Chasing Augustus by Kimberly Newton Fusco
Just a few pages of this book and I realized the inherent risk of reading it at this point in a readathon. When is a dog book not an emotional read? I wasn't sure I would be emotionally stable enough to read a dog book while sleep-deprived. I was pleased to discover, then, that this is not a sob-fest. Really, it's more about accepting change and forming bonds with people than coping with loss.
Trolled by Bruce Coville
My capacity for reading heavy, contemplative fiction is definitely waning, so this book came up in my list at the perfect time. It's light-hearted, easily followed, and quick paced. That last element is largely due to the mixed format, told in journal entries, short articles, letters, and text exchanges. While Trolled is technically third in a series, the story stands easily on its own.
The Lives of Desperate Girls by MacKenzie Common
Common draws some intriguing parallel in this book between a girl rejected by her peers and one rejected by society on the whole, both based on circumstances beyond their control. This is an exploration that is likely to be uncomfortable for most, delving as it does into racism and rape culture and the damage they inflict on young lives. It would be fascinating to discuss this book with a book club, especially to list out all of the titular Desperate Girls.
The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore
Portrayals of grief tend to follow prescribed paths, usually centering on one of the famed stages of grief. Unsurprisingly, this book focuses on anger. What is surprising is the nature of that anger. It's non-specific, more of a general anger at the world. And the conclusion of the novel does not explicitly address that anger. We're not told how to let go of or manage anger. It's simply a fact of Lolly's reality, just as gangs and social pressure are. A subtle exploration.
Lucy & Andy Neanderthal by Jeffrey Brown
I've been looking forward to this one for a while. I'm a fan of Brown's comics. I was expecting a fair dose of humor. I was pleased to find some educational value to it as well. Each chapter of loose story is followed by a few pages of what we've learned about neanderthals from archaeology.
36 Questions That Changed My Mind About You by Vicki Grant
The real appeal to this novel is the novelty of it's being framed on the concept of those 36 questions. It's not a particularly complex tale nor is it peopled with particularly complex characters. Read it once for some simple entertainment. I'm not certain that it would hold up to a second read.
Biometrics by Maria Birmingham
For kids non-fiction, the balance between readability and level of detail is key. Birmhingham has found the perfect level of information without becoming overwhelming.
