Positively Izzy, by Terri Libenson

Izzy and Brianna are both students at Lakefront Middle School, but that's where their similarities end. Although the girls know (sort of) each other, they're not what you would all "friends." 

Izzy is outgoing and artistic with a knack for acting. Unfortunately, she often has her head in the clouds, which usually means she's in trouble for not doing so well in school. 

Brianna is shy and super smart, often pulling straight A's without even trying. She wishes she could get her classmates to see past her "brain" label, but doesn't know how to break out of her shell. 

Izzy has been practicing her act for the annual school talent show for weeks, and she couldn't be more excited. But when she fails a test the day before her big performance and ends up grounded (meaning no talent show), of course she sneaks out. After all, the show must go on, right? Hopefully she won't get caught...

Brianna, on the other hand, has never been comfortable in the spotlight. But when one of the main actors cancels at pretty mugh the last minute, the new drama teacher (who just happens to be Bri's mother) convinces her to fill in. Reluctantly, Bri agrees, but worries that this could only lead to disaster...

On this night, the two girls' paths cross in unforeseen ways. And the consequences of this night of drama will change them both forever. 

Terri Libenson's novel about (literal) Middle School drama, Positively Izzy, was a fun story about two very different teens. Told in alternating chapters, the reader really gets to know each character. This is something I really enjoyed about this story. But the best part was the ending. No spoilers, though.

I'd recommend Positively Izzy to fans of Raina Telgemeier. And be sure to check out Libenson's other book, Invisible Emmie, which focuses on Bri's best friend.

Meet Me in the Strange by Leander Watts

Watts crafts a world that is much different from our own without feeling completely otherworldly.  The city where most of the action takes place is some kind of holy city and there is talk of the New World without there ever being any real explanation of what the New World is.  The whole book has a surreal, otherworldly 1970's feel to it.  Django Conn, the rock star that everyone loves, definitely feels like Bowie and the fashions that he's ushered in fit the glam rock scene too and there is a lot of talk about the moon landing and what it might mean.

Davi has always lived in the Angelus Hotel.  His family has owned it for generations and there he has access to almost anything he could want.  He spends his time listening to music in his room and coming and going as he please, him and his sister having chased off any tutors long ago.  When Davi goes to the Django Conn concert, he spots a girl who is completely lost in the music and he can't help but feel like they are the only two people who really get it.  When the girl, Anna Z, shows up with Davi's sister's boyfriend, Davi follows her, desperate to find out who she is.  Anna Z is unlike anyone Davi has ever met before.  She talk-talk-talks about strange things until they seem to be the absolute truth.  But Anna Z is trying to escape and she needs Davi to be more than he ever has in order to free her.

This was an iffy book for me.  It was short and had short chapters, which I loved, and it reminded me a lot of Francesca Lia Block, which is honestly what kept me reading.  There was a lot here and I would like to see it with more ratings and reviews because I definitely think it's worth the read.  However, I was a little put off by the portrayal of Anna Z.  She's almost the definition of a "manic pixie dream girl" but I still liked her as a character.  I liked this book enough that I would like to seek out some more of Watts in the future but it is definitely an acquired taste.  Read it if you love music enough to think it's everything and don't mind a few strange ideas being twisted page after page. -RYQ

Starry Eyes, by Jenn Bennett

Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett is about a spectacular adventure with some cuteness, fun, romance and heartbreak.

Best friends-turned-best enemies Zorie and Lennon are stranded together after a camping trip that goes wrong. With no one but each other, they are forced to face their issues. With witty jabs and insults as they try to make it back to safety. Fighting each other while also fighting off the forces of nature, what could possibly go wrong?

Both Zorie and Lennon are dealing with some major things happening in their lives and the one person that they would typically confide in, (each other) has been MIA. The solitude of the trail and camping allows them to open up to each other and share the things that have come between them. And they are some pretty major things. Now I'm not much of a hiker or camper, you might be able to convince me on this glamping thing, but I absolutely loved what Bennett created here.

This was such a unique setting to use for these characters and I adored Lennon's love for the trail and how it allowed him the time to come to terms with the things happening in his life. As always Bennett manages to weigh some heavy and overwhelming issues with lighthearted moments, and the story is so lovely and emotional and as always, the romance is sweet and delightful and I just want more and more.

This was a quick read but a a feel good adorable YA contemporary that I may re-read just because this  book did not let me put it down at all! I highly recommend this to YA contemporary romance fans and invite you to fall in love!

This was my first time reading Jenn Bennett's work and I can't wait to jump into more of it. *JK*

Stay Sweet, by Siobhan Vivian

When the weather gets warm, I tend to crave light, "beachy" reads. Preferably ones with a Happy Ending (and so what if things wrap up way too easily!). And even better if the story centers around Ice Cream, which is my favorite hot weather treat.

Thus was the case with Siobhan Vivian's new novel Stay Sweet. This story is just as sweet as its title indicates. The story centers around Amelia, who just graduated high school and is about to begin her final summer working at Meade's Creamery, the local ice cream stand famous for its unique homemade flavors and its tradition of employing an all-female staff. But this summer will be special. This summer Amelia is Head Girl at Meade's, meaning she's in charge, second in command to Mead's founder, Molly Mead who, as legend has it, started making and selling ice cream to cheer her friends (and herself) when the local boys--boyfriends, fiances, brothers--were overseas fighting in WWII. Molly kept it up even after her own beau did not return from the war. Mead's has been famous ever since. 

Being Head Girl is so much more than being just a manager. It's being a mentor for the younger girls. It's forming lifelong friendships. It's being part of local history and carrying on a proud tradition. And Amelia is excited to begin.

But that all changes when Molly passes away suddenly and her grand-nephew, Grady, inherits Mead's. Grady comes into the picture with ideas for how the business should be run. Ideas Amelia feels have no respect for tradition. And one thing's for certain: Amelia will protect Mead's at all costs.

But there's more to Stay Sweet than the all-too-predictable hate-to-love relationship between Amelia and Grady. This is a story of friendship, empowerment, self-discovery, and finding one's true place in this world (and thus finding happiness). And don't forget there's also ice cream! In fact, there's a mystery involving a missing recipe for a particular mouth-watering flavor.

Stay Sweet is one of those books that will leave you smiling long after you've turned the final page. And, if you're anything like me, it'll have you craving ice cream as well!

--AJB

9 Days and 9 Nights, by Katie Cotugno

I love Katie Cotugno's writing. Her stories always delve into challenging themes that will make you really think about how you feel about so many things!
9 Days and 9 Nights is the second book of the 99 Days series. It's been a while since I've read the first book, but Cotugno reminded me wonderfully in the first few chapters! That said, it might be better for me to read her series back to back in the near future.
The main character, Molly, is now living in Boston where she's majoring in Business and she's not the same girl she was when we first met her. She's reinvented herself and she's got a serious boyfriend and a plan... her life is back on track and getting back to normal. A European trip with her boyfriend Ian is the perfect next step.
While in London, she runs into the guy who derailed her life the last time and Ian unwittingly invites Gabe and his girlfriend to join them to the next leg of their trip to Ireland, and Molly can't share why it's so awkward without sharing the past she's managed to hide from the people in her new life.
Sometimes the plot is sort of awkward that it will make you cringe and my first reaction was, "Thank goodness this didn't happen to me!" But I definitely have to say the story will make your heart rise. There's no denying that this story is messy, but life is messy and complicated and Cotugno doesn't sugar coat anything.
This is a smart and riveting story and it reminded me again why I love the Cotugno's writing so much. Her amazing voice and writing style definitely make her a favorite author, but her realistic, stories are what keep me coming back again and again. She's an all-time favorite in the YA contemporary genre and I look forward to reading more of her books! *JK*

The Breadwinner

Inspired by the award winning historical fiction book, The Breadwinner (the animated movie) does not disappoint. Because the Taliban rulers of Kabul, Afghanistan, impose strict limitations on women's freedom and behavior, Parvana’s family is completely dependent on her father to provide for them. The women of Kabul are forbidden to work, go to school, or be outside the home at all without a man. Most girls are too afraid to be outside the home under the Taliban rule. One day, her loving father is wrongfully arrested, which in turn, puts the rest of the family’s survival in danger. Eleven-year-old Parvana cuts her hair and wears boy clothes to disguise herself as a boy so that she can work and buy food for her mom, sister, and baby brother. By disguising herself as a boy, she faces new adventures and new dangers than she did before. She is forced to grow up fast in her harsh environment and copes with it by telling stories.

Throughout the movie, the viewer gets to see Parvana’s is gift in the art of story-telling come to life. The colorful story she tells throughout the movie amidst all of the tragedies she witnesses in reality becomes more than just a tale. Her story gives her a power that helps her to sustain hope throughout her challenges.

This animated movie has some strong themes of feminism and the importance of stories themselves. I also love that the author of the book that it is based off of interviewed refugees from Afghanistan to base the events off of real world experiences. The book (which we also own if you are interested in checking it out) and movie is set in the late 1990’s, and the laws and political climate are true to the story even though Parvana and her family are fictional characters. I love it so much and I would highly recommend it to any teen and especially those who enjoy a great historical fiction. 11/10 stars from me.   -MC

The Wendy Project, by Melissa Jane Osborne with artwork by Veronica Fish

The art in this graphic novel was so incredibly beautiful. The Wendy Project is a retelling of the story of Peter Pan, but this time a lot- and I mean A LOT- more sad. Seriously, it ripped my heart out. Please don’t read this if you want to cry. In fact, you can stop reading this review now. Consider this a “Lemony Snicket” warning.

The Wendy Project takes place in modern day, and we see the Darling children again by another name. In this version, they are called the Davies, which is the family that author J.M. Barrie based the Darling children off of. It should be noted if you do not know already, that J.M. Barrie, who was the original author of the story of Peter Pan, suffered a lot of personal loss throughout his life. His older brother died in a skating accident when he was just a teen. I felt like this is important to know when reading this book because I think that Melissa Jane Osborne was paying some homage to J.M. Barrie’s early childhood life in this graphic novel. Anyway, in this book, the Davies experience some serious turmoil right off the bat. While Wendy is driving, the children are in an awful car accident. Wendy and John make it out, but Michael is missing. Dealing with loss is never easy, but since Wendy and John believe he is still out there somewhere, it is even harder for them. Will they ever see Michael again?

One thing I have always loved about the story of Peter Pan is that there are many different adaptations. Even with the play or movies, the tale is usually altered from the original J.M. Barrie classic. The interesting theories that are out there about the story of Peter Pan go to show the many different ways to look at and analyze the original story. I do not want to give too much away about the twist in The Wendy Project in my review here, but this book is in full support of one of the main theories out there. If you are a fan of any Peter Pan adaptation (AND are okay with crying today), check out The Wendy Project.    - MC