Reviews written by Beth Rodgers, Staff Reviewer

In 'Dreams' by Michelle Lynn, the past is a constant struggle while hope seems almost an irreparable goal. Yet, in true romantic fashion, love conquers all, and main characters Taylor and Josh find that through the sadness, heartache, and troubles that have seemingly conquered their lives, they can find new...

'When Paul Met Artie: The Story of Simon & Garfunkel' by G. Neri, illustrated by David Litchfield, is an artistic and lyrically engaging biographical account of Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel's wonderful, yet troubled relationship and joint career. It doesn't steer away from the issues that plagued them and the...

'Two Truths and a Lie: Histories and Mysteries' by Ammi-Joan Paquette and Laurie Ann Thompson is a fun read, chock full of historical and more contemporary facts and fiction. It brings a whole new level of intrigue to the icebreaker game of two truths and a lie, shedding further light...

'Why Can't I Be You' by Melissa Walker follows main character Claire through the summer when she turns twelve. Even though life should be pretty easy and fun at such a young age, Claire finds herself troubled by issues of friendship and perception. Having lived her life in a trailer...

'Tiny Little Rocket' by Richard Collingridge immerses young readers into a journey through space. Through a front-row seat in the cockpit, readers have the pleasure of feeling as though they are piloting the ship, getting a bird's eye view of the stars, and even the planet Mars. Trips near the...

'When I Grow Up' by Tim Minchin, and illustrated by Steve Antony, is a fanciful story about the excitement of considering what to be as a grown-up. It not only considers more academically-oriented ideas such as being smart enough to answer all types of questions, but also the more innocent...

'Gaby, Lost and Found' by Angela Cervantes explores some tough themes. As though the illegal immigration and forced deportation of her mother, along with her semi-absent father, isn't enough, Gaby is forced to deal with a couple of school bullies and the gnawing feeling that since she has been left...

In 'Promises,' by Michelle Lynn, main character Maggie struggles to find her footing after a troubled childhood and difficult marriage. Her past continually comes back to haunt her, from her father to her ex-husband, who also happened to be one of her childhood best friends. The only thing that remains...

'Sundae My Prince Will Come' by Suzanne Nelson combines main character Malie's love of ballet with her relationship woes. Her boyfriend, Ethan, whom she has been friends with for years before they chanted their relationship status, seems like her perfect match. They get along well, share friends, enjoy spending time...

'The Only Girl in School' by Natalie Standiford, illustrated by Nathan Durfee, shines a light on one of the biggest fears any young person - or older person, for that matter - can have. Being the only one can sometimes be seen as a gift, in that the person is...

'Fracture' by Melanie Hooyenga was a fantastic sequel to 'Flicker,' the first in the book series. Biz's ability to flicker - to go back in time one day - is still intact, but it is coming at a cost. In this case, that cost is brain surgery. The loss of...

'Crunch Time Cam' by Jordan Lyons shares the story of Cameron, a young boy who wants to live up to the expectations he feels exist for him regarding his interest in playing basketball. He strives to go out of his way to fill the shoes that his brothers have worn...

'1,000 Facts about the White House' by Sarah Wassner Flynn is definitely worth reading. From facts about why the rooms are named as they are in the White House to interesting facts about first ladies, pets, and food as related to the presidency, there is something for everyone. ...

'The Trail Rules' by Melanie Hooyenga does a great job of capturing the personality and drama of main character Mike (full name: Mikayla) and how her friends and family factor into her life in easy and not-so-easy ways. The first sequel to 'The Slope Rules,' to be followed by another...

'The Golden Thread: A Song for Pete Seeger' by Colin Meloy, illustrated by Nikki McClure, took a bit to get into, owing to the prologue of sorts that took up the first few pages of the story. However, once the main story began, that delved into the biography of Pete...