Teens & YA @ BPL

Earthling! by Mark Fearing and Tim Rummel

This graphic novel is about a nine year old boy named Bud. Bud’s dad moves them to a new deserted town so that he can work a new job. They live in an old house around hundreds of huge satellite dishes. Bus is not thrilled. The next morning after moving in he starts his first day of school. But on accident he gets on the wrong bus. This bus is filled with aliens, he is going to a space academy. He meets a friend Gort who helps him along the way. The real question is if they will figure out who he really is and how to get him back. Along the way he makes new friends and goes through struggles trying to not blow his cover. This book is a definite science fiction novel, has wonderful illustrations and has a coming of age theme. Hidden behind the apparent problem of getting home, Bud deals with struggling to fit in. This can almost be seen as a metaphor for how some kids feel on their first day of school. They feel like an outsider and almost want to hide. Bud makes friends with the kids who aren’t seen as athletic or popular, like him. I definitely recommend this book to kids and teens. It is a good quick story to read and has a lot of space humor. We get to see how aliens live their lives as kids. 5/5

Review by AHL

Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert

Little and lion is a novel that gives the reader an inside look on Suzette or Suz, a 16 year old girl who lives in California’s life. Suzette comes home from her boarding school to stay with her family for the summer. She lives with her recently diagnosed bipolar brother Lionel or Lion, her step-dad Saul and her mom. Lion and Suzette are basically inceprable [sic] till things start to change and secrets are revealed. While all of this is going on, Suzette deals with a boycrush and starting to feel attraction to girls as well. But there’s one major problem: Suzette and Lion have feelings for the same girl. This book is a black hole of love and confusion as Suzette struggles with her sexuality and a brother who needs help. This book covers many topics that teens struggle with including mental illness, sexuality, gender, drugs, alcohol, and more. This book was something different to read. As it is Pride Month, I decided to start a different book. It was a mix of highs and lows, but came together to form an awesome book. I definitely recommend this book but be aware that it is for an older age group. 5/5

Review by AHL