Author: Alisha Helms

Children of Anguish and Anarchy / Tomi Adeyemi

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Children of Anguish and Anarchy
By: Tomi Adeyemi
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Number of Pages: 368
Published: June 25, 2024
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Dates Read: November 23, 2024 - November 28, 2024
Format: Library Book / Audiobook / Hardcover

Trigger Warnings: Gore, blood, torture, death, war, genocide

Zélie thought her battles were over once she seized the royal palace, but they were only just beginning. Now, Zélie and her people are being trafficked on a ship, run by warriors with iron skulls, across the sea, and far from their homeland. When Zélie meets King Baldyr, her true capture, she finds out how he’s destroyed entire civilizations to find her so he can harness her strength to be a new God. Zélie, Amari, and Tzain find allies in unknown lands as they race to save their people before the Skulls annihilate them for good.

As with everyone else who had read and loved the first two books, I have been waiting for YEARS to get ahold of the final in this trilogy. I forgot how amazing the world of Orïsha is and how captivated by Tomi Adeyemi’s writing I am.

I’m going to be a little honest here and admit that I did not go back and reread or really even reacquaint myself with the previous two books, I just jumped headfirst into the third one. That being said, after reading the book, I went back and relooked at the other two and kind of made the connection that this third one did feel a little separate from the others. 

This book was action packed and kept me turning the pages wanting to find out more and more. In the end though, I still had unanswered questions – which I’m all for leaving stuff a little open ended, but I just felt like there were a lot.

Overall, I still loved this action packed book. And there’s not denying the world of Orïsha is beautiful and fantasy filled.

Library Girl / Polly Horvath

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Library Girl
By: Polly Horvath
Genre: Middle Grade
Number of Pages: 
Published: September 10, 2024
Publisher: Margaret Ferguson Books
Dates Read: November 20, 2024 - November 22, 2024
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Essie has secretly grown up in the public library, raised by the four librarians who found her among the children’s stacks as a newborn. With four mothers, who take turns staying with Essie, and miles of books to read, Essie has always been happy. But now that she’s older, Essie longs for a little more freedom, and maybe a friend her own age… When her moms let her leave the library by herself, Essie’s world opens wider.

On her second trip to the mall, Essie meets G.E., a boy who looks so much like her, they may be twins! The story starts to unfold in Essie’s mind – she was raised by four moms in the library, maybe her twin, G.E., was raised by four dads in the department store. Maybe now that they’ve found each other, they can be one big family! But, as Essie gets to know G.E. better, she learns that the real world doesn’t play out like in her stories.

This was an adorable Middle Grade novel about a little girl who was raised in a library – as someone who grew up wishing she could just live in her hometown library, this book called to me. Of course, now as a librarian, my thoughts have changed on this, but I still found this to be cute.

Some parts of the storyline were quite unrealistic, but the story never claimed to be based on real life or anything. I think I found the hardest part being how Essie ended up in the library in the first place. But, I also look at this from a young child reading and can see with their imagination, this being very possible/explainable.

Overall, this is cute and an enjoyable read to any booklover who wishes they could have lived in a library (or bookstore cafe). 

*Thank you Margaret Ferguson Books and Edelweiss+ for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Blood at the Root / LaDarrion Williams

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Blood at the Root
By: LaDarrion Williams, Jalyn Hall (Narrator)
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Number of Pages: 432
Published: May 7, 2024
Publisher: Labyrinth Road
Dates Read: November 14, 2024 - November 17, 2024
Format: Library Book / Audiobook / Hardcover

Trigger Warnings: Family death, foster care system, mentions of assault

Ten years ago, Malik’s life changed forever when his mother mysteriously vanished into green smoke and he discovered he had uncontrollable powers. Now at seventeen, Malik’s kept his powers hidden, focusing on looking out for himself and his younger foster brother, Taye. However, after a daring act to rescue Taye, Malik’s found an unexpected connection to his magical ties and to a hidden magical university his mother attended.

At Caiman University, a door opens for a future Malik never could have envisioned for himself – one with magic, and one that includes Alexis, his first love. His search for answers about his heritage, his powers, and what really happened to his mother exposes cracks in the magical community – feuding covens, magical politics, forbidden knowledge, and buried mysteries. While digging, Malik also discovers the reawakened evil dating back to the Haitian Revolution. 

I actually found this book through LaDarrion Willam’s TikTok, right as he was getting ready to publish it – I’ve only just now been able to read and review it. I knew I was going to like this novel, but I didn’t think I would love it as much as I did. This book is action packed and will keep readers turning page after page with anticipation as to what’s to come.

Overall, a wonderful POC magical YA novel written in a world that Malik is still learning about (so readers can too). I’m definitely keeping my eyes out for the second book in the series.

*Thank you Labyrinth Road and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Bridge Across the Sky / Freeman Ng

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Bridge Across the Sky
By: Freeman Ng
Genre: YA, Novel in Verse
Number of Pages: 368
Published: August 27, 2024
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Dates Read: November 10, 2024 - November 13, 2024
Format: ARC / Paperback

Trigger Warnings: Suicide, harsh living conditions, explicit content/language

Tai Go, a Chinese teen who traveled across the ocean with his father and grandfather to start a new life are met with the Chinese Exclusion Act and forced into the detainee center on Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay. There, immigrants were stuck for an uncertain amount of time, subjected to humiliating medical exams and interrogations meant to confuse and trip them up, causing them to fail and be sent back to China.

Tai finds hope – in the poems carved into the walls of their prison-like buildings, in the friends he makes, and the actions of fellow detainees. Tai may have been unhappy at first with his father’s decision to make this trip, but as time goes on, he discovers he must forge his own path.

I love novel-in-verse books, so I’m always bound to pick up any that I see – but I will say the writing in this one is more for those who would like information, than your standard novel in verse writing. They read to me like short chapters, and not verses.

Though this may not be for everyone, I will say it’s a time in American history I don’t see (or haven’t seen) much about. I wasn’t aware of the fact that the San Francisco earthquake/fire destroyed all the records which then made it harder for Asian immigrants to land in America…

Overall, still a historical fiction, novel in verse book worth checking out to read a raw and honest portrayal of life on Angel Island.

*Thank you Atheneum Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

The Answer Is No / Fredrik Backman, Elizabeth DeNoma (Translator)

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The Answer is No
By: Fredrik Backman, Elizabeth DoNoma (Translator)
Genre: Short Story
Number of Pages: 68
Published: December 1, 2024
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories
Dates Read: November 10, 2024
Format: eBook

Lucas knows the perfect night needs just three things: video games, wine, and pad thai with peanuts. Oh, and of course, no other people in sight – why complicate things?

Things were going great until one day, a trio from the housing authority rang his doorbell, demanding to see his frying pan. Someone left one next to the recycling room overnight, and instead of simply removing the item like Lucas suggests, they insist on finding the culprit. But, their plan backfires, and Lucas somehow ends up in the middle of it.

As per usual, I absolutely love Fredrik Backman and anything he writes. His humor and wit can always make me laugh out loud, especially when it’s about the human experience or connections to one another.

After hearing Backman speak at the Simon & Schuster centennial, I really heard his voice coming through on these pages.

It’s all a bit silly and though some of the conversations between Lucas and his neighbors seem like they could be unrealistic, I can promise you, I have had a very similar version of conversation with patrons at my library.

If you liked Backman before, you’ll love him again with this novel. And, anyone whose day has been ruined by a frying pan (or a piece of trash/rubbish), you’ll also enjoy this witty story.

Brownstone / Samuel Terr, Mar Julia (Contributor)

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Brownstone
By: Samuel Teer, Mar Julia (Contributor)
Genre: Graphic Novel, YA
Number of Pages: 320
Published: June 11, 2024
Publisher: Versify
Dates Read: November 8, 2024
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Almudena no longer has to wonder about the dad she never met, because with her white mom headed out on a once-in-a-lifetime touring trip for the summer, Almudena is left alone with her father for an entire summer. Xavier is happy to see her, but he expects her to live in and help fix up his old, broken-down brownstone. Along with helping, Almudena must navigate the language barrier of his rapid-fire Spanish – which she doesn’t speak.

As the summer moves along, Almudena gets to know the residents of Xavier’s Latin American neighborhood. Each member of the neighborhood has their own joys and heartbreaks as well as their own opinion on how a young Latina should talk, dress, and behave. Some don’t understand why she doesn’t know her own heritage, others think she’s “not brown enough” and an “off brand”.

Time is running out for Almudena and Xavier to connect and get to know each other. The key to their connection may ultimately lie within piecing everything together for the found family within the community.

I absolutely adored this novel about Almudena as she starts to find her footing in her culture that she didn’t even know she was a part of. It’s all presented with a good bit of humor – like her finding the food too spicy and being led to the “white people aisle” of the neighborhood bodega.

I love how complicated and complex all the characters were, they felt authentic and flushed out.

The illustrations and panels in this novel were beautiful and descriptive – I always loved Almudena’s hair in the morning when she wakes up.

Overall, this was a fun, coming of age, graphic novel about a young girl learning about her roots.

Diet Soda Club / Chaz Hayden

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Diet Soda Club
By: Chaz Hayden
Genre: YA
Number of Pages: 320
Published: October 8, 2024
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Dates Read: November 3, 2024 - November 7, 2024
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Trigger Warnings: Childhood sickness, parental abandonment, neglectful parents

Seventeen-year-old Reed Beckett’s little sister, Beatrice, has never woken up to an alarm for school, instead, for most of her ten years on Earth, it’s been hospital beeps and poking doctors. After their dad died when Bea was a baby, Reed stepped up and was there for his sister. But when their burned-out mom goes on an extended vacation with her new boyfriend, the siblings are only left with each other.

With no job prospects on the horizon, Reed begins making and selling fake IDs so he and his sister can survive. But the problems keep piling up: rent, medical bills, and food. As Reed expands his business and takes bigger risks, the consequences can get worse. But he’s making all the wrong choices, for all the right reasons, isn’t he?

I absolutely loved this book and the relationship between Reed and his sister, Bea. I’m also a big fan of characters who show resilience in the face of hardship and both of the Beckett siblings do that throughout the novel.

Two things that I would love to know more information on. One; I would love to know what software and printers Reed’s school is using to print those ID though, cause I did have a bit of a hard time believing he was printing legit looking ones (but I also wasn’t someone who ever had a fake ID, so who knows). Two; I never fully understood Bea’s schooling – it was mentioned here and there that she was homeschooled, or that Reed would give her his homework to redo (after he’s gotten a grade on it), but she wasn’t ever actively doing school. I’m sure when kids are fighting for their lives when they’re sick, they don’t have to worry about school, but I was just curious how that worked for her.

Another thing I really enjoyed about this book is the rekindling of Helena and Reed’s relationship and how they both addressed being friends once upon a time and what that looked like for them.

Overall, this is such an amazing book that I will be handing out as a recommendation left and right. It’s a contemporary YA about both caregiving and family – especially sibling – relationships.

*Thank you Candlewick Press and Edelweiss+ for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Haru: Book 1: Spring / Joe Latham

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Haru: Book 1: Spring
By: Joe Latham
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy
Number of Pages: 272
Published: March 12, 2024
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Dates Read: November 2, 2024
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Haru, a small bird who dreams of flying away out of the valley, and his best friend, Yama, a talking boar, are used to shadows. One day, Yama finds a strange artifact that causes sinister effects. The duo must go on an epic adventure to destroy the artifact and save the world. 

I really enjoyed the beautiful illustrations within this book – it was bright, but also dark and creepy at some times too. The world was perfectly shown, with the small hint of humans having been there in the past, which intrigues me to find out if we know what happened in this world. 

I am curious to know how this will continue on – this novel is called “Spring”, with book two being called “Summer”, I didn’t feel like an entire season passed, but maybe it’ll just be the color scheme of the panels or something… either way, I’m excited to continue reading.

Into the Uncut Grass / Trevor Noah, Sabina Hahn (Illustrator)

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Into the Uncut Grass
By: Trevor Noah, Sabina Hahn (Illustrator)
Genre: Fiction, Graphic Novel
Number of Pages: 128 
Published: October 15, 2024
Publisher: One World
Dates Read: November 2, 2024
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Into the Uncut Grass is an illustrated fable about a young boy’s journey into the uncut grass beyond his home when he wants to escape his morning chores.

This book is filled with Trevor Noah’s humor, and after reading the small introduction from Noah in the front, the story itself kind of reads like a moment from his childhood.

Sabina Hahn’s illustrations are simple and cute and really capture the imagination of a child. This book really reminded me of both Pooh Bear and of course, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse.

I’m not sure what this is supposed to be categorized as – graphic novel, fiction, children’s… someone dropped “literary graphic novel” out too when I was reading reviews… regardless, I enjoyed it, it was cute.

Deer Run Home / Ann Clare LeZotte

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Deer Run Home
By: Ann Clare LeZotte
Genre: Middle Grade / Novel in Verse
Number of Pages: 224
Published: October 1, 2024
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Dates Read: November 2, 2024
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Trigger Warnings: Neglect, communication neglect, sexual abuse

Effie is Deaf and no one in her family can speak sign language – her own father communicates with her by stomping, pointing, and making thoughtless jokes. Even if they could understand each other, Effie doesn’t think she could share her biggest secret about what happened before moving in with him.

When Effie’s school interpreter, Miss Kathy, drops by the house with food during a surprise visit, she sees the poor conditions Effie and her sister Deja are living in (no food, dirty house, no clean clothes). Miss Kathy immediately asks for permission for Effie to live with her, and her father surprisedly agrees. Now, Miss Kathy is trying to figure out a more permanent solution.

I’ve picked up this novel because I’ve enjoyed Ann Clare LeZotte’s Show Me a Sign series and as an author who is Deaf, I know the experience of the d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing characters in the book will be more genuine. The story is actually based on a legal case back in the 90’s where an interpreter fought for custody of a student they worked with.

This novel in verse does an amazing job at putting everyday challenges of d/Deaf children into words – ranging from parents who refuse to learn ASL, to teachers not understanding the difference between English spoken grammar and ASL grammar (which is highly different!) and how to best accommodate d/Deaf students. 

Overall, this is a heartbreaking story, but with a beautiful ending. Even those who haven’t really read novels in verse before I think would enjoy this book because it gives even more insight to the d/Deaf culture with Effie’s experience.