Hillsboro_RobP's Completed Shelf
Filter your results by...
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Mar 24, 2024
Barefoot Dreams of Petra LunaBarefoot Dreams of Petra Luna, Book
by Dobbs, Alda P.Book - 2021Book, 2021
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Mar 19, 2024
Comment:
A grim accounting of one girl's flight during the Mexican Revolution in 1913 that highlights perseverance and bravery alongside a bloody, emotional piece of historical middle-grade fiction.
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Mar 18, 2024
Comment:
A young girl receives a supernatural gift, but it is her own bravery that is the key to saving her kingdom.
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Mar 17, 2024
Comment:
A tale of two friends out of their element as Cash and Delaney leave rural Tennessee for a wealthy boarding school. Wrestling with the opioid crisis, poverty, grief, growth and discovery, Zentner writes both for and as the intelligent, emotionally deep young man wrestling with introspection, love, poetry and burgeoning adulthood. Although any one piece might seem too much of something- overwritten prose, stereotypes of Appalachian poverty, etc.- the pieces come together for a work that's both moving and feels incredibly true to the character.
Introspective teenage boys will absolutely see themselves in Cash and his poetry, making this a much needed and important book.A tale of two friends out of their element as Cash and Delaney leave rural Tennessee for a wealthy boarding school. Wrestling with the opioid crisis, poverty, grief, growth and discovery, Zentner writes both for and as the intelligent, emotionally…
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Mar 17, 2024
Comment:
Fulfills the "cozy fantasy" promise Baldree made writing the first break-out success and gives Viv some meaningful connections in her prequal. Bookshops and Bonedust is just as pleasant as you'd hope with instantly endearing characters.
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Mar 06, 2024
Comment:
With complex pressures, achingly real characters and big tears, Christina Li has done it again. Since the death of her Ye-Ye, Ruby has withdrawn from her friends, become sullen with her family and lost her spark for school. The resulting summer with her grandmother pushes Ruby to her emotional limit but also might be the catalyst she needs to reach out for help. Hard-hitting middle-grade fiction at its best.With complex pressures, achingly real characters and big tears, Christina Li has done it again. Since the death of her Ye-Ye, Ruby has withdrawn from her friends, become sullen with her family and lost her spark for school. The resulting summer with…
The Losers at the Center of the GalaxyThe Losers at the Center of the Galaxy, Book
by Heider, Mary WinnBook - 2021Book, 2021
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Mar 06, 2024
Comment:
A silly story with a few serious twists, Heider's novel of two young siblings growing up the absence of their missing football father has glowing science, shiny tubas, dancing cats and undercover teacher conspiracies to entertain the reader along the way. Funny and bright, this style of fun that borders on the surreal may not be for everyone but readers of Gordon Korman books will find the hijinks comfortably familiar.A silly story with a few serious twists, Heider's novel of two young siblings growing up the absence of their missing football father has glowing science, shiny tubas, dancing cats and undercover teacher conspiracies to entertain the reader along…
So Many StevesSo Many Steves, Downloadable Audiobook
by Gopnik, AdamDownloadable Audiobook - 2023Downloadable Audiobook, 2023
Available
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Mar 05, 2024
Comment:
What's not to love about a conversation with Steve Martin? Like most conversation, it has its highs and lows, not every idea is good but this brief encounter is well worth its runtime and and easy pick-up for even casual fans of Mr. Martin.
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Mar 05, 2024
Comment:
A spicy romantasy that gets its footing from an all-too relatable refugee crisis, political warfare and the othering of people who look different. While it won't convince readers who don't normally enjoy the genre, it feels very complete by its satisfyingly ending and would fit well with most readers of fantasy romance.A spicy romantasy that gets its footing from an all-too relatable refugee crisis, political warfare and the othering of people who look different. While it won't convince readers who don't normally enjoy the genre, it feels very complete by its…
AccountableAccountable, BookThe True Story of A Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed
by Slater, DashkaBook - 2023Book, 2023
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Mar 05, 2024
Comment:
At the core, this story sheds much needed light on the role of peer pressure, technology and the pervasive nature of racism as it presents so often in the culture of today. Short chapters and insightful interviews make for a readable account of this drama, made more compelling as it could so easily happen (and likely is happening) anywhere at any time. The author could have and should have cut some of the creative content- poems, musings and creative nonfiction elements because the story stands very well on its own legs.At the core, this story sheds much needed light on the role of peer pressure, technology and the pervasive nature of racism as it presents so often in the culture of today. Short chapters and insightful interviews make for a readable account of this…
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Mar 05, 2024
Comment:
Although readers looking for wacky wrestling antics will have to be patient with this one, Perez tells a moving and complicated story about family- found family, biological family, legacy and choice. Alternating between heavy personal moments and delightful fun, Tumble achieves a smart balance between all of its elements while keeping Adele's voice as a believable character we're happy to root for. If you read realistic J-fiction, Tumble should make your list.Although readers looking for wacky wrestling antics will have to be patient with this one, Perez tells a moving and complicated story about family- found family, biological family, legacy and choice. Alternating between heavy personal moments and…
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Feb 22, 2024
Comment:
A 12yo girl with Asperger's loves homonyms, prime numbers and her dog Rain. The dog survives, but the reader's poor heart might not.
This sort of neurodivergent empathy story could have taken the easy route to some heavy emotions, but Martin is clever and clinical in adding depth she needed to, perfecting Rose's perspective and putting the big feelings between the lines. An absolute must for hard-hitting j-fiction readers who aren't afraid of risking their hearts.A 12yo girl with Asperger's loves homonyms, prime numbers and her dog Rain. The dog survives, but the reader's poor heart might not.
This sort of neurodivergent empathy story could have taken the easy route to some heavy emotions, but Martin is…
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Feb 21, 2024
Comment:
Horrific insanity at its most intelligent, Dickinson has created something unique, genius, compelling, terrifying and unapologetically original. First contact, genocide, ethical philosophy, war trauma, religion and science fiction that swings from deeply researched realism to the physics of plot armor, Exordia is maybe one of the best books I can't in good conscious recommend anyone reading.Horrific insanity at its most intelligent, Dickinson has created something unique, genius, compelling, terrifying and unapologetically original. First contact, genocide, ethical philosophy, war trauma, religion and science fiction that swings from…
The House That Wasn't ThereThe House That Wasn't There, Book
by Arnold, Elana K.Book - 2021Book, 2021
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Feb 21, 2024
Comment:
A fairly conflict-free story of new friends, change, kittens and a small magical detour.
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Feb 21, 2024
Comment:
A simple story of a girl with extreme anxiety learning to develop herself as she cares for a skittish fainting goat. A reliable, feel-good tale about neurodivergence and empathy.
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Feb 21, 2024
Comment:
A magical circus for kids who believe, Circus Mirandus hits on magical realism tropes that I don't always enjoy but finds its feet in the second half, ending up right where it should be the conclusion. Although a few characters don't get the depth or treatment they deserve, any middle-grade reader intrigued by the premise will be happy with Beasley's delivery.A magical circus for kids who believe, Circus Mirandus hits on magical realism tropes that I don't always enjoy but finds its feet in the second half, ending up right where it should be the conclusion. Although a few characters don't get the depth…
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Feb 07, 2024
Comment:
A teen thriller that spins around social secrets, racism, justice and homophobia as they exist both in Black culture and institutional systems. Deep characters and strong writing offset the sometimes less realistic thriller elements for a twisty, memorable experience that the author writes as an allegory for her experiences.A teen thriller that spins around social secrets, racism, justice and homophobia as they exist both in Black culture and institutional systems. Deep characters and strong writing offset the sometimes less realistic thriller elements for a twisty,…
Fifty-four Things Wrong With Gwendolyn RogersFifty-four Things Wrong With Gwendolyn Rogers, Book
by Carter, CaelaBook - 2021Book, 2021
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Feb 07, 2024
Comment:
A nuerodivergent empathy read offering comfort and catharsis for children with mental health or behavioral struggles of any kind. You are more than your diagnoses, more than your faults, and Carter's emotional novel reinforces that you are not alone.
Just JerryJust Jerry, BookHow Drawing Shaped My Life : A Memoir
by Pinkney, JerryBook - 2023Book, 2023
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Feb 07, 2024
Comment:
An illustrated story of success through work and persistence that really feels like it could have been written by one of your best friends.
CosmoknightsCosmoknights, Graphic NovelBook 1
by Templer, HannahGraphic Novel - 2019Graphic Novel, 2019
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Feb 07, 2024
Comment:
Get caught up in gay space crime as a team of rebels goes undercover to win -and free- the hand of every princess in the galaxy by competing on the ruthless spectacle that is the Cosmoknights. It really lives up to the premise but will rely on the future volumes for a final verdict.Get caught up in gay space crime as a team of rebels goes undercover to win -and free- the hand of every princess in the galaxy by competing on the ruthless spectacle that is the Cosmoknights. It really lives up to the premise but will rely on the…
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Feb 07, 2024
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Feb 07, 2024
Comment:
A dark, gothic haunted-house tale reminiscent of Rebecca and The Haunting of Hill House puts a stability-seeking new bride in charge of an ancient home with secrets and grudges in equal measure. Her only ally is a tall and mysterious priest with his own family secrets. An opus that makes time during the scares to create a breathing world of complex racial and class dynamics that propel the characters to their fates.A dark, gothic haunted-house tale reminiscent of Rebecca and The Haunting of Hill House puts a stability-seeking new bride in charge of an ancient home with secrets and grudges in equal measure. Her only ally is a tall and mysterious priest with his…
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Feb 07, 2024
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Jan 24, 2024
Comment:
A mind-bending dive into deep future technologies, alien contact and high-tech espionage that presents as a series of vignettes into five characters that will eventually jumpstart mankind's salvation from an existential threat. Smartly written and deeply though out, Hamilton's narrative has clearly put in the work-but sorting out the times and characters along the distracting threads is ultimately up to the reader.A mind-bending dive into deep future technologies, alien contact and high-tech espionage that presents as a series of vignettes into five characters that will eventually jumpstart mankind's salvation from an existential threat. Smartly written and…
Hillsboro_RobP's rating:
Added Jan 24, 2024
Comment:
A moving portrait of homelessness and fortitude written from the perspective of two youth -one uprooted amidst tragedy and another whose a long-term resident of the family homeless shelter. Glaser writes with experience and her protagonists never lack for conviction in their need to be heard, grow, learn and create art.A moving portrait of homelessness and fortitude written from the perspective of two youth -one uprooted amidst tragedy and another whose a long-term resident of the family homeless shelter. Glaser writes with experience and her protagonists never…
Comment: