Archives: Book Reviews
Before We Were Yours Book Review
Historical Fiction – 342 pages – Published 2017
I absolutely loved this historical fiction novel! Lisa Wingate weaves the past and the present to create an intriguing story that explains the connection between two elderly women who have begun to decline mentally. She tells their stories in alternating first-person narratives that place the reader more deeply in the characters’ lives. You will fall in love with twelve-year-old Rill Foss. She’s so strong-willed, smart, and gritty that you’ll wish you had known her personally. Wingate drops the Foss children smack in the middle of the Depression in a decades-long corrupt adoption scheme run by the real-life fiend, Georgia Tann. You won’t be able to put this amazing story down! Enjoy! July 17, 2018
5 Star Rating
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The Nest Book Review
Horror – 244 pages – Published 2015
The Nest by Kenneth Oppel is a somewhat strange novel focusing on a middle-grade boy named Steven who has anxiety issues. His family is struggling with the stress of a sick baby who has a heart condition among other birth defects. He has recurring nightmares until one night when a soothing stranger enters his dreams. I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars because I couldn’t put it down – I read it in one day. However, it’s missing character development.
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The Hate U Give Book Review
Realistic Fiction – 453 pages – Published 2017
Angie Thomas hits it out of the park with The Hate U Give! This black lives matter novel is written in the first person narrative giving 16-year-old Starr Carter a voice that is not only authentic but also incredibly current and believable. Starr witnesses the deaths of her two best friends – one at the hands of a drive-by shooter, and the other at the hands of a white neighborhood cop. This multi-dimensional novel is a must read! I rated it five stars because of its relevance and authenticity. – July 3, 2018
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