White Ninja (by Tiffany Hall)

https://i0.wp.com/photo.goodreads.com/books/1346487616l/15977661.jpgAll the things I hate –– Chinese burns, pimples, cheese, answering questions in class –– are Christmas compared with having to walk through the gate to school.

Roxy Ran is a 13 year old girl who doesn’t quite fit in. She goes to school at Hindley Hall where she is getting some special treatment from the school bully, Hero. Then one day while rescuing a kitten Hero is attempting to flush down the toilet, Roxy discovers she has some super ninja powers.

All of a sudden she finds herself on a quest to find the White Warrior and the Tiger Scrolls before the powers of evil get them.

White Ninja is a very short and cute story for early teens and perhaps a little younger about a girl finding the strength to face her fears. Tiffany Hall manages to weave a subtle anti-bullying message into this story without ever preaching.

I think this book would be great for young people who find reading difficult. It’s great fun and easy to read.

Many thanks to Harper Collins and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC

Confessions of an Angry Girl

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As I get to the last turn, I suddenly see pom-poms in my peripheral vision. A few of the girls are lined up on the side of the track, like they’re cheering someone on. I’m tempted to look back to see who it is, but I’ll lose my stride if I do. I keep going. I get closer and closer to them, and I realize too late that it’s Lena, Susan and Regina. Just as I’m about to pass them, they chant, “How did Daddy’s Little Girl like the gynecologist?”

Rose is having a bad year. Her father was killed by an IED in Iraq. Her mother, consumed with guilt and grief, has become distant. Her brother has run off to college and seems to be doing just fine. Her best friend, Tracy, is only interested in having sex with her jerk of a boyfriend and becoming a cheerleader. To top it all off, Regina, one of the cheerleaders has it in for Rose. Regina is convinced that Rose is trying to steal her boyfriend Jamie…and maybe she is.

Before I know what I’m doing, I’m running across the lanes that separate me from the cheer bitches. It doesn’t matter that it’s three against one. After everything Regina has done to me, I want the satisfaction of hurting her. I run faster. I start screaming.
Lena and Susan look like deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming car⎯ I must seem like a complete maniac, flying at them, covered in blood, screaming like a madwoman⎯

Confessions of an Angry Girl resonates. It deals with a whole grab bag of issues facing young adults, including bullying; pier pressure; binge drinking; sex; anger; and grief, without ever preaching or getting sentimental. Louise Rozett doesn’t treat young adults like idiots, she tells her story and allows them to draw their own conclusions.

Tracy. Tracy told her I kissed Jamie.
I slam into Regina with every ounce of strength I have, knocking her to the ground.

If you liked Easy by Tammara Webber or Almost by Anne Eliot you will probably like Confessions of an Angry Girl.
Thanks to Harlequin and Netgalley for providing me with this ARC.