Adolescence & Coming of Age – Cannonball Read 17

They adorably find you when you need them

Adorable Empire: A Graphic Novel by Laura Terry

August 20, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Adorable Empire: A Graphic Novel by Laura Terry is a nice solid 3. The story is not new (magical animals, being yourself, divorce, complicated family and friends relationships), but it is nice (I will repeat this word) and has a few points that keep it new for someone who has read a lot of this theme, but also does not deter a newbie to the flock of coming of age books. There are nice illustrations that are not WOW, but not blah either. Overall, it […]

One summer of food, friends, family

Speak Up, Santiago!: A Hillside Valley Graphic Novel by Julio Anta

January 22, 2025 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Speak Up, Santiago!: A Hillside Valley Graphic Novel by Julio Anta and illustrator Gabi Mendez is a story about friendship (even to yourself), family and finding your place. The cultural references, the ideas of community and more comes to life. The feeling is a younger The Misfits by James Howe, with colorful illustrations that brings Santi and his four new friends together. In the end it is a cozy read that is both familiar and fresh. Santi is trying to come to terms with not […]

A red-headed, freckled Mexican American border kid

They Call Me Güero: A Border Kid's Poems by David Bowles

January 16, 2024 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

CBR16SweetChallenge #New (representation in my reading) They Call Me Güero: A Border Kid’s Poems came to my attention because there was an online reader copy of the companion novel, They Call Her Fregona: A Border Kid’s Poems and I realized that while it might not need to be read in order, it might be a good idea to get this first one. Author David Bowles has a story that was new to me (after all I thought I didn’t know them, but I had read […]

Becoming a teenager are confusing but this is a nice start to help sorting things out

Cross My Heart and Never Lie by Nora Dasnes

December 13, 2023 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

Ages ago I asked for a reader copy of Cross My Heart and Never Lie and was lucky enough to receive a copy. However, in the crazy that is my life, I finally found time to read it, but like any book this was the right time. It turned into an interesting book that is in a diary format, which is familiar, as is the theme of growing up, coming of age and the stages we find ourselves in, in comparison to our friends, but it is all done in […]

There are no distractions from you. You’re every idea I’ve ever had.

The Roots that Clutch by TheCryingClub

December 4, 2023 by carmelpie Leave a Comment

The Roots that Clutch ― TheCryingClub (A Normal People AU) I’ve taken a liking to Hozier’s music lately and I can trace the origin back to when I read this fic for the first time. I think what keeps pulling me back to it, and what resonated with me in Normal People, is the feeling of bittersweetness that lingers, mellowing from a sharp pain to a dull throb. It’s this gorgeous aching that pulls my mind back to this story again and again. The title […]

I can see clearly now

Four Eyes: A Graphic novel (book one) by Rex Ogle

April 17, 2023 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I did not think I was going to like Four Eyes: A Graphic novel (volume one) as much as I did. Oh, I knew I would like it, it seems funny and cute, but I figured it would be obvious, another book where the kid is different, bullies and then the happy ending. The interesting part about his graphic novel, Rex Ogle does not take the easy path. He takes the realistic path. Loosely based on Ogle’s own story, this is a relatable story that […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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