Poems and Poets

Publication Date: January 11th 2018 Genre: Historical Fiction My Goodreads Rating: 5/5 Source : Own Copy This novel is based on the true story of two Slovakian Jews who survived the horror of the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp. Lale Sokolov was made the tattooist at Auschwitz and had to scratch numbers into his fellow inmates' arms every day. He was forced to carve what eventually became a prominent symbol of this terrible time. Lale used this position of relative superiority to create a small business of trade. His survival and that of those around him, depended on it. His post allowed him a certain degree of movement, which he used to exchange money and jewels taken from his murdered comrades for food and essential supplies. "Many owed him their survival"

                                                              Publication Date: February 28th, 2017 Genre: Young Adult, My Goodreads Rating: 5/5 Source: Own Copy Starr Carter attends a fancy suburban prep school. She has friends who live in suburbia and spend hundreds of dollars on clothes and makeup. Starr can't afford that. Starr goes home to a poor neighborhood, where tragedy seems to be the norm. The balance she's managed to strike between her two worlds is shattered when tragedy befalls her community again. Starr witnesses a policeman shoot her childhood friend, Khalil. He was unarmed. Now his death is making headlines around the country. People are calling him a drug dealer, a gangbanger and so many other things. The cops try to intimidate Starr. The local drug lord tries to intimidate Starr's family. All the while, sh...

Publication Date:  26th June 2018 Genre: Historical Fiction My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 Source: Publisher, through Edelweiss+ Holland in its Golden Age still has its secrets. In 1654, small-town girl Catrin has just lost her husband. It's a sudden death, but Catrin can't say she's sorry. It's her chance to escape the small town and its rumors, start anew in the big city. She takes on a role as a housekeeper to the Van Nulandt family but struggles to keep a low profile.                                                                                       Her talents as an aspiring young artist are soon discovered by local master, Rembrandt. Her opportunities are stripped away, however, when a figure from her past threatens her. She runs away to the city of De...

Publication Date:  June 23rd, 2015 Genre:  Young Adult, Romance, Realistic Fiction My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 Source:  Own Copy Emmy's best friend was kidnapped ten years ago. Life in her small town home has been stilted since Oliver was taken by his father. Her parents are the most over-protective parents in town and she keeps so many secrets from them it's hard to keep count. Then Oliver comes back. After ten years, Oliver finally learns that his father was the bad guy. It wasn't his mother who deserted him, it wasn't a messy separation that led to him never seeing her again. He needs time to figure out his new world. He's back in a place he doesn't remember calling home and his life has changed drastically. In the second grade, Emmy and Oliver pledged to be best friends forever. Has their relationship withstood the test of time and distance? Can they mend their friendship and build it into something greater? Emmy has held onto him for a decade. Has Ol...

Publication Date: October 3rd 2017 Genre: Thriller My Goodreads Rating: 5/5 Source: Own Copy Robert Langdon, the reputed Harvard professor of symbology and religious iconology, has been invited by his former student to a precious unveiling. Langdon arrives at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, to hear his student's discovery that will "change the face of science forever". The evening has been wonderfully organized, with special effects and constant surprises. As Kirsch (student) begins his presentation, providing two of humanity's most sought-after questions, however, it seems that these answers might be lost. In life-threatening circumstances, Langdon flees Bilbao and works to de-code Kirsch's password and reveal his hard work. He's accompanied by Ambra Vidal, the museum director who helped Kirsch create this marvelous display.

Publication Date: April 5th 2016 Genre: Historical Fiction My Goodreads Rating: 5/5 Source: Borrowed Caroline Ferriday works at the New York French Consulate. Well, she doesn't work there really, she doesn't get paid, but she puts her heart and soul into ensuring the welfare of French immigrants. When Hitler invades Poland and sets his sights on France, her life turns upside down. Of course, Kasia Kuzmerick's life takes an even worse turn when Hitler invades her home country, but she works with the Polish underground to retain some sense of independence. In a neighborhood surrounded by hopeful Poles and resentful Germans, one slip can lead to death. Herta Oberheuser sees a sign for a government medical position and recognizes it as a great way to show that she can be as good as a male doctor. Unfortunately, she finds herself stuck in a Nazi camp working with even more dominating males. All their lives are about to change forever, when Kasia's sent to Rav...

Publication Date: August 15th, 2017 Genre: Young-Adult Contemporary My Goodreads Rating: 3/5 Source: Own Copy Emma's life had forever revolved around the actions of her elder sister, Henri. This wasn't some sort of eternal punishment or trap she couldn't escape- Emma simply adored Henri to the extent that she worshiped her every step and molded her life to fit Henri's. While this may seem like an unhealthy relationship to some, Emma and Henri had perfected their routine- sharing a seamless experience together for all their teen years. Suddenly, after a devastating fight (left a mystery to the audience), the siblings find themselves awash on an island after a boating trip gone wrong, with only a fellow teen to guide them. They must find their way back to each other to find their way home- but with their shattered past, can the sisters shape a new future?

Publication Date: October 3rd, 2017 Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary My Goodreads Rating: 5/5 Source: Publisher (Through Edelweiss) This is the story of three siblings who didn't know they could rely on each other. Joaquin has been in the foster system for 17 years. He's lived the hard life, trying to rid himself of emotions. Finding out that he's an older brother is not what he needs, specially not when his younger sisters want to bond over their biological mother. Grace is an only child, adopted at birth- or so she thought. Now she finds out that she's a middle child, in a family that doesn't want to get closer to one another. Maya is the sarcastic younger sibling, who always thought she was the older child. Adopted at birth by a well-to-do family of red-heads, her younger sister was the miracle birth that came after her adoption. The siblings struggle to form memorable connections, share secrets with each other, or even communicate like regular si...

Publication Date: September 26, 2017 Genre: Middle Grade My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 Source: Publisher (Through Edelweiss) Christa loves Christmas. The holiday season is her favorite season of all time- it's just so perfect! Unfortunately, this year, the holidays are stained by her parents separation. She can't imagine spending the vacations without her father, even when her mom tells her she'll be joining her on a trip across Europe for the winter. A cautious, play-it-safe kind of girl, Christa isn't really looking forward to the crowds and new foods. When she gets to her hotel though, there's a package from her father awaiting her. The first of 12, the letter dares to her complete a task she normally wouldn't. As Christa works to finish the dares and make new friends within her mom's acting troop, her father shapes her into a more confident girl, from halfway across the world!

Publication Date: September 19th 2017 Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 Source: Publisher (Through Edelweiss) Kadi is a young girl in modern-day Timbuktu. Daughter of a scripture librarian. A fan of literature, music and art, she hopes one day to become the esteemed guardian of the scriptures her father currently looks after. Ali is a small-town boy from the villages of Mali. He's joined the Defenders of Faith, a branch of Al Qaeda and is an important player in the take of Timbuktu. As life changes drastically in Timbuktu, Ali and Kadi meet. They hate each other instantly- but something about their natures encourages them to interact with one another. Opening up to each other was a huge mistake- or was it?

Publication Date: September 12th 2017 Genre: Young Adult Fiction My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 Source: Publisher (Through Edelweiss) Wendy's dad was a police officer in Chicago. She always thought he resembled the heroes in movies. That is, until he was arrested. Her life turns upside down when she is ostracized for her last name. To make things worse, she gets threatened on the way back from a party one night. Finally, Wendy meets exactly the right kind of girl to help her build up a defense system. Kenzie is mean, popular, and an alpha. Along with two other girls, Wendy has become part of the school's most popular clique- where no one can touch her. This "toxic friendship" begins to drain Wendy. She knows bullying others to protect herself is wrong. She knows that Kenzie is possibly one of the worst people she has met. But is she so addicted to the safety and power that she should compromise her values?

 Publication Date: September 5th 2017 Genre: Young Adult My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 Source: Publisher (Through Edelweiss) Leo and Caleb aren't best friends. Then again, most siblings have complex relationships. When Caleb's angry though, his outbursts literally send Leo running. This violent behavior forces the family to relocate, to a new setting where Leo and Caleb both hope to prosper. Over time, Leo develops the ability to run fast and think ahead. He joins the cross-country and track teams at his new school, and even befriends a state champion. Learning from the best runner his age, Leo improves his skills and even meets a girl he has a crush on. Yet Caleb still hasn't managed to settle down in his new life. Leo's newfound peace won't last long, because Caleb's jealousy will soon start to show in violent beatings and scary behavior.

Publication Date: September 5th 2017 Genre: Young Adult Contemporary My Goodreads Rating: 2/5 Source: Publisher (Through Edelweiss) Charlotte and Frankie are ordinary, boring high schoolers who live with their almost-normal parents. They don't have a perfect body, or a soulmate (except maybe each other). They haven't had the perfect romance, the best adventure or the wildest party. They are just teenagers. Until Charlotte decides to document their lives in a book to prove how boring they are. Sophomore year is just the same as freshman year, her friends are still the same and she's the kid she always was. Or is she?

Publication Date: 26th September 2017 Genre: Historical Fiction My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 Source: Publisher (Through Edelweiss) Daughter of a well-respected General, Elizabeth Schuyler is well-versed in the standards of social etiquette. Her family often entertains officers and messengers, but none of them leave as much of an impression as her future husband. Alexander Hamilton, soldier and aide to General George Washington, causes Elizabeth's heart to flutter and never really leaves her heart. She courts Alexander briefly and they marry quickly. Amidst the chaos of the American Revolution, Eliza and Alexander find time for their ever-growing family. After the war, Hamilton finds himself devoting more time to work and less to his health, as he becomes an essential part of the government. Hidden from the public eye, Eliza manages the house-hold, calms her husband and helps to stabilize her family. In the capital, she entertains regularly, socializing with the wives of ...

Publication Date: January 5th 2016 Genre: Young Adult My Goodreads Rating: 5/5 Source: Own Copy I know that this is normally where I have a summary of the book- but this book is just so hard to describe without ruining the story. I'm going to say this- the story is about a school shooting. The Opportunity High School students find themselves locked in the auditorium after the principal's speech. A few minutes later someone starts shooting. "Everyone has a reason to fear the boy with the gun". This book has been quite a controversial one. I've been through so many reviews and ratings and what I've understood is that people either hate it or love it. I absolutely loved it!

Publication Date: February 28th 2017 Genre: Middle Grade/ Young Adult My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 Source: Own Copy Alex Petroski is an 11-year-old, space obsessed boy. He also happens to love his mother, his older brother and his dog- named after his hero, Carl Sagan. Alex dreams of launching recordings into space the way Carl Sagan (the hero) launched his golden record on the Voyager. Along with Carl Sagan ( the dog), Alex travels from Colorado to Nevada and from New Mexico to California. What Alex discovers are secrets about his family and a new family that he never imagined existed. When he gets home however, he meets a version of his known family he has never been able to embrace.

Publication Date: August 1st 2017 Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 Source: Publisher (Through Edelweiss) Olivia wakes up confused in a hospital bed. After a week-long coma, she can't remember the accident that brought her to the hospital. What she soon figures out however, is that she's lost four precious years of her life. She can't remember starting- or graduating- from my high school. She doesn't remember her boyfriend Matt. She doesn't remember why one of her best friends is no longer in touch with her. She realizes that she's quite different as an 18-year-old and struggles to figure out who she really is. With a constant army of people supplying her with memories she doesn't know she had, Olivia needs to hear from her savior to figure out the truth. Olivia feels different with tight-lipped Walker, the man who rescued her. As she determines whether or not she still loves Matt, she finds herself getting closer to Wa...

Publication Date: 21st February, 2012 Genre: Young Adult My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 Source: Borrowed' Aristotle is a confused teen with an elder brother in prison- who no one ever mentions. He barely has a relationship with his ex-veteran father and prefers to be alone all the time. Dante is a smart teen with a unique perspective on life. He gets along great with his parents and adds his own flair to everything. He's artistic and science-oriented at the same time When both immigrant teens meet one summer day, they begin hanging out unsure of where their friendship will go. What they discover is a relationship that lasts a lifetime and the opportunity to make a difference in each other's lives.

Publication Date: 25th July 2017 Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary My Goodreads Rating: 4/5 Source: Publisher (Through Edelweiss) Mercedes Moreno is an award-winning artist- who hasn't been able to paint anything decent for over a year. Her painting Food Poisoning #1 won her first place at the County Art Festival, but since then she's had a lack of inspiration. This could be because her Puerto Rican grandmother is comatose after suffering a stroke. It could also be because she is in love with her best friend Victoria, but is too afraid to tell her. Regardless of her struggles, art worms its way into Mercedes' life. A piano shows up on her doorstep one day, and a mysterious artist moves in next door. She gets invited to the Red Mangrove Estate. At the Estate, Mercedes paints and creates like never before. The only problem is that she can't take her work, emotions or "newfound clarity" outside the Estate. As she struggles to deal with her life, Merce...

Publication Date: August 1st, 2017 Genre: Young Adult, Thriller My Goodreads Rating: 3.5/5 Source: Publisher (Through Edelweiss) Lee has just broken out of juvenile prison after taking the fall for her perfect friend. On the run, she encounters a homeless shelter called the "Crystal Castle" where she takes up refuge for a few days. Suspicious of the "too good to be true" environment, Lee discovers that the groups of homeless children disappearing have some inexplicable link to this secret society. After moving away from the shelter, she finds an unexpected ally. Tomi is a young artist and hacker- who has deep knowledge of the cities abandoned buildings and the dark web. Using these skills, Lee and Tomi find perfect hide-out spots to unravel the mystery of the secret society. The further Lee gets from them, the worse damage the society does to the outside world. Is there anything Lee is supposed to be doing to stop it? Can she stop it? Will she risk her...