All We Have Left

Written by Wendy Mills

A book for readers in grades 7 and up reviewed by Mary

    

This story is about two girls before and after 9/11. In 2001, Alia is a Muslim girl who is in one of the Twin Towers when the planes hit, and she tries to get out of the burning building. Jesse is the sister of a boy who died in the 9/11 attacks. In 2016, she is searching for answers to his death and is led to Alia.

This was a heart-wrenching story. It showed how a stranger can help make a difference in someone’s life.

Divergent

Written by Veronica Roth

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

    

Divergent is a book about a society that is divided into five factions: Abnegation, Amity, Candor, Dauntless, and Erudite. At the age of sixteen, each individual must take a test that will determine which faction they will be placed in for the rest of their lives. However, when the main character, Beatrice, who also goes by the nickname Tris, takes the test, her results come back inconclusive. According to the test, Tris fits into all five factions, meaning she fits into the Divergent faction.

I really enjoyed reading Divergent because its plot is very similar to books and movies like The Maze Runner and The Hunger Games. I like storylines set in post-apocalyptic worlds because they encourage you to think about what you would do in that type of situation. The imagery was also very good. During my read, the book's figurative language helped me imagine what was going on.

Guts

Written and illustrated by Raina Telgemeier

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

  

Guts is an autobiographical graphic novel. The main character of the book is a girl named Raina, who wakes up with a terrible stomachache. Her mom also has a stomachache, so they think it has to do with something they ate. When Raina goes back to school, she realizes that her tummy troubles are not going away.

Overall, Raina Telgemeier tells a hilarious story about growing up and conquering her fears.

Because of Winn-Dixie

Written by Kate DiCamillo

A book for readers in grades 4 and up reviewed by Rida

    

The book Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo is about a girl named Opal, who moves to a small town in Florida where she has no friends or anyone else to talk to but her preacher father. When Opal was younger, her mother left her and her father.

One day, Opal goes to a grocery store and finds an ecstatic dog that is about to get into a lot of trouble for running around, so she pretends the dog is hers. She names the dog after the grocery store, Winn-Dixie.

With Winn-Dixie's company, Opal makes a lot of new friends around town, and they decide to have a huge party together. Then, out of the blue, no one can find Winn-Dixie.

Because of Winn-Dixie will always be one of my all-time favorites. I liked this book because it has a diverse assortment of characters. All of the characters have different backgrounds, which I thought was interesting.

The Book Thief

Written by Markus Zusak

A book for readers in grades 7 and up reviewed by Mary

    

This is the story of a young German girl named Liesel, who lives in a small German town during WWII. Liesel loses her mother and brother. She is adopted by a German family. Liesel's Papa teaches her to read, and books become a comfort to her. Books are very difficult to get due to the Germans' restrictions, so Liesel cherishes each book she acquires. Liesel’s family also hides a young Jewish man named Max in their basement, and Liesel and Max develop a strong bond.

I loved this book. It showed how the German people suffered during the war. Liesel’s love of books, family, and friends help her survive during the horrors of war.

One of Us Is Lying

Written by Karen M. McManus

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

    

In the book One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus, five students one day get detention at Bayview High. They are Bronwyn (the nerd), Nate (the troublemaker), Simon (the outsider), Addy (the popular cheerleader), and Cooper (the athlete). For some of them, it’s their first time in detention. For others, this might be a daily routine.

Simon is the creator of a high school gossip app, which he uses to expose people. This is creepy because Simon doesn’t make it out of detention alive. He had a plan to expose the other detention goers' secrets in a few days, which makes everyone who was there a suspect. This book has the biggest plot twist that you’ll never see coming your way.

I really, REALLY loved this book. It had lots of suspense and foreshadowing throughout the story, which I personally love. The ending left me shocked for days!

A Corner of the Universe

Written by Ann M. Martin

A book for readers in grades 4 and up reviewed by Silvia

    

A Corner of the Universe is about a young girl named Hattie meeting her uncle, who she learns has autism. It's the summer, and Hattie doesn't have school. So, she spends most of her time with her uncle. They go to the carnival and bond, even more through playing games. Soon, Hattie realizes she can be a part of a universe not many people can see.

I would recommend this book to young adults.

Rain Reign

Written by Ann M. Martin

A book for readers in grades 4 and up reviewed by Silvia

    

Rain Reign is my favorite book of all time. Ann M. Martin tells a story about a girl named Rose, who lives with her dog and father. All three go through a rough time when a storm hits their home. During the storm, Rose's dog gets lost, and she has to go out to find him.

Rain Reign is very touching and interesting because it makes the reader want to know what will happen to the dog. I would recommend this book to kids and young adults.

The 57 Bus

Written by Dashka Slatter

A book for readers in grades 7 and up reviewed by Melissa

    

I picked up this book because I was interested in becoming more educated on the topic of gender. Although the book shifted between past and present tense, it discussed various topics and some things that I may not have thought about before. It talked about gender, race, and mistreatment in the criminal justice system.

The book made me emotional in all aspects because it shows that making mistakes doesn’t make you a bad person. I would highly recommend this book to people who want to become more educated on its topics, such as gender and race, and for people (specifically teens) who are interested in true crime.

Piecing Me Together

Written by Renée Watson

A book for readers in grades 7 and up reviewed by Silvia

    

Piecing Me Together is a book about a poor black teen who attends an all white school. She tries to be successful without people feeling bad for her and thinking that they have to help her.

Jade, the main character, is a perfect student with perfect grades. As she tries to get opportunities, she sometimes feels as if the opportunities she receives are because she is a black person and not because of who she is.

Throughout the book, Jade faces some tough situations. Eventually, she gets recognized, which makes her happy.

I would recommend this book to teenagers and adults.

Fahrenheit 451

Written by Ray Bradbury

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

    

Fahrenheit 451 is a very interesting book in that it shows a world consumed by technology where books aren't allowed to be read. Though the job of a firefighter is to stop a fire from growing in our world, it is the complete opposite in this book. If someone is found reading a book or has books in their home, firefighters burn them. Guy Montag, a man who is curious about a book and is also a firefighter, winds up escaping his town after being caught reading a book.

I would recommend this book to young adults.

Game Changer

Written by Tommy Greenwald

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

    

This is a story about a young football player named Teddy, who gets hit in the head and is in a coma. While Teddy is in a coma, his town is questioning if football should still be allowed. Many people are saying different scenarios led to his injury, and many don’t know the true story.

This was a great book. I loved not knowing what really happened until close to the end.

All the Bright Places

Written by Jennifer Niven

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

    

All The Bright Places takes place in a small town where the main characters, Violet Markey and Theodore Finch, first meet during tragic moments in their lives. During their first meeting, Violet is just about to take her own life by jumping off a bridge, and Theodore catches her at just the right time. This leads them to form a friendship and slowly start to understand why they are who they are.

I loved reading this book. While I was reading it, I went through a roller coaster of emotions. Jennifer Niven wrote the story so well that I felt like I was actually one of the characters in the book. Additionally, I felt like this book helped me understand that mental health is very important and you never know what your closest friends might be going through.

American Street

Written by Ibi Zoboi

A book for readers in grades 7 and up reviewed by Silvia

    

American Street is centered around a Haitian teenager named Fabiola, who moves back to the United States with her mother. But, Fabiola's mother is detained by United States immigration. Fabiola is then sent to live with her cousins and Aunt Jo. Fabiola tries to adjust to American culture and faces some obstacles.

American Street is a unique book and dives very deep, which is why I fell in love with it.

Little Women

Written by Louisa May Alcott

A book for readers in grades 4 and up reviewed by Mary

    

This is a story of a family of four sisters who have a really strong bond. Their names are Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy. Their father is off in the Civil War, and they are trying to be happy and hard working young ladies. The girls spend time having adventures with their next door neighbor, Teddy. Each girl faces her own highs and lows as the family tries to stay strong during the war.

I loved the bond between the sisters and how family came first.

Love, Stargirl

Written by Jerry Spinelli

A book for readers in grades 7 and up reviewed by Mary

    

This is the sequel to Stargirl. Stargirl is writing a journal entry almost every day to Leo, the boy she loved. She tells him about her new 5-year-old friend Dootsie and Betty Lou, an old lady who doesn’t leave her house. She goes on several adventures with Dootsie and brings her community closer.

I loved this book so much. It shows how people of different ages can be close friends.

Stargirl

Written by Jerry Spinelli

A book for readers in grades 7 and up reviewed by Mary

    

This story is about a high school boy named Leo. He lives in Mica, Arizona, where nothing interesting ever happens. One day in school, a mysterious girl named Stargirl catches his and everyone else’s eye. Leo has feelings for Stargirl, and Leo and Stargirl go on several adventures together.

This was a fantastic story. I loved how it showed that it is okay to be different and to show your true colors.

Game Changer

Written by Margaret Peterson Haddix

A book for readers in grades 7 and up reviewed by Mary

    

This is a story about a young softball player named KT. At her big game, a freak accident happens that puts her in a coma. In the coma, she experiences a world that makes no sense, and she finds some people there that help her wake up.

I loved this book so much. I loved how it showed the love of a family, especially between a brother and a sister.