libraryalissa's reviews
1426 reviews

It Happened to Anna by Tehlor Kay Mejia

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dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.5

The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Force of Nature: A Novel of Rachel Carson by Ann E. Burg

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adventurous emotional reflective relaxing sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This was a beautiful, atmospheric audiobook and I would call the text more all-ages than middle grade, as the story covers Rachel Carson’s entire life and appeals as much to adults as children. It captures Carson’s poetic writing as well as her passionate environmentalism. I think there is a lot to love here for anyone, but the percentage of middle school students who would be drawn to it is low. I hope those who would love it are able to find it. 
Sona and the Golden Beasts by Rajani LaRocca

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adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln

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  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

Slot this under “books for kids that adults might like.” This just didn’t work for me on so many levels, especially not for my middle school students, but I struggle to imagine elementary schoolers enjoying it either. The dialogue and story were clunky, and it was filled with cliches and references that today’s kids just won’t appreciate.
I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day

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emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.5

Luster by Raven Leilani

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tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare

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challenging emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

“It is an heretic that makes the fire, / Not she which burns in’t.”

I was unfamiliar with this play so it genuinely took me on a JOURNEY but also Act 4 was a slog and Act 5 wrapped up too quickly. Still, some very strong characters. Paulina is the friend we all need. The true queen. 
Macbeth by William Shakespeare

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challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I read this in my Shakespeare class in undergrad and just reread it for a reading challenge. What struck me most this time is how many turns of phrase in this work are well known and used in songs, book titles, etc. I know this is true for a lot of Shakespeare but I think it is especially true for this one. Witches, murder, ambition, not a weak female character in the whole thing. All around iconic. 
No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model by Richard C. Schwartz

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense slow-paced

4.0