A lot of people binge Netflix. I binge read books. These two were.just.excellent. I just cannoteven. Must reads. How wonderful these are out for kids/tweens/teens/us to read- the writing is just so fantastic. Indie bookstore or library these!
AMARI
Amari Peters has never stopped believing her missing brother, Quinton, is alive. Not even when the police told her otherwise, or when she got in trouble for standing up to bullies who said he was gone for good.
So when she finds a ticking briefcase in his closet, containing a nomination for a summer tryout at the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs, she’s certain the secretive organization holds the key to locating Quinton—if only she can wrap her head around the idea of magicians, fairies, aliens, and other supernatural creatures all being real.
Now she must compete for a spot against kids who’ve known about magic their whole lives. No matter how hard she tries, Amari can’t seem to escape their intense doubt and scrutiny—especially once her supernaturally enhanced talent is deemed “illegal.” With an evil magician threatening the supernatural world, and her own classmates thinking she’s an enemy, Amari has never felt more alone. But if she doesn’t stick it out and pass the tryouts, she may never find out what happened to Quinton.
Watch Us Rise
Jasmine and Chelsea are best friends on a mission, they’re sick of the way women are treated even at their progressive NYC high school. They decide to start a Women’s Rights Club. They post their work online: poems, essays, videos of Chelsea performing her poetry, Jasmine’s response to the racial microaggressions she experiences and soon they go viral. But with such positive support, the club is also targeted by trolls. When things escalate in real life, the principal shuts the club down. Not willing to be silenced, Jasmine and Chelsea will risk everything for their voices and those of other young women to be heard.
These two dynamic, creative young women stand up and speak out in a novel that features their compelling art and poetry along with powerful personal journeys that will inspire readers and budding poets, feminists, and activists.
These books were so very good. Watch US Rise is my Middle Grade Buddy Read YA choice for this month.
