Recent Reads, February 2025
included 2 much-awaited sequels and an award winner
February was my birthday month and I feel like one way I got to celebrate was reading some excellent books, including a couple by favorite authors and a couple by real-life friends (so special to me to be able to do this!). I also bought a few books for myself this month, so overall, lots of bookish joy!
Here are the MG & YA books I’ve read lately, with mini-reviews. (If you’re new here, I have a footnote for you!)1
📚. Middle Grade
The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly :: This was the 2024 Newbery Award Winner, and it was a really captivating mashup of historical fiction and sci-fi. While the main character wasn’t the most likeable for me, I did feel a lot of empathy for him. I will say the ending was the best part of this book, and it took the book up a notch in my mind. Most of the 90s nods will be overlooked by kids (unless their xennial parents have taught them their ways), but they were super fun for me. As a class of ‘99-er, it made me smile that 1999 was Ridge’s favorite year in history. I’m super curious to see how this Newbery winner fares with students. As with many award-winners, I can’t help but wonder if it will be more popular with adults than kids. I enjoyed going into this with no knowledge of the plot, and really loved the meaning behind the title which is a theme in the book.
4.5 ⭐sEmily Posts by Tanya Lloyd Kyi :: This book was not a win for me. While the characters and references to Emily Post were cute, and the climate march theme was relevant, that wasn't enough to really draw me in. Overall, I found it way too focused on the main character's desire to use social media (despite her mom's restrictions)... maybe this particular storyline hit a little too close to home for me as a mom of teens reading a MG book, but I also don't want to encourage that intense focus in younger readers personally. The relationship between Emily's mom and her live-in boyfriend took a very mature turn when Emily read some personal texts between them on her mom's phone. I was shocked to hear (I was listening to the book) the word "sexting" and "breasts (in that context) in a middle grade book, and that was an immediate turnoff for me (both as a mom and an elem. school librarian) for age appropriateness. That wasn't a main theme in the book, so it seemed oddly inserted and unnecessary. I felt it could have been alluded to with less mature language or left out completely. As a result of that scene, I'd consider this book on the very upper end of MG. Thank you to Libro.fm for the Advanced Listener Copy.
3⭐sLondon Calling by James Ponti (City Spies #6) :: This continues to be my favorite middle grade series, and I was counting down along with my students for this release. I love how Mr. Ponti writes realistic characters, even in a somewhat-unbelievable setting (kids working as spies). The mystery and mission(s) are exciting as always and in this book we get more insider info on the different agencies and the bad guys. I like how certain characters have questionable loyalties but are still characters the reader can have empathy for. A lot of big things get shaken up in this book and I can only hope we get to return to these characters in another future book. I’m always amazed how these books appeal so much to young readers even while following some adult characters mixed in with the kids. My students were extremely excited for our library copies to arrive and every kid I know who’s read it has enjoyed it!
5 ⭐sOn Thin Ice by Jessica Kim :: This book is an endearing sibling story! While on the surface, it’s about twins Phoebe and Dex teaming up for a figure skating competition after Phoebe’s partner gets hurt and Dex fails to make the hockey team, it also deals with grief and friendship & family challenges. We get to see Phoebe deal with a crush and try to remake a dissolved friendship, and Dex has to decide whether he wants overcome his propensity to be the prankster/class clown with hard work and a growth mindset. But all of this is done with a light touch and Jessica’s ability to really get in the minds and voice of her middle school characters. It’s funny and heartfelt at the same time. She also writes kids’ sports really well. Readers of her previous books will note some throwbacks to old friends. My picky 13-year old reader devoured this one! (Content warning for grief related to a deceased parent.) Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.
5 ⭐s
📚. Young Adult
Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter (Better Than The Movies #2) :: I loved this sequel so much. Even though the characters are now in college and in some ways have changed a lot, they are still the characters we all fell in love with in book 1 (though I will say that off the bat, I had a little bit of a hard time with all of Libby's changes and how different she seemed). The new characters we got to know were fun, and I loved the forced proximity with Libby working with Wes's baseball team on the marketing side of things. And all along the way we are carried through with the funny, dramatic, angsty writing of Lynn that I love so much. She has such a way of embodying her young protagonists and giving them such strong voice.
5 ⭐sAll Gowned Up by Jen Haymore :: A sweet fairytale regency romance. This feels more Bridgerton-esque than Jane Austen, but it’s way less spicy and therefore a great option for older YA readers who are interested in that time period and romance. The characters are flawed at times and also very charming in their own ways, and while it has a dual POV, it has a full ensemble cast that it is fun to get to know (with book 2, a connected standalone tale about Kate, just having published as well!). I loved Emerald’s mother’s side story as well, and especially loved the ending and how everything came together and wrapped up. One slightly-spoilery comment can be found on my Storygraph review. Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy.
4.5 ⭐s
I hope you find something here that you or a young person in your life might like to read. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Happy Saturday and happy reading,
Nicole
I always use affiliate links with Bookshop.org when I link to books. If you purchase through my links you support me a tiny bit, and more importantly, you support indie bookstores. Thanks!
Caveat: I go by publishing market standards for these mini-reviews: middle grade refers to books with a general audience of 8-12 years old, and a typical young adult audience is 13-18 years old. I sometimes mention other more-specific age demographics/recommendations in my mini-reviews, but this is all ultimately up to each reader and their parents. I find that many readers continue reading and enjoying middle grade books in their favorite genres well into high school and beyond.
I share my own opinions (not affiliated with anyone/any institution but me), but keep in mind, I’m 44 years old, i.e. not the target audience, so I do try to also look at books from a young reader’s perspective when I can, and I always like to mention when a book has been liked my own kids or students. I will mention if a book was an ARC (advanced reader copy) that I received for free with the intent to review. I also keep my reviews on my StoryGraph profile.
From a writing standpoint, I have the utmost respect for authors and their book babies. My mini-reviews are just one opinion, and represent my own tastes and preferences, and I use star ratings to reflect that.
Emily Post was not my favorite either. I couldn’t make it to the end.