Saleena's picks 6/15/22

 

Hazard is a short book with some deep thoughts....

The basic premise is that Hazard is being forced to go to a therapist because of something that happened at football practice.  The book is all from Hazard's POV, and alternates between emails to his therapist and his own memories of various events.  It is quickly apparent to the reader that Hazard has some issues relating to his father's hospitalization, his mother's apparent abandonment (she's at the hospital with his father) and struggling to figure himself out.....as well as the whole toxicity that surrounds "being a man"......

This book felt a bit quick in places, like it jumped over some big things with just a quick mention; but overall, it works.




It is quickly becoming apparent to me that Khorram is going to be an author I ALWAYS need to read because I will adore the book.
In Kiss & Tell, we are following the "gay boy" of boy band Kiss & Tell as he and his friends tour and explode in popularity.  The pull and pull of labels, expectations, press tours & the ideas of what being gay means vs what it is for himself as a person are all tackled.  What is also looked at is the bonds of friendship, falling in love, racism, and growing up (with the painful parts that happen sometimes).  On the surface, this is a fluffy love story, but underneath is a lot and it's all SO good. 
Highly recommended.






Wanted to throw in some quick NF, and since it's Pride month, this made for a good choice.  Pride is a quick, easy (very surface, no deep dives) guide to the history of the LGBTQ+ movement.  Lots of pictures, and some interesting things you may not know, so worth checking out.  If you want something deeper, there are some amazing books to move onto.






I know this is a Tween book, but if you want something fun and silly this is a great option!  Johnson does a middle school version of Ocean's 11 but centered around a middle school election for class president with a bit of scandal and lies to spice things up a bit.

I really enjoyed this, enough that I have just borrowed the next book in the series. Definitely a great "potato chip book".....pure junk food for the brain, but oh so delicious!



Be sure & look at the "It's All About the Story" blog for reviews & thoughts about manga & comics for teens & adults.   =)


See ya at the library!


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