The Great American Whatever

In the Great American Whatever by Tim Federle, he takes us through the life of Quinn Roberts, a 16 year old boy who has gone through a lot despite his age. Between his sister’s car accident, his mom’s unhealthy habits, and his dad’s absence, he hasn’t had the easiest time in high school.

            But when his friend, Geoff, drags him to his first college party to get him out of the house, Quinn meets Amir, an attractive college boy. Quinn falls hard and fast for Amir. But what happens when Quinn starts to picture a future with Amir? Is he just dreaming? Or could it possibly happen?

            This book is a great read for anyone who enjoys a story about a boy who faces internal challenges as a part of growing up. Federle creates the perfect balance of humor and reality within a boy who is just trying to find himself. 

A.K. 

Summerlost

Summerlost by Ally Condie is a story of new beginnings, family, loss, and the power of friendship. It’s the first summer since Cedars brother and dad died in a tragic car accident. Cedar, her younger brother miles, and her mom return to the small town of iron creek. She then meets the rather outgoing Leo, who works at the Summerlost festival. They befriend one another and cedar spends the remaining time of her summer in Leo’s company.  While working at the festival, and spending their remaining time with one another cedar and Leo’s friendship becomes stronger and stronger.  Cedar begins to know what it’s like to live again and how to deal with the loss of her brother and father. While Summerlost was a decent read, it most certainly was written for a middle school audience. Summerlost has some great ongoing themes throughout the book, however, I felt like the plot wasn’t going anywhere.  If you’re looking for a quick read with unique characters though then this is the book for you.

-KT

The Art of Not Breathing

Elsie lost her brother 5 years ago. She remembers bits and pieces of the incident, and she knows that he drowned. With her family falling apart at the seams, she struggles to uncover the details of that day at the beach. This is a drama laced with mystery, leaving you unable to put it down. Guilt has always consumed Elsie, and as she pursues a new hobby she discovers memories she didn’t know she had. This novel is a good read and I would recommend it to any reader who can empathize with a young girl who is going through self-discovery. 

Illusive

After the MK virus attacks globally, and a new vaccine is created, more and more people discover that they are experiencing unusual side-effects. Ciere is a girl, and a criminal; she is forced to band with the worst of the worst to unleash government secrets regarding the vaccination that changed them. This adventurous novel plays into the conspiracy that the government is immensely corrupt. Illusive is scintillating, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys sci-fi. It has interesting characters that help move the plot along. My favorite aspect of it, though, is that it is shown from the “villains’” POV. I look forward to reading this book again.

The Conspiracy of Us

If you enjoy mysteries and adventures then The Conspiracy of Us is everything you’ve ever wished for. It had me hooked within the first couple chapters due the suspenseful plot, and it kept me wanting to read more and more. The main character Avery and her family are part of a secret society called the Circle of Twelve. She is supposedly the key to some great prophecy - in which some people want her dead. Avery is a smart and determined girl who is willing to do whatever it takes to figure out the mystery of this prophecy that’s threatening her life. Soon clues begin to pop up and she must follow the trail of them to figure out the mysterious prophecy. Along the way she acquires the help of two drool-worthy boys, Jack and Stellan. However they’re hiding some secrets of their own that could change everything. As Avery and the boys start to follow the clues a shocking conspiracy is exposed that could destroy the world. Follow Avery on her crazy adventure to save the world and figure out the truth about herself. 

-KT

Ever wonder what it takes to be a Navy Seal? In the memoir The Making of a Navy Seal by Brandon Webb, you are walked through the series of events that build Brandon to becoming a Navy Seal. It starts off with an insight of Brandon Webb’s rough childhood and catapults all the way up to him reconstructing the SEAL sniper training course. He was kicked off from his family’s house boat and forced to decide on his future. It was always his dream to be a Navy SEAL and not only does he meet his goal but exceeds it. Nothing was going to get in his way of becoming a Navy SEAL. All the tough training Brandon had to struggle through both physically and mentally wraps you in to the story and makes for a quick read.

I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an exciting and true story. Someone who is looking to go into the military would especially like this book because it gives insight to what they could potentially experiencing. The best part of this book I think is the fact that all of the events true and it is inspiring how if you set your mind to something it can happen.

CM

Kate is a single mom raising her teenage daughter, Amelia. They butt

 heads like most mothers and 

daughters do at this age. When they fight before Amelia goes to

 school one day, the day ends 

unexpectedly. Kate gets a call at work that Amelia was caught 

cheating, which is out of character for Amelia, but when Kate 

gets to the school, she hears much worse news. Amelia jumped

 from the roof and is dead. Kate does not understand, but four

 months later when she is starting to finally get  on with her life, 

 she gets a text message. Sending Kate into a frenzy, she is 

determined to find out what really happened to Amelia.

This book took many unexpected twists and turns that I 

never expected. I enjoyed how Reconstructing Amelia

was unpredictable and I recommend this book to anyone 

who enjoys a modern story line

with a twisted ending. 
A.K.

My Book of Life by Angel

This is a novel written in verse that tells the story of a young girl, who, like any typical and vulnerable girl would, who fell in love with a deceptive man that traps her into an unbearable circumstance. Angel's new and intense way of life is filled with abuse, sex, and drugs; although this is no longer the life she wants to live, she has no where else to go and cannot think of a safe escape plan that would protect herself and the few she cares for. Angel is an unbelievably strong girl who risks her own well-being and conquers things most people can't, all for a little girl she knows she can save. The author does an amazing job of depicting this situation as it would be in real life. The ending does seem a little rushed, but the rising action was worth it; the anticipation of what would become of these girls alone will keep any reader on their toes and biting their nails. I would recommend this book to anyone, however they should take into consideration that the format is in verse.