All This Time by Mikki Daughtry and Rachael Lippincott - OPTIONAL

All This Time by Mikki Daughtry and Rachael Lippincott, 319 pages. Simon & Shuster. 2020. $19 

Language: R (99 swears 25 'f');  Mature Content: PG-13 (Underage drinking, implied sex, partial nudity); Violence: PG (Car accident) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE . 

18yo Kyle and Kim are a "goals" type of couple. Together since middle school, their future together seems promising until disaster strikes and Kyle is faced with the fact that he was driving the car his girlfriend died in. As he heals, he meets Marley, a funny, quiet girl who has also experienced tragedy that maybe only Kyle can understand. As friendship and feelings grow, though, Marley insists that a true happy ending cannot be possible for them. But she cannot be right, can't she? 

Not going to lie, this book almost lost me multiple times in the first two thirds. The writing was only decent, I didn't care about any of the characters (in fact I thought they were annoying and undeveloped), and I didn't care at all for the pacing. But then that last third hit, and I was sucked in! There is a wonderful twist that you both don't see coming and definitely enjoy! I do, in fact, recommend this novel! Mature content includes implied sex and underage drinking, but mostly this book has rough language. Characters are implied to be mostly white, no specific colors are mentioned. 

Sierra Finlinson 

Dust Child by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai - OPTIONAL

Dust Child by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, 352 pages. Algonquin Books, 2023. $29.

Language: R (77 swears, 29 “f,” 1 “c” + Vietnamese swears); Mature Content: R; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: ADULT - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Phong is desperate for the better life that America promises for his family, but his visa is continually denied without proof that he is Amerasian. Dan has returned to Vietnam with his wife, Linda, hoping to heal his memories of the war. As these families search for the truths that were lost to war, they must also accept that war and truth are not pretty.

My understanding of the Vietnam war has always been small, glossed over between lessons on WWII and the Cold War. Nguyễn forces her characters and readers to face the effects of the Vietnam War on the people who stayed long after the bombs stopped. I enjoyed seeing how Vietnamese culture changed over time, even as I wanted to weep for all those who lost loved ones and struggled to make the best decisions they could. These intertwined stories are engrossing because they are gritty and real, even when they are uncomfortable.

Phong is half Black and half Vietnamese, Dan and Linda are white, and the majority of the other characters are Vietnamese. The mature content rating is for mentions of drugs and pornography, alcohol use, nudity, masturbation, sexual harassment, prostitution, mentions of rape, and oral and vaginal sex. The violence rating is for mentions of bombs, grenades, gun use, child abuse, domestic violence, suicide, self harm, war memories, and murder.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Promise Boys by Nick Brooks - OPTIONAL

Promise Boys by Nick Brooks, 304 pages. Henry Holt and Co./MacMillan Children's Publishing Group. 2023. $16 

Language: R (110 swears 12 'f'); Mature Content: PG13 (Implied sex and undescribed kissing) Violence: PG13 (A fatal shooting with description of blood when finding the victim.) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE  

At Urban Promise Prep school, strict rules keep the students in line, even to the point of harassment. Donations are given to the boys’ school in large amounts but students are told no when they ask for help with extracurricular activity funding. On a day when Principal Moore sent three teens to detention, he ends up being fatally shot and those three young men are blamed. 17yo Trey, J.B., and Ramon have to work together to clear their names. They also need help from others to get to the bottom of the mystery. 

I liked the mystery and the story behind it. I enjoyed how the suspense built throughout the story. The alternating narrative made the book more interesting. Main characters are a mixed ethnicity, white, Black, Mexican American. 

LynnDell Watson, Delta HS Librarian

The Bird and the Blade by Megan Bannen - OPTIONAL

The Bird and the Blade by Megan Bannen, 401 pages. Balzer and Bray. 2018. $18 

Language: R (60 swears 5 'f');  Mature Content: PG13 (kiss, mention anatomy, nudity); Violence: PG13 (Gory deaths and intense violence) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL - AVERAGE 

17yo Jinghua once lived in under the Song dynasty with her family, food, and a solid future, but that was before the Songs fell to the Mongols. Now, she is a slave to the people who killed her family. But fate is unrelentingly cruel, and what little of a life she has established quickly dissipates when a neighboring kingdom captures the Kipchak Khanate. Compelled by a hasty leave and the lack of anywhere else to go, Jinghua finds herself to be traveling companions with the Khan and his youngest son, Prince Khalaf. Soon it becomes apparent that the only way to save his Khanate is to marry the Princess Turandokht. However, the Princess will only marry a suitor who can answer three riddles to prove himself her intellectual equal. Failure is met with death. As Jinghua travels, she finds herself both pulled further and further into this spiraling plot, and falling hopelessly in love with Khalaf. 

The Bird and the Blade was beautiful. It had politics, action, romance, and philosophy in it, so basically the whole package story-wise. However, it was the writing that really did it for me! Devastatingly beautiful poetic descriptions paint vivid depictions of thirteenth-century Asia. The characters are realistic and flawed, no strict hero-archetype characters. Even though the action was slow at times, the ending redeemed this novel a thousand times over and left me sobbing! All characters are Asian, strictly heterosexual relationships. 

Sierra Finlinson

The Island by Natasha Preston - MANY

The Island by Natasha Preston, 336 pages. Delacorte Press/Simon & Schuster. 2023. $11. 

Language: R (121 swears 0 'f');  Mature Content: G;  Violence: R (Bloody deaths) 

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

Teen influencers arrive on an island after being invited for a fun-filled weekend to post online reviews and build excitement for the upcoming opening. The island is an amusement park and resort all in one. The six influencers have a variety of online posts and followers. Before they can enjoy much of the island, the killing starts. One by one, people are being chased and killed. Those who remain must work together to outsmart the killer and survive until help arrives.

I enjoyed the premise of inviting influencers to review and build hype about a new place. The mystery was fun and suspenseful. I liked learning about each character’s background. 

LynnDell Watson, Delta HS Librarian

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco - ESSENTIAL

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco, 336 pages. Jimmy Patterson. 2016. $20. 

Language: PG (17 swears 0 'f') Mature Content: PG (One kiss, flirting); Violence: PG-13 (Grisly and gory descriptions of autopsies and murders)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

17yo Audrey Rose is a girl growing up in the late nineteenth century London where she should be attending social teas and soirees. However, rather than being concerned with embroidery and dress fittings, she prefers to spend time in her uncle's laboratory studying the dead. Through their work, Audrey Rose and her uncle will begin exploring the grisly Ripper murders with the help of the Sherlockian 18yo Thomas Cresswell. In the growing panic of Victorian London, Audrey Rose will have to tolerate Thomas's unceasing flirtations and annoying brilliance so that they can solve the case of the Ripper before more unfortunate women are murdered. 

I adore this book. It has beautiful, immersive writing and fun, loveable characters. The romance is sub-plot (but definitely still there) and they have the kind of relationship where they compliment each other and each solve parts of the case that the other couldn't, the perfect romance in my opinion. Not only that, but the author obviously put in a lot of time researching the real events and facts to make this story really come to life. If anyone is familiar with the case, there were some terribly grotesque slaughters and this book does not pull its punches describing them. All characters are white and upper-class. 

Sierra Finlinson 

The Snow Fell Three Graves Deep by Allan Wolf - ESSENTIAL

The Snow Fell Three Graves Deep by Allan Wolf, 402 Historical Fiction Candlewick. 2020. $15 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG;  Violence: PG-13 (Murder and cannibalism)

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS, ADULT - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY

The Snow Fell Three Graves Deep chronicles the ill-fated Donner Party as they cross the Salt Lake Desert and break ground through Weber Canyon as part of a shortcut that ended up taking twice the time. The group gets caught in an epic and early snow storm that keeps them from crossing the Sierra Nevadas while also burying their livestock, thus wiping out their primary food source. In order to survive, the Donner Party resorts to cannibalism. 

Being narrated by Hunger puts an interesting and poetic spin on this tale of survival. There are entries from clearly labeled and varied voices from the pioneer group. These succinct and well written entries make the characters relatable, real, and very readable. There isn't a ton of print per page, so it isn't a daunting read. I have read three other books about the Donners, and was wowed by this one. Though this would be not be historical fiction because of poetic license, it was well researched. Even the Notes section, with bios, timelines, and statistics, was engaging reading. Primarily white /European settlers along with two Miwok Indians.

Michelle in the Middle

Race Against Death by Deborah Hopkinson - ADVISABLE

Race Against Death: The Greatest POW Rescue of World War II by Deborah Hopkinson, 320 pages. NON-FICTION Scholastic. April 2023. $20. 

Language: PG (28 swears 0 'f') Mature Content: G; 

Violence: PG (non-described violence. Hopkins writes "the atrocities that were committed . . ." rather than graphic depictions of what was happening to them) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Shortly after the Japanese military bombed Pearl Harbor, they also destroyed the airbases in the Philippines, leaving the American and Filipino armed forces without adequate firepower. By April 1942, Bataan had fallen, the American generals had surrendered and thousands of American and Filipino soldiers were taken as prisoners of war. Conditions in the camps were dismal at best, and survival rates were very low, their only hope was a bold rescue. 

Race Against Death is a mix of literary non-fiction and true non-fiction. Hopkins tells the stories of several who experienced the battles, were POWs, or had other involvement at that time. She has used interviews, primary sources as well as memorial and heritage sites to put together this account. I loved the vignettes but didn't love that the stories were often interrupted by historical information. However, all of that was important because the culminating rescue needed that context. I especially loved that one of the maps was labeled "Your Briefing Map" and instructions were given on how to read it - it made me feel a part of the rescue. I would recommend Race Against Death to a reader looking for a non-fiction book about World War II that isn't graphically violent but is engaging and exciting. There's dysentery, diarrhea, the presence of lice, maggots, bedbugs, eating things that are barely food, etc but no graphic descriptions of violence. I loved all the pictures, and maps. Includes a great timeline, sources, and resources for more information. The main characters are adults, mostly Americans, and some Filipino 

Lisa Librarian

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah - OPTIONAL

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, 438 pages. St. Martin's Press. 2015.  $28 

Language: R (63 swears 3 'f'); Mature Content: R (fade to black sex, drinking, undescribed nudity) Violence: R (people killed in various violent ways, torture and rape.)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Isabelle is 18yo at the beginning and Vianne is a little older. It is 1940 and war is coming to France. In a small village in northern France, Vianne and her daughter say goodbye to her husband as he heads off to fight. Soon enough, the Germans invade the little town and Vianne is forced to share her home with these brutal foreigners. As the food in town disappears, along with the Jews, Vianne will be pushed to her limits as she does what she must to protect her family. Meanwhile, Vianne's sister, Isabelle, is harnessing the vivacious spirit that had gotten her kicked out of so many schools. She becomes an integral part of the resistance. 

Warning: you will cry. This novel paints a painfully brutal picture of wartime France, including the carnage, atrocities, and bleak hopelessness experienced by so many. I consider it a job well done when a book can make me cry, but this one had me sobbing. The story is so immersive and well-composed that the loss portrayed cut me straight to my core. This is a story about bravery in its many forms and the powerful and yet powerless force of love. 

Mature content includes scenes of torture, brutal but not overly descriptive death, fade-to-black rape, and vague, undescribed sex. Nearly all characters are French or German. 

Sierra Finlinson 

Poe: Stories and Poems by Gareth Hinds - ADVISABLE

Poe: Stories and Poems by Gareth Hinds, 103 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL Candlewick Press. 2017. $14 

Language: PG (4 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (Drinking) Violence: PG-13 (Violent depictions of death) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL - AVERAGE 

This is a graphic novel presentation of some of Edgar Allan Poe's stories and poems. These include The Masque of the Red Death, The Cask of Amontillado, Annabel Lee, The Pit and the Pendulum, The Tell-Tale Heart, The Bells, and The Raven. 

I really enjoyed reading this. The creepy illustrations along with a more concise version of the stories made them both simpler and, in some ways, creepier! Especially The Masque of the Red Death. This also had unfamiliar or outdated vocabulary or expressions defined at the bottom of the pages. All main characters are male 

Sierra Finlinson 

Man Made by Gabrysia May - ESSENTIAL

Man Made by Gabrysia May, 369 pages. Independently published. 2022. $15. 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG-13 (bombing, shooting) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ESSENTIAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

The year is 2042 and 17yo Ginger has lived with her family on a concrete island off the shore of California since she was young. Robots have taken control, even the president of the US is a robot. Robots boat in daily to view the human zoo which Ginger and her family are unwilling but forced exhibits. She really hates living in such a controlled environment and being viewed. Ginger has vague memories of a time before robots controlled everything and she has great hope that someday freedom, peace, and human rule will return. Will Ginger and her friends be able to help pull off the revolution against the robots and free the former president of the US? Will Ginger's robotic friend help or hinder their progress? 

Wow, I couldn't put Man Made down! Nonstop action from the beginning to the end, which leaves you hanging on for book 2. I surely hope there will be a sequel! I grew to love so many of the characters in this great debut dystopian novel from a 16yo author.

CS - Middle School Librarian

Some Kind of Hate by Sarah Darer Littman - ADVISABLE

Some Kind of Hate by Sarah Darer Littman, 320 pages Scholastic Press. 2022. $19 

Language: PG (6 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: G (undescribed kissing) Violence: PG (Undescribed phone threats from a hate group, vandalism, and a bomb threat.) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL - AVERAGE 

15yo Declan hurts his shoulder by climbing where there’s a “no climbing” sign and it takes his future away. He needs surgery and physical therapy to heal and in the meantime, he has an angry attitude. He pushes his friends away and joins a hate group that promotes propaganda and conspiracy theories about cultures that aren’t predominantly white, focusing especially on Jewish people. He’s happily blaming others for his problems and being fed propaganda by his “new friends” and he’s taking it too far by willingly participating in hate crimes. When Declan’s lifelong friend is threatened, he has to make the choice to harm or protect. 

Declan was whiny and ungrateful even though the accident was because he made the choice to do something negligent. I enjoyed the history class discussion about different cultures and evaluating online sources. The author approached hate groups from an insider’s perspective from both sides. Culture and Race of the main characters is mixed. 

LynnDell Watson 

The Headmaster's List by Melissa de la Cruz - MANY

The Headmaster's List by Melissa de la Cruz, 400 pages. Roaring Book Press (Macmillan). 2023. $16 

Language: R (24 swears 5 'f');  Mature Content: PG-13 (Prescription drug addiction, drinking, vaping); Violence: PG (Brakes being cut to cause an accident, hit and run, being held at gunpoint and being hit in the head with a gun)

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL 

APPEALS TO: MANY

17yo Spencer wakes up in the hospital after being injured in a car crash that involved her and three other students from Armstrong, but she only remembers a few details. Ethan is on house arrest, Tabby seems fine but angry, Chris died, and Spencer has broken some bones and has stitches from her jaw to her cheekbone. Jackson, Ethan’s best friend, helps Spencer get around and with her schoolwork, as well as helping her piece the details from the night of the accident together because she’s extremely frustrated that she can’t remember. The more she digs into the details, the more danger she attracts. 

 I like the intense, poetic opening that reveals the story. I like Spencer’s strength and integrity and Jackson’s personality. I enjoyed figuring out the mystery and how a mental health therapy dog helped a trauma victim. Main characters race or culture is mixed but predominantly white

LynnDell Watson, Delta HS Librarian

Henry Hamlet's Heart by Rhiannon Wilde - MANY

Henry Hamlet’s Heart by Rhiannon Wilde, 336 pages. Charlesbridge Teen, 2022. $19.

Language: R (100+ swears, 25 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (brief teenage nudity, frequent teenage drinking, a couple fade-to-black moments of sexuality); Violence: PG (frequent punches between friends and a tense/verbally abusive parental relationship);

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Serious, studious, and prone to overthinking, 18yo Henry Hamlet is in his last term as a high school student in Brisbane, Australia. He doesn’t know what to do next. He doesn’t want to think about life or school after graduation. All he knows is Lennon, sporty, mysterious, & popular, is his best friend and has been forever. That will never change, unless Henry does the unthinkable and falls in love.

A delightful, swoony, best friends-to-lovers queer romance from a debut author and I was all heart-eyed reading it. Initially, I was worried that it was going to be tragic, but the author perfectly captured the angst and longing in unrequited love with some beautiful turns of phrase. There is a significant amount of language, which I chalk up to the Australian culture & setting and the moments of sexuality between Henry and Lennon were tasteful and subtle.

Reviewer: Kiera, BookswithBeddes

Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson - MANY

Good Girl, Bad Blood (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder #2) by Holly Jackson, 397 pages. Delacorte Press (Random House), 2020. $18.

Language: R (52 swears, 36 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

APPEALS TO: MANY

Now 18yo, Pip recorded her experience with the Andie Bell case and published it as a true-crime podcast. Fans are calling for a second season, but Pip doesn’t want to go through that again – to be that obsessive person again. But then Connor’s brother, Jamie, goes missing, and he begs Pip to take up the case. Welcome to season two.

As Pip resists attaching herself to the case and then gives in to the obsession that took over last year, this book gets darker than the first. Pip struggles to define truth, justice, and morals for herself as she finds herself diving back into unsavory secrets around town – and unsavory parts of herself. I don’t agree with all of Pip’s conclusions, which makes me more excited to read the next book and see how Jackson resolves the issues – if they are resolved. This new mystery for Pip fights against time and is just as engaging as her first case.

Pip, her mom, Connor, and Connor's family are white. Pip's stepfather, Victor, is Nigerian, and Pip's half-brother is half Nigerian. Ravi and his family are Indian. The mature content rating is for underage drinking, mentions of drug use, illegal activity, and discussions of sexual assault and rape. The violence rating is for mentions of suicide, gun use, murder, and discussions of death.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Wyoming Wild by Sarah M. Eden - OPTIONAL

Wyoming Wild by Sarah M. Eden, 256 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2023. $17.

Language: PG (1 swear, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: PG

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

In the span of a couple days, US Marshal Hawking discovers that he has a corrupt sheriff and that someone is planning to assassinate him. With no idea where in the territory to start looking for a sheriff gone bad, Hawk follows the warning telegram looking for the informant. Liesl (23yo) risks her safety every day trying to help the people her father is taking advantage of, but sending that telegram could cost her life, especially when a certain US Marshal tracks her down.

Eden has written other books about members of Hawk’s town, and they are fun but not necessary to read before this one. I loved that the strong marshal is paired with a strong woman, rather than a demure doe who has to be saved. Both Hawk and Liesl do some of the brave saving, making a partnership where both are respected and heard. Their story has action on top of the romance, making it easy to justify reading just one more chapter.

Liesl and her family, Hawk, and most of the characters are white. There are a couple people of color mentioned. The mature content rating is for alcohol use and illegal activity. The violence rating is for implied domestic violence, gun use, assault, attempted murder, blood, and death.

Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

The Imagineering Story by Leslie Iwerks - GIFT

The Imagineering Story: the official biography of Walt Disney Imagineering by Leslie Iwerks, 721 pages. Disney, 2023. $35. 

BUYING ADVISORY: GIFT - ADVISABLE 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

Hardcore Disney lovers – especially those yearning for more background information about the history of Disney and the Imagineers – will fall in love with this masterwork by Leslie Iwerks – the granddaughter and daughter of two Disney Legends – Ib and Don Iwerks. Leslie draws from personal interviews and rich Disney source material to bring to life a comprehensive look at the history of Imagineering. At 700+ pages, it is weighty – only a few photographs grace the pages. 

 Cindy Mitchell, Library Teacher, MLS 

The Reluctant Baronet by Elizabeth W. Watkins - OPTIONAL

The Reluctant Baronet by Elizabeth W. Watkins, 192 pages. Covenant Communications, 2023. $15.

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13

BUYING ADVISORY: HS - OPTIONAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Entering her third season, Selina is desperate to marry so that her beloved home doesn’t fall to the current heir – a cousin who wants to tear the house down. Selina has agreed to be courted by Mr. Hallett, but he starts to pale in comparison to the new Sir Parkinson, First Baronet of Oakhurst Park. But lurking under the surface are plots of greedy men that threaten the unwitting members of the ton.

Watkins’ attention to details shows her great dedication to research and accuracy, and I appreciated it at some points of the story more than others. Admittedly, I skimmed a few pages of those historical details, but the overall story was enjoyable. I liked the mystery and intrigue woven through the story as well as the requisite happily ever after.

Selina and most of the characters are English, except that Russell and his uncle are Scottish. The mature content rating is for alcohol use and drug abuse. The violence rating is for medical malpractice, attempted murder, and attempted suicide.

Reviewed: Carolina Herdegen

Stardust in Their Veins by Laura Sebastian - MANY

Stardust in Their Veins (Castles in Their Bones #2) by Laura Sebastian,  564 pages.  Delacorte Press/Penguin Random House. 2023. $18. 

Language: PG-13 (10 swears  0 'f');  Mature Content: PG (kissing); Violence:PG-13 (bloody stabbings, imprisonment, death by an arrow to the neck, poisoning) 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS  - ADVISABLE 

APPEALS TO: MANY 

16yo Daphne and Beatriz both receive confirmation of Sophronia’s death. Violie, Sophronia’s maid and unbeknownst spy of Empress Margareaux, helps Leopold escape to safety as she promised Sophronia she would. They meet up with Ambrose and Lord Savelle, who Beatriz freed from prison and Ambrose took on his boat to safety. At the wedding ceremony for Daphne and Bairre, an explosion occurs that kills the Empyria helping the king and now Bairre’s mother becomes the new Empyria. Beatriz and Pasquale end up in Empress Margareaux’s palace while Violie and Leopold are spying on Daphne in Bairre’s kingdom. The four work together to stop the Empress from taking over the continent and killing them all. Beatriz is convinced that their mother, Empress Margareaux, planned to kill all three of her daughters the minute she secured the kingdoms they infiltrated and now she’s trying to convince Daphne of their mother’s betrayal. 

I enjoyed the intensity which is stronger than in the first book of this series. The intrigue never ends and it twists and turns as characters change their planned actions. The character variety is entertaining. predominantly white, there is an LGBTQ side character.

LynnDell Watson, Delta HS Librarian

The Ghosts of Rose Hill by R.M. Romero - OPTIONAL

The Ghosts of Rose Hill by R.M. Romero, 376 pages.  Peachtree Teen. 2022. $19 

Language: G (0 swears 0 'f'); Mature Content: PG (Manipulation) Violence: PG (Brief fighting at the end). 

BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS - OPTIONAL 

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE 

16yo Ilana has been banished to Prague for the summer. Growing up in a Jewish household where both her parents were immigrants, she'd always had high expectations placed on her head. But now, her parents have sent her to live with her aunt away from friends, violin, and other such distractions to focus on her studies and claim the affluent, sturdy life that they never had. In Prague, Ilana discovers an old, decrepit Jewish cemetery behind her aunt's house that she takes it upon herself to clean up. As she cleans, she begins to befriend a tragic spirit with beautiful blue eyes that keeps showing up to talk to her. The summer will progress, as will Ilana's relationship with Benjamin the ghost, and she will soon discover the terrifying danger that lurks just outside "real" society.

The Ghosts of Rose Hill was such an interesting book. It was written in a poetry format that added a fairy tale or folktale charm to the beautiful words and vivid imagery. While wildly fun and different, I did feel like sometimes the characters did fall flat, and regardless of the gorgeous writing and unique plot, it failed to emotionally move me really at all. Overall, I would recommend this to people that need a quick and fairly easy read (I slaughtered this bad boy in under 4 hours) or individuals that have a liking for this writing style or are wanting to try it out. Ilana is Latina, both she and Benjamin are Jewish. 

Sierra Finlinson