Book Reviews by Genre: Realistic

"Shut Up, This Is Serious" follows Belen as she struggles to come to terms with her father's abandonment and her current mental health struggles. Attempting to help her best friend, Leti, as she as she manages her teen pregnancy, Belen struggles to find herself at the same time. "Shut Up, This Is Serious" is a realistic fiction story detailing the challenges young Latina girls face through a fictional plot with dynamic and diverse characters.

Before reading "Shut Up, This Is Serious", I was looking forward to an interesting YA novel that was full of high school drama and heartwarming moments as Belen grows and changes throughout the plot. However, I ended up not enjoying this book, and having to finish it felt like a chore. Even though I liked the idea and some aspects of the plot, the execution and Ixta's writing style made this book less engaging and was oftentimes confusing. The characters were not relatable and seemed distant, while the plot was chaotic and seemed to skip around a lot. Overall, I would not recommend this book, because the execution of the story line was uninteresting and pretty disappointing.

Initially, this book was handed out as an assignment for ELA, but after being quizzed and thoroughly reading through the book, I can positively say that the topic explored throughout this story is probably one of the most intriguing ones I've read this year, as it takes inspiration from events that have happened and continue to happen to this day. The central conflict of this story stems from the protagonist, Phillip, who gets into trouble for repeatedly humming the national anthem during homeroom. What makes me love this story, however, is the use of media to further the plot. Many small events that occur daily are often blown out of proportion due to social media platforms like TikTok or YouTube. This is a significant theme in the plot, and one I'm a big fan of. Phillip is an interesting character as the protagonist; he is inherently selfish and avoids responsibility while somewhat twisting the truth about events. However, I think these traits are very relatable to teenagers, who would most likely react similarly if put in that position. My only issue with the book is the pacing, as it sometimes feels like the plot isn't progressing.

Being the new kid and going to public school for the first time is rough, but Nimra Sharef is confident that middle school will rock, especially with her best friend, Jenna to walk her through it. But, when Jenna starts to ignore Nimra because she wears hijab, Nimra is crushed and unsure what to do. While praying at school, she meets Barakah Beats, a Muslim boy band of popular 8th graders. Nimra realizes she's found her straight-shot ticket to winning Jenna back. The only problem is Nimra believes music is bad in Islam, and her parents would disapprove. So she decides to stay in the band only until she gets Jenna back, then drop out before her parents find out and the band gets too attached. But when she starts to care for confident Bilal, empathetic Mathew, passionate music-lover Waleed, and thoughtful Khadijah, she starts to question whether she should choose the best friend who left her or the friends who help her come out of her shell.

Barakah Beats explores themes of true friendship and staying true to your beliefs, even when things are hard. I love Nimra; She is a strong heroine, who faces relatable issues and hardships, which show how human she is.

If you like realistic fiction novels about friendships, sticking to your beliefs, with bits of comedic relief, then Barakah Beats is the book for you!

Chase Ambrose was the most popular football jock and the “big man on campus.” But when he falls off a roof and suffers a serious concussion, he has to relearn everything - from his friends to his personality to even his own name.

When he returns to school, he is greeted with a wide variety of reactions. His best friends, Aaron and Bear, and the rest of the football team treat him like a hero, while others openly dislike him - or even fear him! One girl even dumps frozen yogurt on him at the fro-yo place after school.

Chase struggles to remember who the old Chase Ambrose was, but after multiple experiences, he realizes the old Chase may not even be worth remembering. Restricted from playing football, Chase joins the video club and makes meaningful friendships with kids he used to bully. Now Chase has to decide whether to stick to his old self or to build a new and completely different version of himself. He has to remember: not everyone gets a chance to “Restart” their life, but the question is, will he take his?

Restart covers themes of identity, redemption, and the importance of second chances. Chase is a relatable character going through a journey to find his true self while also facing the consequences of the actions of the old Chase Ambrose. Restart shows change isn’t easy, but it’s still possible if you try hard enough.

Whether you like sports, school drama, or a heartfelt story about second chances, Restart has something to offer for you.

Inside Out & Back Again tells the story of a young girl named Kim Ha escaping Saigon during the Vietnam War with her family. Inspired by the author's personal experiences as a refugee, the story is written in a simplistic yet powerful way using free verse poetry.
The book itself has few words that describe so much more, packed with metaphors and deep themes of war, hope, and change. The story is realistic and tells about not just the events on the ship to flee, but also the family's struggles to fit in and adapt to their new environment after finally finding refuge. The story is difficult to put into words, written beautifully and honestly, with so many hidden messages. It shows how much a person's life can change in a single year, and how much it affects them and the people around them. The emotions are masterfully conveyed through descriptions and tone in the writing, along with the underlying innocence of being told from a ten-year-old's perspective. The relationships are clear as well, showing the close bond between Ha and her family, and how much they care about each other, especially in difficult situations. Overall, the story is a great read, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking to read something new, emotionally deep, or just because.

This book, "The Thing About Jellyfish" By, Ali Benjamin, is quite honestly one of the best books I have ever read. It is about a young girl, losing her best friend and thinking that maybe if she finds out how she died, which she though the initial way was false, would solve her feelings and take away the grief and sorrow, sadly it did not as you would expect. This book was amazing and it helped me with the grief I soon had to overcome. What I had enjoyed about the book was how it didn't sugarcoat mental health and thoughts of those, because sugarcoating and beating around the bush about serious things about mental health is an impossibly selfish thing to do. I also enjoyed how it was written, the format plus it being in first person really helped. I chose to read this book, because I thought it was about jellyfish and I do love jellyfish, but I also read it because I knew it had death in it and I had to do a book report, I couldn't have picked a better book to do so. I think the only thing I didn't like about the book was probably that it didn't include real problems. There was a part of the story where I thought she would've gotten disciplinary or even just a little bit of consequences, but no, none were involved. One thing the reader must know is that it does include a small part of homosexuality, but that is NOT what the book is about. I think anyone who is going through grief will be able to relate to this book. And I highly recommend to the age of 13+ of any gender.

This book is a great read, covering topics such as bullying, the challenges of moving to a new country, family life, and more. It's told from two perspectives, showing how two people with completely different backgrounds can form a valuable friendship. Ravi, who recently moved from India to America, struggles with fitting in and adjusting to the new culture and customs, while Joe deals with constant bullying and an auditory processing disorder. The book is easy to read and understand, but still has a strong and deep message. Both characters feel very realistic, and their stories are well-written, showing how their experiences, personalities, and circumstances influence their thoughts and actions throughout the story, and how those ultimately bring them together. Overall, it's a meaningful story that reflects how understanding and empathy can lead to friendship, no matter how different people may seem.

After reading Gary Paulsen’s other Hatchet books, I knew I had to read The River. The story is simple: Brian has been rescued from the horrors of the wilderness, with scars to prove them; but a group of men who want to educate people on nature survival are asking him to travel back to the desolate Canadian Forests! Read as a simple, and seemingly safe, plan falters and leaves Brian back in the wild, alone. His only hope: to raft down a river and hope for somebody to rescue him.
Although this novel gives off a less tense survival vibe, it is certainly still entertaining. I would certainly recommend this entire series to anyone who loves a good nature book with a twist. The River: A Hatchet Adventure, is worthwhile. Read and submerse yourself in a survival book of hardships and adventure!

Gary Paulsen has done it again in his fifth and final Hatchet series book. Brian is back in the comfort of the Canadian wilderness, and he has promised to visit a native hunting family on his venture back into the forests. However, his trip turns into a massacre when Brian arrives to a horrific scene. Brian must claim vengeance over whoever, or whatever did this. Join Brian on his hunt in another excellent adventure from Gray Paulsen. This book is yet another wilderness hit! Totally recommended to anyone who loves a good nature book.

He has finally done it: Brian survived the terrors of nature and has finally returned to his home town in New York. Everything is better now, or is it? Is city life as wonderful as Brian dreamed it to be while stuck in the middle of the Canadian Forests? Or has Brian become part of nature? To find out, read the third book in the Hatchet series, Brian’s Return.

I knew that I had to read this book after completing Gary Paulsen’s previous two books in the series. Brian kept growing on me the more I read, and I couldn’t get enough of Gray Paulsen’s descriptive writing. Although this book holds less of Brian’s wilderness struggles, Brian now encounters a whole different kind of hardship. I completely suggest this book to any wilderness lovers out there!

When I finished reading Gary Paulsen’s initial book to the series, Brian’s Winter was on my list. The novel twists the first book, Hatchet, with an alternate ending! Brian now remains stranded in the Canadian Wilderness, but here’s the catch: in order for Brian to survive, he must endure Canada’s brutal winters. Can Brian get lucky enough to survive yet another season in the wild, or will he succumb to the sheer power of Mother Nature? Find out by reading Gary Paulsen’s Brian’s Winter.

Another amazing book by Jim Benton, You can bet on that follows Jamie and Angeline’s relationship as they face Isabella, and make multiple bets. Jamie complains about homework, ugly clothing, and feeling inferior, which we can all relate to. She and Angeline make a bet that whoever loses at a fair game has to kiss the worst boy in school. On the lips. Jamie really doesn’t want to lose, but what happens if she does?

This is a hilarious book, and really relatable to anyone going through the ordeal of middle school. Jamie recounts old memories, like the time she dressed a snowman in her friend Isabella’s mother’s underwear. She also shares funny opinions on matters, and stories about puppies. Combined with amazing drawings, this book by Jim Benton will have you hooked.

An amazing book, including mystery, psychology, and self identity. Hannah Gold isn’t crazy, right? Over the summer, she went to early college classes, where she met her new best friend, Agnes Smith. But one night, when they were playing truth or dare, Agnes fell. Off the window ledge of a second story room. Hannah is sure she didn’t push her, but she remembers it clearly, right? Hannah is moved under psychological observation, under the care of doctor Lightfoot. She spends a lot of time in the mental hospital, and makes a NEW best friend, Lucy. But one day, Lucy disappears.

I read this book's Spanish translation, something I don't often do because many translations are disorienting from bad word choice and tonal shift. However, I really enjoyed this particular translation! It was poetic and had good flow. It's hard to find good books in Spanish just because of their relative scarcity, so I'm glad that PPLD has this one, and I hope they can continue to increase their collection of books in other languages.
This book is a coming of age story about Piedad "Piddy" Sanchez, a 16 year old girl in New York who switches high schools after she and her mom move away from their old apartment. At her new school, she is severely bullied by Yaqui Delgado, a classmate who lives in a bad neighborhood and thinks Piddy is stuck up and "a fox". During this time, she must deal with her changing body, growing apart from an old friend, getting along with her mother, and other problems.
My favorite part of this book was Piddy herself. She wasn't a perfect protagonist who always made the perfect, most logical choice. She also wasn't a character who was unreasonable simply for dramatic effect. She felt like a real person, and her motivations, struggles, and choices always made sense for her character. I admired her resilience and values. Despite touching on themes such as sexism and poverty, the book doesn't go as incredibly in depth on them as the themes of abuse, family, and hope. However, it makes sense because this book is, at the forefront, a story about Piddy and what she discovers about herself in the face of challenge.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for a classic coming-of-age story with an interesting, relatable protagonist, and I especially recommend the Spanish translation for anyone struggling to find captivating stories in Spanish.

BANG is a novel about a 14 year old boy named Sebastian Cody, who has a dark secret. At the age of just four years old, Sebastian shot and killed his baby sister. Now, ten years later, he has to live with the guilt and horror of the past
When a Muslim girl, Aneesa, moves to Brookdlae and becomes a close friend and neighbor, Sebastian spends the entire summer with Aneesa, showing her around Brookdale when they eventually start a pizza making youtube channel. All this summer fun almost becomes an escape from suicidal thoughts. After school starts, Sebastian isn’t able to distract himself from his thoughts, now that he isn’t spending all day with Aneesa. After a few weeks at school, bullies start to poke and prod, and Sebastian eventually makes the decision to end it. His plan was to kill his father, (who had moved out, Sebastian thinking it was abandonment) and then himself.
Of course the book ends in a “happily ever after” way, but it still has that “good book feeling” when you are finished.This book is a really interesting story about Sebastian's thoughts, whether it be from the past, his friends, and his family life. One of the best singular books I’ve ever read, but don’t listen to me, go read it for yourself and find out.

At first I didn’t want to read The Outsiders because at the time I didn’t like reading. But my language arts teacher was going to test us on it after winter break so I read it. When I read it I fell in love with the characters and felt like i belonged in the story. The book is about a town divided by wealth and status. The wealthy kids are called soc’s and the less fortunate kids are called greasers. The book tells the story of a greaser boy named Ponyboy Curtis who narrates the story. Ponyboy is the main character and he tells us about him and his gangs home lives and how they started as 7 friends and ended as 5 friends. Ponyboy lives with his two older brothers Sodapop and Darry. Ponyboy lives with his brothers because his parents died in an auto wreck 8 months before the story begins. As a result of their parents not being with them, Darry works two jobs to provide for his brothers, and Sodapop is a high school dropout who works full time at the DX gas station. The book has taught me a lot of good life lessons and I’m glad I read it. It’s my favorite book and because I read it I bought some of S.E Hintons other books.

If I could recommend any book I've ever read, its this one. This book is a minute by minute recount of a school shooting at a high school, which as a teenager in America, feels like a very real situation that can feel almost bound to happen. The storytelling is unparalleled, and as a reader I felt as if I was in that high school, sitting on the bleachers, waiting to see what was going to happen next. It has such good raw emotion- fear, anger, sadness, terror. From the second I started reading I could not put it down, and by the end you feel neither unsatisfied nor satisfied, just as I believe the author intended. It does cover a very dark topic, and is very descriptive, so be careful if you are sensitive to that kind of material.

In "If I Stay," Gayle Forman crafts a narrative that delves into themes of life, death, and the power of choice. While the novel has garnered praise for its emotional resonance and exploration of complex emotions, it may not appeal to all readers. Some critics have cited issues with pacing and character development, feeling that certain aspects of the story lacked depth. Additionally, the nonlinear structure of the narrative has been divisive, with some finding it engaging while others found it disjointed. Overall, "If I Stay" offers a thought-provoking examination of grief and love, but its execution may leave some readers wanting more coherence and depth.

Angie Thomas brings readers inside the life of 16-year-old Bri Jackson who lives in Garden Heights. Bri's father, Lawless, was murdered when she was four. Although they had limited time together, people refer to her as "Lil Law" and she is determined to follow in his footsteps as a rapper to continue his legacy. She eventually receives her big break when she releases a song called "On the Come Up" which she wrote after being wrongfully and aggressively searched by her school security guards. While many people supported this song, those close to her disapproved because Bri was acting out of character and discussing violence she's never taken part in. Readers witness Bri's dilemma on whether to stay true to herself or conform to what others want her to become. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story because Bri is extremely honest about her feelings and is morally intact. Reading about her dad strikes up many emotions and makes me feel more connected to her character. Bri is also passionate about those she cares about which makes it easy to root for her when she faces adversaries. I recommend this book to middle and high school students, especially women.

Reviewer: Grade 12

Concrete Rose tells the story of 17-year-old Maverick Carter who is a member of a gang, the King Lords, in Garden Heights. Maverick's life was going smoothly until one day when he found out he was going to become a teen father. This book takes readers through the journey of Maverick trying to balance his fatherhood, social life, and gang activity all at once. Angie Thomas does a beautiful job of describing the difficulties of parenthood and the devastation of gang violence while still entertaining her readers and making us feel a connection to the characters. Concrete Rose has become one of my favorite stories because it sparks emotional responses throughout the entire book and feels extremely authentic to the issues discussed. This story is also a prequel to Angie Thomas's best-selling book, The Hate U Give, as Maverick is the father of Starr, the main character of T.H.U.G. It's riveting to see Maverick's story and how he becomes the man he needed to be in order to raise his daughter.

The book "Rivals" by Tommy Greenwald is a book about two rival middle school basketball teams. The best players on each team are trying to do everything they can to try and beat their rival. A news reporter, named Alfie Jenks, discovers many actions that are not on the basketball court that are just as important to the game as on the court ones. I chose to read this book because the author was coming to visit our school, so I thought I'd read the book. I liked how the book was very much like a middle schoolers life, and the different perspectives. I wasn't the biggest fan of some parts where the book was cringe. But, overall I thought this book would be good for a middle school student, because I feel that it gives a good representation of some of the struggles and problems that kids can have at that age.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is an amazing book about love. This book follows a 16 year old girl named Lara Jean. When she has a crush so big she writes a letter about them to dumb her emotions out and let them go. She keeps these letters in a box hidden, so no one finds them or sees them. Until one day she finds that the letters are gone and someone sent them out to all the boys she has written about. One even being her older sister's ex-boyfriend! Lara Jean is trying to figure out how to deal with this messy situation, but it does lead to a happy accident.
I loved reading this book! I loved seeing what would happen next and how each of the boys reacted to getting the letters. I recommend this book to anyone who likes reading romance and any of Jenny Han’s books. I love this author, and this book was well written and fun to read.

Reviewer Grade: 8

Refugee is a great book about three kids trying to seek refuge. Josef was a boy in Nazi Germany in the 1930s trying to escape as a Jew. Isabel, a girl in 1994 trying to leave Cuba during the rule of Fidel Castro. Muhmoud was a boy in Syria in 2015 trying to leave Syria with his family during the war. All three kids and family faced many challenges along the way trying to go to the United States or a place to find home.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved the way it was written with each kid telling their point of view during their time. I recommend this book to anyone who is trying to find a new book to read because of all the events that took place making you want to turn each page and see what would happen next. This book was emotional for me but extremely good with teaching you about the characters and the events they went through. After reading this book I have a better understanding of what refugees had to face.

Reviewer Grade: 8

Ground Zero is a book about the events of 9/11 in 2001 and war in Afghanistan in present day. Brandon, a nine year old boy, got into trouble at school and had to stay home, but his dad couldn’t let that happen and decided to take him to work at the World Trade Center in New York City. The date was September 11, 2001, while in the buildings two planes came crashing into them and Brandon and his dad were stuck inside the fire burning building. While in present day Afghanistan Reshmina and her family are surrounded by war. Reshmina has big dreams about peace and opportunities for her and her country. Reshmina’s village gets attacked and she finds a wounded American soldier that she decides to help. The soldier named Taz needs her help but she knows if she gets caught she could be in big trouble.
Ground Zero is an amazing book that everyone should read. There were many twists and turns which picked at my emotions. This book was very emotional for me but extremely good. I loved the way it was written with two stories being told with a clever twist that touches the reader.

Reviewer Grade: 8

The Summer I Turn Pretty is an amazing book about young love and coming of age. The story follows a girl named Isabel (Belly). She and her family have been going to a beach house during summer since she was born, along with her mother’s best friend and her two boys, Conrad and Jeremiah. Belly has always loved Conrad, but this summer was a little different. This summer Belly was growing up and found herself in between the two brothers.
I really enjoyed this book and thought that it was good. The plot was well written with twists and turns along the way. If you like romance books, I recommend this book to you.

Reviewer Grade: 8

"Turtles All the Way Down" is a young adult novel written by John Green. The story follows the life of Aza Holmes, a 16-year-old girl dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Aza, along with her best friend Daisy, becomes involved in the mystery surrounding the disappearance of a billionaire named Russell Pickett. As they investigate, Aza also navigates the challenges of her mental health and relationships.
In my opinion, "Turtles All the Way Down" is a compelling and emotionally resonant novel, earning my rating of 3/5. John Green brings depth and authenticity to the portrayal of Aza's struggles with OCD, providing readers with a unique and empathetic perspective. The exploration of friendship, love, and the complexities of mental health adds layers to the narrative. The book's strength lies in its realistic characters, poignant storytelling, and the author's ability to address important themes with sensitivity. While some may find the pacing or plot elements challenging or dull, the overall impact and the way it tackles mental health make it a worthwhile and thought-provoking read.

"An Abundance of Katherines" by John Green revolves around the quirky and intellectually gifted protagonist, Colin Singleton, who finds himself in a cycle of heartbreak. Having been dumped by 19 girls, all named Katherine, Colin sets out on a road trip with his best friend, Hassan, in an attempt to overcome the repetitive pattern in his love life. Along the journey, the novel explores themes of self-discovery, friendship, and the complexities of relationships. Green weaves in mathematical concepts and footnotes, adding an intellectual layer to the narrative as Colin attempts to create a formula predicting the duration of romantic relationships.
In my opinion, the novel falls short in execution. The heavy reliance on mathematical discussions, while unique, can be overwhelming or dull for readers not inclined towards that subject. The repetitiveness of the plot, with the central theme of Colin's romantic struggles, becomes a hindrance, making the story feel stagnant at times. Despite some moments of humor and insight, the overall experience may leave readers desiring more depth and variety in the narrative.

"Far From the Tree" by Robin Benway is a exploration of family, identity, and the bonds that tie people together. The book follows the interconnected lives of three siblings—Grace, Maya, and Joaquin—who are all separated and discover each other's existence and embark on a journey to understand the meaning of family. Benway skillfully intertwines the perspectives of these three characters, creating a narrative that unfolds with genuine emotion and authenticity. The story delves into themes of adoption, acceptance, and the profound impact of family connections on one's sense of self.
Awarding "Far From the Tree" a rating of 3/5 reflects my appreciation for the novel's engaging storyline and the author's adept portrayal of complex family dynamics. The characters are well-developed, and their individual struggles and growth are compelling. However, at times, the narrative can feel slightly formulaic, with certain plot points following predictable trajectories. Additionally, while the exploration of adoption is insightful, some aspects of the story may feel a bit too neatly resolved. Despite these minor critiques, Benway's ability to craft a touching narrative around the theme of found family makes "Far From the Tree" a solid and emotional read, deserving a 3 star rating.

John Green's "The Fault in Our Stars" is a heartwarming and pleasant YA novel that explores a variety of themes like love, illness, and essence. This particular story follows the narrative of Hazel and Augustus, two teenagers who battle cancer and embark on a journey of love and self-discovery together.
I rate "The Fault in Our Stars" 3 out of 5 stars for its easy readability, enjoyable narrative, and the extremely important message it conveys about cancer awareness through Hazel's and Augustus' characters. It is an incredibly nice, short book to read, particularly for audiences who are young adults. However, compared to some of the other books I've read, it doesn't delve as deeply and lacks the complex storytelling that I often seek while reading. While it certainly has its lovely positives that I enjoyed, the book, in my opinion, falls a little short in terms of depth and construction, which is why I choose to give it a 3-star rating.