One Half From the East

Obayda’s family is in need of some good fortune, and her aunt has an idea to bring the family luck—dress Obayda, the youngest of four sisters, as a boy, a bacha posh. 

 Life in this in-between place is confusing, but once Obayda meets another bacha posh, everything changes. Their transformation won’t last forever, though—unless the two best friends can figure out a way to make it stick and make their newfound freedoms endure. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

One Half from the East is about a girl named Obayda who acts like a boy to make her father proud. I love how Obayda takes a stand in wanting to be a boy. Rahim, another transferred girl helps Obayda take new risks which bonds them a new friendship.

I find it very emotional to feel what Obayda had in her life with the sacrifices and changes that happened. I cheered out loud for what Obayda tried to do when something threatened her friendship with Rahim. Obayda does strong and powerful actions to save Rahim from going away from her forever.

I really could believe those legendary adventures that drove Obayda and Rahim together. I would rate this book five stars and I think people who are into heavier and more emotional stories should read One Half from the East. Thank you, Nadia Hashimi, for writing this beautiful story.

Saving Lucas Biggs

Thirteen-year-old Margaret knows her father is innocent, but that doesn't stop the cruel Judge Biggs from sentencing him to death. Margaret is determined to save her dad, even if it means using her family's secret—and forbidden—ability to time travel. With the help of her best friend, Charlie, and his grandpa Josh, Margaret goes back to a time when Judge Biggs was a young boy and tries to prevent the chain of events that transformed him into a corrupt, jaded man. But with the forces of history working against her, will Margaret be able to change the past? Or will she be pushed back to a present in which her father is still doomed? 

Told in alternating voices between Margaret and Josh, this heartwarming story shows that sometimes the forces of good need a little extra help to triumph over the forces of evil. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Saving Lucas Biggs is a powerful story of how friends should stick together even through the most difficult times. Margaret needs to stay with Charlie and Josh through both time periods and maybe she would get the affection back. Lucas Biggs was full of hatred and only one thing from his past experiences could change his feelings for the rest of his life.

Using love to overcome hatred is a very strong way to fix many problems, but I think this author has made an impact on me by showing how love is very strong and powerful. I would give this five stars and I would recommend this book to people who like deep stories that have different twists to it.

This book is one of my favorites and I think that the people who could understand it should get to read it. Thank you, Marisa De Los Santos and David Teague, for writing such a wonderful book!