In her newest young adult #ownvoices novel, Mary H.K. Choi writes about two Korean-American sisters struggling to cope with individual illnesses. As Choi discusses in a Refinery29 interview, Yolk delves into the “shame around illness, the idea that being sick…
‘Fat Chance, Charlie Vega’ review: Crystal Maldonado’s beautifully diverse debut about unconditional self-love
Crystal Maldonado’s debut novel blends body positivity, friendship, romance and an effortlessly diverse cast in a captivating contemporary young adult novel. Fat Chance, Charlie Vega is a book young adult readers everywhere should pick up, but be warned: it will…
‘Fat Chance, Charlie Vega’ interview: Author Crystal Maldonado on body positivity, friendship, and representation
Author Crystal Maldonado’s young adult contemporary novel Fat Chance, Charlie Vega is a compelling, body positive, coming-of-age book about self-love. In an #ownvoices book centering a fat Puerto-Rican girl living in a predominately white Connecticut suburb, Maldonado pairs an effortlessly…
‘Rent a Boyfriend’ review: Gloria Chao puts a unique spin on the ‘fake-relationship-turned-real’ trope
In her second romantic comedy for older YA readers, Gloria Chao takes the favorite trope of the “fake-relationship-turned-real” and adds a unique spin. Gloria Chao draws her influence for Rent a Boyfriend from a real practice in some Asian countries…
Book Review: Lobizona by Romina Garber
Werewolves, magic, love stories and more, Lobizona by Romina Garber is every fantasy lovers dream wrapped in heartfelt commentary on the immigrant experience in the US. Lobizona follows Manuela “Manu” Azul, an Argentinian teenager living in Miami, Florida. Manu is an…
Book Review: The Silence of Bones by June Hur
June Hur’s debut novel, The Silence of Bones, is as much YA historical fiction as it is mystery. The twisty, complex plot is paired with the sometimes bleak, always atmospheric setting of the Joseon dynasty in 19th century Korea, where…
Book Review: Brown Girl Ghosted by Mintie Das
What do you get when you mix AHS: Coven, Riverdale, Mean Girls, and Buffy? Answer: This Book. Brown Girl Ghosted centers on 16 year old Violet Choudhury, who lives in a small town in Illinois. She’s seen as the token brown friend…