Reviews written by Kim Baccellia, Staff Reviewer

Seventeen-year-old Douglas can't remember a horrific event he was charged with. When an opportunity to attend a prestigious boarding school in the small town of Winslow, Vermont comes his way? His mother feels this might give them a second chance. But things aren't all they seem at this school. For...

What worked: I loved this fun picture book with a vampire who loves fashion but fears his 'secret' will have his friends reject him. Vlad loves black and feels fashionable except for one thing--his pink cheeks that he fears will make him appear 'horribly alive.' ...

What worked: Action-packed historical fantasy filled with magic, betrayal, and witch hunts. The research behind this engaging fantasy brings life to this witchy tale. The friends-to-enemies angle starts slow. At first, Fritzi hates all hexenjagers-witch hunters-especially after she witnesses her whole village and mother being...

What worked: Great collection of short stories with Black protagonists that range from modern-day to historical. There's something for everyone in this fun anthology. Here's a glimpse of a few of the stories: Drive Time by Lamar Giles where two...

What worked: Great collection of 100 mini-bios of diverse women that changed history. This is perfect for those who want to know more about the contributions of women in history. Even more, these are the stories of multicultural women that history books tend to forget. ...

What worked: Surreal trip down an Alice in Wonderland-like hotel complete with mystery and magic. This fantasy weaves into the story suspense and a ghostly-like atmosphere. An old hotel in Las Vegas offers much more than hospitality during an oncoming storm. Sixteen-year-old perfectionist Anna hates not being in control and...

Wil Greene demands to know what happened to her missing mother. No one takes her seriously, but when she finds hints that the local pastor of the Garden of Adam is involved in secretive activities? She is more determined to find out the truth. Her former friend Elwood, the son...

Royal Scandal continues with the ongoing story of American-born Evan Bright's life in the UK. She's only just discovered she's in fact the illegitimate daughter of the King. Now it's Christmas time and she's to spend time with the royal family at Sandringham, only some people, including royalty members, aren't...

Harlow Ford has been on the run with her mother Cora forever. After a tragedy, she is left with hints of the reasons why her mother was always on the run. Harlow goes to the place where it all started with more mysteries and secrets, including one that involves her....

What worked: Engaging fun-packed quest filled with equally fun illustrations that explore and address the age-old question: is there life beyond Earth? I really enjoyed how the author uses fun illustrations and facts to address that question. McAnulty uses scientific research and has a timeline of what has been accomplished...

What worked: How I wish this picture book had been around when I was a child! I love how the author shows readers that being sensitive is in fact a superpower. The illustrations show how in the past and unfortunately even now, some use that...

What worked: This story starts right off where Only a Monster ended. In the current timeline, Joan has mixed feelings about rewinding time but finds she can't stop following Nick, the boy she loves. This is where things pick up really fast. Once more she finds herself back in the...

Lola Espinoza studies hard, but when she receives a 'C' in Spanish, her father sends her to Mexico City to be with her family to learn the language. While there Lola encounters all the family drama and even learns about a family curse. Add to this she's drawn to two...

What worked: YA meets The Haunting of Bly Manor. This paranormal romance is unique with its twist on an urban legend of The Drowning Girl. Right at the start I was hooked. Eden is the quiet one with a secret home life that she doesn't share with her friends at...

What worked: Beautifully written poetry collection that shows intergenerational family relationships through past and present. What I especially loved about this collection has to be the underlying theme of empowerment. Many different topics are explored which include identity, race, mental health, and self-love. ...