useless bay review

Useless Bay: A Review

Useless BayClaire Hutchet Bishop’s The Five Chinese Brothers moves to the Pacific Northwest in this YA mystery from M.J. Beaufrand. Useless Bay introduces readers to the Gray quints — four brothers and sister Pixie — and the Shepherds: an ultra-wealthy family who vacation near the Grays’ home on Whidbey Island. When two members of the Shepherd clan go missing, the Grays are the first people suspected, and the supersized, superpowered teens must rush to solve the mystery and save themselves and their friends. Continue reading

every-falling-star-review

Every Falling Star: A Review

Every Falling Star: The True Story of How I Survived and Escaped North KoreaHe was just like every other little boy in Pyongyang, taking taekwondo lessons and dreaming of becoming a general in Kim Il-sung’s army. In Every Falling Star: The True Story of How I Survived and Escaped North Korea, DPRK-escapee Sungju Lee tells of his family’s fall from grace, his life as an orphan on the streets, and his eventual path to freedom. Although aimed at a young adult audience, Lee’s memoir provides an unflinching look at what happens to Pyongyang families who displease the Leader. Continue reading