Reviews written by Angela Blount

“We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.” –Malala Yousafzai A momentously important true story—rife with culture, faith, familial bonds, and astounding bravery. Although this book is touted as a memoir, I feel it would be more accurate...

"Any anger I feel vanishes. What is left cannot be described. It is guilt piled onto emptiness and set afire." An impactful, relevant book told from a rarely considered angle. Part mystery, part “issues” book, part paternal introspection. Finding Jake is a story that delves...

“Nixy Bauer, Home in an Hour.” One needn’t be a gamer to appreciate the fast-paced, adventurous romp presented in this near-future light sci-fi story. However, those who are familiar with concepts like virtual sandbox worlds and light role play are likely to take particular enjoyment...

I’d have to call this one the best in the series thus far. Meyer adds yet another cast member to the save-the-world team in this, the third installment of the Lunar Chronicles. Cress is easily the most naïve of the female leads we’ve seen so far, though...

Despite the size of the book, the free verse telling makes it a surprisingly quick read. (I’m certain it’s the first time this reader has finished a 400 page book in under 3 hours!) And let me just say, I’ve rarely seen a more perfect cover for a book. ...

"Don't base reality on what you have seen when you have seen very little." If you’re a fan of the recent trend in Lord Of The Flies inspired survivalist-themed YA, this book may be right up your alley. As the...

Memorable, endearing, and classroom friendly. This 29 page American Sign Language telling of the classic fable maintains the integrity and moral lesson of the original, while offering its own special touches. The font choices are clear and consistent, interspersed with variable text length and emphasized words that should effectively hold...

This 30 page American Sign Language retelling serves up a timeless lesson about the consequences of lying, with concepts and word choices suitable for children ages 4-8. The structure is a bit slow going for the first third of the story, which may risk young readers identifying a little too...

This third and final book in the Starling series is a multi-POV work of urban fantasy, heavy on the Norse mythology angle while incorporating a mashup of pantheons that include ancient Greek and Egyptian elements. I will admit upfront that I haven’t read the first two...

This abuse-of-science tale is told entirely through the eyes of 16-year-old Kyle McAdams. Kyle lives perpetually in the shadow of his identical (but 2-years older thanks to IVF) twin, Connor. Until one day Connor stops living, and Kyle discovers he’s among a group of teens who’ve been engineered with a...

Mesmerized is a gorgeously illustrated book with a strong Middle Grade appeal. It’s a fascinating tidbit of history blended with foundational science—an appealing balance of subtle teaching and masterful storytelling. This true-to-life story follows Benjamin Franklin’s visit to France in the midst of the American Revolution....

This sci-fi debut steps boldly into the YA ring and puts on a compelling show. Set an indeterminate number of years in the future, the story is told entirely from the third-person point of view of Carr Luka, a 17-year-old “zeroboxer’ of exceptional gifting. His career...

“Science In The Service Of Immaturity.” If your child is interested in intro-level gadgetry, practical jokes, or basic security measures, this may be just the gift to occupy both their mind and sense of humor. The kit/book combo comes with a circuit board, speaker, LED, photodetector, door...

This dark and gritty urban fantasy is the third book in Sherrilyn Kenyon’s appeal to a more PG-13 audience. (I hadn't read the previous two books, but I have read several from her adult paranormal romances that occur in the same universe, and introduce many of the overlapping...

"A body is just a body. It's what's inside that counts." I regret that I read this, the second book in the series, without ever reading the first book. I found the continued story difficult to follow. It seems unfair to judge it on...