TO ALL THE BOYS I'VE LOVED BEFORE by Jenny Han

Lara Jean writes a "farewell" letter to the boys she loves when she is ready to let them go emotionally. She writes the letter, gets some closure, and then she saves it in a special hatbox her mom gave her. But when two of the boys walk up to her, holding her letters in their hands, Lara Jean's secrets are out and she'll have to figure out where she stands.

This was a fun "what if" story that is well-balanced with a strong family story. Lara Jean is still growing up and figuring out who she is and who she wants to be -- at home, at school and in her personal life. And these letters really complicate that process for awhile, but they also force Lara Jean to look at her life and her choices from a different perspective. Great read!

4 out of 5 stars
This is a story for teens/young adults/adults due to language and adult themes.

PICTURE BOOKS: Psalm 23 illustrated by Richard Jesse Watson AND Emma Dilemma: Big Sister Poems by

The illustrations are what make this book amazing. This was one of the books in our school's spring Scholastic book fair. Several people were convinced to buy this one simply from looking at the full spread illustration that matches this cover picture. It would give you chills to see it in person.

The text of Psalm 23 is laid out throughout the book with these gorgeous illustrations that just beg you to pull up a chair and enjoy them over and over again.

4 out of 5 stars

Recommendations: This would make a lovely gift - for new parents, for a christening/baby dedication, for a friend struggling with an illness or other difficult life circumstances. There are also folks for whom this Psalm is especially significant - I think this presentation is one worth adding to a collection.

This is a delightful "story" of poems by the big sister about her littler sister - the little sister who can be a big pain and a big treasure to her older sibling.

I am an only child, but the emotions and the relationship reflected in the poems seems to fit the women around me with sisters and the stories I hear from them. The voice is great and the format makes it great for use in a school.

5 out of 5 stars
AR reading level of 3.3

Recommended for: sisters, classroom use for general reading as well as for poetry units.