The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom This is an Oh Wow! story. An innocent Irish girl, who's family died on the ship to America, has no one so she becomes an servant. The slaves take her in as family. And then she grows up. THe world of men in a time of the 1800s has no room for women to make their own choices. She has some bad encounters with men, misinformation and then the plantation owner son marries her. Things go really bad and dangerous choices must be made. Oh boy!

The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf

The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf This is a really good thriller. It flashes back and forth in time and two people's stories. A family is murdered and their teen daughter is missing. And then there is the woman who is being held prisoner with her child. And then there is the mystery writer who has her own back story that will be revealed at the end. A good book to read.

Shackled: A Tale of Wronged Kids, Rogue Judges, and a Town that Looked Away by Candy J. Cooper

Shackled: A Tale of Wronged Kids, Rogue Judges, and a Town that Looked Away by Candy J. Cooper Oh wow! So many children messed up because of corrupt judges who worked back room money to line their pockets. Thousands of dollars to inflate judges and business and preying upon children who had no chance for a fair case. These men were evil. And this is nonfiction.

The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla

The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla It's a good book to add to any school library. It's not often you come across a character that is a girl in the autistic spectrum.

Seven Dirty Secrets by Natalie D. Richards

Seven Dirty Secrets by Natalie D. Richards I liked this story a lot. and is fine for school libraries. It's a thriller and nicely crafted. One problem with the story is the lack of adults. They aren't really present. Other then that it's fine.

Trixie Belden #1 The Secret of the Mansion by Julie Campbell

Trixie Belden #1 The Secret of the Mansion by Julie Campbell This is a vintage story. About the time of Nancy drew series. A time before cell phone. Fine for personal libraries.

The Obsession by Jesse Q. Sutanto

The Obsession by Jesse Q. Sutanto Logan is a stalker obsessed with Delilah. She just excaped her mother's abusive boyfriend in which he was crushed to death by a car falling on him. Logan has damaging video on Delilah. He has been stalking her since the first time he saw her. This is a thriller. Heads up, off page abuse by mother's boyfriend. Still a good book and okay for high school libraries.

James by Percival Everett

James is a smart story that represents Jim from Huckleberry Finn. Jim is a smart man who is running away from slavery. Huck teams up with Jim by chance and together travel meeting dangerous people and dangerous situations. Percival Everett knows how to write a story. This is a good one. The audio book also very good.

The Banned Books Club by Brenda Novak

The Banned Book Club is a good story. There is family dysfunction, healing and rebuilding of lives. a compelling story. A good read.

Do Not Disturb by Freida McFadden

Do Not Disturb is a thriller murder and mystery. Audibook is good and lots of twists and turns. The action starts with the first sentence and keeps moving till the end. Told in multiple voices, the reader learns the backstory of each character. Will the body count grow at this run down hotel with a deadly secret? Read and find out.

Take Me With You When You Go by David Levithan , Jennifer Niven

Take Me With You When You Go is a story that follows the two siblings and the people around them. The brother has to deal with the two parents and it becomes too much. A poinant story.

Orphans of the Storm by Celia Imrie

Orphans of the Storm involves the build up of the sinking of the Titanic, two little French boys are kidnapped by their dangerous father, right after a divorce. He's dangerous. The mother is barely 21, she's a seamstress who built up the buisness with her husband, now ex. He's a master manipulator. Go on a journey from the begining of a young woman filled with dreams to a mother believing her children and died on a ship until fate brings her new hope. The audiobook also very good.

Saints of the Household by Ari Tison

An interesting story that brings in the blending of two cultures. Saints of the Household has an anchor character that helps the boys through their journey, their grandfather. This book also comes in audiobook as well. It's better for public libraries.

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boyland

This is definitely an adult book which revolves around two teens. Mad Honey is told in two viewpoints, A mother who is a bee keeper and Lilly the girlfriend. They both have their secrets and they are revealed at court. It's a good story. I listened to the book and at the end both authors speak about their collaboration. It's a good read.

Hello Girls by Brittney Cavallaro and Emily Henry

Hello Girls is a mash up of Sleeping with the Enemy and Themlma & Louise. I recieved an advance copy and I also listened to the audiobook. I personally didn't care for the book. The girls are stuck in their situation and have become friends. Then they make terrible choices and have no adults to help them. I didn't like the plot or the characters. Since I've seen Sleeping with the Enemy and also Thelma and Louise, I found the plot predictable with a few twists.

The Blackbird Girls by Anne Blankman

 

This is a book that will be on the list for California Young Reader Medal.  It's a great story that uses two time lines at the same time.  The nuclear reactor accident of the 1980s and World War II escaping the Germans.  Its about friendship, surviving dangerous and what really is family.  I liked this book a lot and even though it is middle school level, it's great to teach about history as well.  Add this to your school library.  It's a good read.  The audio book is also well done.  Good voice actor.

Under the Moon by Lauren Myracle

I thought it was a good graphic novel but I wouldn't put it in the library. There is some f*bombs and a few sexual references.  It would be best in a public library.

 

The Rules of Survival by Nancy Welin

 There are times when I needed a breather on this book.  Mom is not mentally well.  She knows how to manipulate people in a terrible way.  It's an intense read.  A good read but unsettling.  Right up there with Educated and Glass Castle.

Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

 This is an important story to read.  It's also a sensitive book that deals with sexual abuse, drugs and suicide.  I would say yes have it in school libraries but also give readers a heads up on this delicate story.  I think it might be helpful to readers.

A Christmas Resolution by Anne Perry

A good read.  It's a quick read and part of a series.  I think this one is my favorite in the series so far.  Enjoy.