Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

Written by Rick Riordan

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

        

Percy Jackson is a middle schooler trying to pass school by not getting kicked out again. He is confronted by a new world that he has only ever heard about in his Greek mythology textbooks. Zeus’s Master Bolt has been stolen, and Percy becomes the main suspect. 

Percy and his friends are given ten days to find the Master Bolt and return it to Zeus. Percy must try to catch the thief, solve the riddle of the Oracle, and face the father who abandoned him. 

I'd recommend Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief to anyone interested in Greek mythology. I loved this book because its descriptions allow readers to form vivid images in their heads. Additionally, it has fun aspects, such as its chapter titles. Some examples include the chapters entitled “I Become The Supreme Lord Of The Bathroom,” “Grover Unexpectedly Loses His Pants,” and “We Get Advice From A Poodle.”

I Know Your Secret

Written by Daphne Benedis-Grab

A book for readers in grades 3 and up reviewed by Kalyna

        

Four seventh graders named Owen, Gemma, Ally, and Todd are forced to work together to complete unusual tasks given to them by an anonymous blackmailer. None of the four students want to do this, but they have to in order to keep their secrets hidden from the world. While working on the blackmailer’s tasks, the students wonder: Who is the blackmailer, and how have they figured out my secret?

I personally found I Know Your Secret fascinating. Its mystery keeps the reader intrigued and anxious about what will happen next. I would most definitely recommend this book to people who love mysteries.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

Written by V.E. Schwab

A book for adult readers reviewed by Jenna

        

Addie LaRue is a woman who desires more than the simple life that her family has chosen for her. She was told to never pray to the gods after dark. However, she does one night out of desperation and hopelessness. She prays for freedom and more time in her life, but is cursed to a lifetime of being forgotten by everyone she meets. For 300 years, Addie lives a life of despair and loneliness until she finally meets the first person who remembers her.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is my all-time favorite book! It is a very beautiful story with characters that you really fall in love with. The love that the author wrote between two of the characters is something that I have never experienced before, and their relationship opened a part of me that I will never forget. The writing is beautiful and the plot as a whole is emotionally touching. I was captivated from start to finish.

The Shack

Written by William P. Young

A book for adult readers reviewed by Bella

        

Mack is losing faith in life and God. After his daughter Missy went missing on a camping trip, the Philip family hasn’t been the same. The Philip family blames themselves for Missy’s abduction and nobody can get past what happened. 

Many years later, Mack receives a note from somebody going by the name “Papa” telling him to visit the shack where Missy was thought to have been taken before her death. Mack goes to the place that gives him the most pain, where he is greeted by someone who he would never have imagined ever meeting.

The Shack is both sad and heartfelt at the same time. The story shows what grief really does to people and how (through the power and love of God) you can overcome it. Mack overcoming his struggles can change the way you think about forgiveness and life itself.

The Outsiders

Written by S.E. Hinton

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

        

In a town in Oklahoma, the Socs and the Greasers are divided by class and style. The Socs are wealthier than the Greasers and don’t always respect them. Though the Greasers are not the most respected nor the richest in society, they always stick together.

After a drive-in movie, the Socs go after two Greasers, Ponyboy and Johnny. This leads to a trail of horrible bloody events. Ponyboy and Johnny seek the help of Dally, one of their friends, after a terrible fight between them and the Socs. They then have to go on an adventure, which soon leads to a death of their own.

This book is a classic that most will probably read once in their lifetime. It has an interesting, heartfelt, and attention-grabbing story. If you like crime with a mix of drama, The Outsiders is the book for you.