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Book Review: You Should See Me In A Crown by
Liz Lighty has always believed she’s too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it’s okay—Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor. But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz’s plans come crashing down...until she’s reminded of her school’s scholarship for prom king and queen. There’s nothing Liz wants to do less than endure a gauntlet of social media trolls, catty competitors, and humiliating public events, but…
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Book Review: The Pumpkin War by Cathleen Young
Media Type: Print Book (ARC) Title: The Pumpkin War Author: Cathleen Young Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books Pages: Hardcover; 192 Release Date: May 21, 2019 Source: Publisher —————————————- Content Screening: Nothing of note. HDB Rating: 4 Keys to My Heart Recommended to: Readers looking for a sweet story about real family and friend relationships. Add it on: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N Former best friends compete to see who can grow the biggest pumpkin and win the annual giant pumpkin race on the lake. A great pick for fans of Half a Chance and Gertie’s Leap to Greatness. At the end…
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Book Review: Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heartbreak
Media Type: Print Book (ARC) Title: Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heartbreak Author: Adi Alsaid Publisher: Inkyard Press Pages: Hardcover; 384 Release Date: April 30, 2019 Source: TLC Book Tours / Publisher —————————————————– Content Screening: Nothing of note. HDB Rating: 3 Keys to My Heart Recommended to: Readers looking for a refreshing look at teenage love. Add it on: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N The summer after senior year is not going as eighteen-year-old Lu Charles expected: after her longtime boyfriend unexpectedly breaks up with her, Lu can’t write a single word, despite the fact that her college scholarship is…
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Graphic Novel Review: Operatic by Kyo Maclear
Title: Operatic Author: Kyo Maclear Illustrator: Byron Eggenschwiler Publisher: Groundwood Books Pages: Hardcover; 160 Recommended Age Group: Upper MG/YA Release Date: April 2, 2019 Source: NetGalley / Publisher It’s almost the end of middle school, and Charlie has to find her perfect song for a music class assignment. The class learns about a different style of music each day, from hip-hop to metal to disco, but it’s hard for Charlie to concentrate when she can’t stop noticing her classmate Emile, or wondering about Luka, who hasn’t been to school in weeks. On top of everything, she has been talked into…
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Book Review: Little White Lies (Debutantes #1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Media Type: Print Book Title: Little White Lies * Series: Debutantes #1 Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes Publisher: Freeform Pages: Hardcover; 400 Release Date: November 6, 2018 Source: Publisher ——————————————- Content Screening: Nothing of note. HDB Rating: 3 Keys to My Heart Recommended to: Readers who mysteries that involve sassy debutantes and tons of scandal. Add it on: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N Eighteen-year-old auto mechanic Sawyer Taft did not expect her estranged grandmother to show up at her apartment door and offer her a six-figure contract to participate in debutante season. And she definitely never imagined she would accept. But…
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Book Review: The Memory Trees by Kali Wallace
Media Type: Audio Book Title: The Memory Trees Author: Kali Wallace Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books Run Time: 12 hours 51 minutes Release Date: October 10, 2017 Source: Library ——————————————– HDB Rating: 3 Keys to My Heart Content Screening: Mild Violence; Adult Language Recommended to: Readers who like ethereal reads that have one foot in reality and the other in magic. Add it on: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N The Memory Trees is a dark magical realism novel about a mysterious family legacy, a centuries-old feud, and a tragic loss that resurfaces when sixteen-year-old Sorrow returns to her mother’s family orchard for…
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Book Review: Like A Fly On The Wall
Media Type: Print Book (ARC) Title: Like A Fly On The Wall Author: Simone Kelly Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks Pages: Paperback; 448 Release Date: July 11, 2017 Source: Harper Collins / TLC Book Tours —————————————————- Genre: Suspense / Contemporary HDB Rating: 3 Keys to My Heart Recommended to: Readers who enjoy intrigue mixed with some scenes on the steamier side. Add it on: HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble From talented debut author Simone Kelly comes this suspenseful novel that crackles with intrigue, sex, and plenty of surprises—perfect for fans of Eric Jerome Dickey and Carl Weber. Meet Jacques…
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Book Review: Lemons by Melissa Savage
Media Type: Ebook (ARC) Title: Lemons Author: Melissa Savage Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers Pages: Hardcover; 236 Release Date: May 2, 2017 Source: Publisher ——————————————————– Content Screening: Dealing with loss. HDB Rating: 4 Keys to My Heart Recommended to: Readers who enjoy quirky characters, and stories that have amazing messages. Add it on: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N Fans of Kate DiCamillo’s Flora & Ulysses and Katherine Applegate’s Crenshaw will fall in love with this charming adventure story about a girl learning to accept her new life, her quirky detective neighbor, and their epic search for Bigfoot. Lemonade Liberty…
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Book Review: Read Me Like A Book by Liz Kessler
Media Type: Ebook (ARC) Title: Read Me Like A Book Author: Liz Kessler Publisher: Candlewick Press Pages: Hardcover; 304 Release Date: June 14, 2016 Source: Publisher ————————————— Content Screening: Sexual Situations HDB Rating: 3 Keys to My Heart Recommended to: Readers who are looking for a character who is journeying through self-discovery and realizing who they really are. Add it on: Goodreads | Amazon | BookLikes Ashleigh Walker is a mediocre student with an assortment of friends, a sort-of boyfriend, and no plans for the future. Then a straight-from-college English teacher, Miss Murray, takes over Ash’s class and changes everything.…
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Book Review: Roses and Rot by Kat Howard
Media Type: Print Book (ARC) Title: Roses and Rot Author: Kat Howard Publisher: Saga Press Pages: Hardcover; 336 Release Date: May 17, 2016 Source: Publisher ——————————————– Genre: Fantasy / Contemporary (This borders the line between YA and NA.) HDB Rating: 5 Keys to My Heart Recommended to: Everyone who loves fairy tales, especially the true life ones. Add it on: Goodreads | Amazon | BookLikes Imogen and her sister Marin have escaped their cruel mother to attend a prestigious artists’ retreat, but soon learn that living in a fairy tale requires sacrifices, be it art or love. What would you…
