My Sister Rosa by Justine Larbalestier

Pages: 335

Intended Audience: Mature Teens

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Notes for Parents: Contains coarse language, sexuality, drinking, drug use, and other mature scenes.

The Back Cover

Seventeen-year-old Che Taylor loves his younger sister, Rosa, even though she’s a textbook psychopath. He’s the only one who knows. Rosa tells him everything she’s up to because she trusts her older brother with her darkest secrets. Rosa is smart, talented, pretty, and very good at hiding what she is.

Now that their parents have moved the family to New York City, Rosa has even more opportunities to play her increasingly complex and disturbing games. Che has always protected his little sister from the world. But now he’s starting to wonder if the world might need protection from her.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This book was an Edgar Award Nominee for Best Young Adult (2017), Rhode Island Teen Book Award Nominee (2019), Aurealis Award Nominee for Best Horror Novel (2016), and a Green Mountain Book Award Nominee (2017).

What’s good?

Che is conflicted and consumed with both love and loathing for his sister, Rosa. Rosa is disturbing and manipulative, completely lacking any desire to care about other people. It’s a troubling story that’s difficult to witness, especially since Che’s longing for normalcy is so understandable. Since their parents refuse to admit there’s anything wrong, the burden rests on Che to protect people from his apathetic sister. There are two strong and interesting female characters – Leilani and Sojourner – who provide truth and support. The story is diverse and touches on many social issues. There’s a nice twist at the end.

Best Part: Che.

What isn’t good?

This felt more like a romance with a bit of psychological thriller in it. The story moves slowly, especially the first half, because there’s a lot of telling rather than showing. The plot is fairly predictable, though there are some twists and turns that some readers may not see coming. Che’s parents are perplexing, as is their relationship with Leilani’s parents who seem entwined with each other with no strong explanation.

Worst part: The “parentals.”

Recommendation ☺☺☺ (3.5/5)

While characterization is strong, the plot is a bit weak. Rosa is an amazing (and truly disturbing) antagonist, whose strength lies in her vulnerability as a child – we never want to believe she’s truly capable of being the evil mastermind that she is. The plot, however, focusses more on the love story between Che and Sojourner than the psycho sister that threatens his sanity. Overall, it was a good read. Recommended.

Larbalestier, Justine. My Sister Rosa. New York: Soho Press, 2016.

Windfall by Jennifer E. Smith

Pages: 416

Intended Audience: Teens

Genre: Contemporary

Notes for Parents: Contains some mature scenes.

The Back Cover

Alice has never believed in luck, but that doesn’t stop her from rooting for love. After pining for her best friend, Teddy, for years, she jokingly gifts him a lottery ticket—attached to a note professing her feelings—on his birthday. Then the unthinkable happens: he actually wins.

At first, it seems like the luckiest thing in the world. But as Teddy gets swept up by his $140 million windfall, fame and fortune come between them, and Alice is forced to consider whether her stroke of good fortune might have been anything but.

She bought a winning ticket. He hit the jackpot. Will they realize that true love’s the real prize?

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

Jennifer E. Smith is the author of eight novels for young adults, including The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. She earned a master’s degree in creative writing from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, and her work has been translated into thirty-three languages. 

What’s good?

What would you do if you won the lottery? Alice buys Teddy a lottery ticket as a lark for his 18^th birthday, but it turns out to be a winner. Teddy and his mom have always struggled financially, so winning millions is going to change him, which is what Alice is afraid of. This is a story about family, friendship, opportunity, obligation, grief, love, and change. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of Teddy’s win, and become emotionally invested in the characters and their situations. The plot is easy to understand and the pace is steady.

Best Part: Nothing really stood out.

What isn’t good?

The story was predictable; There weren’t many surprises. A few of the characters were underutilized – like Leo, Max, and Sawyer. I kept waiting for them to be important. As this was definitely a character-driven story, it’s not surprising that there wasn’t a lot of action, but I was still hoping for a little more excitement.

Worst part: Nothing was terrible.

Recommendation ☺☺☺(3.5/5)

This was a quick and easy read. The story was engaging and the characters were easy to like. It certainly made me wonder what I would do if I won that much money. Recommended.

Smith, Jennifer E., Windfall. New York: Scholastic, 2018.

Crush by Svetlana Chmakova

Pages: 235

Intended Audience: Tweens and up

Genre: Graphic novel

Notes for Parents: Contains some mature scenes.

The Back Cover

Jorge seems to have it all together. He’s big enough that nobody really messes with him, but he’s also a genuinely sweet guy with a solid, reliable group of friends. The only time he ever really feels off his game is when he crosses paths with a certain girl…But when the group dynamic among the boys starts to shift, will Jorge be able to balance what his friends expect of him with what he actually wants?

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is the third book in the author’s award-winning Berrybrook Middle School series. Just like the other books in the series, this one follows a different group of students as they navigate life.

What’s good?

Jorge is an all-around good guy who confidently gives respect and gets respect. But he’s thrown off his game when he finds himself tongue-tied around a certain girl. As he labors to understand his own feelings, he’s also struggling to navigate the world of middle-school – tenuous friendships, peer pressure, gossip, bullying, getting hacked…the drama never seems to end. The plot is multifaceted, but easy to understand. The pace is strong and steady. The characters are realistic and relatable. As always, the author’s drawings are expressive and well done.

Best Part: Forgiveness.

What isn’t good?

I can’t think of a single negative thing to say about this graphic novel. I could nit-pick about some little things, but why do that. This novel was a job well done!

Worst part: Nothing.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☺☺ (5/5)

Yes! Definitely recommended! This is the third of Svetlana Chmakova’s graphic novels that I’ve read, and once again I’m awed by her ability to capture the middle school experience.

Chmakova, Svetlana. Crush. New York: JY, 2018.

The Last Namsara by Kristen Ciccarelli

Pages: 416

Intended Audience: Teens and up

Genre: Fantasy

Notes for Parents: Contains violence and mature scenes.

The Back Cover

In the beginning, there was the Namsara: the child of sky and spirit, who carried love and laughter wherever he went. But where there is light, there must be darkness—and so there was also the Iskari. The child of blood and moonlight. The destroyer. The death-bringer.
These are the legends that Asha, daughter of the king of Firgaard, has grown up learning in hushed whispers, drawn to the forbidden figures of the past. But it isn’t until she becomes the fiercest, most feared dragon slayer in the land that she takes on the role of the next Iskari—a lonely destiny that leaves her feeling more like a weapon than a girl.
Asha conquers each dragon and brings its head to the king, but no kill can free her from the shackles that await at home: her betrothal to the cruel commandant, a man who holds the truth about her nature in his palm. When she’s offered the chance to gain her freedom in exchange for the life of the most powerful dragon in Firgaard, she finds that there may be more truth to the ancient stories than she ever could have expected. With the help of a secret friend—a slave boy from her betrothed’s household—Asha must shed the layers of her Iskari bondage and open her heart to love, light, and a truth that has been kept from her.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This is the first book in the Iskari series.

What’s good?

In Firgaard, enemies are kept as slaves, telling stories has been banned, and hunting dragons is the job of Asha, the king’s daughter. Asha is powerful and feared, with a reputation for slaying even the most ferocious of dragons. But not everything is as it seems. Asha begins to see through the lies and betrayals that have shaped her father’s city. The plot is strong and the pace is fast and steady. There is a treasure trove of interesting secondary characters that drive the story’s twists and turns. This is good versus evil with deceit, oppression, sacrifice, grief, loyalty, and a struggle for power. There is romance, but it’s tentative and appropriate, not distracting the more difficult story being told.

Best Part: Kozu the Dragon and the book’s cover.

What isn’t good?

The world-building is a bit weak. The premise is that telling stories is banned because the king’s wife died of a sickness caused by storytelling, but aren’t most conversations stories? What do people talk about? There are definitely a few holes in the world-building and even in the plot itself, but nothing too serious. I would have loved to know more about some of the secondary characters, especially Dax and Safire.

Worst part: Nothing is terrible.

Recommendation ☺☺☺☺ (4/5)

This is a fantasy adventure that has it all – action, romance, epic battles, family drama, secrets and lies, a kick-butt heroine, and, of course, dragons. It had a few minor weaknesses, but overall I found it a compelling read. Recommended.

Ciccarelli, Kristen. The Last Namsara. New York: HarperTeen, 2017

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

Pages: 501

Intended Audience: Mature teens and up

Genre: Historical romance/adventure

Notes for Parents: Contains mature scenes.

The Back Cover

This is the unforgettable escapade of Lord Henry “Monty” Montague, a charming young scoundrel who fully expects to carouse his way through his Grand Tour. However, Monty’s plan for one last hedonistic hurrah with his best friend and secret crush, Percy, quickly turns into a harrowing manhunt across eighteenth-century Europe.

What the cover doesn’t tell you:

This novel is a Kirkus Prize nominee, one of NPR’s Best Books of the Year, a New York Public Library Best Book for Teens, and the winner of a NEIBA New England Young Adult Book Award. The sequel is called The Lady’s Guide to Petticoats and Pirates and in it, Felicity Montague must use all her womanly wits and wiles to achieve her dreams of becoming a doctor—even if she has to scheme her way across Europe to do it. 

What’s good?

It’s 18^th century Britain and Monty is embarking on a year’s Grand Tour of Europe before settling down to be a proper gentleman (or so his father demands). With his friend Percy, his sister Felicity, and their chaperone, Mr. Lockwood, adventure abounds as they encounter such scoundrels as pirates, highwaymen, evil dukes, and alchemists. There’s romance and mystery along with daring escapes and dangerous liaisons. The main characters are likeable and interesting, the plot is strong, and the pace is quick. Topics like racism, sexism, homosexuality, slavery, and the treatment of people with disabilities are explored.   

Best Part: Felicity. She was a wonderfully kick-butt 18^th century woman.

What isn’t good?

I can’t quite put my finger on anything really bad, but the characters, especially Monty, weren’t always likeable, the pace wasn’t always quick, the romance wasn’t always romantic, and the adventure wasn’t always believable.

Worst part: “Abso-bloody-lutely” was used way too much!

Recommendation ☺☺☺ (3.5/5)

This is basically a swashbuckling, 18^th century road trip! It’s full of diverse characters and touches on a variety of issues that are important today. But most of all, it’s light and fun. Recommended.

Lee, Mackenzi. The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue. New York: Katherine Tegen Books, 2017