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This novel is one of the newest releases from Gratz in September of 2021 by Scholastic. It has already received a long list of awards: NY Times Best Seller, ABA Indie Bestseller List, Publishers Weekly Bestseller List, USA Today Bestseller List, Barnes & Noble Best Young Reader Books of 2021, 2021 Amazon.com Best Books of the Year and many, many more.

Gratz takes readers back in time to the devastating tragedy that took place on September 11, 2001. As with all of his novels, he tells the story through two different perspectives.  Nine-year old Brandon who is in New York the day of September 11 and 11-year old Reshmina in 2019 living in Afghanistan. Brandon is able to tell the story from a first person point of view and give details about that terrible day in New York. Reshmina has a unique perspective watching U.S. troops move through Afghanistan in 2019, while managing her family and keeping them safe from Afghani rebels and the fallen U.S. soldier who winds up on her doorstep.

This book is, 5 stars! All of Gratz's books leave each chapter with a small cliff-hanger that keeps you hooked and wanting more. This book is no different. You read and read until you finally find out the connection between the two characters at the end. A top-tier historical fiction novel.

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Author: Kelly Yang
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication Date: June 25, 2019

Summary:
Front Desk is an emotional roller-coaster of a novel following protagonist, Mia Tang, as she and her parents move to the U.S. from China. Mia and her family start working at as managers for a motel. They soon realize that the owner was less than honest about the pay and responsibilities associated with the job. As Mia navigates her new school, friends, and role running the front desk of the motel, she is also burdened with her parent's financial distresses and the reality of inequality and racism in their new country. Perhaps she can use her love of writing to save the day.

Review:
Front Desk is an amazing book which highlights the experiences of Asian-American immigrants and the struggles they face. I was hooked from page one and had to keep reading not only this title, but Yang's three follow-ups in this semi-autobiographical series. I would highly recommend this book and it's sequels to any kid. Kelly Yang's words foster empathy and understanding, fire up a call for justice, and inspire a drive to push for what is right and good in the world.

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Author: Laura Amy Schlitz
Illustrator: Julia Iredale
Publisher: Candlewick (March 9, 2021)

Summary:
This book is a tale loosely based on Greek Mythology and consists of Greek Gods. The two main characters are two children Melisto and Rhaskos. They have a bond in which you find out more about as you read.

Melisto is involved in a society of girls called the Bears, and lives with and trains with them. Then one day she finds a real bear and tries to tame it and later will free it. Melisto gets struck by lightning as she is freeing the bear, and she dies. After her death she is returned to her original village, where her old servant resurrects her. Upon being resurrected, Melisto is tasked to save a boy named Rhaskos.

Meanwhile, Rhaskos has been enslaved by a prince for several years. After the prince decides to sell Rhaskos, he gets a new master. This new master is a potter and teaches Rhaskos his way. Rhaskos makes friends with a philosopher named Socrates, together they discuss and contemplate life and become very close. Socrates is then put on trial for crimes against the city of Athens. Socrates is found guilty and is sent to death. Rhaskos is devastated from his friend's death.

Melisto finds Rhaskos and has appeared to him over a three year period. However, he doesn't realize her until after Socrates death. Rhaskos refers to Melisto as a deimon, a spirit of the gods. Melisto tells Rhaskos that she has a way to free him from being a slave and he can remain a potter. They both go on a journey and become very close friends. They eventually part ways and Rhaskos goes on to find Melisto's father who helps set him free of slavery. Rhaskos then goes on to be a successful potter and creates various artworks.

Review:
This book was very well written and kept the readers attention through every page! This book would be more popular with older middle school readers, as there is some vocabulary that may not be familiar. The author does include several pronunciations of greek words and their meanings throughout the story. This book also contains themes of LGBTQIA+, menstrual cycles, and some curse words. As you read this story, you find out a lot about the Greek gods and unravel a very interesting tale. Overall, I would recommend this book for those that love historical fiction and Greek Mythology.