|

January 2025 Book Reviews

ByMary Wilson
Save or Share:

Discover which books I recommend for
kids, teens, and adults, based on my reading this month.

This was a great reading month with a great variety of books, especially graphic novels for kids.

Many books I read each month are necessary for teaching my online book clubs, so you will find some great suggestions for kids, tweens, and teens!

I’ve included all of my reviews below, so keep scrolling and share what you read this month in the comments!

Don't Miss a Thing....
SIGN UP FOR BOOK CLUB NEWS, BOOKLISTS, AND MORE
Book Reviews for January 2025

This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure.

Graphic Novels for January 2025

It was a fun month of graphic novel reading in my weekly Outschool graphic novel book clubs. We hit a variety of books!

Welcome to Feral

Welcome to Feral
by Mark Fearing
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️


The short stories in this graphic novel are creepy and pretty strange. This book is not for sensitive readers but is fun for kids who like scary stories. While I found the individual stories strange, I loved the connections in the graphics from story to story. The students in my middle school graphic novel class enjoyed the book overall, and we had fun looking at the map and discussing the connections we spotted between the stories.

While it is a collection of strange stories, I would have enjoyed it as a kid. As an adult, I appreciated the stories’ uniqueness and the graphics’ creativity. I’d recommend this one for ages 10/11 and up.

Learn More
Dinosaurs Before Dark

Dinosaurs Before Dark (Graphic Novel)
adapted by Jenny Laird
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

This is a fantastic graphic adaptation of Mary Pope Osborne’s Dinosaurs Before Dark. The adaptation stays true to the original story so readers can get to know Jack and Annie in a graphic novel format.

It is very colorful and creatively drawn. There is plenty of variety in the layouts, and I appreciated the different changes in the point of view in the drawings.

I loved this graphic novel and recommend it to elementary school readers.

Learn More
K is in Trouble graphic novel

K is in Trouble
by Gary Clement
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

K is a polite and kind boy who always does what he is told yet finds himself in trouble. From a simple sick day in bed to trying to help a teacher at the train station to getting a glass of water, K can’t seem to get through any situation without being misunderstood. The problem is – K isn’t even doing anything wrong!

This is a silly and somewhat frustrating collection of five short stories about a boy constantly being misunderstood or ignored by the adults in his life. As a result, he finds himself in trouble with no one to listen or help him. The situations are exaggerated, and the endings are often surprising.

I thought the illustrations were well done and unique. In particular, the artist makes excellent use of line drawings – strong lines – in his illustrations. We discussed examples of this in detail during my weekly graphic novel book club on Outschool.

Learn More
poetry comics

Poetry Comics
by Grant Snider
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

I loved the way creative poems about the seasons were illustrated in the form of comics. While this isn’t a traditional graphic novel, I read this in my graphic novel book clubs with kids ranging in age from 8-14, and most of them enjoyed it or at least appreciated the creativity. This would be a great addition to any poetry study!

Learn More
Parachute Kids graphic novel

Parachute Kids
by Betty C. Tang
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Feng-Li and her siblings are visiting family in America when her parents break the news that they are returning to Taiwan and leaving Feng-Li and her older siblings on their own in America. The three kids are now “parachute kids” and must fend for themselves in a strange new country.

This book was a bit “heavier” than I anticipated because I hadn’t researched it before I started reading. I knew nothing about the concept of a parachute kid, so I appreciated learning about the author’s journey. While this book isn’t a memoir, she says it is based on her experience and the experience of other families with similar stories.

I think this book opens up the door for discussions about immigration, but parents should know that there is also smoking and racism in the book as well. There is LGBTQ+ representation, but the character must hide that he is gay due to reactions from those around him. Honestly, his story is left hanging without a conclusion.

I think this book is best for ages 10+. While I enjoyed it, the topics felt too heavy to discuss in my online book clubs on Outschool. I try to avoid heavy topics as I think they are best for parents to have with their kids at home or with better-trained teachers to handle sensitive situations.

Learn More
Saving Sunshine graphic novel

Saving Sunshine
by Saadia Faruqi
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Zara and Zeeshan are twins who are constantly fighting. During a family trip to Florida, their bickering reaches a new level, so their parents take their phones. Once they adjust and explore the beaches, Zara finds a sick sea turtle, allowing them to work together toward a common goal. Slowly, they begin to put their differences aside and find a better path toward friendship.

This book was probably closer to a 4-star for me, but after discussing it with students in my graphic novel book clubs, it reached a 5-star level. I appreciated how many of them enjoyed and related to the story.

The sibling arguments at the book’s start felt a bit over the top but relatable at the same time. While the arguing was non-stop (which felt exaggerated), there were moments of reliability, such as arguing over the armrest on the plane. My students found the sibling’s arguments relatable and humorous.

I loved the themes in this book, mainly the message of compromise as the twins learn to value each other’s interests in addition to their own. Many of my students quickly pointed out that the vacation photos at the end revealed that they clearly spent time doing the other person’s favorite thing. I thought this was a great message.

The family in this book is Muslim, and I appreciate finding books with diverse representation. The father is from Pakistan, and some of their unique experiences (wearing a hijab) are woven into the story.

Learn More

Children’s Books for January 2025

It was a great month of reading and discussing children’s books!

A duet for Home

A Duet for Home
by Karina Yan Glaser
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️


This story is told from the alternative perspectives of two sixth-graders living in a homeless shelter. June has just moved to Huey House and is adjusting to all that has changed in her life that led to her family’s homelessness, including the death of her father. Tyrell has lived at Huey House for three years and helps June and her little sister adjust to Huey House. The kids stumble upon the plan for a new housing policy that will put homeless families in danger. Now, they are determined to make a change!

I adored so much about this book. It addressed an important topic – homelessness – and highlighted some causes and how government policies can impact homelessness. I also loved that the author included music using June’s love of the viola and her talent. The characters were likable, and I thought their life and living situations were realistic. I appreciated that the book encourages young people to get involved in their community and to work toward making changes.

I thought there were many unrealistic moments throughout the book, especially at the end. Adult characters behave in ways I don’t think you would necessarily encounter, but I don’t think it would bother kids reading the book. The event with the mayor at the end is entirely unrealistic but it could open a discussion about making a difference and how you might join a protest or rally.

I highly recommend this one, especially as a read-aloud for families. I think it would lead to some great discussion, and you could tie in some of the classical music as well.

Learn More
The Mona Lisa Vanishes

The Mona Lisa Vanishes
by Nicholas Day
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

The year is 1911 and a thief walks out of the Lourve with the Mona Lisa painting and it will be hours before anyone notices. What allowed this to happen and how will the police catch the thief without modern techniques? Be ready to travel back in time to learn more about this incredible art heist and the period surrounding it.

{4.5} This book read more like a mystery/thriller than it did a non-fiction story. I didn’t want to put this page-turner down. Honestly, It was exciting as well as informative. The only reason I didn’t give it five stars was because the timeline jumped around pretty often so it was hard to follow sometimes.

I loved how facts and information about the period and the people involved were woven into this story. We learned more about Leonardo, the woman who posed for the painting, the police tracking the thief, and more. Facts about crime-solving techniques of the time, such as the invention of fingerprinting, were also included in the story.

The history of the Mona Lisa and the notoriety that the painting gained because it was stolen was not anything I knew previously. I am one of many people who made a beeline to the Mona Lisa the moment I entered the Louvre, so I enjoyed learning more about this historical event that made the painting so famous.

This book would be a great addition to the school year for any middle school student. That said, the middle school students in my book club had very mixed feelings about this book. The word that came up often was “chaotic.” Some loved all of the various rabbit trails through history, while others wanted the story to be more focused.

Learn More
The Last Dragon on Mars

The Last Dragon on Mars
by Scott Reintgen
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

In this future world, where every planet and moon has a dragon, humans have finally colonized Mars, but things aren’t going well. After the moon dragons helped humans defeat Ares, the angry dragon of Mars, the planet wasn’t the same. Ares’ death cursed the planet, and now nothing will grow; the animals have turned against the humans, and food is scarce. The end of the Martain colonies seems to be drawing nearer each day. Until one day, Lunar Jones, one of the kids scraping together his survival in of the Martain cities, stumbles upon a secret military base and a project that has the potential to change everything.

It took me a few chapters to feel engaged in this story, but once I was, I was completely intrigued. The main character was likable, and the other kids in his story brought a lot of interesting personalities and humor. And of course, there were dragons, which is always a bonus. I particularly liked how these dragons were connected to planets and moons. Their personalities and appearance relate to the planet or moon they inhabit. I thought it was a creative way to bring astronomy into the fantasy world.

I loved how “the chosen one” troupe played out in this story as a kid “from the wrong side of Mars” was chosen by the dragon over the military-trained kids. There isn’t necessarily anything “special” about him, but we see how his lack of military training brings a unique gut instinct that the other kids have learned to ignore as they follow the rules of engagement.

There is no romance in the book other than a single moment when a boy thinks a girl is about to confess a crush on him, but she doesn’t. It is never mentioned again. Some kids will be thrilled at the lack of romance, while others will be disappointed. I do not know if future books will change that, but book one has no romance.

I think middle school readers and even teens will enjoy this story. I hope more books in the series are released soon!

Learn More
Ferris by Kate DiCamillo

Ferris
by Kate DiCamillo
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

It’s the summer before fifth grade for Ferris Wilkey and everything about her life seems a bit chaotic. Her little sister has vowed to become an outlaw and is quite committed to the task. Her Uncle Ted has left Aunt Shirley to live in the Wilkey basement and paint a history of the world. And her grandmother, Charisse, has spotted a ghost in the house. The family chaos runs wild, but so does the love between these characters as they navigate through the summer.

This is an enjoyable story about a family that loves and supports one another in spite of all of the chaos going on in their relationships. We read this one in my 8-10-year-old monthly fiction book club on Outschool and used it to discuss character traits. This book has a great cast of characters, especially the youngest sister, Pinky, who causes chaos in her quest to become an outlaw.

This is a pretty gentle story without a huge problem to solve or a cliff-hanging climatic moment. Instead, we join Ferris in the middle of her family, working out their relationships and love for one another. I appreciated the light imagery used throughout the book that represented the loving bonds of a family. That would be a great idea to trace throughout the book with older kids.

Parents should note that while the dog doesn’t die, the grandmother does. The death is foreshadowed pretty clearly during the story, and it happens at the end. The author doesn’t spend a long time in the sorrow of grief but quickly moves toward hope with the birth of a new family member. My students did find it sad, especially if they could remember losing someone (or a pet) they loved recently.

Learn More
Code Name Kingfisher

Code Name Kingfisher
by Liz Kessler
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Thirteen-year-old Liv must research her family tree for a school project. She quickly realizes how little she knows, especially about Bubbe, her ninety-two-year-old grandmother’s life. Bubbe is tight-lipped about her childhood and gets upset whenever it is mentioned. Then, while cleaning out Bubbe’s attic, Liv finds an old chest that contains clues to her grandmother’s childhood.

This story was creatively told through rotating points of view in two separate timelines and journal entries. We hear from Liv in the present timeline as she works on her school project and handles friendship issues. In the past WW2 timeline, we hear from Bubbe (Mila) and her sister, Hannie, two Jewish sisters who must move to Holland for safety. Hanni’s journal entries are also included to tell her side of the story.

I enjoyed this one right away. I thought Liv was a great main character, and her relationship with her Bubbe (grandmother) captured the struggles of a family handling care and situations for an aging family member. In the past timeline, I thought the book realistically captured the age gap between Mila and her older sister and how they handled their situation during WW2.

Parents should know that while this book is age-appropriate for middle school students, the content might be difficult for sensitive readers. There is a significant death near the end when a Nazi soldier shoots a main character point blank. The character is trying to rescue a group of children and gets caught. The realities of life under the Nazi rule, including hiding Jews in small spaces and having friends betray you, are all part of the story as well.

Learn More
Impossible Creatures

Impossible Creatures
by Katherine Rundell
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

{3.5 STARS} While visiting his grandfather, Christopher can explore anywhere except the top of the hill. Of course, this means Christopher immediately visits the top of the hill and discovers a hidden and magical lake. There, he meets Mal, a girl from a hidden magical world who needs his help. Christopher joins Mal in the Archipelago, a cluster of magical islands hidden beneath the lake. He embarks on a non-stop adventure as he helps Mal uncover the dark truth about what is happening in her world.

The magical creatures in this book are a complete delight. I wish I had known about the glossary in the back when I started reading to identify all of the creatures as we met them. I am confident that kids who love mythical creatures will enjoy this part of the story, EXCEPT when one of their beloved creatures is killed. That is going to be a challenging moment for a lot of readers.

I enjoyed the main heroines, Mal and Christopher. They are quite likable, and the cast of people who join them in their adventures are unique and fun! They sail from port to port, trying to gather needed items and defeat (or trick) their enemies. This section of the story is very reminiscent of Odysseus’s tales.

This was a fun story, but I never felt wholly immersed in the world. It took about half of the story to sink into the plot, and even then, it felt a bit scattered and all over the place. I am not the target audience, so a middle-grade reader might not experience it the same way.

WARNINGS: I didn’t pick this for my middle school book club because Mal’s aunt is stabbed in the first few chapters of the book, and she dies. It isn’t described in detail, but it does mention blood covering her apron. In addition, one of the adorable creatures (who readers know well) is also killed. If you have sensitive readers, just be aware of this.

Learn More

YA Books I Read in December 2024

The YA books I choose this month were more for me than any teen. I was interested in the stories!

The party by Natasha

The Party
by Natasha Preston
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

A group of rich boarding school high schoolers secretly gather at a remote castle owned by one of their families. They plan to spend a few days partying and celebrating without any of the adults aware of their location. But when a severe storm traps them in the castle and friends start dying, the party is definitely over.

This was a pretty good thriller/mystery story, though it took a while to pick up speed. The book’s first half had a lot of dialogue, yet we didn’t get to know any particular character well. Some hints are dropped about more to the story, which adds intrigue, but I felt like I only had a pretty shallow knowledge of each character. The book’s second half picks up a lot of plot speed and has much more tension, twists, and turns.

Parents should know that this YA book has little to no sexual content. Some couples kiss, but it isn’t detailed or frequent. There is lying about their whereabouts, throwing a secret party, and a lot of underage drinking. Clearly, there is also a lot of violence because people are being killed one by one. At least one death was particularly gruesome. This book felt a bit more appropriate for the older end of the YA age range. (15/16+ IMO, though Common Sense Media says 14+)

Learn More
Divine Rivals

Divine Rivals
by Rebecca Ross
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Iris Winnow’s family is falling apart – her mother is an addict, and her brother has joined the front lines to fight in the war between the gods. To remain sane, Winnow types letters to her brother and slips them under the large wardrobe, where they disappear every night and end up in the bedroom of Roman Kitt, her rival at work.

She has no clue that Roman is reading her letters and writing her back, but he knows exactly what is going on. When Iris heads to the front lines to find her brother, Roman decides to take control of his destiny and follow Iris on her mission.

This was an entertaining read and a great enemy-to-lovers story. Without a doubt, my favorite part of the story was the magical connection between the typewriters. Not only did it feel unique, but it created a complicated situation between the characters.

I read this one for fun, so I didn’t pay as much attention as I usually do to the content for the YA crowd. Parents should check out Common Sense Media for details about content.

Learn More

Adult Books I Read in January 2025

I loved quite a few books that I read for myself this month.

do you still talk to grandma cover

Do You Still Talk to Grandma?
by Britt Baron
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️


This book offered a lot of great concepts and general thoughts about dealing with problematic people, but it didn’t dig into the nitty gritty of what that might look like on a personal level. Most examples were about celebrities or people online with a vast audience. There weren’t many I remember about close family members and fleshing out how that might look.

The author did share a little about her friendship with Rachel Hollis and a problematic moment, but she never shared a deeper look at navigating that. I did appreciate the big-picture nuance she introduced using that example because I remember what Rachel Hollis said and how horrible it seemed in the social media storm. I know authors must have personal boundaries when sharing their stories. Still, based on the title, I thought the book would dig deeper into navigating personal relationships with some detail.

I did love the final chapter about imagining a particular future for your family, community, and country and then working toward it. Some of the wisdom in that section was perfect for the new year! (as I am finishing this on 1/2) The chapter discussed big-picture movements in history and our small part in the larger story.

NOTE: The problematic people in the examples all have conservative and right-wing political ideas. This is understandable because the author is a Black queer woman and a progressive Christian. The book is based on her own life experiences and perspectives. That said, it does narrow down the audience. I would not recommend this to any of my conservative friends.

Learn More
First Lie Wins

First Lie Wins
by Ashley Elston
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

It’s hard to write a review for this one for several reasons:

1. I don’t want to give too much away to anyone who hasn’t read it. Not knowing what is happening is part of the story’s intrigue.

2. It had some very similar vibes to my absolute favorite book of the year, so it was bound to fall short for me no matter what – because it wasn’t that book.

Some of my biggest complaints were that I didn’t love the narrator, and the details we learned about her life seemed entirely unnecessary. There are also a TON of characters to keep track of with very short chapters, making it hard to get to know anyone and their story. I was only interested in a few.

The ending had some clever connections and moments, but overall, it felt disappointing and short after such a huge investment of time and energy into this story.

That said, it is a fantastic read for a book club, and I loved discussing it with friends. There are some great discussions to be had about fate and knowing your future after reading this book. We also had conflicting views about how it ended and what we should think about why everything occurred.

Learn More
Just for the Summer

Just for Summer
by Abby Jimenez
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Justin’s dating life is cursed. Every woman he dates finds their soulmate when they break up with him. It turns out that Emma has the same problem, so she and Justin form a plan. They decide to casually date each other with plans to break up, knowing it will lead to them finding their true love.

What Emma and Justin didn’t expect was falling for each other, but their relationship isn’t easy to navigate. Emma is dealing with a toxic mother, while Justin is about to receive full custody of his three younger siblings. Has fate messed with them again, or will they find a way to make it work?

This book was much more intense than I expected when I started reading. (I usually dive into a book without knowing much about it) I expected a light-hearted romance, but the story included a lot of complications that addressed deeper issues. I still loved reading it and enjoyed the romance. Some situations were a bit over the top and unbelievable, but that is fine with me if I enjoy the characters and story.

Learn More
do you still talk to grandma cover

Do You Still Talk to Grandma
Britt Barron
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

This book offered a lot of great concepts and general thoughts about dealing with problematic people, but it didn’t dig into the nitty gritty of what that might look like on a personal level. Most examples were about celebrities or people online with a vast audience. There weren’t many I remember about close family members and fleshing out how that might look.

The author did share a little about her friendship with Rachel Hollis and a problematic moment, but she never shared a deeper look at navigating that. I did appreciate the big-picture nuance she introduced using that example because I remember what Rachel Hollis said and how horrible it seemed in the social media storm. I know authors must have personal boundaries when sharing their stories. Still, based on the title, I thought the book would dig deeper into navigating personal relationships with some detail.

I did love the final chapter about imagining a particular future for your family, community, and country and then working toward it. Some of the wisdom in that section was perfect for the new year! (as I am finishing this on 1/2) The chapter discussed big-picture historical movements and our small part in the greater story.

NOTE: The problematic people in the examples all have conservative and right-wing political ideas. This is understandable because the author is a Black queer woman and a progressive Christian. The book is based on her own life experiences and perspectives. That said, it does narrow down the audience. I would not recommend this to any of my conservative friends.

Learn More

More Monthly Book Reviews

October 2024 Book Reviews

November 2024 Book Reviews

More Great Book Lists

The Best Christmas Books for Teens (with reviews!)

35 Christmas Books Your Kids will Love

Award-Winning Books by Grade Level

Connect
Latest posts by Mary Wilson (see all)

Save or Share:

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.