Roar

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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!

Tune It Out

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Plot:

Lou has never liked big crowds, or people touching her, or loud noises. She may not have a life like most other kids, but she knows she’s safe with her mom. In between shows where she has to sing in front of crowds, she and her mom sleep in their truck. They’re staying in a town that Lou likes, and hopefully they will be there for a while. But when an accident happens and Child Protective Services gets involved, Lou has to move to a brand new place, with a family she doesn’t know. Starting at a new school is never fun, and Lou just wants to fly under the radar. But a persistent friend, a school counselor, and a loving aunt and uncle help her realize that maybe things will be alright after all.

What I loved most:

In so many books about neurodivergence, the differently-abled character is a sibling/friend/side character. That’s not the case in Tune It Out – Lou gets to be the heroine of her own story. At the beginning of the book, she’s never heard the term “sensory processing disorder”. By the end, she’s working on coping skills and management strategies, and boldly tells her mom about SPD and what it means. It’s SO important for children to see themselves reflected in the literature that they read – and not just as a side character. Three cheers for differently-abled protagonists!

Read this book if you like:

Contemporary fiction, complicated families, neurodivergent protagonists, music, theater, accepting who you are

Book details:

  • Author: Jamie Sumner
  • Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
  • Date of Publication: Sept 1, 2020
  • Age Recommendation: 5th – 8th graders
  • Look up Tune It Out on WorldCat to find it at a library near you!

On the Clock

~ rachelbenzine ~ Leave a comment

Plot:

After the newspaper she worked at folded, Emily Guendelsberger started working in one of Amazon’s fulfillment centers. As a journalist, she was interested in not only experiencing this kind of work first-hand, but also talking to the people who worked in this type of low-wage job. This journey took her from the isolated warehouse aisles of Amazon, to a call center working on behalf of AT&T, to the ultimate low-wage job: McDonalds. On the Clock is an insightful look at the service industry, the way that major corporations treat their employees, and the future of low-wage work in the time of artificial intelligence and increasing automation.

What I loved most:

In this book, Guendelsberger acknowledged that she might have a different experience of these kinds of jobs than most people who work them long-term. She frequently reminded herself while working at Amazon that this was a temporary gig for her. She takes care to include the perspectives of her coworkers, for whom these jobs are a longer term lifestyle. It’s so easy to live in a bubble, never considering the perspectives of people with experiences different than ours. This book is important reading for all people, but seems extra important for those who live in relative luxury. A real person has to go find that loofah you ordered from Amazon and get it ready to be shipped to you. A real person is on the other side of the phone when you’re mad about having to pay your bill. A real person just prepared that Big Mac for you. On the Clock reminds us to treat all people with the dignity they deserve.

Read this book if you like:

Low-key economics, considerations of the job market, memoirs

Book details:

  • Author: Emily Guendelsberger
  • Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
  • Date of Publication: July 16, 2019
  • Age Recommendation: Adult
  • Look up On the Clock on WorldCat to find it at a library near you!