Annaka
By: Andre Fenton
Annaka is a 17 year old girl who has been living with her mom in Halifax. They moved from Yarmouth when she was 10 years old. Upon arriving in Halifax Annaka started going by Anna as she did not like her name. Anna missed her grandparents, who they stayed with when they lived in Yarmouth. Anna always wished to go and visit them but her mom had said she was always too busy. One day at school Anna gets a call from her mom saying that her Grampy passed away. Soon they were off to Yarmouth, Anna wanted this day for so long but not like this! Her Grampy isn’t there and she is afraid that her Nan will not remember her as she has Alzheimer’s. Once she arrives it isn’t long before she runs into Clay, her not so imaginary friend. Anna discovers that Clay has not only been waiting for her to come back, but can also take her back to memories that Anna wrote about in her journal. Anna soon starts to realize she has multiple questions that she wants answers too and Clay has the ability to help! Will Anna be able to find the answers she needs while keeping her best friend safe?
I liked this book. It had lots of fun moments while keeping the seriousness of the story line. It was relatable as I have lost a few grandparents as well. I did have a few cries while reading this book. I enjoyed Anna’s friend Tia. I thought she was a great character as she is silly and supportive. I rate this book a 4/5.

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This was such a cute and heartwarming YA romance but it was so much more than that. This book focused on topics such as eating disorders, racism, university struggles and other social justice issues that packed a powerful punch. I loved all the characters so much and they were very well written.

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Journey to the Hopewell Star
By: Hannah. D State
Samantha Sanderson is a common 12 year old girl who lives in rural New Brunswick. She loves living secluded on her family farm and being homeschooled by her grandfather. Sam’s parents are renowned physicists and are always travelling intergalatically on government missions. They have been gone for an exceptionally long time and her grandpa is having a hard time maintaining the farm house. Sam has noticed him struggling and is worried as he has mentioned that they should move into the big city of Moncton. Sam’s birthday is quickly approaching and this will be the first time her parents are not home with her. To Sam’s surprise her parents didn’t forget about her birthday as she stumbled across a new friend who had a message and a few gifts from her parents. Shocked, perplexed and intrigued Sam finds herself travelling across the universe where she has been prophesied to save worlds by finding the Hopewell Star.
I really enjoyed the plot of this book. It is all centered around the human population and the problems that we humans have caused for our planet. My favorite characters are Boj and Kobe. It was a very entertaining novel which also highlights the problems that we are experiencing today globally. I give this book a 5/5 and I can’t wait to start reading the sequel, Journey to the Dark Galaxy.