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ashylibrarian's reviews
891 reviews
The Loudest Silence by Sydney Langford
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
Sydney Langford hit it out of the park with their debut novel, The Loudest Silence!
This is a YA realistic fiction with duel POV for readers who love robust and diverse casts of characters, messy friendships, platonic love, and High School Musical.
16-year-old Casey has dreamed of becoming a professional singer. The universe had other plans for her, though - sudden, permanent, and profound hearing loss. Casey and her family are set to move across the country, and now she not only has to navigate starting at a new high school but she is also faced with learning to navigate the world as a Deaf-Hard of Hearing person.
Hayden, the new soccer team captain, is expected to follow in the footsteps of the three-generation fútbol legends in his family, including his older brother. Hayden is hiding a big secret, though. He wants to quit soccer to pursue his dreams of performing on Broadway. What is stopping him from sharing this with others? His Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Both Casey and Hayden are determined to hide who they truly are, even from those closest to them. After their paths cross at school, however, they begin to bond over a shared love for music and, though maybe reluctantly at first (at least for Casey), learn how to support and encourage each other.
The Loudest Silence is a new and unique YA contemporary story that brings together themes of grief, friendship, found family, and self-discovery. I absolutely adored this novel! From cover to cover, it carries readers through an emotional roller coaster of messy teens trying to find themselves in the world.
The cast of characters is just delightful, too! Readers get to see so many of them open up throughout the book, and the friendships that formed into found family truly warmed my heart.
While I am reading this book from an adult reader's lens, I know it will be one that many teen readers will see themselves in with its diverse cast of characters, strong conversations about difficult topics, and big dreams.
This is a YA realistic fiction with duel POV for readers who love robust and diverse casts of characters, messy friendships, platonic love, and High School Musical.
16-year-old Casey has dreamed of becoming a professional singer. The universe had other plans for her, though - sudden, permanent, and profound hearing loss. Casey and her family are set to move across the country, and now she not only has to navigate starting at a new high school but she is also faced with learning to navigate the world as a Deaf-Hard of Hearing person.
Hayden, the new soccer team captain, is expected to follow in the footsteps of the three-generation fútbol legends in his family, including his older brother. Hayden is hiding a big secret, though. He wants to quit soccer to pursue his dreams of performing on Broadway. What is stopping him from sharing this with others? His Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Both Casey and Hayden are determined to hide who they truly are, even from those closest to them. After their paths cross at school, however, they begin to bond over a shared love for music and, though maybe reluctantly at first (at least for Casey), learn how to support and encourage each other.
The Loudest Silence is a new and unique YA contemporary story that brings together themes of grief, friendship, found family, and self-discovery. I absolutely adored this novel! From cover to cover, it carries readers through an emotional roller coaster of messy teens trying to find themselves in the world.
The cast of characters is just delightful, too! Readers get to see so many of them open up throughout the book, and the friendships that formed into found family truly warmed my heart.
While I am reading this book from an adult reader's lens, I know it will be one that many teen readers will see themselves in with its diverse cast of characters, strong conversations about difficult topics, and big dreams.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Ableism and Grief
The Code of Life: All About Genes, DNA, Genetic Engineering, and Why You Are the Way You Are by Carla Häfner, Mieke Scheier
informative
slow-paced
5.0
This is a strong informational book about genes, DNA, and genetic engineering. Though there is a lot of text on each page, the illustrations, questions, and connection between each section make it an engaging book for readers.
I love that there are questions for the readers to solve mixed in with the information text, allowing readers to apply what they have just learned. There are many strong graphics to support the text, as well.
The back matter is fun, encouraging readers to conduct their own experiments and sharing the answers to the questions asked earlier in the book.
I love that there are questions for the readers to solve mixed in with the information text, allowing readers to apply what they have just learned. There are many strong graphics to support the text, as well.
The back matter is fun, encouraging readers to conduct their own experiments and sharing the answers to the questions asked earlier in the book.
Lunar Boy by Cin Wibowo, Jes Wibowo
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
A beautifully queer science fiction graphic novel that celebrates its characters and challenges what society wants us to be.
The characters are beautifully diverse and have strong and hopeful conversations. The found family was like a warm hug and the intricate and unique art style helped to bring everything together.
The characters are beautifully diverse and have strong and hopeful conversations. The found family was like a warm hug and the intricate and unique art style helped to bring everything together.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deadnaming and Transphobia
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
4.0
I read the first half from the physical book. I listen to the second half on audio. I wish I would have started this on audio from the start...
I adore the children in this book.
I adore the children in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, and Xenophobia
Minor: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.75
What a lovely cozy fantasy that carries thought-provoking characters and plot.
I want to be Kiela the librarian and I want a sentient spider plant as an assistant. I want us to live on a lovely little island and make jam and secretly market low-stake spells to the caring folks in the town. I want to befriend the baker and the neighbor and grow a garden and help everyone feel like they belong.
Since I can't do all that, thanks to Sarah Beth Durst for allowing me to escape to all of this for a little bit.
I want to be Kiela the librarian and I want a sentient spider plant as an assistant. I want us to live on a lovely little island and make jam and secretly market low-stake spells to the caring folks in the town. I want to befriend the baker and the neighbor and grow a garden and help everyone feel like they belong.
Since I can't do all that, thanks to Sarah Beth Durst for allowing me to escape to all of this for a little bit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Grief and War
Not Your Average Jo by Grace K. Shim
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A unique YA novel about a Korean American teen looking to make a name for herself in the music industry. Earning her spot at a prestigious music school for her senior year, Riley is excited to get her music career off the ground.
Unfortunately, Riley is met with racist comments from both her advisor and bandmate. Riley is stuck between keeping quiet to hopefully move up her music career and talking about her experiences and giving herself a chance in the spotlight.
Unfortunately, Riley is met with racist comments from both her advisor and bandmate. Riley is stuck between keeping quiet to hopefully move up her music career and talking about her experiences and giving herself a chance in the spotlight.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Devil Is Fine by John Vercher
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
John Vercher masterfully combines the literary fiction, magical realism, and mystery genres in this novel.
This is a book about race, family, addiction, grief, history, mental health, and colonial systems. It made me think while reading and it continues to take up space in my mind now.
This is a book about race, family, addiction, grief, history, mental health, and colonial systems. It made me think while reading and it continues to take up space in my mind now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Slavery, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
They Called Me a Lioness: A Palestinian Girl's Fight for Freedom by Dena Takruri, Ahed Tamimi
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
5.0
A truly stellar memoir encompassing the life of a fierce young activist that also shines an accessible light on the horrors happening in Palestine under the Israeli occupation. This is an emotional must-read book for readers of all ages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Police brutality, and Colonisation
Moderate: Torture and War
Born Naughty: My Childhood in China by Tony Johnston, Jin Wang
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
This is a fine introduction to memoirs and nonfiction for younger readers.
The Liars Society by Alyson Gerber
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is a fun starter to a new middle-grade mystery series. Folks describing it as One of Us Is Lying meets The Inheritance Games have nailed the mash-up.
I do wish there was something to make this book stand out a bit more, but I think it will be a hit with middle-grade readers, especially those looking to explore the mystery genre.
I do wish there was something to make this book stand out a bit more, but I think it will be a hit with middle-grade readers, especially those looking to explore the mystery genre.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fire/Fire injury