Reviews written by Kim Baccellia, Staff Reviewer

What worked: This memoir is the account of an undocumented teen living in the US during the 90s. She gives a face to the plight of undocumented immigrants living in our country. This memoir is filled with humor and raw insights into Sara Saedi's life. Her parents...

What worked: This is one of those books that totally lives up to the hype. Rich, lush descriptions woven throughout a world where beauty is a commodity that comes with a cost. Camellia Beauregard is a Belle, someone who can bring beauty to those who can pay the cost. Among...

What worked: I really loved this story of a dressmaker and the prince who likes to wear dresses. Prince Sebastian does this in secret until he 'discovers' the shocking outfit Frances made for a client. He hires her, but tries to keep his identity secret. What happens next is the...

What worked: This is an amazing tale with an unique twist on the holocaust and the survivors. What I really liked about this story was how much the final reveal took me off guard. I love when that happens! This story starts off in 1945 Bergen-Belsen Concentration...

I love short story anthologies. So when I heard that there was a collection of YA shorts by some of my favorite authors, I couldn't wait to get a copy! What works: There's so much to love about this collection. Each story has it's own take on...

Sixteen-year-old Echo Stone wakes up and finds herself in a dark house with other kids. Middle House is the home to murdered kids and teens. She finds out that she's been murdered and it's her job to find her murderer. Only after Echo finds her murderer and gets revenge, can...

Sasha Stone's life has been 'perfect'. She's top of her class and has the 'perfect' boyfriend. Everything seems almost too perfect and it is. She doesn't understand why she has feelings for Issac Harver, the school bad boy. Or why she has visions of things that she knows nothing about....

Justyce is at the top of his class, captain of the debate team, and on track to attend a prestigious Ivy League college next year. None of that matters though to the police officer who profiles him after Justyce tries to help his ex-girlfriend. He's arrested and put in...

This is the second book in a very adorable, fun series. This story starts with Breeze Brannigan's end of the eighth grade class party. She hasn't heard from cute guy Cam after he and his mother returned to their palace home. When he surprises her with an invite to visit...

This is an easy to read reference book on how to take creative ideas and thoughts and turn them into writing. Perfect for those who want to channel their ideas before writing that book. Jaden uses the acronym S.P.A.R.K., for explaining the way story ideas work and how they resonate...

Aliens have invaded Earth and promise to share their technology. Of course most people are very excited about the idea that Earth will have advanced technology, but they don't realize the cost. Adam watches as his parents lose their jobs to this technology. Then his father leaves the family. His...

I was excited to be asked to read and review I AM NOT YOUR PERFECT MEXICAN DAUGHTER. I love stories with strong Latina protagonists. Julia is not only strong, but funny and also so realistic. Her struggles to deal with not only the tragic death of her 'perfect' older sister...

I'm a huge fan of diverse novels, especially ones that are set in the paranormal world. I was beyond excited when I heard Daniel Jose Older had a sequel to Shadowshaper. In that book readers are introduced to Sierra and her ability to put spirits into paintings and bring them...

Five years ago, seventeen-year-old Holly Chase was visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve. They warned her to change her ways or else. Well, Holly didn't believe them and died. Now she's been the ghost of Christmas Present. She's not quite dead but not alive either. Life is set...

Skye Thorn is a fake. Her so-called psychic abilities are all a scam. Then she gets involved in the biggest scam yet which goes terribly wrong. She finds out the people behind the scam will do anything, include kill, to get what they want. Will she be able to find...