Book Review - In Limbo by Deb J.J. Lee

 

In In Limbo by Deb J.J. Lee, a Korean American teenager navigates the pressures of identity, mental health, and family expectations in a deeply personal memoir. Deborah (Jung-Jin) Lee has always known she’s different from her peers ever since her family emigrated from South Korea. She often feels like she doesn’t fit in. Her teachers mispronounce her Korean name, her English isn’t perfect, and her classmates tease her for her appearance—especially her eyes, which look different from theirs.

As high school draws to a close, the pressure to get into a good college and maintain strong grades begins to take a toll on Deb. To make things worse, her friendships are shifting, and she feels like her friends are leaving her behind. School becomes a place of alienation, but home offers no relief. Tensions with her mother escalate, and Deb begins to feel like she’s spiraling out of control.

I thought the graphic novel was okay. It's difficult to critique someone’s real-life experiences, so I approached it as if it were a fictionalized story. I had a hard time connecting with Deb at times. The narrative would occasionally jump back and forth, making it hard to follow certain events. Sometimes the story hinted at deeper issues but didn’t fully explore them, and some events seemed to happen abruptly without enough buildup.

That said, I sympathize with Deb and saw parallels between her experiences and my own. When my family moved from South America, I was also teased for my unique name. It was difficult to balance my heritage with my new American identity and to feel like I truly belonged. Deb also explores emotional trauma in her relationships with friends and family, and I could relate to some of those struggles.

While the illustration style was appealing, I personally would have preferred a more colorful palette. 

Book Review - Hulk Teach! by Jeffrey Brown

 

In Hulk Teach! by Jeffrey Brown, the Hulk takes on the challenge of substitute teaching a classroom of students, learning as much about patience and teamwork as the students themselves. Bruce Banner is a brilliant scientist, but when he loses control of his emotions, he transforms into the superhero known as the Hulk—often causing more destruction than intended.

After his latest outburst, the Hulk is sentenced to community service and assigned to teach a group of unruly middle school students. As the kids constantly test his patience, Bruce finds himself transforming into the Hulk on a daily basis. The question becomes: can Bruce learn to manage his anger and help the students succeed?

This graphic novel feels like the kind of idea I might have imagined as a kid—it’s fun to picture someone with serious anger issues navigating a classroom full of chaos. While the story has entertaining moments and humorous situations, it follows a fairly straightforward plot without any major twists or surprises. I think younger readers, especially those who enjoy Marvel characters, will have fun with this light-hearted and imaginative read.

Book Review - Run Away with Me by Brian Selznick

 

Run Away with Me by Brian Selznick is a novel that intertwines the lives of two teenagers who spend a transformative summer together. Sixteen-year-old Danny is sent to Rome after his mother takes a temporary job at a museum. She travels the world restoring old books, leaving Danny to explore the city alone and not having anywhere to call home. Bored and restless, Danny’s summer takes a turn when he hears someone calling his name. Following a series of clues, he meets another boy his age named Angelo.

Danny and Angelo quickly become inseparable, spending every moment together as Angelo introduces Danny to his beloved city. As they wander through Rome, Angelo shares stories about its history and culture, and gradually, their personal narratives begin to intertwine. A romantic bond forms between them, but both fear what will happen once summer ends.

The book started off fine, and I appreciated the early illustrations—they were beautifully done and added to the atmosphere. However, I ultimately found the story dull and slow-paced. It often felt like I was reading a textbook rather than a novel. Despite my efforts to stay engaged, I struggled to connect with the characters, who came across as one-dimensional. Although the book is relatively short, I ended up putting it down with about 50 pages left because it simply didn’t hold my interest. There were long stretches where very little happened, and although the story had two narrative threads, neither felt fully developed. Overall, the plot felt scattered and underwhelming.

Book Review - The Executioners Three by Susan Dennard

 

The Executioners Three by Susan Dennard follows a group of high school students who unwittingly unleash an ancient curse after a prank goes horribly wrong. Freddie Geller believes she’s doing the right thing when she calls the police after hearing screams coming from the woods—only to later realize it was just a group of kids partying, and her call led to their arrest.

The next day, a body is found in the woods. Although the sheriff rules it a suicide, Freddie’s instincts tell her otherwise—she’s convinced it was murder. Determined to uncover the truth, Freddie sets out to prove foul play and expose a killer on the loose.

The book was an okay read. It had some creepy themes, though nothing particularly scary. I appreciated the nostalgic moments and pop culture references, which reminded me of things I enjoyed growing up. The story included humor and even some slapstick elements. However, certain parts felt over-the-top and unrealistic—for instance, the final showdown takes place in the middle of town, yet no one else is around to witness or intervene in the chaos.

Despite some outrageous moments, the book was fun at times, and I’d be open to reading more from the author. If you enjoy quirky, campy stories with a dose of nostalgia, you might find this an entertaining read.

Book Review - Tough Luck by Sandra Dallas

 

Tough Luck by Sandra Dallas is a historical novel that follows a resilient fourteen year old girl, Haidie Richards, and her brother, Boots, as they navigate the dangers and hardships of life while traveling across the country to Colorado in search of their father. Shortly after their mother dies, Haidie and her younger brother are sent to an orphanage, as they are considered orphans. Their father had left four years earlier to search for gold in the Colorado Territory. In that time, he sent only three letters, but Haidie remains convinced he is alive—and that he struck it rich. She believes it’s only a matter of time before he comes back for them.

Determined not to wait any longer, Haidie decides to escape the orphanage with Boots and set out to find their father. To help them travel safely through the dangerous Western frontier, she disguises herself as a boy. Along the way, the siblings learn how to survive in the wild and deal with unsavory characters, but they also come to understand the value of community. They form fast friendships with an unlikely group of companions: a cheating card shark, an ex-nun, two independent spinsters, and a loyal dog. When they finally arrive in Colorado, Haidie realizes they will need the support of all their newfound friends if they want a chance at a happy ending.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I initially expected a dull Western, but I was hooked from the very first page. The story was compelling, and I appreciated how well-developed and unique the characters were. I especially liked how the author portrayed the female characters as complex and dynamic. They weren’t one-dimensional or solely focused on men, but also on what they wanted from life. I would definitely be open to reading more books by this author.