RANDOMNESS THOUGHTS

  **Disclaimer: I received a free electronic ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.** Genre:  YA, Contemporary, Romance Release Date: May 11, 2021   Description: " For fans of Sarah Dessen and Mary H.K. Choi, this lyrical and emotionally driven novel follows Alina, a young aspiring dancer who suffers a devastating injury and must face a world without ballet—as well as the darker side of her former dream. Alina Keeler was destined to dance, but then a terrifying fall shatters her leg—and her dreams of a professional ballet career along with it. After a summer healing (translation: eating vast amounts of Cool Ranch Doritos and binging ballet videos on YouTube), she is forced to trade her pre-professional dance classes for normal high school, where she reluctantly joins the school musical. However, rehearsals offer more than she expected—namely Jude, her annoyingly attractive castmate she just might be falling for. But to move forward, Alina must make peace with her pas

**Disclaimer: I received a free electronic ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.** Genre:  Graphic Novel Release Date: June 22, 2021   Description: " My name is Grace, not "Kyle's little sister!" Having a good-looking, friendly, outgoing older brother sucks—especially when you're the total opposite, someone who likes staying home and playing video games. Your parents like him better (even if they deny it!), and everyone calls you "Kyle's little sister" while looking disappointed that you're not more like him. I was really hoping I'd get to go to a different middle school, but no such luck. At least I have my friends...until he finds a way to ruin that, too...! Argh! What do I have to do to get out of his shadow?! " The art style worked really well with the story. The story itself was a good representation of middle school life, as friendships can become complex and fragile over the smallest things. Heck, I still see some

  **Disclaimer: I received a free electronic ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.** Genre:  YA, Contemporary, Romance, Magical Realism Release Date: November 2, 2021   Description: " If I Stay  meets  Your Name  in Dustin Thao's  You've Reached Sam , a heartfelt novel about love and loss and what it means to say goodbye. How do you move forward when everything you love in on the line? Seventeen-year-old Julie has her future all planned out—move out of her small town with her boyfriend Sam, attend college in the city, spend asummer in Japan. But then Sam dies. And everything changes. Desperate to hear his voice one more time, Julie calls Sam’s cellphone just to listen to his voicemail. And Sam picks up the phone. What would you do if you had a second chance at goodbye? Filled with a diverse cast of characters, the heartache of first love and loss, and the kind of friends that can get you through anything, plus a touch of magic,  You've Reached Sam  will