We have assembled some intriguing reads for our teens and kids to explore. Enjoy our reviews and suggestions!
Elizabeth F.
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Tamsyn Muir’s debut rolls necromancers, spaceships, and a haunted Gothic palace into a gripping murder mystery. Gideon is a classic reluctant hero whose goal has always been escape–from the necromancers who treat her like a slave and from Harrow, the woman who made Gideon’s childhood hell.
She is ready to give up when Harrow arrives with an ultimatum. The lord of the nine planets has chosen Harrow to compete in a series of tests for immortality, the ultimate goal for a necromancer. If Gideon will be her bodyguard, she will let Gideon go free at the end of it.
Gideon and Harrow’s relationship, already plagued by trauma and secrets when they set out for the inner planets, have to rely on each other to survive – especially when people start dying around them and the palace building itself has malicious intent.
I loved the slow development between Gideon and Harrow, including the slow revelation of their past. I love a good murder mystery, and this one was not only set in space, it did a fantastic job setting up the clues and laying red herrings. I constantly felt on the edge of figuring out who the culprit was–before a new revelation or victim would change the terms again.
The writing is top-notch and the sequel comes out this June. Muir also has short stories in The Year’s Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, and Zombies: More Recent Dead.
Dominique B
Crown of Coral and Pearl by Mara Rutherford
Kelli O
George by Alex Gino
A sweet trans-affirming story about a child who wants to play the lead part in the school play, Charlotte’s Web. But her teacher says boys can’t play the part of Charlotte. Eventually, Melissa is able to confide in her best friend that she is NOT a George. She is Melissa, a girl. As the play as the catalyst, Melissa is able to begin sharing who she really is with the world with the support of her family and best friend!
Molly M
- Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory DVD
- Ugly by Robert Hoge
Ellen L
Fred Korematsu Speaks Up by Laura Atkins