Julie Murphy recaptures the magic of ‘Dumplin” in ‘Pumpkin,’ a sweet, filling story about self-love, empowerment, and letting out your inner queen.
‘Tokyo Ever After’ review: Emiko Jean’s royal tale delivers a relevant message about belonging
Emiko Jean’s latest YA offering feels like the older teenage sister of The Princess Diaries. Replace the kingdom of Genovia with modern day Japan, and add an attractive, grumpy bodyguard, and you have Tokyo Ever After. At first glance, it…
‘Baby & Solo’ review: Friendship is at the heart of Lisabeth Posthuma’s 90s coming-of-age novel
This review of “Baby & Solo” is sponsored by Candlewick Press. Author Lisabeth Posthuma may transport readers back to the mid ’90s in her new novel Baby & Solo, but this YA coming-of-age story is much more than a nostalgia…
‘Luck of the Titanic’ review: Stacey Lee’s new novel offers a twist to a classic story
YA veteran Stacey Lee gives us another diverse historical twist in her newest novel, Luck of the Titanic, which imagines the notorious and glamorous ship through the eyes of a young Chinese woman. Valora Luck has been separated from her…
‘Between Perfect and Real’ review: The sweet sorrow of coming out in Ray Stoeve’s debut
Between Perfect and Real, nonbinary author Ray Stoeve’s heartfelt debut, chronicles the struggles and joys of coming out as trans in high school.
‘Kate in Waiting’ review: Becky Albertalli’s latest offering gives us heartwarming friendship and drama queens
Becky Albertalli’s latest offering, Kate in Waiting, is full of geeky theatre kids and explores the nightmare scenario we all dread: what happens when you and your best friend fall in love with the same boy? Kate Garfield and Anderson…
‘Kisses and Croissants’ review: Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau’s debut offers a magical Parisian escape
Reading Kisses and Croissants by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau is like eating a French croissant—light, fluffy, and perfect. The past month has been particularly stressful for me, and this novel was the ideal escapism. For her entire life, Mia Jenrow has wanted…