KIDZ CONNECTION PAGE 24 theconnectionsnj.com elcome back, readers! Have you ever wanted a book that will have you wishing you were the main character by the end? Well, romance might just be the genre for you! If you’re looking for a series that will catch your attention from the start, then the Selection series, consisting of five books, will be perfect! These books are action packed; thirty-five girls work to impress the prince for his hand in marriage. America Singer, who was already in love with another guy, finds no interest in this competition until she realizes that her heart aches for a man just like the prince. Are you ready for a good cry, You’ve Reached Sam is a good place to start. This book follows a young girl, Julie, whose boyfriend passed away in a devastating car accident. While calling Sam’s phone to hear his voicemail one last time, she’s shocked when Sam picks up. It was the last thing she had imagined that could have happened, and the more she talks with him the harder it becomes to let go. The story explores the theme of life after losing a loved one and how grief can affect a person. Picking Daisies on Sundays is an amazing read for readers who are hopeless romantics at heart. Daniella “Dani” Daisy Maria and Levi Coldwell are childhood best friends who became estranged after a failed love confession from Dani. When the two reunite serendipitously after years of separation, they rekindle what was supposed to be left in the past through a fake relationship. At the end of this story, it will be guaranteed that fake dating will become your favorite romance trope! Better Than the Movies is a sweet enemies-to-lovers tale. Wes has been Liz’s enemy since second grade. When Liz’s childhood crush Michael Young, moves back into town, Liz sees a second chance for Micheal to fall for her. Liz enlists Wes to make her into the desired girl in the ultimate scheme. As she spends more time with Wes, Liz discovers feelings she did not know could possibly be related to the thought of Wes. Emotions and feelings all come bubbling up at once when Liz’s scheme turns into Wes’ dream! Fake Skating is a story following Alec and Dani who are childhood best friends. When the bright yet quiet Dani moves back to Minnesota, she discovers that Alec has become a conceited, arrogant hockey player. After getting caught in a scandal that could ruin Alec’s hockey aspirations, Dani agrees to become his fake girlfriend to save his future and secure her own. Tensions rise when what was supposed to be fake becomes way too real! With so many books to choose from out there, we hope this is a great place to start. Read on! Here’s your pocket list to keep with you… • Selection Series by Kiera Cass • You’ve Reached Sam by Dustin Thao • Picking Daisies on Sundays by Liana Cincotti *Brief mention of sexual assault • Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter • Fake Skating by Lynn Painter Teen Book Club Recommendations By Sonia Prabhakar & Isabella Santos SHELF AWARENESS W NJ’s favorite kids’ docsTM Complimentary Orthodontic Consultation & Digital Scan Amy Planz, DDS Michael Goldkind, DMD Amie Shah, DMD Maheen Kibria, DDS 390 Amwell Road Bldg. 2, Suite 201 Hillsborough, NJ 08844 P 908-829-3345 F 908-829-3341 www.hillsboroughpediatricdentistry.com Amy Planz, DDS Michael Goldkind, DMD Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry; Specialty #5778 Hillsborough Pediatric Dentistry & Family Orthodontics Dentistry for infants, toddlers, special needs children and teens Braces & Invisalign for the Whole Family I want to live life with a blindfold over my eyes Not knowing where each step will take me I long for adventure To take risks To take a chance, To step a toe across the line, and live each day on thin ice Not knowing if it will crack beneath me I want to travel down the wrong path Not worried about finding my way back I want to get lost I want to be free Unprepared for what’s in store for me I want to speed along a highway I want to dance beneath the stars I want to sail through a thunderstorm Not caring about right or wrong Because what’s the fun in living life, with eyes wide open Not taking risks, or breaking rules For my soul aches with the desire to do the things no one else has dared to do And each time I play with fire, it burns in my heart, it dancing in my eyes That want, for the endless roller coaster of life That will never be extinguished. Poetry submissions to info@theconnectionsnj.com A Poet’s Playground Celebrating the Creativity and Voices of our Local Young Writers Carefree By Ashwiki Arora Grade 8-Warren Middle School
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