City of Bones by Cassandra Clare- 485 Pages

In her spellbinding debut, Cassandra Clare throws us into the world of Shadowhunters, a race of highly skilled people who keep humanity safe by hunting and killings demons. Clary Fray joins us on the plunge into the world of Shadowhunters. Upon the discovery that she, too, is a Shadowhunter; a decade old plot unrolls, revealing things she never imagined. With the assistance of her best friend, Simon, and the devilishly attractive Shadowhunters Jace Wayland, Clary must question everything she knows to keep her and her loved ones safe. Now a series, "City of Bones" kept me at the edge of my seat and wanting more.

Reviewed by Alli Sweeney

Story of a Girl by Sara Zarr (192 Pages)

A book that you can't put down, "Story of a Girl" is a coming-of-age story that leaves us with the question- do we really have to live with your mistakes forever?
     Deanna was thirteen when her father caught her in the back seat of a car with Tommy Webber, her brother's seventeen year old best friend. From that point on, her reputation is destroyed, the subject of ridicule and gossip in her school. The summer before her junior year she becomes determined to change all that, sending her on a journey to change herself. This was definitely one of the best books I've read, I would recommend it to anyone who if a fan of realistic fiction.

Reviewed by Alli Sweeney

Intentions by Deborah Heiligman (259 Pages)

Beautifully realistic, "Intentions" is a story about fallen heroes and coming to terms with the realization that your heroes are human. Fifteen year old Rachel has worshiped the ground her rabbi has walked on for as long as she can remember, but when she finds out a dark secret about him it completely shatters his perfect image. Reeling from that, she must learn to come to terms with herself, her surroundings, and the betrayal she feels. The character development could have been better, but I would suggest this book to anyone who is interested in the topic.

Reviewed by Alli Sweeney

Beyond Courage by Doreen Rappaport (204 Pages)

Telling the heroic stories of countless Jewish people during World War II, "Beyond Courage" is both chilling inspiring. Ranging from brothers who lead Jewish people into the woods where they preserve and survive being hunted by Nazi's, or a small boy who risked his life to pass information onto a group of rebels, this book is a testament to those who is the face of danger, refused to be oppressed and give in. If you enjoy history then you'll love this book; I could not put it down.

Reviewed by Alli Sweeney

Fracture by Megan Miranda (262 pages)

Delaney Maxwell is an all-around normal girl with a normal life, normal hair, normal body, and a normal brain; until she falls through the ice and plunges into an arctic environment. It took 11 minutes for her best friend, Decker, to pull her out. Being engulfed in freezing water, death is certain to occur in 10 minutes, so she should have been dead. Well, she was; her heart wasn’t beating, her skin was icy blue, and she wasn’t breathing. After a little while, she wakes up from a coma in the hospital and everybody says it’s a miracle. Maybe it is a miracle, but Delaney knew better. After seeing cat scans showing the brain damage she has, but not having any symptoms, strange things start happening. She begins to have a magnetic pull to anybody who will die within the next 24 hours. And then, against all odds she begins to be drawn to a strange boy, who has the same problem she has. This book is thrilling and adventurous with a twist of science-fiction and could make you question science itself.

Reviewed by Jazmin Straffin

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcin and Margaret Stohl, 563 Pages

In this half romantic thriller, half dark fantasy, you are thrown into the story of star-crossed lovers Ethan Wate and Lena Duchannes. Lena is new to town, the niece of the local shut-in. Immediately Ethan feels a strong connections to her, and as the two get closer and closer, it becomes evident that Lena is not an ordinary girl. As the two descend further and further into the supernatural troubles of the Duchannes family, Ethan becomes willing to sacrifice everything, even his life, to be with her. I couldn’t put this book down, and savored every page up until the ending. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

Reviewed by Alli Sweeney