The Inheritance Games

Written by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

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

        

In The Inheritance Games, a girl named Avery Grambs is invited to a will reading in Texas during school by Grayson Hawthorne. After reluctantly accepting, she meets the book’s other characters at the Hawthorne House. They are Grayson, Jameson, Xander, Nash, Skye, and many other Hawthornes, as well as the house’s staff.

During the will reading, it is revealed that Avery is the heir to the Hawthorne House and many of Tobias Hawthorne’s other possessions, such as his vacation homes, charities, and billions of dollars. But, to obtain his house and fortunes, Avery has to live in the Hawthorne House for a year. During her time at the Hawthorne House, she becomes involved in a mystery and a death that occurs on the Hawthorne House’s grounds. Someone also attempts to assassinate her to benefit from Tobias Hawthorne’s will.

I like The Inheritance Games because the characters are really good and very funny. Grayson and Jameson grow throughout the book, as does their relationship with Avery and each other. The book is filled with red herrings and many revelations that make it really deep.

The Hate U Give

Written by Angie Thomas

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

The Hate U Give is about a girl named Starr Carter, who watches her friend Khalil die when he is shot by a cop. The cop thought he had a gun, but he was just holding a hairbrush. After Khalil’s funeral, a protest takes place that starts to get violent. Starr and her family go back home with gunshots and fighting taking place in their neighborhood.

At school, Starr’s friend Hailey gives her a really hard time about what happened with Khalil and the cop who killed him. Starr becomes angry and realizes she wants to protest. She appears on the news and talks about her experience. This angers King, a gang leader, because Khalil was a part of his gang.

I really like The Hate U Give because it shows how some people are shaped by their environment. It also shows the conditions that people have to live with in The Projects. Gang violence and racism are all a product of living in a certain environment, especially in lower and middle income communities.

Shatter Me

Written by Tahereh Mafi

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

    

Shatter Me is about Juliette Ferrars, a 17-year-old girl who can kill people with just one touch. Her parents called the authorities on her, and she was imprisoned because she killed a little boy by accident with her lethal touch. She was sent to an asylum, where she’s had to fend for herself for 264 days. 

One day, a boy named Adam, who Juliette use to know from school, becomes her roommate. She then gets transferred to another facility, where she meets Warner and realizes Adam is posing as a soldier. Warner is the chief commander of Sector 45. He wants to use Juliette as a weapon to torture people who are part of a resistance. Because of this, Juliette and Adam plan to escape.

I really like Shatter Me because I feel its words visually represent Juliette's mind as a whole. Everything she sees, thinks, and feels are described throughout the book. The ending shows how Juliette doesn't just want to escape from Warner. No matter what, she wants to save everyone from him, and she is ready to fight.

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X

Written by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge

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

    

The Dangerous Days of Daniel X is about an Alien Hunter named Daniel, whose parents died when he was three years old at the hands of a mantis known as The Prayer. The Prayer is number one on The List of Alien Outlaws, with number one being the strongest and most evil. Daniel's target is number six on The List. His name is Ergent Seth, and he ends up being the main antagonist of the book. He has enslaved children, who he uses to sell drugs. But, as Daniel tries to find Ergent Seth, he starts to mess around with him.

I really like The Dangerous Days of Daniel X for its many twists and Daniel's willingness to keep on going. Daniel’s friends help him against the aliens, and they support him whenever he needs it. All of Daniel’s friends have unique personalities and skill sets that they use to help him.