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Ivy's Reviews

Ivy grew up very close to Santa Cruz and is a UC Santa Cruz graduate. She is the head of the Hardback section, History, and helps with Sci-Fi/Fantasy. Her voracious reading appetite can include anything from history, fiction, graphic novels, and anything in between.

 

 

Mysteries of Trash and Treasure by Margaret Peterson Haddix

While spending his summer helping at his mom’s clutter removal business, Colin finds a box of letters forgotten in an attic, sparking a 50 year old mystery, and maybe a new friend in Nevaeh even if their families are rivals. This was such a delight! I loved how the mystery of the letters helped both Nevaeh and Colin discover themselves. Anyone who’s read The Parker Inheritance or loves history mysteries will enjoy this one. - Ivy

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Ivy
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Mysteries of Trash and Treasure: The Secret Letters By Margaret Peterson Haddix Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9780062838520
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Katherine Tegen Books - September 20th, 2022

The Vanquishers by Kalynn Bayron

Everyone knows all the vampires are gone after the Vanquishers eliminated the last nest 20 years ago. So why does Boog’s family insist on maintaining their vampire protections? It’s embarrassing. But when a kid goes missing, it turns out the precautions may have been needed. Bayron’s middle grade debut packs a punch that’s part Buffy, part Hardy Boys, and all heart. Trust me, you won’t want to put this down.

—IVY

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The Vanquishers By Kalynn Bayron Cover Image
$16.99
ISBN: 9781547609772
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Bloomsbury Children's Books - September 20th, 2022

The Door of No Return by Kwame Alexander

Kofi Offin practically lives in water. He spends every free minute swimming in the river near his home, unless he’s thinking about his alluring classmate Ama or about how to best his boastful cousin. The world tilts upside down after tragedy strikes at what should be a joyous festival. Kwame Alexander’s words thrummed through my entire body as I read, knowing where we were heading but desperately wishing for a different outcome. Don’t look away from this literary triumph.

—IVY

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The Door of No Return By Kwame Alexander Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9780316441865
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers - September 27th, 2022

A Girlhood: Letter to My Transgender Daughter by Carolyn Hays

Gender-affirming care is essential in reducing the rate of suicide in trans youth, yet numerous states are passing bills to limit access. This vital book grips your heart and shows firsthand the effect this legislation will have on trans children and their loved ones. Don’t look away. We cannot let our trans siblings down. Written with love, this book is for anyone (hint: everyone) affected by this .

—IVY

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Letter to My Transgender Daughter: A Girlhood By Carolyn Hays Cover Image
$28.95
ISBN: 9781949467901
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Blair - September 13th, 2022

Court of the Vampire Queen by Katee Robert

As a dhampir, someone half-human and half-vampire, Mina has always felt somewhere in between, as she possesses neither the strength of her father’s race nor knowledge of her mother’s society. In a ploy to solidify his power, Mina’s father sends her to Malachai as a blood offering, but neither she nor Malachai are beings to be underestimated, especially when their chemistry is this good. Whether warning or enticement, the disclaimers at the beginning are not for show. A deeply sexy read with excellent world building. 
—IVY

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Court of the Vampire Queen By Katee Robert Cover Image
$16.99
ISBN: 9781728264691
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Sourcebooks Casablanca - September 6th, 2022

The Feeling of Falling in Love by Mason Deaver

Transmasc teen Neil has mostly breezed through his opulent life, but when Josh—his friend with benefits—catches feelings, Neil can't run away fast enough. In a harebrained attempt to show Josh he never had a chance, Neil convinces his roommate at boarding school, Wyatt, to be his fake boyfriend. Mason Deaver, one of my favorite YA authors, has created a pitch-perfect fake-dating romcom for fans of She Drives Me Crazy and Meet Cute Diary. —Ivy

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The Feeling of Falling in Love By Mason Deaver Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9781338777666
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: PUSH - August 16th, 2022

Attack of the Black Rectangles by Amy Sarig King

Mac hates when teachers ignore the truth in the name of “appropriateness.” When he discovers someone has blacked out a portion of his school book, he sets out to uncover the source of the censorship. This brilliantly written novel by Printz Award winner A.S. King is timely as heck and a vital addition to the conversation about how to handle hard subjects in schools. I was rooting for Mac every step of the way. —Ivy

 

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Attack of the Black Rectangles By A. S. King Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9781338680522
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Scholastic Press - September 6th, 2022

Three Strike Summer by Skyler Schrempp

All Gloria Mae Willard wants is to play baseball with the Balko boys, but no one wants to play with a “skirt,” even if she’s got the best arm in town. When the Dust Bowl brings tragedy after tragedy to Oklahoma, Gloria’s family packs everything they own into a truck and heads to California in search of hope. Memories of the 1993 film The Sandlot coupled with this novel's labor rights movement (think Paterson’s Lyddie) kept me racing to find out what happened next. 

—Ivy

 

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Three Strike Summer By Skyler Schrempp Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781534499140
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Margaret K. McElderry Books - August 30th, 2022

You Sexy Thing by Cat Rambo

Former Admiral Nicolette Larson has worked tirelessly to make her restaurant a success. Failure means returning to military service with her former squadron turned restaurant employees and sets back a rescue mission decades in the making. When everything explodes in her face (quite literally), survival is tantamount while also contending with a living ship that believes they’re thieves. Oh and space pirates! For fans of Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet and The Great British Baking Show, I savored every minute of this incredible series opener. —Ivy

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You Sexy Thing (The Disco Space Opera #1) By Cat Rambo Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250269294
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Tor Books - August 2nd, 2022

On the Rooftop by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton

Vivian believes her singing daughters could make it on the world’s stage and works towards the dream tirelessly. However, members of The Salvations have grown up and out of their girlhood aspirations. This is a book deeply grounded in place set against the backdrop of 1950s San Francisco Fillmore neighborhood struggling against gentrification. Watching every woman in this book fight to be understood as an individual made this an incredibly satisfying read. —Ivy

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On the Rooftop: A Reese's Book Club Pick By Margaret Wilkerson Sexton Cover Image
$28.99
ISBN: 9780063139961
Availability: On Our Shelves Now
Published: Ecco - September 6th, 2022

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