Firekeeper's Daughter

 

The One and Only Bob by Katherine Applegate

American Royals and Majesty by Katherine McGhee

    If you have watched "The Crown", you might have wondered what the United States would have been like if our founding fathers would have decided to govern with royalty instead of an elected president.  American Royals is the first in this contemporary young-adult series about young royals in the United States who are learning what it means to be a royal in the public eye, to fall in love, to be friends and to grow up knowing you have responsibilities and jobs just because of the family you were born into.  Majesty continues the story right where American Royals left off. The ending is satisfying but it does leave more story to tell, maybe in a third to form a trilogy? 

    If you like a fantasy based in reality and a love story that is sweet, heart-breaking and satisfying you will enjoy these books.  I have many students who want a love story that doesn't end badly and these fit that criterion.  

    

Genre:  Young Adult, Contemporary, Fantasy

Rating:  4/5  

Adults will like these books, but they do have a fair share of teenage angst.  

All Adults Here by Emma Straub

May 2020 Jenna Bush Hager Book Club on Today Show

  
    Think "Modern Family" goes to a small Connecticut hometown.  The book starts with death but that is about as dark this story gets. All of the main characters are from the Strick family which includes a widowed Astrid, oldest son Elliot with a family living in a modern home, single parent-to-be Porter, and the bohemian baby brother Nicky and family.
    Every family member has a secret and that includes their friends.  Grandaughter Cecelia escapes to live with grandma Astrid after some drama with her friends in Brooklyn. The story takes place during the fall of one year as all of the characters finally discover and become who they really are and want to be. This is a light read about family and issues that modern families might have to deal with in 2020. 

Genre:  contemporary fiction

Stars:  4/5

Caution: Includes sex-related issues