daniel is a poet, a dreamer, who is trying to be happy in his life while living up to his parents' expectations. Once Daniel sees Natasha, his interview immediately fades from his mind. All that matters is getting to know this intriguing, beautiful girl with the "DEUS EX MACHINA" jacket and the afro. Daniel invites Natasha to get coffee, and she obliges; his most pressing issue is no longer the Yale interview- it's making a girl who doesn't believe in love fall in love.

The Sun Is Also A Star proved itself to be an outstanding new YA romance that questions the power of fate and expectations, and what happens if you defy them. I'm not going to lie, the beginning of this book did not have me sold. I was unsure if I would finish the book pleased or disappointed. Just looking at the exposition, the cliche is undeniable- love at first sight in Times Square? Come on. But, as I continued to read, Daniel and Natasha drew me in, their different cultures (Korean American and Jamaican) providing something unique and interesting to the story. After around 100 pages, I could not deny the quality of this story. By the end, any hint of cliche that would take away from the reading experience was gone. Upon finishing the book, I was beyond crushed that the twenty-or-so pages I thought I had left was actually a preview of Everything, Everything, Nicola Yoon's first novel. I could have read another hundred pages of this book easily. This is an adorable YA that is sure to tug at your heart strings- don't miss out!

"The sun is also a star, and it's our most important one."

Previously reviewed by Nicola Yoon: Everything, Everything

DISCLAIMER: Review is based on an advance reader's copy. Tentative on-sale date is November 1, 2016.

History Is All You Left Me

The Bookworm says... Absolutely!!!!! History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera is easily my favorite read of the year (so far!). Even though Theo and Griffin broke up, Griffin still loves him... Even though Theo is away at college and dating someone else, Griffin still loves him... Even after Theo drowns, Griffin still loves him... In the wake of his ex-boyfriend's death, Griffin realizes two things to be true- One: losing people you love sucks. A lot. And, two: his OCD is getting increasingly worse as each day without Theo passes. When Theo's boyfriend from college, Jackson, comes to New York for the funeral, Griffin wants nothing to do with him. Once he realizes that Jackson is the only one who understands what he is going through, everything changes.

This book blew me away, so much so that I don't think any review I can write will do it justice. This is my best shot. Adam Silvera, author of More Happy Than Not, has managed to produce yet another outstanding young-adult novel. First of all, it is told from Griffin's  point of view, with Theo as the audience. The reader is often addressed as "you", referring to Theo. Silvera skillfully weaves through time, alternating chapters between "History" and "Today". Changing setting between chapters runs the risk of having a lost and confused reader, but I didn't feel lost in the slightest while reading this book. It's one of those books that makes you everything but lost- you find yourself in it. Love and loss, common themes in both of Silvera's novels, are driving forces of the plot. The characters experience love and loss, and so will the reader. I cannot tell you how many times I had to put this book down while reading during school so I wouldn't break out in tears in front of my classmates (mostly because it's an embarrassing number). Griffin's OCD is conveyed perfectly, truly showing what it is like to live with the disorder and how it takes control of your life. Anyone that has ever lost someone they love will find true meaning in this book. I found myself constantly writing down the numbers of pages that held passages I felt I truly connected with, or even pages that I just loved. From the artful setting changes, incredibly developed characters, themes that are easy to relate to, and emotional depth of the story to Adam Silvera's all around gorgeous writing, it is pretty much impossible not to love this book. I am heavily anticipating this release, because I know that it is going to change the entire YA world for the better. So now, I urge you, mark your calendars for January and run to get a copy of this astounding novel.

"I feel like a rock being skipped through the ocean- pain, relief, pain again, relief again, eventually destined to sink."

Previously reviewed by Adam Silvera: More Happy Than Not
More Happy Than Not was one of my top ten reads of 2015! See my top ten here!

DISCLAIMER: This review is based on an advance uncopyedited edition. Tentative release date is January 2017.

Tell Us Something True

The Bookworm says... Yes! Tell Us Something True  by Dana Reinhardt is a cute new YA coming of age novel. Penny breaks up with River, but it's more like she just took his soul and crushed into tiny pieces and scattered them around the country. He hopelessly tries to get back with her, but it is to no avail. In his despair he finds himself at a support group for troubled teens, A Second Chance. River fakes his way through the meetings, trying to blend in with Los Angeles's most corrupted teens. By attending these meetings on Saturday nights, River learns more than he could've hoped for about himself, Penny, love, addiction, and life in general. 

Tell Us Something True was definitely an enjoyable book to read! It's sweet, romantic, comical, and sad, all wrapped into around 200 pages. There were "aweee!" moments, "haha!" moments, and some "oh noooo :(" moments as well. Though at some points a tad slow, I would say that the novel developed very well to reach an enthralling climax at the end. This book isn't the book to read if you are looking for something to blow you away, but it's good if you just want something quick that you know you will enjoy- the ending WILL take you by surprise, I promise. 

"Don't let perfect be the enemy of good."

DISCLAIMER: review is based on an uncorrected proof. Tentative release date is June 14, 2016. 

Holding Up the Universe

The Bookworm says... Yes! Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven has been one of my most anticipated new novels for a while now, and trust me- it did not disappoint! This YA novel follows Libby Strout, formerly known as "America's Fattest Teen", and Jack Masselin, popular kid with a secret neurological disorder. Following her mother's death, Libby stayed close to home, attempting to recollect herself and deal with her grief. She gained so much weight that she was housebound for six months. For as long as he can remember, Jack hasn't been able to remember faces- every time he sees someone it's as if it's the first time. Self diagnosed with prosopagnosia, Jack makes his way through the day by using identifiers (the arrangement of freckles, catch-phrases, etc.) to recognize people, and by making sure never to get too close. After a cruel game is played, Libby and Jack's worlds collide in a group counseling session. At first less than thrilled to see each other, they begin to realize that spending time together may not be so bad after all.

I really, truly enjoyed Holding Up the Universe. As many of you know, Jennifer Niven's other YA novel All The Bright Places was my number one read on 2015 (see my top ten here) Clearly, that set a very high bar for this one. While I can't say that Holding Up the Universe was as incredible as ATBP, it was amazing in its own way. It is a very unique story about issues that do not get talked about- bullying, obesity, and rare neurological  disorders. Before reading this book, I had never heard of prospagnosia. It has the same educational effect as Wendy Mass's A Mango Shaped Space, which follows a protagonist with synesthesia. Libby is such a fierce, independent character that I wish I knew her. I wish I could have her personality. The more I think about it, the more I realize why Holding Up the Universe didn't overcome ATBP- it's significantly less simple to relate to, yet I feel that that is a further advantage. It's not often that I read a book in which the main character is so different from myself, yet so similar once I take the time to examine them more. To sum up my thoroughly scatter-brained review (Jennifer Niven, this is what your writing does to me!)- Holding Up the Universe is a fabulous new novel. Ignore the naysayers that will tell you otherwise, and run to the bookstore on October 4th to get a copy of this fantastic book.

"It's been my experience that the people who are most afraid are the ones who hide behind mean and threatening words."

Previously reviewed by Jennifer Niven: All The Bright Places

DISCLAIMER: review is based on an uncorrected proof. Tentative release date is October 4th, 2016.

Half in Love With Death

The Bookworm says... Yes! Half in Love With Death by Emily Ross is a great YA thriller and coming-of-age novel wrapped in one. Caroline's older sister, Jess, was always the "problem child" of their family, if you will. She was, after all, the reason they had to move across the country. One night, Jess sneaks out of the house after their parents are in bed- nothing out of the usual. What is unusual- she doesn't come home. Before Caroline can even think about what's happening, her older sister is missing and nobody seems to care about what Caroline has to say. Tony, Jess's boyfriend and local  bad-boy, is the only person that is there to comfort Caroline. Tony is convinced Jess ran away to California, and he begins to convince Caroline of the same. Caroline starts hanging out with Tony's group, and by the time she realizes the bad-boy act might not be an act, she may be in too deep.

I really enjoyed Half in Love With Death! The plot kept my attention in a tight grip, and I found my thoughts drifting back to Caroline and Jess even after I put the book down. The setting, Arizona in the 1960's, provided a unique twist to the story. Though I would say the ending is kind of predictable from early on, I do not think that that took away from the experience of reading it whatsoever. Bravo, Emily Ross!

"Was the one thing that I'd dismissed as a dream the only thing that had actually been real?"

**SPECIAL NOTE: If you happen to be residing in the South Shore area of Massachusetts, there's an excellent opportunity to attend a YA author event featuring Emily Ross! The event is being held at Buttonwood Books and Toys in Cohasset on Sunday, April 10th at 1:00. For more information, you can call 781-383-2665, visit buttonwoodbooksandtoys.com, or send me a message!

The Smell of Other People's Houses

The Bookworm says... Absolutely! The Smell of Other People's Houses is an outstanding debut novel for Alaska Native Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock. Ruth, Alyce, Dora, and Hank are all faced with very different situations that similarly challenge their wit, ability to survive, and overall strength and perseverance. Their lives intertwine as they all try to deal with what they were given. Who could have guessed that four teenagers, a secret, a passion for dance, a need to escape your roots, and a plot to run away from home could draw four people together and provide such unlikely success for each individual.

The Smell of Other People's Houses is new, fresh, different, and brilliant in more ways than I can count. Set in Alaska in the 1970's on the verge of entering statehood, the novel doesn't appear to be something modern young adults could relate to. That observation, however, is immediately disproved upon reading the first chapter. The writing style is incredible- Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock is a voice that has been sorely needed in the world of young adult literature. The manner in which she brought together all of the characters in her novel was beautiful, and I was left speechless upon turning the final page. With a beautiful cover, intriguing name, and an exquisite plot, everything about this book screams, "READ ME!

"We don't have to be blood to be family."

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

The Bookworm says...No. I really did not enjoy Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews. Greg Gaines has mastered the method of staying invisible in high school, there in making a friend out of everyone. He acknowledges that without any friends, just people he is friends with, he is deprived of a normal high school experience, though he doesn't seem to mind. Greg is also a very unsuccessful filmmaker; he makes films with his business partner, Earl Jones. Very bad films, to be clear. When a girl Greg dated in his prepubescent years, Rachel Kushner, is diagnosed with leukemia, Greg's mom forces him to befriend her. Simply acquainting himself with Rachel is the flaw that brings down Greg's entire, carefully structured life, but also gives it a a new meaning.

This book is written from the point of view of Greg, as a book that he is writing for an unknown reason. This gives the reader direct insight into Greg's teenage mind. I did not like this book, as you may have seen above. I didn't particularly enjoy the writing style, and I thought the plot was dry and boring. A read that I wished to be finished before I was halfway through.

"I mean, you can know someone is dying on an intellectual level, but emotionally it hasn't hit you, and then when it does, that's when you feel like shit."