Junior Review: Loverboy

The compelling young adult novel Loverboy by esteemed author Ben Tomlinson captures the essence of teenage years, transporting the reader into the life (or should I say love life) of Alfie.

This novel centres Alfie who believes he has found ‘the one’. Meet Maya, his best friend and girl of his dreams. Alfie and Maya share a long, intimate history together. 

They spend both the highs and lows of their life together, their loves and losses, their pains and gains. They share everything, right? Or that’s what they both thought until they discover an underlying romance to their relationship that blurs the line between friends and lovers.

Alfie’s desperate search for love finds him falling for Gwen, one of the close members in their friendship circle and becomes confused when she doesn’t share the same feelings for him. It turns out Gwen was hiding a bigger secret of her own…

Junior Review: Blood Moon Bride

Demet Divaroren’s Blood Moon Bride is a deeply moving and empowering YA fantasy that explores themes of resistance, identity, and the fight against injustices. 

In a world where young women are forced into marriage, auctioned off to the highest bidder, the novel follows teen Rehya, a skilled hunter who is confronted with being sold at the upcoming Blood Moon Ceremony.

With the survival of her valley on the line, Rehya must decide: submit to a life of enslavement or rebel against the system trying to control her fate?

Divaroren’s narrative draws on issues like child marriage, tyranny and gender inequality. The story’s raw portrayal of Rehya’s internal and external battles is resonant, engrossing readers in a world where courage and resilience are the weapons against a discriminative society. 

Junior Review: Thirteen Reasons Why

Jay Asher’s 13 Reasons Why is one of those books that stays with you. It’s emotional, haunting, and painfully honest. 

The story dives into the life and death of Hannah Baker, a high school student who takes her own life. But before she does, she leaves behind a series of cassette tapes. Each one is meant for someone who, in her eyes, played a role in her decision.

This innovative narrative draws readers into her mind, allowing us to hear her voice directly and feel the weight of her experiences. It’s raw, personal, and often uncomfortable , but that’s what makes it so effective.

The story begins when Clay Jensen, one of Hannah’s classmates and someone who once quietly admired her, receives the tapes. 

Junior Review: The Grandest Game

Jennifer Lynn Barnes has really hit it off with this one! The return of favourite characters and new additions are back in a brand new spin-off series of the Inheritance Games.

This new young adult novel is exploding with dramatic tension and mystery. Secretive characters, challenging rivals, impossible puzzles and many dark secrets are combined to create an addictive novel, The Grandest Game.

In an annual game run by Avery Grambs and the four Hawthorne brothers, seven tickets are on offer for the chance of a lifetime. 

On an island of dreams, romance is simmering between characters and lives are at stake in this deadly game. Daunting choices are made, creating plot twists until the very last page.

Junior Review: Love Requires Chocolate

Ravynn K Stringfield cleverly weaves French touches throughout the novel, giving the reader a deeper insight into life as a student abroad in Paris.

Core character, Whitney Curry has thoroughly prepared herself for a semester abroad, arming herself with the perfect, yet extensive to-do list in order to experience the Paris magic at its best. 

Wanting to live the life of her idol, Josephine Baker, Whitney aims to set foot in all the places she did. Although she feels prepared for this trip, unexpected locations (and people) may leave her ideal trip up to chance.

Determined to keep her love and school life separate, the line between the two gets blurred and both her head and heart are overwhelmed.

Junior Review: The Majorly Awkward BFF Dramas of Lottie Brooks

The novel, The Majorly Awkward BFF Dramas of Lottie Brooks by author and illustrator Katie Kirby, is one book in the incredible seven  book Lottie Brooks series, additionally working as a standalone read. 

Having sold 650 000 copies of the Lottie Brooks series internationally, it is clear that tween girls around the world hold Lottie Brooks and her awkward life dear in their hearts. 

Through a sense of relatability, Kirby touches on topics of friendship, puberty, identity, and crushes.

It’s the beginning of a new year and everything in Lottie Brooks’ life seems to be going unusually well: Daniel as her boyfriend, the ‘Fun Police’ (Lottie’s Parents) becoming less anti-fun, and The Queens of Eight Green are better than ever. 

Junior Review: Two Sides To Every Murder

A thrilling page-turner, with plot twists so good you won’t see them coming. Two Sides to Every Murder is perfect for fans of Karen McManus, Holly Jackson, and Cynthia Murphey.

From two teenage girls' point of views, the novel Two Sides to Every Murder is impossible to put down, utilising alternating timelines between 2008 and the present day; it contains plot twists around every corner that keep you hooked.

In 2008 at Camp Lost Lake, two adults were murdered and one disappeared. Reagan’s mother, Lori Knight is deemed guilty of the murders, leaving her with the name ‘The Witch of Lost Lake’ due to the mask she wore whilst murdering her victims with a notorious bow and arrow. 

Junior Review: I Hope This Finds You Well

I Hope This Finds You Well is author Natalie Sue's brutally honest fictional debut novel. This YA title is layered, relatable and darkly funny.

Jolene, the main character suffers with mental health issues anxiety and depression, lacking many social skills. 

Working in a mundane office with her deceiving co-workers, Jolene has a coping mechanism, a way to release her emotions toward each colleague.

Of the few emails she sends and receives, she expresses her blunt thoughts at the end of her message and changes the font colour to white. 

Jolene has never forgotten to change the colour, until now; causing the line between her work life and her love life to blur.

The more Jolene finds out about her colleagues through a newfound glitch in her emailing system, the more things in her life start to unravel. She must do what is necessary to maintain her job, slowly slipping from her fingertips.

Junior Guest Post: Nia Shetty in Conversation with Noel-Andrew Bennett and Roxanne Bennett

Today, our revered Junior Reviewer, Nia Shetty, invites us into conversation with the creators of Jerk Chicken Magic.  Nia's review of their richly illustrated, culturally diverse picture book appeared last week. Enjoy this equally significant and genuine discussion about Celebrating Cultural Heritage and Family Stories.

In a world where diversity is budding into literature, authors Noel-Andrew Bennett and Roxanne Bennett shine a vibrant light with their delightful children's book, Jerk Chicken Magic. In an exclusive interview, the duo shared insights into their creative process, the challenges they faced, and how they created a wholesome book with deeper implications. As an immigrant child myself, I know the importance of these books and teaching children about cultural consciousness at a young age. 

From the beginning of our conversation, it was clear that Noel-Andrew and Roxanne's passion for their cultural heritage was embedded into each page of their work. Drawing inspiration from their Jamaican roots and immigrant experiences in Canada, the couple set out to fill a void they noticed in children's literature. With two young children themself, they aimed to create a children’s book filled with vivid imagery that not only celebrated Jamaica but also resonated with immigrant families worldwide.