This Librarian's Quick Picks: Overturned

Overturned
by Lamar Giles
Scholastic (2017)
Mystery Fiction

What It's All About:

Nikki Tate's father has been on death row for killing his best friend in a gambling dispute, but he has always maintained his innocence, and now his conviction has been overturned and he is back at the casino, where high school junior Nikki has been operating illegal poker games in the hopes of saving enough money to get out of Vegas after graduation--and now he is determined to find the real killer, and Nikki is inevitably drawn into his dangerous search for the truth.

Why You'll Love It:

• A fast-paced, compelling mystery and memorable characters and relationships make this selection a first choice.
• The mystery never feels forced and seems to flow naturally, gaining momentum as Nikki peels away each layer until everything is ultimately revealed.
• Racial elements at play - the Tates are black while their rivals, the Carlinos, are white - hover in the background, adding another layer to Giles's murder mystery.

Who Should Read It:

Perfect for 7th grade and up.



What Else You Should Read:

• Endangered by Lamar Giles
• Con Academy by Joe Schreiber
• Scarlett Undercover by Jennifer Latham

Mini Review: Freedom's Child by Jax Miller

Freedom's Child
by Jax Miller
Crown (June 2015)
Fiction thriller

What's It All About?

Living in witness protection to hide from her late husband's violent family, Freedom Oliver risks her life in order to save the kidnapped daughter she gave up for adoption.

Who Should Read It?

Read it if you're okay with a pretty far-fetched and melodramatic plot. If Sons of Anarchy and Jodi Picoult had a baby, this book would be the result.

2 stars.

What Else Should I Read?

• Dear Daughter by Elizabeth Little
• Cutting Season by Attica Locke
• Cop Town by Karin Slaughter

What If I Don't Believe You?
Don't take my word for it! Check out these other reviews.

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