Post-It Note Reviews: 14 quick reviews of recent MG and YA books

Summer! I DID make progress with Mount TBR! I DID get to read many of the books I’d set aside, hoping to get to them. I DID make it all the way now to reading August releases, so I keep of feel caught up and on top of things. I had hoped to burn through even more books in July but we were busy living under some kind of curse that filled all my time with exasperating house repairs, an infinite migraine, and all kinds of other blah blah.

Now we’re down to the last days of summer. I have high hopes that I can keep making such good progress with my TBR piles, but with starting a new job (same position, new school) and trying to make my teenager hang out with me every free second (how is he a SENIOR now?!), I expect I’ll be busy.

All descriptions are from the publishers. Read the transcription of the post-it review after the book info. I really try hard to have legible handwriting, but that ship really sailed a long time ago. I mean, I thought my first day of summer to-do list included “cure cancer,” which seemed SUPER ambitious—but it actually said “Cure concert.” Sheesh.

Unaccompanied: Stories of Brave Teenagers Seeking Asylum by Tracy White (ISBN-13: 9781951491208 Publisher: Street Noise Books Publication date: 06/20/2023, Ages 16-18)

Life at home is so unbearable that these kids will risk their lives and face colossal challenges to escape to the United States and find safety.

This book tells the true stories of five brave teens fleeing their home countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Guinea, on their own, traveling through unknown and unfriendly places, and ultimately crossing into the US to find refuge and seek asylum. Based on extensive interviews with teen refugees, lawyers, caseworkers, and activists, Tracy White shines a light on five individual kids from among the tens of thousands of unaccompanied minors who enter the US each year. In stark black and white illustrations, she helps us understand why some young people would literally risk their lives to seek safety in the US. Each one of them has been backed into a corner where emigration to the US seems like their only hope.

(POST-IT SAYS: Highlights five stories of teens fleeing to asylum. Really tough, emotional journeys filled with so much trauma and so many obstacles. A quick read with simple artwork that helps bring the narratives to life. Insightful read.)

Light Comes to Shadow Mountain by Toni Buzzeo (ISBN-13: 9780823453849 Publisher: Holiday House Publication date: 07/11/2023, Ages 8-12)

Cora Mae Tipton is determined to light up her Appalachian community in this historical fiction novel from an award-winning author and former librarian.

It’s 1937 and the government is pushing to bring electricity to the mountains of southeastern Kentucky. It’s all Cora can think of; radios with news from around the world, machines that keep food cold, lightbulbs by which to read at night! Cora figures she can help spread the word by starting a school newspaper and convincing her neighbors to support the Rural Electrification Act.

But resistance to change isn’t easy to overcome, especially when it starts at home. Cora’s mother is a fierce opponent of electrification. She argues that protecting the landscape of the holler—the trees, the streams, the land that provides for their way of life—is their responsibility. But Cora just can’t let go of wanting more.

Lyrical, literary, and deeply heartfelt, this debut novel from an award-winning author-librarian speaks to family, friendship, and loss through the spirited perspective of a girl eager for an electrified existence, but most of all, the light of her mother’s love and acceptance.

Back matter includes an Author’s Note; further information on the Rural Electrification Act, the herbs and plants of Appalachia, the Pack Horse Library Project, and more; and a “Quick Questions” historical trivia section for readers.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

(POST-IT SAYS: Not just about electricity coming but also about families, grief, hopes and dreams, ambition, and responsibilities. I love how spirited and thoughtful Cora is. Really eye-opening look at life in Appalachia during the Great Depression. An excellent middle grade debut.)

The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle by Taryn Souders (ISBN-13: 9781728275468 Publisher: Sourcebooks Publication date: 07/11/2023, Ages 8-12)

From the Edgar-nominated author of Coop Knows the Scoop comes an exciting mystery perfect for fans of From the Desk of Zoe Washington and Holes.

When Grady and his dad learn that the town oddball, Eudora “Kooky” Klinch left something for them in her will, they can only imagine what it might be. When it turns out it’s an old scrap of 300-year-old tapestry, they are bitterly disappointed. But the cloth comes with a note saying, “This is no ordinary piece of needlework. It’s a treasure map. Riddles and Clues. To the victor go the riches.” Grady’s dad dismisses it, but Grady thinks this could be the chance of a lifetime. With the help of his friends Thad, Clemmie, and the town dog Ophelia, Grady is determined to crack the clues and find the treasure.

But when someone tries to break into Grady’s house one night, and then the local antiques expert who examined the tapestry is found unconscious, Grady realizes that he’s not the only one who knows about the treasure map. There’s more at risk than he bargained for, and solving this mystery just got a lot more dangerous.

(POST-IT SAYS: An excellently-paced mystery with real danger and high stakes. I love a story where kids seek treasure—and find it (and so much more)! Great small town setting with a community focus.)

Global: One fragile world. An epic fight for survival by Eoin Colfer, Andrew Donkin, Giovanni Rigano (Illustrator) (ISBN-13: 9781728257235 Publisher: Sourcebooks Publication date: 04/11/2023, Ages 10-14)

From New York Times bestselling author Eoin Colfer and the team behind the Artemis Fowl graphic novels and bestselling, acclaimed graphic novel Illegal comes a compelling and timely story that follows two courageous children as they face the effects of climate change.

Time is running out for Sami and Yuki.

Sami and his grandfather live in a village along the Indian Ocean. They earn their living by fishing. But the ocean is rising and each day they bring back fewer and fewer fish.

Yuki lives in the far north of Canada where warming temperature are melting the ice. Polar bears have less food to hunt and are wandering into town looking for something to eat. Yuki is determined to do something to help the bears.

(POST-IT SAYS: A heart-pounding look at global warming and climate change puts two children (and their communities) in peril. Truly harrowing action and danger on almost every page drives home the point that the Earth (and all of us on it) is in trouble.)

The Queens of New York: A Novel by E. L. Shen (ISBN-13: 9780063237957 Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Publication date: 06/06/2023, Ages 13-17)

From acclaimed author E. L. Shen comes a sun-drenched, cinematic YA novel about three Asian American girls, their unbreakable bond, and one life-changing summer, perfect for fans of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

Best friends Jia Lee, Ariel Kim, and Everett Hoang are inseparable. But this summer, they won’t be together.

Everett, aspiring Broadway star, hopes to nab the lead role in an Ohio theater production, but soon realizes that talent and drive can only get her so far. Brainy Ariel is flying to San Francisco for a prestigious STEM scholarship, even though her heart is in South Korea, where her sister died last year. And stable, solid Jia will be home in Flushing, juggling her parents’ Chinatown restaurant, a cute new neighbor, and dreams for an uncertain future.

As the girls navigate heartbreaking surprises and shocking self-discoveries, they find that even though they’re physically apart, they are still mighty together.

(POST-IT SAYS: Really nice read. So much depth to all 3 girls’ stories. Examines racism, grief, loss, families, expectations, and friendship. The girls have distinct personalities and voices and the story flows well despite the changing POV. Solid book.)

The Moonlit Vine by Elizabeth Santiago, McKenzie Mayle (Illustrator) (ISBN-13: 9781643795805 Publisher: Lee & Low Books Publication date: 05/30/2023, Ages 13-18)

Fourteen-year-old Taína just learned that she is a descendant of a long line of strong Taíno women, but will knowing this help her bring peace and justice to her family and community?

Despite her name, Taína Perez doesn’t know anything about her Taíno heritage, nor has she ever tried to learn. After all, how would ancient Puerto Rican history help with everything going on? There’s constant trouble at school and in her neighborhood, her older brother was kicked out of the house, and with her mom at work, she’s left alone to care for her little brother and aging grandmother. It’s a lot for a 14-year-old to manage.

But life takes a wild turn when her abuela tells her she is a direct descendant of Anacaona, the beloved Taíno leader, warrior, and poet, who was murdered by the Spanish in 1503. Abuela also gives her an amulet and a zemi and says that it’s time for her to step into her power like the women who came before her. But is that even possible? People like her hardly make it out of their circumstances, and the problems in her home and community are way bigger than Taína can manage. Or are they?

A modern tale with interstitial historical chapters, The Moonlit Vine brings readers a powerful story of the collective struggle, hope, and liberation of Puerto Rican and Taíno peoples.

(POST-IT SAYS: Gorgeously written story of family, power, survival, action, community, strength, and ancestry. Beautiful art accompanies the chapters about Ty’s ancestors as we follow the heirlooms on their journey to Ty. Fantastic debut.)

Rhythm & Muse by India Hill Brown (ISBN-13: 9780063217553 Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Publication date: 05/30/2023, Ages 13-17)

Cinderella meets Cyrano in this pitch-perfect YA rom-com that is a celebration of Black joy, first crushes, and putting your heart on the line for love.

Darren Johnson lives in his head. There, he can pine for his crush—total dream girl, Delia Dawson—in peace, away from the unsolicited opinions of his talkative family and showboat friends. When Delia announces a theme song contest for her popular podcast, Dillie D in the Place to Be, Darren’s friends—convinced he’ll never make a move—submit one of his secret side projects for consideration.

After the anonymous romantic verse catches Dillie’s ear, she sets out to uncover the mystery singer behind the track. Now Darren must decide: Is he ready to step out of the shadows and take the lead in his own life? 

(POST-IT SAYS: Loved her middle grade books—psyched to see a YA from Brown. Darren is a wonderful introspective and vulnerable guy. Cute romance with lots of depth as Darren explores music, friendship, dating, and becoming more confident while often feeling so anxious.)

Low Power by Michael Rex (ISBN-13: 9780593206355 Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group Publication date: 08/15/2023 Series: Your Pal Fred #2, Ages 7-10)

In this action-packed sequel by #1 New York Times bestselling creator Michael Rex, Fred shows us how all arguments, big and small, can be solved with kindness—even when it’s not always welcomed!

Fred has made quite a name for himself as a peacemaker since his last adventure! Now everyone who loves to argue is coming to him for help resolving their disagreements, but there’s just one problem . . . Fred is low on power. Thanks to the clouds of pollution in the sky, Fred’s solar battery can’t recharge.
With the help of his best friend, Wormy, he sets off for SunTop—a city with a sky-high place where the sun can be seen. But once there, he’s told that he can’t recharge unless he stops a clan of garbage-like creatures from attacking every night. It’s a race against time for Fred to solve the mystery of the Trash before he runs out of power forever!

(POST-IT SAYS: Oh how I love the guileless and unfailingly kind robot Fred. Gentle and friendly Fred urges compassion, peacemaking, and finding commonalities all while running low on power in a pollution-filled land. Fred’s the optimism the apocalypse needs. Great fun.)

West of the Sea by Stephanie Willing (ISBN-13: 9780593465578 Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group Publication date: 08/15/2023, Ages 8-12)

Tae Keller meets Tracey Baptiste in a tale of generational trauma, told with a cryptozoological twist.

When her mom disappears from their small Texas town, paleontology-loving Haven is determined to find her. But as she uncovers truths about her mom’s identity, Haven also uncovers a monstrous family secret. Her mom can take the shape of a human and, in the right environment, also turn into an amphibious creature known as a kitskara. And now that she’s growing up, Haven is discovering she has this ability, too. This newfound identity is her only clue to help her track her mother and bring her back home.

And so she, her older sister Margie, and her new friend Rye set off on a road trip across Texas’s Gulf Coast to her late grandparents’ abandoned home, where they’re sure her mom has disappeared to…along with plenty of family secrets.

Infused with a deep love of fossils and Celtic mythology, West of the Sea is a lyrical, heart-filled coming-of-age story for fans of cryptozoology—and anyone who has struggled to find their place in the world when they feel different.

(POST-IT SAYS: An unusual and beautifully strange approach to a family coping with loss and mental health issues. Fantastic characters experience the fantastical as they seek answers and embrace truths.)

Mexikid by Pedro Martín (ISBN-13: 9780593462287 Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group Publication date: 08/01/2023, Ages 10-14)

A poignant, hilarious, and unforgettable graphic memoir about a Mexican-American boy’s family and their adventure-filled road trip to bring their abuelito back from Mexico to live with them.

Pedro Martin has grown up hearing stories about his abuelito—his legendary crime-fighting, grandfather who was once a part of the Mexican Revolution! But that doesn’t mean Pedro is excited at the news that Abuelito is coming to live with their family. After all, Pedro has 8 brothers and sisters and the house is crowded enough! Still, Pedro piles into the Winnebago with his family for a road trip to Mexico to bring Abuelito home, and what follows is the trip of a lifetime, one filled with laughs and heartache. Along the way, Pedro finally connects with his abuelito and learns what it means to grow up and find his grito.

(POST-IT SAYS: A fantastic memoir about heritage, identity, family, and a road trip to Mexico. Great story and great art, but what I love most is this graphic novel is long—this will keep the kids who burn through graphic novels busy for a while!)

All Alone with You by Amelia Diane Coombs (ISBN-13: 9781534493575 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Publication date: 07/25/2023, Ages 14-18)

HBO Max’s Hacks gets a romantic twist in the vein of Jenn Bennett in this swoon-worthy novel about a standoffish teen girl whose loner status gets challenged by a dynamic elderly woman and a perpetually cheerful boy.

Eloise Deane is the worst and doesn’t care who knows it. She’s grumpy, prefers to be alone, and is just slogging through senior year with one goal: get accepted to USC and move to California. So when her guidance counselor drops the bombshell that to score a scholarship she’ll desperately need, her applications require volunteer hours, Eloise is up for the challenge. Until she’s paired with LifeCare, a volunteer agency that offers social support to lonely seniors through phone calls and visits. Basically, it’s a total nightmare for Eloise’s anxiety.

Eloise realizes she’s made a huge mistake—especially when she’s paired with Austin, the fellow volunteer who’s the sunshine to her cloudy day. But as Eloise and Austin work together to keep Marianne Landis—the mysterious former frontwoman of the 1970s band the Laundromats—company, something strange happens. She actually…likes Marianne and Austin? Eloise isn’t sure what to do with that, especially when her feelings toward Austin begin to blur into more-than-friends territory.

And when ex-girlfriends, long-buried wounds, and insecurities reappear, Eloise will have a choice to make: go all in with Marianne and Austin or get out before she gets hurt.

(POST-IT SAYS: A complete delight. Prickly Eloise, who has anxiety and depression, instantly won me over. I could’ve read about Eloise, sweet and persistent Austin, and the amazing aging rock star Marianne for hundreds more pages. Excellent sunshine/grumpy romance full of humor and vulnerability.)

Rana Joon and the One and Only Now by Shideh Etaat (ISBN-13: 9781665917629 Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers Publication date: 07/25/2023, Ages 14-18)

This lyrical coming-of-age novel for fans of Darius the Great Is Not Okay and On the Come Up, set in Southern California in 1996, follows a teen who wants to honor her deceased friend’s legacy by entering a rap contest.

Perfect Iranian girls are straight A students, always polite, and grow up to marry respectable Iranian boys. But it’s the San Fernando Valley in 1996, and Rana Joon is far from perfect—she smokes weed and loves Tupac, and she has a secret: she likes girls.

As if that weren’t enough, her best friend, Louie—the one who knew her secret and encouraged her to live in the moment—died almost a year ago, and she’s still having trouble processing her grief. To honor him, Rana enters the rap battle he dreamed of competing in, even though she’s terrified of public speaking.

But the clock is ticking. With the battle getting closer every day, she can’t decide whether to use one of Louie’s pieces or her own poetry, her family is coming apart, and she might even be falling in love. To get herself to the stage and fulfill her promise before her senior year ends, Rana will have to learn to speak her truth and live in the one and only now.

(POST-IT SAYS: This manages the trick of being emotionally intense while still being a fast-paced read. Really thoughtful and full of authenticity and vulnerability, this is a powerful exploration of grief, identity, and finding your voice.)

Love & Resistance by Kara H.L. Chen (ISBN-13: 9780063237834 Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Publication date: 07/04/2023, Ages 13-17)

Moxie meets Mary H.K. Choi in this funny, whip-smart YA debut about love, resistance, and the enduring friendships that make it all worthwhile. 

Seventeen-year-old Olivia Chang is at her fourth school in seven years. Her self-imposed solitude is lonely but safe. At Plainstown High, however, Olivia’s usual plan of anonymity fails when infamous it-girl Mitzi Clarke makes a pointed racist comment in class. Tired of ignoring things just to survive, Olivia defends herself.  

And that is the end of her invisible life. 

Soon, Olivia joins forces with the Nerd Net: a secret society that’s been thwarting Mitzi’s reign of terror for months. Together, they plan to unite the masses and create true change at school.

But in order to succeed, Olivia must do something even more terrifying than lead a movement: trust other people. She might even make true friends along the way . . . if Mitzi doesn’t destroy her first. 

A cheeky, thought-provoking force of a book, perfect for fans of E. Lockhart’s The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks.

(POST-IT SAYS: Trying to overthrow not just the queen bee mean girl but the entire social hierarchy of high school? Yes, please! This quick read deals with racism and bullying but is also full of humor and romance. Loved watching the Nerd Net try to change the high school system.)

Nigeria Jones by Ibi Zoboi (ISBN-13: 9780062888846 Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Publication date: 05/09/2023, Ages 13-17)

From Ibi Zoboi, bestselling, award-winning author of American Street and co-author of Punching the Air, comes a bold new YA coming-of-age story, which explores race, feminism, and complicated family dynamics. The ideal next read for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo, Jacqueline Woodson, and Roxane Gay.

Warrior Princess. That’s what Nigeria Jones’s father calls her. He has raised her as part of the Movement, a Black separatist group based in Philadelphia. Nigeria is homeschooled and vegan and participates in traditional rituals to connect her and other kids from the group to their ancestors. But when her mother—the perfect matriarch of their Movement—disappears, Nigeria’s world is upended. She finds herself taking care of her baby brother and stepping into a role she doesn’t want.

Nigeria’s mother had secrets. She wished for a different life for her children, which includes sending her daughter to a private Quaker school outside of their strict group. Despite her father’s disapproval, Nigeria attends the school with her cousin, Kamau, and Sage, who used to be a friend. There, she begins to flourish and expand her universe.

As Nigeria searches for her mother, she starts to uncover a shocking truth. One that will lead her to question everything she thought she knew about her life and her family.

From award-winning author Ibi Zoboi comes a powerful story about discovering who you are in the world—and fighting for that person—by having the courage to be your own revolution.

(POST-IT SAYS: Zoboi is such a fantastic author. An intense, character-driven story about secrets, family, and choosing your own path in life. Super interesting setting—an all-Black utopia/commune. A really layered and thoughtful read.)

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