Campfire Series #1: Chasing the Sun written by Melanie Hooyenga, reviewed by Klaudia Janek

Summary: I really enjoyed this young adult romance set against the backdrop of the 2017 total solar eclipse. The story follows Neb, a boy navigating life after the death of his father while adjusting to a new school in Oregon. Eager to experience the eclipse his father loved, Neb connects with Sage, a girl recovering from an abusive relationship. Through a group text and shared interests, their friendship blossoms into something deeper. As they prepare for a camping trip to view the eclipse together, Sage grapples with her past trauma and fears of new relationships, while Neb seeks to embrace life despite his loss. When they finally meet, their connection shines brightly, but both must confront their personal struggles to find happiness together. With charming space puns and relatable characters, "Chasing the Sun" explores themes of healing, self-acceptance, and the magic of new beginnings. 

 

Straight Talk for Librarians:  This book offers rich themes of resilience, friendship, and the impact of past trauma, making it an excellent choice for discussions on mental health and emotional well-being. Librarians can host book clubs that encourage students to share their perspectives on the characters' experiences, promoting empathy and understanding. Additionally, the book's connection to the solar eclipse provides an opportunity for interdisciplinary learning. Librarians can collaborate with science teachers to create lessons that explore the science behind eclipses, linking it to the characters' experiences and emotions. The incorporation of space-related jokes and terminology can also spark interest in astronomy. The narrative encourages creative expression. Students can be prompted to write their own stories or reflections based on themes from the book, enhancing their writing skills. I think this book is appropriate for any high school library.  It is a romance, but it is not sexually explicit.  The characters in the book do sneak around the woods and tents, despite their teachers telling them not to :)  But it has all the romantic vibes that readers are looking for.  This author is a local Michigan author, which makes me want to promote it even more to my students.