Braced by Alyson Gerber

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✰

Rachel isn't exactly thrilled when she finds out that she has scoliosis and will need to wear a back brace for 23 hours a day for the foreseeable future. Especially when she learns that it's going to interfere with her love of soccer. Will Rachel be able to overcome these challenges, along with her insecurity and frustrations and even be able to DATE?

This is a great story for teaching kids about what it feels like to be the one that has to wear the brace but also gives kids with scoliosis someone that they can relate to. My daughter has scoliosis and I can say beyond the shadow of a doubt that the feelings that Rachel has are very accurate and authentic.

Enjoyable by kids and parents: Yes
Offensive Language: No
Violence: No
Adult Concepts: There is some kissing and a discussion about "going to second base"
Age Range: 9 and up

Into the Jungle by Erica Ferencik

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✰

Lily has had a difficult life in and out of foster homes. When she finally finds Omar who is willing to love her unconditionally, she is not willing to let him go when he returns home to an isolated village in Bolivia, and decides to join him. 

Fast-paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat as the story goes from one thrilling scene to the next. Completely submerges you in another culture. I had a hard time connecting with/liking Lily but she was starting to grow on my by the end. 

Unputdownable-ness: Medium-High

Ugly Cry Potential: Medium
LOL: Low
Steaminess: Low
Character Development: Medium
Originality: Medium
Quality of Writing: Medium-High
Thought Provoking: Medium
Light Read: Med

My Ex-Life by Stephen McCauley

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✰✰

David hasn't spoken to his ex-wife Julie much since their divorce 30 years ago. Julie re-married and had a daughter who is nearing college age and has just been through a divorce. David is across the country in California and has recently been left by his boyfriend. When David and Julie re-connect they both realize that maybe the term "family" needs a new definition.

Funny, warm and very readable. Part of the story went off in a bit of an odd direction but other than that, it was a fun read.

Unputdownable-ness: Medium
Ugly Cry Potential: Medium-Low
LOL: Medium
Steaminess: Low
Character Development: Medium
Originality: Medium
Quality of Writing: Medium
Intellectual Depth: Medium
Emotionally Trying/Hard to Read: Medium-Low

A Drop of Hope by Keith Calabrese

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✰✰

According to town legend, there was a time when wishes made at the old wishing well would be granted. Things are looking a bit bleak in town these days and more and more people are visiting the well with hopeful wishes. Why these wishes suddenly start being granted again is a mystery to most (but not all) of the towns people.

This was a sweet story that the kids enjoyed quite a bit. I loved the story but found the pace to be a bit slow. 

Enjoyable by kids and parents: More so by the kids

Kids chose reading over extra screen time: Sometimes
Offensive Language: No
Violence: Some - there was talk about beating someone up and there was an incident of domestic violence when a child is hit with a belt.
Age Range: 8 and up

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✰✰

A dark and broody tale of a man who lost his wife (Rebecca). He then remarries but his new wife struggles with filling Rebecca's shoes, due in large part to the malevolent housekeeper.

While I did very much appreciate the exemplary character development and the beautiful prose in this novel, I can't say that I loved reading it. Dark and gothic is not my genre but if it's yours, I highly suggest that you give this one a try. We had great book club discussion about it as well. 

Unputdownable-ness: Medium-Low

Ugly Cry Potential: Low
LOL: Low
Steaminess: Low
Character Development: High
Originality: Medium-High
Quality of Writing: High
Intellectual Depth: High
Emotionally Trying/Hard to Read: Medium

The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✰

Four homeless children struggle to survive on the streets of India. This story is sweet, heart-breaking, hopeful and eye-opening. I read this with my 9 and 12 year old children and it started lots of discussions about how different life is for these children and how lucky we are. 

Enjoyable by kids and parents: Yes

Kids chose reading over extra screen time: Yes
Offensive Language: No
Violence: Yes - there is some domestic violence
Adult Concepts: Yes - domestic violence, homelessness, child abuse, sickness, death.
Age Range: 9 and up

Because You're Mine by Rea Frey

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆

From the first sentence, we know someone is going to die. A girls weekend is about to end in tragedy but who is going to die? And for what reason? The truth, amid the many lies, is revealed over multiple story lines that weave between present and past. Just when you think you know the truth, another lie will be revealed.

I enjoyed the plot twists but felt the story lines needed some re-working to be more cohesive and I felt misled by one story line in particular. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for letting me read an advance copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Unputdownable-ness: Medium-Low
Ugly Cry Potential: Low
LOL: Low
Steaminess: Low
Character Development: Medium
Originality: Medium
Quality of Writing: Medium
Intellectual Depth: Medium
Emotionally Trying/Hard to Read: Medium-Low

Midsummer's Mayhem by Rajani LaRocca

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩

A delightful and whimsical modern-day re-telling of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Mimi is excited to enter a baking competition at a new bakery but her father, who usually helps taste-test her recipes, is acting very strange. Luckily Mimi meets Vik who seems to share her love of baking but their friendship has its own complications. 

If your kids enjoy baking (like mine do) this is a really fun book that they're sure to enjoy.

Enjoyable by kids and parents: Yes
Kids chose reading over extra screen time: Yes
Offensive Language: None
Violence: None
Adult Concepts: None
Age Range: 7 and up

Playing with Anxiety: Casey's Guide for Teens and Kids by Lynn Lyons and Reid Wilson

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is the companion book to "Anxious Kids, Anxious Parents" which I feel is one of the best books about how to manage anxiety out there - and I've read quite a few. This guide is written from a kids point of view and has super relevant examples of common anxiety issues. I read this aloud to my kids and there were multiple times when they thought I was ad-libbing it because the situations were SO similar to ones that we've experienced. While they did experience some anxiety while reading the book (which is completely normal and they talk about that too), this book has been a huge help in getting them to face their fears and do it anyway. If your child is anxious this (and Anxious Kids-Anxious Parents) is a must read.

The Perfect Wife by JP Delaney

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✩

Abbie wakes up and has no idea who she is. The man standing next to her tells her that he is her husband and that she had a bad accident 5 years ago but that his tech company has fought to bring her back and they have finally succeeded. 

Thought-provoking, filled with twists and turns and told from a seldom used second-person point of view which makes the reader the main character. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for allowing me to read an advance copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Unputdownable-ness: Medium-High
Ugly Cry Potential: Low
LOL: Low
Steaminess: Low
Character Development: Medium
Originality: High
Quality of Writing: Medium
Intellectual Depth: Medium-High
Emotionally Trying/Hard to Read: Low