And the Winner is...Spring 2022

Hello! This is my last post for this semester. Some books are ones from previous posts while others are ones I read more recently. The summaries are the same as the ones I posted in previous blogs. So, in no particular order here are my favorite books from this semester!

Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park

Summary: Have you ever wondered what Little House on the Prairie would be like if it followed a Chinese family? Park did and she wrote her own version of the book to depict what it would be like for a young girl that is half Chinese and half White to move to the Midwest and endure the harsh realities of being the only Chinese person in the area. Hanna dreams of owning a dress shop where she runs everything and can be independent. She also wants to fulfill her mother's wish of Hanna graduating from school. There are laws that could stop her from pursuing her education and there are also many people who discriminate against Hanna because of her Chinese background. Can she make friends and find a way for her and her pa to get customers at the store of their dreams? Can she help her father overcome his own fears of what people will think if Hanna works in the shop as a seamstress?

An Anne Chapter Book Series by Kallie George

Summary: This adapted series is for young readers who still want visuals to go along with their reading. George takes you along as she adapts the most beloved parts of this classic series with pictures on each page to go along with her writing. This series has not been finished yet but you can see how Anne has come to Green Gables and is adapting to life in the first book. Then with the second one you can see if she finds her best friend and then finally you can see how Anne does with her first experience at going to school. Anne's personality shines in this series and readers will fall in love with Abigail Halpin's pictures. This series does a great job of capturing the spirit and spunk of Anne and shows young readers what it would be like to be in Anne's shoes as she goes from orphan to the beloved girl of Green Gables.

Donut Feed the Squirrels by Mika Song

Summary: Whatever shall Norma and Belly do?! There pancakes are burnt and now they have no breakfast. But what is that delightful smell? Donuts! Norma and Belly go on an adventure to get donuts for all their squirrel friends from the donut truck that is near their home. Will they be able to get breakfast or will they have to scavenge for nuts?

Guts by Raina Telgemeier

Summary: Raina is back with yet another tale about her adolescent years. Raina cannot shake the stomach ache she has been having all year long. She knows it is about time to hit puberty but she knows her stomach issues are way worse than this. Every time she hears the word vomit or thinks about puke she gets sick. Is she okay? Why does she feel so alone and like no one believes her. She keeps going to the doctor and being told she is fine. Then one day her parents decide to take her to therapy. Does this help her overcome her fears and live her school years to the fullest? Read this triple award winning book to find out!

Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Summary: Jarrett Krosoczka writes his own story in this graphic novel. He goes through his childhood to show us how a kid with all the odds against him can overcome and make his dreams come true. Jarrett does not have a normal life. He grew up with his grandparents because his mother was a drug addict. However, Jarrett has two grandparents who send him to art classes and even if they do not understand his passion for it let him follow his dreams. This graphic novel is tragically sad but also uplifting.

All's Faire in Middle School by  Victoria Jamieson

Summary: Imogene has grown up being homeschooled and helping her parents work at the Florida Renaissance Faire. This year is different. She is going to middle school. She has never had to make friends, please teachers, or go through the horrors of finding somewhere to sit at lunch. On top of trying to navigate being a teenager at a new school she is also a squire and aspiring knight to be. Can she get through a year of middle school and live up to her family's honor at the faire?

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson

Summary: Spensa wants nothing more to prove she is worthy of being a pilot. She must fight the odds of being the coward's daughter and not only pass the pilot test but show that she can survive on her own throughout the month's of training she will get under her father's former wingmate. Can Spensa claim the stars or will she end up hunting rats and living in a cave forever?

The Giver (graphic novel) by Lois Lowry

Summary: This classic adaptation takes Lowry's already beloved book to a whole other level. Jonas lives in what appears to be a utopian society. He gets the greatest assignment, becoming the Receiver of Memory. As his training teaches him the power of emotions and feeling he starts to question everything. This utopian society turns into a dystopian one where people work and live in assigned areas. Will Jonas escape the community or will he forever be stuck in the community with no one to turn to?

El Deafo by Cece Bell

Summary: Bell's memoir brings her childhood nickname for herself to life. She gets sick and becomes deaf at a young age. Throughout this graphic novel we see Cece's struggles through elementary school to find true friendship and just feel welcome in a sea of people who can hear each other. However, it also shows all the fun she has with the help of her imagination and hearing aids. Can Cece see what a gift she has or does she continue to see her hearing loss as a disability?

Pumpkin Heads by Rainbow Rowell

Summary: Deja and Josiah are only friends during pumpkin season. They have worked together all throughout high school and now they are seniors. Their last shift of the season has come and Deja wants to help Josiah talk to the girl he has been crushing on since freshman year. Will they have a fun adventure or will their last shift turn into a bad memory they can never forget? This graphic novel comes off as a Halloween romcom (not sure if those exist).

Goals

On another note I wanted to say a goal of mine this semester was to read as many graphic novels as possible. I read more than I ever expected, and I want to continue this goal into the summer and beyond. I kept an open mind when I would find something that is not normally my cup of tea. My volume reading helped me remember my love for historical fiction and how much I love reading books at random. Sometimes when you are in school you forget the joy of reading for fun and I found that love again in all the books I read this semester.

I also would love to start reading more science fiction or fantasy. They are two of my favorite genres, and I have not had a ton of time to try and read them over the past few years. I think a big goal of mine is to read more Brandon Sanderson. If anyone has read anything besides Skyward by Sanderson please let me know if you enjoyed it! Thanks for following me on my wild reading journey and best of luck to all the old and new wild readers. 🙂 

Yo"GRT #3

I did not really have a theme for this month's books. I still read a ton of graphic novels but I also branched out to read some books that caught my eye on the shelves or while I was checking in book drop. 

 History Comics: The Great Chicago Fire: Rising From the Ashes by Kate Hannigan and Alex Graudins

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Image from page 10 of History Comics: The Great Chicago Fire: Rising From the Ashes

Summary: Do you ever wonder how the people of Chicago came back from the Great Chicago Fire? History Comics takes you back in history with a brother, sister, and puppy to show you what went on throughout the city for the two days, who was blamed for the fire, and how the city bounced back and proved they can persevere through any tragedy.

Personal Opinion: This book does a great job of mixing fiction with the story of the children and puppy with facts about the fire that took out a good portion of the city. I like that it ended showing how the city learned from the fire and showed the world how they do not give up. The graphics were really well done and fit with the story. They enhanced the story. I will say I read another book in this series and was not a fan. I decided since they are written by different people that I would give this one a go. I am glad I did.

Ages: 9-13

Publisher: First Second

ISBN: 9781250174260

Publishing Date: June 30, 2020

No Awards

Don't Hug Doug (He Doesn't Like It) by Carrie Finison

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Image from page 6 of the Libby version of Don't Hug Doug (He Doesn't Like It).

Summary: Do you like hugs? Do you know people who are uncomfortable with hugs? Meet Doug. He is not a hugger but he knows plenty of people who love them, including his mom. Follow Doug as he teaches you about respecting people's wishes and their personal space. Read the book to find out what Doug does love instead of hugs.

Personal Opinion: This book is so well written with eye catching graphics. I found it while checking in book drop and the cover caught my eye. I took it home and read it a few times and probably annoyed my husband because I kept showing him different pages. He, like Doug, is not the biggest fans of hugs. Finison did a phenomenal job of showing how there are different kinds of people who have different preferences when it comes to greeting them affectionately. I would recommend this book to any teacher or parent who wants to have a quick lesson with their kids without having to expand beyond the pages of this book. It does all the heavy lifting when teaching kids how to respect each other's wishes.

Ages: 2-7

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

ISBN: 9781984813022

Publishing Date: January 26, 2021

Awards: Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year, ALA Notable Children's Book

Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Quote image from page 85 of the Libby version of Prairie Lotus.

Summary: Have you ever wondered what Little House on the Prairie would be like if it followed a Chinese family? Park did and she wrote her own version of the book to depict what it would be like for a young girl that is half Chinese and half White to move to the Midwest and endure the harsh realities of being the only Chinese person in the area. Hanna dreams of owning a dress shop where she runs everything and can be independent. She also wants to fulfill her mother's wish of Hanna graduating from school. There are laws that could stop her from pursuing her education and there are also many people who discriminate against Hanna because of her Chinese background. Can she make friends and find a way for her and her pa to get customers at the store of their dreams? Can she help her father overcome his own fears of what people will think if Hanna works in the shop as a seamstress?

Personal Opinion: I loved this book! I am a die hard Little House on the Prairie fan and dreamed of being Laura like Park's did as a child. I still am obsessed with putting my hair in braids and will never be ashamed of pigtails. Hanna's character had so many great qualities and the way Park integrated her pa's own feelings made the story feel extremely real and at times heartbreaking. You can tell that Park did her homework on the area, people, and time period before writing this work. The way she described the hardships, the Native Americans, and how Hanna kept the memory of her mama with her at all times made the book feel like a piece of newly discovered family history. If I could I would give it a higher rating and would recommend it to any historical fiction lover. I actually got my mother-in-law to start reading it and she has not read a book in quite some time (she also loves Wilder's books and the show). Park is definitely one of my favorite authors right now, and I want to see what else she has written. I see this book being a classic down the road for historical fiction and being used as a lesson in English or History to show prejudice and racism to smaller children.

Ages: 10-12

Publisher: Clarion Books

ISBN: 9781328781505

Publishing Date: March 2, 2020

Awards: Notable Children's Books, Best Children's Book of 2020 for: Chicago Public Library, Parents Magazine, Shelf Awareness, & Washington Post

The Breadwinner: A Graphic Novel by Deborah Ellis

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Image from page 33 of the Libby version of The Breadwinner.

Summary: This is an adaptation of the animated film The Breadwinner. Parvana lives in Kabul, Afghanistan in the late 1990s. She has grown up with the Taliban as the ruling party in her nation. This means she is property of men and that she, and all girls and women, cannot go to school, leave their homes without a male escort, and often become brides when they are still children. Parvana's father is kind and loves all the women in his life. He takes Parvana to the market to help sell goods. One day her father is taken away and imprisoned. There are no other males in the household so Parvana, her mother, and her older sister must be resourceful in order to survive. They decide that Parvana will disguise herself as a boy so she can make money and buy food for the family. Will her family survive this and will her father be released from prison?

Personal Opinion: I have never watched the movie so I went into this book with a very open mind. I thoroughly enjoyed the story. It gave a new take on something my generation has grown up learning about in history class. It made me sad when I saw what her family had to go through just to survive and at times I was shocked and horrified because I know these fictional events have happened countless times in Afghanistan. This book is not for the faint at heart and should be read by audiences who are mature enough to handle hard topics. I would recommend this book to any reader who enjoys reading about about events that could still happen today in some parts of the world. 

Ages: 10-14

Publisher: Groundwood Books

ISBN: 9781773061184

Publishing Date: January 2, 2018

No Awards

An Anne Chapter Book Series by Kallie George

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Image from pages 50 and 51 of Anne Arrives. This sums up how sweet and loving their relationship is throughout the series.

Summary: This adapted series is for young readers who still want visuals to go along with their reading. George takes you along as she adapts the most beloved parts of this classic series with pictures on each page to go along with her writing. This series has not been finished yet but you can see how Anne has come to Green Gables and is adapting to life in the first book. Then with the second one you can see if she finds her best friend and then finally you can see how Anne does with her first experience at going to school. Anne's personality shines in this series and readers will fall in love with Abigail Halpin's pictures. This series does a great job of capturing the spirit and spunk of Anne and shows young readers what it would be like to be in Anne's shoes as she goes from orphan to the beloved girl of Green Gables.

Personal Opinion: I loved this book so much that I requested the fourth book for the Youth Services Department to order. The images are what helped draw me in. They feel like they are the whimsical and happy spirit of Anne as you read each page. I also loved that each book was focused on the most classic memories that readers would have from reading the original series. This series could be the start of a reading adventure for years to come for kids. They can grow into the older tales if they end up enjoying these. I think George made me fall in love with a classic all over again.

Ages: 6-9

Publisher: Tundra Books

Publishing Dates: 2019-2021

Awards: One of CCBC's Best Books of 2019

Yo'GRT #2

It's time for another round of recommendations! This past month I focused more on graphic novels. I got really into them, and I found some really fun ones that I could not resist sharing. These are definitely great for teaching kids lessons and showing them that just because others have something does not mean you need it. I think the best part about graphic novels is seeing how broad of a range they can be. Some are classics, others are humorous, some are semi-autobiographical, and many are just showing kids how to navigate life. Hopefully I help others find a new book to read. Enjoy!

Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol

 

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Image from page 33 of Be Prepared.

Summary: Ever wonder what it is like being poor and then finding out that all your friends can go  to camp except you? Vera does! She does not understand why all her rich friends get to go to camp each year but she is stuck at home surrounded by everything they are not, Russian. Then she finds out her Russian Orthodox church will pay for part of her camp fees. The kicker, it is Russian summer camp. She is so excited that she convinces her mom to send her and her brother to camp. Once she arrives chaos ensues and Vera is not quite sure why she ever wanted to go to camp in the first place. Will Vera find friends and make lifelong memories? Or will she regret going to camp for the rest of her life?

Personal Opinion: This book shows kids what it is like to be so excited for something you have longed for then find out it is not all it is cracked up to be. Vera mixes humorous stories with her honest take on summer camps. This is part fiction and partly from Vera's own experiences being sent to a Russian summer camp as a young girl. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves fun, quirky stories about growing up and facing what life throws at you. It is a brilliantly honest take on summer camp.

Ages: 10-14                         
Publisher: First Second
ISBN: 9781626724457      
Publishing Date: August 24, 2018
Awards: New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book of 2018, Boston Globe Best Children's Book of 2018, Best Graphic Novel of 2018 by Parents Magazine, Prix Bedelys Jeunesse for graphic novels for 7-12-year-olds

Anne of Greene Gables: A Graphic Novel adapted by Mariah Marsden

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Image from page 55 of Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel.

Summary: Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert decide they want to adopt an orphan as a farm hand. They thought they were getting a boy. Instead they got imaginative and red-headed Anne. Instead of taking her back to an orphanage or finding a new home they decide to keep her around. This adaptation of a classic takes readers along Anne's life as she grows up at Green Gables. She causes a lot of trouble throughout her time there but she also causes love to grow and people to change for the better. 

Personal Opinion: I have to admit that I have never read a single Anne of Green Gables book. Now I want to read them all and watch all the shows and movies. I only gave it four out of five stars because I was not the biggest fan of the art. It was phenomenal but not my cup of tea. I love that it shows the love that can grow out of an awkward situation. The graphic novel brings to life each story from Anne's life and it makes it even more funny when you get to see the visuals along with the words when Anne gets into trouble, many times by accident. This book is heartwarming and I can see why it is a classic. The graphic novel format enhances the best parts of a classic orphan story. I would recommend this book to any child who enjoys older style books and ones that have quite a bit of humor. 

Ages: 7-12
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
ISBN: 9781449479602
Publishing Date: October 24, 2017
Awards: 2018 Cybils Awards Finalist for Elementary/Middle Grade graphic novels

All's Faire in Middle School by  Victoria Jamieson

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Summary: Imogene has grown up being homeschooled and helping her parents work at the Florida Renaissance Faire. This year is different. She is going to middle school. She has never had to make friends, please teachers, or go through the horrors of finding somewhere to sit at lunch. On top of trying to navigate being a teenager at a new school she is also a squire and aspiring knight to be. Can she get through a year of middle school and live up to her family's honor at the faire?

Image from page 18 of All's Faire in Middle School.

Personal Opinion: This book is delightfully quirky and weird. I loved every page of this book and the graphics play well into the overall atmosphere Jamieson is trying to capture. Imogene shows us how sometimes it is hard to follow your path and do w hat is right. She also shows us that friendships and school can be difficult to handle, especially when you are used to a completely different style of school. I would recommend this book to kids who enjoy Renaissance stories as well as those kids who like to read about friendships and morally overcoming bad situations. It has a little bit of everything to appeal to a wide audience and I loved how seamlessly the author transitioned from middle school to the Renaissance faire. If I could I would give it more than five stars!

Image from page 47 of All's Faire in Middle School. 

Ages: 9-12

Publisher: Dial Books

ISBN: 9780525429999

Publishing Date: September 5, 2017

Awards: 2018 Charlotte Huck Award commended, 2018 ALSC Notable Children's Books commended, 2018 Great Graphic Novels for Teens commended, 2018 CCBC Choices selection, 2017 Junior Library Selections graphic novel selection 

Donut Feed the Squirrels by Mika Song

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Summary: Whatever shall Norma and Belly do?! There pancakes are burnt and now they have no breakfast. But what is that delightful smell? Donuts! Norma and Belly go on an adventure to get donuts for all their squirrel friends from the donut truck that is near their home. Will they be able to get breakfast or will they have to scavenge for nuts?

Image from page 9 of Donut Feed the Squirrels.

Personal Opinion: This is an adorably fun read for small kids. Norma and Belly are funny and extremely innocent. They just want to have a nice breakfast, but Norma's pancakes are burnt. The graphics fit with the innocent and sweet vibe that Song is giving readers, and I would recommend this book to any child who enjoys humorous stories about animals.*

Ages: 4-8

Publisher: Random House Graphic

Publishing Date: September 29, 2020

ISBN: 9781984895837

Awards: Bulletin Blue Ribbon Selection, Chicago Public Library Best Book Selection, and Gryphon Award Honor

*If you end up enjoying this graphic novel try out the second book in this series, Apple of My Pie.

El Deafo by Cece Bell

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Summary: Bell's memoir brings her childhood nickname for herself to life. She gets sick and becomes deaf at a young age. Throughout this graphic novel we see Cece's struggles through elementary school to find true friendship and just feel welcome in a sea of people who can hear each other. However, it also shows all the fun she has with the help of her imagination and hearing aids. Can Cece see what a gift she has or does she continue to see her hearing loss as a disability?

Personal Opinion: I could not put this book down. Bell did a great job at showing how she perceived her younger years and what it was like going to a school where she was the only one who could not hear without an assistant. I loved that she used her childhood nickname to write a book. Bell also showcases at the end of her novel that even though she is deaf that there are many different perspectives and ways to live when you are hard of hearing. Cece always tries to hide her deafness because she does not want people to think she has a disability. Not everyone grows up thinking that so at the end of her book she writes a little bit about how the Deaf community is very diverse. I would recommend this to any child who enjoys graphic novels about surviving elementary school.

Image from page 82 of El Deafo.

Image from page 84 of El Deafo.

Ages: 8-12

Publisher: ABRAMS

ISBN: 9781419710209

Publishing Date: September 1, 2014

Awards: Newbery Honor Book, Notable Children's Book, Children's Choices Selection

Yo'GRT #1

Hello all! This blog is for a class I am taking that highlights recently published books. For me I chose to focus a majority of my reading on baby board books, picture books, and graphic novels. I have some older books that I found as hidden gems in my library, but for the most part these books have all been published in the last few years. I had a hard time choosing my favorites so if anyone out their on the web has more suggestions feel free to comment!

The Little Ship: The Heroic Rescue at Dunkirk in World War II by Louise Borden and illustrated by Michael Foreman

Ages: 9-12

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

ISBN: 9780689853968

Publishing Date: February 1, 2003

Awards: CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book

Summary: Half true, half fiction this book shows kids about the heroic feat of the little ships that helped save soldiers from dying at Dunkirk. Borden uses a little girl disguised as a boy to depict the journey the fisherman and other small ship captains took across the English Channel to help rescue soldiers in May 1940. They knew there was a chance they could be killed by the enemy, but they all signed up to bring their boys home. This book is filled with illustrations on each page and does a great job of mixing what is real of this journey and what was made up in the eyes of a girl who just wants to see her soldier brother come home. Does this particular ship make it home? Will our brave little girl ever see her brother again? How did the little ships make the harsh journey among all the big ships and harsh waters? 

I heard shouts in English and in French,

And in Belgian and in Dutch.

"Get the men off the beaches.

Get the men off the Mole.

Get them onto ships,

Get them back home."

That was the job we had been sent to do.

That was the job, and we each had a part. (pg. 21)

My personal opinion: This book is a great way to slowly show the harsh realities of World War II to middle schoolers. It also can lead to more intrigue into the armada of little ships that actually helped many soldiers get home during the war. Showing it from a family perspective with a daughter disguised as a boy to help her fisherman father helps readers feel more of the emotions about what it was like for soldier’s families in a time where they were not sure if their loved ones were alive in Dunkirk or left somewhere on the battlefield. The whimsical illustrations help enhance the story from the young girl’s perspective. Though this is an older book it is still one that holds a great story that is timeless for military fiction lovers. 

Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly

Ages: 8-12

Publisher: Random House Children’s Books

ISBN: 9781524770266

Publishing Date: December 31, 2019

Awards: Schneider Family Book Award, Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production, Keystone to Reading Book Award

Summary: Iris is deaf. Blue 55 can talk but the other whales do not understand Blue’s language. Both feel lost among their peers and like they cannot communicate with those around them. Iris finds out about Blue 55 in her science class and starts on a quest to help Blue 55 not feel alone. She wants to get a song to Blue and will do anything to try and meet Blue in-person on the day of the song reveal. She goes through lots of challenges along the way. She even starts to see a new side to the many people she thought were trying to bring her down. Does she get her song to Blue 55 on time and does Iris find a community of her ow

Image from pages 77 and 78 of Libby version of Song for a Whale.

My personal opinion: This is the book I plan on recommending to any kid who feels lost and alone and needs to know they are not alone. I did not know how many emotions a book for elementary kids could bring out in me as an adult. Kelly has a way of drawing you in and making you want to keep reading. This is by far the most random book I decided to read and ended up loving. It is going to be hard to beat this book this semester, and if you have not read it I strongly recommend it. It helps show the deaf community in a way I never thought about while also showing how one random thing in life can bring out a passion for a young girl.

Drive the Fire Truck by Dave Mottram

Ages: Baby-3

Publisher: Chronicle Books

ISBN: 9781452178851

Publishing Date: March 2, 2021

No Awards

Summary: Get behind the wheel and help the firefighters save the day! Drive through downtown and as you keep turning direction see where the fire is to put out. Will you get to the fire fast enough to stop it from spreading? Learn about the ways of the firefighters and their truck and see how they save lives everyday with this interactive board book.

Image from page 6 of Drive the Fire Truck.

My personal opinion: This book is so much fun and a great way to get the little ones to interact while you read them the book. It can help teach them right from left and about different parts of town that firetrucks must navigate through to get to a burning building. The fact that the book is a steering wheel automatically makes it an interactive book that kids will love.

Pete the Kitty's First Day of Preschool by Kimberly and James Dean

Age: Baby-4

Publisher: HarperFestival

ISBN: 9780062435828

Publishing Date: June 18, 2019

No Awards

Summary: Pete the Kitty is getting ready to go to his first day of preschool. Does he need supplies? Will he make friends and learn a lot on his first day. Follow along while he finds his paint supplies, backpack, and new classroom. After reading this book you will be ready to go to school and have fun!

Today is a big day for Pete the Kitty. 

It's going to be so cool! 

It's his first day of preschool! (pg. 2)

My personal opinion: This book is a great way to help nervous kids feel like they can tackle their first day of preschool. Pete the Kitty helps them see what they need to get at the store and what to expect on their first day of school. He not only prepares them but gets them excited to have fun and meet new friends at school.

Guts by Raina Telgemeier

Age: 8-12

Publisher: Graphix

ISBN: 9780545852517

Publishing Date: September 17, 2019

Awards: Triple Eisner Award winner for Best Publication for Kids, Best Writer/Artist, and Best Kids Comic or Graphic Novel

Summary: Raina is back with yet another tale about her adolescent years. Raina cannot shake the stomach ache she has been having all year long. She knows it is about time to hit puberty but she knows her stomach issues are way worse than this. Every time she hears the word vomit or thinks about puke she gets sick. Is she okay? Why does she feel so alone and like no one believes her. She keeps going to the doctor and being told she is fine. Then one day her parents decide to take her to therapy. Does this help her overcome her fears and live her school years to the fullest? Read this triple award winning book to find out!

My personal opinion: I had never read her books and picked it up because of how many kids love this series at my library. I sat down and could not stop reading it. Telgemeier does a great job of showing very serious moments with more fun illustrations. Tween and teen years are the most awkward time for youth and they all feel alone at some point. Raina helps readers find ways to cope while sharing her personal story of finding ways to overcome fears of everyday life. This book makes me want to go checkout all the others in the series and have a binge reading day!

Picture from page 11 of Guts.