YA

The Red Car to Hollywood / Jennie Liu

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The Red Car to Hollywood
By: Jennie Liu
Genre: YA, Historical Fiction
Number of Pages: 256
Published: March 4, 2025 (1st Published January 1, 2025)
Publisher: Carolrhoda Lab
Dates Read: February 18, 2026 - February 25, 2026
Format: Hardcover		ISBN: 9781728493213

Trigger Warnings: racism, sexism, sexual assault

Sixteen-year-old Ruby Chan considers herself a modern, independent American teenager. But when her secret relationship with a white boy implodes and is revealed to her very traditional Chinese parents, her life gets locked and chained. Her parents hire a matchmaker to find her a Chinese husband and her dad will also look for a husband on his business trip to China. 

Meanwhile, Ruby meets the nineteen-year-old film star, Anna May Wong at her family’s laundromat and the girls quickly strike up a friendship. Anna May defies Chinese convention by working as an actress on the silver screen and she scoffs at others’ assumptions about her. If she can forge her own path, so can Ruby.

I could really tell the research Jennie Liu had done with this novel and appreciated how she showed the issues Chinese teens dealt with in the 1920s. This isn’t a time in history I read too often so it was a learning experience for me as well. I have read about a few laws that were put into place in America around the 1940s but was not aware some of them were put into place decades before. 

I appreciated Ruby’s growth and determination about forging her own path but still trying to be somewhat respectful. Though the story ends on a high note, it’s not wrapped up sweet and nicely and leaves room for the reader to imagine Ruby’s story beyond the time we read with her. 

Overall, this is an informative, coming of age, historical fiction about growing up as a female Chinese American in Los Angeles’ Chinatown in 1920 that any historical reader would enjoy.

*Thank you Carolrhoda Lab and LibraryThing for a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review

Hello Sunshine / Keezy Young

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Hello Sunshine
By: Keezy Young
Genre: Graphic Novel, Young Adult, Horror
Number of Pages: 384
Published: September 23, 2025
Publisher: Little, Brown Ink
Dates Read: January 19, 2026 - January 19, 2026
Format: Library Book / Hardcover	ISBN: 9780316509473

When a troubled teen disappears from his small town, his loved ones go on a paranormal journey to save him from his inner demons.

It’s taken me a while to review this book simply because trying to put into words how amazing I think the author did in showing and handling the character’s mental health struggles was brilliant and impactful. Every member of the group had their own journey throughout this story and each arc felt complete at the end. I appreciated the struggle Noah had between religion and his sexuality, I was a little nervous about it going into this, but that turned around pretty quickly.

I’m a huge Hawkeye fan, and the artwork in this graphic novel really reminded me of Matt Fraction’s 2010’s Hawkeye. The art style, color, and texture of the panels gave the perfect amount to make it supernaturally and horror-y at the same time. 

Without getting into too much of the storyline due to spoilers, I just want to say that the mixture of what was real and what was only available to the one character was phenomenal and well taken care of. With both the visual and the dense dialog pages, Keezy Young showcases the losing of one’s mind by mental illness more effectively than I’ve seen with a graphic novel in a long time.

Low Orbit / Kazimir Lee

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Low Orbit
By: Kazimir Lee
Genre: Graphic Novel, YA
Number of Pages: 336
Published: April 29, 2025
Publisher: Top Shelf Productions
Dates Read: November 23, 2025
Format: Library Book / Paperback

Azar feels stuck. Her mom’s job moved them to Vermont, where she doesn’t know anyone and her only friends are the next-door neighbors: an aging sci-fi writer and his nonbinary teen, Tristan. For a while, Azar can escape her troubles by disappearing into the pages of her neighbor’s novel, The Exiles of Overworld. When her queerness throws her life out of wack, Azar realizes some secrets can’t hide forever.

This is much more slice of life than fantasy like I originally thought from the cover, but that slice of life aspect of it is still a good read, which is about hiding a part of you from those you care about. The fantasy part of it was from the high fantasy novel Azar is reading, but to be honest, that kind of took me away from the storyline of Azar and at times were even confusing as to what is happening in that world. I know it was her escape and that’s what the panels were showing, but I think it could have been done differently to show that.

Other than that, I did enjoy the story and the overall themes of honesty, being true to yourself, friendships, and even convention culture.

The artwork was fantastic and detailed and I always found myself lingering a little bit on pages to see what was in the background.

Overall, a great coming of age, queer young adult novel to add to a collection.

Ditching Saskia / John Moore, Neetols (Illustrator)

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Ditching Saskia
By: John Moore, Neetols (Illustrator)
Genre: Graphic Novel, YA
Number of Pages: 192
Published: October 1, 2024
Publisher: Flying Eye Books
Dates Read: November 23, 2025
Format: Library Book / Paperback

Damian has been struggling in his new high school, so he decides to summon his mother’s ghost so he can talk things out. Through a mixup, he accidentally summons Saskia, a scruffy, annoying kid. Damian is trying to figure out his new life, he doesn’t need some kid following him around trying to “help”. But, Saskia is suffering too, and everything they’re both hiding deep down may be what they need to heal.

This is a touching story, but I wish it kind of dove more into some of the storylines. We only briefly touched on Damian and his relationship with his mom as well as Saskia’s story and how she became a ghost. I feel like it’s only the beginning of the story (and partially the middle really), but I do wonder if there’s a followup to this graphic novel.

The cover is a little misleading as the panels themselves are mostly grey and white with the only color being that of the orange magical flower. But, just because it’s in black and white, doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the artwork! It was still captivating and beautiful to look at while reading.

Overall, a fast, magical realism young adult read about grief, friendship, and self-confidence. Anyone who appreciates a good little magic/haunting mixed in with the troubles of growing up would enjoy this graphic novel.

Pizza Witch / Sarah Graley, Stef Purenins

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Pizza Witch
By: Sarah Braley, Stef Purenins
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, YA
Number of Pages: 296
Published: September 16, 2025
Publisher: Image Comics
Dates Read: October 21, 2025
Format: Library Book / eBook

All Roxy wants to do is be the best Pizza Witch ever, but that’s hard to do with semi-unsupported parents and her uninspired boss at the Pizza joint. But, her boss finally gives her a quest to retrieve a powerful pizza artifact – the Remarkable Oregano!

With her cat George by her side, Roxy sets off into the unknown for the adventure that finally awaits! Will it be filled with pizza magic, wild challenges, and maybe even some romance?? Or, will her dreams be squashed like a tomato? 

This is a silly graphic novel, but in the best way. Who knew there were witches who specialized in food – and who knew one of those food specialties could be pizza?? And, who could forget a sassy talking cat companion?? Mix all of that together alongside brilliantly bright and colorful artwork and you’ve got yourself a Pizza Witch!

The artwork and style do give the feel of young adult readers, the book states 14+, but I like preteens could also enjoy it <spoiler> there’s one instance with a middle finger being given, the word ass being used a lot, and romance </spoiler>. Adults would love this title for the escapism of it – again, a sassy talking cat best friend and a Pizza Witch!

Overall, this was a fun read that will clearly become a series, and a series in which I will be keeping my eye out for.

Tall Water / S.J. Sindu, Dion MBD (Illustrator)

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Tall Water
By: S.J. Sindu, Dion MBD (Illustrator)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Historical Fiction
Number of Pages: 256
Published: August 12, 2025
Publisher: HarperAlley
Dates Read: September 2, 2025
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Trigger Warnings: civil war, violence, death

Ever since Nimmi turned sixteen, she’s yearned to meet her mother in Sri Lanka to ask her why she refuses to leave the island. Her father is going back there for the first time since the war as a reporter on assignment, but he refuses to take her, telling her Sri Lanka is too dangerous.

But when Nimmi has a dream about her mother asking to come find her, Nimmi knows she must go. Sneaking a purchase of an airplane ticket, her father is livid when he sees her at baggage claim in Sri Lanka – but by then it’s too late and he agrees to help Nimmi make contact with her mom. Nimmi tags along with her father and his guide, past checkpoints and armed soldiers, increasing the knowledge of war that rages there.

The day after Christmas, disaster strikes and a tsunami hits the island. Now, stranded amid the destruction, Nimmi must try and reunite with her family.

Besides this graphic novel having interesting characters and plot, this also offers a lot in the cultural and historical context of Sri Lanka. Because, okay, I knew about the 2004 tsunami and the devastation it caused throughout the Indian Ocean, but I don’t think I realized that Sri Lanka was going through a Civil War at the exact same time. It’s also just kind of crazy. It’s brought up that there are tourist areas and then there are the war areas and that people would still go on vacation there?! That’s wild to me.

Overall, this is a beautifully done graphic novel that brings up the themes of emotional, physical, and mental ramifications of both civil war and the tsunami as well as empathy, bearing witness, and coming of age.

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

Love, Misha / Askel Aden

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Love, Misha
By: Askel Aden
Genre: Graphic Novel, YA
Number of Pages: 320
Published: June 10, 2025
Publisher: First Second
Dates Read: August 4, 2025
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Trigger Warnings: misgendering, absent parent

Mom, Audrey, finally wants to spend time with Misha. She’s never around (the two don’t even live together), so this is a rare opportunity. But, Audrey still thinks of Misha as her daughter, despite Misha being very open about being nonbinary. Misha even tries to write a letter to their mom to tell her how they feel, but that’s not going great either…

When a wrong turn down a forest leads to the Realm of Spirits, the mother-child duo had no clue on how to return home and must work together to try and find their way.

So, I definitely felt the Spirited Away vibes while reading this (getting lost, accidentally entering a spirit realm, having to figure out how to get home without getting eaten), but then another reviewer mentioned A Goofy Movie and now I can totally see those connections too (parent-child with a strain relationship go on a roadtrip but everything that could go wrong does). 

The art in this graphic novel is fun and whimsical, capturing the magic of the spirit world perfectly. The brown and golden hues in the panels also give the feel of autumn and sets the tone.

Overall, this graphic novel is about growing up, acceptance, and forgiveness along the journey in a spirit realm that isn’t really meant for humans. It’s aimed at young adult readers, but I believe adult readers would also enjoy it (especially Studio Ghibli lovers).

*Thank you First Second and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Hope Ablaze / Sarah Mughal Rana

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Hope Ablaze
By: Sarah Mughal Rana, Farah Kidwai (Narrator)
Genre: YA, Magical Realism
Number of Pages: 384
Published: February 27, 2024
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Dates Read: July 10, 2025 - July 11, 2025
Format: Library Book / Audiobook

Trigger Warnings: Islamophobia, racism 

Nida is known as Mamou Abdul-Hafeedh’s niece – the poet who was wrongfully incarcerated during the war on terror. Nida’s poetry letters are her heart and sharing them with the world is not an option.

When Nida is illegally frisked at a Democratic Senatorial candidate’s political rally – a rally she wasn’t even trying to go to, she was heading to the mosque to pray – she writes a heated poem about the politician, never expecting the letter to go viral weeks later. Nida is shocked to find out the poem has won first place in a national contest, a contest she didn’t even enter. After her quiet life is upheaved Nida loses her ability to write poetry. She also struggles with the balance of the expectations of her mother, her uncle, and her Muslim community with who she truly wants to be.

As a white woman, this gave me an opportunity to see not only what hijabi wearing women go through on a daily basis, but also what they had to go through especially after 9/11. This book was also a passionate and emotional journey – Nida had anger she was carrying as well as the feeling of hopelessness, her story was both moving and eye-opening.

I was a little shocked about the magical realism of the novel, but it wasn’t anything offputting to me or anything, just wasn’t expecting it.

Overall, this is an important read that gives the perspective of what it was like to be a hijab-wearing Muslim teen in post 9/11.

*Thank you Wednesday Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) / Suzanne Collins

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Mockingjay
By: Suzanne Collins
Genre: YA, Dystopia
Number of Pages: 390
Published: August 24, 2010
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Dates Read: June 24, 2025 - July 8, 2025
Format: Hardcover

Katniss has been rescued after electrifying the arena during the Quarter Quell, but Peeta was captured by the Capitol. District 12 no longer exists, but District 13 does, and has always existed. Now, District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol, but they need Katniss to be their rebels’ Mockingjay. To do this, she must put aside her feelings, no matter the personal cost.

And I have finished the reading of the original Hunger Game trilogy (don’t ask me why it took me over two weeks to read this, I had weird personal stuff!)

I forgot how much softer Katniss is in this final installment of her story; she’s gone through not one, but two Hunger Games back to back, her home has been wiped off the map, and people keep using her as a pawn in their war games. The girl is seventeen-years-old and hasn’t been able to stop and breathe in two years. Unlike many characters in dystopian books I’ve read, Katniss actually is severely affected by the events she either has been a part of or has witnessed. She’s traumatized! 

I did love the fact she talks about Haymitch taking care of geese, but failed to mention she was the one who gave them to him to take care of. Oh – and at the end, she talks about her children playing on the graveyard of her district in the meadow – I know a lot of people have been connecting that to just the Covey but it’s actually her whole district that is buried there!

Overall, a bitter sweet ending to the original trilogy for sure. Still glad I reread the series.

Soundtrack: A Listening Library Audiobook Original / Jason Reynolds

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Soundtrack: A Listening Library Audiobook Original
By: Jason Reynolds, Full Cast (Narrators)
Genre: Young Adult
Number of Pages: 6 hours, 29 minutes
Published: June 3, 2025
Publisher: Listening Library
Dates Read: June 19, 2025 - June 22, 2025
Format: Audiobook

Full Cast: Nile Bullock (Stuy), Mekhi Hawling (Dunks), Jade Williams (Keith), Brandon Miles (Alexis), Ryan Vincent Anderson (Uncle Lucky), Amir Royale (Frankie), Jasmin Richardson (Stuy’s Mom), Christopher Grant (Dom), Khaya Fraites (Ashley), Nadine Simmons (Mrs. Dyson), Robb Moreira (Mr. Garcia), Wé Ani (Lisa), Rocky Anicette (Dylan), Brandiss Seward (Frankie’s Mom), with Siho Ellsmore, Tyrell Buckner, Gina Daniels, Karen Murray, Jonathan Beville, Karla Moore, and Ronald Peet

Stuy has been learning the drums since he was a little boy, all thanks to his mom, a founding member of the punk band The Bed-Stuy Magic Dusters. After high school, Stuy knows he wants to start a band, so when he meets his Uncle Lucky’s cosmos loving landlord, Dunk, the duo set out to find the rest of their members. Stuy, Dunks, Alexis, Keith, and Frankie then form SOUNDTRACK, and to everyone’s surprise, they become an underground sensation

I have been highly anticipating this audiobook since I found out about it! But of course, even once I got my hands on it finally, I waited for a trip back to my hometown so I could have as much of an undisturbed listening as I could (2.5 hours each way) and boy did this book make the time fly!

Everything about this was amazing: the voice actors, the sound effects, the music, the storyline itself! All fantastic! I even jump scared myself a few times with the sound effects from the speaker feedback!

This audiobook is an experience that I can see winning an Audie or two in the future. I can also see people who don’t like audiobooks greatly enjoying this as well (though it will set a pretty high standard for audiobooks they listen to afterwards!)

*Thank you Listening Library and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review