Sanity & Tallulah

Written and illustrated by Molly Brooks

A graphic novel for readers in grades 3 and up reviewed by Madison

    

Sanity and Tallulah is a book about two friends, Sanity Jones and Tallulah Vega. They both live in a space station, but find that living there can be pretty dull. As a result, they conduct fun science experiments to help keep them from being bored. When their new experiment escapes from the station, they need to find it before it causes mayhem.

I like Sanity and Tallulah because it was written and illustrated in a comic book format, which is fun to look at while you are reading. This book is interesting and makes you want to continue reading to see what will happen next. Overall, I would recommend it to other kids.

The Kite Runner

Written by Khaled Hosseini

A book for readers in grades 9 and up reviewed by Caitlin

        

The Kite Runner, written and published by Khaled Hosseini in 2003, tells the story of Amir from his time as a young boy living in Kabul, Afghanistan to when he is forced to leave his country and immigrate to the United States when Afghanistan is no longer safe. The second half of the novel centers on Amir returning to Afghanistan and helping his childhood friend’s son escape from the country.

The Kite Runner does not pull any punches with its gritty, depressingly realistic portrayal of Kabul and the Taliban’s control over it. It showcases themes such as racism, the search for redemption, and the effects of childhood sexual assault with the seriousness and nuance that they deserve. This is a worthy read for anyone who believes they can handle it.

The Bronze Bow

Written by Elizabeth George Speare

A book for readers in grades 5 and up reviewed by Ciara

        

The Bronze Bow is set in first century Galilee, Israel. The main character is Daniel Bar Jamin, who lives in the same time as Jesus. Daniel learns how to forgive the Romans after they kill his father.

Overall, The Bronze Bow is great in teaching people how we should always forgive. However, it’s very wordy and quite hard to understand at times.

Night

Written by Elie Wiesel

A book for readers in grades 9 and up reviewed by Nicholas

        

Night is a memoir written by Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel. He recalls the horrible time when his family was separated during World War II. He writes about the hardships and horrors of living in and out of concentration camps.

Night is one of my favorite books that I have recently read. It is a powerful and raw story revealing the true atrocities that were committed during the Holocaust. Elie lives on to tell his story and represents all of the lives lost in World War II.

To Kill a Mockingbird

Written by Harper Lee

A book for readers in grades 9 and up reviewed by Nicholas

        

To Kill a Mockingbird is the story of a young girl’s coming-of-age story during the 1930s. The novel dives into the darker sides of America, including the consequences of racism. The plot shows how good and evil can coexist within one person, as well as society itself.

I liked reading To Kill a Mockingbird very much. It is one of the most famous and influential novels of its time. It can help give readers a real perspective of prejudice.

The Great Gatsby

Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald

A book for readers in grades 11 and up reviewed by Nicholas

        

 

The Great Gatsby takes place during the Roaring 20s.The story follows a man named Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, and his pursuit of his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. Gatsby flashes around his wealth and throws extravagant parties at his mansion in hopes that Daisy will find her way back to him.

I personally loved reading The Great Gatsby. The book’s many uses of symbolism gave it an overall deeper meaning. It greatly defines and represents the Roaring 20s.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Collection Volume 2

Written and illustrated by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird

A graphic novel for readers in grades 9 and up reviewed by Donte

        

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Collection Volume 2, which was originally published by Mirage Studios in the 1990s, continues the adventures of the four Turtles and their rat sensei, Splinter, as they battle new enemies and face old foes. This volume features a more complex storyline and character development, with the Turtles questioning their purpose and struggling with their identities. The art style continues to be simple yet effective, with detailed illustrations that showcase the action scenes and emotional moments. The introduction of new characters, such as Casey Jones and the vigilante Nobody, adds depth to the story and creates new dynamics in the group.

Overall, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Collection Volume 2 is a great continuation of the series’ first volume. It builds upon the foundations laid in the first volume while exploring new themes and introducing new elements to the TMNT universe. As a fan of the Turtles and a comic book enthusiast, I enjoyed this compelling and entertaining volume. I particularly liked how it developed the Turtles and progressed the story.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Collection Volume 1

Written and illustrated by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird

A graphic novel for readers in grades 9 and up reviewed by Donte

        

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate Collection Volume 1 is the original comic book series created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird that launched the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) franchise. Published by Mirage Studios in the 1980s, the series follows the adventures of four mutated turtles named after Renaissance artists - Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael - who are trained by their rat sensei, Splinter, to fight crime on the streets of New York City.

The first volume of TMNT is a gritty and violent comic that takes a darker approach to the characters compared to the more kid-friendly adaptations that would follow. The art style is simple yet effective, with black-and-white illustrations that capture the raw energy of the action scenes. Despite its initial cult following, the series would go on to become a massive cultural phenomenon, spawning countless adaptations in film, television, and merchandise.

The original TMNT comics remain a beloved part of the franchise's history and are a must-read for fans of the Turtles and comic book enthusiasts alike. I loved reading this book for its action and story. It was fun, and the dark and comedic scenes kept me engaged.

Tuesdays with Morrie

Written by Mitch Albom

A book for readers in grades 9 and up reviewed by Patrick

        

Tuesdays with Morrie is a true story about a man reconnecting with his old professor, who is currently dying. The old professor and the student were very close in college, but sadly began to drift apart until the student saw the professor on television talking about his disease. The student began to reunite with his professor every Tuesday to be taught life lessons.

I personally enjoyed Tuesdays with Morrie because it is very educational and easy to read. The lessons taught by the professor are very simple but meaningful. The book was also interesting because it showed the process of ALS and how it affects even healthy people.

The Other Wes Moore

Written by Wes Moore

A book for readers in grades 9 and up reviewed by Patrick

    

 

The Other Wes Moore is a story about two boys who grew up in a similar neighborhood with similar situations and the same name, but had different outcomes in life. Both boys grew up in a single parent household, were consistently misbehaving, and got into trouble with the law. They were both in similar situations until one went to military school and wrote a book while the other robbed a jewelry store and went to prison.

While some parts of The Other Wes Moore were confusing due to both main characters having the same exact name, I enjoyed it. This book was fairly simple to read and was very interesting. The development for both characters was very interesting in that it showed what each character felt when they were doing both good and bad things, as well as how their actions affected them emotionally.