Witchlings by Claribel A. Ortega Seven has been waiting her whole life to be sorted into coven and so when the sorting ceremony comes, she can’t wait. But when she doesn’t get sorted and becomes a Spare, she’s distraught. Along with her worst enemy and the new girl, Seven must battle the monster that’s been plaguing their town to stay alive. This is an amazing book and I totally recommend it to you!
Midwinter Murder: Fireside Tales from the Queen of Mystery by Agatha Christie This was such an amazing book! I really enjoyed getting to read all the different stories- some that were serious and some that were fun and light. All the stories had different plots, different characters, and overall, different fun experiences to dive into. This is a great book and I totally recommend it to you!
Call Me Athena: Girl from Detroit by Colby Cedar Smith This was such an amazing book! We get to see 3 different perspectives, Mary’s and her parents’. I loved the style of writing and the way poetry was eloquently used to tell the story of a French-Greek girl struggling to fit in. The author also included many beautifully written lines that still stick with me. It’s an amazing book!
Curses by Lish McBride When Merit refused to marry the suitor her mother picked for her, she was cursed and transformed into a beast. A few years later, her 18th birthday is coming up and if she doesn’t marry soon, she’ll be a beast forever. However, she’s found a band of criminals who promise to help her meet her match. I really enjoyed this book!
2023 is hopefully going to be a big year! I’m graduating middle school and moving on to high school, so that’s a pretty big milestone for me. I’m also hoping to work on things I’m passionate about and get much better at them.
Dance:
Dance, especially Bharatanatyam, is already a huge part of my life and I want that to continue through the new year. I hope to practice a lot more, learn many new items, and get more opportunities to perform. This year, I’ll also get to perform in my school’s Spring Show, where I’ll be able to perform 4 dances in front of parents and friends. This is something I’m really excited for and I can’t wait to grow my contemporary dancing skills as well!
Writing:
I really want to work on my writing, as well as my use of vocabulary. Writing is already a huge passion of mine and I definitely want to grow that this year. I’m also auditioning for a creative-arts school in the category of writing!
Art:
Along with my writing, I would like to get better at my art skills! Currently, I might not be the best artist, however, I definitely want to practice a lot this year and hopefully learn more about art and develop an art style (or any semblance of one)
Books:
This year, I’m going to be trying to “read my bookshelf” more and get through many of the books on my bookshelf instead of always getting new ones. I hope to maybe finish more series and discover a lot of good books!
School:
This year, I’ll be going into high school and I hope to find my footing quickly. I’ll definitely keep working hard in my new school (and for the rest of middle school).
If I See You Again Tomorrow by Robbie Couch This was such a amazing book! Clark is stuck in a time loop. No matter what he tries to say or do will get him out of it and he is sure this is how life will be forever. Until he meets Beau. Beau walks into his calculus class one day and creates a ruckus, so Clark knows that he has to follow Beau. Beau introduces him to a life filled with love and joy and Clark realizes how much Beau means to him. But the next day, Beau is missing and Clark can’t find him anywhere.
I really enjoyed this book because of how beautifully detailed the story was. It was an amazing ride and I loved the whole story from start to finish.
Dear Medusa by Olivia A. Cole I really loved how powerful this book was. Alicia has gotten used to being bullied, being an outcast, her only friend being one she made in detention. But when she gets to meet with a mentor, she learned just how to channel that anger out and how to become the most powerful version of herself.
I really enjoyed this book because of how the eloquent the writing style flowed. The poetry was beautiful and there were a lot of beautiful lines and quotes. The book also displayed sexual abuse very well.
Dear Mothman by Robin Gow This was such an interesting book! Noah and Lewis used to be best friends. But when Lewis dies in a car accident, Noah is forced to survive alone. He decides to do his science project on Mothman to honor Lewis’ legacy, but when his teachers and his parents start to doubt him, he knows he needs real evidence. As he continues his search for the legendary creature, he learns how to make friends and move on while honoring Lewis.
I really enjoyed this book and the portrayal or LGBT+ characters. The writing style, in letters and poetry, was incredible and I really liked the drawings. The story flowed incredibly well and I loved the quotes I got from it too.
The Insiders by Mark Oshiro This was such an amazing book! Back home, Héctor being gay didn’t change anything. But now, when he gets bullied relentlessly, he needs a safe space…and finds it in the janitor’s closet that isn’t exactly what it seems. Soon he meets 2 other students who also don’t exactly fit in at their schools. The Room gives them a safe space, but they have to learn to face their problems on their own too.
I really enjoyed this book and the way that Héctor and his friends are written. They are all incredibly lifelike and I loved the LGBT+ representation. The story was beautiful and can easily help people feel more welcome.
Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating by Adiba Jaigirdar When Hani comes out to her friends as bisexual after they try to set her up, they don’t believe her. When they confront her about it, she panics and claims she’s dating her friends’ enemy- Ishita Dey. Ishita agrees on pretend to date Hani on one condition- she helps Ishita win the election to be head girl. But as Hani and Ishu get closer, Hani’s friends get jealous, punishing her and pushing her out.
I really enjoyed this book because of how realistic the two main characters were. The representation was also beautiful and I enjoyed the book a lot.
Loveless by Alice Oseman This is such a great read. Georgia has never had a crush, only one that she’s forced onto herself. So when university starts, she is determined to date someone. But when no one, male or female, appeals to her, and she joins the LGBT+ soc in her school, she realizes that maybe she’s a little different. I really loved coming along on the journey of Georgia figuring out who she is, while navigating her friends and their own feelings.
I really enjoyed this book because of how beautifully Georgia’s college life is portrayed, especially as she and her friends learn how they are. It’s such a nicely written book.
I started the year in India. We didn’t really do much that first month, but it was a good and clean beginning to the new year.
February:
We took a quick staycation in Downtown, which was definitely a lot of fun. It was a great opportunity to relax while staying in the city.
March:
We went to Miami this year which was a lot of fun! We got to see a lighthouse and also got to visit Calle Ocho, which I had been learning about in school. I also visited the science museum which was a fun experience. We also got to see Hamilton, which was awesome. I loved watching the songs come to life and it was overall a great experience.
April:
I did two dance performances this month- an annual recital for Bharatanatyam and my first ever Mohiniyattam performance! I also got to watch an arangetram which was a new experience for me.
May:
We went to New Mexico which was really cool! I really enjoyed viewing the Carlsbad Caverns and the Petroleum Museum, as well as Monahans Sandhills State Park. Our school also put on Matilda the Musical and I really enjoyed watching it, especially as a lot of my friends starred in it.
June:
Right before 7th grade ended, we had our schoolwide International Peace Festival, in which my friend and I put together a project on gender equality. During summer, I went to India which was a lot of fun, as usual.
July:
I went to Delhi in the beginning of July, which was a place I’d never been before. I really enjoyed visiting The Taj Mahal, Qutab Minar, and Isa Khan’s tomb, as well as other places. I came home from India early (☹️) to go to Leadership Camp, hosted by my Leadership teacher for 8th grade. I really enjoyed camp and definitely made a lot of memories there.
August:
I started 8th grade around the middle of August which was an incredible new experience. I also competed in a duet and a group Bharatanatyam competition and won first place for the duet!
September:
I celebrated my birthday this month and turned 13! Other than that we didn’t do much, but I really enjoyed celebrating my birthday and cherished everyone in my life that day (and month).
October:
I started the month with a roller skating party for everyone in Leadership. At first, I was a bit shaky, but I eventually got the hang of it and had a lot of fun! I also got to see another musical- Hadestown, which was inspired by Greek mythology, which I love. After that, we had Homecoming, which is definitely one of my highlights this year, as I got to have a lot of fun that night.
November:
I started November off with my UIL theater class performing twice, once for parents and once at a competition. I had a lot of fun both times and I can’t wait to do it again in the spring! After that, we went to my last musical of the year- SIX the Musical. I also saw two of my friends there which was such a fun experience! Then, during Fall Break, we went to Boston and I saw a lot of historical monuments, which went perfectly with what we were learning in US History. Lastly, I ended the month with Fall Show, a performance organized by the dance teachers so we can show off what we have learnt in the first semester.
December:
Our school’s first semester has ended, meaning we’re halfway through the school year. This was also the first year I had to do midterms, because I’ve started taking high-school level courses. As the semester ended, I went to our school’s winter concert, as I had many friends in orchestra. I really enjoyed watching them perform and they did great! Lastly, I closed the year off by going to India for winter break.
Nothing More to Tell by Karen McManus This is such an amazing book! When Brynn moves back to her hometown, she’s sure nothing good can happen. That is until she gets a job at a murder investigation podcast by pitching the story of her dead teacher. I really loved this story and the way the plot unfolded. It was a great read!
The Dead Queens Club by Hannah Capin This was such a great book! Annie, or Cleves, as she’s known, has been Henry’s best friend for a long time. She’s seen him go through a girlfriend, get angry at the slightest mention of her cheating then break up with her. But as her friends propose a theory that is certainly possible, she has to figure what is right or wrong. This is such a great book!
All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O’Donoghue This was such a cool book! When Maeve’s temper gets her into detention, where she has to clean an old storage cupboard, she’s horrified. But when she finds a deck of tarot cards that call to her, she’s suddenly immersed in a world of magic and her life begins to change for the better. Until she accidentally makes someone disappear. I really enjoyed this book and I totally recommend it to you!
If I See You Again Tomorrow by Robbie Couch This was such a amazing book! Clark is stuck in a time loop. No matter what he tries to say or do will get him out of it and he is sure this is how life will be forever. Until he meets Beau. Beau walks into his calculus class one day and creates a ruckus, so Clark knows that he has to follow Beau. I loved this story and how it was written! I totally recommend it to you!
The Town with No Mirrors by Christina Collins This was such a cool book! It’s set in a town where mirrors, or any way you can see your reflection, are not allowed. Yet, Zailey keeps having superficial thoughts, telling her to draw what other people look like and wonder about how exactly she looks. However, before she figures herself out, something happens that changes her life forever. I really liked the dystopian element in this book and how it unfolds. It’s a great read!
Harley Quinn: Ravenous by Rachael Allen I really enjoyed this book! This is actually the second book in a series, but you can read it by itself, without any prior knowledge. When Harley Quinn wakes up in a hospital room with no memory of where she is, how she got there, or who the people surrounding her are, she knows she needs her memories back. She was interning at a college when…something happened. This was such a great book and I loved the LGBT+ rep!
Momo Arashima Steals the Sword of the Wind by Misa Sugiura Momo isn’t the most popular person in school by a long shot. She’s often bullied and mocked for being “out of date” or for the traditional mythology stories her mom would tell her. But when a fox who can shapeshift shows up at her door telling her to follow him to save her mother, Momo has no choice but to follow him, teaming up with her worst enemy throughout the way. This is such a great story!
Cat’s Cradle: The Golden Twine by Jo Rioux This was a great book! Suri has always wanted to be a monster catcher, so when someone in her caravan brings in a giant cage, presumably holding a monster, she jumps at the chance to meet it. But when an encounter with a strange boy goes wrong, things start to get hecticc. This was such an interesting story and I totally recommend it to you!
Attack of the Black Rectangles by A. S. King This was an amazing book about censorship! Ms. Sett isn’t the best teacher. She has always been on the lookout for people who aren’t following the town’s precise rules. But when Mac gets her as his teacher, she seems nice. That is, until she begins blacking out words in their class copy of “The Devil’s Arithmetic”. Mac and his friends are outraged and immediately begin to fight against this. I really enjoyed this book and totally recommend it to you!
Salt Magic by Hope Larson This was such a cute book! It has a perfect Studio Ghibli style to it and the drawings are amazing. I also loved the story line and the way the story flowed. When Vonceil’s brother, Elber, returns from war, now more serious, and proposes to his girlfriend, Vonceil is shocked. She was hoping for him to meet someone new and different. When Greta, a stranger to all except Elber, shows up, she doesn’t except for Elber to be married. In a fit of jealous rage, she curses their spring, the only thing that keeps them alive, to spew salt water. Vonceil goes on a journey to fix this, making friends, and learning new stories at every turn. This is a great book!
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab I really loved this book. Addie was cursed to be forgotten. When a new day began or a door was closed, people who used o know her would forget. That was the price of her immortal life. That is, until she meets Henry, who remembers her. Who knows who she is and loves her for it. But the creature who laid that curse on her keeps returning, asking for her soul. I really enjoyed this book! It was really descriptive and the word choice was both beautiful and perfect. I totally recommend it to you!
Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi I read the graphic novel retelling of one of my favorite books, Aru Shah and the End of Time. Revisiting this book was amazing, especially seeing some of my favorites scenes reimagined and defined in color and pictures. When Aru breaks a lamp and releases a trapped demon. An ancient mentor decides to help her put the world back in order, but along she way, she discovers secrets she never thought could be true. This is such a good book and I totally recommend both the original book itself and the graphic novel to you!
The Tryout by Christina Soontornvat This was an amazing graphic novel. When Christina first sees the cheerleaders, she is in awe. They hold power and don’t get bullied or harassed. So when cheerleading tryouts start, she and her best friend, Megan, sign up right away. I really loved this book and how it was about being a POC in a majority white school. It’s a great read and I totally recommend it to you!
Recently, in my English class, we created 6 word memoirs. They were really fun and easy to create and so, I thought it would be nice to share that over here! 6 word memoirs can either be 6 words that sum up a big part or your whole life, or they can describe one specific event. With the way that my English teacher led us through it, there are 4 main steps to writing a 6 word memoir.
Step 1. Take anywhere from 3-5 minutes and write down a big list of life events. These events don’t have to be in order or make sense to anyone but you. Make sure you keep writing and let your subconscious bring up some of the major events you have experienced.
Step 2. Pick any one of the events and write 2-3 sentences about it. You can add any details you want, but don’t let it become a full paragraph.
Step 3. Cross out any unnecessary information. This step can sometimes be hard, but try to think of the main points of your event. Also make sure to keep the mood of the event intact when you cross things out (for example, if you’re writing about a scary moment, don’t cross out all the scary parts of it).
Step 4.Using the words or phrases you have left, experiment with different wording choices and ideas. When you have one you think that fits best, congrats! You’ve written a 6 word memoir.
Here’s an example that I made in my English class:
Step 1. I had around 32 events written down in the span of 5 minutes. Some of my most important/memorable were the Austin trip, COVID/google classroom, online lunch, PUPS potluck (all grades), my mock algebra STAAR, Murder on the Sea (my group’s theater production), and getting into leadership. All of these events definitely influenced me a lot and helped me become who I am today.
Step 2. I chose to write about Murder on the Sea, a theater production my and my ensemble created last year. My 4 sentences were: My first look at theater performances. I had practiced all weekend and probably wore my grandfather out as he listened to me practice. I remember being extremely nervous, but also ready before the performance. It was the time I decided to join UIL theater.
Step 3. The next step was crossing out unnecessary information. Below is what I had after step 3. My first look at theater performances.I had practiced all weekend and probably wore my grandfather out as he listened to me practice.I remember being extremely nervous, but also ready before the performance. It was the time I decided to join UIL theater. At the end, the main phrases I had left were “first look”, “practiced all weekend”, “extremely nervous, but also ready”, and “decided to join UIL theater.”
Step 4. Some of my ideas included: – practicing all weekend, UIL the goal – first look at theater, in love – never forgetting shining on the stage
Finally, I chose this one- “Memorizing done, am I good enough?”
I picked that specific one because it not only ties into theater, but also dance, a huge aspect of my life.
Have you ever written a 6 word memoir? If not, will you give it a try?
Loveless by Alice Oseman This is such a great read. Georgia has never had a crush, only one that she’s forced onto herself. So when university starts, she is determined to date someone. But when no one, male or female, appeals to her, and she joins the LGBT+ soc in her school, she realizes that maybe she’s a little different. I really loved coming along on the journey of Georgia figuring out who she is, while navigating her friends and their own feelings. I really enjoyed this book and I totally recommend it to you!
Out of Range by Heidi Lang This was such a good book! Abby, Emma, and Ollie are done with each other. Even though they’re sisters, each one seems to hate the others more. When they’re dropped off at a wilderness camp together, they know it won’t help the situation. Until they’re forced to go on a hike together and Abby leaves the guide behind. Soon, they’re lost and none of them know what to do, especially after Emma almost drowns. This is such a great book and I really enjoyed it! I totally recommend it to you.
Grounded for all Eternity by Darcy Marks This book was so enticing! Mal and his friends live in Hell, a generally safe place. So when the bells go off and the fire wall is raised for more than 5 minutes, they realize that someone has escaped. After being stuck at home, Mal, Lilith, Crowley, and Alistair find a portal that’ll take them to another dimension and soon find themselves tumbling through it, but unable to get back without capturing the escaped spirit they bought with them. I really enjoyed this book and the way that it flowed. It’s a great read!
The Rise of The School For Good and Evil by Soman Chainani This prequel was so satisfying and amazing! Usually, there is one School Master. But this time, two brothers, Rafal and Rhian, have been named, one for Good and one for Evil. Soon Rafal leaves and Rhian is forced to carry the burden of leading two schools, a task he soon realizes isn’t easy. He soon realizes he needs help. But who he chooses sets a grim fate for the rest of the students. I really enjoyed this book and the way the ending was twisted! I also love how Rhian was queer-coded and totally recommend this book to you!
The Prince and The Dressmaker by Jen Wang This was such an empowering read! Frances has always loved designing powerful, silly dresses, so when she gets called to the castle to design for them instead, she is shocked. Soon she learns that her client is the very own Prince Sebastien who loves dressing up and going out. Soon, he is himself, but Frances she decides she’s had enough of an anonymous life and leaves. I really enjoyed this book and the powerful message behind it. I totally recommend it to you!
