Zenobia is such a great character — very flawed but always sympathetic/relatable. And she’s so weird! I Ahh my heart is so full after finishing this.
Zenobia is such a great character — very flawed but always sympathetic/relatable. And she’s so weird! I loved that. Let your queer and trans middle grade characters be weirdos!
Also, she’s a cyber genius! The hacking/cyber mystery plot was v exciting and I liked the resolution a lot.
I love the found family and the vast array of genders, sexualities and gender expression represented (there’s the main trans girl character, her best friend who’s a genderqueer and I think aro/ace character, a side trans boy character, queer aunts, & a drag Queen uncle)....more
Mia’s parents thought moving to America would mean having a house, a dog, and all the hamburgers her family could eat. But so far they’re living in thMia’s parents thought moving to America would mean having a house, a dog, and all the hamburgers her family could eat. But so far they’re living in their car and can only afford one burger split between the three of them. So they jump at the chance to live and work in a motel, even though the owner is terrible. Her parents spend all day cleaning the rooms, which leaves Mia in charge of the front desk.
I’ve heard such good things about this book, and they were all true!
It’s a super engaging story that is heartbreaking and infuriating at times, especially in the stories that the immigrants who are passing through/hiding in the motel tell. There’s a lot of sweet and hopeful moments too to balance it out, though.
You can tell the author really lived this story — it feels so real, and she conveys all the little details so well. There’s a lot going on, but in a way where it feels like a real life (until the end, but it’s a middle grade novel, so it needs to be a *little* bit fanciful). Mia is *such* a sympathetic character.
My only complaint (an evergreen one) is: the stuff in the blurb doesn’t happen until SO far in!
This definitely should be in all school libraries/public libraries/classrooms, and I’m for sure going to hand it to lots of kids....more
Cas almost died but was saved by a ghost, who then became her best friend (totally normal). Since her near-death experience, she can enter the spirit Cas almost died but was saved by a ghost, who then became her best friend (totally normal). Since her near-death experience, she can enter the spirit world and see how any ghost died. But when her family goes to Scotland for her parents’ work (ironically they are ghost hunters, but they can’t see ghosts like she can), Cas learns that not all ghosts are friendly.
I was sold on this right away. The heroine is spunky but also jaded in a relatable way. She can see ghosts, which is cool and all, but she kinda just wants a break. Unfortunately, she gets the opposite, when her parents bring her along to Scotland for their ghost-related tv show.
The vibe is dark, but also cozy. The stuff with Jacob is sweet, and/but you get some real scares later.
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