SHE'S GONE by David Bell

 

It starts with a Homecoming dance, a car accident, and a missing girl. SHE'S GONE is a fast-paced mystery that will have readers holding their breaths and gasping frequently. This is David Bell's YA debut. I can't wait to see what he brings to readers next.

Hunter is hoping to remember his last high school homecoming with his girlfriend Chloe as one of the best nights of his young life. Instead, Hunter can't remember much at all. After leaving the dance, Hunter and Chloe are in an accident. Hunter wakes up in the hospital with a concussion that keeps him from recalling the events that led up to the accident and the time following the crash. All he knows is what people tell him. He evidently staggered into the hospital alone, and Chloe seems to have disappeared from the passenger seat.

Even though Hunter doesn't recall a thing about what happened, he becomes the main suspect. Questioned by the police, shunned by many of his classmates, and taunted by Chloe's mother at a candlelight vigil, Hunter is at a loss about how to prove his innocence. He loves Chloe and wants nothing more than to have her found safe and sound.

Full of twists and turns, SHE'S GONE will not disappoint readers looking for a thriller that reads like a movie with relatable characters and page-turning action.

MY NEST OF SILENCE by Matt Faulkner

 

The Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, and Mari and her family have been relocated from their small farm to the Japanese internment camp Manzanar. They share a small 20 x 20 room in the barracks and eat in the dining hall. Mari spends her time drawing what she sees in her new surroundings and hanging out with her older brother. She loves Mak despite the teasing and the noogies.

When Mak turns 18, Mari is shocked that he decides to enlist in the army. She cries as he climbs on the bus and heads off to who knows where. He begins writing her letters to let her know what he can about his new life. The letters are often vague and never enough to really comfort Mari. She pledges not to speak until he is safely home from the war.

Most people praise Mari for her vow of silence, but she is teased by the kids at school and her father complains that her behavior is "abnormal." Mari stays true to her promise hoping that her sacrifice will help Mak. Her drawing and his letters are her only hope.

At the same time readers learn of Mari's life in the internment camp, Mak shares his army life through his letters and through graphic novel format tales of boot camp and life on the battlefield in Europe. His talent as a mechanic earns him a job driving a jeep for an upper-level officer, but it doesn't keep him from seeing some hardcore action on the front. Everything he does is designed to hopefully keep him safe and headed back to Mari and his family.

Author Matt Faulkner first wrote about his fascination with the Japanese internment camps in Gaijin: American Prisoner of War in which he used a graphic novel format throughout. In MY NEST OF SILENCE Faulkner combines prose with graphic novel art to tell Mari and Mak's stories. This unique approach takes readers directly into the lives of both characters as it provides gripping details and fast-paced action. This work of historical fiction is perfect for teen and adult history buffs or anyone looking for an awesome read.

DINGED by Tommy Greenwald

 

Back with another great sports novel by Tommy Greenwald! Once again Greenwald combines a variety of text structures to tell this action-packed football story.

Caleb Springer is just a freshman, but as his father states, he is full of natural talent. As a young QB, much is expected of Caleb and he delivers. He will be leading the Walthorne Wildcats to victory this season and, hopefully, a state championship. It doesn't take long for the older players and the community to embrace this young QB. Once they see him in action, he's all everyone is talking about.

Being the son of a well-known NFL player means Caleb has been emersed in football since he could hold a ball. He and his father discuss the game and plan strategies constantly. Recently, Caleb has been noticing that his dad is forgetful and sometimes quick to show his temper. It doesn't seem like that big a deal, but Caleb has also noticed his mother stays close to his dad and often steers him back to the subject of a conversation or reminds him about something he has forgotten. As the big game draws closer, Caleb starts to get even more concerned about his dad, but he keeps it to himself.

DINGED focuses on the dangers of football and the threats of head injuries and the long-lasting effects. As the story mentions, there have been huge advancements in the safety of the game, but players and families still need to carefully weight the risks when players hit the field. 

GAME CHANGER by Tommy Greenwald

 

GAME CHANGER by Tommy Greenwald is the perfect book for football fans or anyone looking for a novel full of tension and suspense. Amazingly, Greenwald writes about a young football player without the player even saying a word. That's because Teddy Youngblood is in a coma as a result of an injury in a training camp scrimmage.

The Walthorne Wildcats are state champion hopefuls. The official season hasn't started, but the end of summer training features the freshmen players in a scrimmage coached by the senior players. When a promising freshman player collapses and is rushed to the hospital everyone wants to know what happened. 

As he lies in a coma, his family and friends are encouraged to talk to him in hopes that their voices will have some healing power. Unfortunately, rumors begin to swirl through the community claiming there could be more to Teddy's injury than meets the eye. Through conversations, message boards, texts, and news articles readers witness the emotions and judgements as everyone searches for answers. Was it just an innocent accident or is the team guilty of actions that resulted in Teddy's serious condition?

I just ordered book #2 in the Game Changer series. It looks like another winner.

SHAKESPEARE MAKES THE PLAYOFFS by Ron Koertge

 

I just finished the sequel to SHAKESPEARE BATS CLEANUP. Author Ron Koertge takes readers back into the life of Kevin Boland. Now he's an 8th grader looking forward to playing baseball in high school and maybe beyond. Still writing poetry, he shares how some things have changed in his life.

Kevin is learning to cope with the fact that his father is dating. It's a little uncomfortable, but he realizes his father is probably lonely. Assured that neither of them have forgotten Kevin's mom, it seems natural that it's time for his dad to move on.

Kevin's own love life is subject of many of his poems. He is in a relationship with Mira. She's quite cute and definitely a great kisser, but she doesn't really care about baseball and only likes his poems if she is mentioned in them. When he meets Amy at a reading at the local bookstore, they become what Amy calls "poetry friends." That works out well until Kevin realizes Amy is starting to feel like more than just a friend because of poetry. 

I enjoyed following Kevin's life again. He is clever and creative. His way with words and humor will stay with me a long time.

SHAKESPEARE BATS CLEANUP by Ron Koertge

 

I was introduced to author Ron Koertge when I read The Brimstone Journals and Stoner & Spaz. His novels in verse capture his characters in brief but vivid detail. SHAKESPEARE BATS CLEANUP didn't disappoint.

Kevin Boland is fourteen. His baseball season comes to an abrupt end when he is diagnosed with mono. Doctor's orders require him to take it easy and rest. When he isn't sleeping, he spends time writing in the black and white marbled journal his father suggests might fill his time.

Having a father who is a full-time writer might have something to do with it, but Kevin finds writing helps him forget about baseball. The strange thing is the writing comes in the form of poetry. Using a book from his father's bookshelf as a sort of guide, Kevin experiments with a variety of poetry formats to delve into the subjects that fill his thoughts. He writes about baseball, of course, and girls and dating and his mother who recently died. When he is finally able to begin working out with the team again, he finds that he misses writing like he missed baseball.

Just over a hundred pages, Koertge's novel pulls readers into the thoughts and dreams of a likeable teen living with typical teen issues. I'm now reading the sequel titled SHAKESPEARE MAKES THE PLAYOFFS.

SOME KIND OF HATE by Sarah Darer Littman

 

Everything about Declan Taylor revolves around baseball. His skill as a high school pitcher will probably earn him a ticket to college which will be helpful since even with his parents working hard at their jobs, it's difficult to make ends meet. 

Unfortunately, Declan's dreams of baseball and pitching come to an abrupt halt when he badly injures his throwing arm while showing off for a pretty girl. After surgery and painful physical therapy, Declan still isn't ready to give up on returning to the pitcher's mound, but his doctor and his family are expressing doubts that he will return to his former strength. Feeling abandoned by his family and friends and feeling blamed for his family's increased financial trouble, Declan sinks into depression and withdraws. Playing video games for hours on end is his escape. While gaming online, he is invited to join a new group who offer a different kind of friendship.

Needing someone to blame for his bad luck, Declan falls in with a group of extremists spouting conspiracy theories and hate. Their hateful rhetoric gives Declan an excuse for his loneliness and pain. When his father gets laid off by a company the extremists say is part of a globalist plot, Declan goes all in and begins participating in terrorist activities planned by the group.

It isn't until the group's leader sends Declan and some others to attack a gathering at the local synagogue that Declan wakes up to the hatefulness of the organization he has joined. Will his warning be enough to save the people he has long called friends?

Author Sarah Darer Littman uncovers the dangers of white nationalism in this unflinching story about how easily a young man is indoctrinated into an evil group plotting to do damage to innocent people. I found Declan's story to be frighteningly believable. The ease with which he is pulled into Ronan's group and brainwashed into thinking they have the answers to his troubles. His own family, busy with their work and financial difficulties, easily overlooks Declan's real pain and suffering making it simple for Declan to find comfort elsewhere. Littman's novel is important for our time and is a must read for both teens and adults. 

THE SECOND CHANCE OF BENJAMIN WATERFALLS by James Bird

 

If you are looking for a book to celebrate Native American Heritage Month, look for a copy of THE SECOND CHANCE OF BENJAMIN WATERFALLS by James Bird.

Benjamin lives in Duluth. He spends most of his time shoplifting from the local mall or simply stealing anything that catches his eye. He has been caught a number of times, but this time he finds himself in court with a judge who means business. 

The judge is about to sentence him when Benjamin's mother speaks up. She suggests that Benjamin be sent to stay with his father at the Objibwe reservation. It would be a "boot camp" of sorts. The judge agrees and Benjamin finds himself on a bus headed to see a father who left him behind years ago.

It is difficult to understand what he is supposed to learn from a guy who drank too much and abandoned his family. Benjamin isn't expecting too much from his deadbeat dad when he arrives at the reservation. What he does find is his father's new wife, a step-brother, three giant dogs, and a girl in a mask. An angry Benjamin sticks to his old ways of stealing and shoplifting, but he soon is touched by a magical something that has him rethinking his ways. Could his new surroundings and the girl in the mask change Benjamin for the better?

Author James Bird takes readers into his Objibwe culture in this tale of reform and rebirth. Readers will easily connect with the characters and the heartwarming relationships Bird creates as Benjamin earns his second chance and begins to understand what it means to be a good person.

JORDAN J AND THE TRUTH ABOUT JORDAN J by K.A. Holt

 

I have become a true fan of the Kids Under the Stairs series. In this latest adventure Jordan J lets the world know how important dancing is for him. It begins with an article Jordan J is trying to write for the Hart Times. As usual he doesn't mince words but rather tells it like it is. Of course, Ms J lets him know he shouldn't be rude.

Jordan J is criticizing the Hart Rocketeers, the school dance team. He doesn't think their dance moves are going to earn them any awards. He has choreography he believes far exceeds what they have been practicing.

When the Fierce Across America dance competition moves their regional tryouts close to home, Jordan J is determined to perform and earn a spot on the TV show. Things don't go exactly as planned, but Jordan J finds out there is more than one way to be involved in the competition. His talent could possibly help someone else earn the spot he hoped for. He might find a new friend but also lose one in the process.

In her unique presentation author K.A. Holt takes readers on a wild ride with Jordan J. Hearing directly from Jordan J's POV will help readers understand exactly what goes through the mind of someone "divergent" and just how being oneself requires courage but usually produces the best results. I can't wait to see what is next for the Kids Under the Stairs.

THREE STRIKE SUMMER by Skyler Schrempp

 

Gloria loves playing baseball. She practices day and night with hopes of being allowed to pitch on the boys' team. Just when she is being recognized by the boys for her excellent skills, a bank man shows up at her house and she learns that her family must leave. Everything they own is loaded in the back of their truck along with her and her sister, and they head for California.

Her summer dreams of playing baseball seem to be over as they arrive at a peach orchard where she and her family will be harvesting the peach crop. The pay is unfair, the living conditions appalling, and the rules designed so no one will ever get ahead. The only bright spot is the baseball team Gloria hears about and their rivalry with the apricot orchard players nearby.

Between picking peaches and listening to the adults complain about poor wages and treatment, Gloria must try to find a way to convince Terrence, the boy in charge of the baseball team, that she deserves to take his place as pitcher. When she demonstrates her skills, most of the players think she might be the answer to defeating their rivals once and for all.

Author Skyler Schrempp weaves a fascinating tale set in the dust bowl era. Her description of life as a migrant worker and the depressing conditions will make the history of the era come alive. Her characters are honest and believable and will have readers rooting for them from the first chapter on.