YA Cafe

Danielle Hall and Amanda Thrasher
  • 5.0 (40)
  • BOOKS

Conversations and reviews about Young Adult books for teachers, readers, and caffeine addicts everywhere.

  1. 11/21/2019

    Sick Kids in Love by Hannah Moskowitz

    This week we’re chatting about Sick Kids in Love by Hannah Moskowitz, a heartwarming #ownvoices tale of two chronically ill teens who don’t die at the end! (Transcript)   In today’s episode… Sick Kids in Love by Hannah Moskowitz Isabel is sick. Not “Make-a-Wish” sick, though. Isabel has Rheumatoid Arthritis, the kind of sick that hurts her every single day and requires constant treatments, but isn’t going to kill her. Her friends and family, although they care about her, sometimes forget that she’s sick at all. After all, Isabel is dealing with it so well, and works hard to never be an imposition on their lives. Sasha’s world is different. He’s sick, too, with Gaucher disease, but he and his family are open and unapologetic about his life and struggles. When the two meet during […] The post Sick Kids in Love by Hannah Moskowitz appeared first on Nouvelle ELA Teaching Resources.

    24 min

  2. 10/31/2019

    A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy

    Our friend Courtney joins us to chat about A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy. It’s perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone or Three Dark Crowns! (Transcript) In today’s episode…   A River of Royal Blood tells the story of two rival princesses, Eva and Isadore, in a land of magic and mystery. Eva, our POV character, has always known that when she comes of age, she and her sister will fight to the death for the crown. Even though she wants to rule and be a good queen, Eva has never believed she’d have a chance because she’s never been able to use her magic of Blood and Marrow. It’s a terrifying magic with a sinister past, and Eva’s father could never find someone to teach her. When a mentor […] The post A River of Royal Blood by Amanda Joy appeared first on Nouvelle ELA Teaching Resources.

    27 min

  3. 09/27/2019

    The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus feat. L. Sam Smith

    Writer & teacher L. Samantha Smith joins us to chat about The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus, a lush, split perspective YA debut. (Transcript)     In today’s episode… The Stars and the Blackness Between Them follows two girls, Audre and Mabel. Audre has just been sent to Minnesota from her home in Trinidad after her mother found her with another girl. Mabel is ready to welcome her, but barely has the energy to enjoy much these days. After a startling diagnosis, Mabel counts on Audre for calm and peace. She also begins a correspondence with an imprisoned writer. It feels like these two people are alone in understanding her and anchoring her to this life. Can the two girls shape happiness in the space and time they have left together? […] The post The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus feat. L. Sam Smith appeared first on Nouvelle ELA Teaching Resources.

    29 min

  4. 09/12/2019

    Pet by Akwaeke Emezi feat. H.D. Hunter

    This week we’re chatting about Pet by Akwaeke Emezi. Our guest is author H.D. Hunter who has some great insight into this totally unique YA new release. (Transcript)     In today’s episode… Pet by Akwaeke Emezi The people in the town of Lucille know that there are no monsters anymore – not since the angels came and took them all way. But when a creature from one of Jam’s mother’s paintings comes to life and declares it’s here to hunt a monster, Jam believes it. The creature tells Jam to call it ‘Pet’, and asks her to help it find a monster lurking in her best friend’s house. Can Jam navigate the tricky waters of hunting a monster when no one believes they still exist?       These Show Notes use Amazon Affiliate […] The post Pet by Akwaeke Emezi feat. H.D. Hunter appeared first on Nouvelle ELA Teaching Resources.

    32 min

  5. 08/22/2019

    The Revolution of Birdie Randolph by Brandy Colbert feat. Nikea JaLynn

    BookTuber, Nikea JaLynn (cohost of the series #BlackGirlLit), joins us to chat about The Revolution of Birdie Randolph by Brandy Colbert. (Transcript)   In today’s episode… The Revolution of Birdie Randolph by Brandy Colbert Dove “Birdie” Randolph has tried hard to live up to her parents’ expectations: she’s at the top of her class, she works hard, and she even quit playing soccer to make more time for schoolwork. She seems to be the perfect daughter. But Birdie has a secret: she’s seeing a boy named Booker, a boy who’s been in Juvie, and Birdie’s sure her parents won’t approve. When her estranged aunt Carlene comes to town, Birdie’s life gets even more complicated. Carlene’s in recovery, but Birdie’s mother still braces herself for the moment when it will all come crashing down. Can Birdie […] The post The Revolution of Birdie Randolph by Brandy Colbert feat. Nikea JaLynn appeared first on Nouvelle ELA Teaching Resources.

    31 min

  6. 08/08/2019

    The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee

    Stacey Lee does it again! The Downstairs Girl is exactly the kind of historical fiction we need right now. We loved it, and your students will too. (Transcript)         In today’s episode… The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee Being a Chinese American teenager in late 19th century Atlanta isn’t easy, but Jo Kwan has made a life with some stability. She and her caretaker, Old Gin, live in secret in a hidden room below a house, eavesdropping on the family living above them. When Jo’s fired without cause from her job as a hat maker she has no choice but to return to work as a lady’s maid for a girl she despises. Luckily, Jo has a secret. She’s taken to writing an advice column as “Miss Sweetie,” a sauce box of […] The post The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee appeared first on Nouvelle ELA Teaching Resources.

    22 min

  7. 07/25/2019

    Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim feat. Maura Milan

    Project Runway meets Mulan in the new YA fantasy novel Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim. Joining us to chat is author and filmmaker, Maura Milan. (Transcript)   In today’s episode…   In Spin the Dawn, Maia Tamarin wants to be the best tailor in the land but can’t even officially apprentice as a girl. Her brothers have gone off to fight in a bloody civil war, and she’s all that holds the family business together. When her aging father gets called to the emperor’s court to be the imperial tailor, Maia slips away in his stead, posing as one of her brothers. When she arrives, she discovers that there are several tailors vying for the job, and she must best them in a series of challenges. Soon, Maia discovers that there’s more at stake […] The post Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim feat. Maura Milan appeared first on Nouvelle ELA Teaching Resources.

    32 min

  8. 06/27/2019

    Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay

    We are joined by Zshavette, a Pinay bookstagrammer to chat about Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay. It’s one of our favorite reads of 2019! (Transcript)     In today’s episode… In Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay, we meet Jay Reguero, a Filipino-American teenager. He has mostly maintained his connection to his family in the Philippines through letters to his cousin, Jun. Or did, before they lost touch a few years ago. Now, Jay is just trying to make it through his senior year before heading to college in the fall. When he gets news that Jun has died, no one will give him any details. Jay wants answers, and he travels to the Philippines to get them. As he learns more about President Duterte’s drug war and the truth about his […] The post Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay appeared first on Nouvelle ELA Teaching Resources.

    27 min
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5
out of 5
40 Ratings

About

Conversations and reviews about Young Adult books for teachers, readers, and caffeine addicts everywhere.

Information

  • Creator
    Danielle Hall and Amanda Thrasher
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2019
  • Episodes
    65
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    YA Cafe