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ames_morgan (8 KP) rated Love, Hate, and Other Filters in Books

Jun 19, 2018

Love, Hate, and Other Filters

Samira Ahmed | 2017 | Romance, Young Adult (YA)

8.3

(8 Ratings)

Book Rating

A compelling coming of age story about a young girl born in America but belonging to a Muslim family. This book is YA but can definitely transcend this genre. Beautifully written this book tells the story of Maya who is a senior in high school. Maya wants to be a good Indian daughter but she also wants to go to NYU and study to be a filmmaker. Maya's parents forget that they themselves defied their beliefs to a point by coming to America and starting a new life with a love marriage. As Maya and her parents start to come to an understanding a horrible act of terrorism happens too close to home for Maya's parents especially when a Muslim man is initially named as the terrorist. All of Maya's hopes and dreams are suddenly crushed as her parents decide that it is too dangerous for Maya to go away from home. And to further add insult to injury Maya has gone and fallen in love with a boy who is not Indian and definitely not a Muslim. Now Maya has to decide what she is willing to lose to follow her heart. Profound, witty and beautiful!

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ashezbookz (32 KP) rated The Empress (The Diabolic, #2) in Books

Jul 5, 2018

The Empress (The Diabolic, #2)

S.J. Kincaid | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, Young Adult (YA)

8.2

(5 Ratings)

Book Rating

4/5 - definitely not as awesome as book 1 but still just as good, there was a few lulls in action therefore that's why it got a 4/5 - i remember book 1 being non-stop action for me and I missed that in this book. Not to say there was not a lot of action - it was a LOT of action, but there was a few chapters of things that were, like I've read, very politically inclined - it is kind of the whole point of the book though so alas can I truly be mad at it??

there was quite a whirlwind of characters too - not new/special ones but ... I love this one, no I HATE them, oh I LOVE them again, no WAIT I hate them.. I mean, can you play with my emotions anymore?!?! Oh my gosh that was a lot! A wringer, a long one, but a good one.

The ending - as always in a series, makes me just scream for more, and now I have to wait an age for the next book, my life is over *cries*

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CassidyTristyn (189 KP) rated Escaping the Holocaust: A True Story in Books

Aug 14, 2018

Escaping the Holocaust: A True Story

Julian Padowicz | 2018 | History & Politics, Horror, Young Adult (YA)

6.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

Content (2 more)

Good length for young readers

Quick read

Contains spoilers, click to show

I have read several Holocaust novels and each one never fails to give me new insight into that dark period of history. This book was no different. Having very recently read The Book Thief I was curious as to how much I'd like this book since I loved the other, and overall I enjoyed the read. Overall it took me maybe three hours to read the book. It is suggested for 5th-7th graders and I agree that is an appropriate age group despite the content. While it discusses World War 2 and the Holocaust it doesn't have any gory or too intense content that younger readers couldn't enjoy it. The story itself is a narrative of ones boys experience of his time in Poland when World War 2 began. He details him and his mother's journey across Poland and eventually into Hungary. It gives an innocents perspective on the events of war. It's a short read if you are just looking for something quick and entertaining. It would also be a good book to use to introduce your child or any young reader to dark topics such as the Holocaust.

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Andy K (10823 KP) rated Eighth Grade (2018) in Movies

Jan 7, 2019 (Updated Jan 7, 2019)

Being a teenager today must be so difficult.

Having raised 3 teenage kids myself, I can commiserate wholeheartedly with the experience of attending middle and high school in the social media age and what new and complex challenges they have to deal with.

I have often thought kids these days should have some sort of class or education on not placing their lives out there for all to see.

Kayla's school year is awkward and someone lonely as she juggles her own insecurities, relationships and changes within herself. Her need for acceptance makes her step out of her comfort zone and put herself in some interesting situations along the way.

I loved this movie so much as I was able to relate to her plight as I have seen these emotions from my own kids and was able to laugh and cry with them along the way.

Golden Globe nominee Elsie Fisher is exceptional as Kayla. We go along with her journey, quickly get swept up in her life and root for her to succeed and triumph as she ascends to high school.

Loved this film!

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Show all 3 comments.

Andy K (10823 KP) Apr 9, 2019

That's all right. I love differing opinions on movies. That is what makes the world go round. I guess I felt more connected since I remember when my kids dealt with issues similar to those in the film. Thanks for the comment!

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Lee (2222 KP) Apr 10, 2019

@HString I was beginning to think I was the only one that wasn't blown away by this. I've seen nothing but high praise for this online and at my screening on Monday people were walking out too!

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