Beautiful reminders about the power of hope… I would love to meet this author and sit down and share a cup of coffee with him. @Eggs

Rounded out the month these titles for #MGMarch. I think what drives me to middle grade stories is the unique plots, the lack of overdone tropes. And yet the strong tapping in to the human condition almost always emerging…

“Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere.” - Mary Schmich Traveled to Florida, Massachusetts, in South Carolina in the #middlegrademarch reads. #savvysettings @Eggs

A gem of a story. Funny, sad, beautiful. A self-discovery story at its finest. Just read it. 😀#MGMarch @Eggs @megnews

This book draws you in to a harsh reality far too many students face: dealing with adult problems without the resources with which to properly deal. Yet, the underlying message of hope is also undeniable: with supportive, accepting peers and adults, especially in schools, students who view themselves as failures can flourish. Proctor writes with authenticity, capturing and invoking an array of emotions. Her writing leaves you a better human.

Gordon Korman‘s books deliver unique story lines and typically told through multiple voices-appealing for all ages. He even weaves social issues into his highly entertaining plots. Tagged book was favorite of these three, but have read many more of his previously. #MiddleGradeMarch

Absolutely loved Nowhere Boy. A forged friendship of two boys, one of whom is a Syrian refugee all alone in Belgium amid the 2015 terrorist attacks in France. Tropical Secrets, a more lyrical narrative, highlights a friendship of a Cuban girl and Jewish refugee while the island experiences turbulent times of WWII. #middlegrademarch #MGMarch

Found this quirky little gem on a teacher‘s shelf at school. Magical realism I read for #MGMarch

More #MGMarch from author Joan Bauer who weaves unique story lines and lovable characters.

Kicking off #MGMarch with two delightful dog stories, one told from the point of view of a traumatized service dog, and the other a reminder of the importance of empathy. @Eggs

An intimate look into a woman struggling to find worth and purpose, dealing with issues that many of us face. Sweet reminder to love ourselves and others. @Eggs

Had myself a little TJR love fest this month. Stories and style remind me of Katherine Center.

Goal reached. In the nick of time! But my highest goal in the last 5 years!

Simply a beautiful, sorrowful, introspective gem of a story. PS. Picture is “harvested” off the inner-webs, but isn‘t it lovely?😂

One more…

“No day shall erase you from the memory of time.” -Virgil. I had a 9/11 read-a-thon today! Never, ever forget! #Relatedto911

Entertaining and heartwarming.

June recap #2. Tagged book and Float Plan were favorites. Lots of variety 😂

Summer Reading June Recap #1. Tagged book was my favorite. Reading whatever I want, whenever I want😀

Don‘t let the illustrated cover fool ya. This was much more than a cheesy romance. A grieving Anna sets off on a voyage to honor a lost love, her journey takes her to the most unexpected places. @Eggs

Y‘all, I am in so many challenges this month I‘m having trouble keeping up with everything! I‘m reading and listening every minute of every day! 🤣 our local library is using the reader zone app for participants to log their pages and it also displays the leaderboard in real time. Here are two books that were quite enjoyable. I‘ve read almost everything by this author. #audiojune Currently reading book 19 of this month!

Fairly proud of my May bookspin bingo board. Wasn‘t really sure what I was doing LOL so I started with 20 books, reading all but 3.5 of them. No life-changing books, but all enjoyable reads! Now, bring on June! @TheAromaofBooks

June Board!!! @TheAromaofBooks @Eggs

Don‘t mind me… Just having a little Kimberly Willis Holt book fest over here. Three sweet, sorrowful, southern stories. Read the tagged book and Louisiana Sky many many years ago but both were worth a re-read. @Eggs

A young adult book about the joy of finding unlikely connections. Two teens, one nuerotypical and the other not, forge a friendship surrounding the accidental death of one‘s parent. Love Buxbaum‘s timely narratives. @Eggs @TheAromaofBooks

Pink cover love 💕 Two YA summer romances set in Europe. Ballerina finds summer love while studying in Paris. Aspiring baker from Miami finds new love and inspiration in England. Enjoyed the tagged book‘s plot a bit more than the other.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Sepetys is a master storyteller. This book was in a word, rich. Rich in setting, characters, folklore, with a dash of suspense. New Orleans historical fiction (1950). I relished this story about a young woman‘s plight to find a better life. @Eggs @TheAromaofBooks

#DoubleSpin Sweet story-Carmen‘s quince was ruined three years ago due to family drama and love interest,Mauro. What will happen when the meet up three years later, the summer after senior year? @TheAromaofBooks @Eggs

This is how the author describes her latest work: “...a book about not just dealing with, but celebrating the strange and broken parts of ourselves.” Hilarious, honest, hopeful, oh and hilarious. (Warning: do not read this book anywhere that loud laughs might offend others). Addressing topics from mental health issues to a plethora of names for lady parts; I believe every reader can connect to Jenny‘s thoughts and musings. #bookspinbingo

Bittersweet treat of a story. Holt‘s books appeal to any age. Set in late 1940‘s Louisiana with historical tidbits woven into a memorable cast of characters. This is #3 on my May bingo board. @Eggs @TheAromaofBooks

@TheAromaofBooks ok lol now what do I do?😂

Book 20 #YApril Maverick‘s younger days...a hopeful coming of age story amidst the harsh throes of Garden Heights.

Found this listed in one of my many searches for Young Adult novels in verse. It was written in poetic form, but actually a love story alternating between the characters as teenagers and ten years after. A quirky plot that centers on how views of love change as we mature. I‘ll go ahead and include it in #YApril -Book 19 #poetrymatters @Eggs

Books 17 & 18 #YApril , two more in verse, with teens in trouble as the theme #poetrymatters

I stumbled across this novel in verse that follows Clare‘s tumultuous summer. She‘s trained for years to be a company ballerina, what will happen if she doesn‘t make the cut? And when a family emergency changes everything, Will she learn to see what is truly important? Book 16 #YApril #poetrymatters @Eggs

An ooey-gooey-two-teens-on-a-train love story. 💕 Book 15 #YApril

I'm getting a free audiobook from @librofm for shopping at my local bookstore! Learn more here: libro.fm/ibd #IndieBookstoreDay

Two more teen novels in verse (that you may not have heard of), each centering on topics relevant to young adults. High interest and intense situations. #YApril Book 13 and 14 #poetrymatters @Eggs

Evocative novel in verse. Nima, a Muslim American teenager, feels like an outsider, unsure of her self and purpose. Vivid language depicts Nima‘s feelings and culture, rich in emotion. Elements of magical realism thread metaphorically to help Nima see her life for what it truly is; full of love and promise. For fans of E. Acevedo (author names her as the book‘s godmother) Book 12 #YApril #poetrymatters

Book 11 #YApril and #poetrymatters Enthralling plot, intense imagery, and relevant teen topics flourish in this novel in verse about a high school senior who uncovers a life-changing secret during her senior project revolving around her heritage and identity. @Allylu @Eggs @megnews

We read to remember...I purchased this book at my recent visit to the 9/11 Memorial in NYC, erected upon the remains of the tragedy‘s site. So much to take in and process. Read the book on the plane home, feeling the need to stay immersed in the memories of so many lost. @Eggs

#YApril books 9 & 10, both in narrative verse, both addressing teens with extreme physical challenges. #poetrymatters @Eggs @megnews

#YApril Book 8. I was expecting a cheesy teen romance, but what I got was a sweet story that was part Friday Night Lights , part Emma, set in a Texas town amid a feisty political race. @Eggs

An intriguing story with an entertaining glimpse of yesteryear. Eighteen-year-old aspiring actress, Mazie Butterfield, seeks performance dreams and sense of self in the bright lights of Broadway, leaving Nebraska and lingering love interest behind. Set in 1950‘s. Book 7 #YApril @Eggs

Adorable. Just what I was in the mood for. 16 yr old Maisie chronicles her vacation full of family, friendship, romantic prospect, body image issues, oh and throw in a beauty pageant. Reminiscent of Dumplin‘, yet unique and fun. Book 5 #YApril @Eggs

Cute YA Rom Com Book 4 #YApril-Perfrctionist Pru is quick to judge lazy, rude, or irritating residents of her coastal town. She dreams of people getting what they deserve. Justice comes true when she wakes up with the sudden ability to cast instant karma on others. But there is one person on whom her powers backfire: Quint, her slacker lab partner, who turns out to be noble helper of sea wildlife. Hate to relationship mixed with saving animals.

1. Tagged book was such a wonderful, humble text. Relished every word as an educator. 2. Love realistic fiction-Liane Moriarty or Fredrick Backman always deliver. 3. Jenny Lawson will make you laugh til ya cry.

An intense tragic love story. Two teens from different worlds find each other while fulfilling community service for theft. Dual voices and in verse. Book 3 #YApril #poetrymatters @Eggs

Happy Easter Littens! @Eggs

Julie Buxbaum crafts young adult romances with such depth, you‘d swear the characters are real people you know. A little high school “You‘ve Got Mail” in this one, but it‘s not a cheesy plot; two kids dealing with loss find hope and solace in one another. Book 2 #YApril