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Book Reviews by Teens, for Teens! |
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Hatchet
by Gary Paulsen
Book Reviewed by Abby Z.
"Hatchet is a 1987 novel written by Gary Paulsen about Brian Robeson, a thirteen-year-old boy who survives a plane crash and is forced to live out in the wilderness alone. He was on the way to visit his father, so his mother gave him two gifts: a hatchet and a windbreaker. Brian uses these two objects to survive throughout the summer, learning how to cook and create fires. Overall, I found that this novel is extremely unique for its time, and it details many important lessons that Brian reflects on, such as missing his parents and his mother having affairs before he went on the plane. The length was a perfect 195 pages, which makes it a short read, but an important one. I also felt like the style that Paulsen wrote Hatchet in was extremely easy to understand because of the details that he uses to describe how Brian survives, but also because of how Brian is only thirteen years old at the time of the novel. I think that everyone should read Hatchet at some point because of the valuable lessons learned, as well as how interesting Paulsen writes the story in a simple yet complex way that flows easily."
What made you interested in reading this book? "I read another book called My Side of the Mountain and I really liked how it was about someone surviving in the wilderness, so I decided to read Hatchet since I knew the stories were similar."
What does this book remind you of? "This book reminds me of My Side of the Mountain, which I will have a separate review for! I do think that this novel is more "survival" than My Side of the Mountain...However, that novel is probably better suited for younger readers."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Readers who enjoy reading about the wilderness, survival skills, and stories with a stress aspect."
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My Side of the Mountain
by Jean Craighead George
Book Reviewed by Abby Z.
"My Side of the Mountain is a novel published in 1959 by Jean Craighead George and is 177 pages long, detailing a survival story of a boy who decides to run away to the Catskill Mountains of New York. This boy’s name is Sam Gribley, and he is twelve-years-old, dislikes living with eight siblings, and wishes for companionship within nature. So, he decides to run away to the Catskill Mountains of New York, where he befriends a peregrine falcon named Frightful and learns many survival skills, even reaching the point where he is literally living inside a carved out tree. Overall, I found that this novel was extremely intriguing, mainly because of how Sam, a measly twelve-year-old, could survive so well within the wilderness using techniques that are actually very accurate to real life scenarios. I also thought that it was interesting how his process of developing a tree house (but inside the base of the log, not suspended in the air, I’m afraid) worked, but that may just be my preference. This novel also emphasizes the importance of companionship through animals other than your common dog or cat, and it also shows how families can develop and depend on each other despite disagreements! I would really recommend this novel to anyone who has either read Hatchet by Gary Paulsen and enjoyed it, or are able to comprehend such survival skills but are younger (ex. 10-ish years old), or both!"
What made you interested in reading this book? "I had read this originally because my parents had bought it for me at some point from Barnes & Noble; since then, I have read and reread it around 7-8 times."
What does this book remind you of? "It reminds me heavily of Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, but it's ironic because this book was published 27 YEARS before Hatchet, so it's sort of the "OG Hatchet" in a way since that novel is more well known today."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Readers who enjoy survival novels, coming of age, nature-based literature, and those who have read Paulsen's Hatchet and enjoyed it!"
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Siddhartha
by Hermann Hesse
Book Reviewed by Matina
"Siddhartha is a young Brahmin, and he feels as if the teachings that has been offered are not enough. His wishes to be enlightened will not be fulfilled by staying where he his. He asks his father for his blessing, and when reluctantly received, sets off on his journey with his good friend Govinda. His journey then begins, as he seeks out for guidance. This brings him to many types of people. He partakes in the life of a Samana, converses with the Buddha, takes on the life a merchant, falls in love with a courtesan, indulges in many vices of mankind. After witnessing the marvels of the river, he takes to living with a ferryman, already in old age. Siddhartha travels onto a path of wisdom and awakening, gaining a multitude of experience and living a thousand lifetimes in the process. This is all achieved in less than 200 pages, and is a read that sparks many forms of analysis. The book itself is an allegory for the teachings of Buddhism, as it explores the Four Noble Truths and The Eightfold Path. Every character present serves a plethora of meanings and all serve Siddhartha to make his character whole. Hermann Hesse is a master at utilizing symbolism in this narrative, and the intricacy of this book deserves the title of a classic."
What made you interested in reading this book? "We read this book in my English class. I liked it a lot and thought a review would help me get my thoughts out about it."
What does this book remind you of? "This is an insane comparison, but the book Journey to the West is very similar to this, as it is about a monk on a journey of his own. He seeks out Buddhist scriptures, and learns many things in the process."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Someone who would want to learn about Buddhism should start with this book."
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Dracula
by Bram Stoker
Book Reviewed by Emma
"This book contains many varying ways of conveying messages to the reader, be it through internal monologue of multiple characters, letters back and forth, conversations, telegrams. He wrote this book as if he were rewriting an actual event, they it is so detailed and contains many forms of communication. He just made it very realistic. The initial hundred pages start off slow, as the first character introduced takes a voyage, and then the events following begin to foreshadow and dip into that vampire idea. The book takes place all over Europe, including England, Romania, Bulgaria, and even Hungary, encompassing the travels out of hunting and need by Dracula and his hunters. The beginning is a slow, burn but it eventually picks up and at quite a fast pace."
What made you interested in reading this book? "Dracula is one of many pillars in gothic fiction. It has helped shape literature around the world. I do know that it is a "must-read", or a "classic", and I agree so I decided to try it out."
What does this book remind you of? "Nothing, this book is quite unique in the way it was written and how Stokers message was conveyed."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Someone who enjoys dark, Victorian fiction. may be compared to Edgar Allan Poe, in his tone and drab, Victorian-esque style."
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The Bell Jar
by Sylvia Plath
Book Reviewed by Abby Z.
"The Bell Jar, written by Sylvia Plath and published in 1963, is an allegedly semi-autobiographical novel about a woman named Esther who has just been awarded a summer internship. However, the novel then details the horrifying events of this said internship, including multiple mentions of strange seductions and death. This novel is generally not advised for anyone who is unable to handle sexual assault and/or death-related topics, as it is a very dark novel that details such events. I overall would not recommend this book to anyone unless they are willing to handle those topics, especially since they are displayed in a scenario that is very graphic and difficult to read through. Plath also dies by suicide just a month after the novel was originally published in 1963, making it especially difficult to process. Overall, I would kind of recommend this book, as it teaches some important lessons about the perspective of different people’s lives, but it is a very heavy read that is quite unsettling."
What made you interested in reading this book? "This is a more popular dark classic novel, so I decided to give it a try."
What does this book remind you of? "Nothing really if I'm being honest, it's a pretty unique perspective on life."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Readers who are willing to understand the concept of dark themes, topics, and ideologies, readers who are interested in horror/unsettling fiction."
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The Stranger
by Albert Camus
Book Reviewed by Abby Z.
"The Stranger, written by the French author Albert Camus and published in 1942, is a classic novella that tells the story of a man named Mersault who murders an unnamed man after his mother dies. It is told in first person, making it really easy for the reader to understand what was going through Mersault’s mind, such as his emotions of grief and frustration. The Stranger is probably one of the easiest classic novellas I have read that had little to no issues with in terms of understanding the text itself AND the meaning behind it. I also felt like because of the length, it’s really easy to get through, and Camus’ writing style is phenomenally easy to interpret, perhaps partially because it was originally written in French. Overall, I found it really interesting that Camus himself literally denied that the novella had themes of existentialism, but it, at least in my opinion, is so obvious and well thought out that the novella makes you feel like you’re the one going through an existential crisis. I would recommend this novella to anyone who wants to start out with some easier classics alongside Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray!"
What made you interested in reading this book? "I read this a while ago while trying to get more into classics because I heard that it was super easy to understand and analyze."
What does this book remind you of? "This novella reminds me a bit of Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment because they both involve a murder and the series of existentialism that follow it. However, Dostoevsky's novel is obviously much more difficult to understand because it was originally in Russian and is much longer that Camus' The Stranger."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Readers who enjoy reading about existentialism and dread, people who want to get into more classics, and people who enjoy murder "mysteries" (sort of) or crime based fiction."
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Coraline
by Neil Gaiman
Book Reviewed by Abby Z.
"Coraline, written by Neil Gaiman and published in 2002, is a dark fantasy horror novel that was actually originally catered to children. It tells the simplistic, yet horrifying, story of a girl named Coraline who one day discovers a locked door in her living room of her family’s apartment complex. She then embarks on an unsettling journey, where she encounters a different version of everyone she’s ever known, except they have buttons sewn on instead of eyes! I have seen the movie that was adapted from this novella, so I found it super interesting when I was able to spot specific details that were both in and not in the movie. Overall, I found Gaiman’s novella to be very compelling and quick-paced, since it was originally for children, making it an enjoyable fast read. I also think that the way that Gaiman portrays the characters and their personalities is very unsettling, yet easy to visualize and understand. Since Coraline is a novella, it is very short, only comprising of around 180 pages!"
What made you interested in reading this book? "I have watched the adaptation movie of this novella, so I decided I should actually read the original story."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Readers who enjoy spooky novels, lighter horror, and the tropes of illusion, deception, and peer pressure."
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The Lightning Thief
by Rick Riordan
Book Reviewed by Molly
"Percy Jackson and The Olympians: The Lightning Thief is a good book about a 12 year old boy named Percy Jackson who finds out randomly that he is the son of Poseidon. He gets attacked by monsters and ends up at Camp Half Blood, a camp for kids like him with one parent a Greek god/goddess and one parent a human. Percy and his friends Annabeth and Grover go on a quest to return Zeus's lightning bolt to stop a war between the gods. When you read you find out the characters personalities. Annabeth is smart and resilient, Percy is brave and sarcastic and Grover is hesitant and friendly. This book is fast-paced and entertaining, it never really gets dull or boring and makes me want to read the whole collection."
What does this book remind you of? "This book reminds me of the Spiderman movies in a way because both Peter Parker and Percy Jackson were both normal boys gifted with great abilities."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Readers who love to stay on their toes and are into Greek mythology would like this."
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Gideon the Ninth
by Tamsyn Muir
Book Reviewed by Juniper
"Gideon is an orphan in the Ninth House. While trying to leave she is stopped by Harrow - the heir to the Ninth House - because Harrow needs her help. Harrow and other Necromancers have been chosen to compete for power. I didn't see anything coming in this book, I also felt a range of emotions and loved all the characters, even if they are horrible people. It takes a while to get into but once you get a hang of the vocabulary used it becomes truly an incredible read. Plus, there's a Glossary!"
Who would enjoy reading this book? "I feel that anyone who likes complex world building and complex characters would like this. As well as fans of a plot twist."
What does this book remind you of? "It's a very unique concept and I haven't read anything like this. But I have heard it compared to the Criers War."
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Vicious
by Victoria Schwab
Book Reviewed by Abby Z.
"Vicious, written by V.E. Schwab and published in 2013, is a fantasy novel that tells the story of two college roommates, Eli and Victor, who have discovered that near-death experiences can create supernatural and extraordinary abilities. They both end up wanting to do more research and experimentation on this phenomenon, but Victor lands in jail, and Eli ends up becoming a sort of “savior” who wants to protect normal people from the dangers of these incidents. Vicious often switches from university times to present times and back again, so it might be difficult to understand the timeline. There is also a duo of two sisters, but they have very similar names so that was a little confusing as well. However, I found that the story in general was well paced, and Schwab’s writing style is perfect and very easy to understand, while also allowing room for philosophical and tense moments. Overall, I found that Vicious was the perfect length of a fantasy novel, and I would recommend for anyone who enjoys complex character relationships to read it!"
What does this book remind you of? "This book heavily reminds me of the animation series Arcane, created by Riot Games and Fortiche Production SAS based off of League of Legends, because it has morally grey characters and a similar dynamic between characters in the show. One of the characters in the book is named Victor Vale, and there is a character in Arcane named Viktor as well!"
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Readers who enjoy fantasy, discovering magic and/or supernatural abilities, those who have watched Arcane and enjoyed Jayce/Viktor's dynamic, and those who like stories that flip back and forth from present to past and back again."
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The Invisible Life of Addie Larue
by V. E. Schwab
Book Reviewed by Haley
"The book starts and we meet Adeline, a young French woman in the 1700's. She is to be married off against her will. Adeline (or Addie, as she is called), wants to live wild and free. Instead, she is forced into marriage. Her dear friend and town crazy lady/witch Estele decides to help her run away. Addie runs to the forest where she prays to the nature gods. Her parents believe in the "New God", but she follows Estele's traditional beliefs. However, Estele always warned Addie never to pray to the Gods who answer after dark. When Addie runs towards the forest at sundown, it's too late. The sun set just as she finished praying. Nothing happens. No one answers her. Just when darkness falls on the forest and Addie thinks she's done for, someone calls her. He tells her he is the darkness and he'll make a deal with her. For a price. Addie decides to take his offer, she shall live forever and witness the history of the world, destined to be remembered by no one. One day, Addie (again, remembered by no one) steals a book from a used bookstore. Then the guy working at the store confronts her about it. She realizes that he remembered her. Was it serendipity? Throughout the rest of the book, we go back and forth between Addie's present and past. Spanning decades and eras, we learn how Addie LaRue has left her mark on the world. And throughout she will ask herself, was it worth it? The book was wonderfully written and made me feel connected to the characters. Not to spoil the end, but it did make me kind of mad. I think that this book is a good length as well, and as a slow reader, it took me about a month, though I'm not someone who reads every single day like some people. It was well written though and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought the character development was nice and I appreciated how it went back in time and switched between different perspectives. Normally, I don't like to read books that change perspectives the whole time, but I liked the way Schwab handled this. I hope she will write a sequel, as well as a prequel for The Darkness. My favorite character was at the time of reading it Henry, but now looking back, Luc. My star rating would be 9.99869729 out of 10."
What made you interested in reading this book? "I saw this book at Barnes and Noble and I liked the cover. I decided to read the description and was immediately intrigued. I like fantasy, fiction, France, and history, so I thought I would probably like it. I saw an English teacher at my middle school reading it and I asked her how she liked it, and she said it was written really well."
What does this book remind you of? "This book I felt was unlike anything I've read or watched. Although, that could just be me, being bad at making connections."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "This book would appeal to anyone who likes time travel or books based on fate. It is also a good choice for fans of the original Grimm fairy tales."
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Bronze and Sunflower
by Wenxuan Cao
Book Reviewed by Abby Z.
"Bronze and Sunflower, first published in 2005 in China and 2016 in the United States, was written by Cao Wenxuan and is one of my top books since I was a child. It details a story about Bronze, a mute boy living in a poor Chinese village, and Sunflower, a young girl who is taken in by Bronze’s family after being orphaned due to her father being caught in a freak drowning accident. The novel is truly unique, describing how familial values and the relationship between siblings and how they both can change and develop throughout each family member’s life. Famine and the importance of education are major themes within the novel, which I think every person should be able to understand and expand on with ease, so this novel really does a great job at explaining both in a way that a child would be able to understand. I also feel like the novel overall, coming from a Chinese person, has been translated beautifully into English in a way that still somewhat retains the essence of Chinese proverbs. Overall, I really would recommend this simplistic novel to anyone willing to learn more about Chinese culture and poverty because Wenxuan does a phenomenal job at portraying important subjects in a way that is accessible and easy for literally anyone to understand."
What does this book remind you of? "Another novel that I reviewed in January (published in Feb) called Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin because it has a similar writing style and has phenomenal storytelling themes!
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Readers who enjoy Chinese literature, important themes, and coming of age and family."
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The Bad Beginning
by Lemony Snicket
Book Reviewed by Eliza
"Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning is the first book in a darkly comedic series by Daniel Handler, under the pen name Lemony Snicket. It follows the Baudelaire orphans—Violet, Klaus, and Sunny—who are left with nothing but each other after the tragic death of their parents in a mysterious fire. The book begins with their grim situation as they are sent to live with their villainous guardian, Count Olaf, a failed actor with malicious intent. The Baudelaire siblings must use their individual talents—Violet’s inventiveness, Klaus’s extensive reading, and Sunny’s sharp teeth—to try to outwit Olaf’s increasingly sinister schemes. The setting is often described as gloomy and gloomy, as it takes place in a variety of dismal locations, from a dark and dreary mansion to a desolate, crumbling theater. The atmosphere is constantly unsettling, filled with dark humor and unfortunate circumstances."
What does this book remind you of? "It really reminds me of no other book, it has such a unique plot line and characters."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "If you enjoy humor with a bit of a sinister edge, this book is perfect. The series blends tragic events with witty commentary, and the narrator's dry, sarcastic tone adds a layer of humor to even the bleakest situations. It’s ideal for readers who appreciate a bit of irony and enjoy finding humor in dark or unfortunate circumstances."
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One of Us Is Lying
by Karen M. McManus
Book Reviewed by Matina
"The nerd, jock, prom queen, and criminal of Bayview High should have nothing in common, right? But when detention ends in the death of a fifth person, their lives are all mysteriously brought together. It turns out that the fifth person was going to release their worst secrets on their notorious gossip app. Now the four have to deal with police investigations, unwanted media publicity, and the scorn and judgement of their peers. To make mattes worse, those secrets are made public and are presumed to be a motive for any of them committing the crime. But none of them are guilty. When once they would have never spoken to one another, Bronwyn, Cooper, Addy, and Nate all join together to figure out who framed them all amidst the chaos. Blame shifts from other teachers to students and we soon find out that no on is to be trusted, not even the dead. For a mystery book, it's pretty good! It's length is a detriment to the narrative, as it feels a bit drawn out towards the end, but I still enjoyed this book."
What does this book remind you of? "This book has been described by many as a subversion of The Breakfast Club!"
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Those readers who love a mystery that just keeps you guessing will like this book."
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The Naturals by Jennifer BarnesBook Reviewed by Sam
"The book follows Cassie Hobbes, a teenager with an amazing ability to read people. She’s picked to join a special FBI program for teen with the same types of abilities, from detecting lies to profiling killers. The team is tasked with solving cold cases, but when an active serial killer emerges, they are pulled into the case. It is a coming-of-age drama. This book was the right amount of romance mixed with a thrilling case to figure out. The book was a good length, I love short chapters! The writer was a psychology professor so she knows a lot about the minds. I think this is a unique perspective on a story. It was amazing, highly recommend it! You'll love the character and the plot twist, very unexpected." What made you interested in reading this book? "I saw it in the bookstore and I read the back cover. It seemed really interesting so I bought it. It was amazing!"
What does this book remind you of? "This book definitely reminds me of Criminal Minds. It reminds me of this because they are in a special program in the FBI just like they are in Criminal Minds."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "People who enjoy Criminal Minds, Romance, Whodunit's, and Mystery books."
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"Shadows by the Lighthouse, written by Melissa Puritis and published in 2021, is a mystery novel that details a boy named Avery who has just moved to North Carolina after his father has gotten a new job. However, a police officer has been murdered, and Avery, alongside his new friends, wants justice! I thought that this novel was very easy to understand and read, and the general storyline was entertaining and did not drag at all. Puritis is able to convey a beautiful story through her easy-to-comprehend writing style, and is also one of the few authors I read who writes primarily about mysteries. She also has other books in this series, which I would also recommend. Overall, I would definitely recommend this novel to younger readers who are interested in mysteries and solving crimes!" What made you interested in reading this book? "Melissa Puritis was my middle school LA teacher. She published this novel when I was in her class for the first time in 2021, and just thought it would be fun to review a book by someone that I cherish very deeply! :)" What does this book remind you of? "Nope, but it's a mystery, so I guess Sherlock Holmes or Nancy Drew in a way." |
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In a Dark, Dark Wood
by Ruth Ware
Book Reviewed by Katie
"In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware is a gripping psychological thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The story follows Nora, a crime writer who gets invited to a bachelorette party (or “hen do”) for a friend she hasn’t seen in years. Set in a creepy, glass-walled house deep in the woods, the atmosphere is tense and unsettling. The narrative switches between past and present, gradually unraveling the dark secrets that brought everyone to this eerie location. What I loved most about this book was how seamlessly Ruth Ware switches between timelines, keeping you hooked and guessing the whole way through. The writing style is sharp and immersive, with just enough detail to make you feel like you’re right there with Nora —both in the present chaos and the uneasy memories of the past. It’s not overly long, which makes it the perfect binge read, and the pacing never drags. The way the tension builds is brilliant, and I found myself constantly questioning who I could trust. If you’re into thrillers with unreliable narrators and chilling settings, this one’s a must-read!"
What does this book remind you of? "It reminds me of the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder series by Holly Jackson. They are both murder mysteries where the main character is trying to solve a murder."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Readers who love murder mysteries and true crime."
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Every Last Word
by Tamara Ireland Stone
Book Reviewed by Capri
"Tamara Ireland stone's book Every Last Word is a young adult novel that explores themes of mental health, friendships, and self discovery. The story follows Samantha McAlister, a high school sophomore who struggles with Purely Obsessional OCD. On the outside, she seems to be the perfect depiction of a popular high school girl, but on the inside, she struggles with intrusive thoughts that make every day life difficult. Through the book, she finds friends who help her discover confidence and help her control her OCD. This book was engaging and connects with its readers well. Tamara's writing is meaningful and heartfelt and she makes it easy to connect and understand. The story paces its events well, with just enough filler events that make it an enjoyable and understandable plot line. Overall, its and interesting story that leaves a deep impact on the reader, also leaving them with a new understanding and a connection with many characters apart of the book. This story can get a little confusing while determining the differences in reality and Sam's delusions, but other than that its a good read."
What does this book remind you of? "This book reminds me of the Netflix series Never Have I Ever. This series focuses on Devi Vishwakurmar and her mental health, grief, and anxiety struggles all while facing the daily struggles of high school. Both characters experience mental highs and lows, make mistakes, and learn how to control their emotions and to better connect with people. Both series explore the importance's of mental health and self acceptance while telling a heartwarming coming of age story."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "This story is for readers who enjoy a heartwarming story about self discovery. this book is also great for readers who like stories of friendship and identity."
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Girl in Pieces
by Kathleen Glasgow
Book Reviewed by Temple
"The book Girl in Pieces is following a girl named Charlie Davis and her stress with self harm and trauma throughout the years of our life. Charlie has been through a lot but she’s just trying to put the pieces of our life back together. But for her its not just a piece of cake and she struggles to find where to fit into and with traveling on her own. She ends up at a mental health facility trying to reach for help from professionals. But due to some financial problems she gets discharged early and is now trying to figure out life on her own. She finds friends like a musician named Riley, and she is now learning how to have hope and how to navigate the big world and being a young girl. This book is so incredibly amazing and I love how it can connect to young girls struggling with mental illnesses too!! I love the way the story is written with her trying to navigate the world and how she feels!! I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a good read with a lot of emotion!!! This book is not for the weak of heart you might cry a couple times if you’re really sensitive like me!! But besides that I 1000% recommend this book!!!"
What does this book remind you of? "This book really reminds me of Suicide Notes by Michael Thomas Ford and also Solitaire by Alice Oseman which is very similar to girl in pieces and I also recommend those books too!!!! Those books remind me of girl in pieces because they are books that have characters that also struggle with mental illnesses and them either getting better or just having to find other coping skills around their illnesses!!!!"
Who would enjoy reading this book? "I think anyone who is looking for a book that might connect with how they feel! Or people who like to read books about a lot of emotion and teen energy!! It’s a very very good book with a lot of twist and turns!!"
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The Art of Racing in the Rain
by Garth Stein
Book Reviewed by Abby Z.
"The Art of Racing in the Rain is a 2008 novel written by Garth Stein detailing a story about the human condition through the eyes of a dog named Enzo. His owner, Denny Swift, is a race car driver who ends up marrying a woman named Eve and they have a daughter named Zoe. Unfortunately, Eve develops brain cancer, which Enzo is able to detect early on through his sense of smell but is unable to tell them properly because, regrettably, he is a dog. The story develops tragically but in a beautiful way as Denny’s family goes through their ups and downs, both medically, physically, and emotionally, so I really would recommend this novel to anyone who is willing to read tragic stories. I also think that the length is appropriately around 330 pages, and that the story may be too graphic for young viewers. However, there is a toned-down children’s version of the tale, which I would still recommend to those who are around 12 years old, as anyone younger may have difficulty grasping the concept of the human conditions the novel explores. I also think that Stein’s writing style really does a great job at capturing how a dog’s perspective of human cancer would be and his tone of writing is very easy to understand. Overall, I think that this book explains important issues and things that real people go through, leading it to offer a good lesson for anyone!"
What does this book remind you of? "There are other books that are from a dog's perspective that are mainly all written by W. Bruce Cameron, including A Dog's Purpose, A Dog's Journey, and his children's novels that include Ellie's Story, Bailey's Story, and 6 others."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Readers who enjoy animals, coming of age, familial development, and cancer-research based stories."
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The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen ChboskyBook Reviewed by Katie
"The Perks of Being a Wallflower follows Charlie, a quiet freshman, as he navigates high school life in the early ’90s. With the help of his new senior friends, Patrick and Sam, he discovers music, friendship, and self-expression. Told through Charlie’s heartfelt letters, the story captures the highs and lows of growing up. This book was full of emotions for me. I found the length very manageable and was able to finish the book in only a few days. The writing style was informal since it is told through Charlie's letters. I loved all of the characters in the novel and I wish that I had read the book before watching the movie." What made you interested in reading this book? "I had seen the movie and wanted to read the book next."
What does this book remind you of? "It reminded me a lot of Turtles All the Way Down by John Green."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Readers who love emotional stories." |
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The Sun is Also a Star
by Nicola Yoon
Book Reviewed by Katie
"The Sun Is Also a Star follows Natasha, a practical girl facing deportation, and Daniel, a poetic dreamer, as they meet in New York City. In just one day, their connection challenges fate, love, and destiny. Set in a bustling city, the story explores choices and the moments that change everything. This book was super cute! Although the storyline is unrealistic, the characters and concept are really fun. If you can get over plot holes and the unrealistic story then the rest is fun! The length was decent but since it was such a fun and cute read I had no problem finishing it quickly. The writing style switches perspective every chapter which is my favorite and made me love it even more."
What made you interested in reading this book? "I thrifted a copy of this book and it has been sitting on my shelf waiting for me to read it."
What does this book remind you of? "It reminds me of Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon and Today, Tonight, Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon because of the romance style."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Rom-Com lovers."
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If He Had Been With Me by Laura NowlinBook Reviewed by Eliza
"If He Had Been With Me by Laura Nowlin is a poignant coming-of-age novel that explores themes of friendship, love, loss, and identity. The story follows Autumn and Finn, two former childhood friends who drifted apart but remain intricately tied to each other in ways they can’t fully understand. Set in a high school environment, the novel takes place in a quiet town where the characters navigate the complexities of adolescence, dealing with relationships, family dynamics, and the personal struggles that come with growing up."
What does this book remind you of? "Its a very unique work of art and it doesn't remind me of any other book or movie I've ever seen."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "The book is set in high school, making it especially relatable for young adult readers. Those navigating the challenges of friendship, figuring out their identity, or dealing with the complexities of relationships will find a lot to connect with."
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Every Day
by David Levithan
Book Reviewed by Katie
"Every Day by David Levithan is a unique and thought-provoking story about a character named A, who wakes up every morning in a different body. A has no control over whose life they’ll be living next, but they’ve learned to adapt—until one day, A inhabits the body of Justin and meets Rhiannon. Suddenly, A finds themselves wanting more than just passing through lives—they want to stay with her. The story unfolds as A tries to find a way to maintain a relationship despite constantly changing identities, which makes for an emotional and unpredictable journey. What I loved about this book was how fresh and different the concept felt. Levithan’s writing is smooth and easy to follow, and he really nails the emotional impact of A’s situation. I found myself rooting for A and Rhiannon despite the crazy odds stacked against them. It’s a fun, engaging read that makes you think about identity, love, and how much we’re shaped by our circumstances. Definitely recommend it if you’re into stories that make you see the world a little differently!"
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Readers who love unconventional romance stories."
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Another Day
by David Levithan
Book Reviewed by Katie
"Another Day by David Levithan is basically the companion novel to Every Day, but this time the story is told from Rhiannon’s perspective. It follows the same plot as the original book, where A wakes up in a new body every day and falls for Rhiannon, but now we’re seeing how she processes everything. The setting and events are pretty much identical, just with a different point of view. Honestly, I was kind of disappointed with this one. It didn’t really add anything new to the story, and most of it felt repetitive since we already know what happens from Every Day. I get that it’s supposed to give more insight into Rhiannon’s thoughts, but it just didn’t feel necessary. The writing is fine, but it didn’t hit as hard emotionally this time around. I was hoping for something that would expand on the original story, but it just felt like a rehash. If you’re a huge fan of the first book, you might still enjoy it, but personally, I didn’t think it was worth the read."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Someone who likes hearing stories from both people's perspectives."
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Someday
by David Levithan
Book Reviewed by Katie
"Someday by David Levithan is the sequel to Every Day, and it definitely takes the story to a new level. This time around, we still follow A and Rhiannon, but we also get perspectives from new characters, including X — a darker, more manipulative soul who also jumps from body to body. The plot dives deeper into the consequences of A’s existence and explores what it really means to live without a permanent identity. The addition of multiple perspectives keeps things fresh and makes the story feel way more dynamic compared to the previous books. I really enjoyed how this one felt bigger and more complex, thanks to the new characters and shifting viewpoints. It makes you think about how differently people deal with the same kind of curse, and X adds this darker, almost haunting contrast to A’s approach to life. Levithan’s writing is still thoughtful and poetic without being too heavy, and the length felt just right—long enough to dig into the new concepts without dragging. It’s definitely more interesting than Another Day and feels like it actually expands the story rather than just repeating it. If you liked Every Day but wanted more depth and complexity, this one’s worth picking up!"
Who would enjoy reading this book? "People that like stories that explore identity and relationships."
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Six Earlier Days
by David Levithan
Book Reviewed by Katie
"Six Earlier Days by David Levithan is a captivating prequel to Every Day that gives readers a deeper look into A’s unique and ever-changing life. Since A wakes up in a different body every day, this book shows glimpses of six different lives before the events of the main story. It doesn’t follow a linear plot, but rather gives snapshots of A’s experiences, emotions, and the challenges of inhabiting new lives while trying to make the right choices without leaving a mess behind. What makes this prequel so interesting is how it dives into the concept of identity and empathy in such a raw, thoughtful way. Levithan’s writing is poetic yet grounded, and he perfectly captures how isolating and complicated A’s existence can be. The book is pretty short, but it doesn’t feel rushed—it’s just enough to give you more context without taking away from the main novel. I loved how it made me think about how much we affect others without even realizing it. If you’re already a fan of Every Day, this is definitely worth picking up!"
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Readers who like young adult fiction/romance."
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Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
by Neil deGrasse Tyson
Book Reviewed by Abby Z.
"Astrophysics for People in a Hurry is a 2017 science book by Neil deGrasse Tyson that details both questions and answers about the universe. It includes topics such as gravity, the Big Bang theory, dark matter, physics laws, and more. I think that the book explains basic questions very well through how Tyson uses his wit and humor to add to the answers, as well as allowing the writing style to be very easy to understand. However, I do think that anyone who goes into the book blind might get very confused very fast because it kind of just dives into the beginning of the universe with very little background information. I think that the length of 244 pages is an appropriate length because of how long and detailed the descriptions of important topics/events are, but some may find it to be dragged out and hard to understand. Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys space science based topics, but not much so for anyone who has next to no prior knowledge of the topics Tyson discusses."
What made you interested in reading this book? "One of my lifelong dreams is to become an astrophysicist or an astronomer, and someone I've looked up for years would be Neil deGrasse Tyson, so this novel is one of the only books I own that was written by Tyson that I felt like deserved its own evaluation."
What does this book remind you of? "Nothing really, but it was written by Tyson who has numerous other space-based books, TV shows, and even movies!"
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Readers who love space, astrophysics, or astronomy; readers who enjoy learning things about our universe and are strong-suited in the science and/or STEM fields."
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The Cases That Haunt Us
by John Douglas and Mark Olshaker
Book Reviewed by Emma
"John Douglas is the main author of this book, this is told from his point of view. He is a retired FBI agent, whom is applying his expert criminal behavioral analysis to famous unsolved crimes. Analyzing each detail, as he has much access to case files and crime scene evidence. He analyzes the cases that follow: Zodiac Killer, Lizzie Borden, Lindbergh Murder, JonBenet Ramsey Murder, and Jack the Ripper, evaluating each possible perpetrator and how they may or may not be the actual person who committed that crime. He does advise that this is not the answer but his opinion, because behavioral analysis is opinion and science, is not the only available interpretation of these crimes. He was an FBI agent during some of these crimes, and was able to give firsthand thoughts, points of view, evidence, and essentially a play-by-play of the happenings during some cases. Forewarning, John Douglas and Mark Olshaker's books do discuss gory, violent, and grotesque details of these cases."
What made you interested in reading this book? "I personally enjoy FBI recounts of their trials and tribulations in their career. I had read a previous book of these authors, which fascinated me."
What does this book remind you of? "This book reminds me of the show, Criminal Minds, or these authors other books: Mindhunter, The Killer Across the Table, and more. Their other books stay in the realm of criminal behavioral analysis of previous, famous, or ongoing crimes and their perpetrators."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "Readers who love true crime, or criminal behavioral analysis."
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Heartstopper Volume 3
by Alice Oseman
Book Reviewed by Temple
"This book is about two gay lovers named Charlie and Nick!! In this book they go on a school trip to Paris and this is a time that they have walking around and seeing all the sites in Paris! Charlie and Nick get some time alone just to be a cute couple even though they haven’t really told anyone yet. The book is mainly about them having a lot of fun in Paris and some friend drama! The two teens are very much in love but are trying to figure out ways to tell their friends about it. This is absolutely one of my favorite books and I love everything about it I love the writing style I love the pictures I love everything about it and I always will!!!! This book made me feel all types of ways especially happy for them because of how much they love each other!!! I’d say if your parents don’t allow you to read books with kissing or anything like that this book would not be suitable for you but besides that the book is just really sweet!!!!!"
What made you want to read this book? "I have absolutely always loved the Heartstopper volumes and they are by for my favorite graphic novel I’ve ever read!!!!!! I came across it one day at my local library and I absolutely fell in love with the first book and I never stopped reading them!!"
What does this book remind you of? "This book just reminds me of all the other Heartstopper books that there are and also the TV series that is made after this book!!!! I recommend the book and the TV series is 100%!!!!!"
Who would enjoy reading this book? "I think anyone would enjoy this book if you’re looking for a gay romance teen book!! I do think that LGBTQ community teens would love this book the most because I think it would relate to them the most!!!"
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Scott Pilgrim, Vol. I: Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life
by Bryan Lee O'Malley
Book Reviewed by Matina
"Scott Pilgrim is a 23 year old full-time slacker and a part-time bassist for a band. His life is pretty sweet, as he has a young girlfriend that his friends don't approve of (for all the right reasons - she's in high school), and has a cool roommate by the name of Wallace Wells. He is also having dreams about a roller skating, messenger bag wearing, angled bob girl who rocks pink hair and goggles like nobody else. She's the sole focus of Scott from then on, as he spends every waking and sleeping moment thinking of her. When it turns out that she DOES in fact exist, we learn she has: recently moved from New York to Toronto, had a bad breakup with a guy named Gideon, and is a delivery girl. This newfound information causes Scott to go talk to her at a party. The conversation goes less than ideal, and in a sorry attempt to see her again, buys some CDs and asks her to go out with him. Much to his surprise, she says yes! They go to the park and have fun in the snow. He stays at her house, and asks her to come to an upcoming concert. Once there, a man by the name Matthew Patel appears and forces Scott to battle with him for Ramona's love. This is an action-packed, dynamic, and hilarious read that has fast-paced narration and memorable characters that will stick with you throughout your whole read. The tales of Scott defeating the evil exes to get Ramona may seem repetitive, but each addition to the story is done in a way that proves to be original time and time again. For fans of comic books, graphic novels, manga, and event video games, I would definitely recommend this book."
What does this book remind you of? "There is a movie (released the year I was born, which is pretty cool) and video game adaptation of this book, so check it out! The movies Superbad and Juno remind me of this book, as they are coming of age. Also, Michael Cera (actor for Scott Pilgrim in the movie) is in both of those. 500 Days of Summer is also a really good take on the tropes explored in this book."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "If you like fight scenes, comedic gags, great art, and romance all in one, you should read this book!"
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Dragon Hoops
by Gene Luen Yang
Book Reviewed by Matina
"Mr. Yang is a high school math teacher with no interest for sports. He enjoys comics immensely, but when he realizes that the new basketball team could deliver the biggest story of the year, he decides to take a look into it. He finds out that the players, coach, and the sport itself is filled with many riveting aspects. And so begins the chronicles of the Bishop O'Dowd basketball high school team. He describes the history of basketball, such as as the creation of the sport, women's integration, and modern basketball in media. His art is dynamic and the storytelling is simple and easy to follow. The story of the players is very immersive, as we learn about people from all walks of life. It is a book of great length, and it just keeps you hooked. The championships are also in the end, and they are truly a sight to behold."
Who would enjoy reading this book? "I think people who like sports and comics would like this."
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New Hanover County Library
201 Chestnut Street, Wilmington, North Carolina 28401
910-798-6301www.nhclibrary.org |
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