Reviewed By:  Mrs. McMartin
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You would like this book if you like Science Fiction

Review:

In a world where aliens and humans are locked in bitter war and hatred, Lucky lives the life of a normal human boy - that is until he one day awakens to discover he has developed an incredible new power.

In his search to find answers regarding his new found power, Lucky is forced to put aside his inherited hatred of aliens and join forces with the crew of an alien ship who travel with him through the universe to help him discover the source of his mysterious new power. Along the way, Lucky realizes that his destiny and the fate of the universe are intertwined and he and his new aliens friends soon find themselves in a race to save the universe.

Reviewed By:  Mrs. McMartin
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You would like this book if you like Powerful Picture Books

Review:

When Canadian author Margriet Ruurs was searching online, she came across beautiful pictures of intricate stone art. Intrigued, she hunted down the artist and learned the pieces were created by artist Nizar Ali Badr, an artist living in the streets of war torn Syria.

This book is the product of a collaboration between Ruurs and Ali Badr who worked together different from parts of the world to create this powerful story of the refugee experience illustrated by the stunning stone artwork of Ali Badr created from stones collected from the streets of Syria.

Reviewed By:  Mrs. McMartin
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You would like this book if you like Powerful Picture Books

Review:

Kateri is a young girl who is being raised by her loving grandmother. What is missing from her life, however, is her Nimama (mother) who was one of the missing and murdered aboriginal women in Canada.

This powerful story tells of the impact the deaths of these women have had on the families and the children they have left behind.

Reviewed By:  Mrs. McMartin
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You would like this book if you like Powerful Picture Books

Review:

This book is particularly timely because of the refugee crisis facing many people today. The haunting pictures in this book and the poetic text tell the story of one journey that represents many journeys that refugees today are facing on a daily basis. 

Through this book you will discover what it feels like to leave your home and everything you know behind to embark on a dangerous journey all in the attempt to find a better life for you and your family. 

Reviewed By:  Mrs. McMartin
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You would like this book if you like Graphic Novels

Review:

This is the story of the epic Haida hero Red and his quest to find his sister Jaada after she is kidnapped from their village.

The classic Haida story is beautifully brought to life using Japanese manga-style illustrations resulting in a fusion of traditional story telling and a modern art form resulting in an engaging and dynamic reading experience.

Reviewed By:  Mrs. McMartin
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You would like this book if you like Graphic Novels

Review:

In this biographical graphic novel, author Cece Bell tells the story of her childhood where she suffered hearing loss at a young age and was forced to wear a big, bulky and ugly hearing aid.

Having to wear a hearing aid made her stick out like a sore thumb in class and caused the other kids to tease her. Instead of giving up, however, this hilarious story tells of how Cece turns herself into a superhero called El Deafo and begins to view her hearing loss and the ultimate superpower rather than a disadvantage.

Reviewed By:  Mrs. McMartin
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You would like this book if you like Mystery

Review:

Scarlett is a smart and daring 15- year old Muslim American crime-fighter extraordinaire. In the first book in the series Scarlett is tasked with investigating a local boy's death. What first looks like an open and shut case of suicide soon leads Scarlett down a dark path of cults, intrigue and deception.

If you like strong heroes and fast-pace adventure, this is the book for you! 

Reviewed By:  Mrs. McMartin
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You would like this book if you like Realistic Fiction and Mystery

Review:

Montgomery Sole has never felt like she fit in. If it weren't for her two best friends, Thomas and Naoki, life would be unbearable. Between seeing the world differently than the rest of the popular kids and living with her two lesbian moms and having a gay best friend, Montgomery is object of teasing and ridicule on a daily basis.

To escape the torments of their daily lives, Montgomer, Thomas and Naoki create Jefferesson High's Mystery club - of which they are the only three members. Through this club, the three friends explore the weird and unknown and along the way realize what is really important in life.

Reviewed By:  Mrs. McMartin
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You would like this book if you like Realistic Fiction

Review:

16- year old Rashad and Quinn's lives were forever changed the day Rashad decided to stop at a convenience store on his way home from practice for a bag of chips. When Rashad is mistaken for a shoplifter because is African American, he is beaten nearly to death by police officer Paul Galluzo.

The only witness to the event, Quinn, is Rashad's team mate and classmate, but is also best friend with officer Galluzo's younger brother and he is torn between his loyalty to his friends and his desire to do the right thing and report what he saw.

This novel is a stunning portrayal of how the beating of an innocent African American boy divides a town and reveals deep-seeded issues of racism that exist in our society today. 

Reviewed By:  Mrs. McMartin
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You would like this book if you like Realistic Fiction

Review:

Caden Bosch is torn between two worlds: his real life where he is your average high school student living his day-to-day life and the world of his mind where is he is the captain of a ship travelling to the deepest part of the Earth, Challenger Deep in the Southern part of the Mariana's Trench.

Acting as a metaphor for Caden's struggle with schizophrenia the world of the ship slowly begins to take over his life. This novel is a power portrayal of mental illness and the all-encompassing effect it has on the lives of both Caden and the people who care most for him.