Wednesday, January 25, 2023

The Complete Book of Aspen

The Complete Book of Aspen 
by Danna Smith 
Language: English 
Plumbago, 2022. 
304 p. 
ISBN: 0578332485; 9780578332482 
Summary: The death of Aspen's father breaks her small family. Aspen's mother slips into depression, leaving Aspen and her brother, Cooper, to hold together the broken pieces of their lives. Time, love, and medical attention allow Aspen's mom to heal, and their family begins to find a new normal. But just as the sun starts to peek out from the dark clouds of depression and loss, Aspen and her friend Sophie get the results of their DNA tests. Learning that her beloved late father was not her biological father—and that her mother had deceived her—ignites a wild storm of emotions. Aspen struggles with her identity and the burden of being the gatekeeper of this closely guarded family secret. When her mother refuses to reveal her biological father's name, Aspen sets out on a courageous journey to find him. A heartbreakingly hopeful young adult novel told in narrative and creative verse by award-winning author and poet Danna Smith, based on her true DNA experience. 

In the key of us

In the key of us 
by Mariama Lockington 
Language: English 
Farrar Straus Giroux, New York, 2022. 
348 pages : map ; 22 cm. 
ISBN: 9780374314101; 0374314101 
Summary: While twelve-year-old Andi has suffered from anxiety attacks ever since her mother died ten months ago, Zora starting hurting herself whenever she feels out of control; they are both at Camp Harmony, an elite summer music camp, trying to deal with their problems and also the stress of competition--but as the summer passes they find themselves increasingly drawn to each other, and maybe not just as friends.

The edge of being

The edge of being 
by James Brandon 
Language: English 
Nancy Paulsen Books, New York, 2022. 
277, 8 pages ; 21 cm. 
ISBN: 9780525517672; 0525517677 
Summary: Seventeen-year-old Isaac Griffin sets out to find the father he has never met, only to discover that perhaps the missing pieces of his life were never missing at all. Includes author's note.

How to excavate a heart

How to excavate a heart 
by Jake Maia Arlow 
Language: English 
HarperTeen, New York, NY, 2022. 
369 pages ; 22 cm. 
ISBN: 9780063078727; 0063078724 
Summary: Snowy weather and fish fossils help bring together two Jewish college freshmen spending winter break in Washington, D.C.