Faceless by Alyssa Sheinmel

Pages: 341

Intended Audience: Teens

Genre: Drama / Adversity

Notes for Parents: Some mature content

The Back Cover

When Maisie Winters wakes up, she’s in the hospital.

The last thing she remembers is running through the hills of her neighborhood one misty morning. Slowly, she puts the pieces together: Before she could make it home, a storm gathered. Lightning hit a power line and sparks rained down, the hot-burning electrical fire consuming her. Destroying her face. Where her nose, cheeks, and chin used to be, now there is…nothing.

Maisie’s lucky enough to qualify for a rare medical treatment: a face transplant. At least, everyone says she’s lucky. But with someone else’s features staring back at her in the mirror, Maisie looks—and feels—like a stranger. The doctors promised that the transplant was her chance to live a normal life again, but nothing feels normal anymore. Before, she knew who she was—a regular girl who ran track and got good grades, who loved her boyfriend and her best friend. Now, she can’t even recognize herself.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

The author was inspired to write the story after reading an article in 2012 about a man who received a full face transplant. A face transplant is a medical procedure to replace all or part of a person's face using tissue from a cadaver. The world's first partial face transplant on a living human was carried out in France in 2005. The world's first full face transplant was completed in Spain in 2010.

What’s good?

Maisie defined herself by her ability to run and took her good looks, good friends, and good grades for granted. But after an accident alters her life, she struggles to figure out who she is and who she wants to be now that everything has changed. Maisie is a strong, realistic character, who’s search for identity amid adversity is a lesson in perseverance and resiliency. The medical information is fascinating, and thankfully presented in a way that’s easy to understand. Maisie’s unique situation is given perspective when she joins a support group and meets other who understand her many obstacles. The plot is fairly simple, with a few twists, and the pace is even. There’s a bit of romance, some humor, and plenty of emotion.

Best Part: Maisie’s friend Serena.

What isn’t good?

It felt like there was something missing. Or perhaps someone. She had her friend Serena, her boyfriend Chirag, and her parents, but why weren’t there more people rallying around her. Where were all her friends, classmates, teachers, teammates, neighbors? What about the media? The lack of attention, good or bad, felt like a missing element. Also, the ending didn’t resolve anything. It wasn’t terrible, but it felt unfinished.

Worst part: The “lucky” theme was annoying.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☻☻ (3/5)

It was good. I liked Maisie, the plot was interesting, and the story was a quick and easy read. The pace was steady, but my no means fast, and there wasn’t a lot of action. But the whole premise was intriguing and the problems Maisie came up against kept me engaged. Recommended.

Sheinmel, Alyssa. Faceless. New York: Scholastic, 2015.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay by J.K. Rowling

Pages: 280

Intended Audience: Tweens and up

Genre: Script / Fantasy

Notes for Parents: Some violence and mature content

The Back Cover

The year is 1926 in the city of New York…

A time and place where the actions of a handful of people…and creatures…will determine the fate of the many. Magizoologist Newt Scamander, newly arrived in town, intends his stay to be just a brief stopover. However, when Newt’s magical case is misplaced and some of his fantastic beasts escape into the city, it spells trouble for everyone…

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is J.K. Rowling’s screenwriting debut. Set in the Harry Potter universe (but about 75 years before Harry), this is the original screenplay for the movie of the same name that was released in November.

What’s good?

Enchanting supernatural beasts, magical spells, disquieting villains, and a delightfully eccentric hero make this new addition to the Potterverse and absolute joy to read. While this is not a Harry Potter novel, it has the same fantastical feel of the Harry Potter series. The plot is simple—very simple, in fact—and the characters are curious and charming. There’s plenty of action, adventure, waving wands, creature chaos, and dark, devious evil lurking in the shadows. The story is both fun and funny, with everything you would expect from a J.K. Rowling story. The book itself is beautifully designed with elaborate drawings and flourishes.

Best Part: The Niffler.

What isn’t good?

The only negative thing I can say is that the story loses a little to the screenplay format. We don’t get the mood-generating imagery, or the world-building descriptions that made the Harry Potter books so visual. However, the movie gives you all of that and more, so the script is more of a companion to the film than a stand-alone book.

Worst part: There were absolutely no “worst parts”!

Recommendation ☺☺☺☺☻

For those who were disappointed with Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, this is redemption. Despite the different format, this has all of the elements that made Harry Potter so entertaining – eccentric characters, fantastical beasts, humor, adventure, tense moments, and an everyday hero. Definitely recommended.

Rowling, J.K. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: The Original Screenplay. New York: Arthur A. Levine, 2016. (Hardcover)

Facing the Mountain by Wendy Orr

Pages: 136

Intended Audience: Tweens and up

Genre: Adventure / Survival

Notes for Parents: Some mature content

The Back Cover

Raven is hiking in the Rockies with her family. But when she gets to the top of her first mountain, the world tilts. She finds herself falling, riding a wave of rocks. Her sister and stepfather are trapped by the avalanche. Now Raven faces wild animals and treacherous terrain as she goes for help. Can she survive long enough to save her family?

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This book was shortlisted for the 2013 Diamond Willow Awards in Saskatchewan and for the 2011 Speech Pathologists Book of the Year in Australia. It was also name a Children’s Book Council of Australian Notable Book in 2012 and commended as one of the Best Books for Kids and Teens by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre in 2012. In Australia, the book is called Raven’s Mountain. The author was born in Australia and raised in Canada.

What’s good?

Raven has to find a way down the mountain on her own after her sister and stepfather are trapped by a rock slide. She battles the elements and the wildlife, finding an inner strength she didn’t know she had. Raven is a strong, likable character, and her adventure and adversities are realistic and exciting. The story is short and the plot is simple, so this is a quick and easy read. While her physical journey is perilous, her psychological journey is just as engaging.

Best Part: The white bear and cubs.

What isn’t good?

Not surprisingly, Raven’s adventures are predictable. Despite getting a bad sun burn, bee stings, a ton of mosquito bites, and having little to drink or eat, the reader isn’t given a real sense of her discomfort – instead the story focuses on the dangers and her disorientation. It’s disappointing, but understandable in a short book.

Worst part: Nothing was terrible.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☻☻ (3/5)

It was a good, quick, and easy read. This is no literary masterpiece, but Raven’s journey was entertaining, and the themes of strength and courage were thought-provoking. The ending was convenient and tidy, as expected. Recommended for those looking for a good adventure story.

Orr, Wendy. Facing the Mountain. Toronto: Scholastic Canada, 2011.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

Pages: 274

Intended Audience: Adults

Genre: Historical fiction

Notes for Parents: Some mature content

The Back Cover

January 1946: Writer Juliet Ashton receives a letter from a stranger, a founding member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. And so begins a remarkable tale of the island of Guernsey during the German occupation, and of a society as extraordinary as its name.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

After the manuscript was accepted for publication (2006), the book's editor requested that the author, Mary Shaffer, make some changes that required substantial rewriting, but around that time Shaffer's health had deteriorated dramatically. She asked the daughter of her sister Cynthia, Annie Barrows, who by that time was a well-established author of children's literature, to finish the editing and rewriting. Barrows did so, and thereby became a listed co-author on the work.

What’s good?

The island of Guernsey was the only part of British soil that was occupied by the Nazis during World War II. Set in London in 1946, this is the story of a group of Guernsey islanders who survived the five-year occupation by reading books, hiding a pig, and developing strong bonds of friendship. Told in an epistolary format (letters), the tale begins when Juliet, a posh British writer receives an unsolicited letter from a man living in Guernsey. They exchange letters and eventually reveal the fascinating story of the islanders during those difficult years. The storytelling is smooth and the plot well-paced (after Juliet gets the letter – before that it’s pretty slow!). With plenty of moments of both joy and heartbreak, this is a gratifying tale with eccentric characters, compassion and wit, and a lesson about the power of love.

Best Part(s): Dawsey Adams, Zenobia the parrot, and the pig story.

What isn’t good?

I didn’t particularly enjoy the letter format because it limited the amount of information accessible to the reader. There were many interesting themes and subjects that were treated superficially because the format didn’t allow for much more. In essence, what could have been a powerful wartime story is better described as romanticized historical fiction.

Worst part: The start was really slow.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☻☻ (3/5)

This is the kind of book you read on a chilly winter’s night, wrapped in a blanket and sitting by a fire. Less about war and more about how war disrupts lives, it’s a character study and a heartwarming (at times heart-wrenching) story of friends, family, and community. The story has a kindness about it that is rarely seen in a book about the dark days of World War II.

Shaffer, Mary Ann & Annie Barrows. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. New York: Dial Press, 2008.

These Are My Words: The Residential School Diary of Violet Pesheens by Ruby Slipperjack

Pages: 168

Intended Audience: Mature Tweens and up

Genre: Historical novel

Notes for Parents: Some mature content

The Back Cover

September 9, 1966

They took everything away when I arrived here. I had stones from home and some feathers that Grandma gave me. They took my diary too. I had a lot of stuff written in there that I thought would give me some comfort over the year. But now it’s gone.

I was given this notebook and pencils for school, so I am going to start another diary. I am going to hide it with me all the time.

I put the things that were on the bed into the locker. All the clothes had the number 75 written in black marker on the tags. I am now #75.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

Description from Goodreads.com:

Violet Pesheens is struggling to adjust to her new life at Residential School. She misses her Grandma; she has run-ins with Cree girls; at her “white” school, everyone just stares; and everything she brought has been taken from her, including her name—she is now just a number. But worst of all, she has a fear. A fear of forgetting the things she treasures most: her Anishinaabe language; the names of those she knew before; and her traditional customs. A fear of forgetting who she was.
Her notebook is the one place she can record all of her worries, and heartbreaks, and memories. And maybe, just maybe there will be hope at the end of the tunnel.

The novel is part of the “Dear Canada” series.

What’s good?

The diary format and the middle school level makes this a quick and easy read. The main character, Violet, is easily likeable, and the plot is simple. This is a story of survival as Violet struggles to hold on to her personal and cultural identity amidst a system that is trying to strip her of it. There are very few secondary characters, but Violet’s grandmother is noteworthy as a vibrant and independent woman in her community. The inclusion of Anishinaabe words was interesting, and illustrated her efforts to preserve her sense of self. This is a sanitized version of a very dark part of Canada’s history.

Best Part: Blackie the dog

What isn’t good?

Plot development was weak and the whole story lacked any real historical or cultural context. While this was a decent introduction to a dark and complex topic, it serves only as a mild starting point. The events were sanitized so much that Violet’s experience in a residential school felt more like a sad inconvenience for one girl rather than the horrific injustice that was forced upon an entire nation.

Worst part: The lack of emotion.

Recommendation ☺☺☻☻☻ (2/5)

This is not a happy story, nor should it be, but it lacked an element that should have made it feel hopeful. We knew Violet was sad and homesick, but her diary never really explored the deeper emotions. There were bright moments, but ultimately it felt like a story told rather than an experience shared. The story was thought-provoking, but ultimately, for me, disappointing.

Slipperjack, Ruby. These are My Words: The Residential School Diary of Violet Pesheens. Toronto: Scholastic Canada, 2016

Modern Monsters by Kelley York

Pages: 287

Intended Audience: Teens and up

Genre: Crime drama

Notes for Parents: Contains language, mature content, including a sexual assault, under-age drinking, and drinking and driving.

The Back Cover

Vic Howard never wanted to go to the party. He’s the Invisible Guy at school, a special kind of hell for quiet, nice guys. But since his best friend is as popular as Vic is ignored, he went anyway…

And wished he hadn’t.

Because something terrible—unimaginable—happened to Callie Wheeler that night, and now she’s told the police that Vic is responsible. Suddenly, Invisible Vic is painfully visible, on trial both with the police and the angry kids at school. As the whispers and violence against him escalate, he becomes determined to clear his name, even if it means an uneasy alliance with Callie’s best friend, the gorgeous but aloof Autumn Dixon.

But as Autumn and Vic slowly peel back the layers of what happened at the party, they realize that while the truth can set Vic free, some truths can destroy a life forever.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

From kelley-york.com: ”She [the author] finds the workings of the mind fascinating and--also being no stranger to mental illness in her own life--loves making that shine through in her characters to bring awareness and get people thinking.”

What’s good?

This is an intense read with a strong, emotional narrative. Although the story is centered around a girl who accuses Vic of raping her at a party, the plot is more of a character study that focuses on Vic and his relationships with the people around him – his mom, his best friend, his classmates, his boss, and even his absent father. Vic’s character is complex and his path to growth is credible. Secondary characters pale in comparison to the main character, but still manage to lend themselves well to the drama of the situation that Vic finds himself in. The ending was satisfying.

Best Part: Amjad, Vic’s boss at the convenience store.

What isn’t good?

I didn’t buy the romance. It felt awkward, and especially uncomfortable when they were cuddling and talking about nothing that pertained to the current problem. The story itself was fairly predictable. I guessed a few of the major plot mysteries almost at the start, though one thing I didn’t see coming. While characterization of Vic was superb, the secondary characters were lackluster and the overall story lacked action.

Worst part: The definitions were completely unnecessary.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☺☻ (4/5)

It was good. It wouldn’t be fair to give this 3 out of 5 but a 4 seems generous. While the story lacked action, the character of Vic was strong and his dilemma was significant and kept me engaged. It was a fairly quick read, and the plot was easy to follow. The content is mature, so I don’t recommend this for young or sensitive readers. For everyone else, it’s a story worth reading.

York, Kelley. Modern Monsters. Fort Collins, CO: Entangled Pub., 2015.

In Search of April Raintree by Beatrice Culleton

Pages: 228

Intended Audience: Mature teens and up

Genre: Canadian; social issues

Notes for Parents: Contains mature content, including violence. Not for sensitive readers.

The Back Cover

There was no back cover description, so this is from Mcnallyrobinson.com:

Two young sisters are taken from their home and family. Powerless to change their fortunes, they are separated, and each put into different foster homes. Yet over the years, the bond between them grows. As they each make their way in a society that is, at times, indifferent, hostile, and violent, one embraces her Métis identity, while the other tries to leave it behind. In the end, out of tragedy, comes an unexpected legacy of triumph and reclamation.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

The author is Métis and was born in Manitoba. The youngest of four children, she grew up in foster homes. After a short time living in Toronto, where she attended college, she returned to Winnipeg. Following the death of two sisters to suicide, she decided to write In Search of April Raintree. First published in 1983, it has become a Canadian classic. There is a version, simply titled April Raintree, that has been edited for high school aged readers.

What’s good?

This is the gritty and tragic story of two Métis sisters growing up in Manitoba’s foster care system. The story begins in the 50s when they are young and living with their alcoholic parents, and follows them as they navigate the foster system, and eventually into adulthood where relationships, identity, racism, violence, and difficult choices draw the sisters together and also push them apart. The reality of living in a community that marginalizes the poor and Métis is portrayed with unforgiving starkness, and the lasting effects of cultural displacement and the cycle of abuse is explored. The characters are well-drawn, the pace is steady, and it’s easy to read.

Best Part: the relationship between the two sisters.

What isn’t good?

The writing style is very simplistic, and the dialogue is a bit stilted. There are a few moments in the story when the action feels contrived and the narration lacks authenticity.

Worst part: nothing was terrible.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☻☻

This was not an easy story to read. While it’s a fictional story, it’s clearly based on very real issues that continue to be relevant even now, thirty years after the book’s original publication. Some scenes are so raw, they are disturbing, and some are so real, they are heartbreaking. Recommended.

Culleton, Beatrice. In Search of April Raintree. Winnipeg: Pemmican Publications, 1983.

The Art of Getting Stared At by Laura Langston

Pages: 343

Intended Audience: Teens

Genre: Real life

Notes for Parents: Some coarse language and mature content

The Back Cover

After a school video she produced goes viral, sixteen-year-old Sloane is given a chance for a film school scholarship. Unfortunately, she must work with Isaac Alexander, an irresponsible charmer with whom she shares an uneasy history.

On the heels of this opportunity comes a horrifying discovery: a bald spot on her head. No gibber than a quarter, the patch shouldn’t be there. Neither should the bald spots that follow. Horror gives way to devastation when Sloane is diagnosed with alopecia areata. The autoimmune disease has no cause, no cure, and no definitive outcome. The spots might grow over tomorrow or Sloane might become completely bald.

Determined to produce her video, hider her condition, and resist Isaac’s every charm, Sloane finds herself turning into the kind of person she has always mocked: someone obsessed with their looks. And just when she thinks things can’t get any worse, Sloane is forced to make the most difficult decision of her life.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This novel was shortlisted for the CLA YA Book of the Year, the Snow Willow Award, the White Pine Award, the Bolen Books Children’s Book Prize, and the Amy Mathers Teen Book Award.

What’s good?

Sloane knows that other people have it worse than she does, but it doesn’t make it any easier for her to deal with the fact that she’s losing her hair – and may lose it all – and it may never grow back. The main character, Sloane, was independent, driven, and didn’t care about her looks in the beginning, but when she’s faced with the possibility of losing her hair, she becomes self-conscious and afraid of what others will see or think. The plot is strong and the pace is even. The narrative voice is genuine and emotional, and Sloane is very relatable. There’s a hint of romance, and good character development that leads to an interesting conclusion.

Best Part: “Appearance is superficial but beauty goes deep.” (pg 305)

What isn’t good?

I didn’t like any of the secondary characters. The mean girl was too mean (with no growth or consequences). The mom was completely unsympathetic to her daughter’s circumstance. The step-mom was shallow and completely disregarded Sloane’s privacy. Isaac, the film partner, was an unnecessary complication. And Sloane’s friends were completely forgettable.

Worst part: Step-mom Kim.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☻☻ (3/5)

I could easily sense the dread as Sloane was losing more and more hair. And while her experience couldn’t compare to the little girl with cancer and her mom dealing with an epidemic in a foreign country, the author did a great job of creating a character and situation that was worthy of our sympathy. The story was easy to read and kept me engaged to the end. Recommended.

Langston, Laura. The Art of Getting Stared At. Toronto: RazorBill, 2015.

Changed by the Rain: Life after a Brain Injury by Candice C. Kirkbride

Pages: 96

Intended Audience: Mature Tweens and up

Genre: Memoir

Notes for Parents: Some mature content

The Back Cover

At the tender age of 15, Candice Kirkbride's life changed forever. Happiness is at the front of her mind everyday despite the challenges she continues to face. She does not want to be defined by that one fateful night. She has dedicated herself to inspiring others to find happiness in their life. Candice's message touches each person differently. Whether it's through her story of recovery, overcoming adversity or forgiving those who have wronged her, she has experienced so much in her young life. Life story, poems and strategies, this book will help inspire you to changed your life as Candice has hers.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

The author was struck by a car driven by an intoxicated driver and sustained serious head injuries as a result. Now, more than 15 years after her accident, she writes about her injuries, her recovery, and the new person she has become. This book is self-published.

What’s good?

This is an important story about a young woman’s journey of recovery after a traumatic brain injury. Compelling and emotional, the author describes with honesty the stark realities she had to face immediately after the accident, and the new life she has had to acclimate to as a result. While she has met the enormous challenges with determination and resiliency, her responses to situations weren't always perfect. Often her frustration, confusion, and defiance got the best of her. Each chapter begins with one of the author’s original poems. A small selection of photographs is included. There are sad parts, and funny parts, and some astute observances about the importance of having a strong support group.

Best Part: "Love life because life loves you!"

What isn’t good?

For the most part the story is chronological, so when the author back-tracked or jumped forward occasionally, I found it a bit disorientating. I also found myself wanting more details about how other people were reacting to her, but understandably she stuck to only telling her side of the story.

Worst part: There are some punctuation errors and missing words that should have been caught in the editing process.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☻☻ (3/5)

This is a fast, accessible, easy-to-read memoir that is revealing without being too graphic. It serves as a mild cautionary tale for teens, as well as an inspirational story of strength and courage. It’s also a powerful illustration of how fragile the human brain can be. The author’s poetry is simple and quite beautiful, and her storytelling will engage teens and adults alike. Recommended.

Kirkbride, Candice C., Changed by the Rain: Life after a Brain Injury. Bloomington, IN: iUniverse, 2016.

Stronger Than You Know by Jolene Perry

Pages: 244

Intended Audience: Mature teens

Genre: Real life / Abuse

Notes for Parents: Contains mature content not appropriate for sensitive readers.

The Back Cover

Joy’s fifteen. Her normal life began just three months ago.

Before that was another life that she doesn’t like to remember. When the police came, it was supposed to be over.

But now, living with her aunt and uncle in this new family where everyone tries to understand, it’s not over. Joy’s got a whole list of reasons why she’s crazy—the panic attacks, the meds she’s on, and the hard-to-breathe feeling she gets when she has to talk to someone new, especially when the person is nice.

Yet hope has a way of taking hold, and Joy just might be able to hold on…

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

According to the author’s website, this story was, in part, inspired by an actually story about a five-year-old boy who lived a similar life but was killed in a fire. She says after learning the details about the young boy, she woke up one morning with the same line running in her head over and over. “I read somewhere that happiness is fleeting, but joy sticks with you, holds on to you, and fills you up. The fact that my name is Joy is sort of a lesson in irony.”

What’s good?

This is the rarely told story of what happens after the abused child is rescued and placed in a stable home. The first-person narrative makes this feel like a very personal story, and Joy is strong, authentic character despite her unusual and unfortunate circumstances. Tough subjects are broached as Joy navigates through issues of trust and abandonment, knowing she’s broken, and trying desperately to heal. The chapters are short and the pace is even. The plot is simple and the writing is well-done. A nice, budding romance threads through the more serious themes of abuse, fear, resilience, rebuilding, support, family, and love.

Best Part: Uncle Rob

What isn’t good?

Nothing really happens. This is definitely an emotional rollercoaster for the main character and the supporting characters that are trying to gain her trust, but that’s about as much action as there is. While there are moments of heightened tension, none really pan out to be anything concrete. Joy’s imagination is much more exciting than what’s happening around her.

Worst part: No action.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☻☻ (3/5)

Short chapters, an even pace, and a simple plot make this a quick and easy read. It’s very emotional with lots of inner conflict, and a little outward tension, but no real action to speak of. The characters are well-drawn and the subject matter is approached delicately, but without fear. Recommended.

Perry, Jolene. Stronger Than You Know. Chicago: Albert Whitman & Co., 2014.

Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier

Pages: 240

Intended Audience: Tweens and up

Genre: Graphic novel / Supernatural

Notes for Parents: Contains scenes with ghosts and discussions about terminal illness.

The Back Cover

There’s something different about this town…Catrina and her family are moving to the coast of Northern California because her little sister, Maya, is sick. Cat isn’t happy about leaving her friends for Bahia de la Luna, but Maya has cystic fibrosis and will benefit from the cool, salty air that blows in from the sea. As the girls explore their new home, a neighbor lets them in on a secret: There are ghosts in Bahia de la Luna. Maya is determined to meet one, but Cat wants nothing to do with them. As the time of year when ghosts reunite with their loved ones approaches, Cat must figure out how to put aside her fears for her sister’s sake – and her own.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is a bit of a deviation from her other graphic novels as it contains some supernatural elements.

What’s good?

Bold, colorful artwork and excellent storytelling drive this graphic novel about a young girl with a terminally ill sister who moves with her family to a town where ghosts are welcomed instead of feared. The relationship of the two sisters is realistic and relatable. Older sister Cat is protective, full of anxiety, and often skeptical, while younger sister Maya, who has cystic fibrosis, is energetic, adventurous, and full of optimism. Their contrasting personalities weave brilliantly into the mystery surrounding their new town. Spanish-American culture, namely (Día de los Muertos Day of the Dead) celebrations, and the rumor that ghosts frequent the small California town, act as a catalyst that allows both sisters to deal with their fears about death.

Best Part: Maya’s optimism.

What isn’t good?

I’ve read other reviews that suggest there are issues in this novel with cultural appropriation and inaccuracies with the portrayal of a child with cystic fibrosis. I don’t know enough about any of those things to be able to agree or disagree, but I think it’s safe to say that there are some inconsistencies included and liberties taken in both respects. Some suspension of disbelief is definitely required, and the information in the novel should not be considered culturally, historically, or medically dependable.

Worst part: None.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☺☻ (4/5)

This was an easy-to-read, engaging story with several heart-stopping and heart-warming moments. The real purpose of Día de los Muertos may have been downplayed, and the portrayal of life with cystic fibrosis may have been a little outdated, but the heart of the story – the relationship between the two sisters – was beautifully told. Definitely recommended.

Telgemeier, Raina. Ghosts. New York: Graphix, 2016.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by Jack Thorne, J.K. Rowling, and John Tiffany

Pages: 308

Intended Audience: Tweens and up

Genre: Fantasy / Play

Notes for Parents: The content is similar to other Harry Potter stories. It includes some frightening scenes.

The Inside Cover

Nineteen years after the Battle of Hogwarts…

It was always difficult being Harry Potter, and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Minister of Magic, a husband, and a father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: Sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is a special rehearsal edition of a script of the first Harry Potter story to be presented on stage.

What’s good?

It was wonderful to see some of the characters we all know and love from the Harry Potter series. It was like seeing old friends when Harry, Ginny, Hermione, and Ron were at the platform seeing their kids off to Hogwarts. This story centers around Harry’s and Ginny’s oldest son, Albus, and Draco Malfoy’s son, Scorpius. The two boys have an adventure that almost changes history. The plot is simple, with a few twists and turns to make it interesting. There’s adventure and danger, and plenty of bad decisions to get the boys into trouble. The story also explores how difficult it is to be the son of a famous wizard.

Best Part: Scorpius Malfoy

What isn’t good?

Diehard fans will not like the inconsistencies, and if you look hard, there are many. The story is written in script format, which I found easy to read, but others may find it takes away from the feel of the original stories. A few characters, namely Draco and Ron, didn’t feel genuine, while several, especially Neville and Hagrid, were noticeably absent from the story.

Worst part: Draco and Ron

Recommendation ☺☺☺☻☻ (3/5)

I enjoyed it. Despite the many inconsistencies I’ve seen reported in other reviews, I didn’t really notice. There were a few odd scenes that had me rolling my eyes, but nothing really bothered me too much. The script format definitely gave the story a different vibe, but considering it focused on mostly new characters, I wasn’t put off by it. It was fun, engaging, and a quick and easy read. Recommended.

Thorne, Jack, J. K. Rowling, and John Tiffany. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. New York: Arthur A. Levine, 2016. (Hardcover)