Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick (272 Pages)

This is definitely a book that’s hard to review without giving away any huge events and plot twists that leave you asking yourself a million questions as you’re reading it. If you’re struggling with fitting in, or trying to keep it together growing up with a past that haunts you, you should pick up this book. I was interested in it from the moment I started reading it. 

Leonard Peacock is different. He doesn’t stick out in the crowd and has very few friends or interactions with anyone. On his eighteenth birthday (which his best friend and his mom forget about) Leonard plans to kill his best friend and himself. Why does he want to kill his best friend? Who can heal Leonard from all this pains?  Those are the questions that run through your mind as the truth slowly comes out throughout the book. This book is real and so different from anything else I’ve read. That’s why I liked it so much. You need to read this book.

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Living With Jackie Chan by Jo Knowles (372 Pages)

This book was AMAZING. It's about a boy named Josh who makes a thoughtless mistake and can't find it in him to forgive himself, so he decides to move in with his karate-obsessed uncle for his senior year in order to turn over a new leaf with a fresh, new, outlook. Josh's uncle is determined to help him start over, move on with his life, and help him achieve the closure that he needs.

I read this book in two days because the characters are so well-defined, and it is written with so much emotion that it keeps you hooked from beginning to end. I was invested in the outcome of the problem the entire time. Reading this book was so easy to relate to, watching Josh grow throughout the year, trying to forgive himself for hurting someone unintentionally. I recommend this to every high school student who needs a little hope in the process of forgiving themselves. A little help goes a long way.

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Pivot Point by Kasie West (343 Pages)

Pivot Point was one of those books that left me wanting more. This book is about a girl named Addison Coleman, who is a "Searcher", which means she can search the outcome of a choice she's about to make. When her parents hit her hard with the news that they are going to be getting a divorce and going their separate ways, Addie has to make the hardest decision she has ever had to make in her life. She has to choose between living with her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live amongst the "Norms", or stay and live with her mom who is going to continue to live in the paranormal compound.

In order to decide where she wants to live permanently she spends time living in both homes. In her "Norm" home she meets a boy named Trevor who is genuine, understanding, and sweet. In her paranormal life, the hottest guy in school, Duke, shows interest in her. 

Addie's father is asked to help out in a murder case which threatens the relationships she has with all the people she cares about the most. Love and loss are at battle in this book, and Addie has to choose which reality she's willing to live.

This is an extremely good book that was out of my comfort zone, but I really enjoyed reading. It was a page-turner that I refused to put down, and left me excited for the sequel!

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Dear Life, You Suck by Scott Blagden (306 Pages)

This is one of the funniest, entertaining and most sarcastic books I've ever read. A smart-mouthed, know-it-all teenage boy named Cricket is living in a Catholic boy's home due to his terrible behavior. He lives his life selling drugs, sneaking out, fighting, and constantly getting in trouble because he hates his life. He thinks his life sucks more than anything.

A girl named Wynona unexpectedly walks into his life and he starts to feel like life is a little more worth the ride. Wynona helps to show him that problems don't have to be solved with violence. When he decides to be more open-minded and open his heart, she is able to help him slowly change his life and walk a new path. 

This is definitely a problem novel for young teens trying to get through the struggles of being a teenager. I give this book a 4 star rating overall. It was a very funny read with a lot of emotional points that give hope for teens to see the positives in life. Cricket learns that with help, encouragement and hope, life isn't as bad as it seems.

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45 Pounds(More or Less) By K.A Barson - 264 Pages

In this heart-warming story, a girl named Ann struggles with her weight issues more than anything. Her mom is  slim and beautiful and the pressure is constantly overwhelming for Ann. Because her weight has such an effect on her family, Ann uses her Mom's credit card to buy an expensive weight-loss meal plan and exercise video.

Anne rides an emotional roller coaster throughout the book. Even though she is not beautiful on the outside to people, her heart and soul are beautiful. This book opens your eyes and reminds you not to judge a book by its cover without knowing the whole story and to realize that you don't know what overweight people have been through or what they are going through right now, or how hard it really is to lose weight. Throughout Ann's journey to lose weight, she finds out who her real friends are, that no one can be perfect no matter how hard they try, and that family support is everything. This book is a must read for anyone who struggles with weight or knows anyone who does.

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The Language Inside by Holly Thompson (528 pages)

This book is written in poetic verse, and takes place in Massachusetts, where a high-school sophomore, Emma, copes with the emotional stress of her mother being diagnosed with breast cancer. 
Emma grew up in Japan which she considers to be her true home, but she has to sacrifice everything for the healing process of her mother so she and her father move to Massachusetts while her mother undergoes cancer treatment.  Even though she has trouble adapting to the United States culture and is forced to start a whole new life in a different country, she finds ways to cope with her new atmosphere. She volunteers at a care center and reads and writes poems with a girl named Zena, who is unable to talk and communicates with a digital keyboard. Zena also meets a guy named Samnang, at school, that she begins to like more than a friend. She starts going daily, making friendships with them. She plans to return to Japan in a few months, but as she grows closer to Samnang and Zena, she begins to like living in the United States. Her decision to go back home to Japan or stay in the United States with her YiaYia, gets extremely difficult. If you have had trouble with coping, and finding how to stay positive through emotional stress, or are someone who has lived in another country and moved to the United States, this is the book for you. The poems in this book are beautifully written!

Reviewed by S.C

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The Infinite Moment of Us by Lauren Myracle (316 pages)

In this beautifully written high school love story, an oppressed girl, Wren, who has grown up with the highest expectations throughout high school with the most controlling parents, shockingly falls for Charlie, a gentle, compassionate guy with a troubled past that no one openly knows about. In the last month of high school, Charlie surprisingly confesses his love for Wren. Although Wren plans to go to Guatemala for college to study abroad and Charlie plans to go to Georgia Tech, it doesn't stop them from getting so close.

If you’re a sucker for love with ups and downs, this is the book for you. Find out how they keep their love sane and strong when obstacles are continuously in their way. This is a page turner from beginning to end with never ending twists and turns that leave you on edge with the most breathless ending.


Reviewed by S.C

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Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein - 346 Pages

In a historic novel that perfectly depicts the extreme measures that humans will go to in order to survive, Elizabeth Wein delivers an extremely heart-wrenching and inspiring account of life during World War II in a concentration camp. When pilot Rose Justice is captured by the Luftwaffe, the German Air Force, she is sent to Ravensbruck, the treacherous women's camp. Accustomed to the easy American lifestyle, Rose faces the near impossible, doing whatever she can to keep herself alive. While Rose is in the camp she meets a remarkable group of women: a jailed French novelist who is everyone's mother figure, a young Polish girl who was the victim of the Nazi medical experiments, and a headstrong Russian Air Fighter. Along with her fellow prisoners who become like her family, Rose attempts to endure the hardships she faces, and hopes she can survive through the winter. This novel perfectly captured the perseverance of humanity and the amazing bonds that can be formed even during the worst times. As a history enthusiast, I would recommend this novel to anyone hoping to get a better understanding of World War Two and life in concentration camps.

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All The Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry - 274 Pages

Growing up in the extremely isolated town of Roswell Station, Judith thought no harm would ever befall her. All of that changes, however, when she disappears without a trace. She returns two years later, but she is horrible mutilated: someone has cut out her tongue. Shunned by her peers, Judith spends most of her time locked in her house with the secrets of her captivity. When Roswell Station is attacked, Judith may have to reveal the secrets she has in order to save both the one she loves and Roswell Station. This novel is based in the early 1800's, and Julie Berry writes these characters in a way that is surprisingly easy to relate to. I read this book int he course of two days and could not put it down. It keeps you on the edge of your seat and leaves you with a very satisfying ending.

Reviewed by Alli Sweeney

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My Book of Life by Angel by Martine Leavitt - 241 Pages

This flawless book is written in verse, creating the hauntingly beautiful voice of Angel, a sixteen year old girl who has been pulled into a sex trafficking circle by her abusive boyfriend, Call. Struggling with both an addiction to drugs and to Call, Angel has almost lost sight of who she is when she's forced into a prostitution ring in Vancouver's East Side. Suddenly, Angel's friends begin to go missing, and when Angel realizes how little people care about girls like her, she begins to want to leave the twisted world she's stuck in, but it too afraid to. Not until Call brings an eleven year old girl named Mellie home and instructs Angel to "teach her the ropes", Angel has never taken control of her life. Now she has to, before it's too late for both Mellie and her. Written about the all too true sex trafficking and murders that go on in Vancouver's East Side, Martine Leavitt's work will pull at your heartstrings and raise your awareness. I recommend this book to anyone looking to read something realistic, but would not advice people who are sensitive to graphic content to read this.

Reviewed by Alli Sweeney

Chasing the Skip by Janci Patterson - 226 pages

After her mother disappears, Ricki is staying with her father, who has the unorthodox life of a bounty hunter. Unhappy and unwilling to be travelling all over the country tracking escaped parolees, Ricki's life becomes even stranger when Ian Burnham, the latest parolee her father is tracking, crashes into her life. Ignoring her father's many warnings that this dark-eyed stud is a dangerous criminal, Ricki finds herself entangled with Ian and all the problems he comes with. Ricki, however, believes she's entirely in control of Ian and the situation, but will she find out how wrong she is before it's too late? This book wasn't a particularly challenging read, but I found it extremely entertaining and a perfect novel about both relationships with your parents and incorrectly judging people. This is a great book for anyone looking for an easy read!

Reviewed by Alli Sweeney

Hold Still by Nina LaCour - 229 Pages

When people lose a loved one, the pain is something that is nearly impossible to capture, however, in Nina LaCour's "Hold Still", the emotions are perfectly conveyed. Wherever Caitlin went in life, her best friend Ingrid followed her. But when Ingrid unexpectedly takes her own life, Caitlin's entire world shatters. As Caitlin begins her life without Ingrid, she discovers the journal her best friend left behind, written for her. While Caitlin sifts through the final days of Ingrid's life, she learns to put her own back together and become whole again. Nina LaCour begins this novel by breaking your heart, and every page you turn slowly puts it back together. This book really spoke to me and left me content with the ending. 

Reviewed by Alli Sweeney

After by Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling (354 Pages)

When most people think of the words "dystopia" and "apocalypse", the thing that most often comes to mind is zombies, right? In "After", a multitude of different scenarios are presented, each as chilling and enthralling as the next. The special thing about these stories, however, is that they capture what happens AFTER the apocalypse comes about, and how humanity is coping with it. Some people are flourishing, while at times others are suffering. Even though these stories are extreme fiction, they are an extremely insightful look into how human beings feel and act when they are faced with the worst. These stories were really entertaining and I would especially recommend it to anyone looking for a quick read!

Reviewed by Alli Sweeney

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

Barry Lyga's heartstopping debut novel "I Hunt Killers" will take hold of you and refuse to let go even after the book is finished. Jazz Dent wants to be a normal teenager but it's difficult when you're the son of Billy Dent, the world's most notorious serial killer. From the time Jazz was born he was exposed to the horrors that his father committed, and once his father was finally apprehended Jazz was free of his father. The trouble is, now that Jazz is separated from his father, bodies are piling up again. People are being murdered in Jazz's hometown again, and the crimes resemble his father's motifs. Can Jazz stop the killings before it's too late? This book was very entertaining and kept me on my feet until the last possible second. I highly recommend!

Reviewed by Alli Sweeney

"Winger" by Andrew Smith (439 pages)

Ryan Dean starts off his junior year in O-Hall at Pine Mountain, a boarding school for rich kids. O-Hall is the dormitory saved for the delinquents of Pine Mountain, a punishment dorm. As a 14 year old “skinny-b*tch-*ss”, Ryan Dean can’t help but feel a little out of place. Rooming with one of the biggest jerks in the school, a senior named Chas, doesn’t help his situation too much. The story revolves around Ryan Dean as he tries his best to deal with the loss of friends, becoming close friends with a gay guy (while trying to convince everyone he is also not gay), his rugby team, unrequited love, hormones, and many other unexpected changes. He deals with his stress in the best way possible- with humor. This book was a breath of fresh air; it was definitely one of the funniest books I have read in a long, long time.  I fell in love with all the characters, even the jerk named Chas.  I cannot stress enough how funny this book was! I found myself several times laughing really hard out loud, with people around me probably thinking I was insane. It was a heart-warming, humorous, authentic story that I wish I could have been a part of longer, because even though the book is a fairly decent size, it took me a very short time to read. I recommended this book to anyone who is interested in the genres of humor, sports, LGBT, or bildungsroman ( the moral growth of a character).

Reviewed by Alexis Merrill

"What Do You Want To Do Before You Die?" by Ben Nemtin, Dave Lingwood, Duncan Penn, Jonnie Penn (224 pages)

Named after a poem by Matthew Arnold, and dedicated to a friend who took his own life at the age of 17, four friends create “The Buried Life”.  Jonnie, Dave, Duncan, and Ben realizing that life is short, compile a list of 100 things to do before they die. The list includes things from learning how to play an instrument to playing basketball with the President. With the help of MTV, they’ve been able to make many things on their list, and strangers’ lists, come true. The Book “What Do You Want to Do Before You Die?” consists of stories of how they made things on their list come true. The book also includes artistic images sent in by fans of things they would like to do, like a mother wanting to hear her autistic son tell her he loves her to getting over their fear of the dark.
It was very enjoyable to sit down and read this, it really made me think of what I would like to do before I die and how ever I could accomplish it. I recommend this book to everyone! It’s a very, very quick and stimulating read, and it’ll really inspire you to think of what you want out of this life.

Reviewed by Alexis Merrill

White Oleander by Janet Fitch - 390 Pages

In a novel that perfectly captures the perseverance of humanity, "White Oleander" follows Astrid, the daughter of a brilliant poet who is jailed for murdering man ex-lover. Upon her mother's departure to prison, Astrid is sent to a series of foster homes where she meets new families, both good and bad, who shape the way Astrid grows and influences who she becomes. This book was wonderful, beautifully written and filled with enlightening snippets about growing up. It will teach you about the difficult relationship between mothers and daughters, the value of friendship, and the power of loving oneself. It sometimes can be graphic, but if you can get past that you'll love it!

Reviewed by Alli Sweeney

"Birthmarked" by Caragh M. O'Brien (361 pages)

I must confess that I am not a person who usually would read a book of this genre,  as I am not a big fan of dystopian fiction. I was pleasantly surprised by this book, though. It was easy to get into, and after a few chapters, I found myself really caring about the main character.  The book is set in a future in which the world has been “baked dry” by the sun, making things like water and crops scarce. Society is divided  between those who live inside the wall, and those who live outside the wall.

Gaia, lives outside the wall, and like her mother, she becomes a midwife, delivering her first baby by herself at the beginning of the book. The babies Gaia births do not get to stay with their parents outside the wall, but get “advanced” into the the more privileged  society within the walls of the Enclave. When both of Gaia’s parents are arrested by the Enclave, she starts to question the authority she has been brainwashed into serving and takes saving her parents from the Enclave into her own hands.

This book is the first book of the "Birthmarked" series. You’re left wondering what will happen next. I recommend this book to anyone who likes dystopian fiction, science fiction, or fantasy.

reviewed by Alexis Merrill

"The Fifth Wave" by Rick Yancey - 457 Pages

   

This is a flawless dystopian novel that reintroduces the age old theme: are we alone in the universe? The answer is a harsh, unforgiving no. Sixteen-year-old Cassie's biggest problem before the Visitor's arrival was trying to get Ben Parrish to notice her. Now that the apocalypse has come about, it's staying alive. Half convinced she is the last human on Earth, she hides by day and travels by night. That all changes when she stumbles across Evan Walker, a mysterious young man who, like her, is trying to survive. Cassie is overjoyed, but she's left with the chilling question of who Evan Walker really is. In a world where nothing is as it seems and death is at every turn, can Cassie stay alive? This book was a heart stopper and a page turner. The story immediately sucked me in, and to be honest, it still hasn't let go.

Reviewed by Alli Sweeney

"Fangirl" by Rainbow Rowell - 434 Pages

   

In this modern day bildungsroman (coming of age story) that perfectly captures what it feels like to be an outsider; Rainbow Rowell delivers both a funny and enlightening tale. Cath is an incoming college freshman who until now has done everything with her twin sister, Wren. Cath and Wren have been there for each other through their mother leaving them their father having mental breakdowns, and are the only two who understands the other's love for Simon Snow, an extremely popular young adult series. For the two of them, their entire life revolves around Simon Snow, from watching all the movies to staying up all night to write Simon Snow fanfiction. Cath thought that all of this would continue into college, but Wren has a different plan. As Wren detaches herself from both Cath and Simon Snow, Cath struggles to find acceptance from those around her and finds it in the most unlikely places. This book was funny and sweet, and was one of those stories that make you smile and feel gushy at the end. I highly recommend it!

Reviewed by Alli Sweeney

"Jellicoe Road" by Melina Marchetta - 419 Pages

When I first opened this book, I didn’t think I would enjoy it. The first chapter was a bit confusing, and the plot didn’t really interest me. Once I began to reading it though, I couldn’t put it down, and this is easily one of the best books I’ve ever read.

Taylor Markham was abandoned by her mother when she was eleven at the 7-11 on Jellicoe Road. She was taken in by a local woman and enrolled at the Jellicoe School, where she grows into a young woman. Taylor knows virtually nothing about her past, and when Hannah, her guardian, disappears, the secrets begin to pour out. With the help of her friends and Jonah Griggs, an infuriatingly charming boy she once considered her biggest enemy, Taylor embarks on a quest to unwrap a 17 year old secret about Jellicoe Road that will reveal who she truly is. This book made me laugh, cry, and nearly every emotion in between. Taylor’s story will stick with me for awhile and I highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Alli Sweeney

"And The Mountains Echoed" by Khaled Hosseini (402 pages)

From New York Times’ #1 bestselling author, Khaled Hosseini, comes his third and most recent novel, And the Mountains Echoed. This book weaves together the viewpoints and lives of eight different Afghani people (and one Greek) through the generations and brings them together to form a beautiful, heart-breaking and heartwarming story.  Hosseini’s book shares stories of love, how we choose to show our love, and how we care for others.

From the first page I was hooked, I was so engrossed in it that I sometimes had to stop to remind myself that is was just a book. It was not a fast read, and I found that the book got a little slow in the middle, but it picked right back up and ended in a way that left me both at peace and heartsick.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical or cultural fiction, and to anyone who enjoys family-oriented stories. I’ve never had so much empathy for book characters as I did when reading this book, happy when they were happy and hurting when they were hurt. If this book was a person- I’d really like to give them a hug. This book holds such powerful messages of love, loss, and family and is written in a way that makes it difficult to put down. It was definitely worth my time and tears. 

Reviewed by Alexis Merrill  

"The Good Braider" by Terry Farish (213 pages)

This novel follows a Sudanese family’s journey to Portland, Maine. The story is told in stream of consciousness verses through the eyes of a teenage immigrant girl When their home village of Juba in war-torn South Sudan is taken over by Muslim soldiers, Viola, her mother and younger brother flee, leaving friends and family members behind, including her beloved grandmother.
The story follows not only their new life in Maine, but also the struggle of getting there, as the family of three stays in a tightly woven refugee camp for over two years. Upon arriving in Maine, the family, now one member less, is warmly welcomed by the community of other Sudanese refugees but Viola still feels as though something is missing.  Adjusting to the life and customs of America proves hard to the family, but Viola is determined to bloom in this country, knowing she is now free in the land of opportunities. At 213 pages, this book is a quick read. It shows well the struggles of an immigrant family and makes you open your eyes to how different our cultures really are.

Reviewed by Alexis Merrill

"The Raven Boys" by Maggie Stiefvater- 408 Pages

Maggie Stiefvater delivers a great read in the "Raven Boys." Blue Sargeant is the daughter of a psychic known throughout town, and every year her mother brings her to the local graveyard to scry, or predict, all who will die within a year. They are all invisible to Blue, all of them, that is, except a strange boy who approaches her and introduces himself as Gansey, a student at Aglionby, the prestigious boys school in town. Upon meeting Gansey, Blue is introduced to his vast, complicated world and his eccentric friends, all of whom are on an age-old quest that requires Blue's help. Blue is faced with many challenges and dangers, and hopefully she can keep herself and her friends safe. This book was a breath of fresh air; I've never read a book quite like this. I fell in love with the characters and could not put the book down until I knew their fates.

Reviewed by Alli Sweeney

"Game" by Barry Lyga- 517 Pages

The sequel to his fast paced debut, "I Hunt Killers", "Game" is another suspenseful masterpiece written by Barry Lyga. After the escape of his father, the world's most notorious serial killer, Jazz Dent becomes haunted with the chance to bring his father to justice. This may be possible when he's brought to New York to help solve a string of murders resembling his father's. New York is a far bigger place than Jazz ever imagined, and this time both the risks and the body count are higher. I could not put this book down, and upon reaching the ending turned back to page one to reread it, due to sheer shock.

Reviewed by Alli Sweeney

"Stunning- A Pretty Little Liars Book" by: Sara Shepard (302 pg.)

This is the 11th book in the "Pretty Little Liars" series. The books in this series tell about the lives of four girls; Hannah, Emily, Spencer, and Aria. 

After the murder of their best friend Ali, the girls begin to get anonymous text messages from someone named "A" threatening to expose not only their darkest secrets but also the secrets of their loved ones. The girls try to keep things together while tracking down A, who is trying to ruin their lives.

I would recommend this series to teenage girls who also enjoy the television show.  

Reviewed by B.B.

Coming Clean by: Ross Jeff (112 pgs.)

After Rob's brother Adam gets him a job filling in for a D.J., Rob thinks nothing can go wrong until the girl of his dreams overdoses on Ecstasy. When Rob finds out that Adam was the one that supplied the Ecstasy the brothers go on the run hiding from the police and trying to get the original DJ to confess what actually happened.

This book is a good book for those who do not enjoy reading. It is extremely short and will get you hooked in and will become impossible to put down.

Reviewed by B.B.

"Skinny" by Donna Cooner (260 pgs)

The word "skinny" written in many different fonts is what pulled me in to read this book.

This story follows Ever Davies, a 302-pound girl with dark secrets. She has many doubts about how people treat her because of the voice named Skinny in her head. After much consideration, Ever goes and gets gastric bypass surgery, which causes her to rapidly lose weight. With the help of her friends and family, Ever keeps at it, losing weight and feeling better about herself as a whole.

This book has been one of my favorites to read because it involves a high-schooler's troubles, which made it very relatable. I recommend this book to anyone who likes fiction or just needs a new book to read.

Reviewed by R.G.

"The Red Pyramid" by Rick Riordan

Carter and Sadie Kane are on a quest to find their lost father after an explosion happens in the museum, where a series of forbidden Gods are awakened. In short notice they must become veteran magicians in order to stop the evil God, Set, who plans to take over the world with Chaos.

This book is full of adventure and non-stop action, I highly recommend this book to all readers who like fantasy and adventure.

Reviewed by Fenjens Kwok

"Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein (337 pgs)

The picture of the two hands tied together and the name of the book pulled me in to read it.

This book follows the journals of two women Maddie and Queenie, as they make their way into France in World War II. As females, it was harder for them to get into the ATA (Air Transport Auxiliary) or SOE (Special Operations Executive) in the 1940's. Throughout the book, Maddie and Queenie become friends, get jobs working together in the military, share their top ten fears with each other, and even go on a mission into France together.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes intrigue or historical fiction. Once you start its a bit confusing, but if you stick through to the end you'll thoroughly enjoy it!

Reviewed by R.G.

"Crewel" by Gennifer Albin (357 pgs)

The vibrant mix of colors on the cover plus the unusual title drew me in to read this book.

This story follows a girl, Adelice Lewys, as she gets chosen out of all the girls around her to become a spinster for the world of Arras. The spinsters control everything that goes on in the world of Arras: the weather, food supply, and they even have the power to remove people if they get too old or sick to survive. Adelice gets thrown into the world of a spinster and is expected to learn the ways of being a spinster, controlling the world but also going to extravagant parties and traveling all around the world of Arras. Adelice has to make difficult choices, choosing between bettering her own life or bettering the world of Arras.

At the beginning of the book I was very confused, but by sticking with it I really enjoyed the book at the end. This book is good for anyone who likes fantasy books.

Reviewed by R.G.

"The Girl is Murder" by Kathryn Miller Haines (342 pgs)

Just the title of the book was enough to get me to read it.

This story follows a fifteen-year-old girl named Iris as she conquers many obstacles in New York City, 1942. After a series of family events, she has to change everything about her life: where she lives, how she lives, and even who she lives with. And on top of that, she has to switch from going to private school (where she has gone for as long as she can remember) to attending public school.

Iris' father, Pop, owns a detective agency, and is assigned the task of finding Tom Barney, a missing student who goes to the same public school as Iris. At one point Pop reaches what seems like a dead-end and Iris decides to jump in and try to solve the case by continuing the investigation. After sneaking around and lying, even to her family and friends, Iris discovers the truth about Tom Barney's disappearance.

I enjoyed this book because it was a mystery, and it was set in a different time period. Anyone who likes mysteries or somewhat historical fiction would like this book.

Reviewed by R.G.

"Four Secrets" by Margaret Willey (279 pgs)

Would you be intrigued by a book if the cover was only four black crows? That's what pulled me in.

This story involves a group of three kids, Nate, Katie, and Renata, who get put away into a juvenile center and refuse to tell their social worker how and why they kidnapped a fellow schoolmate. They made a pact, and none of them want to be the first to break it. The social worker has a plan to get them to spill their secrets. She asks each of them to keep a journal in the hopes that it will get them to tell her what happened. They do write in their journals. Katie writes two different journals, Nate writes his like a fantasy novel, and Renata chooses to do drawings instead. After some digging, the social worker figures out how they did it and why.

This book was a really good book because it kept me interested and kept drawing me back in to finish it. I think that people who enjoy mysteries would like this book.

Reviewed by R.G.

"Never Fall Down" by Patricia McCormick (216 pages)

Have you ever struggled to survive? Nonetheless work, learn to play an instrument, sing and dance?

In this book, a Cambodian boy named Arn was taken from his family during the Vietnam War. Arn was starved, put to work and was forced to learn an instrument and to sing and dance at the same time. Arn learned fast and was able to learn to play the flute to entertain the other kids. He became famous and was given a way better life by the leader of the Khmere Rouge.
Arn was born and raised in a very poor town in Cambodia. He had not many friends other than his brother. In order for Arn to have some kind of luxury in his life, he would steal pleasure foods and sneak into movies with his brother.

He was 13 years old when the war started, and by the time he got out of the war, he was 16.

This book was an excellent book. It was inspirational and an inspirational story. This book was a true story which to me makes a book way cooler and better. This book is made for people who like to read about inspirational stories, or stories about the war. It describes how all boys and girls were used during the war in any way possible.

Reviewed by Christopher Marcin

Full body Burn by: Kristen Iversen

Is a haunting narration about a young woman, KristenOversem, growning up in a small town near the rocky flats Nuclear weapons plants.This book shows how a family deals with not only family but government secrets.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is intrested in the cold war or who just wants to read about the necluar wapons plants at the rocky flats.(pg353)

Second chance summer by: Morgan Matson

After the devastationg news of her fathers health Taylor and her family take a trip up to their lake house for their last summer together. Taylor struggles with not only her fathers health but also with repairing relationships with everyone she left behind five years ago after running away.

this book was heart touching and impossible to put down. i would recomend this to anyone who enjoys a good summer romance (pg 468).

Almost Perfect by: Brian Katcher

After Logan Witherspoon finds out his girlfriend of three years has cheated on him, he struggles to get over her - until a new, tall, beautiful girl enters the halls of his small-town high school. Logan is instantly attracted to not only her beauty but the mystery. But what is Sage Hendricks really hiding?

I loved this book. It was impossible to put down. The author will have you on your toes wanting to know what is going to happen next. This book really shows you some real-life struggles and how to handle them. I would recommend this anyone.
Reviewed by: B.B.

Fracture by: Megan Miranda

After Delaney falls through the ice at the local lake, she wakes up in the hospital. But things aren’t the same. Sure, her best friend Dexter is right there waiting there for her, but what is this constant pulling she’s feeling? She believes it’s just from being under the water so long and dying. But what is this weird pull, and why is she feeling it and why is it drawing her toward people who are dying?

I would recommend this book to anyone who gets into fantasy. It’s a very quick read and keeps you wondering what’s going to happen next and how Delaney is going to deal with her new power. (264 pages) 

Reviewed by: B.B.

"Reel Culture" by Mimi O'Connor (165 Pages)

The perfect book for film enthusiasts, "Reel Culture" is an easy little read about iconic films throughout the ages. From "Gone With The Wind" to "Silence of the Lambs" and everything in between, this books tells you about their success in the box office, important lines, and why people were so fascinated with them. "Reel Culture" is a fun way to learn more about the movies your parents loved. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for something to read!

Reviewed by Alli Sweeney

"The Passage" by Justin Cronin (766 Pages)

In this stunning, post-apocalyptic novel, Justin Cronin brings about the end of the world in the form of a virus: changing the infected into super-strong, super-fast beings who will stop at nothing to consume flesh. Injected with a revolutionary form of the virus that makes her immortal, Amy Bellafonte witnesses all the carnage and spends one hundred years wandering the country. When she bands together with a group of people searching for a safe place, secrets are uncovered that may ultimately save the world, and Amy and her friends may sacrifice everything to stop the infected. A heart-stopping thriller not for the faint of heart, I couldn't put this book down until I knew the ending. I strongly recommend it if you're comfortable with lengthy books.

Reviewed by Alli Sweeney

"This is Not a Test" by Courtney Summer (322 pages)

Anybody you know will tell you school is like a prison or at least the last place any kid would want to be. But for Sloane and the rest of her friends, school becomes a sanctuary. In the middle of a zombie apocalypse, Sloane Price finds her way to her abandoned high school and instantly makes refuge. Within a week, five more teens find their way to this high school and it almost seems like it’s a miracle. But those doors can only protect them for so long. This book is very dark and questions friendship and family and whether the one person you’re closest to would sacrifice as much for you and you would them.

Reviewed by Jazmin Straffin

"The Future of Us" by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler- 356 pages

If you literally had your future in your hands, wouldn’t you do anything to make it perfect? For Emma, that’s her goal. It was the mid ‘90s where the internet was just becoming accessible and all of the fast-working websites was not even thought of yet. A new computer and a free trial run for dial-up internet is what every average teenager wants. And for Emma, that’s exactly it. But after being on the internet, she discovers “Facebook”, which has not even been invented yet. Not only does she find her friends and family’s pages, she finds her neighbor, Josh’s page. She immediately shows him the page and he is instantly skeptical. But once information starts to surface onto his page, he has to believe it.


Reviewed by Jazmin Straffin

"One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies" by Sonya Sones (268 Pages)

In a coming-of-age story that tears at your heartstrings, Ruby is a girl who has to go live with her movie-star father after the death of her mother. Angry and bitter at him for ignoring her for these past fifteen years, Ruby does everything she can to make sure her father knows how much she hates him. When confronted with the normal struggles of teenage life AND being a movie star's daughter, Ruby speaks in a voice that is easy to relate to and is easy to grow attached to. Set up in verse-format and a quick read, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would strongly recommend it.

Reviewed by Alli Sweeney

Last Night I Sang To The Monster by Benjamin Alire Saenz (239 Pages)

Zach is living in rehab- he knows he is an alcoholic and he knows he needs help, but he doesn't remember how he got there and he doesn't want to remember. Throughout this beautiful novel, Zach struggles with his addiction and memories of his childhood while learning to remember. In "Last Night I Sang To The Monster" we learn about the Monster- the one that lives inside all of us, and how we can control It. This novel truly touched my heart and after reading it I immediately wanted to share it with others.

Reviewed by Alli Sweeney