Teen book reviews

A Million Junes, by Emily Henry

A Million Junes is a book about forgiveness and learning to move on from the death of those you love. Jack “June” O’Donnell has always been told that the Angerts should be avoided. But when she collides with Saul Angert for the first time, she begins to question why she was told to avoid him in the first place. Now, she must find the truth behind the hatred between their families and a curse that has been upon them for years.

 

I thought the execution of the story is very unique; whenever she takes off her shoes, she is able to touch the white specks (called “Whites”) floating around and re-experience the past memories of her family, from her father to her great-grandfather. It was very enjoyable to read about June utilising the Whites freely to explore her past.

 

Though I am not an avid fan of romance, I did like the dynamics between June and Saul when they were developing their relationship. I found it gradual and realistic, especially when they first interacted since June was always told to avoid him. I also loved the relationship between June and her best friend Hannah. Their interactions made me jealous of the trust between the two, especially since the writing was beautiful and added to the experience.

 

If you’re a fan of romance, drama and a bit of magical realism, A Million Junes may be the perfect book for you to try.

 

Rated 3.75/5 stars by Jordan

June 6, 2019

Tokyo Ghoul, by Sui Ishida

Tokyo Ghoul re is a Japanese Manga written and illustrated by Sui Ishida. It is a sequel to his previous series: Tokyo Ghoul. The story takes place in Tokyo, Japan where creatures known as Ghouls are considered a threat to humanity. An organization known as the CCG (Commission of Counter Ghoul) is responsible for eradicating Ghouls. The series follows Haise Sasaki, a Ghoul Investigator and his team called the Q’s squad as they work towards eradicating the threat of Ghouls while also trying to uncover Haise’s forgotten past.

 

The story focuses primarily on its characters and their interactions with each other. This makes the characters feel real and relatable, because we get to see different parts of their personality like how they react to different situations and how they go about handling them. The story is also paced just right. It doesn’t feel rushed or too slow. In just the first volume, it also establishes some of the character’s motivations as well as parts of their backstory and also within the first few pages foreshadows future conflict. Overall the story is a 5 out of 5.

 

The art is also really nice. The backgrounds have a realistic feel to them and the characters are drawn with a good amount of detail. I give the art a 3 out of 5. Compared to other series like Berserk for example, the art could use more texture and more detailed shading.

 

I recommend this book to fans of a deep, gripping narrative as well as fans of horror. This book is also not for the faint of heart as it does contain gory violence, mild curse words and some nudity.

 

Rated 4/5 stars by Diandre

July 12, 2019

The Chrysalids, by John Wyndham

The novel “The Chrysalids” by John Wyndham shows how intolerance leads to devastating outcomes. This post-apocalyptic book takes place after nuclear bombs have dropped. The government of Waknuk have controlled their citizens to believe there is nothing out there for them, leading them to fear the world outside. In this town religion comes first and people with the simplest of blemishes or differences are discriminated against because of the strict beliefs their government have set for their society. The protagonist David must hide his telepathic differences as harsh consequences follow. With a father with an eye for only his faith it is hard to conceal his secret as well as the secret of the many other telepaths.

 

Throughout the story David sees how people like him are treated. With a government as controlling and close-minded as the town of Waknuks, David begins to realize how life threatening his difference really is. The consequences to being a telepath frequently haunt him. When the time comes he will have to abandon his family to live with the others that have been exiled into the fringes to live in shame. As his fear grows the chances of being found rise.

 

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading science fiction or post-apocalyptic novels. I enjoy both science fiction and post-apocalyptic novels which makes this one of my favourite books. It has shown me the different ways some people think and the outcomes of being close-minded. The book leads you through a series of unexpected events and will keep you reading till you finish the book.

 

Rated 4.5/5 stars by Sarah A.

July 18, 2019

Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer

Twilight is a romantic vampire novel written by author Stephenie Meyer. This book was published in 2005. The protagonist is a seventeen-year-old named Bella, who moves from Phoenix, Arizona to Forks, Washington. And her life is in danger when she falls in love with a vampire, Edward Cullen. The relationship between Edward and Bella is detailed to bring the reader many emotions, the adolescent romance, the consequences and the action of the adolescent experience, these details help Twilight attract teenagers.

 

The main appeal for people may like the Twilight story is probably because of the character, Edward is a mysterious person, and he loves a clumsy girl, Bella. Then there is a werewolf, Jacob also loves Bella, which creates a love triangle and makes the reader curious about the story. In addition, other characters in the story also contribute to the story’s attractiveness.

 

Story content is somewhat dramatic, making the reader curious about its end without wanting to stop reading. At the time, stories about vampires had not been published so much or commonly, which made its content new to the reader, and it is an interesting idea that makes the reader want to read it. Stephenie Meyer has described the character’s emotions quite well. The emotions of the characters in the story are sympathetic to teens, making them feel like they are characters in the story. The content of this story brings positive thoughts to the teens.

 

The story is a combination of good and bad decisions, helping teens get more self-conscious in their lives, having the will to rise and study in the good of the character in the book.

 

Rated 5/5 stars by Nghi L.

April 18, 2019

 

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

For your typical high school senior, Samantha Kingston, February 12th also known as the “Cupid Day”, should be a day filled with romance, joy and happiness enhanced by the privileges of being popular in her high school. This is her reality…. Until she dies in a terrible accident at the end of the night. However, she still wakes up the next morning reliving the last day of her life. In 2017, Before I Fall is became a major motion picture starring Zoey Deutch, Halston Sage, and Kian Lawley. I have watched the movie soon after reading the book and I think it does a good job at portraying the characters while adding a new twist to the story.

 

I have mixed feelings about the book. Samantha’s character at the beginning of the novel as well as the choices she makes as she relives her last day, shape her as a complex character that is not necessarily good or bad. The novel itself is cruel, and frustrating, unfair; yet it’s also sad, and hopeful, and honest and authentic. I think it is a very important read for young adults as it forces you to reflect on your own personality and life choices. I would recommend it to anyone looking for an easy, yet meaningful read!

 

Rated 4/5 stars by Catalina M.

April 18, 2019

 

Buried Beneath the Baobab Tree by Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani

Based on a true story, this book gives new insight onto the hard situation the women of Nigeria currently face, with kidnappings and enslavement being prevalent in their country. The topic can be hard to write about, especially due to its sensitivity and contentious values it possesses - however the author tackles it perfectly with her powerful writing, bringing awareness and shining a light on what should have already been a buzzing topic in the media.

 

This YA novel will personally resonate with you as the main character, Ya Ta, is cleverly designed to be just like any other teen out there in the modern world; she has goals of a scholarship, dreams of marriage, and she loves watching romance films. The relatability of the protagonist will evoke strong emotions from within you and tug on your heartstrings, making this reading experience all the more worthwhile for any reader out there. The story of Ya Ta is entirely written in poetic, diary-like stanzas that only brings the novel more to life. It’ll be difficult to stop reading; this is a book that will be hard for anyone to forget.

 

Other teens should give this novel a try because this book takes on a serious issue that is happening at this very moment, and not enough people are aware. It provides a chance to experience a Nigerian woman’s point of view while fighting this difficult battle, offering a unique insight and possibly new feelings of admiration and respect. The author’s work is absolutely fantastic, as her compelling and dynamic storytelling are very evident in this latest novel.

 

h3>Rated 4.55/5 stars by Emily S.

October 4, 2018

 

Backlash, by Sarah Darer Littman, Young Adult Fiction

Having cell phones and social media has some advantages, from being able to text anyone you want to being notified to pretty much anything. Although, it also has a few disadvantages. For instance, take a look at Lara Kelley’s life. Lara is the older sister to Sydney Kelley and is a cheerleader at Lake Hills High. Now Lara wasn’t always a happy girl, for instance, in middle school she was a depressed, overweight teenager who her only friend was Bree Connors. Once high school approached, the two split ways.

 

One school night, Lara gets a friend request on Facebook from a boy named Christian DeWitt. They instantly start chatting and little does she know, that Christian isn’t who he says he is. Lara is under the impression that Christian likes her. Then one night everything changes, Christian starts commenting these awful things on Lara’s page. But what no one realizes is how Christian’s comment would affect Lara, not even the people closest to her.

 

What I enjoyed reading about Backlash is how the book shows different point of views of each of the four main characters. My favourite character in Backlash is Sydney because I enjoyed her charisma! Every teenager should read this book because it talks about problems/struggles that teens have to face in this generation (bullying, cyberbullying etc). This book kept me on the edge of my seat! You can definitely read this novel again and again and never get tired of it!

 

Rated 5/5 stars by Sheeza. K., Age 14.

September 28, 2018

 

Wanted, by Betsy Schow, Young adult fiction

Wanted; the second book in the Storymaker series by Betsy Schow is nothing short of confusing. This book is about Rexi Hood. Rexi is trying to stop herself from becoming a forgotten by becoming someone worth writing a story about. But she constantly dies and loses parts of herself making it harder for her to reach her goal. She doesn’t want to be a hero or a villain she just wants to survive.

 

The concept was good, but the writing failed. Though it being the second instalment in a series was unknown to me until I was almost finished the book. It was cramming everything into one short story. Even if this was the second book and I couldn’t make sense to some things I’ve accidentally read the 8th book in a series and I got more out of that book than this story.

 

I would have enjoyed this book more if it was longer and received the same treatment as the final part of the book did. In the end, the story finally slowed down. It wasn't rushed giving extra details and space that I wished the entire story got. But the actual end of the book wasn't great. Though the writing wasn’t my favourite I’m going to read the whole series because I liked the concept and the writing was bearable.

 

 

Rated 2/5 stars by Hannah S-T, Age 13.

 

August 31, 2018

 

About the Reviewer:

I love to read. I will yell at the movie when they get it wrong. And I will quote the book before I quote the movie. The best smell in the world is a used book store.

 

Soldier Doll, by Jennifer Gold

Soldier Doll is a novel about a teenage girl named Elizabeth who buys a soldier doll at a yard sale for her dad’s birthday. But when she discovers that the wooden doll was the inspiration behind a famous poem called Soldier Doll, Elizabeth is determined to send it back to its original owner. But how did the doll end up in a yard sale? Where has it been for all these years?

 

If you enjoy reading about history and its events, this novel may be for you as the book not only delves into the life of Elizabeth in 2007, but also the doll’s journey as it is passed on from person to person starting at the first World War. It was truly delightful to read about how the times have changed as the soldier was passed around, with its fair share of romance that doesn’t overpower the novel. While Soldier Doll doesn’t shy away from the bleak reality of life, it also carries a powerful message of how people can move on from tragic events.

 

This book should be read with an open mind since the time period changes in nearly every chapter as the soldier doll is passed around. Some of the character’s decisions may seem frustrating while the dynamics between some characters may be boring as the time moves around. However, I do recommend this novel to anyone interested in historical events and want a change of pace from other genres.

 

Rated 3.5/5 stars by Jordan

June 12, 2019

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, by John Boyne

The Boy In Striped Pajamas is a heartfelt novel starring the main characters Bruno and his family. The novel begins when Maria, the family's maid, packing up his belongings. He later learns that the reason for this is that they are moving from Berlin to Poland due to his Father's work. The book then takes turns as Bruno learns what his father is doing in Poland. During Bruno's time in Poland, he befriends a boy that lives on the other side of the fence, unaware that he is a Jewish prisoner part of his Father's work. The story follows through all the way to a sad ending.

 

I loved this book overall and the writing. The characters are simple yet deep and every word is needed. If I were to rate this book out of 5, I would rate it 4.5. This book was just absolutely beautiful and I would read it over and over again.

 

I would recommend this book to readers that enjoy reading historical fiction and friendship stories.

 

Rated 4.5/5 stars by Nada

July 6, 2019

The Hate U Give, by Angie Thomas

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas is an inspiring story of a girl who stood up for what is right. This story is about Starr Carter witnesses her childhood best friend, Khalil’s, death by a white officer, Officer one-fifteen. They flee a party after hearing gunshots. While driving, an officer pulls them over to talk to the driver about a broken taillight. Officer one-fifteen pulled him out of the car and shot him three times because he was a “threat”, even though he was unarmed and he was no way of threat whatsoever. Starr was devastated and had to later debate between keeping quiet about the real situation or allow the officers to question her about the incident. The main characters in this book (Starr, Khalil and {the entire} Starr family) are very well crafted characters. However, in this book, I felt that Starr had very repetitive opinions that the author kept rewriting and in my opinion that wasn’t needed.

 

The many pros about this book include that it teaches you about racism and raises awareness for police violence. It shines a light on the environment some people are living and growing/grew up in. This book needs smart minds and a lot of maturity to read.

 

I would personally recommend this book. It’s a great book that shows many people struggle every day with racism and society in general, along with equality. Even with the maturity within it, it’s quite a good book.

 

Rated 5/5 stars by Nada

July 6, 2019

Rule of Three, by Eric Walters

The book “The Rule of Three” by Eric Walters shows how chaos follows when humans lose something they think they can’t live without. When the power is lost not only is there no electricity but the cars, and phones aren’t working as well. People begin to react quickly as they fear they cannot survive.

 

The book takes place in the neighbourhood of the main character, Adam as a series of violence, attacks, and break ins begin to take place as the event lasts months. Not many can be trusted at a time of desperation, but everyone has put trust in Herb who happens to be Adams neighbor, and has previously been through a similar chain of events in his confidential past. Adams neighbourhood unites to build a democracy among themselves, and a group of people including Herb and Adams mom are chosen to make hard decisions regarding their neighborhoods survival. As ruthless decisions are made not everyone agrees, but not taking action will cause them to question the future of their lives. As humanity continues to take a turn, they have to adapt to it but not everyone will be able to live in the towns darkest days as they travel through hardships in a time of global weakness.

 

This novel shows how in today's society we rely strongly on technology and cannot begin to imagine what it would be like without it. The idea of the novel was what I enjoyed the most about it. If you have enjoyed reading the 5th Wave I would also recommend reading The Rule of Three. Reading this book will make people more aware of our unbreakable attachment to technology. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and rate it 3.5 stars out of 5 stars because I would’ve preferred more challenging text.

 

Rated 3.5/5 stars by Sarah A.

July 18, 2019

If I Stay, by Gayle Forman

There are books that touch your heart, or stimulate a lingering memory that haunts your mind so that it follows you even in your sleep. This novel is one of those books. If I Stay is a very important book to me as it awakened new sentiments that I never thought that I had.

 

Mia is eighteen and has the kind of family any of us would pray to be born to and has the perfect boyfriend. Furthermore, she is a gifted musician and is about to be accepted into the prestigious Julliard. Mia is faced with a choice to follow her love of music, go to Julliard and accomplish her cellist dreams, or she can stay with her family and the love of her life and follow her heart. However, one morning, Mia’s world is turned on its head and life as she knows it changes.

 

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In the book, the brightest colors appear beside the darkest of lines, as the most endearing, tender and happy moments are surrounded by grief so big, that you will laugh through your tears and sob with a smile. The book proves that life has no opposites and clear choices in certain decisions leaving the readers with an overwhelming feeling of joy and hope despite tears and grief that they are bound to feel due to the tragic plot. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a book that will change their life!

 

h3>Rated 5/5 stars by Catalina M.

April 18, 2019

 

One of us is lying, by Karen M. McManus

One of Us is Lying is a compelling and intense story taking place in your average town, at an average high school. The book starts with five students walking into detention on a Monday afternoon, but only four make it out of the classroom alive. The deceased, Simon, was the creator of a school blog planning to post juicy reveals about the other students in detention the next day, making all four of them suspects in his murder. Everyone is under the microscope and all students have something to hide, making the novel perfect for the fans of The Breakfast Club or Pretty Little Liars.

 

This is definitely one of my favourite reads as it is intense and quick-paced, while also remaining interesting and well-written. It is an amazing choice for those who like a mix of mystery and drama. There was something very addictive about this book as it felt at times distinctly young adult while also having moments that felt very well done and were far beyond the stereotype of what a teenage thriller tends to be.

 

Rated 4.5/5 stars by Catalina M.

March 18, 2019

 

The Outsiders, by S. E. Hinton, Young adult fiction

Hello, my name is Matthew and I will be talking about a book named The Outsiders and based in the 1965 with gangs by the names on Socs and Greasers. The East Side greasers are "outsiders" to the West side of town, the "rich" side. To an outsider, West-side life can look very appealing.

 

And this book is basically a book with gangs that hate each other and don’t along and kill each other with guns knifes. Also, they don’t live with their parents because they are all gone so the older sibling takes care of everyone. They all wear Madras shirt and drive Corvair.

 

And this is The Outsiders and the reason why I like this book is because in the book they say words you never heard of liking for an example rumble is what they call a fight and what they wear, how was it in 1965 and that's why I like this book. Oh and I almost forgot if I had to give this book out of five stars I would give it a five stars because it is interesting, you learn and it kind of relates to me.

 

Rated 5/5 stars by Matthew Y., Age 13

 

August 30, 2018

Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen, Young Adult Fiction

Hello, my name is Matthew, and I will be talking The Hatchet a book I read in grade 7 a really good book about survival. The book is about a boy named Brian Robeson around the same age as us with a Mom and a Dad divorced, Brian leaving with his Mom and his and leaving in Montreal and Brian wanted to visit his Dad so when Brian got to the airport his Mom gave him a Hatchet if something goes wrong and Brian got into the helicopter which is a two seater one for him and the other one for the guy flying the helicopter so when they were flying over the Canadian the forest the pilot got a heart attack. Then Brian tried waking him up but wouldn’t wake up so Brian tried to fly the plane and he couldn’t so he crashed down in the Canadian forest.

 

Brian had two live there for a couple of months making fire with his hatchet making a shelter eating worms turtle eggs and more. Then Brian one day went inside the plane and saw a walkie-talkie and tried to signal with the airport which he did and then one day the helicopter came looking for him and Brian screaming trying to get their attention and finally he did and the pilot got him back home with his Mom and Brian was safe when he got home.

 

The reason why I like this book is because it teaches us about survival what to do in this situation and the book is really good to read as a class and the movie is pretty funny to watch and that's why I like this book. Oh and I almost forgot the five stars rating and I would rate this book out of four stars because it's funny, interesting, and helps us through life.

 

Rated 4/5 stars by Matthew Y., Age 13.

August 30, 2018

 

Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heartbreak, by Adi Alsaid

Brief Chronicle of Another Stupid Heartbreak is about Lu Charles struggling to write a column for the online magazine Misnomer after she breaks up with her boyfriend. All hope seems to be lost until she eavesdrops on a conversation between a couple that is going through the same thing as her, she decides that their story will be the thing that helps her get over her boyfriend and write this article.

 

A majority of the characters were delightfully engaging. Lu’s best friend, Pete, only wants to spend time with his friend before he moves to his school in August. Despite the fact, I appreciated how supportive he was of her, even when she kept ditching him. The couple, Iris and Cal, were both enjoyable as well. They seem to fit each other perfectly like puzzle pieces, so I was also intrigued by the topic of why they would break up with one another. However, my main problem lies with the main character, Lu. I had a sense that she was somewhat selfish since she repetitively chases after them like they were the answer to all of her problems. It was frustrating to read her struggles as a writer since she depends on two strangers to keep her job. While it can be realistic, I wasn’t convinced.

 

I believe this could’ve been a good story. Unfortunately, Lu’s narration and actions discouraged me from reading, even when I tried to empathize with her situation.

 

Rated 3.5/5 stars by Vanessa

June 12, 2019

Dry, by Neal Shusterman

Dry is a compelling novel that explores how far a person is willing to go for a drink of water. The twist is, that person is you. Through the characters Kelton, Alyssa, and Jacques, the novel examines the highs and lows of human nature as they are forced to witness ordinary people, including themselves, transform under the cruel nature of survival after the loss of water rips away the illusion of civilization.

 

With an unnerving exposition and twists to leave you on the edge of your seat, Dry is the novel that isn’t entirely fiction with its realistic writing.

 

While the novel has beautiful writing crafted to fit the story, some may consider the start of the book to be quite slow, but it does prove itself to be worth the time if you’re willing to read through it. The novel frequently switches between many perspectives aside from Kelton, Alyssa, and Jacques, which may prove to be a challenge when connecting the characters. Nevertheless, the book has realistic characterization and powerful male and female characters, each with a different experience to explore how individuals may react to the situation at hand.

 

If you’re someone who likes a thrill of action, adventure, and a hard look into the goods and bads of human nature, Dry may be the novel for you. In its enrapturing storytelling, I consider the book to be a 4 / 5 stars, and I recommend it to anyone intrigued to see the duality of human nature.

 

Rated 4/5 stars by Jordan

June 12, 2019

Merchant of Venice, by William Shakespeare

The “Merchant of Venice” by William Shakspeare shows the importance of forgiveness and mercy. A venetian, Bassanio, needs a loan of 3 thousand ducats. He borrows the money from his friend, Antonio, with the intent to use it to seem wealthy to a wealthy woman, Portia. Antonio borrows the money for Bassanio from Shylock who is Jewish. Antonios past behaviour towards Shylock has caused them to hate each other because of their religion that divides them. Shylock agrees to lend him the money with the circumstance of gaining one pound of Antonio's flesh if the money is not paid to him in return within the deadline.

 

All in all, this play is humorous in some parts and I enjoyed the challenging text and used no fear Shakespeare to translate the text in modern English when I got to the parts that were harder to understand. Anyone who is up for a challenge and would like to read a [story] that takes place in an older setting, or addresses prejudice will enjoy this book. There are multiple conflicts in the story that will rise and an interesting but unexpected end to Shylock and Antonios feud.

 

Rated 3/5 stars by Sarah A.

July 18, 2019

Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer

Twilight Saga series by Stephenie Meyer is an interesting series. Twilight is a love story between human, vampires and werewolves. It has shown a big love from Edward (the main character) to Bella (the main character), a love that didn’t have another one, one would die. And about werewolves; Jacob; who always give a big love, best things to Bella but don’t get love back. It has many suspenseful moments to make readers pay attention. Bella and Edward’s love has been waiting for a hundred years, a love that can make you go crazy about it.

 

Edward changed Bella’s life a lot. Edward being a person that Bella couldn’t live without and same with Edward, Bella was the person that he had to wait for a hundred years if, without her, he couldn’t live. Jacob, Bella’s best friend, with Bella, Jacob was her best friend but with Jacob, Bella was all things in his life. He wanted to take care of Bella, he wanted to make Bella happy and he wanted to be Bella’s lover. Jacob had to fight with Edward, they don’t really like each other because of Bella.

 

A love between Bella and Edward is a dangerous love, they have to face a lot of dangerous situations. This series has been made to movies. If comparing the books and movies, I would recommend the books more than the movies, because, in the movies, the main character did not talk a lot, like Edward. I would recommend this to teenagers who would like some romance and some fiction on it.

 

Rated 5/5 stars by Quyen H.

April 18, 2019

 

All the Bright Places, by Jennifer Niven

The book All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven is about Theodore Finch, describing himself as the school freak, and Violet Markey, the popular girl who, behind the smiles and laughter, is grieving her sister’s death. These two meet at the top of the bell tower, about to jump; however, they reconsider the fate that awaits them at the bottom when Violet is seen with Finch and is scared to be judged. It’s while working on a project that these two slowly fall in love and defy the expectations people made of them.

 

This story is the most accurate depiction of teens in our society these days concerning mental health and love, which is the main reason I enjoyed reading it. I also liked how the author alternated between Violet’s and Theodore’s perspectives, helping us understand the story better. Theodore was the most intriguing character for me because of the questionable decisions he made throughout the story.

 

I think other teens should read this book because of how realistic the whole situation is on many different topics, including: suicide, high school and love. I also found that the book was really hard to put down because of how well it was written generally; having specific moments happen at the right time, the unexpectedness and uncertainty of what the characters will do next are examples of how it made the book more interesting. I really liked All the Bright Places and I know you won’t get bored of it.

 

Rated 5/5 stars by J.H.

April 18, 2019

 

Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald

“The Great Gatsby” was a book that I read for my grade 12 English class. It seemed a very intriguing read, as it spoke about a mysterious gentleman, Mr. Jay Gatsby, who buys an impressive mansion and throws the most extravagant parties in the region. He is looking for the only woman he has ever loved, Daisy Buchanan, who is unhappily married. The narrator of the book is Nick Carraway, Daisy’s cousin and a neighbor of Mr. Gatsby.

 

The novel effectively delivers a critique of the American Dream that was followed by many during the Roaring Twenties in America and attracts the reader’s attention through dynamic characters, unforgettable settings, and beautiful writing. Personally, I enjoyed reading the book, because it gave me the opportunity to hop into a time machine and visit America in 1920s. It was an easy, but meaningful read with a tragically beautiful love story.

 

I would recommend to anyone interested in a more dynamic type of historical fiction!

 

Rated 4.5/5 stars by Catalina M.

April 18, 2019

 

The dinner, by Herman Koch

“The Dinner” was a book recommended by my English teacher as a read for my spare time. It attracted my attention due to the controversy surrounding it. The novel follows two couples that meet for dinner in a fancy restaurant. Although at the beginning it seems a fairly innocent story, the couples have to handle a difficult situation involving their 15-year old sons. The novel attracts readers through its beautiful setting and short timeline that incorporates a wide array of events and prompts unexpected feelings.

 

For the first time, I had mixed feelings when finishing this particular novel because it touches upon disturbing and violent themes with a scary simplicity. I found it a very interesting combination of a fast read and a story that makes you think about important things such as honesty and trust. The book attracted me through its complex and difficult protagonist, Paul. He showed me that there is no such thing as a good or bad person as each individual has their hidden flaws.

 

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something out of the box to read! In my opinion, this novel does not only keep you on the edge of your seat, but also makes you think about serious issues. It represents a perfect balance between reality and fiction present in a work of art!

 

Rated 4/5 stars by Catalina M.

January 21, 2019

 

Lost Planet, by Rachel Searles

 

There was a teenage boy who woke up on a different planet from his; he had no memory, does not know who he was, nothing from his family and he doesn’t know where he was from. He was inside a fence that he shouldn’t have been crossed. He had a blaster wound on the back of his head. He woke up in a bedroom with a doctor beside him and told him his name was Chase Garrety. Later on, he got attacked by a girl and she tried to kill him by a dagger, she did realize that her brother is still alive. Than Chase found out that young girl was actually his younger sister. Later on, they had each other’s back. He traveled throughout the Galaxy and met new people, either friends or enemies.

 

Well, if you are into science/adventure stuff, you will love this novel. If you like to get out of the house or into technology stuff, this book is meant for you. Throughout the novel Chase met new people, like in the beginning he met a friend who’ve helped him when he got injured. What I like about this novel is that how Chase and his friend, Parker, traveled around the galaxy and no one noticed that they didn’t have parents, instead they had a very powerful robot. I also like how they, Chase and Parker, had enough courage to go on one side of the galaxy to another and defeat enemies throughout the volume. The most compelling person in this volume has to Parker because he wanted the most attention and he is the only one who will speak up for himself.

 

Rated 5/5 stars by Wafa R.

September 17, 2018

The Book Jumper, by Mechthild Gläser, Young Adult Fiction

Going into any book you wanted would be a dream come true for most book lovers. Well, that dream comes true in “The Book Jumper” by Mechthild Gläser. This book is about Amy Lennox a girl who goes and visits her mom hometown on an island called Stormsay. There Amy finds out that she comes from a long line of book jumpers, sworn to protect the stories in the books. She soon finds out that the main aspects of stories are disappearing, and she tries to go figure out why.

 

Going into any book you wanted would be a dream come true for most book lovers. Well, that dream comes true in “The Book Jumper” by Mechthild Gläser. This book is about Amy Lennox a girl who goes and visits her mom hometown on an island called Stormsay. There Amy finds out that she comes from a long line of book jumpers, sworn to protect the stories in the books. She soon finds out that the main aspects of stories are disappearing, and she tries to go figure out why.

 

This book was written in a way that it made me wish for something different. But it is one I would recommend.

 

Rated 3.5/5 stars by Hannah S-T., Age 13.

August 30, 2018