Flashfall

    Orion is one of the many subpars in a place called Outpost five, which lies beyond a deadly, radioactive flash curtain. On the other side of this flash curtain lies the city-state of Alara, and to get there, subpars are expected to mine 400 grams of a precious element called cirium. This element is the only thing that can protect people from radiation caused by the flash curtain. Orion is lead ore scout in her outpost- somehow she can feel the cirium, it calls to her. Together, she and her partner Dram mine tunnel nine, a tunnel full of cirium and danger, which not many live through. Soon secrets about the government are uncovered, and Orion starts a rebellion. She finds out everything is not as it seems, and lusts for freedom. Many punishments later, escaping death on more than one occasion, Orion thinks she’s found a way out. The only thing is, can she save her outpost? Or only the ones she loves?

    Flashfall is jammed-packed with action and suspense. There’s something new on every page and the event keeps you looking for more. It takes you for an adventure, and it keeps you wanting more. It’s full of twist and turns, and has very strong characters. It’s a hard book to put down, and once it’s over you’ll still be asking.. What’s next? When is the sequel coming out?

CJ

Very in Pieces

Very Sayles-Woodruff has gone her whole life being labeled smart. But when it comes to art or figuring out the meaning of poems, she has a hard time. Her entire family seems to have something special about them, while Very is the odd-one out. She’s a straight-A student who goes to college classes, while everyone else around her is artistic. Very has always been the one her family relies on because of this, but then her life begins to fall apart. Her grandmother becomes ill, her mother drinks constantly, her father is never around, and her little sister Ramona starts rebelling. While her life is falling apart, there is a sculpture building up on their house. While this sculpture is coming together, Very continues falling apart. She becomes intrigued by it, wondering who created it and why. Could it be Dominic, a rebellious artist who seems to have a thing for her? A fan of her grandmother who’s creating it as a memorial?

Very in Pieces is a book full of twists and turns, and is a book that can relate to anyone who’s felt out of place or felt like their life is on a downward spiral. It shows that even good things come from the bad, and that everything works out in the end. It helps remind you that everyone is different, and everyone is good at something different- just each in their own ways.

CJ

Conviction

Braden was dropped off as baby to his father’s doorstep. He grew up alongside his older brother Trey. The boys were raised as Christians as their father was highly religious. Their father was not only religious, but also an abusive alcoholic. Because of this Trey left home as soon as he could. On the other hand, Braden thought he had the best dad in the world. Braden was a star baseball player, famous in his high school league for his fastball. Braden inherited this love and talent for baseball from his father, who played in the minor league. Braden and his father connected the most from baseball, which created the bond that they share. Then his father is arrested for a hit and run on a police officer. He is convicted of murder. Although, in this book- conviction isn’t always a legal term. Braden prepares himself to testify in the trial, insisting his father is innocent. Although when Braden finds out his father is off the hook, he feels guilty. Why?

    This book creates a suspenseful feel, while bringing you through Braden’s life. Some things are brought forth to you, making the book tie together and creating tension. It really puts you in Braden’s shoes, and you really start to feel what Braden feels.

CJ

Cuckoo Song

Triss was a normal girl until her accident. However, she doesn’t remember anything that happened or why she has weird symptoms. She is starving all the time, her sister hates her, and she gets angry over things she shouldn’t. Next thing she knows she sees her dolls start to move. Her parents start keeping secrets from her and acting weird. Triss takes us into a fantasy part of the city and meets some different creatures while trying to fix whatever it is happened to her. 

This book created a feeling of suspense. The beginning was a little slow so it took a while to get into but after it started to pick it was an interesting book. It is set in post-World War One with fantastic elements. I would recommend this book to someone who enjoys a suspenseful, supernatural book mixed with historical elements. 

A.K.

Technically It's Not My Fault

Technically It’s Not My Fault, by John Grandits is a fun, quick book made up by concrete poems. The relatable poems grab the reader’s attention with the creative shapes and ideas. Although Grandits’ book seems almost too middle school, he creates a fun read.

It made me laugh with a poem about a thank you letter written to a grandmother regarding a sweater that was bought. It had footnotes at the bottom of the page changing everything that was originally said. The poem was written in letter form and made me want to keep reading because the shapes were intriguing. 

A.K.

Ask Me How I Got Here

In Ask me How I Got Here by Christine Heppermann, Addie has always been running; running with her best friend, towards college scholarships, to win the race. Then she gets a boyfriend named Nick that she falls in love with. Then becoming pregnant, she is forced to make a decision. So what is she running from now? Her decision. Now she is hiding secrets from her family, coaches and friends. Attending a Catholic school does not make the outcome of her choices any better or easier to deal with. A long lost friend will help her come to peace with her choices.

I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a quick read. The style of writing Heppermann uses is unique because she writes in stanzas throughout the whole book. Also the book shows how one decision can change one person's whole life.

CM

Because You'll Never Meet Me

This was a very intelligently written book, and it had a unique plot. Ollie and Moritz are best friends, but they can never meet due do health issues. If they get two close, one could kill the other completely unintentionally. Instead they write letters back and forth. I really enjoyed reading this novel. I is the kind of book then keeps you thinking and asking yourself questions ranging from philosophical enlightenment to scientific theories. What kept me from loving it, though, is the way it ended; the problem was not resolved. I would suggest this book to anyone who is in a literary “funk”, and feels like they are reading the same book over and over with different names each time, because this book is different than any other I have ever read.
-HG

My Friend Dahmer

"My Friend Dahmer" by Derf Backderf, is a graphic novel where Derf, the author and former classmate of Jeffrey Dahmer, tries to make sense of the future serial killer, and what lead up to his demise. However, what emerges is a surprisingly type of sympathetic portrait of a disturbed young man who struggled helplessly against the gruesome urges that were bubbling from the deeper parts of his psyche. In the book Derf Backderf does an exceptional job of portraying and writing the story as if you were in his shoes watching this strange boy turn into something almost as nasty as Jack the Ripper. He also does an excellent job of stating and portraying how what Dahmer did was exceptionally bad and disturbing, but showing the problems he went through that lead to his state of being. Find out more in the book "My Friend Dahmer" by Derf Backderf.

"The May Queen Murders" by Sarah Jude, is about a girl named Ivy Templeton who lives in Rowan's Glen a remote farming community in the Missouri Ozarks. The town consists of an old-fashioned way of live that is full of superstition and traditions. Many people at the school thinks that the Glen kids are very weird, but to Ivy that doesn't matter she has her cousin Heather as her best friend where they share everything with each other. However when Heather goes missing after a May Day celebration, she discovers that both her beloved town and best friend are as full of secrets as the woods that surround their town. The way that Sarah Jude writes this story keeps you right on the edge of your seat wondering what new secrets are going to come out as the story continues. Will Ivy find her cousin? Or will more secrets unfold causing her to have little faith in anything. Find out more on "The May Queen Murders".

This Is the Story of You" by Beth Kephart, is about a girl named Mira Banul who has risen to almost every challenge that has been thrown in her and her friend's ways. However, when a huge superstorm crashes through the island and defies all the predictions that was set for it and also causes Mira's world is turned upside down. Her mother and brother are stranded on the mainland with no means of getting off and when a stranger appears at the wreck of Mira's home her thoughts on what to do become scrabbled. The way Beth Kephart writes this story will keep you on the edge of your seat and enticed throughout the whole story. Will Mira be able to rescue her mother and brother off the stranded island and find the strength she needs to carry on, or will her hope of recovery crash right before her eyes? Find out more in the book "This Is the Story of You".

Beautiful Music for Ugly Children

People are just like records. They have an A side and a B side that they can choose to show. In Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kirstin Cronn-Mills, a senior in high school, named Elizabeth doesn’t feel like she is who she is. It is the constant struggle of deciding which side should be shown that Elizabeth has to deal with. Now is her time to play her B side and introduce the world to Gabe, the person who she feels like has been hiding her whole life. It is the love for music that keeps Gabe going through his life. Without music and a few close friends Gabe would never be able to find the confidence to express himself.

This book gives an insight as to what it is like to feel different ways and think differently from other people. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys music or is looking for a unique read. This book touches on many different subject matters that allows people to relate to it and enjoy reading this book.

CM

Carly's Voice

When she was two years old, Carly Fleischmann was diagnosed with severe autism. In the book Carly’s Voice written by Carly’s father Arthur Fleischmann, he gives a keen insight as to what it is like having a child with autism. Carly also has and oral motor condition that prevents her from speaking. Arthur explains throughout the book the struggles his family is put through while dealing with a child with autism. At the age of ten Carly had a major breakthrough and was able to type on her computer in order to communicate. Now Carly can communicate with others and raise awareness for people with autism.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about autism. It is a long read so you have to be interested in the topic in order to enjoy the book. Learning about how people with autism feel is very eye opening and creates better understanding. Just reading and educating yourself on this topic would be a good idea.

CM

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Salt to the Sea

Four teens, four secrets, in the midst of World War II. In the novel Salt to the Sea by Ruta

Sepetys, thousands of refugees are desperate to board the Wilhelm Gustloff in order to find

Sanctuary from the war. The massive ship promises safety but with the amount of people being boarded, who knows if it will live up to its expectations of getting these people to a safe place. With time and the weather working against the

refugees they need to flee on the ship fast. The stories of these four teens are converged, but

who will end up the lucky ones? Salt to the Sea is inspired by the single greatest tragedy in

maritime history.

I would recommend this book to anybody. Not only is it inspired by a true story but there is some

fictional parts in order to keep you turning the page. Anybody would enjoy reading this book

especially if they are a history or WWII buff. Sepetys does a great job integrating all of the teens' stories into one novel.

CM

The Distance Between Us

In The Distance Between Us, Caymen Meyers is a 17 year old girl that lives a rather boring life. She’s stuck helping her mother run a doll store due to their low income. She’s been warned many times from her mother to stay away from the rich because all they care about is money. That changes the day Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother. He’s the representation of a rich boy, he’s over confident and is very charming. Xander and Caymen have an instant connection. The two begin spending time together to try and help one another learn who and what they want to do with their life. As Caymen starts to develop feelings for Xander, life gets in the way. The doll store is quickly losing money and her mother is starting to keep things from her. Will Caymen and Xander make it work? Or are they bound to be separated due to they’re very different lives?

If you enjoy romance books that involve unlikely lovers then this is the perfect book for you. The Distance Between Us will have you rooting for Xander and Caymens relationship, and will be sure to leave you shocked by the end.

-K.T

Burning Midnight

No one knows why or how the spheres are on earth, and the people barely know what they do; what they have learned is: once a sphere is burned, you will receive an enhancement, almost like a super power. Once money becomes involved, people go crazy trying to hunt the rarest spheres down. Seventeen year old David Sullivan “Sully” is just crazy enough to join in. After he finds a sphere that no one knows exists, he faces a question – use it or sell it?

                I really enjoyed reading this book, however sometimes the characters’ decisions were frustrating and I found it hard to understand the why behind their motives. I love fiction novels, but at times the novel seemed beyond sci-fi and became so unrealistic that I could no longer relate to it personally. It is still a good read and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys treacherous adventures and loves reading to find th

at their predictions are extremely far off.
-HG

Untwine

If you enjoyed the book If I Stay by Gale Forman then I would absolutely recommend Untwine. It is a book filled with love, heartbreak, loss, and the undeniable strength of a sisters bond. Giselle and her twin sister Isabelle have a bond that can’t be broken. With their parents discussing a divorce things start to slowly fall apart. On their way to Isabelle’s music concert, tragedy strikes. Giselle wakes up in a hospital bed with no memory of what happened. However, Giselle can’t move or speak, she’s trapped in her own body and can’t get out. Giselle is then forced to deal with her past, present, and future in order to figure out what happened to her parents and Isabelle. Giselle revisits her memories to see how her family and friends made her the person she is today. But will the memory of her family and friends free her of her body or will she remain trapped in a body of regret and loss?

-K.T