I picked this up for free as part of Amazon's July 2025 "First Reads." It was a short, entertaining story about a middle school boy named Movits Lind I picked this up for free as part of Amazon's July 2025 "First Reads." It was a short, entertaining story about a middle school boy named Movits Lind who has his first crush. To impress her, he decides to learn to skateboard. When he accidentally performs an amazing skating trick and it's caught on film, he gets his 15 minutes of fame. But, what will happen when the truth comes out? Will Mo get the girl or will his life blow up in his face?
I recommend this book to middle school readers everywhere!...more
A quick read, and certainly one that fills a gap in middle grade literature, but it felt scrambled and unfocused to me. The narrative was har2.5 stars
A quick read, and certainly one that fills a gap in middle grade literature, but it felt scrambled and unfocused to me. The narrative was hard to follow and it was often difficult to tell what was real and what wasn't. I think that difficulty would only be compounded for the target audience of middle grade readers....more
Powerful and realistic, I really enjoyed this story of two sisters who are trying to grow up dealing with bullies, body dysmorphia, disordered eating,Powerful and realistic, I really enjoyed this story of two sisters who are trying to grow up dealing with bullies, body dysmorphia, disordered eating, and changing family dynamics. I recommend it to every fan of middle grade graphic novels....more
The story line is compelling, this one felt less YA than the first one, and I flipped past all the steamy scenes, but it still had way too much unneceThe story line is compelling, this one felt less YA than the first one, and I flipped past all the steamy scenes, but it still had way too much unnecessary profanity. Honestly, this one needed a bit more editing - it was too needlessly long. It loses a star for that.
But Yarros knows how to write a story and keep you guessing....more
The premise of this book is that young boy named Noah sees the world just a little differently than everyone else. After explaining that he prefers boThe premise of this book is that young boy named Noah sees the world just a little differently than everyone else. After explaining that he prefers books to toys, the author says that it "hurts his head and his heart" when he can't find the answer to one of his questions.
One of Noah's questions is not "Where does the wind come from?" but rather, "Where does the wind go?" So, one day Noah follows it!
The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous and the story is fun, if a little imaginative and unrealistic. ...more
I found the magic system intriguing and appreciated the bond between the sisters. This book was just starting to get interesting when all of 2.5 stars
I found the magic system intriguing and appreciated the bond between the sisters. This book was just starting to get interesting when all of a sudden it was over. The best part of this book was actually the short story John Hollowback and the Witch that was included at the end of the audio book....more
Thoroughly enjoyable and realistic, I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA lit or books about books. There was just enough drama, just enough lThoroughly enjoyable and realistic, I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA lit or books about books. There was just enough drama, just enough laughs, and just enough fun!...more
I enjoyed the world-building, the magic system, and the twists. I hated the overly spicy scenes that I had to flip past (turning the pages quickly witI enjoyed the world-building, the magic system, and the twists. I hated the overly spicy scenes that I had to flip past (turning the pages quickly without reading much) because they were not only too explicit, but vulgar in the both the language used and the crass manner in which they were described. YMMV, but you've been warned. I would give it a 5+ out of 5 on the spice scale.
One of the things I found really interesting was that the characters are mostly young adults (many teens) and the book felt like it should be YA in the character's actions/feelings/speech. Without the sex scenes, this really should have been a YA book. This is not a critique, I'm a Youth Librarian and I read and enjoy a LOT of YA books.
Without the too-detailed and too-vulgar spice scenes, I would have given this book 5 stars. As it is, I give it 4 solid stars....more
Quirky and fun, this book made me laugh! I loved the students (although they definitely seemed older than the 3rd grade). I could totally relate to thQuirky and fun, this book made me laugh! I loved the students (although they definitely seemed older than the 3rd grade). I could totally relate to the teachers and admin who just wanted to do what's best for their kids. I enoyed the book from beginning to end and definitely recommend it if you're looking for some brain candy escapism....more
Mr. Fish runs into Willa Whale while they're both on their way to the pout-pout fish's birthday party. Willa is reconsidering her decision to go as shMr. Fish runs into Willa Whale while they're both on their way to the pout-pout fish's birthday party. Willa is reconsidering her decision to go as she worries about all the things that could go wrong. Mr. Fish tells her "Sometimes I worry, too! Worry tells us stories - but not all of them are true." Together they make a doable plan and Willa is willing to give the party a shot. Themes of friendship and bravery throughout with some concrete doable steps kids can take to calm themselves are paired with great illustrations to make a great group or individual read aloud!...more
Kindness and friendship are on full display in this beautifully illustrated picture book. Though the illustrations are the star of this show, the messKindness and friendship are on full display in this beautifully illustrated picture book. Though the illustrations are the star of this show, the message of positivity and how our attitude contributes to our perspectives is important. ...more
Excellent illustrations and a fun premise, this book gently teaches calming techniques for controlling your anger. Suitable for a group setting of kidExcellent illustrations and a fun premise, this book gently teaches calming techniques for controlling your anger. Suitable for a group setting of kids 5+....more
An homage to book lovers and indie bookshops everywhere, this was a fun story told in alternating timelines. The older timeline (starting in 1921) felAn homage to book lovers and indie bookshops everywhere, this was a fun story told in alternating timelines. The older timeline (starting in 1921) felt like historical fiction and the modern timeline felt like contemporary fiction. Then suddenly, it's all magical realism, although there were definitely clues along the way for anyone paying attention.
I'm giving this book four (4) stars based purely on my enjoyment level while I read it. Recommended for fans of magical realism ages 16+....more
No star rating because I didn't read the whole book. I made it through the first two chapters (on audio) and there were more than 30 F* bombs and someNo star rating because I didn't read the whole book. I made it through the first two chapters (on audio) and there were more than 30 F* bombs and some seriously vulgar discussions of sex. That's just not my cup of tea so I'm DNFing this book and posting this review to warn anyone else who isn't a fan of those things. If they don't bother you, go ahead and give it a try....more
I heard the author speak at the Texas Library Association Conference and she was personable and honest and entertaining. I was reminded how much I enjI heard the author speak at the Texas Library Association Conference and she was personable and honest and entertaining. I was reminded how much I enjoyed her other books that I've read: Daisy Jones & the Six, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, and Malibu Rising. I decided to go back and read the rest of her books. I started with this one because it was her first and she actually talked about it at the conference. Reid mentioned that one of the reasons she writes is to face her fears and explore her own feelings. One of her great fears is losing her husband, whom she deeply loves. So, to process those feelings of fear, she wrote this book.
This is definitely a first novel, and not my favorite that I've read by Reid (that honor goes to Evelyn Hugo! But, it was still well-written and an enjoyable, thought-provoking read. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys books that make you explore your own feelings....more
Torn paper illustrations with pull-out spreads tell the story of all the different kinds of people (staff/students/etc.) who are waiting for you to joTorn paper illustrations with pull-out spreads tell the story of all the different kinds of people (staff/students/etc.) who are waiting for you to join them at school. It's rhyming and fun, my only complaint it that, although there's a lot of diversity in the students and staff, except that the principal, PE teacher, and custodian are all male and the rest of the staff is female. I'm bothered by that the illustration took such care to include POC in the illustrations, but stuck to such steretypical gender roles. Sigh....more
I appreciated the focus on teens relating to political events that effect them, even when they're still to young to vote and this book was entertaininI appreciated the focus on teens relating to political events that effect them, even when they're still to young to vote and this book was entertaining enough to finish. But, the religious portrayal of both characters (one Jewish, one Muslim) felt forced to me. Neither of them seemed to be particularly devout so the relibion felt tossed in to up the stakes for the political story line.
I did feel like the portrayal of Jamie's insecurities and Maya's dependence on just one friend were both realistic and well done. The angst was real! I was very disappointed in the ending (view spoiler)[especially in the non-resolution of Maya's parents' separation as well as how they react to her dating Jamie (hide spoiler)] because we didn't get enough resolution.
Overall, this was just a 3 star read for me, I enjoyed it while I was reading, but wasn't super impressed with it, and I won't remember it by next week. :)...more
I can't really recommend this book, despite the idea that a high school where kids can be themselves without judgement would be wonderful and the premI can't really recommend this book, despite the idea that a high school where kids can be themselves without judgement would be wonderful and the premise was therefore intriguing to me. The problem is, the execution falls flat. Every single character is a stereotye and they all do exactly the stereotypical thing. There was no suspense, no real drama for the reader. There was lots of teenage angst and drama for the characters, but everything was so utterly predictable that, as a reader, I was bored out of my mind. The saving grace, the book was short. ...more
