Tag Archives: College

YA – Love, Off the Record

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Markum, Samantha. Love, Off the Record. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2024. 978-1-665-95572-0. 416 p. $19.99. Grades 9-12.

A witty, chemistry-packed teen rom-com revolves around two rival journalism students vying for the same coveted spot on their university newspaper. Wyn is determined to outshine Three, even if it means going to extreme lengths. As freshman staffers, they sit at the bottom of the hierarchy—until a rare reporting opportunity arises. Both Wyn and Three are set on claiming the position, leading to a fierce game of sabotage that includes stealing ideas and playing psychological tricks. They’ll stop at nothing to win. Wyn’s quest for the perfect story leads her to an anonymous campus dating app, where she connects with a charming mystery man she believes might be her cute RA. However, having faced rejection due to her weight in the past, she hesitates to reveal her true identity, even as her feelings for him deepen. When Three uncovers a story that hits closer to home than either of them anticipated, they must set aside their rivalry to uncover the truth—and confront their budding feelings for one another, which could jeopardize everything Wyn has built with her secret match.

THOUGHTS: Love, Off the Record is a smart and endearing romance that keeps readers on their toes, wondering who will win Wyn’s heart. Combining humor and heartfelt moments, it explores themes of body positivity and mental health, all while depicting the rollercoaster of an imperfect first year of college. This book is perfect for fans of rivalries-turned-romance, skillfully merging laughs with meaningful real-life issues.

Romance

MG – Unstuck

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Dee, Barbara. Unstuck. Aladdin, 2024. 978-1-534-48986-8. $17.99. 272 p. Grades 5-8. 

Seventh-grade Lyla is a talented writer and this year she has Ms. Bowman, an inspirational and kind literacy teacher. Lyla has plenty of ideas for her fantasy epic featuring two sisters, but she can’t capture them on paper. She has a severe writer’s block. The pressure is mounting, not only because she wants to produce an excellent assignment, but also because she wants to enter the annual library contest–the one her older sister, Dahlia, copped the second prize when she was Layla’s age. No doubt, Lyla is distracted by changes in her life, both at school and at home. Her best friend, Rania is at a different school, making new friends who bother Lyla; usually high-achieving Dahlia is flailing around in her senior year, unhappy because she has no desire to go to college. As Lyla learns more writing tips from Ms. Bowman and is open to her new friendship with the animal-loving Journey, she becomes more courageous in helping her sister and more confident that she possesses qualities that make her strong and resilient. It is Lyla who arrives at an agreeable solution for her sister: a gap year abroad. It is Lyla who realizes writing is its own joy and no awards are necessary. Readers are treated to excerpts from Lyla’s growing novel that mirror the struggles she is having with family and friends. Readers who are writers, whether struggling or skilled, will appreciate Ms. Bowman’s methods for coaching her students. All middle-school students will identify with the bullying, the cattiness, the uncertainty of relationships at this age. When Lyla is able to accept herself, muddle through her complicated emotions, and recognize her strengths, readers will be cheering for her. Once again, Barbara Dee has shown her talent for the middle grade experience and voice. Lyla’s character rings true as do her new friend, Journey, and her older sister. In Unstuck, she also chronicles a writer’s journey along with a writing primer that students and teachers can use.

THOUGHTS: Ms. Bowman, the ELA teacher, and Ms. Rosen, the school librarian, come off as stars in this book. The author offers her final chapter as a guide to good writing. Students who like to write, especially fantasy, will like the excerpts included in the story. Lyla is a sensitive soul. She gets distracted, she overthinks, she obsesses with her new friend’s gross eating habits, but she grows as the chapters fly by to realize she has strengths that her sister does not have and that she can be supportive and gracious to those who do better than her. 

Realistic Fiction

YA – If You’ll Have Me

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Eunnie. If You’ll Have Me. Viking, 2023. 978-0-593-40322-8. 331 p. $24.99. Grades 9-12.

While dropping off some class notes at an acquaintance’s dorm room, Momo bumps into cool, mysterious PG. They meet again at a club and share a sweet dance in an alleyway. After accepting skin care tips from Momo at a drugstore, PG gives Momo her phone number on a receipt. A friendship soon develops, as well a tentative crush, but Momo has never dated before and isn’t sure if she and PG are looking for the same kind of relationship. After all, PG has a reputation as a flirt and decidedly non-monogamous type. As their endearingly awkward romance hits a few inevitable bumps along the way, readers will root for these two college students to reveal their true feelings and let love in. Author and illustrator Eunnie depicts an almost entirely female world bathed in pink, peach, and lavender tones. Flashback segments, which fill in the characters’ backstories, are outlined in heavy blank ink to help the reader transition between timelines. 

THOUGHTS: Readers will fall in love with Momo, PG, and the world that Eunnie has created in this ultra-charming graphic novel. It’s perfect for fans of Crumbs by Danie Stirling. 

Graphic Novel

MG/YA – Exploring Jobs in the Skilled Trades

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Kallen, Stuart A. Exploring Jobs in the Skilled Trades. Reference Point Press, 2023. 978-1-678-20336-8. 64 p. $32.95. Grades 6-12.

Exploring Jobs in the Skilled Trades focuses on six different jobs, all under the umbrella of skilled trades. Those jobs are auto service technician, solar photovoltaic installer, HVACR technician, electrician, nursery and greenhouse manager, and a wind turbine technician. The chapters on each of these jobs are set up the same with a few facts about the job at the beginning, an overview of the job followed by information about a typical work day, education and skills needed for each job, as well as information about potential pay and links to find more information about each job. At the end of the book, there are source notes, an index, as well as an interview with a wind turbine technician and a list of other jobs in the skilled trades area.

THOUGHTS: Overall, this is a very informative nonfiction book about upcoming jobs that don’t always require a four year college degree. This book would be useful in a middle or high school setting and would be good to use for display during career week. This would also be a good resource for guidance counselors as they are starting to help high school students figure out college choices.

331.11 Skilled Labor

YA – Love Radio

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LaDelle, Ebony. Love Radio. Simon & Schuster, 2022. 978-1-665-90815-3. $19.99. 310 p. Grades 9-12.

Danielle Ford’s romantic mother has a big wish for her only child, to experience a great love story. That wish struggles to come true in Ebony LaDelle’s, Love Radio, a debut novel that is as much a homage to the great city of Detroit as it is to first love. High-achieving senior, Dani has been shut off from her friends and dating after a traumatizing sexual encounter with a college boy the previous summer. Keeping this secret from her besties and devoted parents, she buries herself in writing the perfect college essay to get into her dream school, New York University (NYU). When she has an awkward meeting in the library with classmate, Prince Jones, a popular teen disc jockey and local radio personality (DJLove Jones) who mixes love advice with music, she makes an assumption she regrets and wants to rectify. Told in alternating voices, the romance between Prince and Dani is enchanting. Prince shows a maturity beyond his years, perhaps because he has accepted much of the responsibility of taking care of his seven-year-old brother Mookie and household duties since his single mother received her diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Prince has fallen hard for the guarded Dani and is determined to make her fall in love with him in five dates. After inviting himself over to her comfortable home to take out her braids, he plans two movie-worthy dates to a roller rink and bookstore. Dani starts to open up, reconnect with her friends, and dissolve her writer’s block. When she reciprocates with one equally perfect date to the Motown Museum, though, their intimacy triggers bad memories and she breaks it off with Prince. As Dani faces her trauma, she has the support of loving parents and patient friends as well as the therapy of writing unsent letters to her literary idols, Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou. Prince, too, acknowledges his need to suppress his dreams because of his home obligations and, with help, makes a plan for his future. Both characters come to realize that they are surrounded by a network of loving people who will support and help them achieve their goals. Characters are African-American.

THOUGHTS: Students in the mood for a dreamy romance will eat up this book. The author has an ear for teen dialogue and is from Michigan. Any readers familiar with Detroit will recognize the branding of different places (if I am ever in Detroit, I’m heading for that Dutch Girl Donuts) and the description of the neighborhoods. Dani and Prince are so wise; the thoughtful dates are out of this world; the child to parent relationships are so close. Though the romance doesn’t play out physically much, Dani’s traumatic encounter occurs when she a friend takes her to a frat house where she barely escapes date rape. After several dates, Dani leads Prince to her bedroom and encourages a sexual encounter, but Prince is reluctant to proceed. The portrayal of family is warm and loving, especially the way Prince helps out his sick mother. Though the letters to literary idols seem to be a critical link to Dani’s recovery from trauma, the book names Dani’s idols as Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, Zora Neale Hurston, Alice Walker, Roxane Gay, Jesmyn Ward in the beginning chapter, but she only focuses on Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou. One of Dani’s friends is sick of appropriation and plans a hair fashion show. Lots of references to music. Some bad language. For those who are sticklers, the timeline is a little wonky: would college kids be on campus in the summer? (maybe).

Realistic Fiction          Bernadette Cooke, School District of Philadelphia

YA – Chef’s Kiss

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Melendez, Jarrett, and Danica Brine, illustrator. Chef’s Kiss. Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group, 2022. 978-1-620-10904-5. 160 p. $14.99. Grades 10+.

Ben Cook is a recent college graduate who longs for a job connected to his English major. He goes on over a dozen interviews, but lacks the experience needed to land a job that will allow him to gain experience. Luckily, a local restaurant is hiring, with NO experience required (plus a very dreamy sous chef, Liam). Now Ben must excel at Chef Davis’s series of challenges, mastering recipes both classic and original. He also has to please Watson, Le Cochon Doré’s official taste-tester; Watson is a pig, an adorably affectionate one. “Cook the cook” really takes to the restaurant gig, especially the camaraderie that’s forged in the kitchen, but his roommate and longtime bestie, Liz, feels that Ben has given up on writing too easily. This upbeat graphic novel (with abundant character diversity) joyfully depicts the life-changing moments that happen when your life’s prescribed path opens up to a world of possibilities.

THOUGHTS: With incredible culinary sequences, a slow burn romance, and a dash of early-twenties angst, it’s just, yes, chef’s kiss.

Graphic Novel (Crossover)          Amy V. Pickett, Ridley SD

YA – Financial Literacy (Series NF)

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Financial Literacy. Essential Library, 2020. $26.00 ea. $156.00 set of 6. 112 p. Grades 7-12.

Burling, Alexis. Managing Debt. 978-1-532-11914-9.
Donohue, Moira Rose. Making Smart Money Choices. 978-1-532-11913-2.
Edwards, Sue Bradford. Earning, Saving, and Investing. 978-1-532-11911-8.
Hulick, Kathryn. Protecting Financial Data. 978-1-532-11915-6.
LaPierre, Yvette. Economy 101. 978-1-532-11912-5.
Regan, Michael. The Cost of College. 978-1-532-11910-1.

Financial literacy is an area of a student’s education that may be heavily influenced by one’s upbringing and socioeconomic status. ABDO’s Financial Literacy series attempts to help libraries level the playing field by giving ALL students access to valuable information. This reviewer had the opportunity to read The Cost of College. With eight chapters ranging from Where to start? to What if I change My Mind? this title covers many aspects of what students should know before going to college. Each chapter has clear headings, interesting graphics and text highlights, and student worksheets. The book concludes with key takeaways, a glossary, additional resources, source notes, and an index.

THOUGHTS: This series is a good addition to enhance secondary library collections seeking to refresh their financial literacy offerings.

300s Business & Finance          Maryalice Bond, South Middleton SD

YA – It Sounded Better in My Head

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Kenwood, Nina. It Sounded Better in My Head. Flatiron Books, 2020. 978-1-250-21926-8. 260 p. $18.99. Grade. 8-12.

Natalie had a good grip on her life until her parents jovially announce they’re getting a divorce. They’ve known this for months but waited until the Christmas holidays and high school graduation (which coincide in Australia, where the book was first published). A rarity for literature, Natalie has a great relationship with her parents and is devastated by the news and hurt by their deceit. She turns to her support network, her best friends Lucy and Zach. But since they started dating, Natalie sometimes feels like a third wheel. Having suffered through severe, scarring acne during puberty, Natalie has a shattered self image and has not dated. At a party, she connects with Alex, Zach’s older brother, but quickly convinces herself Alex’s interest was an act of kindness perpetrated by Zach. But an accidental case of musical bedrooms at a beach house over New Year’s brings Natalie and Alex back into close proximity, and as they talk they again feel a positive connection. However, Natalie’s lack of confidence and poor self image quickly threaten to sabotage the burgeoning relationship. This engaging book covers a topic not discussed in YA literature, the trauma of severe teen acne, and the scars it leaves, both physical and psychological. Natalie is a bright teen with caring parents and friends, but the long term effects of her acne are evident in her image, (styling her hair to cover which side of her face looks worse) confidence, and self-worth. American readers will need to translate Australian terms and references but will recognize themselves in the three friends as they shakily navigate through the next phase in their lives.

THOUGHTS: A welcome addition to YA realistic fiction collections. While some characters have sex off-page, Natalie and Alex discuss the issue and decide they are not ready.

Realistic Fiction          Nancy Nadig, Penn Manor SD

Eighteen-year-old Natalie is looking forward to her well-planned future: she and her close friends and new couple, Zach and Lucy, will join her in their respective majors at a local Australian university. Perhaps then, Natalie will be able to shed some of the body shame she has from her years with inflammatory, scarring acne and finally experience a love life.

When Natalie’s seemingly loving parents announce their divorce on graduation night, Natalie relies even more on her friends, though she’s feeling more and more like a third wheel. As the trio await their uni placements, they join Zach’s family at their beach house in Queenscliff to vacation and celebrate New Year’s. What follows is a comedy of errors. Going against his house rules, Zach asks Natalie if she will trade rooms so he and Lucy can sleep together. Older brother, Alex, shows up at the beach house in the middle of the night and crashes in Zach’s room surprising both Natalie and himself. It doesn’t help that Natalie has a secret crush on handsome Alex since he gave her a peck on the cheek during a game of Spin the Bottle at a pre-graduation party. As their nights together multiply, romance blossoms. The revelation of the pair as boyfriend and girlfriend causes a ruckus not just in Alex’s and Zack’s family but also in Zach’s and Natalie’s relationship. Natalie’s first-person narrative reveals her insecurities in navigating the new terrain of sex and a boy/girl relationship. Though no graphic sex scenes occur, It Sounded Better In My Head does percolate the angst and delight of true friendship, first love, and new beginnings. Author Kenwood makes this story light and funny and her characters seem very real.

THOUGHTS: Natalie spends a lot of time obsessing over her bad skin and her lack of a love life. Natalie and Alex spend a lot of time talking and kissing in bed during the room switch and afterward. At this time when there are so many serious issues abound, Natalie’s common concerns about friendship, sex, appearance, university, and her parents may seem a bit trite; however, young readers may share Natalie’s insecurities and longings and enjoy her sense of humor.

Realistic Fiction          Bernadette Cooke, School District of Philadelphia

YA – Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard

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Brown, Echo. Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard. Henry Holt and Company, 2020. 978-1-250-30985-3. $17.99. 291 p. Grades 9 and up.

The reader meets the main character of Echo Brown’s Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard at age six in a dangerous situation and follows her until she embarks to college. On the way, Echo is becoming a wizard –not the Hermione Granger kind–but the kind made from determination and desire. Each chapter in this memoir-like novel includes a quality Echo, the Black girl of the title, assumes to realize her true self. Bad things happen as Echo treads that path to her goal: household rife with alcoholism and addiction; molestation; rape; incarceration of her brother; injury to her best friend. But author Brown realizes Echo’s existence is complex. Her mother craves the “white rocks;” but she, too, is a wizard with nurturing powers. Her brothers hang on the corner and drink too much; but they also have dreams and are their sister’s strongest champions. Echo has good friends, mostly Black, but also Jin, a Korean-American gay classmate, and Elena, an Iranian-American gay friend. (Their sexual orientation is irrelevant to the plot.) Her Cleveland neighborhood is supportive and proud of her accomplishments. She has an encouraging teacher, Mrs. Delaney, who takes Echo under her wing to help her attain her college goals. The first time she goes to Mrs. Delaney’s large, suburban home, Echo is shocked to discover her white teacher’s husband is Black. Seventeen and insecure, she senses his restrained and even dismissive opinion of her. The author has an ineffable talent for infusing these important themes of racism, white supremacy, implicit and explicit biases, micro-aggressions, Black versus Black aggression, self image among Black women, and misogyny among Black men seamlessly because she tells them as part of Echo’s story. At times, the author takes a non-linear approach to deliver Echo’s tale, especially when the lessons of wizardry are at work. This technique fits with the book. It is a study in opposites: real but fantastic; lovely but harsh; despairing but hopeful. It is a story of inequity and the innate ability to fight that inequity and succeed, hence the power of wizardry. In truth, the wizards are strong women, overcoming flaws and shortcomings. All of them show Echo how capable and resilient she is.

THOUGHTS: Echo Brown’s writing style is moving. Ms. Brown also differentiates between the main character’s standard English narrative and Ebonics of her family and Cleveland, Ohio, neighbors. Because of some language (the n word), sexual scenes, and the sophistication of the writing, this book may be better suited to older teens and young adults. An outstanding book.

Magic Realism          Bernadette Cooke, SD Philadelphia

Breakfast Served Anytime

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breakfast

Combs, Sarah. Breakfast Served Anytime. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press, 2014. Print. 978-0763667917. 272p. $16.99. Gr. 9+. 

This is a sweet, simple coming-of-age tale that will interest readers preparing for the leap from high school to college. Gloria has always believed that she and her best friend, Carol, would go to New York City after they graduated to make it in the big city, far away from their native and unglamourous hometown in Kentucky. That is, until Gloria is accepted to attend Geek Camp, thus assuring herself a full-ride to the University of Kentucky. Assuring Carol that she won’t consider accepting the scholarship, Gloria plans to go to Geek Camp and picks the major “Secrets of the Written Word,” curious about the cryptic title. The professor doesn’t disappoint. In his introductory letter, he requests that students leave all forms of technology at home, and on the first day of classes sends the students on a scavenger hunt. The small group of four students in the class are an eclectic mix of individuals, including one boy that Gloria at first can’t stand but interests her nonetheless. When the professor eventually surfaces, he sees it as his mission to teach the students about life in Kentucky and gives them their task for the summer- to select one novel as the Great American Novel.  The dialogue is witty and engaging, and the relationships between Gloria and her friends are believable as teens trying to navigate the slippery slope between high school and the college world. This is an excellent book to highlight as a summer reading option for those students beginning to look at life beyond their immediate community.

Realistic Fiction   Lindsey Myers, Peters Township High School

I found this lovely book by doing a general search on Goodreads for new Young Adult novels. It was a nice change from the many books on suicides that have cropped up lately. Gloria is an interesting character, and I enjoyed reading about her transition into adulthood. In the upcoming month I plan on giving a few book talks for summer reading suggestions, and this one will definitely be included on my list that I share with students. Gloria and her relationships with her new roommate, classmates, and professor give her a glimpse into the life of a college student, which is a great opportunity that would benefit many students. Gloria spends a good amount of time reflecting on her own actions and how they affect people,  which is something that I wish more students would do, and I hope that they begin to do as they leave high school. Empathy is one characteristic that is missing in many students, and to see it in action in a book might push them to develop an understanding of how important it is to show to others.