This poetry book written by Amanda Lovelace is an empowering read for women and girls everywhere. With poems ranging in size, the words are captivating and can be interpreted in many ways. The Princess Saves Herself in this One is based off of some of Amanda’s own experiences, thus bringing the words to life.
Best for older teens as it deals with mature themes and topics.
If you are a fan of Rupi Kaur’s Milk and Honey, check out this poetry book!!!
Alex and Eliza: A Love Story is the perfect read for anyone obsessed with the musical Hamilton. This cute and romantic book written by Melissa de la Cruz explores the relationship between Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler.
This is a fictional novel, even though some of the characters are real people and there is real places mentioned. The story switches perspectives, so you get to see what both Eliza and Alex are thinking.
If you want to know more about the love story of Elizabeth and Alexander, pick up this book!
“Not very much is know about Alex and Eliza’s romance, except that they fell hard and fast and were so in love that Eliza carried a poem he wrote for her in a necklace she wore until the day she died.” -Melissa de la Cruz, page 358: Acknowledgments
“The Sword of Summer” is the first installation in Rick Riordan’s series, “Magnus Chase and the gods of Asgard.” The book is set in modern day Boston where a homeless orphan learns that he is the offspring of a powerful Norse god. His adventure begins with his questionable ‘courageous’ death after which he is taken to the Norse afterlife where he learns he has to save the worlds from doomsday. He meets several characters in his journey: dwarves; elves; gods and goddesses; and even very big scary monsters during his quest.
Having read many of Riordan’s books, I can say that this book does not fall short of being a great writing like his other works. I highly recommend reading this book and every other book of the series to be struck by how awing an imagination can be. This book is not just fiction, it is a way of learning new things and perspectives like most books are.
Review by,
Moye, 12th grade
Shadowlands Series by Kate Brian:
After a teacher she admired turns a serial killer and comes after her, Rory Miller and her family move to an FBI secured home in a place called Juniper Landing. However, this new place has its own mysteries: the fog-soaked island town lacks phone and Internet service, and a group of powerful young locals is overly focused on Rory, and when people from the town go missing, others don’t seem to care.
Her sister Darcy and her become friends with a group of exotic teenagers, and spend their time partying and having fun, until one of their new friends goes missing. This series is about love and loss, and the importance of family and relationships, a definite must read for lovers of mystery and romance!
Review by Anoushka, 12th grade
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice may be an old story, but it is still on our shelves for a reason! The story has all the excitement that comes when love and family matters collide with the charm of England from long ago. The story focuses on the five Bennet sisters as they navigate the customs of English society in the early1800s. Elizabeth Bennet, who is the main protagonist, is prejudiced against the arrogant Mr. Darcy for his pride. Their complicated relationship lies at the heart of the story.
The language can be difficult to read at times, but the adorable, if somewhat frustrating, story is worth the read. Austen’s subtle commentary on society’s pride and prejudice is clever and adds another layer to the story. Pride and Prejudice is a great book to read if you’re looking for a classic and a love story.
Submitted by,
Abby, 12th grade
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is about two boys who end up making a film for their friend Rachel, who is dying of cancer. Written by Greg, the main character, the book follows his interactions with Rachel and his friends and family, his life at school, and his films. After many visits with Rachel, who is now a fan of his once secret films, he loses his low profile at school.
This book is full of funny moments and charm. Even though the book is sad at times, Greg, Rachel, and Earl (Greg’s friend), always give you something to laugh at. The book is full of ups and downs for these kids, but will have you smiling.
Milk and Honey is a BEAUTIFUL & DEEP poetry book, which will be like nothing you have read before. It is unique and leaves you thinking, it touches the heart, and gives a new perspective on many things in life.
Written by Rupi Kaur, she recounts moments of her life, good and bad, through short poems as well as doodles. This book talks about mature elements, so is best for older readers and teens.
Before I Fall is a gripping tale of Samantha, a high schooler. After a fatal car crash, Samantha wakes up the next day and relives her death date 7 times. For a whole week, she tries to figure out a way to save herself and stop the crazy cycle. However, it turns out Samantha is not just trying to save herself….
This was a well-written story with lots of intense scenes. It was a page-turner for any reader and had a beautiful ending. Be sure to check it out and also look for it in theaters in March 2017 starring Zoey Deutch!
Teen Book Review:
The book Mice and Men is about two guys that are friends and are always together. Their names were Lennie and George. Lennie was kind of special he was a slow learner, which made him appear dumb. Lennie was sometimes a bother to George and he always got them into trouble. Lennie is a big guy and he sometimes is careless. He got in some big trouble when a lady accused him of raping her. But, all was not true because Lennie just touched the lady’s red dress because he wanted to feel it. That caused them to run away and find a new job. They found a job, but what was to come there way was going to change their lives forever.
The book Mice and Men was a good book. It was an entertaining book, even though sometimes you found yourself confused throughout the story. Each character in the book was important even if that character just came out rarely throughout the story. Each character had a dream, which was fun to see in the end if the characters achieve their dream in the end. The end of the story was sad and can change your perspective from some of the characters. But overall the book was interesting to me.
Submitted by,
Diana- 10th grade
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith is a light read about following your heart and forgiving your family. The story follows Hadley, a teen from the U.S. who travels to England for her father’s wedding. Although she is dreading the wedding, Hadley’s trip improves when she meets a cute British boy on her flight. They grow close, but get separated once in England. Reluctantly, Hadley goes to her father’s wedding. When Hadley chooses to listen to her heart, her journey becomes much more exciting, and she may have a chance at mending her relationship with her dad and finding the boy of her dreams.
I enjoyed reading The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, which was an easy read. While the story is unlikely to occur in real life, it had some elements that can relate to anyone. Jennifer E. Smith portrayed Hadley’s struggle with accepting her father’s new life beautifully. I also enjoyed the ending, which provides closure for every character. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy read with meaningful themes. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight will definitely leave you wanting to hop on a plane to England right away!
Submitted by,
Abbigail-12th grade
Woodland Library Teens 