Review:A deceptively simple graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang, American Born Chinese is a triptych of stories, all of which revolve around the idea of assimilation. One is about a Chinese-American student struggling to fit in to a predominantly white school; one is about an "all-American" kind of kid who's mortified by the behavior of his Chinese cousin, who's almost literally a walking ethnic caricature; and the third is about the Monkey King and his struggle to be accepted by all of the other gods. Tha... Read more

Review:Paul is lucky to have a supportive and loving family who accept him as he is. He's apparently screwed up his chance with the one who might be "the one" and his best friend Joni is losing herself in a new relationship. The ex-boyfriend (who broke his heart) seems to want him back and his closeted gay friend is drowning in his parents' religion. It's a big mixed-up world and Paul is only trying to find a way to make sure everyone (including himself) is okay, if not happy.

On the one hand, I... Read more

Review:***Spoilers****
Starts out as promising but ends so glum & gloomy that i was sorry i read it. i don't know if the author had a target audience in mind. He is gay, as am i, and any gay person knows the risks & difficulties of being so, even with all the progress. But this book is not so much overshadowed as completely subsumed by homophobic events and their aftermath.The main character suffers 2 severe gay bashings, the second one nearly fatal as he is thrown through the glass lobby do... Read more

Review:This book is gives a realistic perspective of events than are happening around us today. As an educator, I would use this for a literature discussion for 8th grade and up. Tells both sides of a story. I couldn't put it down Read more

Review:This book gave me the same vibe that Lies My Girlfriend Told Me by Julie Ann Peters when I read that two years ago. Griffin's heart is broken when Theo dies and he seeks answers in Jackson, Theo's current boyfriend who was with him when he drowned. Griffin broke up with Theo when he achieved an early acceptance into college across the country. Griffin felt it was best for Theo to start fresh because he felt him and Theo would be the end product, Griffin never expected for Theo to find someone to... Read more

Review:A gorgeous, gut-wrenching story of loss, loneliness, and learning to let other people in. Although WE ARE OKAY doesn't have much of a plot, I was captivated regardless by both the delicate specificity of the prose and by Marin's journey toward recovery. Once the flashbacks were introduced I found my footing in a hurry, and when I reached the final page I couldn't help wishing that I had more time with these characters. Watching them grow into their new lives and new selves was a joy, even when i... Read more

Review:While I enjoyed the journey back to Creekwood, and the familiar tensions of change that the end of high school brings, I could not stand Leah. I am (apparently) in the minority with this, considering the glowing reviews, but I find her a tremendously unsympathetic character. If she was unaware of her faults, it would have been much easier to get through, but she REPEATEDLY exhibits how self-aware of her attitude she is, and her reluctance to change is just disgusting. Her situation is understand... Read more

Review:I gave this book 4.5 Stars but rounded up to 5 since it was closer to 5 than 4.

This book has an absolutely amazing concept. It was engrossing from the very first chapter and I found the characters to be extremely likable while also being real, flawed human beings. I found myself wishing so many times that *somehow* they won’t both die at the end. I knew this was going to be a very painful journey.

I loved how it hops to different people and that it specifies at the beginning of ea... Read more

Review:What would you do if you were able to save the planet from being destroyed by aliens? That's a decision Henry had to make in this book. It was very witty and sarcastic in the beginning and that definitely drew me in. It touches on homophobia and exploring one's sexuality which is also a plus about this book. I think it really looks at the bigger picture and about how we are all minuscule in the universe and we are just one planet in one galaxy. I think that bigger philosophical question weighs o... Read more

Review:With twenty-six crushes and zero kisses in her life, Molly Peskin-Suso wonders if she needs to step outside of her comfort zone. Her twin sister, Cassie, is the the totally opposite. Cassie is an extrovert and she can get a girl's number super easily. The problem for Molly is finding the right person at the exact right moment which is hard to come by.

Becky Albertalli opens up The Upside of Requited with humor. Molly is introduced and she is very likable from the start to the point where ... Read more