Because of You by Fiona Brands Publisher: FriesenPress Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, LGBTQ, Romance, Contemporary Rating: 3 Stars Reviewed by Astilbe Liv and her best friends Travis and April have just started their last year of high school and things have gotten complicated—Liv has feelings for Travis, April is getting into trouble already, and Travis has a new girlfriend. But then Liv’s mom reveals a long-buried secret about Liv’s father, who took his own life when Liv was only two, and her life is turned totally upside down. Reminded of unresolved trauma, Liv’s mom st ..read more

If We Were Stars by Eule Grey Publisher: NineStar Press Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, LGBTQ, Romance Rating: 3 Stars Reviewed by Astilbe The final countdown begins in three hours. … Blimey. The last thing Kurt wants is to wear a space helmet, and, no, they didn’t plan on saving the world either—Not before their eighteenth birthday anyway. Who’d have thought friending a lonely alien would lead to the Cape Canaveral launch pad. Best friends since they were ten years old, Kurt O’Hara and Beast Harris tackle the typical teenage challenges together: pronouns, AWOL bodies, not ..read more

Alice in Wonderland by Lena Heide-Brennand Publisher: Brennand Books Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Historical Rating: 3 Stars Reviewed by Astilbe Lena Heide-Brennand’s dark and poetic interpretation of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” is an enchanting and captivating one where Alice’s dreams take a rhythmic and playful form. In this adaptation, Heide-Brennand has seamlessly blended the atmospheric visuals from the 1915 film version with her own unique mixed media artworks. These original artworks transport us into a world of dark and goth ..read more

Sally Mitts Finds A Home – The Story Of A Shy Shelter Kitten by Shain Stodt Publisher: Self-Published Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Contemporary Rating: 5 Stars Reviewed by Astilbe When little Sally’s family moves away, she is left alone in the world. Wandering unknown streets, our bodacious kitten has adventures both wonderful and scary. When a well-meaning Samaritan finds Sally asleep on their doorstep, they take her to an animal shelter, where she is surrounded by strangers. Lonely and feeling very small, she tries to curl into a ball and hide. Then Sally felt a warm nudge. What was thi ..read more

Kiki’s Dream by Susan Coryell Publisher: Two Sisters Press Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Contemporary Rating: 3 Stars Reviewed by Astilbe Snow – nature’s exotic creation, magical, beautiful, exciting – is only a dream for Kiki who lives in Hawaii. Growing up in Hawaii, five-year-old Kiki romps on the beach all year round. Still, her dream is to experience snow, which will never happen in Hawaii. With excited expectation, Kiki hopes a surprise family trip to Michigan will make her dream come true. Snow makes any day a little more magical. This was the first time I have ever reviewed a pict ..read more

The Lighthouse Back Home by Jodi L. Auborn Publisher: Self-Published Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, Paranormal, Contemporary, Historical Rating: 3 Stars Reviewed by Astilbe It’s been a year since 11-year-old Dylan and his family moved to the lighthouse his father had inherited in Maine. After finding a human skeleton in the woods one day, Dylan and his friend, Alex, are astonished when a mysterious artifact sends them back in time to the year 1893. Stranded in the past, with Dylan’s sailboat as their only way home and Alex posing as a boy, Dylan ..read more

Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan Publisher: Ember Genre: LGBTQ, Contemporary, YA (Ages 14+) Rating: 5 Stars Reviewed by Nymphaea Based on true events—and narrated by a Greek Chorus of the generation of gay men lost to AIDS—Two Boys Kissing follows Harry and Craig, two seventeen-year-olds who are about to take part in a 32-hour marathon of kissing to set a new Guinness World Record. While the two increasingly dehydrated and sleep-deprived boys are locking lips, they become a focal point in the lives of other teens dealing with universal questions of love, identity, and belonging. Two boys ..read more

Bad Dog by Mike Boldt Publisher: Scholastic Genre: Childrens (Ages 5-10), Contemporary Rating: 4 Stars Reviewed by Nymphaea The differences between cats and dogs have never been funnier! In this hilarious new story from the illustrator of I Don’t Want to Be a Frog, a little girl really, really wants a dog . . . but gets a cat instead! “Look what I got for my birthday! A pet dog!” says a little girl holding a . . . cat? Rocky doesn’t listen or obey like all the other dogs. (Because Rocky is a cat.) And Rocky hates her leash and doesn’t seem to like other dogs. (Probably because Rocky is a cat ..read more

Fly Guy Meets Fly Girl by Tedd Arnold Publisher: Cartwheel Books Genre: Childrens, (ages 6-10), Contemporary Rating: 4 Stars Reviewed by Nymphaea Fly Guy has met his match, and her name is Fly Girl. Fly Guy can do fancy flying. Fly Girl can do fancier flying. Fly Guy can eat gross stuff. Fly Girl can eat grosser stuff. Fly Guy can say his boy’s name–Buzzzzzz! And Fly Girl can say her girl’s name–Lizzzzzzz! Fly Guy is totally impressed, and totally smitten. Will Fly Guy and Fly Girl get married and leave Buzz without his dear pet? Fly Guy and Fly Girl??? How cool!! I liked this series from t ..read more

As a Little Child (Come Into the Agape Boat) by Catalina Siri Publisher: Tellwell Talent Genre: Children’s, Inspirational Rated: Review by Rose I was inspired by Jesus to write this book. In combining nature and the sacred word of the Bible, my intention is to take the reader into a place of contemplation of the wonderful things God has created for the care, nourishment, and enjoyment of His creation, especially humanity. This book’s central theme is the character of love of our heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ. Furthermore, this book is an introduction to young children to the knowl ..read more