In a Nutshell Reviews

In a Nutshell Reviews are my version of mini-reviews, because sometimes, you just want the highlights.

Hearts Unbroken
Cynthia Leitich Smith
Series: n/a
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Goodreads

New York Times best-selling author Cynthia Leitich Smith turns to realistic fiction with the thoughtful story of a Native teen navigating the complicated, confusing waters of high school — and first love.

When Louise Wolfe’s first real boyfriend mocks and disrespects Native people in front of her, she breaks things off and dumps him over e-mail. It’s her senior year, anyway, and she’d rather spend her time with her family and friends and working on the school newspaper. The editors pair her up with Joey Kairouz, the ambitious new photojournalist, and in no time the paper’s staff find themselves with a major story to cover: the school musical director’s inclusive approach to casting The Wizard of Oz has been provoking backlash in their mostly white, middle-class Kansas town. From the newly formed Parents Against Revisionist Theater to anonymous threats, long-held prejudices are being laid bare and hostilities are spreading against teachers, parents, and students — especially the cast members at the center of the controversy, including Lou’s little brother, who’s playing the Tin Man. As tensions mount at school, so does a romance between Lou and Joey — but as she’s learned, “dating while Native” can be difficult. In trying to protect her own heart, will Lou break Joey’s?

When the new drama teacher embraces color-blind casting for the school's production of The Wizard of Oz, sparks fly in Louise's small town, and she makes a point of getting to the bottom of it, and using her voice to challenge those opposed to the casting choices that were made and threatening her family.

• Pro: Louise was a great protagonist. I loved how fully she embraced her personal identity and was comfortable with it, even when it could cause conflict for her. She was proud of her heritage, fiercely loved her family, and would challenge those who attacked either of those two things. 
• Pro: I grew up and still live in a diverse neighborhood, but I personally knew only one Native person. A book like this is important, because not only does it represent an extremely underrepresented group of people, but it reminds those who are not part of that group how damaging things which seem innocuous can be to other people. 
• Pro: The Wolfe family was wonderful. They had such a strong bond to one another, and it was such a pleasure to spend time with Louise's immediate and extended family. The warmth, love, and unfailing support they gave each other was the sort of thing I love seeing in YA families. 
• Pro: The controversy surrounding the color-blind casting was very relevant, and I thought it was an interesting way to incorporate the exploration of racism into the story. The incorporation and handling of social issues was where I thought the book excelled. Smith did a great job shedding light on many things, and left me with many things to think on. 
• Pro: Hughie was such a sweetheart. His enthusiasm, fear, and disappointment radiated from the page. He was probably one of the most vibrant characters in the book. My heart broke for him, but he showed just how mature he was via the many choices he made. 
• Pro: The growth Louise experiences over the course of the book was also well illustrated in her acknowledgement of her mistakes and flaws, and the way she attempted to atone for past missteps.  

Overall: Another reminder, that although we have evolved a lot as nation, we still have a long way to go.

Imagine Us Happy
Jennifer Yu
Series: n/a
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads

Some love stories aren't meant to last.

Stella lives with depression, and her goals for junior year are pretty much limited to surviving her classes, staying out of her parents’ constant fights and staving off unwanted feelings enough to hang out with her friends Lin and Katie.

Until Kevin. A quiet, wry senior who understands Stella and the lows she’s going through like no one else. With him, she feels less lonely, listened to—and hopeful for the first time since ever…

But to keep that feeling, Stella lets her grades go and her friendships slide. And soon she sees just how deep Kevin’s own scars go. Now little arguments are shattering. Major fights are catastrophic. And trying to hold it all together is exhausting Stella past the breaking point. With her life spinning out of control, she’s got to figure out what she truly needs, what’s worth saving—and what to let go.

In the very beginning of this book, we are told that she doesn't "want to disappoint anyone in search of a happy ending," and she wasn't kidding. This was a toxic love story, and a subtle caveat of how quickly something seemingly beautiful can unravel.

• Pro: What stood out for me was how well Yu conveyed the depth of the characters emotions. I really felt the joy and happiness one associates with first love, and how all consuming it can be, as well as the pain and anguish Stella was experiencing as her relationship turned toxic. 
• Pro: I saw teenaged me in Stella. I was in a relationship that eerily mirrored Stella and Kevin's. I wish I had seen it depicted in a book, when I was teen, and maybe I would have recognized how damaging it was for me back then. 
• Pro: Considering that this book featured two protagonists struggling with mental illness, parents constantly fighting, and a toxic romance, Yu did a good job balancing that out with some lighter parts, some tender parts, and some happy parts. There were a few characters, who did an admirable job lightening the mood, and I appreciated the balance. 
• Pro: When Stella described her depression, I nodded, and felt like she really understood my struggle. I am always a fan of books, which show there is no shame in seeking out help for mental health issues. 
• Pro: I know this makes other people nuts, but I liked the non-linear format. The pieces were set out in a way, which allowed the story of Stella and Kevin's relationship to emerge, and I am a fan of watching the full picture slowly develop. 
• Pro: I didn't realize how much I needed Yu to explicitly state it, but I am grateful that she included an open statement, that just because Kevin and Stella were bad together does NOT mean they were bad people. Kevin wasn't a villain. Stella wasn't bad. They just didn't work together. 

Overall: A toxic love story, which took me on an emotional roller coaster ride, which was funny, sad, messy, and honest.

The Healer
Donna Freitas
Series: n/a
Age/Genre: Young Adult, Magical Realism
Publisher: HarperTeen
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads

Marlena Oliveira has—mysteriously, miraculously—been given the power to heal all kinds of ailments. People around the world believe she is a saint. But her power comes at a price: she can’t go to school, she can’t have friends her own age, and she certainly can’t date.

Then she meets Finn, a boy who makes her want to fall in love. For the first time, she begins to doubt whether her gift is worth all that she must give up to keep it.

At 18, Marlena had yet to attend school, go to a dance, or get her first kiss. She had been kept separate from the world and revered for her gift as a healer. Tired of living in her "saint" bubble, she rebelled, and began stretching her wings a little, as she attempted to discover who she was when not being The Healer.

• Pro: Freitas set this initial mood with her beautiful writing, which really captured the mystical quality of Marlena the Saint. I found myself fully absorbed in her world, and was enthralled by the mystery of her gift. 
• Pro: I always love a cute romance, and the feelings and euphoria of first love was so well illustrated. Finn and Marlena made me smile and my heart pitter-pat. Their love and affection radiated off the page, and warmed me from the inside out. 
• Pro: Marlena's struggle with her identity was quite interesting and sometimes painful. Marlena the Saint was someone crafted by her mother, but who was Marlena, and who did she want to be?
• Pro: The naivety Marlena displayed was believable, and it was sort of interesting seeing and experiencing so many things for the first time with her. 
• Pro: Marlena's frustration at her lack of connection and feelings of exploitation were palpable. I felt so much empathy for her. And her guilt! My heart cracked in half, as Marlena dealt with her feelings of betrayal for abandoning her gifts, her responsibilities. 
• Pro: Freitas left me a sobbing mess at the end of this book. The tears started flowing at 91%, and I pretty much couldn't stop. So, that is a testament to my connection to the characters and their story. 

Overall:  A heartwarming and heartbreaking coming-of-age story, which explored love and faith and the different ways one can fulfill their destiny. 

** ARCs received in exchange for honest reviews.

Have you read any of these books?

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