Save the Date by Morgan Matson

Pages: 417 + bonus material
Intended Audience: Teens
Genre: Contemporary
Notes for Parents: Contains brief coarse language, and some mature scenes.
 
The Back Cover
Charlie’s sister is getting married.
Everyone is coming home – all her older siblings. It’ll be just like it used to be. One last weekend together before her parents sell the house.
Charlie doesn’t want to think about college next year, or things changing – she just wants to make this a perfect weekend. What could go wrong?
Well.
First the wedding planner quits. Then the house alarm won’t stop going off. Charlie’s biggest crush shows up unannounced. There’s a missing tuxedo, an unexpected dog, and a neighbor bent on destruction. Not to mention the event planner’s assistant, who is surprisingly, distractingly . . . cute. And that’s before things get really crazy.
In all the chaos, Charlie will learn more than she ever expected about the family she thought she knew by heart. And she’ll realize that sometimes trying to keep everything like it was in the past means missing out on the future.
 
What the cover doesn’t tell you:
This was a Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Young Adult Fiction in 2018.
 
What’s good?
This is a story about a family trying to connect with each other. Charlie is the youngest, and she’s having trouble coping with all of the changes happening within her family, so she’s hoping her sister’s wedding brings everyone together. The characters are well-done and the premise feels fresh. Throw in a prodigal son, unexpected guest, a feuding neighbor, a neglected friend, a cute wedding planner, a divorce, a malfunctioning smoke alarm, and a dog, and you’ve got a fun story about a charming family.
Best Part: Grant Central Station and Waffles the dog
 
What isn’t good?
This novel was a lot longer than it had to be. The wordiness made it slow at times. Luckily the quality of characters kept me reading. The ending was predictable, but still worth it.
Worst part: The “love triangle.” We all know who she should be with.
 
Recommendation ☺☺☺☺(4/5)
This was a fun book, and it would make a great tv movie!

Matson, Morgan. Save the Date. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2018.

Secrets of a Fangirl by Erin Dionne

Pages: 261
Intended Audience: Tweens and up
Genre: Contemporary
Notes for Parents: Contains a bit of mature content, nothing concerning.
 
The Back Cover
Sarah Anne loves lacrosse, and the MK Nightshade series that everyone was obsessed over in grade school. The problem is that she's still obsessed, which is way too nerdy for a popular kid like her. So she hides her geekiness with a set of rules meant to keep her geek and jock selves separate.
Except when she's offered a spot in a Nightshade fandom contest, where the winner gets to see the new movie premiere in LA. No one seems to think Sarah Anne can win, since she's up against a pair of guys in high school--but the more she's called a fake fan, the more determined she is to wipe the floor with her competition. As long as none of her friends or anyone at school knows what she's doing.
Can she keep her geek identity a secret, win the contest, and manage to keep her friends even though she's been living a lie? Sarah Anne is going to have to make some choices about what's truly important to her and which rules she's going to break to stay true to herself.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:
This is geared to middle school ages, but it’s fun for all.
 
What’s good?
Not only does Sarah feel she has to hide her geekiness from friends, she doesn’t feel respected by the fandom world because she’s a girl. She’s a relatable character who tries to balance her jock popularity with her love of the fantasy world. This is a quick and easy read that’s both fun and satisfying.
Best Part: Sarah Anne (aka SAM)
 
What isn’t good?
It’s a tired plot – girl hides her true self from her friends to avoid judgement. We know that never works.
Worst part: Nothing was terrible.
 
Recommendation ☺☺☺(3.5/5)
Despite being predictable and having an overused storyline, it was will a sweet story with fun characters. Recommended.
Dionne, Erin. Secrets of a Fangirl. New York: Scholastic Inc., 2019.

The Hidden Witch by Molly Knox Ostertag

Pages: 203
Intended Audience: Tweens and up
Genre: Graphic novel / Supernatural
Notes for Parents: None.
 
The Back Cover
Aster’s parents have finally agreed that he can learn witchery with the girls, but he has a lot of catching up to do. So when Grandmother offers her tutoring in exchange for a favor, Aster jumps at the chance—until she asks him to help his great-uncle, Mikasi. Family or no, Aster isn’t ready to face the beast who nearly destroyed him and his cousins.
Across town, Dark magic has attached itself to Aster’s friend Charlie. Witches are taught to never create a “Fetch,” a cruel shadow form that only does harm. But the thing following Charlie is a clear sign that someone is breaking the rules.
With the help of his family, Aster does everything he can to protect Charlie. But to discover who’s making the Fetch and put a stop to it, he’ll need darker, more powerful magic—from the most dangerous witch he knows…
 
What the cover doesn’t tell you:
This is the second book in The Witch Boy series.
 
What’s good?
Once again, the author/illustrator delivers a beautiful graphic story that uses fantasy to explore real life issues. Gender roles, mental health, friendship, fear, and redemption are some of the many issues touched upon as main character Aster has to protect his friend Charlie from an evil spirit and help his grandmother with his great-uncle Mikasi. The illustrations are bold and expressive and the characters are diverse and well-developed.
Best Part: Aster
 
What isn’t good?
There isn’t anything I didn’t like!
Worst part: None.
 
Recommendation ☺☺☺☺ (4.5/5)
I wish graphic novels were longer. It’s like watching a sitcom – it’s over so quickly! The Hidden Witch was thoroughly enjoyable. Definitely recommended.