Book Reviews by Glen Cove Teens
- “The choices we face may not be the choices we want, but they are choices nonetheless.” – A Curse So Dark and Lonely
- “My brother alive -but gone, his brother dead -but everywhere.”- Even If I Fall
- “If reading could banish the idea for even half an hour, it was something gained.”- Mansfield Park
- “I know what it’s like to tell yourself a lie so often that it becomes the truth.”- One of Us is Lying
- “Love isn’t immediate or automatic; it takes effort and time and patience.” – Today Tonight Tomorrow
Reviewer: Victoria Baboolal
Book: The How and the Why by Cynthia Hand
Genre: Realistic Fiction
The How and the Why is told from a dual point of view, between Cass, the protagonist, and her birth mother at the age of sixteen right before she gives Cass up for adoption. Cass is a teen who is living a wonderful life with her adoptive parents. Even though they aren’t her “real” parents, the author makes it clear how close their bond is. However, she is still curious about her birth mother and wants to learn more about her. We got to learn about Cass’s life, she is a theater nerd and has a very strong connection with her friends. We also get to learn about Cass’s birth mother, through a series of letters that she wrote to Cass which would be delivered to her on her 18th birthday. In the letters, we learn why Cass’s mother chose to give her up for adoption, and how hard it was choosing to give Cass up, so she could have a better life.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it was a beautiful and emotional story about a family. I sped through it, eager to learn more about Cass’s biological mother. I definitely recommend this book to others!
Reviewer: Victoria Baboolal
Book: Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean
Genre: Fairy Tale/Fantasy
Tokyo Ever After follows Izumi, a Japanese American teenage girl who finds out her father, who she’s never met, is a part of the royal family in Japan. When her father finds out that he has a daughter he quickly makes contact with her, wanting her to visit him in Japan. Izumi is a relatable, entertaining, and sympathetic character. Being raised in Northern California by a single mom, she always knew what it felt like to be an outsider, living in a mostly white community. Now she is flying to Japan to meet her father, and fulfill her duties as a princess. Which is easier said than done considering she doesn’t know the first thing about being a royal, with so many rules to follow and people watching her every move. Life as a princess is a lot harder, especially when she becomes romantically involved with someone the royal family wouldn’t approve of.
This book is a bit of a cliche, with the whole, a commoner turned princess and forbidden love plot. However, I really enjoyed the story, especially how the author added the feeling of being an outsider to Izumi’s character. Not only was she a princess but because she was half-American, half-Japanese background, Izumi didn’t feel like she belonged anywhere. I definitely recommend this book to others.
Reviewer: Katie Juarez
Book: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Genre: Dystopian
The novel follows a girl named Katniss Everdeen who goes through almost dying just for her family. They live in this society where they pick two people, boy or girl, every year from each district to try and survive in the Hunger Games. Katniss volunteered for the games just to replace her sister, Prim, because she was the one who originally got chosen to be in the games, along with a boy named Peeta Mellark. Katniss doesn’t know it yet but she is going to go through a rough time, mentally and physically, because of these games and what they are going to do to her. Katniss can be described as a strong, intelligent, and independent woman who fights for what she wants. Katniss is portrayed by Collins as someone who is meant to protect everyone she cares about. This novel contains adventure and action which personally makes me like it because it shows a world that could happen. I recommend this book to people who are interested in reading dystopian type genre with a strong protagonist and a bit of romance.
Reviewer: Sofia Garcia
Book: 1984 by George Orwell
Genre: Dystopian
This novel follows the main character Winston Smith and the type of world/government that he lives in which includes Oceania, Big Brother, and the party. Winston is not like the others in the way that he thinks. Winston questions how the party is run and the falsification in history the party has put in. Winston believes that in the past, the people of Oceania were better off than they are now. He begins to write in his journal and starts to Rebel in the simple act of having a relationship with a female named Julia. Soon they get caught and Winston’s transformation begins. Winston is tortured and manipulated, he completely changes into a person that is like all the others. They make Winston into a person that loves the party and big brother. George Orwell illustrates a dystopian Society with details that as readers we pick up on. Since 1984 is in Winston’s perspective, we learn as Winston continues to develop. I like that Orwell adds that different themes such as rebellion, humanity, and knowledge. 1984 was released about seventy years ago, but the novel continues to be relevant today. We’ve seen the same trends of power in the wrong hands and corruption with power. Orwell wants to convey the message of being aware of your world; being conscious and awake in government. Orwell also wants readers to question who is in power and how his future looks like. Today you can compare this with the way the United States is being governed. If we continue to allow our leaders to rule in a totalitarian way, it’s becoming clearer and more similar to the world of 1984.
Reviewer: Victoria Baboolal
Book: A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
Genre: Fairy Tale/Fantasy
This ‘Beauty and the Beast’ story follows Harper, a young girl who is trapped in another world where a vicious beast has caused fear and destruction. To break the curse and stop the beast, Harper must fall in love with Prince Rhen. This story is filled with heartwarming and heartbreaking events that will make readers attached. I would definitely recommend this book to all teen readers.
Reviewer: Luke Benzinger
Book: A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park
Genre: Historical Fiction
In A Long Walk to Water, Northern Sudan is invading Southern Sudan. Salva’s Village is being invaded and he has to evacuate. During Savas Journey to a refugee camp, he stumbles upon a lot of obstacles for example the desert, the Nile, and lack of food and water. The main events in A Long Walk to Water are Northern Sudan invading southern Sudan, crossing the Nile, crossing the desert, the refugee camps, and going to America. At the end of A Long Walk to Water Salva was informed that his father was still alive and went back to Southern Sudan to meet him. Little does he know his whole family is still alive. I really enjoyed this book because this child overcame so many obstacles. Also, I like books based on a topic that actually happened. I recommend this book to anyone that wants to read an inspiring book.
Reviewer: Violette Aboueid
Book: A Separate Peace by John Knowles
Genre: Historical Fiction
A Separate Peace takes place at an all-boys boarding school in New England during the early years of World War II. Gene Forrester is an introverted intellectual. Phineas is an extroverted athlete. The two become best friends. However, over time Gene can no longer tolerate the life in Phineas. The two get in a fight, which causes Finny to fall off a tree limb and shatter his leg. John Knowles highlights the theme of the loss of innocence in this coming-of-age novel.
Reviewer: Christine Calderon
Book: Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson
Genre: Science Fiction
“The Adoration of Jenna Fox” is about a seventeen-year-old girl who had just woke up from a coma. She is told that she is Jenna Fox. Her loss of memories was told to be a result of a car accident that happened around a year ago. She isn’t allowed to go to school or outside because of her parent’s instructions. However, her memories slowly start to come back to her. Jenna eventually makes new friends, and they proceed to help her find out what really happened in the accident that occurred a year ago.
The novel seems to be driven by the characters. I found it to be an interesting read with all the different turns in the plot. It inspires debate about the idea of humanity and where to draw the line medically when it comes to artificial parts. If they are mostly artificial, are they even human? I liked the way the characters develop throughout the story and how well they handled the coming-of-age aspect of it. I also enjoy the use of futuristic aspects.
Reviewer: Virginia Graziosi
Book: Again, but Better
Genre: Romance, Science Fiction
This novel follows Shane Primaveri, a premed student with good grades but little social life, as she goes to London for a semester abroad studying writing without her parents knowing. She goes to London in hopes of making friends, finding adventure, and the possibilities of new romance. This book isn’t all romance, however, as there is also science fiction with Shane getting a second chance at London (and love) through the help of time travel.
I really enjoyed this book and it was definitely a page-turner! I was reading for hours at a time because I could not put this book down. As a reader, I appreciated a twist on a classic romance novel. I highly recommend this book to teen readers looking for a classic romance novel with a science fiction twist.
Reviewer: Christine Calderon
Book: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Genre: Classic
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn begins with Huck trying to follow Tom Sawyer’s advice to stay “respectable”. All is well until his drunken father, Pap, returns to his life and proceeds to kidnap Huck for money. Pap holds Huck in a cabin across the Mississippi river from St. Petersberg, Missouri. Huck, who is tired of being beaten by his Pap, fakes his own death to escape. While he is hiding, he meets a runaway slave named Jim. This is where the adventure between Huck and Jim begins.
Because Huck was born in a poor family with an abusive father, he distrusts the morals of society. As Huck bonds a relationship with the runaway slave Jim, he disagrees with what the others thinking about race and slavery. His adventure with Jim is about being away from civilization, free from society’s rules and regulations. In his own way, with growing friendship with Jim, he learns how to distinguish right from wrong. For Huck, freedom means not living in a civilized society and being free from the restrictions of it. By contrast, Jim wants to be free from slavery and to make enough money to be reunited with his family.
Reviewer: Victoria Baboolal
Book: Born Scared by Kevin Brooks
Genre: Suspense
What do you do when your entire life is controlled by fear? The day Elliot was born he suffered a life-threatening trauma. When Elliot’s medication runs out, his mother must go out into a snowstorm to get more, but she never comes back. Elliot must face his fears and find the courage to go out and find his mother. This story was definitely a thriller and I recommend it to all readers.
Reviewer: Sofia Garcia
Book: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Genre: Dystopian
Brave New World is set in a futurist technologically advanced dystopia. This novel is classified as a dystopia because the government controls its people. The people of the society are unaware of how manipulated they are. I think this also contributes to Brave New worlds classification of a dystopia. In the world, state people are arranged into castes. People are hatched in labs and are assigned their caste through genetic modification. The government controls every last aspect of people’s lives. This includes people’s happiness; through the use of a drug called Soma. Bernard is the main character who is in the top caste in society; the alphas. Bernard isn’t like everyone else, he thinks differently and is shorter than the other alphas. Bernard finds himself disagreeing with society and identifies with nonconformists ideology. Lenina, a true conformist to the government finds herself with Bernard. Huxley does well with comparing these two characters. Scenes with Bernard and Lenina conversing signal how blatantly different they are. Bernard and Lenina find themselves at a Savage Reserve. There, they see how people live without “civilization”. They live like animals; caring for their kids, breastfeeding, having…Parents, all these things are completely disgusting in the world state. At the Savage reserve, they meet John the Savage. John isn’t like the other savages. His pale skin contrasts with the darker savage skin. John has grown up with the tales of the “other Place”, the world his mother grew up in. Looking at Brave New World from an outside perspective we see how undesirable this place really is. In a way, Brave New World seems like a positive in the fact that everybody’s happy. But in reality what kind of happiness is this? Throughout the novel we see this question arise with the main characters. This is what sets Bernard and John apart from the others. They can question this false sense of happiness. Overall Huxley wants readers to look at their own world they live in, ultimately to ask the uncomfortable question of; are we leading into a dystopia?
Reviewer: Katie Juarez
Book: The Cather in the Rye by: J. D. Salinger
Genre: Psychological Thriller
The novel follows a boy named Holden Caulfield who is 16 years old narrating his life from a home where he is receiving treatment. Holden can be described as a mentally unstable, critical, judgmental, intelligent person who is going through a rough time. He starts his story at Pencey Prep where he has just gotten expelled for failing his classes, besides English. This isn’t his first school to kick him out. As his time there is coming to an end he decides to leave a few days earlier to come home to Manhattan where he isn’t supposed to be there until Wednesday. His time in the city can be described as hectic. He goes through situations like assault, heavily drinking/smoking, helping others, missing his family, heartbreak, homelessness, loss of innocence, etc. Holden realizing he isn’t meant to be around others and instead isolated really convinced him he should just leave everything behind but his sister, Phoebe, helps him realize he matters. Holden is portrayed by Salinger as some who isn’t in the best state of mind mentally but is searching for truth and rails against the “phoniness” of the adult world. The way he is portrayed shows how he views life and its reality of it. This novel contains the realities of life which personally makes me like it because of the impact it has had. I recommend this book to people who are interested in reading different perspectives of growing up in the adult world.
Reviewer: Victoria Baboolal
Book: Courting Darkness
Genre: Fantasy
Reviewer: Alyssa Weingand
Book: Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Drums Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick is a crazy, emotional book filled with day-to-day problems and feelings everyone can relate to. It has drama, anxiety, cancer, and ups and downs. It involves a family with 13 and 5-year-old brothers that love each other (but don’t act like it) when everything takes a turn for the worst. Steven (the older brother) has his friends and his drums and thinks everything is fine, but he doesn’t know what’s about to happen. Jeffrey (the younger) on the other hand, has his toys, curiosity, and his brother but he doesn’t realize that might not be enough…
I loved this book, it made me think about what other families have to go through and how lucky I am. Some of my favorite parts were when the characters faced obstacles and they had to find a way to overcome them. Like when Steven’s crush came but he couldn’t let her in his house because she had a cold and Jeffrey couldn’t get sick.
“Instead of agonizing about the things you can’t change, why don’t you try working on the things you can change.” That’s what the characters and I learned in the book. This book made me realize that life isn’t so simple and there is no “normal” family, everyone is different in their way. I would love to read it again and for others to enjoy it as much as I did. I would recommend this book to people who are going through a hard time and/or ill.
Reviewer: Logan Hoffman
Book: Drums, Girls and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick
Genre: Realistic Fiction
The book “Drums, Girls + Dangerous Pie” by Jordan Sonnenblick is a realistic fiction book about an eighth-grader named Steven Alper. At first, Steven didn’t appreciate his brother and thought he was the most annoying thing in the world. Then Steven is told that his younger brother Jeffrey Alper has ALL, a type of Leukemia. Steven is a drummer in the All-Star Jazz Band. One of his best friends’ names is Annette. Eventually, he starts to stop focusing on school because of the stress he feels. The only time he doesn’t feel stressed is when he is playing the drums.
My favorite part of the book is at the end because Annette and Steven start to date and Jeffrey beats cancer. I really like this part because throughout the story he was mesmerized by Renee (the hottest girl in the eighth grade) but in the end that starts to change. Also when Jeffrey beats cancer it is like he is free from the prison he was trapped in. My favorite character is Jeffrey because he looks up to his older brother even though he felt incredibly ill. One example is he always says his brother is a rockstar.
Personally, this is one of my favorite books and I hope more people read it. This book is an easy read and it is really addicting when you first get into it. A lot of my friends also liked this book.
Reviewer: Sofia Garcia
Book: Even If I Fall by Abigail Johnson
Genre: Realistic Fiction
The book Even if I fall follows Brooke Covington’s story and journey in dealing with the fact that her brother Jason killed his best friend Calvin a year ago. Her family which includes her parents and her younger sister are internally broken, they make it seem like they’re okay; that nothing happened. Her family rather pretend that Jason went away to college or didn’t even exist than admit that he is a murderer. Brooke knows they can’t live like this; she knows she can’t live like this. Out of the blue, she finds Calvin’s younger brother Heath on the side of the road with his car broken down with the rain pouring on him. Brooke offers him a ride knowing very well that her brother is the reason why his brother Calvin is dead. They both soon realize that they can help each other get through this, by simply talking. As humans, we need to be able to let out our true feelings. And also we need to feel like we’re not alone in the world. Brooke needs to let her emotions out, she finds that in Heath. My favorite quote that illustrates their odd yet meaningful relationship is, “My brother alive -but gone, his brother dead -but everywhere.” Brooke and Heath struggle through the loss of their brothers in two different ways. This book is from Brooke’s point of view, and the author brings up her struggle in trying to rationalize how her own flesh and blood could do such a horrific thing. Her older brother Jason was the person she looked up to, the person that protected her, the person that shares so many memories with her. How could a good person turn bad? The only way Brooke knows to answer this question is by truly finding out what happened that night Jason killed his best friend Calvin. In the first half of the book, Brooke learns how to talk about what she is going through but in the second half, she goes on a solo journey to find the hazy details of that night. Towards the end, Brooke gets the closure she ached for and she learns an important message. Even if she falls emotionally and metaphorically, she has to get back up. As humans we are bound to fall, but if we stay on the ground; at rock bottom, where does that leave us? “It’s not about how you fall but how you get back up.”
Reviewer: Christine Calderon
Book: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Genre: Science Fiction
“Fahrenheit 451” is about the future of American society. The main character is named Guy Montag and he has a job as a firefighter. However, he isn’t the typical one that you’re most likely used to. The government has banned the use of books, and Montag’s job is to burn them “for the good of humanity”. Montag meets Clarisse, a teenage girl, which makes him wonder and question his morals. Because of her, he soon becomes interested in books. Montag is forced to face the dilemma of wanting to yearn for knowledge in books and yet keeping his job as a firefighter. When Clarisse goes missing and Montag steals a book, it takes a turn in life that will have a lasting impact.
I found this book to be incredibly interesting. I enjoyed the take on the dystopian world. Montag goes on to battle the basic beliefs of society. Although he wants to learn more and have more knowledge, his job is meant to promote ignorance instead. I also appreciate how the book doesn’t outright state why books are banned, but instead only includes factors that could have potentially led to it, It showed the negative effects of technological innovation quite well, displaying how technology increased so much it led to there being a decline for reading. I think that it is a very unique idea and it did not fail to keep me hooked.
Reviewer: Zoe Liu
Book: Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Genre: Romance
Reviewer: Zoe Liu
Book: Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott
Genre: Romance
Reviewer: Victoria Baboolal
Book: Forget Tomorrow by Pintip Dunn
Genre: Science Fiction
Seventeen-year-old Callie has been waiting all her life to see what the future holds. But, little does she know what Fate has in store for her. Once all the lies are unfolded and truths told, Callie will be faced with a heartbreaking decision. This book will draw you in with all the unexpected twists and turns.
Reviewer: Nishka Baboolal
Book: Gifts by Ursula K. Le Guin
Genre: Fantasy
Book: Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust
Genre: Fantasy
Girls Made of Snow and Glass centers on two women, with the point of view moving back and forth between Lynet and her stepmother, Mina. Mina is married to a man who doesn’t love her the way she wants and deserves to be loved. She believes she will never be able to find happiness. At sixteen Mina was being raised by her magician father after her mother had passed away and as much as Mina saw herself as normal she was anything but. Mina’s father had replaced her dying heart with one made of glass to keep her alive. Mina believes herself incapable of love, she simultaneously pushes others away and hates being alone. Mina has been an outsider her entire life but when she moves to Whitespring Castle she forms a plan so she can win the heart of the king and become the queen. She wants to be at least respected and appreciated, if not loved. Fifteen-year-old Lynet is being raised by her father, the king, and her stepmother, Mina. Lynet refuses to be held back by expectations from those around her and be someone she does not wish to be. Princess Lynet has been forced every day to grow up as an exact replica of her mother who died before they ever met. All Lynet ever hears about is how much she resembles her mother, who died giving birth to her (or so she thought), all she wants to do is be herself and get out of her mother’s shadow. One day Lynet finds the truth behind herself and Mina, causing a flare in their relationship. Their loving mother-daughter relationship is corrupted with greed for the crown. I would recommend this story to anyone who likes fantasy with a drop or two of romance.
Reviewer: Sofia Garcia
Book: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Genre: Classic
The Great Gatsby is a novel that tells a different side of the American dream. The novel allowed me to explore life in a different era in American literature. The idea of Gatsby and his life is very intriguing and mysterious at the same time. The ideas that Fitzgerald presents throughout the novel show what exactly he wants the audience to take away. I believe one of the biggest messages is to be true to yourself and not put expectations on money. Gatsby, Tom, Daisy, and even Jordan all seemed artificial in the way. They each struggled with who they were as people. If we took away their money who are they? Daisy and especially Gatsby believed that money would help them with their problems. This book is often taught to teenagers because of the nature of dreaming of the future and overall dreaming of a better life. As teenagers, we think about who they will be in five years or 10 years. Again we put expectations on ourselves and who and what we will be. We see this with Gatsby 100%. He put these expectations on himself— on who he wanted to be to get Daisy. Looking at this in an adult’s pov, I think it’s easier to figure out where Gatsby went wrong. I think the true message of the text to teenagers is to not put unrealistic expectations on money in the future. Instead, live in the moment and continue to grow as a person. I don’t think there is a single moment in life where everything will come into place. But encouraging yourself and having hope that you’re on the right path—that makes a difference. Ultimately I think that is what Gatsby lacked.
Reviewer: Nishka Baboolal
Book: Hazel Bly and the Deep Blue Sea
Genre: Realistic
Reviewer: Violette Aboueid
Book: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
Genre: Biography
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings takes place in 1969 and is an autobiography of the early years of Maya Angelou. In this book, Marguerite (Maya) and her brother Bailey Jr. are sent to Arkansas to live with their grandmother and uncle Willie. Though their family is somewhat wealthy by local standards, the children suffer the same racial prejudice as any other black person at that time. As the book continues, the siblings are moved between different states. Along the way, Maya’s life and view of herself are shaped by her love of reading and traumatic experiences as a child. This book provides readers with an important and honest look at racial prejudice in the United States during the 1930s and ‘40s.
Reviewer: Victoria Baboolal
Book: Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
Genre: Classic
The story follows young Fanny Price, who is trying to find her way in the world. Fanny is timid, lacks self-confidence, and isn’t the heroine that many people expect. But, she is also humble, kind, and polite. This was an intriguing, well-written classic book that everyone should read.
Reviewer: Charlotte Rose Dilgard-Clark
Book: Middle School Misadventures by Jason Platt
Genre: Graphic Fiction
This book is filled with action, excitement, and suspense. Newell is on the brink of having to go to summer school and there’s only one way to get out of it… the TALENT SHOW. For most people that would be fine, except Newell doesn’t have a talent, or does he. This graphic novel holds you on the edge of your seat as you follow Newell through his journey of laughs and threats from his principal. If only he hadn’t made pancakes.
Reviewer: Victoria Baboolal
Book: Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne
Genre: Fantasy
When Kaya, a petty thief with unbelievable skills, gets involved in some bad business she must be quick and clever to find a way out. This addicting action-packed book filled with knights, assassins, and mysterious creatures will leave you in awe. This is definitely one of my favorite books that I highly recommend to all teen readers.
Reviewer: Charlotte Scutifero
Book: The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty
Genre: Realistic Fiction
In the story, “The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl”, a girl named Lucy Callahan was struck by lightning. Ever since that moment, her life has changed drastically. She is a super genius and has been homeschooled ever since. When she turned 12 years old, she was so smart, she could go to college, but her grandma insisted that she should go to middle school. But Lucy is not sure what someone like her, who does calculus for fun, can learn in middle school when she already knows everything. In this story, you learn about Lucy and her experience in middle school. Since the lightning struck her, she has been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder and that has made her stand out amongst others. The obstacles Lucy faces slowly get better when she makes new friends that help her along the way. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes realistic fiction and inspiring stories. “The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl” is a great and inspiring book that shows you that being smart is not everything and that friendship is more valuable than you think.
Reviewer: Luca Mancuso
Book: One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus
Genre: Mystery
This story is about a bunch of teenagers who get sent to detention and they all don’t make it out alive. One of the kids ended up experiencing a terrible allergic reaction and eventually died. The kids were all potential suspects as it was a mystery as to how their friend was exposed to this allergen. The students then conclude that it was all a setup that would end up blaming them while the real person who caused it was hidden in the shadows and completely out of the way from the situation. I didn’t enjoy this book at all. It felt like the tone of the book took a more romantic novel turn and I don’t care for those genres of books. This book gets a 4/10 from me for the romantic moments and I felt like there were a lot of things that gave way too many clues about who the person responsible for the killing was making it easy to figure out and not suspenseful as it could have been. I know there are follow-up books to this story but I won’t be reading them.
Reviewer: Violette Aboueid
Book: Ordinary People
Genre: Realistic
Reviewer: Kendall Benzinger
Book: The Land of Stories
Genre: Realistic
The twins, Alex and Conner, grew up basically in their grandmother and father’s fairy tale book, but a few days before the twin’s eleventh birthday their dad dies in a car crash. Devastated, they get a gift from their grandmother. That fairy tale book was the book that their father would read to them with their grandmother every time they visited her. After the twins received the book a portal in the book opened up and whatever the twins dropped through the portal it disappeared. One day Alex got curious and went through the portal and Conner felt he had no other choice than to follow her. What they found through that portal changed their lives forever.
The book The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell was and still is one of my all-time favorite books and I would definitely recommend the whole series to anyone who loves different perspectives of fairy tales as much as I do. I was obsessed with the series and now reading it again because it is so good. It has awesome adventures, thrill-seeking plot twists, lovely relationships, and much more. In conclusion, this book is a great opening to a whole different perspective on the fairy tale characters than the Disney series. I love this book and I think you will too.
Reviewer: Natalia Piasta
Book: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
Genre: Classic
The Outsiders is a realistic-fiction novel written by S. E. Hilton. The book is based on the 60s and shows how coming-of-age and how society impacts others. The book takes place in a town in Oklahoma and tells the story of Ponyboy Curtis, a 14-year-old boy who faces many conflicts in his hometown. When Ponyboy’s parents pass away in a car accident, he is forced to live with his older brothers Darry and Sodapop. The family is doing pretty well, but they are on the poor side of the area. The boys are classified based on their money and Ponyboy and his gang fit in with the “Greasers.” The rich, or more high class, are considered the “Socs.” The Socs love to pick on the Greasers and physically hurt them. During this time period, kids had more freedom and got into fights often with no consequences. When Ponyboy is almost drowned by an angry and drunk Soc named Bob, Pony’s friend Johnny has to use his blade in defense. Throughout the story, Ponyboy Curtis faces many deaths and hardships but gets through them with his brothers. The plot twists and random challenges the boys are put against making the book very interesting. Ponyboy has to make lots of sacrifices and work with his friends to make it through the very tough times. I think that this book is very well written and is never boring because of all the situations going on within the gang. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend. The emotions brought to the reader alternate constantly and new characters are introduced in different chapters. Both the book and the movie for The Outsiders are great and show how with friends and family, you can get through anything.
Reviewer: Benjamin Napolitano
Book: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Genre: Fantasy
Rick Riordan begins many of his books with character introductions. This book does not disappoint. The Lightning Thief introduces us to our main character, Percy, for the rest of the series with enough information to get a feel for the character’s compassionate personality and strong morals. Riordan takes a modern society and intricately weaves Greek myths and legends in the thick of it. While staying true to these old myths and legends he adds his own spin to how everyone would act and what form these tales would take in the current day world. This author’s series has captured my mind in a way I didn’t think possible. He has made me want to turn every page until I dropped. The Lightning Thief is a page-turning adventure that will make you want to find the comfiest chair in your home to start reading and not stop.
Reviewer: Kasey Miller
Book: The Prisoner of Cell 25 (Michael Vey #1) by Richard Paul Evans
Reviewer: Zainab Raza
Book: The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller
Genre: Fantasy
This is a review of The Shadows Between Us, which is a YA fantasy novel by Tricia Levenseller. Going into the book, my expectations were pretty high, considering the book was very new, having been released in 2020, and had already gained notoriety among YA Fantasy fanatics. The romance was the well-loved and trendy enemies-to-lovers trope, but I came to realize that it wasn’t exactly that. As stated in the blurb, yes, our protagonist had wanted to kill the love interest. But the love interest didn’t view the protagonist as an enemy. The hatred was simply not mutual, which is why I don’t think it deserves its spot as a well-known “enemies to lovers” book. Otherwise, it was a very enjoyable read. It was a bit of a drag throughout the middle. Other reviews stated it was a very fast read and easy to get done within a few sittings, but it took me about five days. The beginning and end were very well-paced and had me on the edge of the seat, and the world-building didn’t take too much space as common in other fantasy books, but the middle simply had very little action. The love interest, the Shadow King, was not even present. Although, that did contribute as a point to the plot so I suppose it did have meaning. All considered this was a four-star read! Very enjoyable and a nice length, but not anything too special.
Reviewer: Gordon Korman
Book: Restart by Gordan Korman
Genre: Realistic
The book “Restart” by Gordan Korman is about the main character Chase Ambrose, a smart boy. He is a 13-year-old boy who lost his memory and tries to remember what his old life was like. As he slowly starts to remember, he realizes he was a bad kid and doesn’t want to go back to his old life. When he realizes that he was a bully his old friends Aaron and Bear start to bully him. The story ends with Chase seeing a picture in his neighbor’s house which gives him his memory back and allows him to become a better kid.
My favorite part of this book was when Chase and Shoshanna do the report on Mr. Solway who lives in a nursing home. I liked this part because they were bonding and it shows how interesting Mr. Solway’s life was. My favorite character is Mr. Solway who stands out compared to everyone in the nursing home because he has a medal of honor and served in the military. He eventually becomes more of the main character and we get to learn his story.
I think that this was a very good book because it was interesting and it didn’t ever get boring. I would recommend this book to other people because it is hard to put down and is a family-friendly book.
Reviewer: Nishka Baboolal
Book: Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly
Genre: Realistic
Song for a Whale is a beautiful story where Iris’s grandmother takes not only Iris but the reader on an adventure. An adventure where the journey is more important than the destination. The story is full of heart and might just make you feel for Iris when she seeks to help a lost and lonely whale. I would give the story a 6/10 since nothing truly spiked my interest, though it was very heartwarming.
Twelve-year-old Iris was named after a deaf whale. Iris along with her grandmother and deceased grandfather are all deaf. Iris is a tech genius who gained a new interest in a whale named Blue 55. Blue 55 is like her, they both have a hard time communicating with others. Iris feels as though they have some sort of connection with each other and comes up with a plan on how to communicate with Blue 55. A big obstacle that is standing in her way is that the Blue 55 is three thousand miles away, in Alaska. Who knew pouring her heart out to her grandmother would lead her to hop on a cruise to Alaska. This cruise is life-changing to both Iris and her grandmother who is still getting over her husband’s death. This cruise is where Iris creates friends and her grandmother feels happy for the first time, in a long time. Iris’s adventure doesn’t go according to her plan but that doesn’t mean she didn’t go home happy.
Reviewer: Zoe Liu
Book: Stranger Things: Suspicious Minds by Gwenda Bond
Genre: Adventure
Terry Ives, a young adult, opens a door full of mysteries as she is curious to know what happens in the suspicious Hawkins National Lab. As the suspicion increases, Terry persistently aims to reveal more of the Lab by tricking officials, trespassing areas, and meeting new people. I highly recommend this book because of the thrilling adventure Terry goes through with her friends. You would never guess what would happen next and it keeps you excited through the whole book! Also, the characters in this book demonstrate strong levels of perseverance, determination, and cooperation that the readers will admire!
Reviewer: Eric Graziosi
Genre: Thriller
This is a novel about three best friends, Kat, Jesse, and Claire, who go on a secret trip to a lake house instead of going to prom. Something terrible happens when Claire wakes up alone on a hiking trail with blood on her. She has no memory of the last 48 hours. She only remembers Friday night and her best friends, Kat and Jesse are missing. This book was a thriller with many secrets being revealed and I would definitely recommend it.
Reviewer: Luca Mancuso
Book: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Genre: Fantasy
“Throne of Glass” is a novel about a woman named Celaena Sardothein who is a trained assassin who is serving a life sentence for killing hundreds of people. One day Celaena gets offered a deal by Captain Westfall: her freedom in return for a huge sacrifice. She decides to accept the deal in hopes to regain her freedom. She was forced to battle in a series of duels. Suddenly, other contestants start mysteriously dying. She is on a mission to win the contest while trying to not be killed herself and find out who is murdering the competition. I think it was a very interesting book that had a lot of twists and turns throughout the story. Its build-up to the reveal of the murderer was great and the description of the trials was amazing. I genuinely loved the book and it was very entertaining to connect the pieces to find out who actually killed the other contestants. I would rate it a 9/10 mostly due to how much content there was and because of how unique all the chapters were.
Reviewer: Sofia Garcia
Book: Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Genre: Romance
This book is everything I hope to read as a high school teen girl. It’s filled with character development that is seen throughout the book’s events. This is a very well-written book compacted with brilliant quotes. “Today, Tonight, Tomorrow” follows the night of the last day of High School for Rowan Roth and Neil McNair; high school rivals. From test scores, valedictorian, and gym push-ups…they compete over who will up the other. Overachieving for Rowan and Neil is only a small part of who they are. Through a Senior activity, the Howl, they find that they have to work together when a group of seniors goes against them. Throughout the night, they are sent all over the city of Seattle. Even though they’ve “known” each other for years, did they really know each other? Revealing who they are and what secrets they have, pushes how much they have in common. From the span of 24 hours, they discover the need to have the other in their life. Today, they might not have everything figured out, but that can wait until tomorrow. Ultimately that’s the beauty of living in the moment. If I can take anything away from this novel, live like you’re the main character in your own novel.
Reviewer: Aiden Van Ommeren
Book: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Genre: Non-Fiction
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand is an exhilarating as well as a breathtaking and saddening non-fiction novel. It is filled with bone-chilling and surprising events. This book could take you on a once-in-a-lifetime road trip to the life of Louis Zamperini and maybe take a couple of pit-stops at some Japanese POW camps. You’ll get a thrilling experience of how the protagonist of this novel goes through mass character development. In this novel, you’ll entail bravery, courage, and a hint of mischief. I believe that this book could attract ages 12 and up and will bring readers a book to get hooked on. I rate this book five out of five stars and recommend this novel for your next read.
Reviewer: Charlotte Scutifero
Book: The Unteachables by Gordan Korman
Genre: Realistic Fiction
In this story, “The Unteachables”, a class of troublemakers and misfits are so bad they have been removed by the student body and placed into room 117. Their new teacher (after the multiple teachers this class has had) is Mr. Zachary Kermit, the teacher who is super burned out after years and years of teaching in Greenwich. The only reason he is still living is for retirement. The Unteachables are surprised that there was a person who had an attitude, worse than theirs! Mr. Kermit thought he could just get this class over with and retire but his plan does not go as expected. This book tells the story of each of the students and Mr. Kermit in every chapter. This story teaches that you can find hope, even in the most unlikely of places. I really loved this book and I like how the perspective changes each chapter. It might be confusing at first, but it is original and I never read a book like this before.
Reviewer: Charlotte Scutifero
Book: The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
Genre: Science Fiction
In the story “The Wild Robot” a robot named Roz, is a robot who was supposed to be delivered when she realizes she is instead stranded on an island. She has no idea how she got there or what she is supposed to do but she knows she needs to survive, but something strange happens. She can talk to animals. But the animals do not want to talk or do anything with her. They think she is a metal monster. Then something terrible happens, she accidentally destroys a goose’s nest but one survived. Roz now must learn how to take care of the goose and become a mother. The animals start to warm up to her after that until Roz’s mysterious past starts to unravel. This story is a great story about survival and family. I find the writing style nice because it is simple. For that, I think ages above 8 can read it. I love the story’s plot, and I think it is very original and interesting from other stories.
Reviewer: Nathan Napolitano
Book: Wonder by RJ Palacio
Genre: Realistic
I highly recommend the book Wonder which is about a boy named August Pullman who has a facial deformity. He goes through some tough times at a new school. He is bullied by one of the students at his school, Julian! But he makes friends with Jack Will, who stands up for him. And that makes August feel less alone because now he has a friend! When I read this book, it made my heart warm like the blossoms of flowers. If I handed anybody this book, I’d tell him or her; “I hope you enjoy this book, it’s really inspiring.”
Reviewer: Victoria Baboolal
Book: You Can’t See Elephants
Genre: Realistic