Last month was a quiet one blog wise. I’ve been marking exams so have all work and not much reading and some of the June reads were a bit disappointing. I’m looking forward to July as the summer holidays are fast approaching and I have some fun reads picked out.

This month’s reads:

Something to be Proud Of by Anna Zoe Quirke

The lovely folk at Little Tiger were kind enough to send me a copy of Something to be Proud of as part of Pride month. This will be definitely one that gets shared in my classroom library.

What it’s about?

Imogen Quinn is a chaotic bisexual with dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian, crushing stereotypes about autistic people. When she decides to put on a pride festival that’s accessible for everyone, she enlists the help of the openly gay captain of the football team, Ollie Armstrong.

Dealing with the fallout from his parents’ divorce, Ollie is initially hesitant. But it doesn’t take long for him to be swept up by Imogen’s passion, and he’s not the only one. Joined by the (infuriatingly perfect) head girl, musicians, an artist and a star baker – a dream team soon assembles to help plan pride and tackle injustices in their school and beyond. You’d better listen out – they’re getting ready to make some noise.

If My Words Had Wings by Danielle Jawando

I have loved Danielle’s Jawando’s previous books so have high expectations for this.

What it’s about?

When fifteen-year-old Tyrell Forrester gets caught up in a high-profile armed robbery, he’s sentenced to eighteen months in a young offenders’ prison. Now he’s getting out, and he’s determined to turn his life around.

Despite his release, systemic discrimination makes it difficult for Ty to truly be free. Inspired by a visiting poet while inside, Ty discovers a whole new world through spoken word and is finally finding his voice

But will society ever see him as anything other than a criminal?

Every Exquisite Things by Laura Steven

This is on the shortlist for the 2024 YA Book Award and sounds like my kind of read. I’m going to see if I can read some more of the shortlist during the summer holidays as well.

What it’s about?

Penny Paxton is the daughter of an icon. Her supermodel mother has legions of adoring fans around the world, and Penny is ready to begin her journey to international adoration, starting with joining the elite Dorian Drama School.

When Penny’s new mentor offers her an opportunity she cannot refuse, to have a portrait painted by a mysterious artist who can grant immortal beauty to all his subjects, Penny happily follows in the footsteps of Dorian’s most glittering alumni, knowing that stardom is sure to soon be hers.

But when her trusted mentor is found murdered, Penny realises she’s made a terrible mistake – a sinister someone is using the uncanny portraits to kill off the subjects one by one. As more perfectly beautiful students start to fall, Penny knows her time is running out . . .

Happy reading

E x