A.L. Graziadei – The Hub

Best Fiction for Young Adults (#BFYA2023) Featured Review of Answers in the Pages by David Levithan

Answers in the Pages by David Levithan
Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: May 10, 2022
ISBN: 9780593484685

Three different storylines intertwine to reveal the importance of stories, representation, and standing up for the right to read. The story opens from the perspective of Donovan who is reading a book titled, The Adventurers for school. His mom reads the last sentence of the book and goes on to challenge the title in front of the school board based on her presumption that the book contains LGBTQIA+ themes. This storyline is intersected with actual excerpts from The Adventurers, as well as the story of Gideon, a boy who is experiencing new feelings towards a boy who just moved to his school.

Amazing Audiobooks (#AA2023) Featured Review of What About Will by Ellen Hopkins

What About Will by Ellen Hopkins
Narrated by Michael Wetherbee
Listening Library
Release date: September 14, 2021
ISBN: 9780593453797

Trace is a kid just like any other, who loves baseball, music, and spending time with his family. But then his brother Will is injured and ends up with a traumatic brain injury, and Trace’s life begins to change. His parents get a divorce, Will isn’t around much anymore, and Trace worries about what he’s doing. When things escalate out of control, Trace has to make some difficult choices to help his brother and heal.