1.
Saturday, April 7 at 2 p.m. for the babes and tods
2.
Sunday, April 8 at 3:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. for the middle-graders
Imagine that you just moved from Colorado to Arizona. You’re starting at a new middle school, ready to put your entire embarrassing past behind you. Now imagine that things don’t go the way you planned. Your fresh start feels all too familiar. You’re still struggling. You’re afraid you will never make new friends. Everything is a challenge.This book starts like a lot of “new kid in town” stories. But, it takes an interesting turn when the main character, Meghan, finds a magical cat-clock to wish on – one that looks strangely like a clock that her grandma owns. At first, she thinks wishing will solve all her problems. But she quickly learns that magic doesn’t always work in the ways you expect, especially when you’re dealing with clock-makers who are also magical tricksters.I liked this book because I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next. I’d recommend The 11:11 Wish to someone who likes books about trying to fit in, and to people who like stories with humor, magic, cats and middle school.– Griffin, age 11
3.
Wednesday, April 18 at 5 p.m. for the high schoolers
The Sidekicks by Will Kostakis
Young adult author Will Kostakis will be stopping at BookBar all the way from Australia for a Teen Happy Hour with half-priced cafe drinks (though grown-ups are welcome too) to celebrate his latest book about three boys who form an unlikely bond after the death of a mutual friend. Let us know you’re coming on Facebook and check out Lily’s review of how The Sidekicks will hit you in the heart:
After their friend Issac died, Ryan, Harley, and Miles don’t know what to do. They are all deeply wounded and know that each was Issac’s friend. Yet they are all vastly different. Ryan is a swimmer and holds the secret of his sexuality close at heart. Harley is a rebel, always slipping under the radar. And Miles is a nerd finding home within writing essays. Somehow, while each coping with their losses, they befriend each other and realize there may be more tying them together than their former friend.This book is layered not only with the power of friendship, but written so elegantly, as it gracefully honored the characters. Written in three parts, one for each character, the impact of one boy on three of his friends is explored.I loved this book because it clearly showed how the loss of a friend impacted the three boys. It showed flashbacks that aided in piecing everything together and was overall really sweet. It hit me in the heart in all the right places and further helped me reflect on the impact of loss. I would highly recommend it for ages 13 and up.
– Lily, age 14
Sunday, April 22 at 4:30 p.m. for the sibling crews
4.
Life In A Fishbowl is a brilliant, funny and sad book. It is about a dad who gets brain cancer and to prevent his family from having money problems after he dies, he auctions his life on Ebay. Life In A Fishbowl is told from many different perspectives, including the tumor in Jackie’s (the main character) dad’s head.
It is really difficult to read about the decisions Jackie’s dad, Jared, makes even though you know he makes those decisions because of his brain tumor. This book is sort of crazy in a great way. It is very interesting and it sucks you in.
I highly recommend this book to t(w)een readers.
Naomi, age 12
5.
A Messy, Beautiful Life by Sara Jade Alan
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