Earlier this month in my children’s literature course, I was part of a group that presented on Erin Entrada Kelly’s novels. I spoke about the theme of building friendships in the face of adversity in her first two novels, Blackbird Fly and The Land of Forgotten Girls. Here’s what I shared (spoilers ahead): Blackbird Fly 12 year old Apple and her mother moved to America after Apple’s father died when […]

Format/source: Hardcover/library Published: May 2018 Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Length: 286 pages Genre: Middle grade fiction ★★★★   Based on the author’s experiences growing up as a Chinese immigrant in the 1990’s, Kelly Yang’s debut novel explores the stark trials 10 year old Mia Tang and her parents face while managing a hotel for a prejudiced landlord in California. Front Desk takes place in California during the nineties. This time period had particular ramifications for Chinese immigrants […]

Wish Girl by Nikki Loftin Format/Source: Hardcover/Library Published: February 2015 Publisher: Razorbill Length: 256 pages Genre: Middle grade fiction ★★★    Peter Stone’s parents and siblings are extroverts, musicians, and yellers—and the louder they get, the less Peter talks, or even moves, until he practically fits his last name. When his family moves to the Texas Hill Country, though, Peter finds a tranquil, natural valley where he can, at last, hear […]