Reviews written by Evren Dodd, Staff Reviewer

14 results - showing 1 - 14
Ordering
August 19, 2024
Overall rating
 
4.0
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
A Chaotically Good Time

BLAME MY VIRGO MOON is the sequel to Never Trust a Gemini. While the reading experience is enhanced by reading the first book, the book can be read as a standalone without many issues. The book is a young adult novel featuring Cat, an astrology obsessed girl desperate to get...

August 16, 2024
Overall rating
 
4.0
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
A Fun, but Dramatic Time at Saddlehill Academy

The third book in the Saddlehill Academy series, FALLING HARD is a middle grade book set at a horse riding boarding school. Abby, the main character, is still dealing with fallout from the previous book and new issues arise when her friends seem to be avoiding her. Add having to...

August 13, 2024
Overall rating
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
3.0
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
An Important Look at Real-Life Topics

UGLIEST is a young adult novel set in a mathematics & science boarding school. This is the third book in the Art of Being Ugly series. The main character, Nic, is coming to terms with their identity, especially since they go to school in a conservative area. They’ve got a...

July 19, 2024
Overall rating
 
4.7
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
13 Thrilling and Gory Tales

THE WHITE GUY DIES FIRST is a horror anthology aimed at Young Adult readers. 13 terrifying stories fill this book, each written by and starring people of color. At times some of the stories can get a bit gory, but I feel as though the overall tone and content is...

July 08, 2024
Overall rating
 
4.0
Plot
 
3.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
4.0
Middle Grade Fiction
A Cute Graphic Novel at a Summer Music Camp

 A middle grade graphic novel, CAMP PRODIGY is a cute story about two nonbinary kids at a summer music camp. We spend time with Tate and Eli as they become friends, practice music, and learn more about themselves. The story is told over the span of 4 weeks spent...

June 28, 2024
Overall rating
 
4.3
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
An Emotion-Fueled Slow-Burn Romance

6 TIMES WE ALMOST KISSED (AND ONE TIME WE DID) is a slow-burn Young Adult romance. This book is told from two points of view, following Tate and Penny for about a month and a half as they learn to live together while their mothers are undergoing and recovering from...

June 21, 2024
Overall rating
 
4.3
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
A Fresh, Exciting Take on a Classic Tale

SLEEP LIKE DEATH is a re-imagining of Snow White geared towards young adults. Eve, our main character, has been trained all her life to take down the Knight, a sorcerer that haunts her mother’s kingdom. When the Knight’s messenger appears, she begins to uncover the secrets and truths that have...

June 16, 2024
Overall rating
 
4.3
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
An Intriguing Dual-Timeline Story of Seeking Freedom

EVERY TIME YOU HEAR THAT SONG is a young adult book told in split timelines. One timeline follows 17-year-old Darren as she hunts down the time capsule of Decklee Cassel. The other timeline follows a young Decklee as she tries to rise to country music fame. During her search, Darren...

June 13, 2024
Overall rating
 
3.7
Plot
 
3.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
N/A
Young Adult Fiction
A Surprisingly Entertaining Story of Grief and Acceptance

ANNIE LEBLANC IS NOT DEAD YET is a young adult book about a town with a mysterious power. Once every 10 years, someone can be brought back from the dead. This year Wilson, our protagonist, decides to bring back her best friend Annie. It doesn’t matter that they hadn’t spoken...

June 07, 2024
Overall rating
 
4.5
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
5.0
Middle Grade Fiction
An Emotional Journey of a Trans Boy Finding His Place

LUNAR BOY is a graphic novel geared towards ages 8 and up. This graphic novel stars Indu as he and his adoptive mother move to live on Earth. Indu originally came from the moon and then lived on a spaceship and settling on Earth is a lot more difficult than...

May 31, 2024
Overall rating
 
4.3
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
4.0
Kids Indie
A Simple but Beautiful Way of Exploring an Anxious Child’s First Time at Pride

MARLEY’S PRIDE follows the story of young transgender child Marley as they go to their first pride with their grandparent. They’ve wanted to go before, but every time their nerves have gotten the better of them. This year they are determined to join. A caring cast of characters helps Marley...

May 28, 2024
Overall rating
 
4.5
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
5.0
Middle Grade Fiction
A Cute and Captivating Camp Crush Confession

UPSTAGED is a middle grade graphic novel following Ash, a nonbinary camper in their final 6 weeks of camp. They are determined that this year they will confess their crush on fellow camper Ivy, but from the very first day things don’t go their way. The book is written at...

May 22, 2024
Overall rating
 
4.3
Plot
 
5.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
4.0
Kids Indie
A Charming, Rhyming Exploration of Being You

I CAN BE…ME is a charming encouragement to children to be who they want to be. The book encourages children to explore what they enjoy without fear of not being accepted. Six children explore the many ways they can be themselves with their play and imagination. ...

May 17, 2024
Overall rating
 
4.3
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
4.0
Learning Value
 
5.0
A Comforting and Colorful Way to Introduce Kids to Pronouns

HOORAY FOR SHE, HE, ZE, AND THEY is a picture book introducing kids to pronouns and gender euphoria. The author, Lindz Amer, introduces children to some of the pronouns that people use. The author then describes how the right pronouns make them feel. At the end of the book there...

14 results - showing 1 - 14