Author Guest Post: “Why Simple Stories Aren’t Really Simple” by Brad Barkley, Author of The Reel Life of Zara Kegg

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“Why Simple Stories Aren’t Really Simple”

When handed a novel or short story to read, students are quick to make decisions about the characters. She’s the hero. He’s the villain. One character is a jerk. Another gets angry, so they must have anger issues. End of story. It’s a clean way of seeing things, and for a while, it works.

They do the same thing in real life (most of us do), so that’s what they’re bringing to the story. It’s just easier that way. But fiction gives us a place to slow that down a little, to see how quickly our judgments start to break apart, and how much more complicated—and more interesting—things usually are once you get close enough to someone on an emotional plane to start looking inside them.

In my YA novel The Reel Life of Zara Kegg, Zara lives in that same space for most of the book. The big line in the sand for her—there are people who tell the truth, and people who don’t. For the ones who don’t (including her mother’s doctors and nurses and, for a time, her father and boyfriend), you keep your distance. They are liars, so you don’t let them in. And that’s not just a rule, but a way of holding things together when everything around you is falling apart.

During all of this, she’s doing her job in the projection booth at the Palace Theater, showing old black-and-white movies—B movies, ’50s and ’60s sci-fi and horror. The kind with low budgets, bad rubber masks, and worse dialogue. In almost every cheap film of that era, a UFO falls out of the sky or a hidden monster crawls up from the swamp, and everyone—the military, the local science teacher, a few kids from the high school—spends the rest of the movie trying to figure out what it is and how to stop it. On the surface, these stories seem simple. A threat shows up, but in the end, it’s handled and order is restored.

But those movies were never so simple, never really just about the monster. Not exactly. They expressed Cold War fears of invasion, of annihilation, of something coming from above that you couldn’t defend against. In the movies, it’s a creature or a spaceship. In real life, at that time, it was nuclear weapons or foreign invaders. The movies gave those fears a shape, and, for a while at least, a way to contain them and make them manageable.

Watching them over and over, Zara starts to see that the lines we draw in real life aren’t as clear as she thought. There’s a movie she shows one night, The Hideous Sun Demon, where a scientist exposed to radiation turns into a monster, kills a few people, and terrorizes a lot more. On the surface, he’s exactly what you’d expect—a threat, something that has to be stopped. But as the movie goes on, that begins to shift. None of it was really his fault, and he spends most of the film trying to manage what’s happening to him by staying out of the sun, staying away from other people, doing what he can not to hurt anyone. By the end, Zara finds herself crying in an empty theater, because all he really wanted was to live his life in the dark, to be left alone.

It’s not hard to see why that resonates with her. She’s up in that booth most nights, by herself, working in the dark and trying to hold her life together in the wake of her mother’s death. The monster isn’t just a monster anymore, and the lines she’s been drawing—about who people are, what they’ve done, what that means—don’t hold in quite the same way.

I see other versions of that in the classroom. Students read a story or novel and want to put the entire work inside boxes with labels—who’s right, who’s wrong, what the story is “about.” And I get it. Our brains crave that kind of black-or-white thinking. But that’s also where much of the life of the story gets flattened. As teachers we start looking for theme, or symbols, our own labels, so we can name them and move on, instead of staying with the character long enough to understand what’s actually going on with them, what motivates that person, what their interior life is like.

What tends to matter more is slowing that down. Not asking what the story means, exactly, but what this person is doing, what they’re feeling, why it doesn’t always line up. That kind of attention—trying to understand before you label—goes a long way, not just with literature, but with people. It’s more interesting to stay with the character a little longer. To get students to ask what they’re doing, what they’re not saying, what doesn’t quite add up. Not to excuse it, necessarily, but to understand it. That shift—from labeling to paying attention—changes the conversation along with our own understanding. It changes how we read and how deeply the right book can resonate. It also changes how we read and understand people, even those we are quick to label. And that’s a life skill that will stay with us always, making our lives that much deeper and richer.

The Reel Life of Zara Kegg
Author: Brad Barkley
Published June 16th, 2026 by Regal House

About the Book: 16-year-old Zara still feels like an outsider in Carolina Beach. Working during the beach’s off-season as the lone projectionist at the Palace—a rundown retro cinema that shows only vintage ’50s sci-fi and horror flicks, including a major Godzilla marathon—she spends her nights in a dusty booth, fueled by coffee, pushups, and the occasional existential crisis. Then she meets Zachary, who might be the most interesting person she’s ever met. As their friendship deepens into something more, Zara learns about the struggles Zachary hides beneath his charm and wonders if trust is possible.

About the Author: Brad Barkley is the author of the novels “Money, Love” and “Alison’s Automotive Repair Manual,” named as Best Books of the Year by The Washington Post and Library Journal. He has published two story collections, and his short work has appeared in 40+ magazines including The Southern Review, The Georgia Review, Oxford American, and Virginia Quarterly Review, which twice awarded him the Emily Clark Balch Prize for Fiction. He’s also the co-author of three YA novels — Scrambled Eggs at Midnight, Dream Factory, and Jars of Glass — recognized by the American Library Association and the New York State Reading Association. Before becoming Professor of Creative Writing, he worked a string of odd jobs—from short-order cook and roofer to telemarketer, dairy bottling line worker, and even hang-gliding instructor—work that keeps his fiction grounded in real places and people. He has received multiple Maryland State Arts Council awards and a Creative Writing Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. Find out more about him at www.bradbarkley.com.

Thank you, Brad, for this reminder that there is more to stories than what is first seen!

Student Voices: The Importance of Nonfiction from Kathy R. and Elise A.

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Importance of Nonfiction

“Are Nonfiction Books Actually Difficult or Are You Just Reading Nonfiction Books Wrong?” by Kathy R., 7th grade

Books are loved worldwide and pretty much everywhere, it comes in all formations and genres but the two main ways to separate books are in fiction and non-fiction. Fiction is formally more popular since it allows the reader to escape their worries and focus on the imaginative story they are reading. On the other hand non-fiction is usually depicted as boring and written with a ‘fact-heavy’ tone. But most of the time non-fiction isn’t a difficult read, maybe you are reading non-fiction the wrong way.

Finding the different types of non-fiction literature

There is a variety of types of non-fiction literature like history, science, biographies, essays. Going deeper into non-fiction there are types of books like narrative nonfiction which is telling a real life story in the form of a story, this is an easier way to read nonfiction if you are used to reading more story-like books. Another few examples are Art books if you are more on the art side of the reading spectrum, music is another example of reading non-fiction like a ‘how to’ book on learning the violin. Exploring these genres will help you find which is just right for you. Most of the time when people call non fiction ‘too hard’, it’s almost always because they are reading books that they can’t connect to or learn anything about said topic. 

What to avoid when reading non-fiction books

Other times people rush or try reading multiple genres at once which can lead to not understanding what you just read and not learning anything.  Arun Suresh, Finding It Difficult to Read Non-Fiction? You’re Probably Reading It the Wrong Way: “It’s common for people to switch between genres and read a variety of books on a variety of topics. It gives them a feeling of gaining knowledge of different subjects, but in the longterm, they won’t remember most of it. Which is why you should stick with a genre or two.” Frankly, one of the most important things to do while reading non fiction is to take in some of the information you’re gaining from that book. Why do the exact opposite by reading everything and anything at the same time? It completely defeats the purpose.

Tips when it comes to reading non-fiction

When it comes to reading non fiction there are a few tips and tricks that can help you greatly in understanding what you’re reading a little bit more. How to Read More Nonfiction (and Actually Enjoy It) gives a few examples such as:

  • Annotating your book with a highlighter and or sticky tabs 
  • Starting a non-fiction book with a friend or book club
  • Skimming through chapters and getting the main details
  • Set small goals that are easy to digest

Why should people go through all the troubles of reading a non-fiction book? What’s in it for them in the end?

The biggest question of all is why? Why is reading non-fiction important? Why should people go through the process of reading non-fiction? The best answer I can give you is that it helps you to learn and understand the world around us. You see, non-fiction as a whole is diverse and every book you read on one topic can help you understand more chapter by chapter. Every time you read something informational no matter what your age is you can learn and expand your knowledge. 

Some non-fiction books I could recommend to people

Here are a couple books that I would recommend to people with a variety of what the books are about!

Conclusion and final thoughts

In conclusion, non-fiction in a whole may seem ‘too complex’ and ‘overly academic’ but the truth is non-fiction and informational literature is for us to be able to understand more about this world we live in. Non-fiction may not be for everyone but it is better to try than and see if there is a book for you than to not give it a try. 

“I Think Readers Should Read More Nonfiction” by Elise A., 8th grade

Nonfiction should be promoted better because it is useful for learning different facts about life, history, science and any topic you like.

I’m not saying that reading fiction is bad. But they attract more people to them because of how popular they are which leads to more people buying them or checking them out unlike nonfiction books that are not that popular.

Nonfiction is also keeping our history alive. It tells us about our past and gives kids something to base our future off of. If we didn’t have the books then we won’t remember how different things changed and adapted to different environments.

Nonfiction shows real information all the way through and shows more facts than anything else. Some people may look at nonfiction and say that it’s boring but it’s just that they aren’t reading about a topic that they enjoy, they just pick up a nonfiction book and start reading instead of picking one that interests them.

Nonfiction books to read

There are many history books that can be used to promote like: 

  • The Rediscovery of America by Ned Blackhawk
  • Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
  • Night Flyer: Harriet Tubman by Tiya Miles

There are many science books that can be used to promote like:

  • The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
  • Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
  • Lab Girl by Hope Jahren

These books are a good example of books to read to better understand certain subjects in school or everyday life.

Personally I like books about presidents. I look at those to understand how the new presidents are different from past presidents.

Nonfiction vs Fiction

As you can see based on this graph there is a good amount of people who read nonfiction but it’s smaller in comparison to the people who read fiction. This shows that nonfiction isn’t disappearing, it’s just in the shadow of fiction.

But the thing is that most of the time people look at the books, and they judge it based on the cover.

Also, fiction isn’t the only type of books with series nonfiction also has series. Fiction series continue the story the author made up while nonfiction books show how different things in life are connected like how different parts of history are connected.

How librarians and educators could make it so their nonfiction books are something people want to read.

So I think to make nonfiction books look more appealing to people is to have it more in color or just more fun. If you make the area look more fun, like after you read the book, have people color by number with facts that they learn.

The reason to do all of this is because there are many fiction book activities like people have made many word searches for fiction books. So if the nonfiction books have activities then it will feel like something people read a lot convincing people to read them. Or have them take a quiz so they know what type of nonfiction books to look for kinda like finding different genres people like except there are science, history, and geography nonfiction books.

To conclude, nonfiction books should be read more because there are many good nonfiction books that need to get more love!

Thank you so much to my student voices today and their look at reading nonfiction!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 6/29/26

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
For readers of all ages

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop we host which focuses on sharing what we’re reading. This Kid Lit version of IMWAYR focuses primarily on books marketed for kids and teens, but books for readers of all ages are shared. We love this community and how it offers opportunities to share and recommend books with each other.

The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. The Kid Lit IMWAYR was co-created by Kellee & Jen at Teach Mentor Texts.

We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs.

Happy reading!

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Sofia’s YA Book Nook: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab

Friday: Student Voices: Books and Characters We Love from Abigail D., Ranim A., Nicolle D., and Aseel H.

Author Guest Post: “Reading and Writing About Family Dynamics” by Jeanine DeHoney, Author of This Sunday My Daddy Came to Church

**Click on any cover/link to view the post**

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Kellee

I am at ALA for all of the Caldecott celebrations then I will have my next IMWAYR off as well, so I’ll update you on my reading in a month. You can learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

This is my week off: see you next week!

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Friday: Student Voices: The Importance of Nonfiction from Kathy R. and Elise A.

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Why Simple Stories Aren’t Really Simple” by Brad Barkley, Author of The Reel Life of Zara Kegg

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Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on other linked blogs. If you post about your Monday post, tag the post with #IMWAYR!

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Author Guest Post: “Reading and Writing About Family Dynamics” by Jeanine DeHoney, Author of This Sunday My Daddy Came to Church

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“Reading and Writing About Family Dynamics”

When I taught kindergarteners in an early learning center many years ago, I loved the fact that in all of our classrooms there were curated picture book selections in our reading area that highlighted family dynamics.

I enjoyed reading classic children’s stories such as The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter, Strega Nona by Tomie dePaolo, Stone Soup by Marcia Brown, A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, and Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears: A West African Tale by Verna Aardema, among others as my young students sat on what we called our magic reading carpet. But I always felt the need to read stories in which they could hear narratives and see realistic images of families whose stories and family make-up were similar to their own.

Some of my student’s familial makeup included being in a single parent household, blended family, foster or adoptive family, or being raised by grandparents or other family members due to a parent not being able to. There were also families who were unhoused and living in a shelter. Often that affected how each student dealt with their emotions, concerns, fears, hurt, anger, or stress.

It was important for me to find and read books to students that touched on not only the conflicts in a family, where all of the young character’s heartfelt feelings were seen and heard in all of its bluest hues, but at the close of the book gifted the young reader with hope and a resolution however complicated or nontraditional their family dynamics are.

When I began seriously pursuing writing children’s picture books, I wanted to write books that touched on family dynamics and helped children navigate the myriads of feelings they often experienced when they perceived that their family wasn’t like their friend’s families or there were fractures in their families or trauma or anxieties. I wanted to write picture books that convey to children that they are seen and heard and their truths matter and their uncomfortable questions deserve an answer. No child should ever feel as if they have to shove their feelings in a box and put it on some high unreachable shelf.

My children’s picture book, This Sunday My Daddy Came to Church, part of Sleeping Bear Press’s Own Voices Own Stories collection, deals with the family dynamic of how others experience faith in the same household. The themes for this picture book are spiritual diversity, acceptance and family bonds.

This Sunday My Daddy Came to Church, is narrated by its young character Omar, who poses a question to his mother about why his father doesn’t attend church on Sunday with them. Omar’s mother lovingly explains that although they enjoy going to church that his father worships in his own way, in how he serves others and how he quietly spends time with God at home on Sunday morning.

This story was written because of my own family dynamics as a little girl with my father. He too didn’t attend church with my mother, sister, but was still a faith filled man and husband and father. Always under foot my father as a little girl, I never wanted others to be judgmental about him not attending church with us and to accept his choice as I eventually did. In my picture book though, I do end it with Omar’s father surprising him and attending church, but Omar also acknowledges that even if his father doesn’t attend church the next Sunday, he knows his father worships in his own way.

Our families shape us, be they our biological or chosen families. There are beliefs and traditions and expectations of the other each family member has. It is beautiful and empowering when those expectations are meant in a young child’s life, but when they aren’t meant it can cause several problems that play out not only at home but in an educational setting I have seen.

I hope that all libraries whether at home or school always have a liberal sprinkling of books for children that deal with family dynamics, both the inspiring ones, the amusing, heartwarming ones, but also the complicated and unhappy ones. Especially books that display how family members show empathy, have open, nonjudgemental discussions, resolve conflicts, seek support, and quell fears, in a healthy and reassuring way.

It is my hope that no matter the structure of a family, children can pick up a picture book that resonates with them and what their family looks like, its strengths and weaknesses, sorrows and joys.  A book that makes them feel seen and heard, not alone, and optimistic about the days ahead individually and as a family.

This Sunday My Daddy Came to Church
Author: Jeanine DeHoney
Illustrator: Robert Paul, Jr.
Published August 1st, 2025 by Sleeping Bear Press

About the Book: A sweet story about accepting the different ways we all worship.

Omar loves going to church every Sunday with his mother. He loves putting on his best clothes, and meeting up with neighbors and his best friend, Imani, as they walk together to services. But his daddy doesn’t join them. “Some Sundays are meant for doing much of nothing or a little bit of something,” says his father. Or maybe the lawn needs mowing or a ballgame needs watching. Omar’s mother doesn’t get upset. Each Sunday she reminds Daddy that his suit is in the closet if he would like to attend church. But he never does and Omar wonders why. It bothers him that his father doesn’t join them at this special place.

When Omar asks his mother about it, she talks to him about faith and belief. There are different ways to worship, and they don’t have to take place in a building. But even with Mommy’s reassurances, Omar still wishes his father would join them.

This new entry in Sleeping Bear Press’s Own Voices, Own Stories collection celebrates the bonds of family. An honor winner in the Own Voices, Own Stories collection.

About the Author: Jeanine DeHoney has always been a dreamer. At the age of seven she dreamed of becoming a writer, and after her stories landed in the pages of tons of notebooks, she’s grateful they’ve now landed in the pages of magazines, both mainstream and literary, online, and anthologies such as Chicken Soup for The Soul. Her children’s stories have also been published in Skipping Stones, Devozine, and Australia’s The School Magazine. Jeanine has won or has been shortlisted in several literary contests and was the 2022 Honor Award Winner for Sleeping Bear Press’s Own Voices, Own Stories Award. A former art enrichment teacher and Family Services Coordinator at a preschool learning center in the Brooklyn neighborhood where she grew up, she now lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and looks forward to being the dream keepers of both young and old, with her stories.

Thank you, Jeanine, for this focus on families and everyone’s looks different and all deserve to see their family reflected in books!

Student Voices: Books and Characters We Love from Abigail D., Ranim A., Nicolle D., and Aseel H.

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Books and Characters We Love

“Books with a Meaningful Quotes and What They Mean to Me” by Abigail D., 8th grade


The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

“Stay gold, Ponyboy, stay gold”
What this quote means to me is that the love and care Jonny was giving to Ponyboy even when he was in his last few moments he still made sure that his last words were meant for Ponyboy. This story line has impacted me in so many ways where it’s not even describeable to explain how much this book changed me but in the best way possible.


It’s Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

“And no matter what you do or how hard you try, you can’t stop yourself from dreaming.”
What this quote means to me is that there is always still hope and faith at the end even when it gets tough there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. You just need faith and believe in yourself that you can do anything if you put your mind to it.


Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han

“Peter and Lara Jean will always tell each other the truth even if it’s hard.”
What this quote means to me is that their love is so strong and they know it may be hard but they’ll get through it together because they have earned trust in each other that makes their relationship so strong. Their bond is something unbreakable and to cherish every moment of. 


The Cartoonists Club by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud

“Drawing some kinds of feelings might mean mixing in both facial expressions and body language.”
What this quote means to me is that they are showing feelings in many different forms which shows creativity which I admire so much. Finding your interest through many styles is something that is hard but is something that is capable of achieving.


Guts by Raina Telgemeier

“It takes guts to face your fears.”
What this quote means to me is that you may be scared or afraid to face things you may be scared, anxious, or nervous about but you need to have faith in yourself that you can do it. Trust your gut. I believe that you never know until you try and what this book shows is that you have to trust yourself and give things a try.


Real Friends by Shannon Hale

“Growing up means things change.”
What this quote  means to me is that as you grow, things can’t always stay the same forever. Change in people’s life can be handled in multiple ways but that’s how you move forward in life. You have to take risks to know what is the right thing to do and if it ends in the other direction, you always learn from your mistakes.


When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

“Those who are lost look to the stars that lead them home.”
What this quote means to me is that home doesn’t always have to be a place, it could also be a person. Having your home as a person can mean multiple things such as family, friends, etc.


Smile by Raina Telgemeier

“Something happens when you smile at people. They smile back.”
What this quote means to me is that showing kindness to people can make someone’s whole day brighter. Having something so little just as a friendly smile can impact a lot more than you know.


Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

“Be yourself and people will like you.”
What this quote means to me is that people have to learn and acknowledge you to know the true you, not just the image you show but the other factors you have. Being your true self is a way to find people with the same interest you do.


All Summer Long by Hope Larson

“Okay, but do you know that feeling when you hear a great song, and it’s like the song knows you? That’s what music is for.”
What this quote means to me is that when I listen to something that I enjoy, it’s relaxing and makes me feel more at peace. Finding something that makes you feel so relaxed and calm is so nice, especially with music. With music you listen to a sound or beat and it’s all you can hear in the world.

“Thriller Books That Are Actually Good For Middle Schoolers” by Ranim A., 8th grade

If you think thriller books are all super scary or violent or just “ too much “, that’s not really true. There are actually a lot of thriller and mystery books that are really good for middle schoolers. They still have suspense, and plot twists, but without anything too inappropriate.

In my opinion, thriller books are some of the best books to read at this age because they keep you interested. Like, instead of forcing yourself to read something you don’t like, you actually want to know what happens next.

Why Thriller Books Are Actually Good For Middle Schoolers

Thrillers aren’t just for entertaining, they’re actually pretty helpful too.

  • They make you think and solve clues 
  • They improve problem solving skills
  • They keep you interested in reading
  • They help you understand characters and decisions

A lot of middle grade thrillers are written specifically for ages 11-14, meaning they avoid graphic content and keep things appropriate while still being exciting.

Also these types of books usually focus more on mystery, puzzles, and adventure instead of anything too intense or mature.

What Makes A Thriller “Age Appropriate?”

Before recommending books, it’s important to understand what makes them okay for middle schoolers : 

  • Language is appropriate 
  • Romance ( or if any it would be pretty limited )
  • Focuses on mostly mystery and adventure 

This is why middle grade thrillers are different from older teen thrillers. They’re exciting but not overwhelming.

Best Thriller Books For Middle Schoolers

Here are some really good options that are popular and are actually pretty enjoyable:


Framed! by James Ponti

  • About a kid who solves mysteries using observation skills
  • Feels like a detective story but fun and recent
  • Easy to read but still really interesting 

This book is great because it focuses on solving puzzles instead of anything scary or inappropriate 


Murder Most Unladylike by Robin Stevens

  • Set in a boarding school 
  • Two girls start a detective club
  • They investigate a suspicious death

Even though it sounds pretty intense, it’s written in a lighter, more “ cozy mystery “ way so it’s still appropriate for younger readers.


The Jumbies by Tracie Baptiste 

  • Super creepy but also really fun 
  • Based on Caribbean folklore
  • A girl has to face mysterious creatures 

This book is a perfect example of a thriller that’s scary but not too scary. It’s described as having “ just the right amount of scary for middle schoolers “.


Small Spaces by Katherine Arden

  • A spooky mystery involving a strange book and a creepy farm
  • Strong main character 
  • Lots of suspense 

It’s popular because it mixes mystery and horror in a way that’s still appropriate for middle school readers.


Swipe by Evan Angler

  • Set in a futuristic world 
  • Kids have to decide whether to follow a strict system 
  • Includes mystery and rebellion 

This one is more of a thriller with action and deeper ideas, but it’s still written for middle grade readers.


Mostly Ghostly series by R.L. Stine

  • About a boy who can see ghosts 
  • Mix of mystery, humor, and suspense
  • Not too scary, more fun than terrifying

This series is actually made for ages 11-14 so it’s right in the middle school range.

Why These Books Work

All of these books have something in common : 

  • They keep you guessing 
  • They’re exciting but not appropriate 
  • They focus on story not shock 

Thriller books for middle schoolers are designed to build interest in reading. They give you that feeling like “ what happens next? “ without crossing content that’s too mature.

Final Thoughts

Overall, thriller books are honestly one of the best genres for middle schoolers. They’re not boring, they’re not too childish, and they actually make reading fun.

If someone says “ they don’t like reading “ I feel like they just haven’t found the right thriller yet. Once you find a good one, it’s really hard to stop.

So yeah thrillers aren’t just for adults. There are tons of age appropriate ones out there that are exciting, interesting, and are actually worth reading.

“Ten Book Characters I Would Want to Be Friends With” by Nicolle D., 6th grade

My New Life As a Cat: A character I would want to be friends with in My New Life as a Cat is Chika because she’s so sweet she’s so gentle with Nao. And her friends seem so cool. I hundred percent want to be friends with Chika and her friend group her friends seem so cool and nice.

Phoebe And Her Unicorn In The Magic Storm: A character I would want to be friends with in Phoebe and Her Unicorn in the Magical Storm is the dragon. The reason I would want to be friends with the dragons is that the dragon was so gentle and sweet and had to have someone understand her.

Places We’ve Never Been: A character I would want to be friends with in Places We’ve Never Been. He cared for Norah so much but Norah was already interested in Skyler. Tyler helped her out so much he was so sweet. Tyler understood her and that’s a good friend even if she doesnt like him he still understood her.

Take a Chance On Me: A character I would want to be friends with in Take a Chance on Me is Poppy. Poppy was Evie’s dads ex ex-girlfriend but she cared about Evie like she was her own daughter and talked to her when things were going down for Evie and I would want to be friends with someone who will be there for me. 

Dork Diaries: I Love Paris!: A character I would want to be friends with in Dork Diaries is Nicky. I would like to be friends with Nicky so I can go to Paris with her and Nicky is very sweet so she would be nice to hangout with especially in Paris.

Ghoulfriends Forever: A character I would like to be friends with in Ghoulfriends Forever is Frankie. I would want to be friends with Frankie because she’s so cool and I would love to join her on her adventures.

Invisible: A character I would want to be friends with is all of the characters. I want to be friends with all of them because I can help them help Lisa and her mom. Plus everyone in that group is so nice.

The Dot: I would want to be friends with the girl in the end of The Dot to teach her about art in the most creative ways. She had the same story as the main character she thought she could never draw, but I could be friends with her and show her. 

Dog Man: Dog Man is a really nice guy and I would want to be friends with him because I’d love to help the world with him. He has saved so many lives and i could join him with his adventures.

Wimpy Kid: Hot Mess: I would like to be friends with the famous dog. She was such a classy girl, and I would love to gain fame. Maybe we can make an account together and post together. We could go on little trips!

“My Top 5 Books and Why” by Aseel H., 6th grade


Blood in the Water by Tiffany D. Jackson

Why I personally chose this book as my favorite of all time is because it was one of the first books that I actually really loved and couldn’t wait to keep reading and reading,  that book was probably the only thing I even wanted to do and the first book that took me only 3 days to finish and its actually rare for that but for this book I don’t even know how to describe it cause I haven’t always been a fan of books but if I can I would make all my books that I read be like this one because my actually love for this book  is crazy and shocking especially for me I mean I didn’t really expect it to be this good but it really is and I  just have no words to describe how much I enjoyed reading this book 


All Fall Down by Ally Carter

Why I like this book is because basically Grace is a complex, often nervous and, at times, unreliable narrator who is dealing with trauma, making her journey to find her mother’s killer deeply compelling and “unflinching”. The plot is full of twists and turns, often leaving readers guessing about the truth of Grace’s claims and the true nature of the characters around her. Its kinda basically A strong, eclectic group of teenagers aids in breaking down the mystery, and that’s why I love the book so much


The Miscalculations Of Lighting Girl by Stacy McAnulty

Why I like this book a lot  is because like basically its about a girl named Lucy Callanan that was struck by lighting but instead of dying she survived and also got genius level math skills, and ever since that day she has been home schooled, (I mean she’s 12 but she could actually go to college for how smart she is so yeah), and I just loved the book because of everything that happened and just the book in general, I mean I just have no wards to describe how much I enjoyed reading this book and for a fact that’s kinda rare for me to say.


Jacky Ha Ha by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein

Why I enjoyed reading this book is because I read this book in my summer before middle school and then I really had no interest in books then but that was the first book that I actually enjoyed for a long time ( that was probably the only one I enjoyed cause like i said before i had no interest )  and just me waiting to open the book without someone forcing me to is also one of the reasons I really enjoyed this book cause I wanted to open the book and read I wanted to finish it nobody made me I wanted and that is just rare for me to want that so that’s probably why I really enjoyed this book.


Dork Diaries Crush Catastrophe by Rachel Renée Russell

Why really liked this book is because like basically its like it has so many things stuff happening in the story like high-stakes romantic drama, relatable middle-school stuff and with her having to go through a love triangle and that without all this stuff in the story it wouldn’t be as good and why I choose this book out of the whole series is like that it was hard but because there’s so many stuff in the story that make the story really amazing and thats why I choose this one for the one I enjoyed a lot . 

“My Top 10 Characters and Why” by Aseel H., 6th grade


Jacky Hart

Why I choose this character as my favorite is because I like the way she lives life, her personality, her style for life and how she growing beyond her need to make others laugh, and that she’s funny, relatable , and that she learns how to be more than just the class clown and that without her I feel like the story wouldn’t be amazing.


Grace, Noah, and Alexei

Why I liked this character is because Grace isn’t a typical girl; she struggled with trauma because of her mothers death and  because she thinks it was a murder. Even though everyone around her believes she’s “ crazy “ she still tries to find the truth about her mother. She’s determined, reckless, emotionally scarred, fearless and brave and that without her the story wouldn’t be how it is.

Why I liked this character is because Noah is described as an engaging and enthusiastic person who quickly bonds with grace, and when everyone else wants to avoid grace he becomes a loyal “best friend”, even while grace is surrounded by danger and Noah is still here and always tries to cheer grace up. He is hilarious, charming, and fiercely loyal character, cheerful and supportive and without him the story wouldn’t be that good.

Why I liked this character is because Alexei is fiercely protective of Grace, stemming from his loyalty to her family and their shared childhood friendship. He acts as a “sworn watcher,” keeping a close eye on her, often acting as an older brother figure. He is the charming, protective, and mysterious Russian “bad boy” who provides intense romantic tension and is very loyal to grace even though he provides a “brother-sister” bond that adds depth to their romance, and that the story wouldn’t be the same if he wasn’t in it.


Chadwick and Miles

Why I liked this character is because for chadwick in the story Blood in the Water, we didn’t really have much of him because he was murdered but while he was in the story he was really charismatic, popular, and welcoming teenage boy who helps protagonist Kaylani fit in, making his shocking death pivotal to the mystery ,  As Chadwick whose death drives the investigation, his charm is remembered throughout the story, highlighting the tragedy of the event. He is kind and welcoming, helpful and knowledgeable, and popular, and that even though he was barely in the story the parts he was in did really impact the story in a great way.

Why I liked this character is because Miles  is the brother of Chadwick and he has to navigate through trauma while giving comfort to kanlani and also that miles isn’t snobby like most of the kids at that place. Throughout all of that Miles was a heartwarming friend, relatable, resilient, supportive, emotionally deep and most importantly, a loyal friend.


Stacy

Why I liked this character is because Stacy moved to Stoneybrook from New York City but didn’t take too long of time to make friends, but other than that Stacy wasn’t a normal teenage girl, she had type 1 diabetes, but that didn’t stop her from doing the amazing stuff she did, though what i like about her is her style and that in the stories manly some new york kids are like snobby but shes not shes a really nice person . She is mature, slightly sassy, she’s someone who brings a bold, cheerful energy to the group while managing Type 1 diabetes, she also a math whiz, resilient, responsible and most importantly she’s a loyal friend.


Nikki

Why I liked this character is because Nikki isn’t your normal school girl; she’s more of a down to earth person. Nikki represents the “everygirl” who is not in the popular crowd, making her experiences with insecurity and navigating school life feel real. She often puts everything she does in her diary, although she struggled with confidence she was able to stand up for herself. While she goes through all the drama at school that goes with her bully her friends, her home  and most importantly her crush Brandon. She is highly relatable, artistic, kind, imaginative, a talented artist, self-proclaimed “dork,” over-dramatic, emotional, thoughtful, and, most importantly, a caring friend.


Nico

Why I liked this character is because Nico Pineda, one of the five kids in the book. He is a Venezuelan American boy who initially presents as a “stuck-up rich kid,” but proves to be a caring and empathetic friend.  At the beginning of the story, Nico appears to be lazy and arrogant, acting indifferent to the mandatory community service work and sometimes acting like a bully to deflect attention away from himself, though by the end He moves beyond his selfish persona to become instrumental in helping others, such as helping Celeste find a job and get necessary aid. 

Thank you so much to my student voices today and their look at books and characters they love!

Sofia’s YA Book Nook: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab

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Sofia is a 13-year-old brilliant reader who aspires to be a book reviewer. Since she was 8 years old, on select weeks, Sofia shares her favorite books with other young people her age! She is one of the most well-read youth that we know, so she is highly qualified for this role!

 

Dear readers,

Please let me introduce you to The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab, a twisty time travel novel that explores themes of identity! The plot for this book is very interesting, following main character Adeline who is immortal and is unable to leave an imprint on anything or anybody. This means people forget who she is as they look away, even her own parents. As Adeline navigates her lonely existence with no one but the devil for company, she must decide if her life is even worth living for.

Goodreads Summary

A Life No One Will Remember. A Story You Will Never Forget. France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever-and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world. But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name.

My Thoughts

The premise of this novel is very intriguing and I love how Schwab hints at different parts of Adeline’s 300 year existence throughout the story, separating the long amount of time very nicely. Since the time period changes so frequently, I never found myself getting bored of one setting. I was actually looking forward to revisiting the time plots. I listened to about half of this book on audiobook but found that I preferred physically reading the words on the page as it made the story feel more impactful. Anyway, this book is 18 hours long so if you are looking for a story you can listen to for a long time, this is it! The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue explores what it means to be forgotten and the impact that leaves on a person. 

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is an adult novel that handles themes of death, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, toxic romantic relationships and being forgotten. For these reasons, I believe a mature high schooler could appreciate this piece of literature.

**Thanks so much, Sofia!**

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 6/22/26

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
For readers of all ages

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly blog hop we host which focuses on sharing what we’re reading. This Kid Lit version of IMWAYR focuses primarily on books marketed for kids and teens, but books for readers of all ages are shared. We love this community and how it offers opportunities to share and recommend books with each other.

The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. The Kid Lit IMWAYR was co-created by Kellee & Jen at Teach Mentor Texts.

We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up below, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs.

Happy reading!

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Wednesday: Alice Piper Speaks Up by Sage Andrew Romero and Loralee Sepsey, Illustrated by Morgan Thompson

Friday: Student Voices: The Importance of Graphic Novels from Isabel T. and Megan G.

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

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Kellee

It’s my day off! You can always learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

I just returned from a Colorado Rockies game, and I am exhausted, so I will post an update next time!

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Wednesday: Sofia’s YA Book Nook: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab

Friday: Student Voices: Books and Characters We Love from Abigail D., Ranim A., Nicolle D., and Aseel H.

Sunday: Author Guest Post: “Reading and Writing About Family Dynamics” by Jeanine DeHoney, Author of This Sunday My Daddy Came to Church

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Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting other linked blogs. If you share your Monday post, tag the post with #IMWAYR!

 Signature andRickiSig