So I read Warrior Girl Unearthed (2023) by Angeline Boulley in September, and immediately had to read Boulley’s first book Firekeeper’s Daughter (2021, Goodreads Choice Award for YA), and was thrilled to find out she’s just published a third book, Sisters in the Wind (September 2, 2025), which I also devoured. They are each amazingContinue reading “Firekeeper’s Daughter, Warrior Girl Unearthed, and Sisters in the Wind”
Tag Archives: coming of age
Let Them Stare
Posting reviews has been slow as I recover from carpal tunnel release on both wrists. It’s going well, three weeks out, and I plan to catch up for the weeks I’ve missed. I’ve done plenty of reading, though, as that’s something I could do even when my hands were wrapped in bandages! Let Them StareContinue reading “Let Them Stare”
Wayward Girls
I was completely captivated by Wayward Girls (publication day July 15, 2025) by Susan Wiggs! It’s an epic story of friendship and survival despite the horrific conditions some girls in the United States were subjected to as recently as 50 or 60 years ago. As the book opens in 2020, we know that a fifty-yearContinue reading “Wayward Girls”
These Heathens
I was a big fan of Mia McKenzie’s 2021 Skye Falling, so I was thrilled to come across her newest, These Heathens, (publication day June 15, 2025), on NetGalley! Told from the perspective of Doris, a seventeen-year old pregnant Black girl in 1960 rural Georgia who had to leave school at fifteen to take careContinue reading “These Heathens”
The History of a Difficult Child
The History of a Difficult Child (2023) is Mihret Sibhat’s first novel, and I wish there had been more buzz about it, as it is so inventive and original, and the primary character–the “difficult child” Selam Asmelash–has such a strong voice! Sibhat uses multiple perspectives to tell Selam’s story, beginning before her birth to DegituContinue reading “The History of a Difficult Child”
The Language of the Birds
I really enjoyed The Language of the Birds (publication day May 13, 2025) by K.A. Merson, which is a young adult thriller/ mystery that features a neurodivergent, 17-year old main character named Arizona and her dog Mojo. As I read it, I was somewhat reminded of the middle-grade mysteries Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett, andContinue reading “The Language of the Birds”
The River We Remember
I loved The River We Remember (2023) by William Kent Krueger, which was a selection for my library book group. I didn’t have any previous knowledge of the book or the author, but I devoured it after the last line of the prologue, which describes the story as how the channel catfish in the riverContinue reading “The River We Remember”
West With Giraffes
West With Giraffes (2021) by Lynda Rutledge was a book club pick, and I’m so glad that it was. It’s based on the true story of two giraffes that arrived in New York City in 1939 after a hurricane, and were driven by truck across the United States, before interstate highways, to the San DiegoContinue reading “West With Giraffes”
Lucky Red
Lucky Red (2023) by Claudia Cravens caught my eye when I read this review, but it took a year for me to finally listen to it. I was completely blown away by the voice of the main character, Bridget. We recently read the classic western True Grit, by Charles Portis, for my book club, andContinue reading “Lucky Red”
Go As A River
Go As A River (2023) by Shelley Read was a book group selection I probably wouldn’t have chosen myself. I did quite enjoy it, though, despite some unnecessary anti-fat bias in at least one character description. Victoria Nash is a 17-year old living on a Colorado peach farm in 1948, tending house for her father,Continue reading “Go As A River”