Book Review: Wolf Hollow

"Wolf Hollow" by Lauren Wolk is one of those stories that brings you into another world with its rich setting and engaging storytelling. I felt like I was with Annabelle as she traversed the woods or her family farm. I nodded to the cows she mooed at as she passed to let them know it was her. I smelled the hay in the barn and felt the weight of the book in her hands.

Annabelle's life changes when a new student, Betty, arrives and shows surprising cruelty in her bullying.  When a local war veteran known to be odd steps in to protect Annabelle, he becomes a target. Lies unravel with more lies as Annabelle attempts to find a way to expose the truth and set things right, only to see things escalate.

At no point in this story could I predict what would happen next. I wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

Book Review: Simon vs the Homosapiens Agenda

This terrific YA novel is about Simon, who is falling in love over emails while he comes out as gay to his friends and family. It reads like a diary sharing the innermost thoughts of a teenage boy.

This book is being made into a movie called "Love, Simon." I'm not sure why they changed the title, because the title was the reason I picked up this book, and it didn't disappoint. The main character is as snarky as the title suggests.