Book Review: Speak

Title of Book
Author
Anderson, Laurie Halse
Rating
3 stars = Pretty Good
Review

Speak is about a girl named Melinda who was raped at a party. She calls the police, but is unable to tell angry partygoers why she did it. As she struggles with her secret, she eventually stops talking. The book follows her as she overcomes her past and finds her voice.

I liked the book. Nothing in it really amazed me, but it wasn't a bad read.

Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name
Alex M.

Book Review: Wintergirls

Title of Book
Author
Anderson, Laurie Halse
Rating
3 stars = Pretty Good
Review

In this book, estranged best friends Lia and Cassie both struggle with eating disorders. When Cassie dies, Lia must come to terms with her death and find a way to hold on to hope and recover.

The book was alright. There were a lot of metaphors and other figures of speech, which sometimes proved to be a little excessive. Nothing else really caught my attention in it.

Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name
Alex M.

Book Review: Unwind

Title of Book
Author
Shusterman, Neal
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

Unwind is science fiction and takes place in a future built up of new science and terrifying new age laws. I ended up reading about this book from a recommendation from a friend and I couldn't put the book down because of the intertwined story's between the characters. It is hard to relate to these characters because they seem to do things we would like to think we would do but in the moment wouldn't think of but it think that's why I like them so much because they are almost like Hero's that are so close to being anyone of us. I would love this author and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys action and adventure.

Reviewer's Name
Diego C.

Book Review: Thirteen Reasons Why

Title of Book
Author
Asher, Jay
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

In this book, a box of cassette tapes appear on Clay Jenkins' doorstep. Curious, he starts to listen to the first one, only to find out that they're from his crush and former classmate, Hannah, who recently committed suicide. He spends a bewildering and heartbreaking night crisscrossing their town, listening to Hannah's voice recounting the events leading up to her death.

I really liked this book. It was sad, but it was also very insightful. You never know what's going on in someone's life or how your actions might affect them.

Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name
Alex M.

Book Review: Just Listen

Title of Book
Author
Dessen, Sarah
Rating
3 stars = Pretty Good
Review

In this book, a girl by the name of Annabel suddenly finds herself unpopular. After a lonely summer, she goes back to school and becomes friends with a boy named Owen, whose honesty and passion for music help her to face what happened at the end of year party that changed her life.

This book was okay. I found it a bit confusing in the beginning because it'd skip around between past and present a lot. It wasn't a bad book overall, though.

Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name
Alex M.

Book Review: George

Title of Book
Author
Gino, Alex
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

This book made me cry. I read it in one sitting. It took me about 3 hours. I just kept turning the pages as fast as possible. It was beautifully written. I just felt for George and wanted to protect her from all her pain. I'm not transgendered and I don't know how it feels to be so, but I imagine that this is exactly right. Wonderful.

Reviewer's Name
vfranklyn

Book Review: City of Bones

Title of Book
Author
Clare, Cassandra
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

This isn’t your typical book about vampires, werewolves, and warlocks, although they’re definitely present! Set in modern New York City, the novel—the first of a six-book series—is a thrilling story about a 15-year-old girl discovering her true identity, new, complex individuals, and a completely different world coexisting with the one she knew. The novel picks up a little slowly, and the introduction of a the new world is a little jarring. However, because the series was recommended to me by multiple friends, I kept reading, and I was really satisfied with the ending. I enjoyed the character development most, and the protagonist, Clary, is very relatable. I would definitely recommend this book and the series!

Reviewer Grade:12

Reviewer's Name
Selena Z.
Genres

Book Review: Paper Towns

Title of Book
Author
Green, John
Rating
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review

This mystery novel centers on the life of a high school senior, Quentin, and his complicated relationship with his neighbor, Margo. After years of not even speaking to each other, Margo appears at Quentin’s window, and they spend a wild night playing pranks and getting revenge on their friends and enemies. However, the next day, Margo disappears. I picked the book because I have read other novels by John Green, who often incorporates both deep and philosophical themes and hilarious humor in great novels. Paper Towns in particular is incredibly thought-provoking and the character development of Margo as both mysterious yet relatable is superb. This book did surprise me given the typical mystery set-up, and was definitely one of the best books I have read this year.

Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name
Selena Z.

Book Review: George

Title of Book
Author
Gino, Alex
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

George is a well-written book about the confusion of a boy who knows that deep down that she is really a girl. Writing from George's point of view, the author expresses George's frustration as a transgender child who unfortunately experiences bullying from the other kids. Luckily, George does have a best friend who understands and supports her. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

Reviewer's Name
Lisa

Book Review: Cinder

Title of Book
Author
Meyer, Marissa
Rating
4 stars = Really Good
Review

Similar to the old tale, Cinderella, Cinder follows a cyborg with a mysterious past. Living with a horrible family, much like Cinderella, in the midst of the blue fever, she works as a mechanic and considers herself as useless as her family accuses her of being. That is, until she meets Prince Kai and the Lunar people. What follows is a love story of unbelievable proportions, with action and climax, and every chapter a cliff hanger. A must read for the lovers of the old Cinderella and anyone who wants to experience the story coming back to life in a way that is wholly unexpected.

Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name
Alyxandra S.
Subscribe to Other Award(s)