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!

Rise & Shine, Benedict Stone by Phaedra Patrick

Rise & Shine, Benedict Stone by Phaedra Patrick This is a lovely book to read and enjoy. A man needs to move out of his safety zone to reconnect with his wife and even brother. There are secrets to be revealed and wounds to heal. A good read. Enjoy.

Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay

Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay I grew up close to Watsonville and learned a few things about the history of Watsonville. It's a good story, very touching. Add this one to your high school library.

Nigeria Jones by Ibi Zoboi

Nigeria Jones by Ibi Zoboi Wow! This book takes you on a young girl's journey as she looks for truth, her own identity and being a teenager. Her father is the leader of a Black movement and she's involved with it. Her mother is missing and she's been taking care of her baby brother. There are many people who live in her house. She just wants her mother and is desperate to look for her. She also wants to go to a school that her mother wanted her to attend against her father's wishes. Fine for high school.

The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry

The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry Beautifully written. I wanted to travel to all the places the author described. The characters are fantastic and the plot well crafted. I highly recommend this as an adult read. Enjoy.

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.

How to Find What You're Not Looking For by Veera Hiranandani

How to Find What You're Not Looking For by Veera Hiranandani Set in the 60's the Beatles are the popular band for young teens and laws against mixed marriages. A Jewish older sister falls in love with a young man from India. They elope and both sets of parents are not happy about it. The younger sister misses her sister very much. School is also challenging for her, writing and shaping letters is really difficult for her. A good read.

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman by Gennifer Choldenko is a great read. Hank has ups and downs in his life. For a middle school kid, he has a lot to burdern. Taking care of his baby sister. A mom who disapears with no word, finding food and then going to get help. It's a good book and good people show up in his life. And a few bad ones too. Add this one to your middle school library.

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.

My Happy Marriage, Vol. 3 by Akumi Agitogi , Tsukiho Tsukioka (Designer) , Rito Kohsaka (Illustrator)

My Happy Marriage book 3 is part of a graphic novel that I would like to add to my high school library. It's a charming series. It reads like a variation of a Cinderella story. A good manga to add to high school libraries.

My Happy Marriage 02 by Akumi Agitogi , Rito Kohsaka (Illustrator)

My Happy Marriage book 2 is a charming graphic novel. Miyo lacks confidence and self esteem after all the years of mistreatment by her own family. But she is starting to blossom with the care of her fiance and his house maid/friend. Fine for any hishg school.

My Happy Marriage, Vol. 1 Rito Kohsaka , Akumi Agitogi (Original Creator)

My Happy Marriage, Vol. 1 was recommended to me by a friend. Thanks Sarah Smith. I'm enjoying this series. I think it is perfect for high school graphic novel collection. Story line and illustrations are fine. Enjoy.

Sunny G's Series of Rash Decisions by Navdeep Singh Dhillon

Sunny G's Series of Rash Decisions is set in Fresno. My new hometown. I'm getting this for my high school library. I think my Sikh and Hmong students may get something out of this story.

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.

Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly

Song for a Whale by Lynn Kelly is a great book for middle school students. The author has background experience interpreting for hearing impaired students. She also did some research on an actual hybrid whale that is known as the loneliest whale because of it's song is a different frequency then regular whales. The audiobook is also good. Enjoy.

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.

Home is Not a Country by Safia Elhillo

I think currently immigrants are being used as pawns by political candidtates for president during this election year. Sadly there is a group that bullies immigrants and using this as a political point. I don't think we fully understand life for immigrants. Home is Not A Country brings us into a teen's world and how changes can be difficult and family relationships can be challenging. I listened to the audiobook and thought it was a solid story.

The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer

I loved this book. It has several different layers and they all work. It's a sweet story and perfect for a holiday movie. The Whishing Game is a home run. More an Adult reader but would be fine for high school students to read also. I wouldn't really put it in a high school library but it's a fine book for teens to also read.

The Library Thief by Kuchenga Shenje

The Library Thief is definitely adult. There is a rape scene just for a heads up. It's a good book but not for high school. A young woman is taken advantage of by an entitled man, brother of the man who hired her. Her father had kicked her out because she was with a man she thought she loved and it turns out he didn't love her. The girl also finds out she has a black mother. She didn't realize until later, since her mother died in childbirth. It's not an easy read. It's between Downton Abbey and Northanger Abbey. I listened to the audiobook. It's fine. A bit dark.