Young Adult – Page 2 – Julia's Bookshelves

Review: All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O’Donoghue

June 16, 2022

Magic and mystery—some of what readers can expect in this coming of age story from author Caroline O’Donoghue.

When Maeve discovers a pack of tarot cards in the basement of St. Bernadette’s Catholic School, her popularity skyrockets. Every girl in the school is clamoring to receive one of Maeve’s eerily accurate readings. Everyone except Lily, Maeve’s ex-best friend. When Lily finally receives a reading, she draws a card that Maeve has never seen before. And the next day, Lily disappears without a trace. … More Review: All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O’Donoghue

Review: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

May 9, 2022

Mystery! Lies! Girl detectives! A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder has it all. Pippa Fitz-Amobi has an unconventional idea for her EPQ project. Five years ago, teenagers Andie Bell disappeared in the town of Little Kilton. Investigation opened, and suspicion turned to Andie’s boyfriend, Sal Singh. But before any formal charge could be made, Sal committed suicide. … More Review: A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

Review: The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

May 1, 2022

Hazel and her brother Ben are no strangers to the world of faeries. In their town of Fairfold, locals know that the magic of the faeries in the woods is something you must know how to protect yourself from. … More Review: The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

My Ridiculous Obsession with Vampire Academy

December 2, 2021

Over the summer, I was shopping at a discount store when I spotted this: I texted the photo to my roommate with the caption “pov you’re in heaven” because that’s the honest truth. Were my eyes deceiving me or was Spirit Bound from the Vampire Academy series finally about to enter my possession? I first … More My Ridiculous Obsession with Vampire Academy

Review: Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare

March 8, 2021

A new mystery thwarts Cordelia and the Merry Thieves of London The newest installment of the Shadowhunter Chronicles by Cassandra Clare, Chain of Iron, hits all of those notes that made the original series so popular. New time period, (semi) new place, new drama, and new characters populate the second installment of The Last Hours … More Review: Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare

Review: A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

February 15, 2021

I am always on the quest for more fantasy YA, especially immersive fantasy YA. With A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown, I built up so much anticipation for a well written and exciting story. I am here to report that I was very much pleased with this book. The story follows … More Review: A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown

Books I Read in Middle School

February 8, 2021

Ah, middle school. There was a point in time where I would beg my mom to drive me to the library every week and she would have to limit the amount of books I’d check out. I think my subconscious goal was to read everything in the “Teen/Young Adult” section of the library. I must … More Books I Read in Middle School

Review: I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

February 3, 2021

A Non-Binary Coming of Age & Romance I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver Buy the book here Page Count: 336 Genre: Young Adult, LGBTQ+ Fiction, Romance Content warnings: Homophobia, transphobia, misgendering, bad coming out, depression, emotional child abuse I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver is a Young Adult novel … More Review: I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

Review: Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

October 18, 2020

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson is a poetry memoir geared towards an adolescent audience that focuses on the author’s childhood. Brown Girl Dreaming has a long list of accolades including winning a National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, a John Newberry Medal, and the Coretta Scott King Award. I was recommended Brown Girl … More Review: Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Is Percy Jackson a Bildungsroman?

October 4, 2020

I casually mention the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan a lot on this blog, but I’ve yet to dive into real discussion of it! My first encounter with this series was way back in third grade. During our Greek Mythology unit (which I was fully immersed in) my teacher lent me a copy of … More Is Percy Jackson a Bildungsroman?

Julia's Bookshelves

Book Reviews and Book Adventures

Category: Young Adult