Middle Grade Monday: Hail Mariam by Huda Al-Marashi

e-ALC, 04:43:02Narrated by: Karla Maatouk & Huda Al-MarashiRelease Date: February 24, 2026Published by: Books on TapeRead from: February 20, 2026 Stand-aloneSource:  PRH Audio (I received this ALC free from the publisher and their app. This did nothing to influence my review!)Content Warning: For Readers Interested In: Coming of Age, Contemporary, Sparkly Covers, MG, Racial/Ethnic Diversity (Arab/ Iraqi…

Breaking the Ice by Natalie Blitt

Paperback, 256 pagesRelease Date: September 2, 2025Published by: Scholastic PressRead from: November 8-December 23, 2025Stand-aloneSource: Bought at my kid’s Scholastic Book Fair!Content Warning: Injury/Injury Detail (From the past, but recounted a bit on page)For Readers Interested In: Coming of Age, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Sparkly Cover, Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Sports (Hockey & Figure Skating) …

Truth Is by Hannah Sawyerr

ARC, 480 pagesRelease Date: September 23, 2025Published by: Harry N. AbramsRead from: September 4-13, 2025Stand-aloneSource: The Publisher (I received a free ARC from the publisher. I also met the author at the ALA Conference. This did nothing to influence my review)Content Warning: Emotional Abuse, Abortion, Toxic FriendshipFor Readers Interested In: ARC, Coming of Age, Contemporary,…

Fitting Indian by Jyoti Chang (Illustrated by Tara Anand)

e-ARC, 288 pagesRelease Date: May 13, 2025Published by: HarperAlleyRead from: April 25, 2025Stand-Alone Source: Netgalley (I received a free e-ARC from Netgalley and the publisher. This did nothing to influence my review.)Content Warning: Suicide Attempt, Self Harm, Suicidal Thoughts, Alcoholism, Bullying, Emotional Abuse, Domestic Abuse, Physical AbuseFor Readers Interested In: Graphic Novels, Contemporary, Coming of Age,…

Leap by Simina Popescu

e-ARC, 304 pagesRelease Date: November 12, 2024Published by: Roaring Brook PressRead from: December 5-11, 2024Stand-aloneSource: Netgalley (I received a copy of this e-ARC from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)Content Warning: Toxic Relationship, Emotional Abuse, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Eating Disorder, Body Shaming, Alcohol….

Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao

e-Audio, 09:04:04Narrated by: Yu-Li Alice ShenRelease Date: December 31, 2024Published by: Books on Tape (Vikings Books for Young Readers)Read from: December 7-9, 2024Stand-aloneSource: PRH Audio App (I received a copy of this e-ALC from the publisher and their app in exchange for a just and honest review. I also received a physical ARC from the…

My Fairy God Somebody by Charlene Allen

e-Audio, 07:15:15Narrated by: Angel PeanRelease Date: December 3, 2024Published by: Books on TapeRead from: December 1-3, 2024Stand-aloneSource: Netgalley (I received a copy of this e-ALC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)Content Warning: Death of a Parent, For Readers Interested In: Coming of…

Our Shouts Echo by Jade Adia

ARC, 416 pagesRelease Date: August 27, 2024Published by: Disney HyperionRead from: August 11-September 4, 2024Stand-aloneSource: Tx Library Association ConferenceContent Warning: Suicide Ideation, Climate Anxiety, Anxiety SpiralsFor Readers Interested in:  Romance, Coming of Age, Realistic Fiction, YA       Survival Tip #1: The world is going to shit. Whatever you do, trust no one.   …

Take Me Away