Hazel Hill has her eyes on the prize: The annual school speech contest. She is definitely not going to mispronounce "hyperbole" like she did last year. Then she finds out that girls in her school are being harassed by Tyler Harris, the boy who always gets the girl and can seemingly do no wrong, even in the eyes of the school faculty. When she brings her concerns to the principal, it is Hazel and her friends that are punished. Filled with righteous anger, Hazel concocts a plan to take Tyler down and expose him for the creep that he is. This is an important book. It's a book that highlights victim-shaming and sexual harassment in a way that is completely accessible to ages ten and up. Hazel is a fantastic protagonist who will not back down no matter what is thrown in her way. The attitude of the adults who are paid to protect children and blame the kids getting harassed will have you white-knuckled as you turn the pages. I seriously feel that this book should be read by everyone as it will bring to light the impossible position young victims of online harassment often find themselves: speak up and you'll be blamed for causing trouble or be called a liar. Don't speak up and it empowers the abuser. There is some very damning information contained in this amazing book about the mental and physical impact this kind of harassment can have on children that carries on well into their adult years. Yet this novel dives into it head-first and is written so brilliantly you'll be cheering Hazel on while frothing at the mouth with rage at how she and her friends are treated. I loved it, get it when it comes out in Oct!
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In the small town of Clonbridge, a gate has opened, a gate to another world, letting the Fairies in. Some of the Fairies don't mean much harm, maybe a little mischief, but other Fairies have nefarious goals in mind. For eleven year old Cat, the Fairies are stories passed down by her grandmother, she finds it impossible to believe that actual Fairies have come to Clonbridge. But her world comes tumbling down around her when her baby brother Mikey is kidnapped, along with the sister of Shane, another boy in her town whom Cat has had a falling out. Even worse, her grandmother falls ill & Cat is convinced it has something to do with the Fairies. Now, Cat & Shane must put their differences aside and work together in order to save their family. The problem is, Fairies are not only devilish and cruel, they are cunning tricksters. Cat, using her Book of Secrets, her wits and some unlikely alliances, seeks to secure safe passage to the Fairies' domain and bring back the missing children. On the way her and Shane meet some truly terrifying and strange characters thanks to Alex Dunne's brilliant writing. As a librarian, I'm constantly trying to put books into the hands of students that will keep them engaged and ignite their imagination, this is one of those books. Loaded with Irish folklore, it has a myriad of mythical creatures, all with their own peculiarities and eccentricities. Readers will be lost in the gorgeous, odd and frankly scary world of these beings. In our school, the world of games like Dungeons & Dragons is massively popular. I can see where these games like this have taken inspiration from the creatures of Irish folklore, creatures that Alex Dunne has beautifully brought to life. I recommend The Book of Secrets for ages 9+, school librarians looking for the next great adventure story do not need to look any further! |
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