Sofia’s YA Book Nook: The New Girl by Jesse Q. Sutanto

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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,

Hello and welcome to another book review! Today I want to share with you, The New Girl by Jesse Q. Sutanto! This YA thriller had me HOOKED for two days and I couldn’t stop reading it! I have read another book by Sutanto, The Obsession but I prefer The New Girl (even though I also loved The Obsession). This book talks about the struggles Lia faces as she starts school in a place where wealth is common and diversity is practically nonexistent. As Lia starts her adventure at Draycott, she slowly discovers that nothing is as it seems.

Goodreads Summary

Lia Setiawan has never really fit in. When she wins a full ride to the prestigious Draycott Academy on a track scholarship, she’s determined to make it work even though she’s never felt more out of place. But on her first day there she witnesses a girl being forcefully carried away by campus security. Her new schoolmates and teachers seem unfazed, but it leaves her unsure of what she’s gotten herself into. As she uncovers the secrets of Draycott, complete with a corrupt teacher, a golden boy who isn’t what he seems, and a blackmailer determined to get her thrown out, she’s not sure if she can trust anyone–especially when the threats against her take a deadly turn.

My Thoughts

Wow, The New Girl was just too exciting to put down! I love the plot, and I really feel like I am with Lia as she is discovering Draycott. After the first day, she already feels out of place and that feeling just grows. When she starts getting bullied and blackmailed I truly feel bad for her. I had a lot of fun though trying to uncover what is actually happening at Draycott, between corrupt teachers, bullies and drugs. I found it cool that Lia’s character was a good example of resilience, because even after all of the challenges she faced coming to a new, elitist school, she never gave up on fighting for what she thought was right. 

On Amazon, The New Girl is recommended for ages 14-18 and this is most likely for the constant mentions of drugs, people dying, sometimes from overdoses, and the vast amount of bullying. They literally have an app that is dedicated to bullying, Draycott Dirt. Overall, The New Girl was a captivating, fast-paced thriller that I absolutely loved! Happy reading!

**Thanks so much, Sofia!**

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 4/27/26

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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: How a Bear Became a Book: The Collaboration That Created Winnie-the-Pooh by Annette Bay Pimental, illustrated by Faith Pray

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

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Kellee

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

Ricki

Young Adult

I hadn’t read This Book Won’t Burn by Samira Ahmed, and I wanted to read it in preparation of my censorship class next semester. It was a fantastic book, and I loved the messaging!

Adult

A few people had recommended Sarah Wynn-Williams’ Careless People to me. I found it interesting. She worked as the head of global affairs for Facebook. Some portions felt less believable to me, and it was clear she was trying to release blame from herself. But overall, it does serve as a cautionary tale.

I had seen Chris Whitaker’s All the Colors of the Dark on a few lists. This was very well-written. I don’t enjoy thrillers, and this book leans more literary than thriller, so it was a bit slow for me.

Adult Romance

I enjoyed Christina Lauren’s first book in the series, so I thought this audio would be fun. It was cute, and I liked seeing the heartbroken sister (in novel one) fall in love!

I adored this romance. It was really charming. The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest will likely be one of my favorite romances this year.

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Ricki

I am still reading Theo of Golden by Allen Levi!

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Thursday: Sofia’s YA Book Nook: The New Girl by Jesse Q. Sutanto

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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 at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!

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How a Bear Became a Book: The Collaboration That Created Winnie-the-Pooh by Annette Bay Pimental, Illustrated by Faith Pray

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How a Bear Became a Book
Author: Annette Bay Pimental
Illustrator: Faith Pray
Published March 31st, 2026 by Henry, Holt, and Co.

Summary: Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Winnie-the-Pooh with this gorgeous picture book about the creation of the World’s Most Famous Bear!

In 1926, the very first Winnie-the-Pooh book was published. One hundred years later, generations of kids have grown up in the Hundred Acre Wood.

How a Bear Became a Book tells the story of how writer, illustrator, and editor came together to craft Pooh’s first adventure. But deeper than that, this book introduces our youngest listeners to how stories begin and where they can go. As Pooh’s voice enters the text, he slowly comes to life in the art.

Textually delightful and visually stunning, this is a picture book about the making of picture books, but it is also a masterful exploration of ideas, storytelling, collaboration, art, and most importantly, honey

“A thoughtful, beautifully crafted title that honors a literary classic on the eve of its centennial and introduces “The Best Bear in All the World” to a new generation.” —School Library Journal, Starred Review

“A stunning tribute to a classic that also offers insight into the bookmaking process.” —Kirkus, Starred Review

“Bay Pimentel and Pray highlight the importance of teamwork, pulling back the curtain on the creators who produced the Winnie-the-Pooh books.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“Marking one hundred years since the publication of A. A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh (1926), this thoughtful, well-designed informational picture book pays tribute not only to that book’s creation but also to the process of book creation in general.” —Horn Book, Starred Review

“Appealing and thorough, a charming companion to the original Pooh stories and an enlightening introduction to how children’s books can evolve.” —Booklist

About the Creators: 

Annette Bay Pimentel is the author of several nonfiction picture books, including the Schneider Family Book Award honor book All the Way to the Top, Pura’s Cuentos, and Before Colors. She lives in Moscow, Idaho.

Faith Pray is the author-illustrator of The Day We Got Lost, Perfectly Imperfect Mira, and The Starkeeper, among others. She comes from a family of talented children’s book creators, but her extraordinary talents for capturing light and shadow and conveying emotion and story through line work are all her own. Faith lives with her husband and children plus two cats in the Pacific Northwest.

Review: The first thing that stuck out to me about this book was how clever it was. It is clever in the writing, including the structure, and in the illustrations. It took the idea of writing a nonfiction book about Winnie-the-Pooh and turned it on its head to make it unique because it focuses on the evolution from idea to book and how Winnie-the-Pooh, as the character we know, came to be.

The book is more than just a story about A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh books though. It is a book about creating. It will help readers see how a book went from an idea to a product to something we treasure. It also looked at why the Milne books were special, especially when it came to illustration placement and how the illustrations and words played together. And I love that the editors had a place in the story; editors are often not talked about in picture books.

And lastly, the inclusion of Pooh himself in the narrating added humor and nastalgia.

I can definitely see why the book is getting so many starred reviews–it deserves all the praise! It’ll be a great addition to any classroom, library, or home, and I cannot wait to hear about educators using it along with aspects of Pooh’s stories.

Educator’s Guide with Discussion Questions and Activities: 

Flagged Spreads: 

Read This If You Love: Winnie-the-Pooh

Recommended For: 

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**Thank you to the author for providing a copy for review!**

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 4/20/26

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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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Thursday: Sofia’s YA Book Nook: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

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

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Kellee

Middle Grade

  • The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie: This was a re-read for me and was just as good the second time! We read this for my teacher book club and because Lindsay Currie is coming to my school TODAY! If you are interested in escape room mysteries with great friendship building, this book is perfect for you!
  • Unplugged by Gordon Korman: I listened to this one with Trent, and Gordon Korman never disappoints. This one, about a wellness camp that is more than what it seems, kept you guessing throughout.
  • Root Magic by Eden Royce: This historical, magical, fantasy book about Jez and her twin Jay who are Gullah people living on an island off of South Carolina. Root Magic is magical but is about more than that; it is about culture, family, grief, racism… it keeps you reading and thinking!

Young Adult

 

  • Heist Royale by Kayvion Lewis: The sequel to Thieves’ Gambit was just as good as the first one! I can’t tell you much about it as it gives away the ending of the first book, but I will say that this one does not disappoint–a solid duology!
  • Breakout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon: I love these super author group books, and I am glad that they dipped their toe into thriller because all of these brilliant minds come together and make a twisty, unexpected, wild ride of a book!
  • Deep Water by Maren Stoffels: This vacation is more than what Vesper realized–it is a re-education camp where she, along with others, have to face their past choices, even if it leads to someone not returning home. Trent chose this to listen to as we drove home from Fort Lauderdale and, like many thrillers, there is more to it than the summary makes it seem.

Picture Books


  • Ripples by Katie Yamasaki: What stood out to me in this book is the imagery within the words that are accentuated in the illustrations. That along with the beautiful message of figurative ripples that can be sent into the world with positivity and good decision making. As the description of the book says, this book “is a nuanced, lyrical celebration of our connections to each other and the environment. With electric, eye–catching illustrations, Ripples reminds us of the value of care and the ways we can perform it—for each other, and for the world around us.”
  • The Boy with Big, Big Energy by Britney Winn Lee, illustrated by Jacob Souva: I loved that the author and illustrated chose to share the boy’s energy as a positive–both in words and illustrations. He is literally glowing! There are those who don’t understand his energy, but it is clear in the book that his energy is special, and the boy definitely learns to see it as his power, not his problem. And man, what a wonderful male parent example in this book; it was very special! What a wonderful book to show to our hyperactive, ADHD, and neurodivergent kids that there is power in their differences. I have not read the others in this series, but I definitely do now.
  • How a Bear Became a Book: The Collaboration That Created Winnie-the-Pooh by Annette Bay Pimental, illustrated by Faith Pray: I am excited to review this picture book on Wednesday; please come visit UR then to see all my thoughts!
  •  Loops by Jashar Awan: Jashar Awan truly knows how to put magic into a picture book! With illustrations that you know are Awan’s, conversational and humorous storytelling, a bit of active learning, and toss in a bit of silly, and you have Loops. And I love all of the meanings of loops in the book, too! I highly recommend this–it will be a great read aloud for kids as they move into “big kid” territory which can be scary and exciting.
  • Enough to Share by Mary Helen Berg, illustrated by Sue Todd: I adore Sue Todd’s traditional hand-carved linocut technique, and it is perfect for this picture book that celebrates environmental conservation. In the story, following Spirit Bear (a Kermode bear) and Sea Wolf (aka marine wolves), we learn how they, along with other creatures including humans, affect the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia, Canada. I also thank the creators for the back matter, including acknowledging the importance of Spirit Bears for First Nations people, including the Gitga’at and Kitasoo Xai’xais people who share the land of the setting.

Adult

I have been sucked in by Freida McFadden’s thrillers and have read 3 of them already!

And you can always learn more about any of the books I’ve been reading by checking out my read bookshelf on Goodreads.

Ricki

This my week off; I will update you next week!

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Kellee

The Lost Year  

  • Reading with Trent as he reads it weekly for ELA class: The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh
  • Reading: Everyone in my Family has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
  • Listening: 11/22/63 by Stephen King

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Wednesday: How a Bear Became a Book: The Collaboration That Created Winnie-the-Pooh by Annette Bay Pimental, illustrated by Faith Pray

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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 at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!

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Sofia’s YA Book Nook: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

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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 The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, a mind-bending novel about time paradoxes and the meaning of life. In this impactful book, Nora Seed overdoses on antidepressants, but instead of dying, she is transported to a magical library that allows you to experience all of your possible lives if you were to make different decisions. Nora discovers lives where she is married to the man she left at the altar, is an Olympic swimmer, or pursues her childhood dream job, all while learning valuable lessons along the way. Nora’s intense emotional journey is an interesting one to follow, and the unique plot makes it very intriguing!

Goodreads Summary

Between life and death there is a library. When Nora Seed finds herself in the Midnight Library, she has a chance to make things right. Up until now, her life has been full of misery and regret. She feels she has let everyone down, including herself. But things are about to change. The books in the Midnight Library enable Nora to live as if she had done things differently. With the help of an old friend, she can now undo every one of her regrets as she tries to work out her perfect life. But things aren’t always what she imagined they’d be, and soon her choices place the library and herself in extreme danger. Before time runs out, she must answer the ultimate question: what is the best way to live?

My Thoughts

The Midnight Library challenges the ideas of regret and living one’s life to the fullest. Many decisions lead Nora to take her own life, but as she journeys through the library and the possible lives she could’ve had, she realizes that not one of them is perfect. When faced with all of the things that went wrong, but also right in her “root life,” she sees that life is worth living no matter what happens. I love the overarching theme of trying to live life without regrets, taking opportunities as they come and not mourning past decisions as they might not’ve turned out the way you would’ve liked. This novel has shown me the power decisions hold, while also teaching me not to spend time regretting decisions I’ve already made. As Nora searches through all her lives, one can’t help but wonder if she will end up finding her true self?

The Midnight Library is an adult novel, categorized by its mentions of suicide, death, drugs, and depression, though it would be appropriate for most high school audiences. The deep exploration into the meaning of death reveals a powerful message that rings true from YA readers to adults.

**Thanks so much, Sofia!**

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 4/13/26

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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: Make Way for Monarchs by Carolyn Armstrong

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

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Kellee

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

Ricki

Four books this week, all adult!

I read A Game for Swallows: To Die, to Leave, to Return by Zeina Abirached. It was on display as a librarian favorite. It’s similar in graphic style to Persepolis and is set in 1984 Beirut. It is a wonderful book.

Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary was in our theaters, so I had to read the book, of course. I really enjoyed it–much more so than The Martian. It had great themes about humanity that I appreciated.

My amazing, incredible, kind colleague, Nina McConigley, wrote this book, How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder. Even if I didn’t know her personally, I would highly recommend this book. It is set in the 1980s and features two sisters who decide they need to murder their uncle, who is sexually assaulting them.

Libby Page’s This Book Made Me Think of You is a story about a woman who is grieving her significant other. He worked with a bookseller before he passed away to organize a year in monthly books to help her grieve. This is a book about books, which is always a good thing.

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Ricki

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Thursday: Sofia’s YA Book Nook: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

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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 at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!

 Signature andRickiSig

Make Way for Monarchs by Carolyn Armstrong

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Make Way for Monarchs
Author: Carolyn Armstrong
Published September 12th, 2025 by Climate Kid Adventure Books

Summary: Make Way For Monarchs, the third installment in the multi-award-winning Eco Warriors series, takes readers on a climate change–themed adventure with a girl who talks to animals.

Millions of orange-and-black monarch butterflies, exhausted after their long migration from the USA and Canada, are resting in the oyamel trees in the heart of the Sierra Madre Mountains in Mexico. As tween twin sisters Sydney and Sierra explore this unique high-elevation forest habitat, the butterflies, a trio of horses, and a cute little dog warn Sydney about the bad guys who are cutting down trees and endangering the monarchs.

Naturally Sydney seeks the advice of her science-savvy sister on how to assist the monarchs here in Mexico. However, Sierra wants to focus on projects that help the butterflies once they’ve migrated back into the USA. With mysterious drones and danger around every corner, the twins must figure out how to save the butterflies’ winter home and the migration route before it’s too late.

About the Author: Carolyn Armstrong is the author of Climate Kid Adventure Books. A former educator and now an imperfect environmentalist, she blends her love of travel and animal well-being into her middle grade stories. She encourages everyone to become advocates for Planet Earth. It’s as easy as refusing a plastic drinking straw (and telling others to do the same)! Head to www.ckabooks.com for free activities, monthly newsletters, and blogs about writing, books, and sustainability.

Educators’ Tools for Navigation: This title is not only written for reading; it is made for classroom/library/school use!

Just start on Carolyn Armstrong’s website!

On there, you fill find so much, starting with the MONARCH WATCH KIDS ZONE where there is so much for kids to explore, alone or in a class/library!

There are also:

After reading, I was looking for some other ideas for how to incorporate this book, and I found this fantastic lesson from Inspired Teaching called “Make Way for Monarchs.”

  • This yearlong study of monarchs is definitely cross discilinary.
    • The sties shares that the lesson covers so many standards including ELA Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening; Social Studies State Standards; Math; SEL Competencies; and, although not listed, I am sure fits science standards as well.

Discussion Questions: 

Recommended For: 

classroomlibrarybuttonsmall

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**Thank you to the author for providing a copy for review!**