Author Archives: Val

I chose this book last summer, I think, during a free cereal book giveaway, and I chose it because it had earned the Walter Dean Myers Award for Outstanding Children’s Literature. It did not disappoint. It’s a book about children, … Continue reading →

The book Blackout contains interconnected stories by authors Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon. It’s about a series of Black young adults who find themselves in various parts of New York City during … Continue reading →

Following the life of newly-fifteen-year-old Beatty, a girl growing up near an airfield during the dustbowl era, Airfield is a good read for anyone interested in a coming of age tale, a tale about discovering one’s parent, and a historical look at … Continue reading →

As a fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas, I was drawn to this book, which follows what happens to Sally after the end of the film, when she and Jack finally get together. I wasn’t sure what to expect, since the … Continue reading →

Another middle-grade graphic novel I read to be able to discuss with my daughter. This is a simple but focused story about a fifth grader who drifts away from her friends because of her dyslexia. She has made it this … Continue reading →

My daughter loves graphic novels, and I love that they are a quick way to enjoy a story while also absorbing the visual medium used to help convey characters and plot. Winging It follows the ordeals of a girl named … Continue reading →