#IntlYALitMonth: A Scatter of Light

A Scatter of Light by Malinda Lo After a camera phone, a high school boy, and the internet ruin her reputation, Aria Tang West spends the summer with her grandmother in a small town in California.  Honestly, that beginning didn't hook me in. But as soon as she meets her grandmother's gardener, Steph, she's hooked for … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: A Scatter of Light

#IntlYALitMonth: Pet

Pet, by Akwaeke Emezi DO NOT BE AFRAID. For in Lucille, life is sweet and soft. It has been since the revolution, when the angels disentangled the monsters from society’s fabric and wove it back together, stronger. There are no monsters left. Jam has known this always, as have all the children blossoming in the … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: Pet

#IntlYALitMonth: Redemptor

Redemptor, by Jordan Ifueko Redemptor, sequel to Jordan Ifueko’s Raybearer, is a breathtaking addition to the young adult fantasy genre. As a fan of the first book, I was thrilled to dive back into the magical world that Ifueko has created and explore it even further. One of things that struck me most about Redemptor … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: Redemptor

#IntlYALitMonth: The Girl with the Louding Voice: A Novel

The Girl With the Louding Voice, by Abi Daré In the Nigerian village where fourteen-year-old Adunni lives, girls and women are treated as commodities. The Girl With the Louding Voice by Abi Daré is the story of Adunni finding her “louding voice,” making herself heard in a world that wants her silence. Since her mother … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: The Girl with the Louding Voice: A Novel

#IntlYALitMonth: Night Bus

Night Bus, by Zuo Ma, translated from Chinese by Orion Martin. Early in my reading of Night Bus, something strange happened: I began to feel nostalgic for the Chinese countryside of the 1980’s and 90’s. Not that I’ve ever been to China; Zuo Ma’s ability to evoke a sense of place with his incredibly detailed … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: Night Bus

#IntlYALitMonth: Raybearer

Raybearer, by Jordan Ifueko This is a must-read for anyone looking for an engaging and thought-provoking story. This book has truly impacted me and I can’t recommend it enough. From the very first page, I was drawn into the fascinating and beautiful world that Ifueko has created. The characters are complex and relatable, and the … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: Raybearer

#IntlYALitMonth: Sabrina & Corina: Stories

Sabrina & Corina: Stories Trigger warning: This book contains scenes of violence and sexual assault that some readers may find triggering to read. Home is where Kali Fajardo-Anstine’s debut short story collection Sabrina & Corina takes place. Home is Denver, Colorado, home is familial, generational relationships between women, but home is also being ripped apart by … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: Sabrina & Corina: Stories

#IntlYALitMonth: Catherine’s War

Catherine's War There’s certainly no shortage of WWII stories available for younger readers, especially stories focusing on the devastating impact and consequences of the Holocaust. And at first blush, Catherine’s War seems like just another entry to the cannon of middle grade Holocaust fiction.  But the graphic novel, adapted by Claire Fauvel from Julia Billet’s … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: Catherine’s War

#IntlYALitMonth: Iron Widow

Iron Widow Trigger warning: This book contains scenes of violence and sexual assault that some readers may find triggering to read. Zhao creates a magical world where elements of Chinese history, mythology, Transformers and a dash of Hunger Games are all combined into a nail biting fight to save humanity.  In a futuristic world, civilization … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: Iron Widow

#IntlYALitMonth: Purple Hibiscus

Purple Hibiscus Content Warning: domestic violence, religious trauma, mentions of abuse, depictions of abuse, pregnancy loss, state-sanctioned violence. Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is a coming-of-age novel that juxtaposes the tumult of adolescence with the tumult of a changing nation. Set in 1980s Nigeria and told from the perspective of teenage protagonist, Kambili, Purple … Continue reading #IntlYALitMonth: Purple Hibiscus