Something In Between by Melissa de la Cruz

High school senior Jasmine de los Santos believes she has her future completely mapped out--and she’s done everything right, so she deserves the rewards coming her way. After being honored as a National Scholar and earning a full college scholarship with it, Jasmine’s parents reveal a horrible family secret. She cannot accept the award or the scholarship because she is not an American citizen. After the family’s work visas expired years ago, they had remained in the U.S. illegally and kept the truth from their children. Worst of all, Jasmine’s new boyfriend’s father is the congressman who supported California’s new anti-immigration laws which will likely deport Jasmine and her family. How can Jasmine make her dreams come true and not lose everything she’s worked so hard for? Where do she and her family belong, if not in the home they are fighting to keep and the country they have grown to love? I recommend this book to readers who like reading about hardship, survival, relationships, friendships, identity, and self discovery. I’m also curious if my Latino students will enjoy this book for its relevance exploring the struggles of immigrants in our nation today, or if the story is not as relatable because the main character is Filipino-American.

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Xiomara Batista is a teenage girl, a twin, and a Dominican living in Harlem. She’s also the daughter of strict parents and an extremely religious mother. But most important of all, Xiomara is a poet. She makes herself heard and understood through the words she writes in her notebook, but never says out loud--until everything changes. Xiomara meets Ms. Galiano, learns about the Spoken Word Poetry Club and poetry slams, and she becomes Aman’s lab partner. How will Xiomara find a way to be true to who she really is, and survive living under her mother’s restrictive rules? Told in beautifully written verse by Poetry Slam champion Elizabeth Acevedo, this debut novel must not be missed. I recommend this book to readers who like books in verse, urban fiction, relationships, family struggles, and authors Jason Reynolds, Jacqueline Woodson, and Meg Medina.

Saving Red by Sonya Sones

Although this story is great for any time of the year, it is particularly perfect for the holiday season. Right before winter break, Molly has “volunteered” to help with the annual Santa Monica homeless count to fulfill her school’s required community service hours. What Molly doesn’t expect is Red, a homeless girl who seems so spirited and full of life that Molly becomes determined to reunite Red with her family. Molly makes it her mission to bring Red home by Christmas. Told in exquisite descriptive verse, this captivating tale tells the story of two girls who have both been touched by mental health issues. The closer Molly gets to Red, the more complex her Christmas mission becomes, and the more Molly learns about herself. I recommend this book to readers who have experienced mental health issues, or who want to learn more about it, as well as readers who like reading stories about friendship and family issues. For thematic book talks, teachers could pair this book with No Place by Todd Strasser (realities of homelessness).

Mosquitoland by David Arnold

I really wanted to like this book, but I found that the part I liked the best was the end (maybe because it was over?). While Mim (the female MC) has relatable problems (new, evil stepmother; relocated to a new, crappy state) and some interesting problems (father who wants to medicate her and worries she's crazy), Mim's thought processes were often confusing and rambling. As other reviews have stated, it seemed like this book was trying too hard. The wit was heavy handed and I don't like to be slammed over the head. The best moments were after Walt and Beck showed up, so I'm not sure that says much about Mim as the main character. I recommend this book to readers who like books about characters with mental illness; family drama; road trips and adventure. Although it was not my fave summer read, many people give it 4-5 stars, so it is worth giving it a try. Just don't force yourself to finish it if you're not "feeling the vibe" after the first 50-75 pages.  

How to Save a Life by Sara Zarr

Jill is a teenage girl who is grieving the death of her dad. He was the parent who really understood her—her “mirror” as she calls him. Now Jill and her mom are trying to move forward without the person they love most. And then Jill’s mom drops a bombshell on her: she’s decided to adopt a baby. 

Mandy is a pregnant teen who is hoping to start a new life for herself and her unborn baby. Mandy wants to give her baby the life and home that she’s always dreamed of, but she doesn’t know how to make it happen. When Mandy connects with Jill’s mom, Robin, through an open adoption website, it seems like the perfect solution. But everything gets complicated when Mandy moves in with Jill and Robin during the last few weeks of her pregnancy, and Mandy’s secrets from the past are discovered. I recommend this book to readers who like to read about family issues, death/grieving, teen pregnancy, and relationships. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars—it grabbed my heart and wouldn’t let go. The characters are both realistic and likable; I had to know what would happen to Mandy and Jill.