Tag: Kate Messner

Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (#QP2026) Feature Review: The Trouble with Heroes by Kate Messner

Finn Connelly is in big trouble – he’s about to fail seventh grade if he doesn’t complete a poetry assignment. And on top of that, he got caught vandalizing a headstone in a cemetery. In order to avoid serious charges, the daughter of the deceased has challenged Finn to climb 46 Adirondack mountains in honor of her mother, who was a mountain climber. However, Finn must bring the goofy dog who belonged to the deceased old lady along on all the hikes, and finish that poetry assignment before summer’s end. While hiking, Finn has a lot of time to contemplate the source of his anger, as well as develop delicious cookie recipes and poems inspired by the mountains.

A quickly-paced novel in verse, this book also includes letters, recipes, and text conversations to keep readers turning pages. An artful mix of laugh-out-loud funny scenes and heartbreaking moments will have teens getting all the feels as Finn evolves from snarky and angry to compassionate and capable. 
Younger teens who are processing grief and big emotions will find an outlet in this multimodal text. Share this book with fans of All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson, Lasagna Means I Love You by Kate O’Shaughnessy, or Mid-Air by Alicia D. Williams.

–Lily M.

#BFYA2019 Nominees Round Up, August 17 Edition

Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed
Nancy Paulsen Books / Penguin
Publication Date: May 8, 2018
ISBN: 978-0399544682 

Amal is a bright girl with a thirst for knowledge. Living in her Pakistani village with her family, she dreams of becoming a teacher someday, but must stop her education when her mother needs extra assistance at home after the birth of another sister. Things take a dire turn when Amal mistakenly insults a member of the powerful Khan family, and as punishment is forced into indentured servitude at the Khan estate. Surviving in a hopeless situation using her intelligence and determination, Amal begins to uncovers the corruption at the hands of the Khans and must choose to what to do about it.

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YA Reads For Perfecting Your Triple Toe Loop

photo by flickr user Richard Bowen
photo by flickr user Richard Bowen

The figure skating competition for the 2014 Winter Olympics is just a few days away. It’s always been my favorite part of the Winter Olympics. Gracie Gold, 18, seems to be able to capture hearts with her smile and her sheer talent.  Polina Edwards at 15 seems so excited and shows so much love for the sport. Her enthusiasm is contagious. Ashley Wagner at 22 seems determined to make this her year. Her strength dominates the ice when she’s out there.

With these three amazing athletes, is it any wonder I find myself wishing to be able to skate? In their honor, we’re gearing up with a fun book list and some entertaining movies.

Untitled-1Being Sloane Jacobs by Lauren Morrill
When Sloane Emily Jacobs, a socialite who fell from grace at the junior nationals, bumps into Sloane Devon Jacobs, a hockey player with a little too much aggression, both girls see this meeting for the opportunity it is. They decide to switch places for the summer in hopes of relieving the stress and pressure from their respective sports. Do they have what it takes to skate a mile in the other’s skates?

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler
Hudson intentionally threw her last figure skating competition after learning a secret about her father. She hasn’t skated since that secret tore her life apart. Three years later, she’s earned the nickname the Cupcake Queen helping her mother and brother at their family diner.  Hudson hasn’t given up on her dream though and she might have a new way to achieve it.

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