Long Way Down

Written by Jason Reynolds

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

    

Jason Reynolds’ Long Way Down is about Will, a fifteen-year-old teen who lives in a rough neighborhood dealing with gun violence. He became distraught after Shawn, his older brother who he looked up to, was shot and killed. Now, Will wants to avenge his brother by killing his murderer. However, he will soon realize that may not be the best option.

I liked Long Way Down because it is written in free-verse poetry. I have never read a book like this before. Each page has a different format that emphasizes the setting, dialogue, and emotions present in the story. Each of the book's pages is short, which makes you want to continue reading it.

Restart

Written by Gordon Korman

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

    

In the book Restart by Gordan Korman, the main character is a boy named Chase, who lost his memory by accidentally slipping off a roof. Chase returns to school and realizes some kids really like him and others really dislike him. He wonders what he was like before and what he has to do to not be like his past self.

I enjoyed this book very much. I really liked how its chapters were written through the points of view of different characters. It really showed the characters' different opinions, which helped in developing my understanding of the book.

The Hate U Give

Written by Angie Thomas

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

    

The Hate U Give is about a girl named Starr Carter. She was driving with her friend when they were pulled over by a police officer. Her friend was shot by the officer, who thought he had a weapon but didn't. Starr feels it's unfair that her friend was killed and wants justice.

I recommend The Hate U Give because of how it talks about racism. It shows how people can be treated differently because of the color of their skin. The book is also very deep and helps open your eyes to see how others have been treated.

The Crucible

Written by Arthur Miller

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

    

The Crucible is a dramatization of the Salem witch trials. The story begins with a girl named Betty laying unconscious after her cousin, Abigail, led a group dance in a forest at night. Reverend Paris, Betty's father and Abigail's uncle, questions Abigail about whether or not she and the group were trafficking spirits. Everyone who was in the forest accuses each other of performing witchcraft, which leads to the start of the Salem witch trials.

I read this book because I read about the playwright, and I thought it would be very interesting to see how women were portrayed at this time and how they connected with the Salem witch trials. This book gave me various mixed emotions because of its depiction of the severe fear many Americans had of witchcraft, as well as its exploration of McCarthyism (the practice of making accusations of subversion or treason without proper regard for evidence). The story's tone is very sinister because it shows how its characters try to get back at each other or make up lies for executions.

Although the organization of the playwright was very confusing and the plot would drag while adding unnecessary elements, I would recommend this book to both teens and adults for being a more sinister, mature read.

I'll Be Gone in the Dark

Written by Michelle McNamara

A book for adult readers reviewed by Gianely

    

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara is a mystery with a thriller touch! In the book, Michelle McNamara explains her obsessive search for the Golden State Killer, who was notorious for many killings, rapes, and burglaries in California during the 1970s.

McNamara is one for crime and solving mysteries, so this was not new territory for her. She goes on an investigation trying to find the suspect, which lasts six years. Throughout the book, she takes the reader along in finding clues, locating possible people of interest, and eventually assisting in putting the Golden State Killer behind bars.

I’ll Be Gone in the Dark is set in California, and McNamara travels throughout the state as she goes through her investigation. Cities like Los Angeles, Irvine, Dana Point, Hollywood, Sacramento, Goleta, Danville, Visalia, and many more are all included in the book. It is set in the present, though the crimes mentioned take the reader as far back as 1970. 

The Golden State Killer was said to have committed at least 13 murders, 50 rapes, and 120 burglaries. More than 8,000 suspects were investigated, yet none pleaded guilty. The author dedicated herself to finding the truth about the killer because she wanted his victims to get justice.

I would highly recommend this book to a reader who loves crime and mysteries. McNamara really takes the reader on a journey with a lot of detail, twists and turns, and different perspectives. I enjoyed how she showed the victim’s view in a creative way. Not only is her book well written, but it is creepy in all the right ways!

Adrift: Seventy-six Days Lost at Sea

Written by Steven Callahan

A book for adult readers reviewed by Andielynn

    

In Adrift: Seventy-six Days Lost at Sea, Steven Callahan writes about how he attempted to practice for a sailboat race, but his ship had broken down due to a heavy storm that occurred at night. As his boat was sinking, Callahan tried to salvage as many items that he could possibly use as he could. This led him to trying to survive out in the ocean with minimal equipment, food, and water. Ultimately, he was forced to become creative in making tools for catching fish or purifying water.

Overall, Adrift: Seventy-six Days Lost at Sea was a great book to read, although some parts were less enjoyable. I liked the book’s deeper meaning. Its message was that we shouldn’t take the small things in our lives for granted because they could easily be taken away from us. This is shown with the author, who started as a normal civilian but had his whole world turned upside down. Considering we are all living in a pandemic, everyone could use a reminder such as this one, since life is so short.

The Freedom Writers Diary

Written by The Freedom Writers and Erin Gruwell

A book for readers in grades 8 and up reviewed by Melissa

      

This book consists of diary entries written in the 1990s by high school students and their teacher, Erin Gruwell. During this time, Erin Gruwell began working at Woodrow Wilson Classical High School in Long Beach, California. Financial issues and problems with schooling led people from different districts and classes to be placed in one school, where students were separated based on their academic scores. The book discusses how almost all minority students were placed in classes for below average students. Meanwhile, white kids were placed in more advanced classes, and Ms. Gruwell was assigned to teach kids in the “below average classes.”

I read The Freedom Writers Diary because I watched the film adaptation, so I was interested to see how the story was portrayed in the book. What I liked most about the book was that it is very detailed. This gives readers an understanding of the experiences faced by the Freedom Writers. The book discusses very serious and mature topics, such as abuse, rape, abortion, etc. I liked how the book kept the students' identities anonymous, which I feel allowed them to be more open in expressing what they had experienced and felt. I would highly recommend this book to people who are interested in biographies, as well as more mature readers.

Emergence: Labeled Autistic

Written by Temple Grandin, Ph.D and Margaret M. Scariano

A book for adult readers reviewed by Aidan

    

Emergence is a book about Temple Grandin's life and her struggles with autism. It mostly tells how she became who she is today. Because of her disability, Temple had to go to a different school, but thanks to her mom and mentors, she became successful. She went to college and even earned a doctorate.

I suggest people give this book a read because it explains how a person can overcome a disability. It explains why people with autism can't control doing and feeling certain things, such as rocking, not liking to be touched, and being obsessed with subjects like math and science. It shows how people can treat a person with autism and might encourage them to be kinder.

The Doll People

Written by Ann M. Martin

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

    

Ann M. Martin is one creative writer. I have read a few of her books and fell in love with her way of writing.

The Doll People is about the adventures of a doll named Annabelle as she tries to find her missing aunt, who disappeared from the dollhouse where Annabelle lives with her family. Annabelle's family doesn't want her to go out because they fear she will be caught by humans. But, being brave, Annabelle still goes out to find her aunt.

The adventure Annabelle goes on to find her aunt is fascinating. I would totally recommend this book to students of all ages!

The 5th Wave

Written by Rick Yancey

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

    

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey is a novel that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world. It is written from the perspectives of its three main characters, Cassie, Ben Parish, and Evan. However, the majority of the story is centered around Cassie.

Cassie is just like any sixteen-year-old girl going through the ups and downs of high school, where her biggest concern is trying to make her crush Ben Parish notice her. This soon changes when everyone’s world is turned upside down as the end of the world begins due to an alien invasion. The aliens, who are referred to as “The Others,” plan to gradually kill off the human population.

As seen in the title, the apocalypse has five waves. The first wave is an electromagnetic pulse that takes out all the power on Earth. The second wave unleashes powerful earthquakes and tsunamis. The third wave is the spread of a deadly disease. The fourth wave is when the aliens disguise themselves as humans. Finally, the fifth wave is the total removal of the human race. 

I loved reading this book. Right from the beginning, it grabbed my attention, since I could relate to Cassie, who is around my age. The storyline made me start to think about what I would have done in a similar situation, especially how I would attempt to protect myself and my family. Overall, I give this book a 10/10 and would recommend it to those who like reading sci-fi or adventure novels.