Month: September 2020

Aged Out

~ rachelbenzine ~ Leave a comment

Plot:

Dr. Lanetta Greer has owned and run a nonprofit group home for teenage girls for many years. In Aged Out, she looks at the long-term implications of being placed in Out-of-Home Care (OHC). This is a qualitative research study, compiled based on interviews and narratives of 8 participants who were in OHC during at least part of their childhood. These participants have all “aged out” of the foster care system – that is, they are above the age threshold to still be receiving care. Aged Out is essential literature for professionals working with people in OHC, and would also be important reading for parents and families (biological, adoptive, and foster) of kids in OHC.

What I loved most:

When we have kids, my husband and I are planning to adopt from foster care. As such, I try to read any and everything I can get my hands on relating to the foster care system. This was scholarly literature that took me back to my grad school days – it’s been a hot minute since I read through a methodology section. But it was so great to see research focused on the experiences of youth who have been in foster care. My favorite part was reading the narratives, and being able to learn directly through quotes from study participants. I’m hopeful that service providers will read this to know how to better work with kids in OHC, but I’m also hopeful that this research will reach people who make policies and legislation that directly governs the lives of these kids.

Read this book if you like:

Research, sociology, qualitative studies, considering policy implications

Book details:

  • Author: Dr. Lanetta N. Greer
  • Publisher: Archway Publishing
  • Date of Publication: April 26, 2020
  • Age Recommendation: Adults
  • Look up Aged Out on WorldCat to find it at a library near you!

Rival Magic

~ rachelbenzine ~ Leave a comment

Plot:

Antonia is serving as an apprentice to Master Betrys, a super-talented wizard. While Antonia has read all of the spell books she can get her hands on, and flawlessly recites complex spells… the power of her spells doesn’t seem to match the power of her knowledge of spells. And then everything gets way worse when some scullery maid girl named Moppe turns out to be super powerful, and now Antonia is competing for Master Betrys’s attention. When Master Betrys and her apprentices are accused of treason, will Moppe and Antonia be able to get over their differences? They’ll have to go on a quest, face creatures they thought were just legends, and not get petrified while they’re at it. This was such a fun middle-grade book!

What I loved most:

I really love when children’s authors find a way to write in beautiful prose that’s accessible to young readers. Listen to this gorgeous excerpt:

“From this perch high on the mountainside, the scattered fishing boats were like children’s toys bobbing across the blue. Far away but ever-present, the sea filled my vision, wrapping half the horizon in turquoise and azure. I’d never seen my home like this. It made something catch in my throat. Awe. Or maybe thankfulness. It was so beautiful.”

(Rival Magic, Chapter 9)

COME ON. The imagery. The actual picture painted in your head. This is the kind of thing that really pulls a kid into a story – when you feel like you’re seeing what the characters are seeing. I’ve read a lot of adult authors who do this well, but it seems harder to execute successfully for children. Absolutely gorgeous.

Read this book if you like:

Friendship stories, celebrating unique strengths, celebrating differences, teamwork, magic, fantasy creatures, quests

Book details:

  • Author: Deva Fagan
  • Publisher: Atheneum
  • Date of Publication: April 2020
  • Age Recommendation: 4th – 6th grade
  • Look up Rival Magic on WorldCat to find it at library near you!

Roar

~ rachelbenzine ~ Leave a comment

Plot:

Aurora is the heir to the Pavan throne. Her family is one of the oldest Storming bloodlines in existence, and Aurora’s storm magic abilities are rumored to be one of the most powerful of all time. Little does everyone know… Aurora has shown no signs of her family’s legendary gifts.

When faced with an arranged marriage, Aurora is ready to submit to her fate. Yet when she encounters a young storm hunter who was born without magic, but took it from the heart of a storm, she dreams of charting her own path. Roar is the first book in the Stormheart trilogy. The second book has already been published, and the conclusion is currently scheduled to come out in 2021.

What I loved most:

I’ve read a lot of YA fantasy books. And don’t get me wrong, I love a typical YA fantasy world – but it seems like so many of them tell the same story over and over again. Roar tells a new story. The world and the magic in this series are so unique. I’ve never encountered a fantasy world built around storm magic. I also loved the concept of people being able to take magic for themselves, rather than relying on inheriting magic through their bloodline. Three cheers for creating your own destiny!

Read this book if you like:

Fantasy trilogies, strong female protagonists, romance, challenging people’s expectations for your life

Things to be aware of:

There is some sexual content, so this might not be appropriate for high school students. There is also spirit magic involved in part of the book.

Book details:

  • Author: Cora Carmack
  • Publisher: Tor Teen
  • Date of Publication: June 13, 2017
  • Series: Stormheart #1
  • Age Recommendation: Late high school to college
  • Look up Roar on WorldCat to find it at library near you!