Alex Flinn, . . HarperTempest, $7.99 (288pp) ISBN 978-0-06-447257-9
In what PW
called "a gripping tale," a 16-year-old, who is considered perfect by his classmates, suffers a turbulent home life with an abusive father, and he himself follows the pattern of violence. Ages 13-up. (Oct.)
Note:
Additional reviews of children's books can be found in the Children's Religion section (p. 69).
"Ever feel like you're breathing underwater, and you have to stop because you're gulping in too much fluid?" For 16-year-old Nick Andreas, these words from his violence counselor Continue reading »
Heavy-handed writing undermines Flinn's (Breathing Underwater) stated goal for her second novel, namely, to "stimulate discussion" among teens about Continue reading »
Michael Daye has been living under an assumed name and traveling with a carnival for the past year, but he returns with the carnival to Miami just as his mother is about to stand trial for Continue reading »
Flinn (Diva
) delivers a lighthearted and contemporary twist on Beauty and the Beast, and while there is nothing shocking nor any striking departure from the Continue reading »
In the same vein as Flinn's Beastly, this clever and humorous retelling of ""Sleeping Beauty"" follows an aimless American boy who awakens a princess who has been slumbering for 300 years. Jack Continue reading »
As she did in Beastly and A Kiss in Time, Flinn mixes traditional fairy tales with a modern setting in a romance that is clever but not always compelling. When the beautiful princess of Aloria visits Continue reading »
Flinn (Beastly, Cloaked) again puts a modern spin on a classic fairy tale. In this Rapunzel retelling, Wyatt, a teen mourning the devastating loss of his best friend and his best friend's sister, Continue reading »
The Curious Life of Cecilia Payne: Discovering the Stuff of Stars
Laura Alary
Boundary-defying astronomer
and astrophysicist Cecilia Payne (1900–1979) stars in this even-handed picture book biography. Early scenes highlight how a childhood spent immersed Continue reading »
Junko’s Climb: The First Woman to Stand on Top of the World
Elyssa Gavin
Gavin applauds the heights reached by Junko Tabei (1939–2016), the first woman to
climb Mt. Everest, in an invigorating story that opens with a formative childhood experience: Continue reading »
Wry interrogative narration energizes this engaging portrait of scientist and illustrator Mary Morland (1797–1857). A picture of the subject as curious about the natural world Continue reading »
Tang (These Deadly Prophecies) explores cycles
of corruption, emotional abuse, and grief in this complex and high-stakes sapphic romantasy. Tamsin Blackwood, 18, seeks to Continue reading »